September 2014 – Ralph Sadleir School

Friday 26th September

September 26, 2014/in Mr Spong's Blog/by sadleir2021

What an ‘Enterprising’ week we’ve had, well Year 8 anyway!

Our Year 8s have had an insight into Entrepreneurship, culminating in a pitch to the Dragons today. The children did sessions on marketing, finances, writing business plans and developing their pitch. There are a wide array of products and services on offer and you will soon be able to access them via a page on our website. The children (and supporting staff) have worked incredibly hard this week and have got a lot out of it!! The Dragons commented on how well prepared the children were and how well they delivered their pitches. Two of my favourite comments from today were, ‘I’m not setting up my own business when I’m older, its too much hard work’ and ‘That dragon (Mr Parperis) was really scary, he even looks like Lord Sugar!’

The Year 8s have also been out on a team building day (very corporate) at Herts Mariners Base where keeping dry was not really an option for neither pupils nor staff!!

As I type we are awaiting the return of Year 6 from PGL whom by all accounts are knackerred but in a good way after an exciting week of outdoor activities. Year 7 boys won their first round match in the English Schools’ Football Cup against Aylward Academy 7-0, with goals from Austen G, Dominic G, Henry A, Noah P and an own goal, this win being all the more astonising given that 95% of the boys in the year group are injured!! Some of our Year 7s went to Schoolympics on Thursday as Sports Leaders whilst a team of Year 5s got their first chance to represent the school in lots of different sports, the children returned with medals galore and there will be a report to follow.

Today is European Day of Languages and Mrs Frederiksen gave an assembly on how learning languages can open opportunities for people. She used an example of a prominent football manager (whom shall remain nameless) citing the importance of speaking other languages as integral to his success. So all that leaves me to say is adieu, ciao, auf Wierdersehen, tot ziens, hasta la vista. Have a great weekend.

Friday 12th September

September 12, 2014/in Mr Spong's Blog/by sadleir2021

The end of the first ‘proper’ week brought a big moment for the Year 8’s – the announcement of this year’s House Officials. Mrs Davey introduced this in assembly by asking ‘What makes a good leader?’ particularly poignant at the moment as the staff, pupils and governors are all about to consider this in working together to produce a job description for the next Head Teacher of our school. Hopefully all Year 8’s, those selected for roles and those not, will display some of the leadership skills mentioned this morning.

Skills has been an ongoing theme this week as in Wednesday’s assembly, I introduced the concept of Ralph Sadleir Learning Skills. This is based on the idea that rather than just knowing facts there are key skills which can be applied to any job, situation or subject in order to become more successful. There has been lots of research around this concept area and our approach this year is a joining of ideas from Habits of Mind and Building Learning Power. Already I hope you have seen the ideal Ralphie traits in your childrens’ planners, the learning skills have been identified by the staff as essentials for our pupils. There will be a new skill each half term and school rewards like Merits through to Commendation Letters and Ralphie of the Month will be tailored to reflect them.

We feel that by teaching children about these good learning skills, combined with our rich and varied curriculum, the children at Ralph Sadleir will be best prepared for the learning of tomorrow.

Friday 5th September

September 5, 2014/in Mr Spong's Blog/by sadleir2021

Welcome back everybody, there was a point on Monday evening where I thought that coming to work had been nice, especially as it had broken the monotony of watching Loose Women and Come Dine with Me repeats during the holiday. Then it suddenly dawned on me…I had to do it again the very next day – with children!!

The start of a new term brings many things, not just an increase in revenue for stationery retailers, but the chance for a fresh start and new experiences and challenges. Mrs Hinton used the two faced Roman god, Janus in her assembly on Wednesday. One face looking back at what had gone before and one face looking forward to the school year ahead. We hope all the children in Years 6, 7 & 8 continue to build on their previous successes and use those to overcome new challenges in the future. For our new Year 5’s, who enjoyed ‘ruling’ the school on Tuesday, we want them to use all that they have learned in their previous schools in order to make the most of their time at Ralph Sadleir.

Over the summer holidays lots has been happening in and around school with building and decorating projects. Miss Devine, Mr Persico and Mr Verderame and team have put in countless hours to ensure the school is looking and functioning fully. For those whom have seen the outside of the school I hope you’ll agree it looks far smarter and now the children wont freeze in winter nor roast in summer!! These projects are a result of accessing funding as an academy and now, nearly a year later we have begun a comprehensive refurbishment programme – more to follow!!

Before this morning’s assembly Mrs Hinton went round the pupils and staff asking them to sum up the week in one word, I shall write out both lists and leave you to guess which is which:

Excellent, different, amazing, fantastic, tiring, confusing, good (after much thought).

Fantastic, hectic, exhausting, exhilarating, positive, busy, great.

Have a great weekend, see you all on Monday (Yes it is a 5 day week next week!).