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Minutes from our first Parent/Carer Forum
Wed 08 May 2024Thank you to everyone who attended or contributed to our first and very successful Parent/Carer Forum last week. If you couldn't make it then don't worry, we intend to arrange another meeting before the end of the academic year. Below are the minutes from the meeting. We hope they give you an positive insight into the matters discussed at the meeting.
Parent/Carer Forum Meeting Notes
Wednesday 3rd May at 7pm
School attendees: Mr Hornsey, Mrs Woodcock
Parent representatives: Reception Bumblebees, Reception Dragonflies, Reception Ladybirds, Y1 Squirrels, Y2 Badgers, Y3 Sparrows, Y4 Chaffinches, Y4 Nightingales, Y5 Elms, Y5 Sycamores and Y6 Cedars.
What do parents want to gain from being part of the forum?
- ‘Learning has changed so much since we were at school so would like to know more’
- ‘How can we best support children at home?’
- ‘Stay up to date with teaching methods’
- ‘How do I identify potential in my own child? You may know them better as you spend more time with them.’
- ‘Support for new parents in terms of arriving in the middle of a school year or new to the country.’
- ‘Learn more about the curriculum’
- ‘How to bridge the gap between school and individuals’ lives.’
- ‘Building a community’
Positive reflections on school life from Greswold parents:
- ‘Grateful for support with food allergies (3 parents). They feel that school puts their minds at rest and their anxiety is reduced.’
- ‘Appreciation for Miss Carpenter’s support with dietary/medical conditions.’
- ‘So supportive of children with SEND. They leave school with the tools they need to cope in life.’
- ‘Educational visits both residential and day. Parents especially appreciative of staff giving up their weekends for Standon Bowers.’
Reflections to consider on school life
- ‘Would be good to have more lunchtime vegetarian options that are egg free.’
- ‘Would really like to reinstate Dunfield’. Parents felt communication could have been better. When Mr Hornsey explained the reasons for removing the visit, there was a feeling that it would have been good to share these to give parents some context.
- Parents find the wording of ‘voluntary contribution’ frustrating, especially when they receive follow up phone calls/emails. Mr Hornsey and Mrs Woodcock shared the reasoning behind the phrase, however parents asked if the way it was phrased could be changed (e.g. including it in the small print) or if school could send a communication explaining why we have to use the wording.
- Parents really enjoyed the Y5 performance – ‘Could other year groups consider reinstating performances as the children got a lot from it?’
- Leave of Absence requests – Further clarification was sought on decision making and the communication of decisions, especially when requests are sensitive. Parents felt more transparency was needed which would be in keeping with the school's own values. Current guidance and policy on Leave of Absence requests is taken from Solihull Local Authority which is due for updating. It was agreed that this item would form part of the next meeting’s agenda.
Communication
- The main communication system used by school, the App Messaging Service was deemed to be good and Tapestry was very popular with parents with children in Early Years.
- It was really helpful when App Message titles contain key information or words which allows parents to decide whether or when to open the message.
- Some parents would appreciate a 'Class Dojo' type system to help build relationships with teachers, especially if they work and aren’t able to be onsite for drop off/pick up.
- Mr Hornsey and Mrs Woodcock shared reasons for not having such a system at present in Y1-6, including the need to balance a teacher’s professional duties which prioritise the needs of the 30 different pupils in each of their classes, however they did enquire about suggested alternatives. One parent responded about being able to have direct communication with the teacher to help build the relationship.
- Mrs Woodcock reiterated the systems already in place with regards to parent consultations and Meet the Teacher meetings but also stressed that if parents needed to speak to class teachers about something concerning or ongoing, they could ask to arrange a meeting/phone call at a mutually convenient time. It was also highlighted that class teachers are also very keen to form and maintain positive relationships with parents.
- Parents really appreciate being able to speak to the class teacher at the end of the day.
- It was suggested that it would be ideal for new families who start school to have an introduction to the different platforms for communication and how they work – possibly a guide on the website.
- It was also explained the use of Tapestry ceases at the end of Year 1.
- A few parents enquired as to whether ‘Meet the Teacher’ could be done virtually for parents who can’t attend face to face. This instigated a discussion around safeguarding and variables out of the control of the class teacher when conducting virtual meetings with a large number of attendees. If cameras were turned off, how would parents then communicate their questions. This enquiry will be discussed further with Greswold's Senior Leadership team.
