WELCOME TO WOODCOCK HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL
UPDATED APRIL 2012
Click here for a link to up-to-date information and announcements on Woodcock Hill's twitter page. The Summer term for pupils begins on Monday 16th April 2012. (Please note that we are closed on Thursday 3rd May - Elections - Friday 4th May - Teacher Day - and Monday 7th May - Bank Holiday). SATS for Y6 are during the week beginning 14th May. Tests for Y2,3,4 and 5 will begin from 21st May. ZOOFARI and ANIMAL WEEK The Zoofari mobile zoo visited recently. All classes had the opportunity to see and interact with a wide range of animals including a tarantula, python, corn snake, skunk, 'baby' giant tortoise and even a meerkat. All the pupils enjoyed the workshops and learned a great deal. Also, we had a delivery of eggs . . . which soon began to wobble, shake and then hatch! Nine healthy chicks were born and the classes enjoyed visiting them each day as they quickly grew. SCHOOL NEWS : >>Y4, supported by pupils from Y5 and Y6, entertained us with a violin and cello concert that showed the improvement they have made over the past term. The school choir also made its first appearance. >>Y2 invited parents into school for a workshop to help them with their Design and Technology 'Joseph's Coat' project. >>Y6 visited Bell Heath residential for an overnight stay to experience what life was like during World War II. They made blackout shelters, cracked codes and took on an assault course. >>Y3 and Y4 pupils took part in a local schools football tournament at Shenley. They remained undefeated so qualified for the next round at Lordswood . . . and they won again! They will now represent our area at the Birmingham University finals. >>Y6 took part in an enterprise project writing business plans and working to make money to create a classroom garden. It was very successful and they are now looking forward to holding a plant sale in May. >>Y4 designed and made a wonderful selection of Roman buildings as part of their D&T and History projects. They were displayed in the community room, and created a virtual 'Roman Town'. >>Thank you for the response to our appeal for pupils to wear correct school shoes. There are still a few older pupils in inappropriate footwear but there has been an improvement. >>Provisional dates for Y5 and Y6 visits in the summer term are - Y5 and Y6 to Stratford (Shakespeare Day) Tuesday 24th April ; Y5 to London (Parliament visit) Monday 21st May ; Y6 to Drayton Manor Park (end of SATs celebration!) Thursday 28th June. OFSTED Click here for a link to our most recent inspection report from November 2010. Click here to read the congratulations letter from BPTP - Teacher Training Opportunities Woodcock Hill has a commitment to training excellent teachers for the future and is part of the Birmingham Primary Training Partnership (BPTP), a school-centred initial teacher training programme. BPTP aims to provide Birmingham schools with highly skilled teachers who reflect the diverse community in which they work and are capable of making a positive difference to children's lives through their dedication and commitment to the teaching profession. BPTP recruits 25 trainees each year onto a one year full-time post graduate (PGCE) course. If you are thinking of training as a teacher and already have a good honours degree we recommend you find out more by contacting http://www.bptp.bham.org.uk/ LOOKING FORWARD . . . PLANS FOR THE SUMMER TERM INCLUDE A CELEBRATION WITH EXCITING ACTIVITIES TO MARK THE FORTHCOMING OLYMPIC GAMES AND A Y5/6 MUSICAL - A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. SCHOOL MEALS Parents are reminded that school meals will increase to £1.90 per day from the start of the Summer Term PLEASE NOTE THAT BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS SHOULD NOT BE RIDDEN AROUND THE SCHOOL SITE FOR SAFETY REASONS. It is good to see many pupils arriving this way and gaining exercise, but it is dangerous to ride on our pavements and playgrounds with other children and parents around. CYBER-BULLYING AND CYBER AWARENESS There are many alarming stories in the national news about cyber-bullying and at Woodcock Hill we have had reports recently that have concerned us about children's use of the internet out of school and how unaware and vulnerable they appear to be. As a response to this, we conducted a survey and have, in consultation with the police, local authority and children's charities, produced a leaflet with advice and information that every parent should read and think about. We will continue to run theme weeks and special assemblies dealing with the issues of cyber-bullying, and we often have our local police visit us with important reminders of the consequences of inappropriate behaviour. The leaflet can be downloaded by clicking this link : cyber awareness leaflet download PE KIT AND PARTICIPATION A letter was recently sent out reminding KS2 parents about the requirements for providing PE kit at all times and about the importance of pupils taking part in all activities. The letter can be downloaded here :
