Updated 8-3-24
Intra-school sport competition this week and everyone from Y1-Y6 competed ! We take part in lots of smaller competitions but this is an Abbey-wide one and was great! World Book Day and on-site fair finished the week and we have a badger on our field! Looking forward to Y5 parent workshops & Parents' evenings next week.
Updated 8-3-24
Intra-school sport competition this week and everyone from Y1-Y6 competed ! We take part in lots of smaller competitions but this is an Abbey-wide one and was great! World Book Day and on-site fair finished the week and we have a badger on our field! Looking forward to Y5 parent workshops & Parents' evenings next week.
Updated 29-2-24
A slightly earlier update - wanted to date stamp 29/2 as we won't see it again till 2028! Our programme of workshops starting with EYFS & Y1/2 has begun - trying to bring simple 2-way understanding of how to help our children at home with Reaing, writing and maths. Looking ahead we have intra-school sport competitions, world book day and a book fair. We are also saying hello to March!
Updated 23-2-24
A great (but wet!) first week back. Lots happening with Y5 workshops, Y4 residential and Y4 'at home' being out and about with a range of activities. Thanks to my staff who gave up time with families to go away with Y4! Have a look at the class pages - I really appreciate it. Next week we have parent reading workshops, Y5 movie night and forest school in YR goes back for a second block of weeks!
Updated 9-2-24
Happy half-term to all of our children and families! This week our Y1 has been to the Gurdwara to visit the Langar kitchen and had an informative, respectful and great time. Thank you to the Smethwick Gurdwara for letting us visit and the parent helpers who came along. When we come back we've got Y2 Pedestrian training, Open the Book from our friends in Warley Methodist, dental checks for 5 yr olds, Y3 Stone age day Y4 off to Edmond Hall.
This is the last update before we return - enjoy the break!
Updated 2-2-24
More workshops and Y6 parents really worked hard in sharing family helping children get ready for their Apple Clips work. Shorter last week as half-term is (comparatively) early. More parent workshops next week, this time Y4 and our friends from Warley church return. INSET for all the staff on Friday - Trauma, adversity and helping to reduce anxiety in schools.
Updated 26-1-24
A fab week of workshops and busy happy children including a huge thanks to all of myself staff and volunteers who attended Young Voices. Looking to the first week of February (wow!) and we have Y6 parent workshops; Y2 pedestrian training and the second EYFS parent workshop.
Updated 19-1-24
Whilst the UK has been the coldest for a while, we've been on fire (not literally, of course) but West Mids Fire service was in school working with Y4. Additonally, Y1 Sublime science and EYFS animals were just fab! Next week will be warmer (we hope) and we'll be simmering too with Y3 sewing workshops, EYFS parent writing workshops, Y2 Animal Man and Miss Vance & Miss Stocking take our choir to Young Voices. We finish the week back in Y3 with 'Sensible pencil' and we are almost 1/12 of the year done.
Updated 15-12-23
More workshops, this time Y4 showing their sewing skills - great atmosphere and well attended. We are in the last week of the long autumn term and it's always a pleasure to see the children perform. Y3 attended St Hilda's church on Friday and YN, YR and Y5 had an absolute blast performing their Christmas shows of the traditional Nativity and Bah Humbug - A Christmas Carol.
All that remains is for me to wish everyone a fantastic Christmas break and I hope that 2024 brings health, happiness and peace. Merry Christmas to everyone at Abbey and in the Abbey community.
This is the last update before 2024.
Updated 8-12-23
The Y6 workshops were great and the sewing skills of the children (and parents) helped make super products and these will be on an Abbey Lens soon. The Y1 children really enjoyed their themed Victorian school day and stood up respectfully when I entered 1P......might back some traditions! The week was strange with a closure due to boiler failure but we were back on fire (yes, I know!) for the Christmas Fair to end the week. Huge thanks to all the staff, FOA and parents for time, donations and ending the week in a fabulous way. Looking forward to Y4 workshops; EYFS at Ash End farm and Y3's festival of light at St Hilda's.
Updated 1-12-23
I think I've seen the best Y3 bridges in ten years! Amazing designs and using key skills of cutting and strengthening - and it was lovely to see so many parents getting sticky too! Looking forward to Y6 parent workshops, Y1 Victorian Day and EYFS Winter Wonderland too! Can't believe we are in the last month of the year!
Updated 17-11-23
A colourful end to the week celebrating Children in Need - non uniform but no payment - not being mean but families can choose to donate in many other ways. The important message of care for all and others less fortunate is no lesser. Y3 & 4 enjoyed their educational visits to two different parts of Dudley, canals and zoo. Looking forward to Y6 bike ability catch-up; Open the book assembly and Y1/2 football competition.
Update 11-11-23
Well the first week back was even better than I thought. Have a look at the Y6 residential (Class pages - Plas Gwynant) - great time; additionally the Y6 who cooked, photographed, forest schooled (the firelighting with a striker was great as was the den building), crafted and cinemad was equally great. EYFS and parent workshops - we were on fire (pun intended). Looking forward to Anti-bullying week, Children in Need, Y3 at the Dudley Canal; Y4 Dudley Zoo. Woo hoo!
Updated 3-11-23
Welcome back after half-term! Getting colder (also windy and wet) but we look frowns to Y6 going to North Wales on a residential - everyone else will be taking part in great art, cooking and forest school. EYFS Bollywood dancing and Y2 parent weaving workshop. Not bad for the first week back!
Updated 27-10-23
This is a special update - first to wish everyone a great half term break and recognise the hard work over this half term. The term finished well with theatre, Black Country Museum and Discos.
But the main message goes out to my DHT, soon to be HT of Causeway Green.
On behalf of everyone at Abbey, thank you for your kindness, smile, care and company.
Your new school is really lucky - well done and good luck.
See everyone in November!
Updated 20-10-23
PC Rita led a great session on safeguarding Y6 with on-line behaviours and our first parents' evening of the year was really well attended. At the end of this week all of our children (except YR) will have taken part in an intra-school sport competition, tri-golf was amazing! We finish the week of a very long half term with Y1 at The Black Country Museum, Discos, Y2 Science Day and my Deputy Head leaves us to take up her first headship!
Updated 13-10-23
What a wet Friday 13th it was! But it couldn't dampen our spirits. YR out in the rain (in their suits) carrying on Forest School; Y6 had a tremendous learning experience dissecting hearts, Y2 dodged showers at Weston and I had organised Shirley Clarke (AFL guru) for our cluster of schools. Next week is super busy and good! The Police working with Y6 on e-safety; our first intra-school sport competition; parents' evenings and more!
Updated 6-10-23
Y6 out on tour on their bikes - great to see safe and sensible! Y2 had a lovely time at St Hilda's for a special concert. I had the privilege of visiting another school and had a great time working with people. Next week looking forward to Y2 at Weston and interviewing for a new Deputy! Mrs F will be starting at Causeway Green as HT in November.
Updated 29-9-23
Welcome to October! The EYFS 'Let's Do it Day' was lovely and a first opportunity to see children working in school alongside parents. Every year group runs three workshops through the year to do the same thing - it's a pleasure and a treat. Next week Y6 are learning to ride their bikes on the road with 'Bikeability', first sport competition and we are hosting visitors to our school to look at Science.
Updated 22-9-23
All photos taken (and uploaded into our school system), a brilliant WW2 themed day to launch learning in Y6 and at the start of our school - Forest school began in YR! [The chants of 'no lick, no pick, be careful with that stick! was great]. Looking forward to our first EYFS 'Lets' do it day' along with flu vaccines for all pupils - then (scarily) we say goodbye to September!
Updated 15-9-23
Abbey had the school nurses visiting successfully promoting hand hygiene, teeth cleaning, and healthy eating habits among our children. Year 5's Egyptian day, engaging students in the wonders of ancient Egypt was fab and the innovative dressing up was great. Swimming re-started for Y4 and using the new Olympic pool - great facilities! Looking ahead we have school photos, WW2 day, and Year R's forest school journey begins!
Updated 30-8-23
Welcome back to September 2023! I hope the summer was good for everyone and I look forward to seeing all of our returning and new families. School re-starts on Wednesday 6th September for Y1-Y6. New YR have a staggered starts and Nursery re-starts week commencing 11th September. It's always an exciting start to the school year and it's good to be back!
Updated 21-7-23
The end of the year and the end of an era for Y2, Y6 & Mrs Donnelly. To the whole Abbey community - have a great break. May the summer be fun, happy and restful. This is the last update before September.
See you all when we return!
Updated 14-7-23
Summer fair and rain! Great effort by parents, FOA and staff to pull it off and all money raised will go straight back to our children. Thank you to everyone. Reports are out and we are into the last week. Y2 & Y6 will have a great time....and we'll miss them. Looking forward to leavers' shows, proms and the summer holiday.
Updated 7-7-23
Faster wifi installed! Sports Day finished and transition done! Met the new YR parents to say a quick hello and updated DSL training! Looking forward to reports going out and our Summer Fayre - Y6 are loving rehearsals and the show will be amazing!
Updated 30-6-23
Mixed weather but a great week!Roman assembly, Eid and non-uniform days all a highlight. Looking forward to more DECCA workshops, DSL training and the DFE wifi network upgrade. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly! We are then into the final month of the academic year!
Updated 23-6-23
Sports days and a splash of rain didn't stop 2/3 of our school having a great time.We shifted one sports day to next week and that will be good. Looking forward to Y4's Roman assembly and then we are into July! Reports are being finalised and then it really is the end of the year. I'm also feeling both chirpy and old! My middle son is 18 today and that's how long I've been a HT! Birthday cake today!
Updated 16-6-23
Y3 Movie night; Y5 parent workshops and indeed more sun! All of the testing and tasking across the school is now complete, we just have to finish reports and the academic year is nearly done. Rehearsals have begun for end of year shows and the children have coped and behaved beautifully with the hotter weather. Next week, we have our planned sports days and that will be just a great way to see out the last week in June.
Updated 9-6-23
Y2 left us in sun-shine and went off to Frank Chapman, the first of three residential opportunities (see the class pages for some amazigly happy pictures!); King's dance workshops were energetic, fun and brought our school together (even the creaky teachers did their best!).Y4 began their multiplication check and Y1 had animals visit to help them with adaptation.
Looking ahead we have Y3 Movie night; Y5 parent workshops and we hope, more sun!
Updated 3-6-23
For once we had some lovely sunny weather over half term! Welcome back to all of our children and families!
A busy week ahead as Y2 go to their first opportunity for a residential to Frank Chapman and King's dance workshops for all of our school! Y4 begin their multiplication check and soon it will be phonics time! Off to a flying start.
This is the last update before we return in June.
Updated 26-5-23
A beautiful operatic voice filled the KS2 hall as Y5 were mesmerised by opera ahead of their visit next half term. Y2 enjoyed Safety Seymour and YN had a visit from an author. A lovely end to the 5/6 waypoint marker and we look ahead to a restful half-term and then it's the last run to July.
Looking ahead to when we return Y2 go to their first opportunity for a residential to Frank Chapman and King's dance workshops for all of our school!
Updated 19-5-23
The PCSO were proudly back on patrol, encouraging and supporting parents and residents to make the best choices ad drop off time. KS1 have been doing their final checks (SATS) and looks very positive both with attitude and attainment. Onto the last week of the half term with lots going on! Loudmouth theatre; Birmingham Conservatory; EYFS Superhero Day; Open the Book; Safety Seymour and more PCSO! Then it's half term and the end of the academic year looms into sight.
Updated 12-5-23
Y1 survived a magnificent rain shower in the woods - they got a bit wet but loved it! Y6 survived their SAT tests - we are all really proud of their mature attitude and the way they conducted themselves. Halfway through May and onto Y2 for their 'tests'. Have to say it's just a normal day at the office for them - they are used to having a go at these type of questions and questions styles, that's the way it should be - no upset children. Looking forward to a Y6 workshop, EYFS author visit and more PCSO parking patrols.