- Mr Hornsey emphasised the point that one of our School Improvement Plan priorities for this year is about communication across the school and especially with parents, and so all of the matters discussed at Parent Forum have been or will be explored and addressed in detail before the end of the academic year.
Other topics discussed and shared
School demographic and how it’s changed over the last few years
Greswold’s Curriculum offer
Inclusion
Adaptive teaching
Parental Workshops
Future items for Parent Forum agendas
Leave of Absence Requests
Pupil friendships and social interaction
Home Learning
House Points
Communication
If parents, family or pupils would like to leave a comment about this Latest News story, please click on the link below:
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Greswold values shining through in Star Pupil assembly!
Tue 07 May 2024Each half term, school focuses on one of our values in particular, with this half term being Independence.
With this in mind, it was a delight to see our value of Independence reflected so prominently in our Star Pupil assembly on Friday. Here are some of the reasons as to why pupils from each class across the school received their certificate from Friday 3rd May.
- For consistently demonstrating our school values of kindness, respect and independence throughout all he does.
- Comes into school with a huge smile and a cheery hello. She is an enthusiastic learner!
- For being a superstar in independently accessing all areas in the classroom and being a good friend to all.
- For pushing herself within her learning, particularly within English this week.
- For showing our value of independence by always giving everything a go by yourself, and choosing appropriate resources to support you through challenges.
- For showing independence and enthusiasm in his writing this week.
- For developing the confidence to work more independently in English and Maths and showing a 'give a go' attitude.
- For showing more independence and resilience in her learning and using the resources around to help her be successful.
- For making a big effort to work independently in lessons.
- Becoming more and more independent throughout year 3. She's persevering and using her growth mindset. Even when a task may seem hard at first, she's realising it's not impossible!
- Showcasing our value of curiosity with his enthusiastic questions and being a wonderful role model.
- For showing increased maturity and independence. I have been able to rely on him to make the right choices both with his learning and at playtimes.
- Utilizing strategies independently that help him to develop his listening stamina and positive attitude to learning in the classroom.
- And making us all smile in the classroom - a lot!
- For his commitment to his learning, always completing tasks to the best of his ability and wanting to make links with what he has learned before.
- For trying to solve his times tables independently.
- Well done, 20/25 you are nearly there!
- For consistently applying himself across the curriculum, demonstrating independence with his learning.
- For her unwavering resilience during our mock SATs week, taking feedback in her stride and acting on it to improve her success.
- For having a positive attitude towards her learning, wanting to make progress, and now beginning to voluntarily share ideas during discussions.
- For always showing independence and resilience in his learning - you are a fantastic role model to your peers.
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Another out-of-school Greswold pupil success, this time in year 3!
Tue 07 May 2024Last week, several pupils in year 3 demonstrated great teamwork and commitment in achieving a wonderful success in their out-of-school football club.
Max, Otis and Seb, alongside their teammates at Earlswood Town FC, played in and won the Central Warwickshire Youth League Spring Cup, a magnificent achievement, especially considering it was their first season playing together as a team.
School would like to congratulate the boys and their teammates on their impressive achievement while it's also really pleasing to see Greswold pupils continuing the school's strong sporting traditions in their own time too.
We're sure the boys will have a big part to play in the school football team when they reach year 5 and year 6!
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You're very welcome Devaansh
Thu 02 May 2024Mrs Scott received a lovely letter this week from one of the pupils who attended Standon Bowers recently. Devaansh chose to write this letter himself and at home.
Not just a lovely gesture and very reflective of our school values but an absolutely wonderful letter too!
Thank you Devaansh
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Telugu is the new Language of the Month for May
Wed 01 May 2024Mrs Beddow and our Language Ambassadors Reyanshraj and Jay, would like to reveal this month's Language of the Month.
Primarily spoken in south eastern India, Telugu is the official language of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. 19 pupils in our school speak Telugu as their first language.
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Second hand scooters need a new home!
Wed 01 May 2024Back in September, we communicated to families that a few scooters had been left at school over the summer holidays and needed to be collected. However, most of the scooters are still with us.
Therefore, to keep in trend with our push on sustainability this year, families are welcome to give any of the scooters a new home as we feel it would be wasteful to simply skip them.
They can be located next to the bike shed outside the long corridor at the end of the car park. Please feel free to collect a scooter at anytime.
Thank you
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Greswold pupils achieving outside school too!
