School Council meet Swanley Mayor

Four of our School Council representatives visited the Civic Centre in Swanley this afternoon to meet the Mayor and discuss the role of the Town Council.

All four of our pupils were from Year 5 & 6 and included the Chair and the Secretary of our School Council.

On arrival, their names places were set out all ready for this special occasion. I hope that the children enjoyed their session with the Mayor and learnt much about the workings of the council and the role the Mayor has. Perhaps one or two might be inspired to go into politics? I'll keep my eye out for familiar names on the ballot papers in a few years time.

Thank you to Mrs Willetts for accompanying the children and to those parents who gave their permission for us to take the children to this interesting event. See below for photos...

The children represented the school impeccably and asked some very thoughtful and insightful questions. In fact, the clerk of the meeting commented on just how brilliant the questions from Downsview pupils were - well done, all!

The meeting in action...

The Mayor addressing the meeting....

Chair of our School Council with the Mayor...

School Council Secretary meets the Mayor...

Year 6 'Little Gritters' Challenge Day!

Last week, four of our Year 6 children were nominated to attend a very special challenge day called 'Little Gritters'....The event was organised to help youngsters understand the importance of perseverance and know that success can be achieved with hard work, determination and 'grit'.

Nick Hind in action talking to the Year 6 pupils about perseverance, determination and 'GRIT'.

The day was set up by Nick Hind (Educational Consultant) following a series of Leadership Workshop days with the Headteachers across the Swanley Collaboration. Schools involved alongside Downsview were: Horton Kirby, Horizon, West Kingsdown, Hextable, Crockenhill, St Barts & High Firs.

It was a fantastic event - and very challenging! Pupils had four different tasks to complete that required thinking skills, teamwork and most importantly grit and determination.

Challenge 1 - Mathematical...in teams, the children had a tangram problem to solve. Using just six different shaped pieces, the teams had to create as many of the pictures they were given. The winning team managed six! Impressive!

Tangram challenge! Complex and demanding requiring carful thought and perseverance.

Challenge 2 - Languages...pupils were asked to learn some Japanese! Could the children learning to count from one to ten in Japanese in just ten minutes? Answer - YES!

Challenge 3 - Design & Construction...back in their teams, children had to design and build the tallest tower using just two packets of dried spaghetti. How tall could they make the tower? How would they allocate jobs? How well would they communicate?

Building a tower of spaghetti was tricky! It required teamwork and a great deal of determination.

Challenge 4 - Physical...in the afternoon, the pupils were introduced to Karina - a professional dancer on many of the West End stage shows. Together, they learnt a dance routine to Abba's Mamma Mia. The dance moves were complex and it was pretty fast too. Very challenging indeed!

Karina putting the Year 6 pupils through their paces....5, 6, 7, 8!

Throughout the day, all of the pupils in attendance (not just the Downsview children!) showed high levels of perseverance, determination and grit! Not only was it highly enjoyable, but very though provoking too...perseverance is a key quality to possess and I hope that the children are able to remember this exciting day and the key messages it was trying to deliver.

Much thanks must go to the following people for making the event such a success:

• The General Manager at the Great Danes Mercure Hotel in Maidstone for hosting the event
• The Watersports Academy (www.the watersportsacademy.com) for their sponsorship
• Karina Hind - professional dancer
• Nick Hind - Educational Consultant

If at first you don't succeed, try and try again! Or, as Albert Einstein once said...

"It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer."

Year 3 & 4 High Quality Writing Workshop

On Friday 24th March, eight of our Year 3 & Year 4 children travelled to Horton Kirby Primary School for a day of high quality writing.

Upon arrival, the children were met by Neal Zetter - one of the UK's leading performance poets. Neal has run many workshops for talented writers over the years and really helped to engage and inspire the writers of the future.

The focus was poetry and the children were asked to consider their language and vocabulary carefully for best impact.

Year 3 pupils ready to get writing...signed books were available too!

Neal performed some of his poetry with the children to share the power and effectiveness of rhythm within a poem.

It was a great day of writing with some impressive results on show. Mr Pring managed to capture some of the writing for us...

These three poems have been written as a Kennings...when an object is described using two word phrases.

Well done and congratulations to everyone who attended the workshop. I hope that they have learnt some useful tips and tricks of the trade from a fantastic author!

Downsview does Comic Relief 2017

Thank you to everyone for getting involved in Comic Relief 2017!

Not only were there silly socks on display throughout the school all day, but the school came together for a very special 'Downsview's Got Talent' in the afternoon.