Updated 5-5-23
Y4 had a fantastic time at Lunt, a Roman fort, for a practical day enriching their skills and knowledge. The week ended with a celebration of the coronation of King Charles. Looking ahead we have an additional bank holiday and the start of SATS for Y2, Y6 and a food tasting session for our parents from the new caterers. Y1 are out at the woods and that's another week done.
Updated 28-4-23
Wheelchair basketball made a welcome return to LKS2, hard work but a great experience! The time is flying and next week sees us in May (May the fourth be with you - always!), elections, Y4 at Lunt Roman Fort, and Coronation celebration to finish. Enjoy the bank holiday - may the rain not be with us!
Updated 21-4-23
Firstly, Eid Mubarak to all of our children and families celebrating! I hope you have a great time with families.
What a busy week! School Nurses worked with Y3,4,5,6 on a range of topics including puberty. Football matches - won one and lost one; EYFS Gruffallo Day - kids loved it; Y5 Rainforest Day & SEND profile reviews. Our new catering company has made a sound start to taking over. Looking forward to a quieter week but still lots going on!
Updated 14-4-23
As the Easter break draws to an end we look forward to starting the summer term of 2023! A busy first week with School Nurses; football matches; EYFS Gruffallo Day; Y5 Rainforest Day & SEND profile reviews. We also look forward to the end of Ramadan - Eid Mubarak to our children and families who will be celebrating.
Updated 31-3-23
It's the end of an eventful but good half-term. May the Easter break be good for all of our children and families. This is the last update of the Spring term. Roll on summer and see you all back on 17th April.
Updated 24-3-23
Lovely to see so many parents turn up to our parents' evening and thank you for completing our survey. Lots of parent workshops too, both this week and next. Then it's Easter and a two week break. Looking forward to the last week and Y3 Outback to Basics, Football competition, Y5 Tudor Day and the re-arranged Safari trip from the snow days. Nice to see the days getting longer and it feels a bit like Spring!
Updated 17-3-23
What a week! inspection, strikes and parent workshops! We will look forward to receiving and sharing our report with parents (but it could be a few weeks away with Easter!). Looking forward to our mid-year parents' evening and our annual surveys. Look out for our 'You said, we did boards'.
Also looking forward to the weekend!
Updated 11-3-23
What an end to the week! A snow closure and such a change in one day. We also had the notification call from Ofsted and so our Infants are being visited Monday & Tuesday - good luck to us! Then we've got two sequential NEU strike days which means only a few classes in school. Back to normal Friday and looking forward to Star of the Week!
Please fill in our parent (Ofsted) survey - don't leave it to chance. Grumblers will always fill the survey in, let everyone's voice be heard!
Updated 3-3-23
Great first week back! A bit disrupted by the NEU strike but the kids have adapted fantastically. Y3 had a very good visit from 'Portals to the past' with a Stoneage workshop. Everyone had great fun with World Book Day (you can see our Masked Reader challenge video resource centre) and Y4's residential to Edmond Hall was great - again have a look at our class pages. Great behaviour, attitudes and team effort - and huge thanks to my staff for giving up time to stay away with the children. Looking ahead to EYFS at the Safari Park and 'Drama Llama' author visit!
Updated 10-2-23
Y1 visited the Gurdwara and learned about the Langar kitchen this week. Y6 were out on the roads passing their L1/2 Bikeability and have been incredibly supportive of each other. I'm looking forward to the final week of the half term - half way through the academic year!! It's been great in KS2 with parents picking up their children from the library and borrowing books together. This is the last update before we return after half term - enjoy it when it arrives.
Updated 3-2-23
The first teacher strike in a decade disrupted the week - but the children who were in (and staff who notified me of absence) were great. Can't believe it's only two weeks till half term - still some great activities ahead and the days are beginning to get longer so the early morning skies can appear beautiful! looking forward to more PCSO parking patrols, Y4 Warley Woods and competitions again!
Updated 28-1-23
The second EYFS parent meeting for early writing was great - sorry we didn't have tea and coffee! Animals invaded y2 classrooms; the fire service sparked (!) interest in Y4 and The Police supported our safer road campaign. Looking forward to entering February next week with Y3 sewing workshops and the first sport competitions of 2023.
Updated 21-1-23
Young Voices was a late end to last week but fab! Our children did really well! Had a super workshop for EYFS parents and my DHT has been linking with parents for reading support. Our cluster of schools subject leader training is going well, the second full year of doing this! Looking forward to Y4 out at SPARKS and link governor visits. We also survived the first snow of the year! Have a great weekend!
Updated 13-1-23
A really busy second full week with EYFS workshops, great Autism Training and Y1 Science! The week finished off with a group of our children going to 'Young Voices' and this will appear on a future Abbey Lens. Looking ahead next week to a Diversity assembly, Open the book friends from the church and an EYFS writing session for parents!
Updated 6-1-23
Great to see most children back and and unseasonably mild start to 2023. Y2 kicked off 2023 with and Australian curriculum themed day; Y4 finished it off with a Slumber Party! Y5 have been out and about at Leicester's Space centre and that's really not bad for the first week in Jan! Looking forward to more space-centering, an EYFS jungle day, Y1 Sublime Science, Young Voices choir performance and some Autism Education Trust training for my staff.
Flying into 2023!
Updated 31-12-22
Happy New Year! I hope that 2023 is to be happy, healthy and peaceful.
I hope that all of our children and families had a good break and let's look forward to a great year.
School re-opens Tuesday 3rd January 2023 - see you all then!
Updated 16-12-22
The Christmas Fayre was amazing - no idea (yet) how much we raised but it's not about the money. Bringing our school community together for fun with children and families - fabulous ! A special mention to our refreshed Friends of Abbey (PTA) that this was a great even to be proud of!
The last week had nursery, Reception, and Y5 all performing - I am sure those of you who attended will feel really proud of our children. Party day Thursday and we break up!
Wishing all the children and families a great Christmas break! May 2023 be happy, healthy and peaceful.
This is the last update of the calendar year! See you all in 2023.
Updated 9-12-22
Cold! I've got one and the weather has turned very nippy! Rehearsals in full swing across the school and everyone is looking forward to today's Christmas Fayre - it's been two years without one. Our refreshed FOA is working hard and today will be great, we just need to chill like the weather!
Looking forward to the Nativity, Y5's production and party day. The end of 2022 is in sight!
Updated 2-12-22
Canals, theatre, workshops with parents has dominated this week. So good to see the parents working alongside children sewing and cutting. It's the last two weeks of term ahead of us with Xmas shows, fayre and plenty of theatre trips still to go. I'm looking forward to the busyness but especially seeing the kids enjoy what they are doing! Personally had a good time helping school council choose a Christmas card design - woo hoo and well done Ivan!
Updated 25-11-22
EYFS parents had a great time seeing their children in the classrooms and what they've been upto so far. What a week of rain - really hoping for something a bit more dry! This week finished with a non-uniform day exchanging for our Xmas fayre (our first in two years following the pandemic). Next week is hugely busy! We have Y3 out on the Dudley Canal system; theatre trips and parent workshops in Y3 & Y6.
We will also be opening advent calendars!!!
Updated 18-11-22
The Tigers at the zoo caused a stir and that's a smooth link to the great Y1 Parent workshop making Victorian Spoon dolls! The week finished with CIN bring a bear and a fantastic 'wheelchair basketball' for Y5 & Y6. It was also Anti-bullying week and kicked off by 'odd socks' day. Next week marks the start of the football World Cup, it's EYFS achievement day, Y3 off to the Dudley Canal system and EFL football match.
Updated 11-11-22
The kids loved the Y6 residential (see our class pages if you'd like to look at the fun they had!). This week has seen a special EYFS Bollywood day; meeting new parents thinking of applying to Abbey for September 2023 and Y3 ended the week performing at St Hilda's for the ' Festival of Light'. Look out for a future Abbey Lens about this. Next week we are sending Y4 to Dudley Zoo; Y1 Parents are in making Victorian Spoon dolls. It's Anti-bullying week and kicked off by 'odd socks' day and finishing with 'Bring a bear' for Children in Need.
Updated 4-11-22
What a great first week back! We have Y6 out on a residential and a very adventurous day at home for those who stayed! Two parent workshops, one on phonics and reading; a second in Y2 for weaving. Next week it's Y3 performing at St Hilda's and and EYFS Bollywood day!
Have a good weekend and be safe with fireworks!
Updated 4-11-22
What a great first week back! We have Y6 out on a residential and a very adventurous day at home for those who stayed! Two parent workshops, one on phonics and reading; a second in Y2 for weaving. Next week it's Y3 performing at St Hilda's and and EYFS Bollywood day!
Have a good weekend and be safe with fireworks!
Our class pages show the great week Y6 has had. https://www.abbeyfederation.co.uk/plas-gwynant-2022/
Updated 28-10-22
It's the end of half-term and warm and unsettled weather. 1/6 of the academic year has passed and it's been a good and busy one. When we return after the weekend our Y6 have their final residential opportunity and a great school-based adventurous week for those not staying away. Halloween and Bonfire night too! I also received a special badge!
Updated 21-10-22
It's half term and the last update until we return! It's been a good end with Y1 out at The Black Country Museum and EYFS celebrating differences! After the break we look forward to a cake sale, Halloween disco, Y6 Residential and adventurous visit to Blackwell along with our church friends returning to 'Open the book'.
Have a good half-term!
Updated 14-10-22
A very good turn out to our first parents' evening of the academic year! Good to meet parents early so we can work in partnership to help our children do as well as we all aspire. Shout out to the KS2 girls who played magnificently in the football matches - see an upcoming Abbey Lens! The week ended with a speaking and listening based workshop for KS2. Looking ahead to the last week of the half term for EYFS celebration of diversity and Y1 visiting the Black Country Living Museum.
Updated 7-10-22
Variable weather but a fab week! Y2 were incredibly lucky visiting Weston (no sickness!) and our friends from the church with their 'open the book assemblies'. I've really enjoyed working with YR children looking at their DFE baseline (I've used a lot of Dr K stickers!). We had a coffee morning for Friends of Abbey (our PTA) and all is good. I'm looking forward to our first parents' evening and even more clubs re-starting.
Updated 30-9-22
It's getting a bit chilly now - strange after that crazy warm summer! EYFS had their first parent workshop this week and it was a great end to the month. All of our reading books and e-books have been circulated and it would be great to see as many children and families accessing them as possible. All can be read on any of the smart devices found in our homes.Looking ahead we have Vision checks; 'Open the book' assemblies from the church and Y2 are visiting Weston to look at a contrasting coastal location.
Updated 23-9-22
It's been a busy and good week! I especially liked re-starting our 'Star of the Week' celebration of pupils' great work and attitudes. Other highlights include the PCSO work and seeing our knowledge grids working in all classes! Looking forward to our first EYFS 'Let's Do it Day' and a link visit from our PCSO officer, Jo Dakin!
Update 16-9-22
For the first time in 8 years - there is no update today. We turn our thought to the national day of mourning.
It's been a great start to the term and everyone has come back; our new YR children are settling very well. It's also a sad week, following the death of our Queen, Elizabeth II. Our thoughts go to The Royal Family.
Updated 2-9-22
Welcome back to the autumn term 2022! I do hope that all of our children and families enjoyed the summer break, at least we had some nice summer sunny weather! The first two days are INSET (training for all staff) where we will be covering: safeguarding responsibilities; school nurse updates; EYFS good practice; English & Mathematics updates, assessment and subject specific vocabulary. Then the real fun begins as we welcome all children back.
I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone - especially Friday as by then all of our new YR children will be in! Enjoy the weekend and see everyone next week!