Wed 01 May 2024It's always nice to hear about the children's achievements outside of school as well as in school, and this week Castiel in year 5 is certainly someone we'd like to celebrate.
He has just managed to achieve a distinction, with a score of 85%, for his most recent piano exam. Castiel's family are so proud with how persistent he's been with piano practice and all his hard work has paid off.
Well done Castiel, what a wonderful achievement and maybe one day, you can perform for us all to enjoy!
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'Punctuality Push' update - Week 5 and 6
Fri 26 Apr 2024Dear Parents and Carers,
Greswold would like to update you on our 'Punctuality Push' campaign which draws to an end this week. It's also a chance to summarise what has taken place over the last six weeks and to signpost families to support and guidance which could help to improve and maintain punctuality in the future.
Week Number of late pupils in total
in the mornings
'Traffic' being given as reason Week 1 (4th - 8th March) 104 46 Week 2 (11th - 15th March) 103 46 Week 3 (18th - 22nd March) 87 40 Week 4 (8th - 12th April) 72 26 Week 5 15th - 19th April) 110 76 Week 6 (22nd 26th April) 94 50 Total 570 284 When comparing the above results with the data originally gathered which prompted our campaign on being punctual, there has been a very satisfying improvement. There were 777 lates between 8th January and the 21st February compared to 570 during our 'Punctuality Push', an improvement 207. Lates being given to traffic improved to 284 from 354 which is pleasing too.
However, when you look closely at the data, it does feel like the improvement could have been even better. In weeks' 3 and 4, the total number of lates was 159, however during the following two weeks, the figure had actually risen to 204, exacerbated by a morning of rain this week which caused 30 families to be late. Please remember to add time onto your journey when it is raining as there will be more vehicles on the road.
Over the past six weeks, a range of different activities have taken place to promote punctuality:
- Mr Hornsey has held two coffee mornings for parents to share frustrations, give feedback and seek guidance.
- Parents have been encouraged to communicate ideas and tips for getting to school on time.
- Through an assembly, pupils in KS2 have been taught the life-long importance of punctuality.
- A recording has been made for all families to access which gives a more personable view of the importance of being on time. A selection of families have already been signposted to this recording but anyone can view it by clicking on the link below.
https://greswold-primary-school.primarysite.media/media/punctuality-push
Even though 'Punctuality Push' has come to an end, the website page dedicated to being punctual will remain for parents to access at any time, with the link below taking you straight there.
https://www.greswold.solihull.sch.uk/punctuality-is-the-first-step-towards-success/
Also, the Sustainable Travel page provides families with a range of initiatives to explore, which can help to promote active travelling and provide parents and children with other ways of attending school on time.
https://www.greswold.solihull.sch.uk/sustainable-travel/
To all of our families here at Greswold, thank you for continuing to work in partnership with school in relation to being on time, both in the mornings and afternoons. Together, we can ensure the pupils develop the awareness and attitudes they need to help them to be successful in their future years.
f parents, family or pupils would like to leave a comment about this Latest News story, please click on the link below:
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The fields are back open! (so fingers crossed for no more rain)
Thu 25 Apr 2024After having to spend lunchtimes on their designated playgrounds over the last few months, the junior and infant playing areas (fields) were finally reopened for the children to enjoy.
This has meant that children can spread out more, can access a wider range of activities and juniors can have their lunches on the field using picnic blankets.
Thank you to our wonderful Greswold PTA who have funded nearly £1,000 worth of new lunchtime equipment for juniors, infants and reception children and which should be arriving very shortly.
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Good weather and good company help to make Standon Bowers a fabulous success for year 4
Wed 24 Apr 2024This weekend marked the first residential visit of this academic year with year 4 pupils spending the weekend at Standon Bowers in Staffordshire.
Luckily for the children and the elven members of school staff who accompanied them, the weather was good and the children represented themselves, their classes and their year group magnificently throughout.
Thank you to the year 4 parents who have already thanked and shared with staff their children's positive feedback about the visit.
The children took part in a whole host of activities including caving, bouldering, low ropes, bridge building, archery and other outdoor games whilst enjoying the usual evening campfire with lots of songs and lots of laughter.
Thank you to Mr Isles for being the lead organiser and thank you to the staff for giving up their weekend to ensure every child an an enjoyable experience.
f parents, family or pupils would like to leave a comment about this Latest News story, please click on the link below:
