Overview 2009-2010

What a varied year it has been!

We started off in October with year 5/6 children from Kemble, North Cerney, Ann Edwards and Powells Primary schools joining us for the Crystal Maze Primary Challenge. For two days there were mathematical calculations whizzing through pupils heads, trying desperately to beat the time restriction. The finale was finding the odd and even dominoes in a pool of balloons and having to work as a team to stop any stray balloons escaping and calculate scores!

Also during the Autumn Term rolls, jumps and sequencing movements was high on the agenda for North Cerney School as they experienced Gymnastic lessons from Mrs Hacker. They gained so much experience and especially having the opportunity to use facilities which they haven’t got in their own schools.

North Cerney also came on a regular basis to learn how to use Macromedia Flash animations. The children and staff learnt so much from Mr Cooper.

Shortly after the Christmas break a class of Year 5 pupils from Ann Edwards School joined us to extend their Healthy Eating topic by cooking delicious but healthy biscuits with Mrs Parker.

In February Year 5 from Stratton School arrived eager to experience all that a morning of drama and music technology could offer – and what a wonderful creative time they had. Chesterton School has also continued its long standing association with Mr Anzalone and his drama sessions. He has led sessions for the primary pupils as well taking Y10 pupils to perform and work with the primary children.

The Year 9 Language Leaders have been working with Ampney Crucis Primary School and supporting the younger children’s learning under the guidance of Miss Moss. Miss Moss also organised the Language Festival and groups of children from Powells and Stratton took part in this event.

There has also been a shift in focus this year as many of the Deer Park staff have run after school courses for Primary pupils. These have proved very popular and we have welcomed pupils form all the Primary schools as well as many of the village schools., They have had the chance to take part in Mathsmania, Journalism, Music Technology, Design, Art and Science activities.

In May Miss Dovey ran the 1945 Day and many Chesterton and Stratton children came to join in the afternoon celebrations. They listened to the JJ Swing Band, some were brave enough to dance, and then had a tea party, along with a visit to an original old Alexcars bus and even milked a pretend cow!

In June we welcomed over fifty Year 6 pupils who have chosen to come to Deer Park in September and they had an exciting Primary Challenge Day. The theme was based around the World Cup and started with the departure lounge on the way to Oliver Tambo Airport in Johannesburg. The children had an exciting time and felt so much more confident about finding their way around the school and made many new friends.

Throughout the last term I have been out visiting children in their Primary Schools, finding out about them by talking to them, speaking to their teachers and their head teachers. Our new Year 7 pupils recently came into school for two Induction Days. Because we have already started our new timetable, pupils joining us in September had the opportunity to follow their actual timetables over these two days and met the teachers who will be teaching them. They also met others in their new tutor groups and participated in their first lessons at Deer Park. What lovely children we have coming in September!

Mrs Bond
Primary Specialist

Crystal Maze

Drama

Music Technology

1945 Day

Primary Challenge Day