Updated 15-7-22
EYFS finished the week with a beach themed party on the playground in glorious sun. Into the final week of term (well, four days) and it's a busy and possibly incredibly hot week ahead. Y2 & Y6 enjoying performing and prom-ing.
I wish all of the Y6 leavers the very best for their futures ahead of Abbey; I look forward to Y2 joining KS2 in September and welcoming our new YR parents and children.
This is the last update of the academic year and I wish all of our children and families a great summer.
Stay safe, rest and we'll see everyone in September!
Our risk assessment for Covid is published and can be found at this link https://www.abbeyfederation.co.uk/safety-measures-abbey-covid/
Updated 8-7-22
School council met and decided on the new academic year's 'star of the week badge' - that's being made as we speak! Great to see excited children meeting their new teachers and we welcomed our new YR cohort too! A sunny end to the week and our first summer fayre for three summers! Great end to the week and the weather was sunny too! Reports go out today and we are into the final two weeks of term.
Looking forward to more trips and an EYFS beach party!
Updated 1-7-22
A sporting week at Abbey (with animals thrown in too!). Had a great time with all phases completing our sports days - the weather was kind and everyone had a very active and fun time. Y6 have been day-tripping to Chester Zoo, far but worthy! One class was particularly lucky to be unclose and personal with baby elephants (thanks to the youngster who had an experience day at just the right time!). Y5 were off to Perryfields and we are into July! Looking forward to our transition day when children spend the day with their new teachers and our end of year reports go out.
Updated 24-6-22
With sports days and Y4's Roman themed assembly - on top of a non-uniform day to support our Summer fayre; the penultimate week in June has been a really good one. Next week looks equally good - Y6 off to Chester Zoo; a Smethwick school cluster Commonwealth Games at Tipton Sports Academy and Y5 Flight Day at Perryfields.
Then we creep into July and start getting ready for end of term transition.
Updated 17-6-22
Well last week I questioned where the sun was and the end of the week was scorching! (I won't complain but it is hot!!). Friday finished the week with Y4 visiting a partner secondary school theatre production of Matilda. The week ahead looks exciting as we have (back post Covid!) Sports days and our first class performance assemblies in two years.
A scorching end and a fab week ahead.
Updated 10-6-22
A cracking start to the summer 2, final half-term. So busy but so good!😀
Y2 out at their first residential at Frank Chapman; those back at school had an equally good week with forest school, science and a day trip out to meet everyone at the centre too. Y1 had animals to inspire the start to their topic and Y5 parents worked alongside the children to make bird boxes (no lost fingers or thumbs from parents!). Looking forward to more football competitions and then we'll be half way through June - where's the sun?
Updated 25-5-22
It has been a tremendous last week of half-term 5, and one day shorter. The children had a great jubilee celebration and it was lovely to see - it's on this week's Abbey Lens. Photographs, workshops and electrical testing has led to a busy but good week. Half term, I hope it's fab for everyone and may the weather be kind. Looking forward to Inside Outside Y2 project; Y1 animal visit and Y5 woodwork workshops.
This is the last update this side of half-term! Enjoy the break.
Updated 20-5-22
Had some very tired children (but very happy) after going to 'Young Voices' to finish the week off well. It's almost the last half-term and real credit to our Y2 & Y6 children with their SATs over the last two weeks. Looking forward to our jubilee celebrations, EYFS superhero day, Y5 Rainforest Day and Y4 at Warley Woods. A cracking end to the half term.
Updated 13-5-22
KS2 Sats done and we move onto Ks1 before the Y1 phonic screening check. Our kids were so well behaved and mature, a credit to Abbey and all of our families. Y2 is low key - just a normal part of their daily learning and only one piece of information to help us understand what children know, can do and what more they need to learn. Finished the week with a Commonwealth games workshop for Y5 & 6. Looking forward to attending Young Voices (following Covid disruption) and singing our hearts out. Enjoy the weekend and fingers crossed for Eurovision.
Updated 6-5-22
Y4 had a great time at The Lunt Roman fort - really well behaved, great engagement and super leaders. Last bit of preparation for KS2 SATs and I wish all of the Abbey kids a bit of luck (and to all Y6 across the country). Looking forward to getting SATS done and that will dominate next week! Have a lovely weekend.
Updated 29-4-22
Been a strange week as I've been working at another school so didn't see everyone till Friday - but it was great to be back! Our new infant fence looks fantastic and a lovely sunshiny day to finish the week with a bank holiday ahead of us. Looking to restart swimming with Y4 and Y4 are also going to Lunt which is a recreation of a Roman Fort.
Eid Mubarak to families and children celebrating !
Updated 22-4-22
I hope that the Easter break has been good to all of our children and families. Welcome back to the summer term 2022! I can't quite believe that it's nearly May and it is nice to have a little better weather currently, long may it last. It was busy of over the Easter break and lots of ground work improving our site. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone return and working on our new plans for continuing to develop provision at Abbey!
Updated 8-4-22
The final week of the spring term and really good but also incredibly challenging with Covid-19 absence. Nevertheless we loved Y2 @ Drayton Manor; YR at the Post Office; Y3 Back to Basics; Y4 and Warley Woods; Y5 Tudor Houses; Y1 filming their spring performance; Nursery eggs; Y2 Easter baskets and Y6 cooking. That's a pretty fab end!
Have a great Easter break and we'll see every one for the last few days of April and roll on May!
Updated 1-4-22
Finished March with dust of snow! But the most warming thing has to be the re-start of in-school parent workshops. KS1 has led the way and both Y2 & Y1 had a great day and I saw lots of happy faces. Added to that we've been out and about in Warley Woods, Drayton Manor and Y3 'Back to Basics'.
These experiences continue next week and I'm looking forward to wrapping up the Spring term for a well-deserved break.
Enjoy the weekend!
Updated 25-3-22
Talking to our KS1 children about their learning was great! Some very impressive science knowledge! Two weeks to go and the sunshine has made everything feel good - long may it continue. Looking forward to our first parent workshops re-starting, profile reviews, Y2 Drayton Manor and Y3 Back to Basics!
Updated 18-3-22
This week has finished with some sun after the awful start! Also a fun-Friday with Red Nose Day. It was fantastic to have parents in school for our first face-face parents' evening in two years. Thanks to everyone for competing the survey and once the children have finished theirs, we'll send out the summary.
PCSO group have been conducting their checks on traffic and parking - it's busy around Abbey and we need to all be sensible.
Looking forward to a relatively quiet week at Abbey next week where I'm going to go talk to children about their learning and story maps!
Updated 11-3-22
NSPCC Number Day was great (I got sent some pics!). I missed it working with another school - always a privilege to visit other places. Looking forward to setting the budget and the great Abbey survey week! It's our first face-face parents' evening for two years - exciting and very welcome. We are also holding our annual survey for pupils, parents and staff - look forward to sharing with you.
Updated 4-3-22
Y4 had a great week back after half-term, both in school and out of school. Away from home at Edgmond Hall (one of the Sandwell Residential centres) and in-school with some engaging Harry Potter themed work. The class pages has a specific residential page where you can see what we get upto away from home. World Book Day 2022 was very special - just think what happened March 2020 !! The kids and staff had a great time dressing up and with book related competitions, the day was a great success. I do feel a bit old as apparently I could have been a smurf or Avatar character! Looking forward to NSPCC Number Day next week!
Updated 27-2-22
The penultimate day of the half-term break blue skies and crisp morning! Had to change the home page to include spring flowers - popping up all around! Half way through the academic year and lots to look forward to including Y4 on their residential at Edgmond Hall and hopefully our first audience performance in two years! Welcome back and looking forward to seeing everyone next week.
Updated 18-2-22
The end of the half term and a fantastic training day looking at EYFS maths; Kahoot; Metacognition & behaviour; Gymnastics (with the Team GB gymnastics coach!). We survived the storm and a well-deserved break for everyone. This is the last update before we return 28-2. Have a good holiday!
Updated 11-2-22
A really strange week for me! I get the privilege of working with other schools and this week I've been out and about and really missed Abbey! But I've been delighted to hear from my leaders about the discussions that have taken place about our Bucket list, life skills and soft skills. Y2 & Y5 have been to a new gallery (for us anyway) and visited Walsall.
I'm looking forward to the last week of half term and Y1 visiting Think Tank, EYFS animals and we have an INSET (Teacher training Day) on Friday where we have Paediatric first aid training; EYFS mathematics; Kahoot assessment and Gymnastics training.
Then it really is the half-way point of the academic year.
Updated 4-2-22
Walsall art gallery was a nice new addition to our trips out. We've linked in with a project with the new hospital, working with other schools too. Had a great time doing 'Star of the week' on Friday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to an EYFS Let's Do it day and then we really are at the half-way mark through the year. Also I've signed Abbey up to support 'Safer Internet Day' and so our pastoral curriculum will be turned over to this too!
Updated 28-01-22
Despite having a quiet week with trips, visits and experiences, it was great to see the learning in classrooms. Saw some great mathematics, use of iPads with Apple Clips and just talking to the kids! Some very impressive explanations!
Looking forward to Y2 & Y5 going to Walsall Art Gallery, EYFS 'Let's Do it Day' and looking at Kahoot for small-step assessment! Can't believe 1/12 of the year is gone!
Update 1-2-22
Signed Abbey up for 'Safer Internet Day'.
Updated 21-01-22
We had a great week and our Covid absence is falling which is good too. Y1 had a fantastic and respectful time in the Gurdwara and many thanks to the Gurdwara for hosting us. Next week is surprisingly quiet as the last full week of January. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to seeing all the children as I'm going into every class to talk about learning. That's the best part of the job!
Updated 14-01-22
Y5 visited Leicestershire to their Space Centre and had a great session; we came close in the EFL Football Finals and were pipped by poor referee (honest!) but the kids were great and despite being disappointed accepted the decision - well done to them for such a great attitude. Looking forward to Y1 visiting the Gurdwara and isn't it nice to see some early morning sunrises!
Updated 07-01-22
Great to see the children back! A really challenging week with Covid across our community of children, families and staff (the most challenging week ever!). Still had a good end with Y4 Slumber Party, EYFS & Y2 spring term topic launches. Looking forward to Y5 visiting the Leicester Space Centre and a chance to win in the EFL football finals!
Updated 31-12-21
Happy New Year to all of our children and families!
Looking forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday 4th! An exciting week of events starting the year with Y2 Australia Day, animal visitors and a sleepover for Y4 at their 'Slumber Party'.
Let's hope 2022 is great for everyone - happy, healthy and peaceful.
Updated 16-12-21
It's the last week of another really challenging year for our World. At Abbey, the kids have had a great time partying (sensibly and within our rules!); performing; making cards and calendars and with on-line live Pantomime.
Merry Christmas to all of our children and families! May 2022 be a great year for us all - happy, peaceful and healthy.
This is the last update for 2021 and will re-commence in January. Enjoy the break!
Updated 10-12-21
Back from Covid and it was lovely to see everyone after isolation! We are into the last week and with productions and theatre trips, it's all been lovely and festive. Challenging with Covid absence but doing our best to keep everything as 'normal' as possible.
Looking forward to EYFS visiting Santa, virtual pantomime and party day! Merry Christmas!
Updates 10-12-21
Back from Covid and it was lovely to see everyone after isolation! We are into the last week and with productions and theatre trips, it's all been lovely and festive. Challenging with Covid absence but doing our best to keep everything as 'normal' as possible.
Looking forward to EYFS visiting Santa, virtual pantomime and party day! Merry Christmas!
Updated 3-12-21
I'm back after Covid and it's been great to see everyone. Challenging two weeks ahead with rising cases but we are al looking forward to theatre trips and in-school performances. Can't believe that there are only two weeks of the school calendar year left! Looking forward to adding more School Council recipes, theatres and productions.
