|
EXTRACTS FROM THECHRISTMAS 2009 EDITION
From The Headteacher
I
would like to thank the Staff, Governors, Parents and everyone who
supports the fantastic children of Dent C of E School,
for their help and nard work this term. It has been busy and very
enjoyable. Our new children in Reception have settled in so well and we
are very proud of their achievements in such a short time. I would like
to say a big 'Well done' to all our children this term -they have all
tried their best. '
Here is just a flavour of our work in
school this term:
Healthy Schools
This term we have received our Healthy Schools Award for
the work we have done in relation to Personal, Social, Health Education
(P.S.H.E.) This award has been achieved through
work with the pupils, staff, parents and Governors. James Gardner and
Joel Martin represented the school at the presentation at Rheged where
Moira Swan the Director of Children's Services handed over the plaque,
which will be displayed in school. We will continue to work towards our
next award by continually looking for ways to develop our provision.
Music
The KS2 children (Juniors) have started to learn a new
instrument, the trumpet!! As part of the wider opportunities programme
our school has been allocated a teaching session once a week for the
year and a set of cornets/baritone trumpets. The children have only had
two sessions, but already can make a good sound and can play in time
with each other following the musical score. Thanks go to Mrs Corpe for
her previous work in recorders, as they can all read the music now which
really helps.
KSl have been learning the recorders with
our student teacher Liz Rice and are also making good progress. In
addition, using some of the money from the Music and Beer Festival we
have employed Carolyn Francis to work with Class 1 using the djembe
drums. The children and Jill loved the sessions and we will have more
next term. Sports
KS2 have improved their netball skills with a specialist
coach who has been visiting for the last half term. Next term we ~re
employing a dance specialist to deliver 6 weeks of street dance - watch
out Britain's got Talent!!
Through Extended Schools we have various bids in to the
county including one for Multi Skills club for younger children and
fencing for KS2 at after school clubs.
Extended Schools
This
term we have been working with Suzy Smith to look at library provision as
part of a bid with Sedbegh Primary. We hope to be able to catalogue all
non-fiction books to enable lending to take place. Also we are trying to
enhance the play provision by providing a surface under the apparatus so
that it can be used more often.
Maths
Thanks to the grant provided with the help of Peter
Williams, a new maths scheme has been purchased for KS2 and an upgrade to
the one in KSl has been made.
Flora Cooking with Schools
We have just received our cookery equipment; thank you to
all of you who sent in the vouchers! We look forward to some delicious
cakes being made.
Topic Work
The settle-Carlisle railway was an exciting and interesting
topic for our older children this term. They learnt more about the local
area in terms of physical and human geography and historic changes. They
built models of viaducts and had debates about whether or not the railway
should have come to Dent. They visited both Settle and Ribblehead,
taking part in a walk with a guide around the site of the Shanty town
Batty Green. It was great to see such enthusiasm from the children. Many
of them are still finding out more and the boys particular can't stop
talking about trains!
In
R.E the children learnt more about Jesus and studied
Hannukah, a Jewish festival of light. They created
their own Menorahs (Hannukah Candle sticks) and looked at famous works of
art which showed Jesus.
Class 1 also looked at the topic of Journeys and carried
out surveys and also learnt more about types of transport. They enjoyed
the train trip to Settle, especially the visit to the signal box. In R.E
they thought about the journeys of Jonah, Jacob and The Good Samaritan.
Reception have enjoyed their topics of Cinderella,
teddy-bears, journeys, hibernation and of course Christmas! They have been
busy learning their letter sounds too! They learn through play and
certainly have a happy time doing it!
And finally:
Thanks to all the Friends of Dent for a fantastic Promise
Auction with £4,600 raised for the school a great success yet again. To
the children for helping to raise £80 for 'The children's Society' by
Carol singing this week. And to the School's Council for raising £165 for
Children in Need. Well done everyone and thanks to those who gave so
generously.
Next term Liz Rice our student from the University of
Cumbria starts her placement in Class 1. We wish her every success.
Congratulations go to Kath Parkin who has
just celebrated 35 yrs in teaching -most of these at our school. This is a
great achievement and we all thank her for her dedication.
Phillipa Summers
Headteacher
From the Governing Body
Christmas 2009
It has been another busy term for all those involved with
the school.
Last year I mentioned the Heating and the Early Years
outdoor area. These have now been completed and the next step is to put a
new oil tank in during January and introduce a Wet Pour soft mat on the
outdoors teaching area. We aim to replace the Inner Memorial Hall door so
that the Hall will be secure when the children are in it.
The Governors continue to monitor standards at the school
and the last review it was reported that Level 4 pupils were above the
County and National average in reading /writing/maths and English overall.
Science has continued to improve. Our School improvement officer has said
that overall our 2009 performance was good and that progress for
pupils with special educational needs was good thanks to the early
action by the staff in identifying their needs. .,
The Governing body will continue to support
and monitor the school so that the children can achieve their best
potential for the future.
We thank Phillipa and the staff for their
commitment and hard work and we do appreciate all the financial and
practical support from those involved.
Best wishes for a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Kate Cairns
Chair of Governors
*********************************************************
Gabriel' s Visit to Mary
Once upon a time, there was a long haired girl called Mary
and she lived in Nazareth. She was not just standing there she was
cleaning. One minute she was cleaning but the next minute she was standing
in an amazing dazzling light. It was an angel named Gabriel. Mary was
petrified and he said "Do not be afraid Mary."
"B .... b ... but how did you know my name?"
"Because I am a messenger from God."
