Alleynian The Little
Issue 7, 2024
We give them a big whoosh on their way…… First, we bid farewell to Cathy Delacroix , our beloved SEN Teacher, who will be retiring after 23 years at DUCKS. Cathy’s dedication and compassion have made a lasting impact on countless pupils. We wish her a fulfilling and joyful retirement. We also say goodbye to Leona Williams , an exceptional Early Years Practitioner, (currently in the Duckling Room), who is leaving after 22 years. Leona and her family are relocating to Nottingham, where she will take on an exciting new role as Deputy Manager at Magic Roundabout Nursery. We thank Leona for her unwavering devotion and wish her and her family all the best in this new chapter. Leila Hamadi will be leaving DUCKS after nearly 5 years of dedicated service as a Teaching Assistant, (currently in Lapwing Class). This year, Leila completed her degree, marking a significant personal and professional achievement. She will now be taking some time to decide whether to return to Germany or pursue a postgraduate qualification. Francesca Pay, currently our Swan Class Teacher and Reception Lead, will be leaving DUCKS at Christmas after 3 years of committed service. Francesca will be returning to her hometown of St. Albans to take on an exciting new role as Head of STAHS Pre-Prep. While we will miss her greatly, we are also excited for her as she embarks on this new phase in her career. Annisha William, another valued Early Years Practitioner, (currently in the Baby Room) will be leaving DUCKS after 2 years to work closer to home and pursue a new role as a Teaching Assistant. Annisha’s enthusiasm and dedication have greatly enriched our community, and we are confident she will excel in her new role. Lastly, we say farewell to Grace Mather It’s always bittersweet to say goodbye to valued team members, but we also celebrate their future endeavors and achievements.
It is my great pleasure to share with you the seventh edition of Little Alleynian As I write this introduction we are just coming to the end of a highly informative and fun-filled ‘Science Week’. As part of the many exciting activities the children have visited Science labs on the main site, joined the College Science teachers for a ‘Pop’, ‘bang’ and ‘whoosh’ session on the DUCKS field, and shared a special assembly with a colony of bees! We have enjoyed three ‘Stunning Starts’ this year which provide the backdrop to our creative curriculum. These themes become familiar within the children’s learning and activities, sparking curiosity, creative thinking and questioning. We began the school year with ‘Up Up and Away’ in the Michaelmas term, inspiring the children to think about the far reaches of the globe and the universe beyond. ‘St Paul’s Pigeons’ by artist Mark Herald provided the backdrop to the Lent term theme of ‘The Big Picture’. The children delved into the history of London’s past and also enjoyed visits to the Dulwich Picture Gallery and Tate Modern, examining and developing different artistic techniques culminating with their end of term ‘Great Exhibition’ in the school hall. ‘Rings of Friendship’ has been our theme for the summer term, coinciding with the upcoming Olympic Games. The children have enjoyed adding stickers to our World Map and celebrating their own and other children’s family heritage, the many different nationalities and faiths within DUCKS and the uniting of friendships across the globe. Our families are so wonderfully supportive of everything we do and it is always a pleasure to welcome them into DUCKS. Beside visiting for Stay & Play sessions in the classroom and at our Forest School, parents also combined with our Year 2 Charity and Leadership Group to support the various charities our children have raised money for throughout the year – ‘Happy Whale’ (in support of ocean conservation), Read Easy Southwark (in support of adults learning to Read) and ‘Sarcoma’ (a bone and soft-tissue cancer charity). The DUCKS family and the sense of community is at the very heart of all we do.
and Millie Shaw , our Gap Year Assistants, who will be leaving DUCKS to study at Bristol University. Their energy and support have been greatly appreciated, and we wish them great success in their studies and future endeavors.
Jo Parker Head of DUCKS
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.
9. 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 Pre-Reception, they head to the cosy corner if they feel tired.
11. 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 pupils 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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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.
10. 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.
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.
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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12. Fruity Tea At DUCKS, mealtimes are sociable occasions. We work hard to encourage and help to develop good table respect for one another. In the Infants’ School, the staff on duty give out ‘fruity tea tokens’ 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. manners, sociable conversations and whenever they see examples of good
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8. Ducks of the Week
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.
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‘Duck of the week’ is awarded to children from each class who have done something particularly special.
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5. Key Person In the Kindergarten, 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.
Home
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13. Story Time Our children work hard all day and story time is an important time for calm, quiet and listening.
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7. 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.
6. 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
Baby Room
Shapes by Rosa
Kindergarten
Toddler Room
Shells by Eleanor
Kindergarten
Duckling Room
Pre-Reception
Heron Class
Elma the Patchwork Elephant by Anna
Ant by Eric
A worm by Arthur
Pre-Reception
Moorhen Class
A ladybird by Emma
Reception
Lapwing Class
Flowers by Arthur
Collage by Cinar
Flowers by Clara
Reception
Puffin Class
Flowers by Axel, Theo, Julian, Arlo
Mothers day by Leonardo
Reception
Swan Class
Flowers by Benny
Year 1
Kingfisher Class
Sunflower by Milo
Bird by Kenan
Year 1
Sandpiper Class
Sunflower by Isobel
Year 1
Teal Class
Sunflower by Nico
Year 2
Avocet Class
Year 2
Curlew Class
Year 2
Mandarin Class
Forest School
Sport
Music
Ducklings by Emma
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