Updated 26-11-21
What a week! Started off really well, we had our re-assessment for the AFPE Quality mark - looks like we'll get it, with distinction! We find out officially mid-December. I've caught Covid-19 so am in isolation till 3/12 but that hasn't stopped another busy week. Y5 enjoyed some clay workshops and the School Council's prototype cookbook is taking shape. Looking forward to (feeling better!) and theatre trips and a visiting orchestra 'Stringcredibles'.
Updated 19-11-21
I took the difficult decision of reducing opportunities for parents to be in school this week; notable to workshops and our Christmas performance. I know this is deeply disappointing to our community, us included. It's still really tricky with Covid-19, balancing the opening and 'normal' against transmission, illness and lost learning time. At the moment, following guidance from Sandwell Public Health, we are cutting back with a view to reviewing in January. Currently, the highest infection rate is in the 5-9 year old children.
Still had a good week this week though, some great CO2 workshops; courageous football matches and spoon dolls in Y1.
On a much more positive note, looking ahead to next week, I am looking forward to clay workshops in Y5, AFPE quality mark assessment and then we'll be almost into December.
Updated 12-11-21
A palindromic date update! Y3 enjoyed the canal trip and it really brought to life the work of the 'Navvies' through the industrial revolution. Y4 equally had a good time at Dudley Zoo and could talk really well about some of the issues facing our planet. Looking forward to next week's 'Odd socks day' as part of our continued Anti-bullying messages and at the end of next week EYFS Achievement Day and a Y1 Spoon Doll workshop.
Updated 5-11-21
Happy Diwali to families celebrating! Families may also be celebrating with fireworks for Bonfire night - to everyone enjoy and be safe. Y6 had great time home and away this week at a residential and fantastic activities in school. Have a look at the Plas Gwynant class page! Y6 'at home' had an equally great time making scarecrows, Remembrance Art, forest school and their own outdoor adventurous day. We also have been successful in gaining the award for Basic Skills Quality Mark and will share the report as soon as we get it! Met a lovely group of potential new parents on a cold November night!
Looking forward to Y3 & Y4 going out to Dudley's canals and Dudley Zoo. For Y3 linking to their work on canals and bridges; for Y4 their work on diversity.
Updated 21-10-21
We have officially made it to half-term and 1/6 of the way through the academic year. Year 2 were both lucky and incredibly excited to get to Weston-Super-Mare and our EYFS day finished the week really well. A well deserved break for everyone, stay sensible and safe! When we return we set Y6 off on an outdoor week away along with adventurous activities for this who stay back at school including Forest School and High Ropes.
See everyone after half term!
Updated 15-10-21
A bit of a challenging week with absences of pupils and teachers but we got through it! The session for the upcoming 'Young Voices' was great and it was nice to talk to parents about the start to the academic year. Hatton trip for Y3 has been fab and everyone had a great time learning about the route food takes to our tables. 1/6 of the academic year gone and looking forward to interviewing; EYFS Let's Do it Day and we finish the half term with an INSET day looking at the diversity of out curriculum.
Updated 8-10-21
The WW2 themed day was super - a new company and a refreshed piece of work. Flu vaccinations for pupils and Covid-absence has been a challenge but we've got through it! Y3 are off to Hatton; PCSO meetings and the first of our Parent Consultations - virtual this time!
Looking forward to it!
Updated 1-10-21
It's been great to take children out on educational visits again and it's been a busy week at Abbey! Y1 enjoyed (and were lucky with the weather) their visit to the Black Country Museum; we had and won the first football match of the season by quite some margin! Our PCSO made a film that will be released shortly and EYFS had an autumn themed immersion day.
I'm looking forward next week to a WW2 themed day for Y6, more forest school and the final Maths Multiplication day.
Updated 24-9-21
Photo day took a while but we're rushing forward into October with a great week ahead. Our first educational trip since Covid - Y1 off to the Black Country Museum! We've got a visiting expert working with us on mathematics and EYFS running a 'Let's do it!' day! This week finished off with an inspiring History conference that we organised for our group of schools (and some other friends!). Also looking forward to our PCSO making a film all about health benefits of walking to school.
Updated 17-9-21
Swimming happened and we all got wet and had a great time! Reception have had their hearing tests and started Forest School. The new YR are settling beautifully and have started phonics really well, dinner time is getting quicker too! School council has re-started and we brought all the children together for the first time in a while and it was lovely.
Looking forward to Individual photo day; meeting the Vicar of St Hilda's and a local conference helping schools to consider diversity through the curriculum.
Updated 10-9-21
So the first week back has been unseasonably hot at 30 degrees! But all of our new YR children have started and settled really well. We got off to a flying start too with a Y5 Egyptian Workshop and a Y2 Scottish themed day. It was so good to see everyone and it's lovely that school feels much more back to pre-Covid. I'm looking forward to swimming happening fully (terrible traffic stopped 2/3 classes getting there) and a local HT network meeting for us to carry on working together to everyone's benefit.
New badges for if the week have arrived and the fun begins next Friday.
Updated 31-8-21
Welcome back to the 2021-22 academic year! We look forward to welcoming our new Y3 to KS2 and a new set of children into Reception!
I hope that everyone has had a good holiday and managed to do something nice with friends and family.
The first two days of this week (Thurs & Fri) form part of our staff annual Safeguarding training; Fire Safety; curriculum coherence and pedagogy tools aligned to metacognition thinking. Following that we welcome all children back and I can't wait to see everyone.
Updated 20-7-21
This is the last update of the academic year and what a year it has been! I don't think anyone will forget March '20 through to now (and we hope things continue to improve). It's been the strangest and hardest year in schools but we kept smiling throughout. Good luck to our Y6 leavers - not the normal exit we plan for you but we hope that your last year has been good - you really have been a lovely cohort.
We look forward to welcoming our new Y3 to KS2 and a new set of children into Reception!
Have a lovely summer break and see everyone in September.
This is the last update before September 2021.
Updated 16-7-21
This week has been lovely! Trips, cooking, Proms and visits to the woods all made school feel a much better place, on the last full week. We are looking forward to the final three days and despite national guidance relaxing, we are keeping to our systems for the last three days....cases are high and it makes a lot of sense to remain sensible.
Updated 9-7-21
Normally this time of year is so busy it hurts! We are all looking forward to schools being able to return to the place we were, pre-Covid. Had a really good day finalising our revisions to curricular plans and ensuring that the last four terms are taken into account over the forthcoming academic year. It was lovely to hear the excited children meeting their new teachers this week, albeit in their normal classrooms. Reports go home today and we look forward to Y2 picnic outside, Y4 Italy day and Y1 trip too!
Oh and - come on England!
Updated 2-7-21
Been a really hard working week reviewing our curriculum plans and the kids have been great because of the number of supply teachers - fantastic behaviour. Y2 had three days out at Frank Chapman, we couldn't do the residential but this was a lovely day of outdoor and adventurous activities.
Looking forward to children meeting their new teachers and our reports go out Friday. 2nd jab for me too!
Updated 25-6-21
The weather has been really kind this week and we got through success sports days! Talking to the kids, they've really enjoyed how we ran it this year with everyone being really active throughout and trying a whole range of different activities. Still had an egg and spoon part!
Looking forward to next week when we are reviewing our curriculum content and skills in readiness for the new academic year and three day visits to one of the Sandwell outdoor centres, Frank Chapman, for our Y2.
pdated 18-6-21
SEND profile reviews went really well this week and it's good to see so many children making good progress. DECCA were in running workshops for Y5 & Y6 children on drug awareness and our children engaged brilliantly! Looking ahead we've got a phase-based team sports day(s) keeping bubbles separate and common equipment rules. I'm really looking forward to this!
Updated 11-6-21
A quiet (relatively) and hard-working week! We hope that cases don't spiral, we've been lucky so far.....I've been working with leaders for two days at another school, developing provision and it's been nice to do that in a Covid-safe way. All of the Abbey teachers are drafting their end of year reports and we're trying to navigate our normal end of year with the current restrictions, not easy! Have a great weekend and I'm looking forward to doing some filming with our Y2 children to help in the move to KS2 and our SEND profile reviews.
Updated 7-6-21
Good to be back and see so many happy children (albeit some very tired after exciting half-term breaks) and our new playground markings look great in KS1 and EYFS. It's a big thank you to all of our parents as the markings come from a donation by our PTA, Friends of Abbey. It's been hard year for community events and let's hope that we can start returning to some of previous great events.
Looking forward to a school nurse visit in Y2 and installing some new laptops for everyone to use.
Updated 28-5-21
A lovely end to the half term with two in-school workshops in YR & Y5. Weather's been terrible but there looks like a bit of sun ahead for the half-term break. I am looking forward to more visitors when we return and I hope that everyone stays both safe and sensible over half term so the roadmap out of lockdown continues.
See everyone when we return!
Updated 21-5-21
BA students had a good week, lots of information to share but things have gone well and they should be set for a good first teaching week.
It's been another variably wet week! However, we've just won the 'Bronze Health Schools' award - see edition 32 of our Abbey Lens, well done us!
Looking forward to EYFS' 'Ugly Bug Ball'; Y5 Rainforest Day and it's then half-term.
Updated 14-5-21
Mixed weather but still a good week. Y4 are really enjoying the swimming re-start and it's been really great to get back out in our mini-busses. Y5 have really engaged well using proper tools to mark, measure, cut, glue, drill, nail & screw to make a birdhouse (see this week's Abbey Lens). Next week we welcome BA teaching students from Wolverhampton University as we continue to partner with them to help the next generation of teachers. Looking forward to meeting them all and inducting them into Abbey alongside working to keep improving our outdoor environment.
Updated 5-5-21
Swimming re-started for Y4 and is another small step toward our curriculum returning to normal. Kids loved it and I'm looking forward to seeing rapid progress over the rest of the term. It's a relatively quiet week ahead, it would normally be KS2 Y6 SATs week so very different in school! Lots of families looking forward to Eid next week and celebrating Thursday/Friday. Eid Mubarak to families who are!
Updated 30-4-21
Google Internet Legends and Dyslexia training for staff has been our in-school work this week. After the long weekend we'll be back swimming which is great for our Y4 children. I can't believe it's May and it's looking we can re-start visits to other places. Enjoy the long weekend and let's hope we get more sun!
Updated 23-4-21
A lovely first week back along with cold but bright sunshine has been a good start to the summer term. We've been back though all of our risk assessments with children and it's encouraging how the vaccine programme and transmissions rates are moving (both) in the right direction. It looks like we can re-start swimming in two weeks and I'm looking forward to the school nurses visiting to begin their 'ambassador' programme.
Updated 16-4-21
A quiet Easter and it's been encouraging to see the continued vaccine programme and welcomed the further opening of the lockdown measures. Sad news about the Duke of Edinburgh. I'm looking forward to seeing all the children and families return and I had my Covid jab (part 1) today. Really looking forward to a settled term (we hope) to crack on with narrowing gaps.
Updated 1-4-21
What a beautiful week of weather to finish the term! Y1 & YR had a great time designing carriages and being part of a 'Dancing ball' to finish the week in style. We couldn't pass the opportunity to play some pranks (all good natured) and have a look at our Y5 special Abbey Lens. Have a great Easter break and we look forward to a term of settled teaching! This is the last update before we return.
Updated 26-3-21
We had a great time completing a belated 'science week' where all children enjoyed a range of themed activities. It was so nice to see the children undertaking some practical work alongside Y4 going on our first educational visit for a year. We have a shortened week ahead as it's 'Good Friday' at the end of the week followed by our Easter break. Looking forward to seeing a little bit more of Spring with the clocks going forward.
Updated 19-3-21
Two weeks in since the wider re-opening of schools. We've really enjoyed seeing children return and the atmosphere around school has been great. Unfortunate bubble closure but this will happen, Covid has not gone away. Had our first safe-distance workshop this week for Y3 (see Abbey Lens) and the whole school watched a Google 'Internet Legends' lesson. Looking forward to our first educational visit in over a year, a local walk into Warley Woods.
