Alleynian The Little
Issue 3, 2018
Creativity has been our focus this year. Our curriculum has evolved and developed around themes to encourage exploration and enquiry. Centred upon rich literature to capture the children’s imagination, and yet open- ended enough for them to have ownership of their learning, each term has seen every child at DUCKS learn new skills, take risks, fail, succeed and celebrate his or her achievements. The high quality of our children’s writing and art is evident throughout this edition, but more importantly, so is the quality of the friendships that children build here. Kindness, care, respect and team-work are promoted at every opportunity. Everyone at DUCKS knows that happiness and security form the foundation for learning and the independence and confidence that follow are a joy to behold in our Little Alleynians. I will leave DUCKS this summer with wonderful memories of an exceptional school, happy in the knowledge that DUCKS will go from strength to strength under the careful guidance of Miranda Norris, the new Head of DUCKS. Nicky Black Head of DUCKS This is my third and final ‘Little Alleynian’ and it reflects the happy and motivated young learners I am so proud to see every day at DUCKS.
Blue Horse, Blue Horse What Do you See? by Moorhen Class
Wellbeing 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.
Kindergarten
Painting by Bram
Baby bunting for the Royal Wedding
Baby room
Painting by Nathaniel
Painting by Zach
Kindergarten
Paint and collage by Ishan
My family by Nina
Toddler room
Masking Tape Wonder by Zach
Collage by Lorcan
Kindergarten
Fairy castle by Nandita
Easter holiday adventures by Lisa
Bike in motion by Harrison
Duckling room
The Shard by Florence
Elmer the elephant
Panda by Leo
Painting by Giorgio
Nursery
Ladybird by Jack
Heron class
Caterpillar by Xander
Snail by Raife
Nursery A blossom tree by Sofia
Green Frog,Green Frog, What Do You See?
A Dragon by Thea
Moorhen class
Red Bird, Red Bird, What Do You See?
Printed Flowers by Cecily
Brown Bear by Timmy
Goldfish, Goldfish What Do You See?
Reception
Summer Flowers by Bea
Bog Baby Missing Poster by Reeyen
Lapwing class
The Magic Faraway Tree by Max
Rose Petals by Rosie B
Setting description by Ana
Setting description by Rosie R
Reception
Swan class
Postcard from her Magic Land by Corrina
The Beautiful Bouquet
Year 1
Kingfisher class
Year 1
Still life of flowers by Tom
Extract from The Storm House by David
Teal class
Still life of flowers by Sam
London skyline observed from DUCKS by Lena
Year 2
Sky Painting by Ridley
Avocet class
3D map by Max
Dream Catcher by Veeraj
Boat Sketch by Kit
Year 2
Dream Catcher by Leo
A reflection in Water by Amar
Castle Seige by Severin
Curlew class
Phileas Fogg description by Yaseen
Robin Hood by Kourtney
Forest School
Forest School
Sport
Sport
Music
Music
Performance
Performance
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