By Zak Baines Y2
After telling the story of the Three Kings and their visit
to the stable, I asked a child what they would like to write. "They went
on a boat" was the reply. "I don't think they did!" I replied. Giving me a
friendly punch on the arm, the reply was ... "Ha! Ha! I was having you
on!"
"THEY WENT IN A CAR!"
(What would we do without a laugh!) Mrs P.
The Christmas Story
Gabriel was God's messenger and He was kind because he came
from God because God helps everyone to be good and Gabriel is with God. I
was Gabriel in' our play and I felt special because I came from God.
Ellie McDowell Age 7
Mary was the mother of Jesus and she was special because
she was his mother and Jesus was a special baby because He was God's son.
I was Mary and I felt special being Jesus mother.
Milly Brooksbank Age 6
The Three Wise Men were posh because they were rich. They
had lots of money and they don't ride on donkeys they ride on camels
because they are rich. I liked being a wise man and saying lots of words
in the play and it made me feel happy.
Greg Tebbett Age 6
The shepherds were poor. They had to take a lamb because
they were poor. I think the shepherds felt happy when the angels came
because the baby was born. They were excited and frightened because they
didn't know what an angel was!
Ryan Winder Age 5
Angels can fly from heaven because I know that. They come
from God and they told Mary she was going to have a baby. I danced around
the shepherds when I was an angel and it made~ me feel happy.
Beatrice Deighton Age 4
Poetry by Year 3 and 4 Blea Moor Tunnel
I can feel the rushing air through my hair, when the train
wheezes by,
I can taste the smoky air (quite bitter).
I can hear the train zooming through the tunnel.
I can see the light shining forward.
By Harry Brownbill Y3
Colours
The sound of white is a crispy snowflake,
The sound of blue is the sea splashing on the beach,
The sound of red is like fire burning, The sound of grey is
like hammers banging on metal,
The sound of black is a wolf howling.
Joe Gardner Y4
Group poem by Class 2 based on the story of Jim Jarvis a
street child who was escaping from the workhouse.
Hardly breathing, A rearing of fear, Tiptoeing,
Invisible in the deep shadow.
Breath bursting,
Slinking and darting forward, Weak and panting.
Free!
Class 2
Colours
The sound of green is like grass whooshing in the wind,
The sound of grey is like rain dripping from gutters,
The sound of black is like the dark air whispering through
the sky.
Melissa Hartley Y4
Y5 and 6 Work related to Settle to Carlisle railway
Life in a shanty town
The people who lived in the towns lived in wooden huts.
They had serious diseases and they could not do anything about it. They
sometimes had smallpox and could die of the disease. Some of the people
who died were: William Dean at the age of 11 months.
John
Hollenshaw aged 40 years. One of the youngest children to die was aged 9
months.
(Info from the Parish Records Chapelle-Dale -1891)
By Aaron Capstick Y5
Cowgill in 1891
The people who lived in this area did jobs such as railway
labourers, a signal man, marble sawyer, marble mason, a farmer and a
servant on the farm.
The average age of the adults listed on the census was 34
yrs. Most people were born in Dent. Most houses had about 6 people living
there. Dent was a lot bigger in Victorian times.
By Liam Middleton Y5 (from Census data)
I
thought the ugly sisters were funny because they pretended to strip off
and wiggled when they walked.
Holly Y 4 Lady
Ellie was really good because she performed
in front of all those people!
Kate Y4 Towns woman
I
think I was good because I wasn't the usual kind of fairy -I was a punk! I
felt a bit scared but I got through it.
Melissa Y 4 Magic Fairy
At first 1 thought it was a bit embarrassing,
but then I thought it was fun because everyone was laughing because 1 was
funny. It was very hard to get that nylon dressing-gown
on, because I am not used to wearing them!!
Harry Y3 Ugly Sister
I
had a lot to say and when we were practising and 1 kept forgetting to say
jesus@bethlehem stable.com!
Lauren Y3 Narrator
It was really good being an ugly sister because everyone
laughed and we had to do stripping -well not completely!! 1 liked the
make-up because it made me look funnier and I had a lot of it on.
Sean Y3 Ugly sister
Joel was funny when he muttered, 'Get me out of here' and
'Thank you very much and goodnight,' just like Elvis!
Joe
Y4 Rat
It was nerve-racking singing a solo in front
of everyone! I liked it when Joel chopped off heads.
Liam Y5 Townsman
It was embarrassing when Ellie and me were dancing because
I didn't like the flamenco bit! Singing in front of all those people made
me feel weird.
Joel Y6 Prince
I
think it was quite embarrassing when 1 got married to Ellie and everyone
laughed when 1 linked arms with Ellie. 1 also felt a bit silly when 1 had
those J-cloths on my head at the start of the play! But 1 really enjoyed
it when Joel was doing the midnight tango. Will Y6 Jam-man
I think it was funny when Joel was doing the 'Smelly
feet blues' and when Harry kept losing his shades while he was trying to
talk. It was hard to sing in front of a lot of people, but 1 enjoyed being
part of the play.
James Y 6 Townsman
The rat costume was very embarrassing, but 1
liked my line when
I
said: 'She went out in her underwear!' When Joel chopped off the heads and
the balls rolled out with faces it made me laugh.
Aaron Y5
I felt embarrassed when I sang my solos
because of the large audience. It was harder than in rehearsals. I have
learnt that it is hard to act, sing and dance, especially in front of all
your family and friends. I enjoyed it a lot!
Ellie Y5 Cinderella
|
