As educational professionals the school staff are always seeking to improve the way they teach, support and get the children to achieve their personal best. To this end we have an extensive programme of continuous professional development (CPD). This is sometimes specific to individuals or small groups and sometimes for all staff members. Two recent initiatives for all teachers and TAs may interest you.
We have recently invested in equipment to film how staff work within the classroom. Research from the University of Sussex shows that if people watch themselves doing their job up to 90% of them are likely to improve as opposed to about 10% if they are told by an observer about how they could do better. I worked with videoing teachers way back in the eighties when I taught in the USA and have been keen to introduce it. We now have good hardware which videos from two aspects and good software which makes these films secure to the staff member themselves.
The other initiative is working with the theory of personality profiling so we can see staff members' strengths and challenges and how they might fit into the team. We do this by using the renowned Myers Briggs Type Indicator. This has sixteen main categories and is based around Jungian psychology. This helps us to see how people gain their energy, make decisions, gather information and gain their world view. This shows that whereas I am a visionary starter, Debbie is a completer/finisher – so together we make a good team. In fact the whole team now fits together well with staff who complement each other.
Individuals work hard at developing their skills and responsibilities, for example Geraldine with a librarian course, Cheryl and Claire C middle management and Clare B on school leadership courses. This all produces a highly informed group of professionals. I have recently trained in coaching for executives and educators and this will be part of the work I do after I leave.
Please can I encourage you to take part in HT @ Home. I am already planning my event, maybe a Murder Mystery or a book-based party or maybe a Myers Briggs personality themed party. Whatever it is I will let you know how it goes.
The weather looks great for this weekend – so have a great one!
With the lovely weather and spring in the air Maya was inspired to write a poem about flowers. We hope you enjoy it.
"Tulips, daisies are both types of flowers. We could be smelling them for hours! We've got other flower names too. Let me read them out for you. Poppies, lilies, sunflowers, orchids and roses. Now I've shown the flowers' names. Perhaps you should try some flower games.
To celebrate Red Nose Day next Friday all the children can make their face 'funny for money'. On this occasion they will wear normal school uniform but can wear red noses, face paint, funny wigs, hats etc and bring in a donation for Comic Relief. In addition separate year groups will be holding their own special fund raising activities.
Year R – Bring a named scooter or bike for a sponsored scoot (look out for a letter from Sarah and Sian).
Year 1 – Sponsored Dance – see Just to Let You Know and sponsorship form for details.
Year 2 – Visiting Holy Trinity juniors and need to bring in a maximum of £2 (ideally in small change) to spend at the Year 6 fair. They are also producing funny face self-portraits which will be for sale after school.
•	We would love parents to help us remind the children that the playground toys are not for use before and after school but only for school playtimes.
•	Please encourage your children to look after the plants in the playground and not climb on the trees and bushes.
•	May we also remind you that no dogs are allowed on the school premises.
Thanks to the fantastic generosity of our parents in the recent book drive, we are enjoying planning what to buy. Watch this space for details about how the money was spent. We are so grateful to all of you.
Look out for a letter coming home in your child's book bag next week about our exciting new Spring event - the Bake 'n' Stroll. We hope you will join us on Sunday 22 March for a treasure hunt on the downs followed by tea and cake in the school hall and also enter our fun Bake Off competition. We will have our very own Mary Berry to judge the entries and there are prizes for the winners of all three categories : Kids' Cakes & Cookies, Dad's Delicacies and Mum's Masterpieces.
We need about 20 helpers to run this event: course marshals, tea room helpers etc. Please volunteer to either Emily Bourke, Nicci Holliday or Jill Morgan if you are able to help on the day.
The Summer Fair will now take place on 14 June 2015 not 7 June as previously advertised.
There will be a coffee morning at Laura Sabharwal's (Rohan, Chestnut) house after school drop-off on 13 March (Comic Relief Day). All welcome!
Letters went out in book bags earlier this week about the holiday club. For it to be viable we do need to have 10 children per day attending, so please book your places as soon as possible. For information, the summer holiday club will run from 21 July to 7 August.
The invoices for PUPS and the Breakfast Club are coming out in book bags today. As it is year-end, we would be grateful for prompt payment this month in particular.
•	Lost since early last week: Eliana Taylor has lost a child's wristwatch with an adjustable pink velcro strap. Initials ET written inside the strap.
•	Ellis Hall has lost his blue/grey Mothercare hat – it is named 'Myla'.
NCT Nearly New Sale - Clothes, toys and equipment for babies and children up to 7 years. Saturday 7 March 11am-12.30pm at St Joseph's Church Hall, York Road, Guildford.