Updated 5-3-21
Everyone at Abbey is really looking forward to the return of all of our children. Especially me! It's been a challenging time whether in school or remote-learning and I hope that next week is last time we welcome children back in such exceptional circumstances. We'll be looking to make sure that our children feel welcome, safe and provide some return-to-school normality. We'll be choosing carefully the content we cover, assess and use for the short and medium term. Looking to provide opportunities for some of the subjects that are much more difficult to access at home.
Bring it on!
Updated 8-1-21
Well I did predict that things could change and wow - didn't it just. Lockdown 2 or 3 depending on how you are counting starts. We worked incredibly hard to get everything in place for key-workers on-site and remote learning. Phew! Done and the week has been successful. Many more children that 'lockdown 1' with 130 booked on. I want to credit my staff for being so professional and hardworking - we have ensured all children either at home or inschool are able to access work. Please check out our Padlets at home and 'special pages' for the lockdown work along with our 'video resource centre' for the instructions.
This will be the last update to the Welcome page until Lockdown ends.
Updated 4-1-21
Happy New Year! I hope that our children and families have had a great break. Let's hope that 2021 is happy, healthy and peaceful. Lots of speculation about the closure of schools and it really is an uncertain time. We are open but it is clear that many parents and staff are anxious. Whilst we can't authorise absence, we won't be looking to prosecute any parents at the start of 2021. We are looking to ensure that we follow all of the guidance as carefully as we should to keep everyone as safe as possible. It's only Monday and much may change this week!
Updated 18-12-20
The last week of 2020 and a remarkable and unremarkable end. I don't think that anyone will forget this year. I'm really proud of how all of my staff and the children we serve have behaved and adapted. We've been really sensible and lucky with bubble closures and school has remained a constant, safe and happy place.
May 2021 bring us all great joy and Merry Christmas to all of the children and families at Abbey.
See you in 2021!
This is the last update until January.
Updated 11-12-20
The final week of 2020 arrives and a well-deserved break for all children and families. WW2 day for Y6 was great and a snapshot of a more normal looking Abbey. Had a KS2 visit about Carbon Monoxide safety which was well received and of course, having all pupil groups back is great. Looking forward to some on-line pantomime, Christmas quizzes and a final party day!
Updated 4-12-20
SEND reviews have gone really well and it's great to see children making good progress. On-line learning for our current burst bubble has worked nicely and the technology has held up - staff hate being away as iyt really is not the same but nevertheless, sequence of learning continued - job done!
Really looking forward to Y5 & 6 returning next week along with a Y1 workshop and EYFS having a 'winter wonderland day'.
Updated 27-11-20
Following last week we've had another bubbles burst - a real shame and everyone is working hard to get the online learning ready. We look forward to getting the children back and we are adjusting our plans so any future bubble bursts will only affect 90 children and staff.
I'm putting my Christmas tree up this weekend - need something to cheer me up! Looking forward next week to a y2 tartan workshop and SEND profile reviews.
Updated 20-11-20
We managed no bubbles burst from 20th March to now! Unfortunately we've had our EYFS bubble burst and there will be remote learning for two weeks. Whilst everyone is looking forward to lockdown-2 ending, we all need to keep following the guidance. A highlight from this week has been out Y3 children using proper tools to begin construction of their bridge designs. I'm looking forward to PCSO parking patrol and starting our Safeguarding Champions. Getting colder too so wrap up!
Updated 6-11-20
It's been a chilly week but finished with a warm glow! Reception has started 'forest school' and Y4 had their slumber party. Staff also finished the week with some school nurse training on Asthma, Epipen, Anaphlaxis and emergency response. I had a great time doing our 'Star of the week' and the pictures are fab! Looking forward to Children in Need next week and I'll be popping to all classrooms to check out our 'meeters and greeters'. Be super sensible and safe with fireworks this weekend!
Updated 23-10-20
A great final week of the half term with EYFS 'Amazing Me' Day; Y2 Science and a beautifully executed fire drill! It's half-term ahead and then we return in November. Enjoy the break and let's keep sensible social distancing going. We all need to do our part to reduce transmission. See you all after the half-term break!
Update 22/10/20
Message from West Midlands Police
Message from PC Jon Hewett about community safety.
Updated 16-10-20
We had a shorter week this week (not Covid related!) with two INSET days. Both really valuable and hard working. The first was thinking deeply about the curriculum gaps that children show us and how we can adjust what we teach/how we teach to help everyone make great progress and catch up. The second was with 'ICT with Mr P' and looking at using iPads across the curriculum with a range of different tools for all subjects. Really valuable and staff got a lot out of it. Last week of the half term and looking forward to re-launching school council. Really pleased with our canteen refresher too.
Updated 9/10/20
We managed to get Y6 through the Bikeability programme this week, no mean achievement with the weather and other matters! Got a shortened week ahead with two really busy INSET days. Really looking forward to our Y1 Victorian day. Have a fab weekend!
Updated 2/10/20
Star of the Week is not the same from edges of classrooms (rather than in a hall) but it's still mega fun and I enjoyed it today! The PCSO transfer went really well and I saw some great maths in Y2. I'm looking forward to starting School Council next week and it's virtual parents' evening. Can't believe it's October already.
Updated 25/9/20
Attendance is almost back to normal and the overwhelming majority of children are back in school. Routines are all working well and we are getting used to the new 'normal'. It is hard not having as many events as previous years and our diary is so much quieter. Nevertheless I am looking forward to starting school council and our PCSO meetings. Into October next week!
Updated 18/9/20
Second full week of children back in school and our nursery has re-started too. We tweaked our entrance and egress arrangements and this has made the start and end of the day quicker. Hot meals restarted and we broke a record this week, second day of new reception children being in school and we finished with everyone out at 1pm! The forthcoming week is much quieter than usual, we'd normally be having new tours for prospective parents and our first educational experiences, all on hold. However, we carry on with our curriculum and keeping everyone as safe as we can.
Updated 11/9/20
630 returners and our attendance has been pretty good at around 96%. Our new children have started really well in Reception and Y1-6 have been fantastic in adjusting to new school procedures to keep us all safe. Parents have been good too and the systems for coming in and out have worked well, we are tweaking them for next week. Bad news that we can't start swimming but with the rise in cases, I guess it's sensible and Public Health will advise when we can.
Still had a great week with Y2 having a "Scottish traditions" and next week we re-start hot meals. Still managed to do our special 'star of the week' from doorways with extra sanitising - not as fun but I loved it all the same. Look how happy the kids were.
Updated 4/9/20
We've made the end of the first week and the training has been really good! The most exciting part now, getting the children back. It's going to be busy and the staggered times are to keep everyone safe (particularly grown-ups!) and so bear with us as we try to ensure 1m+ for everyone. Self-manage and help others make good choices; bring coat in poor weather.
We look forward to seeing everyone and particularly to welcoming back returning and new families.
Enjoy the weekend and roll on Monday.
Updated 30/8/20
Welcome back to the start of the autumn term! I am really looking forward to getting everyone back to school and meeting our new children and families. It's going to be different, particularly at the start and end of the day but we need to keep people safe by minimising groups and contact. Our teacher training days are all about helping children make the best choices; Design Technology teaching; Music composition; EYFS outdoor play; special catch-up programmes for maths & reading; our annual safeguarding update.
Then we get back to the best bit, working again with our children and families!
I hope that the summer has brought you some fun and (despite the weather) enjoy the bank holiday weekend.
Update 17-8-20
Not bad considering such an eventful year!
Updated 17/7/20
The end of the summer term and academic year 2019-20. I wish all of our children and families and good, safe summer. I look forward (so much) to getting school back to a more 'normal' feel - a different way of working but seeing more children will be great.
I also look forward to meeting our new children and families - and in time more face-to-face contact.
This is the last update before 31/8 and I wish everyone a safe, happy summer
Updated 10/7/20
The penultimate week of the summer term draws to an end and for our Y6 children - this is their last day. Not a day that we would have expected and certainly not a day that we wanted to be their last. To all of the Abbey Y6's I wish you the absolute best for the future and I hope that you achieve your wishes and dreams. Be good, work hard, have fun and good luck!
Our draft risk assessment for September is published for consultation https://www.abbeyfederation.co.uk/safety-measures-abbey-covid/
Updated 26/6/20
Teachers have really enjoyed catching up with children and families via telephone (particularly kids!). Our EYFS canopy is back up and painted - looks great. KS2 boiler replacement is on-track to finish next week and we've had another successful week of increased numbers.
Looking forward to seeing Y1 back in on Monday along with our regular YR and Key Worker group. Working hard on the plans to get September as back to normal as we can. Enjoy the weekend!
Updated 19/6/20
Good to hear on the news that we'll receive some funding to help us work on plugging gaps! Back to having Y6 in the building next week and I hope that the weather improves as the rain has been torrential some days. Looking forward to telephone catch-ups with families and reports are nearly written.
Updated 12/6/20
The first week of wider opening has gone really well. Our plans have led to a smooth transition back to school for the children who have been sent back. Y6 drop out next week and we welcome Y1! It's been very odd with so few children about but we know our plan works. Starting to develop three ways of working in September from 2m,1m 0m and the ramifications of all three.
A great video that I had to share!
Updated 5/6/20
Summer 2 has started and next week we can get more children back in Abbey - which will be great! It'd not been without challenges and there is still a lot of apprehension about how it will work in reality but nevertheless - we are as ready as we can be.
Looking forward (so much!) to seeing our kids begin to return....shame I can only say hello from the doorways!
Updated 29/5/20
What a strange week! The end of 'half term' and it feels really surreal. All of the school is ready for children to return, albeit in a much reduced capacity. We've delayed wider re-opening for a week and things will start week beginning 8/6 - we hope! New guidance from Sandwell Public Health meant we needed to inform parents and staff to check health needs to ensure the safety of all. We will be open for key workers' children and then in the week beginning 8/6 YR, Y6 too.
Updated 22-5-20
We close today for a half-term 'break', the reality is more cleaning and changes to the building to get ready for the wider return of our children on June 1st. We think we've encompassed all of the guidance and it will be a challenge but we think we can do it. This is the last update to this page before 1/6.
Updated 18-5-20
There is still a huge amount of debate about re-opening and whether schools will or won't. Our plans are nearly complete but I have to say that the logistical challenge of 2m distance for over 200 children (before we add adults) is really hard. We will do our best though! We are aiming to open after half-term for Y1 & Y6 on a rota of week-blocks and YR daily. There is no way I can fit these children in - the space is prohibitive. It will be a different school experience for children and families but we will do what we can and continue key-worker care too. Our information will be published by Friday and this half-term we will be closed to all so that we can make the changes to our learning space and deep-clean (again!).
Updated 8-5-20
Speculation about schools restarting has dominated the week. I've been working with site staff to see how many children we can get into school whilst maintaining social distancing. It's not easy and there are logistical challenges to site, staff, parents and our children. Think we have a plan - once we know what the DFE/Government announce we'll be able to finalise the plans and look to getting information out to everyone. Enjoy the VE day and stay safe!
Updated 25-4-20
We should be back to school after the Easter break, we've been open as normal anyway. All of our curriculum information leaflets have been updated as if we doing a normal summer term. Had our new Reception numbers and Y3 numbers and both year groups are full. Staff have been continuing to update summer plans. I've been working on a prospectus for our new parents because we don't know when we'll be allowed big groups for intake meetings.
Enjoy the weekend and lets see if we can keep indoors despite the good weather.
Updated 25-4-20
We should be back to school after the Easter break, we've been open as normal anyway. All of our curriculum information leaflets have been updated as if we doing a normal summer term. Had our new Reception numbers and Y3 numbers and both year groups are full. Staff have been continuing to update summer plans. I've been working on a prospectus for our new parents because we don't know when we'll be allowed big groups for intake meetings.