The stage was set, the microphones were on, the music was ready....Downsview's Got Talent!

The acts included singing, dancing, gymnastics and comedy to name but a few! It was great to see our talented children showing their skills, enjoy their opportunity to 'perform' and entertain the audience. Congratulations to all of the acts that performed! As a finale, we were treated to a fabulous dance routine from The Wrong Direction (school staff!)....just fantastic!

As a result of the silly socks and talent show, the school will be donating £131.50 to the Comic Relief charity. Thank you again to everyone who joined in the fun....I know that the money will be well spent by the charity to help those less fortunate than us.

World Book Day 2017!

Thursday 2nd March 2017: What a magical day we have had at Downsview celebrating World Book Day!

As the theme was 'magic,' children were asked to dress up as a character from a text which had a magical theme. There were so many amazing costumes. Staff were overwhelmed with wonderful high quality costumes seen across the school.

During our special WBD assembly, each class were given a bag which contained a magical, mysterious character and prop. Using both, children had to come up with a story with a clear beginning, middle and end. These fantastic stories were either written or acted and recorded in our special WBD books which will be kept in our school library.

Every class were given the opportunity to visit the school library and share a book with their class teacher; it was fantastic to observe how engrossed the children were listening to a book being read by their teacher.

It appeared that every child in the school thoroughly enjoyed celebrating WBD! It was lovely to share books, appreciate authors and illustrators, as well as promote reading for pleasure.

Reading is a life skill. It is so important to read EVERY DAY so please ensure your child does so.

Thank you for all your support in promoting the enjoyment of reading.

Winners of the bookmark competition will be announced on Friday 10th March during Golden Assembly. So far, we have had some fantastic entries which will make judging VERY hard.

Term 4 here we come!

Term 4 (February 2017)

After a lengthy delay (apologies - Term 3 was a really busy one!), I am keen to update you all...

Term 4 has started well. In assembly today, we watched a very moving video demonstrating the power of perseverance - our Downsview Value this term.

In the video, we watched Derek Redmond complete his 400m race in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games...despite rupturing his hamstring after just 150m. The video showed Derek's absolute determination to get to the finish - at no point did he give up! Helped by this father, Derek hobbled across the line to the standing ovation of 65,000 spectators in the stadium. Although his Olympic hopes were shattered, he was not prepared to give up....he was going to finish the race - and did so!

Perseverance is crucial to success and achievement. This term we want to see every child show this quality - in persevering and being determined to succeed, anyone can achieve anything!

Below are the Learning Projects (also known as 'topics') for this term:

Year 6
Bloodheart (Science based learning project all about the circulatory system)
Year 5
Scream (Science based learning project all about forces - using rollercoasters as a main theme)
Year 4
Burps, Bottoms & Bile! (Sounds disgusting but very interesting. Again, a science based learning project all about the human digestive system)
Year 3
Gods & Mortals (Historical based learning project - Zeus is the first God to be studied!)
Year 2
Towers, Tunnels & Bridges (Science, DT and history are all involved in this exciting learning project)
Year 1
Moon Zoom (Science based learning project focussing on the solar system and planets)
Year R
Children in EYFS will be exploring and finding out all they can to answer this question..."Why don't snakes have legs?" They'll be learning about reptiles and using their senses for sure!

Another busy term ahead - I'm looking forward to it already!

Term 3 - January 2017!

A belated happy new year to you all...

I hope that you had a great Christmas and enjoyed the festivities! Firstly, the answers to the Xmas Jumper Challenge - 1. Jumper worn by Mrs Willetts, 2. Jumper worn by Mrs Wood, 3. Jumper worn by Mrs Cooper, 4. Jumper worn by Mrs Elwood and 5. Jumper worn by Miss Page. How many did you guess correctly?

Term 3 has started positively and already lots of hard work, quality learning and progress has been evident. Long may this continue...

Just for an update, each class take a learning project (otherwise known as a topic) every term and this is used to link learning, concepts and ideas. Our brains work in this way and make connections between things...by using an overarching topic or project, the children are more likely to remember key ideas and learning. "Do you remember when we dressed up as pirates and visited the Maritime Museum?" and other questions can then help children to draw on prior knowledge and learning and build further skills.

So, in Term 3...

EYFS (Apple Class) are taking the question, "Are we nearly there yet?" as their learning theme. The children will be exploring different transport, ways of travelling and special journeys.

Year 1 (Birch Class) are using 'Superheroes' as their learning project. Already we've seen the children dress up as superheroes, and write superhero stories...

