Middle School Newsletter

To our Middle School Community, 

As half term draws to a close, we get ready to swap over the Art and Design Curriculum from Years 5 and 7 to Years 6 and 8. Years 5 and 7 will have more time and choice in projects next half term in the time that the Art and Design lessons were happening in. 

We're gearing up in Year 6, 'training' for the SATs which are coming up in May. Next half term we will be looking at the overarching project 'How can we perform at our best?' doing lots of research and exploration of how working 'in the zone' can optimise our academic performance, but also how exercise, good sleep, good food, positive socialising and relaxing can keep us balance a healthy lifestyle.

Next half term there are a number of opportunities to come into school, including a 'Bring a Parent to School' morning and Parents' Evenings. Information on these events will come home after the break. 

On behalf of the whole middle school team, we hope that everyone has a restful, safe and enjoyable half term break. We look forward to seeing everyone again on Monday 25th February!

Conduct outside of the school
We've had reports of students at the shops before and after school . Please ensure you are clear with your child about expectations and safety when travelling to and from school. We will contact parents if children are reported to be demonstrating inappropriate conduct and advise shop owners to contact the police if they have ongoing concerns. Thank you for your support on this matter. 

Mobile Phones & Smart Watches
A reminder that phones and smart watches are not to be used inside the school for any reason. If a student needs to call home they are always able to come to the Middle School office to do so.  Students found using mobile phones at school will have these confiscated. Students are encouraged to leave mobile phones with their teacher for the day so they can be safely stored in a lockable cupboard. Smart watches need to be given to the teacher on arrival to store. Phones and watches may be kept in bags, but this is at the student's own risk. All devices should be switched off throughout the day. Blazer pockets are not a wise place for phones or watches as they can fall out, be easily bumped or stepped on and broken. Please remind students of these rules at home as well. 

Dates For Your Diary 

Monday 11th February: EvoRUN - (Year 7 only) 13:50 - 15:15 

Tuesday 12th February: EvoRUN - (Year 5 only) 8:30 - 10:10 

Wednesday 13th February: Invited students at Table Tennis Tournament (15:00 - 18:00) 

Thursday 14th February: Family Maths Evening 5:00pm - 6:15pm (approx)

Half term break - Monday 18th February - Friday 22rd February

Monday 25th February - 1st March: British Science Week

Monday 25th February - Friday 29th February: Book Fair

Wednesday 27th February: Above and Beyond Out and About trip for February 

Friday 1st March: Drugs awareness and safety workshop (Years 7 & 8)

Wednesday 27th, Thursday 28th February & Friday 1st March: Hairspray Musical performances 18:00- 20:00

Thursday 7th March: World Book Day 

Friday 8th March: Y8 Lantern Project team & Y6 'Night Walk' fundraiser - Olympic Park 5:30pm

Tuesday 12th March & Wednesday 13th March: Parent's Evenings 15:30 - 17:30

W/B/ Monday 18th March: Middle School Bring a Parent to School week (TBC)

Friday 22nd March: Family Film Night - film TBC 17:30 - 19:30

Thursday 28th March: Great Oracy Exhibition (school closed)

Friday 29th March: Above and Beyond Out and About trip for March 

Friday 5th April: Last day of term - school finishes at 13:00

Attendance Winners - week beginning 04/02/19

Year 5 - Matterhorn 100% - Overall Winner PERFECT ATTENDANCE! 

Year 6 - Kosciusko - 95.6% 

Year 7 - Himalayas 94.3%

Year 8 - Mont Blanc 95.1%

Year 7 Sports Leaders Project

Year 7 have been working with Ms Jenkins on a Thursday afternoon to develop a wider repertoire of sports activities on which they can lead. Here they are practicing a team game of Rock, Paper, Scissors Marathon! They will develop their skills in order to lead these types of games in other contexts and year groups around the school. 

The Lantern Project

All of Year 6 and a group of Year 8 students are working hard on their project, building lanterns for the sponsored charity walk that will take place on Friday, 8th March after the half term break. This week, Year 8 will focus on planning the event including creating sponsorship sheets, risk assessments, letters and advertising posters. Year 6 will start adding the finishing touches to their designs after they hot-glued together the frames of their shapes last week. Keep an eye out for more information on the event coming home soon!

Family Maths Night!

This Thursday evening, spend Valentine's Day with your family showing how much you LOVE solving maths puzzles and problems! We will be holding our first Middle School Family Maths Quiz night from 5:00pm in the Middle School Courtyard. The night is designed for teams of adults and students to work together on a wide range of interesting, challenging maths problems with prizes for each round! Bring along your family members for a fun evening. RSVP to rhartzell@school21.org.uk if you would like to come along! 

Celebrating our Middle School Community

A little while ago during the festive season, Emma in Y7 was invited to give a recital. She performed a piece by Bach to Spring Lane Residential home to elderly people. The concert was organised by North London Conservatoire. Emma was so happy to be part of such great cause bringing cheer and festivity to elderly people. We're proud of Emma's wonderful achievement and congratulate her for community spirit! If you have an achievement like Emma's that you would like to share, please email Ms Kyrk about it, with a photo, to akyrk@school21.org.uk. 

Recognition last week 

Here are the 'Big Names' that turned up multiple times on our recognition board last week. Congratulations to these students and all of the others who demonstrated working in the zone, choosing kind and stepping up - you make our Middle School community #middlestrong!

We are running a very successful club every morning from 7:45 to 8:25  (last entry 8:10).

I would like to remind everyone of the Breakfast Club Code of Conduct so that parents can share this with their children.

• All pupils are expected to pack away resources and tidy the area.

• No pupils to leave the club area without the permission of an adult.

• Middle School pupils to stay in the club until 8:20. Pupils are not allowed into Middle School until this time.

• Pupils should help each other and be supportive of each other.

• Pupils will be warned about inappropriate behaviour twice then parents will be informed.

• If the behaviour continues pupils will not be able to attend for a week.

• If conduct does not improve they will not be allowed to attend the club for the rest of that half term.

• Extreme behaviour will result in a ban.

The club is for everyone to enjoy themselves in a friendly and safe environment. Thank you for your support.

Great Offer from CAMHS

CAMHS are offering parents a Open Door one off week 4th until 8th February (first time they have ever done this) where they can drop in for a 20 - 30 session regarding their child and will then follow up in needs be - please see link:

https://www.elft.nhs.uk/News/Newham-Child-and-Adolescent-Mental-Health-Services-Open-Their-Doors 

This is not intended for families who are already engaging with CAMHS. 

This Week's Lunch Menu is Week 3!

During our first rehearsal of the term, the community choir were designing protest slogans in preparation for our involvement in the school musical, ‘Hairspray’. Come and join us for community choir over the next few weeks for the chance to get involved! Next rehearsal this Friday 4.15pm. All welcome

Tickets are now on sale to watch this year's production of Hairspray!

Please come and support the wonderful cast, production team and community choir! 

Purchase via Parentpay for the night you wish to attend.

Dates are:

Wednesday 27th February

Thursday 28th February

Friday 1st March

6:00pm - 8.15pm

£5 adults

£3 students

Students up to the Y6 must be accompanied by an adult