Friday, 15th September 2017
Lower School Newsletter
Learning in the Lower School
One of the activities that we take part in is called Buddy reading. This entails visiting another class and sharing the joy of reading books. It is a really good way of developing a community spirit across different age ranges within the school as well as enjoying reading. Above are some pictures of Year 6 children with Year 1 this week.
Year 5 really enjoyed their visits to a temple, church and synagogue this week. During their visits they interviewed visitors and leaders of those faiths and they continued to build up their understanding of different beliefs and values. Miss Pitts informed me that one of her highlights was when a member of the public asked to speak to her in the temple. He took Miss Pitts to one side and congratulated her for the way that the Year 5 students had conducted themselves during their visit to the temple. Well done Year 5!
Expectations and Attitudes
We have been in school for nine days and many habits, routines and procedures are falling into place as we embed habits, routines and attitudes. Your children should now have started to get homework and next week we start our after school activities, as well as our Eco Rangers, Student Councillors, and Dwight Digital Leaders groups.
We will also be launching LAMDA sessions next week these will take place every Wednesday during the school day. They are led by Lamda trained teacher Sarah MacMull and cost £100 for a 10 week course. LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) is a universally-recognised and accredited centre for music and drama. You can find out a lot more about the qualification at the website www.lamda.org.uk. Over the last eight years we have helped many children achieve LAMDA qualifications. All sessions will take place in the Lower School, if you would like to register your child, please click here.
What the curriculum looks like for your child
We shared this last week and want to remind parents again that our Curriculum Overviews for each year group can be found on our website. For Kindergarten and Reception, please click here. For Years 1-6, please click here.
Jeans for Genes
It is Jeans for Genes day on Friday, 22nd September. This is a charity that we have traditionally supported for over 10 years. It raises money for children who have genetic disorders; further details can be found on their website www.jeansforgenes.org. During the day we ask that children bring in a donation (approx 50p-£2) in exchange for wearing jeans to school.
Dwight Mic Week
Next week we start our Dwight Mic week. This is a positive system that rewards students for good work and then involves them recording it on the Dwight Mic in our radio station: Dwight Radio. During the remainder of the term we will put the recordings together to make up a radio show that you can listen to any time, any place, anywhere in the world!
Holiday Club Dates
We will be starting out Holiday Club at the end of this term. Holiday club is for children aged 5 and under and it is run by our EYFS team and our classroom assistants. We will provide links for full details and registration in next week's newsletter.
The dates for this academic year are:
- December - Monday, 18th - Friday, 22nd
- January - Wednesday 3rd - Friday 5th
- February - Monday, 12th - Friday 16th
- April - Tuesday, 3rd - Friday, 6th, Monday, 9th - Friday 13th
- May - Tuesday, 29th - Friday, 1st June
- Summer holidays:
- Monday, 23rd July - Friday, 27th
- Monday, 30th - Friday, 3rd August, Monday, 6th - Friday, 10th
- Monday, 13th - Friday, 17th August
Year 6 Bushcraft Trip
Year 6 are getting ready for their trip to Hertfordshire as part of Bushcraft at the end of next week. They will be travelling to the site with Ms. Dunaway, Mrs. Becci and Mrs. Tainsh. Whilst they are there they will be joined in part by Upper School students and teachers. A reminder to our Year 6 parents, if you have not completed the medical and dietary form already, please do so here by no later than Wednesday, 20th September.
Contact Information for School
If you have not yet completed the UK contact information form in your respective campuses kindly contact Javier Dominguez at the Dwight campus to give your UK address and mobile telephone contact numbers. New families should also complete the New Student Additional Information updates forms on their Open Apply accounts.
Reminders
- Road Safety: It is particularly important to remind parents to be safe when dropping off their children in the morning. Please ensure that you park in a safe place and that you are aware of other drivers, neighbours, and pedestrians in the area.
- Weather: In the Lower School we believe in the phrase there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Therefore we want to remind you that our students will go outside when it rains and we ask that they are equipped with a waterproof jacket/coat even though it is only early September!
- Contact: If you are running late, have a transport issue, or your child is ill, you should contact our Lower School Office by email lsoffice@dwightlondon.org.
Key dates for this term
- Year 5 trip to Mosque, 19th September
- 20th September, ITN visit the Lower School
- 22nd September, Jeans for Genes Day
- For this half term Settling in Reports will be sent out in the week beginning Monday, 16th October.
Super Question and Language of the Week
Our Super Question last week was related to the very recent flooding tragedy in Houston Texas USA -What was the name of the hurricane that caused the floods?
The answer was Hurricane Harvey and Zach in Y4 gets a sparky for his house : Pioneers
Our Super Question this week is to find out What did Ryan Yasim invent this week? His invention won a prize and it solves a universal problem about baby's clothing.
The first student with the correct answer on Monday will get a sparky!