Year 2 (Cherry Class) become pirates this term as they study the topic, 'Land Ahoy!'. This is both a historical and geographical based learning project which is great fun!

Year 3 (Elm Class) are going back in time to study 'Stone Age to Iron Age'. I read some amazing non-chronological report writing today telling me all about life in the Stone Age (I'm not sure that I'd have survived for very long!).

Year 4 (Fir Class) are using 'Potions!' as their learning project. Starting with Alice in Wonderland in English, Year 4 will be exploring this mainly scientific based theme.

Year 5 (Holly Class) are heading to 'Alchemy Island'. This fantasy based learning project should stimulate some great creative writing. When I walked around the school on Monday, Year 5 were taking photos of potential 'portals' within the building that could transport us to another world.

Our eldest children, Year 6 (Oak Class) are continuing 'WWII: A Child's Story'. As it is such a large learning project, the children will be deepening their knowledge and understanding of life in the 1940's.

A new year....a new challenge and a positive outlook! :)

Christmas Jumper challenge...

Can you spot which member of staff is wearing which Christmas jumper?
There are five to have a go at - it's not easy!
Good luck!

There aren't any prizes - it's just for fun!

Merry Christmas!

On behalf of all staff and Governors, I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
Have a great holiday and enjoy the festivities!
Here's to a positive, happy, healthy and successful 2017!
Have fun! :)
Mr Edwards

Issues with images...

Seem to be having a few issues with images on our blog recently. Apologies...
We'll try to get things sorted our end as quickly as possible.
Thanks for your understanding!

MacMillan send 'thank you' certifcate...

It seems like quite a while ago now, but we have just received our letter and certificate from MacMillan Cancer Support thanking us for our fundraising efforts.

Thank you to everyone who was involved in making our coffee morning a real success. As the photo below shows, we raised a pleasing amount that will be well used by this amazing charity. Thank you!

Received today (8th December 2016)....thank you to all involved!

Downsview 'panto' success!

What a great day! The children were full of smiles and laughs as they returned to school after the pantomime today. It was a great success.

Some of children even went up on stage to tell and joke and share the spotlight with some of the characters in the panto! (Apparently, some their jokes were funnier than mine! Personally, I'm not sure that I believe that!?) Anyway, an exciting and memorable experience.

Thank you to all staff for making the trip so special, to all of the additional adult helpers who supported us, to all parents  for allowing us to take the children to the theatre, to the PTA for contributing to the cost of the trip and especially to the children who represented the school beautifully.

Thank you also to our coach drivers who were fantastic - always on time, ready to go and with big smiles too!

Year 1 Dinosaur Workshop

What a great way to begin a new learning project! At the start of Term 2 (November 2016),  Birch Class spent the morning as palaeontologists...

Take a look at some of the photos taken during the workshop - they're great!

In the photos, you can see the children fully engaged in their tasks and learning lots about the prehistoric dinosaurs from millions of years ago....a fantastic way to introduce a new topic to the children!

Thank you to Miss Selby for organising the visit and to Dr Helen from PalaeoQuest for leading this highly interactive and absorbing session.

Carefully using paintbrushes to move the sand and discover fossils...

Wow! Look what we've discovered!

Magnifying glasses help us to look more closely and carefully....

Look at the size of that bone?!

Carefully does it....

Downsview goes to the pantomime!

You can feel the excitement in school this morning....

Today, the whole school are heading to The Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks to enjoy the seasonal pantomime! This year, the performance is Sleeping Beauty...and I'm sure the children will be cheering and boo-ing appropriately at the different characters that appear on stage. It should be great fun and a very memorable experience.

I would like to thank the Friends of Downsview (PTA) for their generous donation of £1000 towards the cost of the trip. Without this, transport costs and theatre ticket cost would have just been too expensive. As a result of their donation, the cost of the trip has been subsidised greatly giving us great value for money.

The event has needed a great deal of planning and organisation and I am very grateful to Miss Page and Mrs Burke for spearheading this work. They have done a fantastic job in preparation for the pantomime - thank you both!

So, it's nearly time to depart....oh no it isn't! (Sorry - couldn't resist!) Mr Edwards

PS - A reminder to all parents driving cars today: please do not park on the school driveway. With two coaches arriving and departing throughout the day, we need the driveway to be clear from any obstacles. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Parents of children attending the afternoon performance are to wait in the playground (approx. 4:30p.m) for the returning coaches. Staff will be on hand to support a safe and smooth handover of children! Thank you.