Enjoy the weekend and lets see if we can keep indoors despite the good weather.
Updated 17-4-20
Well we've heard that there is (at least) another three weeks of lockdown....hang in there folks and let's look forward to when we get back to normal. Lots of great things on your Padlet pages and I hope you enjoyed the special video message from Abbey. This week I've been working on information for our new Reception parents as all children found out if they had a place at Abbey. This year, we may not see people as normal for induction. I'm looking forward to seeing if anyone can make a comic on my weekly challenge.
10-4-20
What a lovely week of weather and set to be even nicer this double bank-holiday weekend. We've all worked so hard to follow the government guidance about keeping inside - let's all keep it going this weekend. I'm looking forward to getting back and seeing everyone. This week I've been keeping in touch with all of my teachers using Skype and working on new year orders.
Have a lovely weekend and do the right thing- stay in!
Updated 3-4-20
Padlets continue to bring be joy to see what our children and families are upto. The kids who are in are all doing great! I'm proud of the staff for working in cross-phase teams to support our community. We officially break up today but Abbey remains open over the Easter period, including the bank holidays, to make sure our parents (who are key workers) can carry on their essential role. I've been working on the curriculum leaflets for the summer term and drafting the school improvement plan for the forthcoming academic year. It's certainly going to be different.
Looking forward to seeing everyone but in the meantime - follow the NHS and Government guidance.
Updated 26-3-20
School has been open to the families of key-workers. Teams of Abbey staff have been in to provide child care and we are committed to staying open over the Easter break too, including the bank holidays. It's been strange this week with so few children in the school but an essential job and we are happy to pay our part.
I've been working on subject reviews and looking at the school improvement plan(s).
It's been good seeing the classes talking to each other on Padlet and teachers continue to guide and shape tasks.
Let's see what week two of lockdown brings.
Updated 20-3-20
This is the strangest week and the most odd feeling of my time working in schools. Today we closed for an unknown period, many predicting for the rest of the academic year. This is due to Coronavirus.
I'm sad to see kids go but I recognise the importance that we all must play in defeating the virus.
Abbey remains open for key-workers. We are open all through the Easter holiday including the bank holidays.
We are doing this for the good of everyone and my staff are fantastic.
I'll see the limited kids we have in next week, on Monday.
I'm really sad.
Updated 13-3-20
Our friends from Warley Methodist Church were back in, completing more 'Open the book' sessions. Preparations nearly finished for the installation of our new library, should be great when it's finished. Swimming lessons in Y4 really are going great with a term to go, so many children swimming well...a race to 25m! Looking forward to Parents' evening and more curriculum planning for the summer term.
Updated 3-3-20
The weather beat us for Drayton Manor, still flooded unfortunately - but we'll be back! It's an unusually quiet week ahead as we look forward to a new swimming competition and preparing for our mid-year parents' evening. World Book Day was fab with so many children enjoying a celebration of authors, stories and poetry. Watch out for an Abbey Lens soon.
Updated 28-2-20
We've been on Safari this week (not safari weather though!) and Y3 enjoyed a great Stoneage Day to start their topic. We've been reinforcing the 'catch it, bin it, kill it' message. Looking forward to Drayton Manor, football matches, World Book Day and the next intra-school competition. Y4 have been out on a residential and had great time, just see the web page https://www.abbeyfederation.co.uk/edgmond-hall-2020/
Be nice to get a bit of sun and dry weather too.
Updated 7-2-20
Last week was so busy but great! Y3 had a plethora of workshops; Y2 went to the local mosque and it's lovely to see the mornings getting lighter. Last week of the half term ahead and we are looking forward to Y3's superhero exhibition, girls' football match, film night and disco. Half way through the academic year!!
Updated 31-1-20
Y1's time at 'Think Tank's great and we say goodbye to January. Looking forward to a really busy time ahead next week with Y2 at a local mosque; Y3 & YR parent workshops and finishing the week with Y3's 'Real-life superheroes).
Hello February!
Updated 24-1-20
The LKS2 golf competition was great and really enjoyed by all of the 180 children. Saw some great DT using proper saws in Y4, great stuff! Looking forward to Y1 out at 'Think Tank', our second parent EYFS meeting and then we are into February. Time is really motoring.
Updated 16-1-20
The space centre was out of this world (sorry!) and the children who went to young voices really had a great experience. An earlier close due to our T4W INSET. The BEd students had a positive start to the best profession in the world. Looking forward to a LKS2 golf competition day and more school council work beginning our journey to becoming a 'Rights Respecting School'.
Updated 10-1-20
It was great to see everyone back and a surprisingly mild weather week to start 2020. Not mild in school though, great things and Y4 really enjoyed the modern take on 'Peter Pan'. Y3's 'Sensible pencil' was funny with some really humorous and well thought out drawings. Y2 loved the animal visit to springboard their topic and the kids loved playing on the new astroturf.
Not bad for the first week back!
Additionally we received the latest Ofsted report which is great to read about all the hard work that we have invested in! Really proud of my team for working so hard.
Looking forward to Y5 in Leicester, welcoming our BEd students and the last INSET day of the academic year - all about 'Talk4Writing'.
Updated 2-1-20
Happy New Year to all of our children and families! We welcome in 2020 and look forward to seeing everyone back safely and hearing about the Christmas break. First week back is looking good too with Y2 having a special animal visit, Y4 at the theatre and Y3's 'sensible pencil' - finishing the week with an EYFS jungle dressing up day.
Updated 20-12-19
The end of a decade a what a way to finish. All of the performances, plays and concerts have been great but a particular mention to Y5's 'Bah Humbug' (Christmas Carol) and it was a standing ovation - not normally seen!
Everyone is tired but pleased and the term has been super. Looking forward to seeing 2020 and a new decade...may it be good for us all.
Wishing all of our children and families a good Christmas and an equally great new year.
Merry Christmas!
Updated 13-12-19
The penultimate week of 2019 and despite the rain, we kept things going. Our reception cohort of 19-20 are the first (never to be replaced) performers of the Christmas nativity and what a great show it was. Such confidence and great behaviour - the round of applause was great and I've never heard such fab singing from 4/5 year olds. Finished the week with Ofsted visiting KS2, looking forward to the report. Last week ahead of us with shows, songs, parties and then a well-deserved good break. Merry Christmas!
Updated 6-12-19
Into the last two weeks of term and the end of a decade, soon into the 20's! Had a great week with kids out at Ash End, Y2 theatre and Y5 theatre. Rehearsals for our Christmas productions are going well and the last week of term should be really special. KS1 had a great intra-school competition day and was great fun. Looking forward to carols, YR's production and our Christmas fair - back in our new build after a one year hiatus.
Updated 29-11-19
This week has seen us celebrating achievement days across the school - a chance to see what children themselves are proud of. Two great workshops, one making tartan in Y2 and a second in Y4 making cards for the residents of Beechcroft home where we are also performing to bring some festive cheer. Looking forward to Y2 & Y5 going to the theatre, EYFS meeting Santa and our Christmas fair, hosted in our new building.
We've also had David Walliams send us a personal message - how's that for promoting reading! (see our main blog page for the video)
Updated 22-11-19
Met two lovely groups of parents looking around our school, thinking of joining us in September. The week finishes with the contractors finally being off-site (we hope!) and then out astroturf goes down next week, I'm really looking forward to that! The week finished with Y3's Festival of Light at St Hilda's - look out for an Abbey Lens soon.
Also we are looking forward to Y4 & Y2 Inspire workshops and then we hit December - another year nearly done
Updated 15-11-19
A good end to the week with workshops on a dry day (for a change!). It's been effective with our subject leaders checking and tweaking the spring term plans. Next week is slightly quieter but still we have Y3's festival of light, Y4 firemen and our open days for new parents who may apply for reception.
Updated 8-11-19.
What a first week back! Whilst some of our Y6 were up a mountain (and on a beach, in a waterfall, rock climbing and more) the other half of the cohort have enjoyed WW2 watercolours, outdoor and adventurous activities and WW2 Minecraft. The Mighty Zulu Nation returned after a gap of five years and made a huge impression as part of us celebrating cultural diversity. A packed hall had parents working with children on their Canopic jars which are stunning.
Next week is no quieter and I'm looking forward to Y4 workshops, firemen visiting and a Y1 Victorian themed workshop to end.
Updated 25-10-19
What a great last week of the half term. We won at football, the discos were well attended and fab behaviour. EYFS had a two lovely workshops and a super final day of activities. Our first inter-school competition was a great success and we've managed to get enough funds for astroturf on the KS1 site. A great bake sale to finish the week.
Looking forward to Y6 going to North Wales, the return of The Mighty Zulu Nation and a Y5 workshop too.
Be safe at Halloween, Diwali and Bonfire Night! See you after the break.
Updated 18-10-19
The weather didn't stop us getting to Hatton, Warley and Weston! The late coach to Weston nearly did but we re-jigged the day, came back a bit later and still had a great time. The builders are still here but with the fences now down, we can all see that the end is very close. It's the last week of term so we are all looking forward to EYFS inspire days, discos, another football match and our first inter-school competition to increase the amount of competitive sport.
Updated 11-10-19
Parents' evening was really well attended and I like having one so early in the academic year to share what's happening both ways. The site is nearly finished in KS1 and so we can get the landscaping done, everyone can now see the remaining space and it's looking pretty good. The estimated builders leaving the Abbey site is 17th October.
Looking forward to a mega-busy week with Y3 at Hatton, Y2 at Weston, Y4 in the Woods, PCSO parking patrol and hearing tests for YR.
Updated 4-10-19
We won at football! The story will make an Abbey Lens next week - woo hoo! The first bit of frost and already a month has gone by. Looking forward to Y4 parent workshop, our first parents' evening and a workshop for our new Reception parents looking at early reading.
I look forward to seeing mums, dads and carers next week.
Updated 27-9-19
What a week of rain! Despite that we all got to the Black Country Museum, we won't talk about football though! A great Smethwick organised conference with Alistair Bryce-Clegg - well attended and thought provoking. Looking forward to Young Farmers, English Network and the local HT partnership group re-starting.
Updated 20-9-19
Photos done (although the actual picture takers were a bit late!) and our first fire-drill practice was excellent. Evacuated in an orderly, quick and safely accounted for time - woo hoo! Looking forward to our first football match, Young Voices training, Y1 going to the Black Country Museum and Alistair-Bryce Clegg for EYFS. That's a great final week to September!
Updated 13-9-19
Swimming restarted for Y4 and everyone enjoyed visiting Grove Vale to use their pool. Y4 had another water-themed day at the Sea-Life centre. Lovely meeting some new parents at a coffee morning and I personally enjoyed KS2 assembly with our new 'star of the week' badges.
Looking forward to individual photographs and some emergency response training.
Updated 6-9-19
Everyone is back and all of our new YR children have started to settle really well. The demolition is complete and the site clearance is well underway, looking forward to the builders being off-site by mid October so that we can finish our landscaping.
Despite being the first week, already have some trips and experiences with Y5 having an Egyptian themed day and Y6 out at Weston Park. Looking forward to swimming starting in Y4, trips to Birmingham's Sea Life Centre and a coffee morning for new parents.
Updated 26-8-19
Welcome back! It's the last Bank Holiday of the year and it looks like it's going to be hot! I hope that all of our children and families enjoy the last week of the break and it will be good to see all our new children starting full-time school next week.
See you all next Wednesday after our first two training days. All of our staff are trained on the newly updated Safeguarding policy, fire safety and then curriculum work to start our new academic year.
Updated 19-7-19
A fantastic last week for both Y2 & Y6 (and everyone else!). Proms, performances, fun, friends and (some) tears.
Good luck to our leavers and for all of our families, whether returning or not, enjoy the summer.
This is the last update until September 2019 - enjoy the break.
