Barnwood Primary School - Christmas Update

As we come towards the end of the year I caught up with Anne Davies, Head teacher at Barnwood Primary school who updated me on the autumn and Christmas activities at the school.

As part of the Christmas preparations there will be the range of annual events for the children to take part including: An Infants Nativity play, A Visit to the Pantomime, School Parties and Discos.

However, there will be a change to the format of the schools end of year presentation this year. In conjunction with St Lawrence’s Church the Christmas Production this year will be in the form of “ISing POP” Concerts and will be performed at the Barnwood Park Arts College on 9th December. The venue has been chosen to ensure that all Parents, Carers, Guests and friends of the school and Church have the opportunity to see at least one of the Concerts, which are expected to be highly entertaining.

iSingPOP is An organisation that specialises in teaching groups and Individuals to sing, whilst promoting spiritual, moral, cultural and social development of pupils in the Community.

Former Year 6 pupils who have moved to secondary school had experience of the iSingPOP approach from being involved in the Gloucester Schools Leavers Service held at the Cathedral earlier this year. The Barnwood Pupils are looking forward to the prospect of learning new songs, singing and acting techniques as well as performing in front of the anticipated large audiences!

The Autumn Term saw the end of the schools involvement in some extremely successful Comenius projects. However, to ensure that the link to European schools is maintained, Barnwood school has been partnered with the Layrac primary school in Agen, France. Although, the project is still in its infancy the Year 2 Pupils are eagerly establishing strong Communication links between the schools.

There was a visit from the Bishop of Gloucester’s representative; part of whose role is to observe and support the school‘s Religious Education programmes. The Bishop’s visitor took an active part in and enjoyed the discussions on the RE focus day, the theme being: Parables and their meanings.

Visits to the Barnwood Arboretum and the Steam Museum in Swindon proved both enjoyable and important learning experiences for the pupils involved. The Steam Museum visit gave the pupils a chance to dress up in Civilian Clothing from the World War Two period, which they had been studying as part of their history curriculum. At the arboretum the pupils focussed on the array of natural colours of the leaves and shrubs, from which they produced some excellent artwork which is now adorning the walls of the school.

Whilst Christmas signifies the end of the school term it is a particularly poignant time for Mrs Chris Trout the Deputy Head of the school as she is retiring after being associated with the school for over 25 years. A popular member of staff, Mrs Trout will undoubtedly be missed by both Pupils and Colleagues alike. Let’s wish Mrs Trout long and healthy retirement.

Mrs Davies adds her own message :” I would like to thanks Mrs Trout for all that she has contributed to our school, both as deputy head teacher and class teacher and I wish her a very long and happy retirement and thank her for her valuable contribution to school life and the education of the many children in her care”

I’m sure you will agree that we are fortunate to have such a progressive school, which continues to provide such excellent educational opportunities for the Children of our Community and wish all the Pupils and Staff an Enjoyable Christmas and a Successful 2014.