Hi! Ellener and Courtney here... we just wanted to say a quick 'hello' to you all! This is our first blog together and want to make it a good one...

Year 6 Pioneers Project 2013

The Pioneers Project is a fun active day every week ( on a Thursday). Year 6 take part in the project. It is our second week joining the project. Nick and Sarah lead the learning tasks, but sadly Nick couldn't make it this week due to be called out to the army! We still had fun this week though with Sarah and Trigger (also known as) Duncan.

This week we've been reading and orientating maps. We'll need these skills because we're going to the Ashdown Forest in the last week, before Christmas. In the afternoon we were given a map of the school grounds and were given a number from 1 to 10. We had to find the number, using the map to help, and then answer the questions provided. 

Last week, our first session, we were split into two teams of 9 per group. The two teams were Hillary and Mallery (two famous explorers). In the afternoon we went outside and learnt to put up a tent and to get across an area without touching the floor. It was all about teamwork. We had so much fun...cant wait till next week!  

Welcome back! Term 1 (September 2013)

My sincere apologies for the delay in getting the first blog of the year out to you.
It has been a somewhat busy start to the new academic year - all very positive and productive, but very busy...

Already there have been some exciting opportunities and challenges for our learners.

Year 1 and Year 3 children have new teachers (Mr Pring and Mr Harris respectively) and are rising to the expectations set. Mrs Clarke joins us too in her role as PPA teacher and has already settled well with children responding positively.

Year 6 have begun the 'Primary Pioneers' project with Nick & Sarah, two military personnel who are delivering a fantastic curriculum using the 'outdoor classroom'. In session one, the children had to work in teams to build bridges and correctly erect tents. Teamwork, communication, self-confidence, resilience, problem-solving (key skills for life long learning) are all promoted through this project and I look forward to seeing the children flourish.

Our clubs letter is going home this week and we hope lots of children will 'get involved' again this year. Another exciting opportunity this year is Gymnastics Club, run by qualified gym coaches. A letter has been sent home and I hope the club proves popular.

From a building perspective, the holidays were very productive. A new safety barrier was installed on the main driveway which makes the immediate area around the school a much safer environment. We have increased car parking spaces to help and relocated the bike store. Pedestrians can now enjoy a car-free walk up to the School Office and the Community Room.

Also, we have have installed hand-dryers in all toilet/sink areas. This not only makes hand washing much more hygenic but it also reduces paper towel waste and helps the environment. We've even installed one in Westview Playgroup!

Arriving soon will be some new high definition screens for interactive use in the classrooms. These will aid learning greatly and provide teaching staff with a fabulous platform in which to produce some great resources and teaching ideas. All very exciting....

Ellener and Courtney, two of our Year 6 pupils, will be starting their blog very soon. Please look out for their brief welcome!

Summer holidays are here...

I would like to wish all of our children, parents/carers and other stakeholders and members of the local community (and online community) a very happy summer break.

Downsview has had another successful year - improving on our 'best ever' SATs results of last year is just one of our many pleasing outcomes...

The self confidence in lots of our children has grown and we really are seeing engaged and happy learners who are keen to achieve success and make progress.

Have a relaxing break and 'recharge the batteries'...next year is going to be another positive but busy one. Good teaching and learning takes energy, so do rest and enjoy the holidays.

Please don't let brains go to goo though! Make sure that you do some reading, play some puzzle games and write at every opportunity.

Thank you to all those involved in supporting the children and school - teamwork is so effective and greatly appreciated!

See you in September!

                                                            Mr Edwards :)

Year 6 'Go Ape' at Leeds Castle!

On Monday 22nd July (sorry for the delay in blogging, but it has been a rather busy end of year!) our Year 6 leavers spent the day at Leeds Castle enjoying the thrills and challenge of 'Go Ape'.

 It was a brilliant day out and everyone had a fabulous time...although nervous at first, the children soon grew in confidence and were climbing trees, swinging from tree to tree, speeding down zip wires (the longest one being 250m long!) and generally having a blast!

Climbing the cargo net, having swung from a tree!

The trees were pretty tall, but 'harnessed in' safely and climbing rope ladders the views were amazing (unless heights were an issue for you!).

A long way up, but happy and thumbs up!

Some of the landings were perfect...

Touch-down!

...whilst others were rather fast and crazy!

Landing wasn't as easy as it might look!

It took bravery, nerve, confidence and teamwork to successfully complete the whole course...and we ceratinly did! To celebrate, we had a lovely picnic including some delicious cake!

More than a mouthful!

Sharing a well deserved treat!

Mmmmmm....tasty! (It was supposed to go in your mouth!)

Year 6 would like to thank...
The PTA - for organising their Leavers' trip, contributing to the cost and providing food.
The Governors - for the tasty treats!
Downsview Staff - who accompanied the trip (and got fully involved up in the trees)
Parents - for signing the permission slip!

'Your Move' visit us...with a cheque!

Following our successful Summer Fair, the 'Your Move' Swanley team came to visit us today...and brought with them a cheque for £450!

 In the photo below,Steve, Richard and Venetta are presenting us with the 'big' cheque. Children, representing all classes throughout the school, are smiling happily because they will be ones who benefit from all the fund-raising.

All of the children will enjoy the purchases we make using the PTA money...we have lots of ideas on how to spend it!

Again, a huge thank you to the PTA Team for all their hard work this year - and to everyone in the local community for supporting us!

How 'cool' are Apple Class?

The children in Apple Class having been keeping cool this week...just take a look!

The smiles on their faces say it all! Great thinking, Year R!

Year 3 visit Hall Place and meet 'The Tudors'!

On Monday 15th July, Year 3 travelled to Hall Place...

Once there, the children enjoyed a packed day of learning...meeting two Tudor characters who helped bring their history topic alive!

It was a great day out...very educational and a lot of fun!

Well done to all the children for their enthusiasm and interest...I thought they all looked fantatsic in Tudor costume (but I was told that they weren't very comfortable and preferred being a modern day person!).