We also introduced our Language of the Week this week it was Latvian. Leo in Year 2 taught us how to say good morning in Latvian Paldies Leo.
Have a good weekend.
Matt Parkin
Lower School Principal
Dwight Parent Association News and Events
Back to School BBQ Cancelled
Unfortunately, due to a poor weather forecast for the weekend, we have had to make the decision to cancel the Welcome Back BBQ this Saturday. We will dicuss an alternative event at next weeks AGM and update you all accordingly..
ABOUT US…
The Dwight Parent Association (DPA) is here to support the school, and to foster a sense of connection and community among parents, students, staff, and our wider community. We organise a range of events and activities throughout the year, and fundraise to support the school's chosen charities. Our fundraising also helps finance extras that are above and beyond the school's remit. Here is a DPA guide, which outlines how we work, and what our roles are.
BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY
The DPA offers a great way to make new friends and be part of our fun, diverse international community. Whether you're brand new to London or have lived here all your life, the DPA has something for everyone, so do join us!
HOW THE DPA WORKS - FIND OUT AT THE UPCOMING ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Every parent from both Upper and Lower School are invited to come along, and hear about our work. It's your DPA and we'd like to know what you think. We'll be voting in the Chair, Deputy Chair, Treasurer and Secretary roles (you can find descriptions of their responsibilities in the DPA Guide)
When: Wednesday 20th September, 9am
Where: The Jubilee Hall, Dwight Upper School Jubilee Campus
6 Friern Barnet Lane
London N113LX
GETTING INVOLVED!
We're always on the look-out for fresh ideas and new people to join us and help out. You can join us at any point in the school year, and there's a wide range of opportunities.
Do come along to the AGM if you'd like to:
- Apply for a Upper or Lower School DPA Committee role
- Be a Class Representative for your child's class
- Help plan a Dwight social event
- Contribute to an International Food event
ANY QUESTIONS ?
If you've got any questions about the Dwight Parent Association, drop an email to Acting Chair Kate Hicks Beach
Out and About Events for Parents
Petersham Nursery and Ham House
Date: Friday, 22nd September
Meet: 9am West Finchley Tube station or 9:45am Waterloo Rail Station ticket area
We will take a Southwest Train out to Richmond.
Cost: £10.80 House entrance + your train and lunch costs
This will be a BIG day out in south west London! Starting with a visit to Petersham Nursery for a browse and lunch and then we head over to tour Ham House – a grand, 17th century Stuart House!
Please let Michele – michele@seanoneill.com know if you are interested in joining or for more information.
East London Food Tour
Come with us as we explore the food history and culture of the East End. Wander down the 'curry mile' while you sample samosas and Indian sweets; learn the history of the pie; taste the fish and chips voted as "Best in London" year after year; peruse the hippest food trucks in town; nosh on a salt beef beigel and finish with a sweet American import. This food tour of London is completely unique in that you design your own menu. Your guide will bring you to the best cafes and shops in East London and explain their history and specialties - but you decide and purchase what you would like to eat. Sites and topics covered on the tour:
- The history of the East End
- French immigration and influence on food
- The history of British classics like fish & chips and pie & mash
- The 'Curry Mile' and the UK's love of Indian food
- An overview of the high end dining options in the area
- The hot new trends of food trucks and craft beer
- Jewish immigration and the local love of salt beef beigels-Modern American influence on tasty treats
Date: Thursday, 12th October
Meet: 10:15am at McDonalds, Liverpool Street Station, London EC2M 7QH
Tour lasts about 2 hours
Cost: No upfront costs for the tour. Suggested sampling costs £10-15 and a tip for the tour guide.
Tickets: Reservation REQUIRED. Click the link below to reserve your spot. Click on 12th Oct, find the 10:30am East London Food Tour, and book! Book early to avoid disappointment.
http://www.freetoursbyfoot. com/london-tours/book-online/
Please let Michele – michele@seanoneill. com know when you book so she can look out for you!
Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion Exhibit @ the V&A Museum
Discover how Cristobal Balenciaga's exquisite craftsmanship and innovative designs shaped modern fashion. The exhibit examines the work and legacy of the influential Spanish couturier with over 100 pieces crafted by the master of couture, his protégées and contemporary fashion designers working in the same innovative tradition.
Date: Friday, 10th November
Meet: 9:00am West Finchley tube station or 9:45am at the V&A Museum main ticketing entrance – Cromwell Road London SW7 2RL – for a 10am timed entry into the exhibit.
Cost: £12 for tickets
Tickets: Pre-booking is essential. Click this link to book your own ticket for the 10am entrance on 10th November.
https://www.vam.ac.uk/ exhibitions/balenciaga- shaping-fashion
After the exhibit we can peruse more of the museum or have lunch as a group.
Please let Michele – Michele@seanoneill.com know when you book so she knows who is joining.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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