A l l e y n i a n The Little
Issue 2, 2017
At the end of another busy year, there is much to include in the ‘Little Alleynian’ magazine. ‘Free Learning’ has been a focus across the whole College, but nowhere is it more important than at DUCKS, where our curriculum is carefully planned to encourage problem-solving, team work and active learning on a daily basis. Our children are encouraged to take risks in the classroom, the playground, the orchard and on the sports field. They are encouraged to strive for their best in each challenge they undertake. Throughout the year, the children have supported charities and each other. We have seen academic excellence and exceptional progress, but more importantly, we have seen children look after each other and work together. Our Little Alleynians know that at DUCKS we value kindness above all else and it is for this reason the friendships made here will remain long after our Year 2 children leave. I hope this edition of the Little Alleynian will convey the highlights of a very happy year at school. Nicky Black Head of DUCKS It is my great pleasure to share with you the second ‘Little Alleynian’ magazine, showing just snippets of a year in the life of the youngest, and possibly most active, members of the College.
Sleeping Beauty by Juno
W e l l b e i n g A day in the life at DUCKS The wellbeing of our children and parents is considered at every step of the way at DUCKS Kindergarten and Infants’ School.
2. Settling In Saying goodbye at the start of the school day can be a difficult time for our youngest children. A friendly welcome from staff and children alongside enticing, interesting and varied classroom activities can make it easier. The morning routine helps, too. Adults quickly learn the best ways to make each individual child feel welcome.
Arrive
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1. Breakfast Club Children who come to school early for breakfast are welcomed by friendly faces and given the opportunity to enjoy a sociable meal with friends. Children are encouraged to choose for themselves, help themselves to their own breakfast and help each other, too. 4. Orchard In the orchard, children have the chance to enjoy nature in all weathers. Activities are child-initiated and teamwork is encouraged. Small, achievable tasks allow children to grow in confidence as they begin to take more risks in their play. The uneven ground, climbing logs and minibeasts are all part of the adventure.
3. Assembly A time to reflect, to think of others, to celebrate achievements across the curriculum, the daily assembly is a very important part of our school routine in the Infants’ School.
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5. Key Person In the Early Years, all our children are assigned a Key Person, who takes the lead in looking after them at DUCKS, gets to know them particularly well and plans activities to meet their interests and developmental needs. It is hugely reassuring for our youngest children to have one staff member they feel especially close to, and the bond they develop is special and significant.
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5 6. Special Books A strong link between home and school is important for children’s confidence and wellbeing. Children know that the staff at DUCKS are interested in their time at home, and that parents are interested in what they do at school. Parents and children together record exciting events in the Special Book and these are shared in school. As the children get older, they present these to the class, talking to their friends about their experiences and answering questions. This is a great opportunity for us all to listen to each other, value each other’s experiences, and strengthen the connection between school and home. 6
10. Sleep Time Rest is so important for healthy bodies and minds and many of our youngest children need their naps. In the Kindergarten, they go to rest in the sleep room; in the Nursery, they head to the cosy corner if they feel tired.
12. Golden Rules At DUCKS, we follow six golden rules to keep our school a happy place: we are gentle, we are kind, we are honest, we listen, we look after property, we work hard.
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Role Models As part of their Community Service Programme, older College boys visit DUCKS to referee football matches, help in classrooms and read to children. When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, one of our three-years-olds answered, “A College boy like Brodie!”
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11. Circle Time A chance for everyone to have their say, speak aloud in front of their peers and take turns, circle time is an excellent way to discuss the issues that are on our children’s minds. It may be that we need to discuss events in the playground, the news or ideas that feature in our termly Wellbeing or RE topics. Everyone has a voice, and everyone’s contribution is valued.
13. Fruity Tea At DUCKS, mealtimes are sociable occasions. We work hard to encourage and help to develop good table manners, sociable conversations and respect for one another. In the Infants’ School, the staff on duty give out ‘fruity tea tokens’ whenever they see examples of good behaviour at lunchtime, and the table with the most tokens each week is treated to fruity tea with the Head of DUCKS in her office.
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9. Ducks of the Week In Friday’s achievement
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assembly, ‘Duck of the week’ is awarded to children from each class who have done something particularly special. Not only are their achievements celebrated in school but their picture is also featured in our weekly newsletter for parents.
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Home
14. Story Time Our children work hard all day and story time is an important time for calm, quiet and listening.
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8. Playtime Provision Some children want to run around and let off steam, others want to chat with their friends, some need a quiet space to reflect at playtime, so the DUCKS playgrounds offer spaces to engage in a variety of different activities. The staff on duty give support and will join in or intervene if needed, but children are encouraged to make their own fun at this time, resolve disputes themselves when they can, look after each other and work together.
7. Sticker Books For KS1 All our children are given reward stickers for effort and achievement in all areas, but our older children collect them in sticker books and save up to earn a certificate, medal or trophy, which they are presented in assemblies.
K i n d e r g a r t e n
Baby room
Painting by Leo
Painting by Rosie
K i n d e r g a r t e n
Mixed Media by Felix
Printing by Orlando
Printing by Celina
Toddler room
Painting by by Florence
K i n d e r g a r t e n
Sheep by Cecily
Painting by Elis
by Alfie
by Sebastian
Duckling room
Portrait by Katie-May
Spiderman by Kyden
A model by Astrid
Daddy by Oscar
A birthday cake by Molly
N u r s e r y
Butterfly class art
A Gosling by Sebastian
Heron class
A Foal by Tess
N u r s e r y
Father Christmas by Lara
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Zareen
Carol singers by Moorhen Class
A bunny family by Toby
Moorhen class
Daffodills by Leo
Pig by Milo
R e c e p t i o n
Beanstalk by Isla
Alien by Henry
Lapwing class
Alien by Molly
Bog baby by Ella
R e c e p t i o n
Swan class
Y e a r 1
Flowers by Lucy
Flowers by Aydin
Kingfisher class
Robin by Yaseen
Acrostic by Leo
Pop Art by Lucas
Exploring colour and materials by Grace
Y e a r 1
by Riley
by Anais
Bean Plant by Ben
Portrait by Elijah
Teal class
Bean Plant by Rex
by Ridley
Y e a r 2
Play Programme by Sasha
Play Programme by Max
Avocet class
Portrait by Tyler
Buddy letter by Vanessa
Y e a r 2
Portrait by Salome
Fire Poem by Morgan
Curlew class
Portrait by Khadija
F o r e s t S c h o o l
F o r e s t S c h o o l
S p o r t
S p o r t
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