Growth Mindset Workshop for Year 5 & 6

Last week, Tim Hall visited the school and spent the day working with Year 5 & 6 children to develop their 'growth mindset'. They took part in a range of activities including juggling, learning a brilliant pen trick (using slight of hand!) and building full size teepees!

Throughout the day, Tim talked to the children about their dreams and aspirations....they discussed what skills the children would need to make these dreams come true. It was an inspirational day that I hope has helped the children to further develop their resilience and help them to believe that anything is possible if they go for it and give it 100%!

Thank you to Tim for supporting our children to believe in themselves and to staff at school for participating so willingly and getting stuck in too!

For more information about the work Tim does, please feel free to visit his website:
www.bego.co.uk/

Winter weather - coat reminder!

Dear Downsview Parent,
Winter is on the way....the temperature has plummeted this morning and it is very cold!
Please, please ensure that your child is appropriately clothed in the cold weather. Every child should be wearing a warm coat (possibly with gloves, hat and scarf!).
Even though the weather is cold, we still try to get the children out at playtimes and lunchtimes as it is important for them to get some fresh air and exercise. Therefore, a warm coat is definitely required.
I will be asking all staff to ensure that coats are worn during outdoor playtimes - children will be asked to return to class and get their coat if they are not wearing it as they head towards the playground.
Thank you for your support with this.
Kind regards - Mr Edwards
PS - In the winter months, children are also encouraged to bring in a plain coloured track suit for outdoor PE lessons. If we can head outdoors for PE, we will, but children do need to be prepared for this - a warm plain coloured track suit is ideal. Thank you!

'Giant' Pudsey in coins...

Downsview supported the 'Children In Need' Appeal again this year and raised a total of £143.40....a tremendous amount of money that will be used to help children in both the UK and around the world.

This year, we did something a bit different - we asked the children to bring in 'loose' change. 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and 50p coins were all brought in (along with a few £1 coins and a £5 note!).

And with all of the coins, we made a giant Pudsey Bear (as can be seen below).

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our efforts to support C.I.N.

We made Pudsey using all of the coins donated! He was over 2 metres tall!

All of the silver coins made the outline, with the coppers creating the colour!

Every class came to say hello to Pudsey and look at the artwork!

Our Year 6 pupils helped to create the artwork and count the money...all £140+

Friends of Downsview Xmas Poster Competition

The Friends of Downsview (PTA) are currently very busy getting organised for a number of festive events - The Christmas Shop, Christmas Discos and, of course, the Christmas Fayre.

To advertise the Fayre to the local community, the FoD held a poster competition for all children to enter. They received an overwhelming response with over 95 entries being returned. Fantastic!

Originally, only two prizes (Key Stage 1 & Key Stage 2) were to be awarded, however, with such a huge response, it was agreed that one prize per year group would be more appropriate.

Thank you to everyone who entered the competition and made judging such a challenge!

The winners were: Jacob in Year R, Annabelle in Year 1, Matthew in Year 2, Tomoki in Year 3, Jessica in Year 4, Ivanna in Year 5 & Bayley in Year 6. Congratulations to you all!

For info,

• Christmas Fayre is on Saturday 3rd December 2016 between 12midday - 2:00p.m.
• Christmas Disco: EYFS & KS1 on Friday 9th December between 4:00 - 5:30p.m
• Christmas Disco: KS2 on Friday 9th December between 5:45 - 7:15p.m
• Christmas Shop: Friday 16th December (all day - in school event for children only)

Downsview 'remembers'...

At 11:00a.m on 11th November 2016, Downsview Primary School stopped to 'remember'.

In our special assembly, we thought about all those servicemen and servicewomen who gave up their lives for our freedom today. We talked about why it is important to remember and why we wear the poppy. The two minute silence was conducted with due seriousness with the children showing great respect.

All of the money raised through the purchasing of poppies, snap bands, friendship bracelets, wristbands and reflectors will go to the Royal British Legion in support of those affected by war.

Lest we forget.

Year 3 go 'Scrumdidlyumptious'

Year 3 have had a terrific start to their new topic 'Scrumdidlyumptious.' So far, they have found out about Fairtrade products and have started to use Charlie and The Chocolate Factory as a stimulus for their English work.
Throughout the topic, the children will have the opportunity to make (and taste!) some wonderful treats as well as produce some fantastic learning in all subject areas (English, Computing, Maths and Geography to name but a few).

Please check the Elm Class website page regularly to keep updated!
(www.downsview-primary.org.uk)