Principal Update
Autumn 2 2018 – 2019
Holyhead Remembers
What a great way to start this half term with children working with the Birmingham Hippodrome to create a piece of drama in recognition of Armistice day – remembering 100 years! A group of Year 6 children worked with a drama specialist over two months and they performed at Grand Central station in front of 200 commuters. The children put on a fantastic performance and one parent was amazed at how her daughter’s confidence had grown. This is one of the great things that being in a Trust provides; the links with the Birmingham Hippodrome has meant that the quality of the performances are of such a high standard and the opportunities that they bring to our pupils is immense.
Anti-Bullying Production
We are an anti-bullying school and watched a powerful production called ‘The Power of One’. Classes conducted many mini activities on the day following the production and all signed a charter to promise to say STOP to bullying and what do to if they saw this ever happening.
Our Curriculum; E3L
We have had some amazing ‘excites’ to start our themes again this half term such as visiting Cadbury World to understand the history of Chocolate in preparation for the theme ‘Scrumdiddylumptious’ and going on a dinosaur hunt in Year 1. We also have seen some great end of theme ‘expresses’ for example, Year 2 produced an amazing art exhibition to showcase art work inspired by Jackson Pollock, Hannah Hock and Kandinsky.
Democracy Rules
We think it is important for our pupils to understand about how our democratic system works and the importance of voting. All children applied to join one of three ‘political parties’ at Holyhead. Classes voted for their top candidates and then then had some time to create a manifesto to persuade their peers to vote for them. Children chose their own party names and needless to say it was a very tight campaign. The winning party was ‘The Brainy Blues’ and, working with Miss Purdie, they will work with the senior leadership team to help improve the school.
Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust, through Extended Services are helping us to organise a visit for all three parties to go to Westminster in London to see how parliament works close up. A big thanks to Mr Donaldson, from the Trust for helping make this happen.
Eco Award
We were very proud of our Eco-committee as they undertook an assessment and won the ‘International Eco-school award’ with the support from Mrs Panja. They have created a set of rules and helped educate other children to ensure that the school is a cleaner and eco-friendlier place. We recycle and use compost bins to help grow our own vegetables in Early Years.
Ho! Ho! Ho!
The end of this half term is always a nice way to end the year. Children and staff have worked incredibly hard to prepare for the carol service at St Bartholomew’s church, sing to residents at Dove Dale Court and put on two nativity productions and even sang in Wednesbury Town Centre as part of the ‘Wednesbury lights switch on’ event. As a well done for a great term Father Christmas and his real-life reindeers visited the school and children sat around a log fire with a cosy hot chocolate.
On behalf of all at Holyhead and the Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust we wish you a very joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