Updated 12-7-19
Barnados DSL training was good, not an easy subject but very necessary and well delivered. The maths consultant brought a wealth of ideas for multiplication tables and our KS2 results were great!
But the highlight had to be the summer fair, a new group of Friends of Abbey (our PTA) had a really successful day and lots of children, parents, teachers and families had a good time.
It's the last week and as busy as ever. Looking forward to Y2, Y6 concerts, our arts celebration and the odd water fight in Y4!
Updated 5-7-19
Sewing workshops and meeting our new YR parents have been the highlights of the week. Rehearsals are in full swing for Y2 and Y6. Y2 had a good day at the cinema and bowling and reports are nearly ready to go out.
Y6 really enjoyed visiting their new schools and I’ll miss them but glad they feel prepared.
Looking forward to Barbados DSL training and a visiting maths consultant for multiplication training.
Updated 28-6-19
Despite the weather, Y2 had an amazing time on their first residential experience, nothing could dampen them and the pictures of mud galore show that! There was a terrible smell in Y3, terribly good from their cooking of Greek food! The week ended with sun, so that's great!
Looking forward to our transition day and welcoming new parents and children to our school, it's also Y2's final trip before joining KS2. Our Y6 are looking forward to sending time with their new secondary schools and although we'll be sad to lose them, they are ready and well prepared.
Take care in the hot weather this weekend.
Thank you for visiting!
Visit our weekly blog to see what we've been up to.
Updated 21-6-19
Our music night for our budding instrumentalists was tremendous. It's a fantastic opportunity to showcase those who have just started and those well into grades 3-5. What was lovely was the audience reaction to each and every player, as enthusiastic regardless of where the children currently reside in musical ability. Whether has been relatively kind with 2/3 sports days completed.
Looking forward to Y2 going on their first residential experience, an animal visit in Y1, football and rugby tournaments, more forest school and Greek themed days in Y3. I'm really proud of the opportunities we get for our pupils.
Updated 14-6-19
The food and dancing at the Greek restaurant was great! A packed hall of Y5 parents enjoyed a workshop and our Y1 children were great with the phonic screen. Looking forward to 3 x sports days and I hope for sun! Enjoy time with families this weekend and give Dads and carers a big hug.
Updated 6-6-19
We moved in to our new school! A tremendous effort by everyone involved in the moving and we are so pleased with the building. I'm now looking ahead to the next phase of demolition and wanting then to develop the outdoor area. The first few days have been great and I'm looking forward to Y3 going to a Greek restaurant and Y6 moderation.
Updated 22-5-19
That's it, a great week dominated by Chester and Y4's Roman assembly. Finished off beautifully with disco, Y2 attending as part of their transition. Time to pack up and move in! Have a great half term and we'll see you after the break in the long awaited new block.
Updated 17-5-19
All credit to our kids this week, great attitude to tests in Y6 and Y2 have enjoyed having a go too. We want the best for our children and they responded beautifully and the SATs party to end the week was lovely. I'm really looking forward to the last three days, not because it's a shorter week but that we pack up to move into our new school.
Looking forward to finishing the half term off well and getting everything in.
Updated 10-5-19
Bugs in EYFS (all good via a visiting menagerie!) and rain-affected Clent dominated the week. Good news, still on track to move into our new building. Great news at the end of the week with our girls winning the swimming final (Black Country champs - see the Lens next week)! School photographs taken and looking forward to Chester Zoo.
Good luck to all schools with children sitting SATS, just hoping for slightly more luck in B67!
Updated 3-5-19
Y1 walking up Clent and Y4 making shields brought a perfect start to the summer term. A short week ahead (of a short term!) and group photographs and EYFS mini beast visits are ahead of us. We are going to be full in YR and Y3 and with a bank holiday ahead of us (despite the weather) we are powering into June.
May the fourth be with you!
Updated 26-4-19
I hope that the Easter break has been good for everyone. Welcome back to the summer term and a very short 'summer 1' running at only three weeks and three days. The school building is coming on at a pace and we are scheduled to move in over the Whitsun week.
Looking forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 29th!
Updated 12-4-19
Y1 'rocked the joint' with their Disney inspired production, the last ever performance in our old KS1 building. Singing was great and a joy to see kids having fun, great dancing and some lovely (brave too!) solo performances. Y4 enjoyed their time at the Roman Fort Lunt and with Easter eggs, a good end to the long spring term.
Enjoy the Easter break and we'll see you back on Monday 29th. This is the last updated before returning to school for the summer term.
Updated 5-4-19
The youngest children in YN & YR have been out to the library and joined up! Our KS2 rugby team trounced everyone else and now go through to the Sandwell finals (well done Lucas!). Our Friends of Abbey's Easter event was a tremendous success and it's great to see new parents keen to keep this group going.
Looking forward to Y1's spring performance, Y4 going back to Lunt for a Roman themed day and we break up!
Updated 29-3-19
What a great turn out for our 2nd parents' evening. The survey was well responded to and I'll share the results next week. Looking forward to discos and our spring governor meeting.
Clocks go forward and we leap toward the last two weeks of the half term.
Updated 22-3-19
The new build is really coming on. This week saw the completion of the 'first and second' fix. Y2 enjoyed a quiet day at Drayton Manor (before it opens to the public); Y1 had a great and fabulously well attended 'Inspire Day' making carriages and Y6's 88 Piano Keys world record breaking attempt continues. Working hard to get the budget sorted, long term looks problematic.
Looking forward to parents' evening and our annual survey.
Updated 15-3-19
The last visitors to Creswell had a good time, amazing to actually see stone-age caves and well worth the long journey. PCSO patrols continue to help with managing our parking and Mrs F received the runners-up award in the local celebration of Smethwick community projects! Woo hoo! Finished the week off with Red Nose Day and being at an Ofsted conference. I can confirm there were no red noses there!!
Updated 8-3-19
World Book Day was amazing and it was so good to see the excitement and enthusiasm for characters and story - a great effort by everyone. Y1 carried on visiting the Gurdwara and Y3 went ot Creswell Craggs. Looking forward to Bristol University working with Y6 and Red Nose Day.
Updated 1-3-19
Edgmond Hall was great and a fantastic opportunity to be away from home and take sensible risks. I'm always appreciative of my staff who give up time away from families. The kids who stayed at school had a great week too with team-based sport, caustic art, Hama beads and making huts using drills and weaving. Y1 started visiting the Gurdwara to the Langar kitchen and really enjoyed that too. Looking forward to more Gurdwara visits, Y3 at Creswell Craggs and World Book Day.
Updated 14-2-19
Discos, film night and a fantastic Y3 superhero inspired dance has finished off our first-half of the academic year. Training for everyone on mathematics and stretching the most-able pupils then a well deserved break. Looking forward to Y4 going away to Edmond Hall, Quad athletics, achievement days, Gurdwara visits and more.
Updated 8-2-19
Y1 had a super time at 'Think Tank' and our new building's super structure is nearly in and installed - woo hoo!
It's half way through the academic year and time is flying. Really looking forward to discos, film night, pizza express and a fab INSET training day looking at mathematics at a greater depth.
1-2-19
Our PCSO work has been nominated for a Police Force award, a nice way to end the week. Additionally, we went to the Artsmark Gold celebration event with a small group of cross school pupils, a way to beat the cold. Looking forward to South Staffordshire water workshops and working with my middle leaders.
Updated 25-1-19.
Y3 were inspired at the theatre, such a great experience to support writing. Our choir also performed at the 'Young Voices' in Birmingham and there are some clips on our class pages. The cement is going down to make the foundations for our new school and visitors from Erdington were blown away by our PCSO.
Looking forward to Y2 visiting a mosque, new playground equipment in KS2 and Internet safety assemblies on week ahead of the rest of the country! (We've got special visitors from South Staffordshire water the week after.)
Updated 18-1-19.
EYFS parent meeting, tree trips to Leicester Space Centre and some super writing in Y1! This week we are looking forward to launching 'Fizz Free February', Y3 at the theatre for The Snowman, more PCSO patrols and part two of our EYFS parent meetings for maths and writing. Can't believe that next week will see February on the white-boards in school.
Updated 11-1-19.
A good and unusual week! Everyone back safe and sound and there has been no rest for us. Y3,4 & 6 have had a super start to 2019 with Y3 making comics, Y4 going to the theatre and Y6 delving back in time for their WW2 day and finishing the week with a school sleepover.
Even the burst water pipe couldn't drown our return to work (although the infant girls and boys has an extra day off)!
Looking forward to Y5 at the Leicester Space Centre, Y2 having a visit from the Animal Man and Y1 having a visit from a scientist!
Updated 2-1-19.
Happy new year to you all! I sincerely hope that 2019 is a good one for all of our children, families and people beyond Abbey. Let's see if we can make sure that it's happy, healthy, peaceful and brings time to enjoy the world around us.
Looking forward to welcoming everyone back next week.
See you all on January 7th.
Updated 21-12-18
Nursery, Reception, Years 1,2,3,4,5,6 have all contributed to a fantastic week with Christmas cheer, performances and singing making everyone look forward to the end of 2018.
Merry Christmas to all of our children and families. I hope that 2019 is happy, healthy and peaceful.
See you all on January 7th 2019.
Updated 14-12-18
Year 5 made my week with their production of 'The Innkeeper', a very special group of kids who made 200 adults love the first hour of the day. Smiles, singing and kids having a ball - a great penultimate Friday of the autumn term. 90 kids made the 'good list' today.
Looking forward to a final week of YN, YR, Y1/2 & Y4/6 Carols and productions. I always love Reception and Nursery as their first tentative steps of performance.
Even closer to Christmas!
Updated 6-12-18
Tea with Santa made a welcome return to Abbey and a new group of parents have taken up the challenge of continuing the greta work of our 'Friends of Abbey' parent/teacher group. We were lucky enough to win another award for our innovative use of the PE premium and well done to us!
Looking forward to Y2 seeing 'Rudolph' at tea MAC theatre and the first of our Christmas productions with Y5's 'Innkeeper'.
Updated 30-11-18
A Scottish theme dominated our week, Y2-4 completing Tartan making, baking, dancing and themed art. Christmas rehearsals are well under way and with three weeks to go, we are on-track! Another room re-decorated as part of our on-going maintenance work and the new build appears to heading for an April 2019 completion.
I'm looking forward to my termly Governors' meeting and work with our new group of Local Children's Safeguarding Board Champions.
Updated 23-11-18
Y6 had a great week. Some were extremely lucky to go to North Wales on a residential, they had a ball! Have a look at this link:
https://www.abbeyfederation.co.uk/plas-gwynant-2018/
The rest of Y6 were even luckier to work on making real Anderson shelters; Minecraft versions; Impasto art journals and a range of sport. I'm deeply appreciative of my staff giving up a week with their families for the benefit of the kids - thank you!
We've been looking at maths at our school and the work we are doing to help pupils think, reason, explain and justify is great, the answer is only the beginning - how do you know?
I'm looking forward to our Friends of Abbey PTA continuing - met a great group of parents who are looking to carry on the great work we started five years ago. Also Y2 Inspire days with a Scottish theme and Y3/4 Saints Day with a special assembly at St Hilda's too.
Updated 17-11-18
We launched our 'Abbey START STOP' anti-bullying badges this week, designed by school council last year for this very purpose. I'm really proud of all of this work! Had lots of visitors in school this week and they've been really impressed with our kids and their attitudes. Y4 had a great treat at WBA and the end of the week assembly for 'Spot-tacular' Children in Need was fab and we raised AIS: £319.42 from our 'bring a silver coin' donation. Woo hoo! Looking forward to Y6 going to North Wales on a residential and some Minecrafting/art workshops!
Updated 9-11-18
Y1 had a great first 'be brave' day for parental engagement and our Y6 finished on a high showcasing their singing for the 'Lest we forget' Remembrance Day concert and some great art training. Y4 stayed late on Friday for fireworks and a slumber party. Met a great group of potential parents for YR 2019-20 and the foundations are grinding in!Looking forward to Anti-bullying week, governor meetings, more church visits and Children in Need.
Updated 5-11-18
Back to school with a bang! Y3 having fireworks and our building's foundations are being put in. Looking forward to celebrating our 'Lest we forget' songs, Y4 slumber party and Y1 being brave.
Updated 26-10-18
It's been a long half term but a good one. This week we've been to Weston and had lovely compliments from members of the public about our children's behaviour (and only 2/90 sick on the bus!). A lovely set of discos and a Y4 parent workshop made the end equally great too.
Have a lovely half term and be safe both with Halloween and Bonfire Night.
Updated 19-10-18
The building has started to be demolished and by the end of next week, it's piling time (it will be noisy!). We started our first KS1 inter-school competition and had 40 Y2 children take part. Y6 Inspire and Y6 Bikeability (greatest number of children ever @37) finished the week well.
Looking forward to Y2 going to Weston, Safeguarding champions and the end to a great half-term.
Updated 12-10-18
We had lots of positives from our first Parents' evening - good to see so many people turning out. The storm at the end of the week has brought a bit of unwanted excitement but everything is sorted! Looking forward to Y5 & 6 'Heartstart', Y6 Inspire workshops, Y6 Bikeability and our first inter-cluster KS1 sports competition that we are hosting!
Updated 15-10-18
A beautiful harvest song that I just had to share, from KS2 assembly this morning.
Updated 5-10-18
This has been a mercifully quieter week. Y3 have had a great time at Hatton, digging their own food and behaving beautifully; our friends from Warley Church came in to take a special assembly. The week finished off with a packed KS2 hall full of parents trying to help their children make canopic jars (Mrs F's looked like Scooby Doo, rather than Anubis!) and it's great to see so much involvement. Looking forward to our first Parents' evening, a cross-country competition for KS2 and a phonics meeting for Nursery parents.
Updated 28-9-18
It is great to be back swimming and the Y1 kids had a great time at the Black Country Museum. Careless Talk is a really thought provoking theatre group for Y6 and Y6 themselves are busy choosing new schools. EYFS was invaded by Teddy Bears and I'm looking forward to Y3 visiting Hatton.
October too - scary that one month is gone.
Updated 21-9-18
Had a great week with Y6 at Bewdley, first time that we've tried this experience and it has been good! Well attended phonics meeting for new parents of YR, first 'inspire' Y3 event and my first 'Star of the week' assembly that always makes me smile.
Also received the news of a Double Gold award of Artsmark! Wooooo hooooo!
Looking forward to swimming starting for Y4 & Y5, EYFS Teddy Bears' picnic and the 'Careless Talk' theatre production.
Updated 14-9-18
It's been great to be back in our full routine. The kids have coped fantastically in their new 'homes' and all looks good. Had the first of our trips start and I'm really proud of how we are making our curriculum exciting.
Looking forward to our first phonics meeting for YR new parents, Y6 at Bewdley and us hosting Network meetings.
Updated 7-9-18
We made it back and all is well! It's been a very busy summer with our new-build starting and the first two days have worked as well as we could all have hoped. It's great to see how our new Reception children have settled and I'm looking forward to getting us all back into proper, full routine.
Our curricular trips, after-school clubs and experiences all start next week so I'm looking forward to the Sea-life centre, WW2 theatre and a coffee morning for our new parents.
Updated 2-9-18
Welcome back to the new academic year! I sincerely hope that the summer break has been good for everyone. It will be good to see old and new faces arrive back safely - it's a very exciting time for our school with the new building on the infant site.
The first few days are going to be busy as we all get used to managing our school on a reduced footprint but the long term benefit will be a great building to last for many future generations of learners.
We've got training days for our staff involving safeguarding updates, fire safety, behaviour management and curriculum development.
I look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday!
Updated 19-7-18
Our Y2 & Y6 have excelled themselves and the end of term is here. Good luck to our leavers and I hope that everyone returns happily in September.
Make the most of the summer break and I wish all of our children and families a super holiday.
This is the last of the updates until September.
Enjoy the fireworks from our prom(s).
Updated 19-7-18
Our Y2 & Y6 have excelled themselves and the end of term is here. Good luck to our leavers and I hope that everyone returns happily in September.
Make the most of the summer break and I wish all of our children and families a super holiday.
This is the last of the updates until September.
Enjoy the fireworks from our prom(s).
Updated 13-7-18
Summer fair was a great end to another fab week! No idea how much we raised but that's not the point - it's another great way to get parents and families involved. I must say a huge 'thank you' for the hard work of our Friends of Abbey - we couldn't do this without them and I hope we have some new parents prepared to take this great partnership forward.
Reports are done - there are four days left before our building work starts....exciting times.
Updated 6-7-18
Transition day went really well, great to meet new children and families. KS1 sports day was fab, on a hot but well managed, safe day for everyone. BSQM (Basic Skills Quality Mark) assessment was really positive and we look forward to be re-awarded when the report comes!
Looking forward to finalising reports, KS2 results and our summer fair!
Updated 29-6-18
KS2 sports day was great despite a bit of tricky transport! Thank you to all of the parents who helped out. The sun has continued to shine and we've had a great end to the week with a KS2 science day and non-uniform to help donations for our summer fair. Thanks once again to all of our parents for being so generous. Looking forward to our transition days when children meet their new teachers and KS1 sports day.
Updated 22-6-18
A lovely week of weather has finished well with a great visit by Sandwell's 'Eco bus'! Y5 had a super time with a body inspired workshop and rehearsals have started for both Y2 & Y6's end of year productions. The data is done, just waiting for Y6 test results and things are looking good. End of term reports are well underway too!
Looking forward to KS2 Sports Day!
Updated 15-6-18
An amazing end to the week with our Musical Soiree, all of our talented young players got a real buzz about performing. We have a great school! Y6 had fantastic time cooking at a local Secondary and also had a go at Forest School. Our reading buddies have started additional work with Reception, helping prepare for the transition to Y1.
Looking forward to The Eco Bus visiting, PCSO litterwatch and end of term data!
Eid Mubarak to those families celebrating; look after the Dads this weekend!
Updated 8-6-18
Great assembly courtesy of Severn Trent all about water and looking after this precious resource. The Y5 kids had a super time in Leicester's space centre and we had another sport triumph. Looking forward to class photos, Y6 cookery at a local secondary school and our annual Music Night to showcase the efforts of our budding musicians.
Updated 4-6-18
Welcome back and a beautifully sunny day it has been! Looking forward to Y5's Space trip and the great range of eco-based assemblies.
All tests and assessments except phonics done and all is well!
Updated 25-5-18
That's it, 5/6 of the way through the academic year. Y2 kids have been great and everyone really enjoyed the discos in KS2, the first part of the formal transition. Y4's Roman assembly and video was amazing!
Important job to review and draft the school improvement plan for the next academic year.
Looking forward to a well-deserved half term break and then back to summer 2. Have a good break with families and let there be bank holiday sun.
Updated 18-5-18
We ended the week on a high! All SATs completed and sent off, our kids worked really hard. Y2 are working hard too and things are looking good. Y4's Roman assembly was fab and the kids had a ball performing, we think it's an important life skill opportunity. Y1 had a physically hard time climbing Malvern but it was really worth it.
Looking forward to our last INSET day and reviewing and writing our improvement plan, BEd placement begins too!
Updated 11-5-18
A short week but a good one. Shields and Greeks dominated Y3 &4; Y6 did some final SATs practice and our building is slowly getting to the stage where it will be re-built.
Good luck to every Y2 & Y6 pupil completing tests next week!
Updated 4-5-18
What a blast at Frank Chapman! It's the first of the three residential opportunities that we have for our children, Y2's (probably) first experience staying away from home. Do have a look at the 'class pages' section - great week and special thank you to my teachers for giving up their family time. I really appreciate it and we couldn't run events like this without them and their dedication. Looking forward to Greek workshops, PCSO on patrol and Y4 shield making.
Have a great long weekend and 'May the fourth be with you!'
Updated 29-4-18
Great KS2 swimming competition against the whole of Sandwell and we came 5th! YR had a super time at the Wyre forest. Looking forward to Y2's residential to Frank Chapman and the last bit of SATs revision.
Updated 22-4-18
1st week back was good and we did indeed get some sun. EYFS moderation went well and we are looking forward to EYFS out at the Wyre forest. Over 70 parents came to our O2 & NSPCC workshop on on-line safety, all of the videos are on our 'Video Resource Centre'.
Updated 15-4-18
Welcome back to the summer term and let's hope that we do get some sunshine soon. I hope that all of our children and families had a good break. Looking forward to a parental workshop on e-safety along with seeing everyone back safe and sound.
Updated 29-3-18
An eggcellent (!) end to the term. Thank you to FOA for all the hard work with our end of term fundraiser. Enjoy the bank holiday and break with families.
This is the last update until we return in April.
Updated 12-3-18
Good to see so many parents coming to talk with our teachers about the most important part of our school, the kids! A great response to the parent survey and we were pleased to be able to show what we have done about previous ideas and work, in this case moving to electronic payments (Parent Pay) and to show how our life skills are developing.
Looking forward to the last week of the spring term and Y1's topic themed production along with our Easter PTA 'Friends of Abbey' fundraiser.
Updated 16-3-18
Last week's trips were fantastic, we really appreciate parents supporting us with first hand experiences. First time at Creswell Craggs, stone-age paintings! The mental health theatre, managing emotions, was a great thinking piece for our Y4 pupils. More Creswell next week along with Parents' evening, Dinosaur workshops and a fantastic Y1 art exhibition.
Updated 9-3-18
Y5 at Chester Zoo - a fantastic place and well worth the travel. Looking forward to mental health theatre, Creswell Crags and Drayton Manor.
Updated 2-3-18
WBD was great! Extremely cold but fab and 2/3 Y1 classes made it to the Gurdwara along with some fantastic art workshops. Then there was storm Emma! Looking forward to defrosting and a week without weather related disruption!
BT broadband is still out and what a pain!
Updated 16-2-18
Half way through! Our kids have had a great time at the Safari Park with some rather frisky lions! The dinosaurs were a huge hit too. Y6 had a super session at the theatre watching Shrek. Have a great half term, it's nice to see the days getting a bit longer now. Looking forward to World Book Day, Y1 art workshops and a visit to the Gurdwara.
Updated 9-2-18
Wow - one week to half term! The last week is as busy as ever with disco, Safari Park and a Friends of Abbey cake sale.
Updated 2-2-18
90 kids safely to and from the library to get them reading in Reception! Y6 bikebility with both L1 & L2 success. Looking forward to NSPCC, Internet safety and working with other senior leaders - a great part of the job. 1/12 of the calendar year gone!
Updates 26-1-18
It's been good visiting other settings and working with people, this is a great part of the job that we should do more of. Nearly half way through the academic year and already a month into 2018! Looking forward to Y5 going to Bristnall Hall, more 'bikeability' in Y6 and the whole of EYFS off to the library to get their library cards.
Updated 19-1-18
School council has done a fantastic job of voting on our response to the design process of a new badge - really proud! BEd students have made a good start and we're looking forward to Y6 Bikeability, YR hearing tests and our first engagement meeting about the new infant block build.
Updated 12-1-18
Drumming, dancing, animal-ing! A super week of experiences. Y4 also went out to King Edward's for some extra PE. School council are working hard on our updated anti-bullying work. Looking forward to more sporting competition and forest schools.
Updated 5-1-18
Starting off 2018 as we mean to go on, busy and full of great experiences! Y6 WW2 Sleepover and we welcome our BEd students from the University of Wolverhampton.
A great first Inspire workshop with Y6 parents to start the new year, making evacuation boxes.
Looking forward to Y2 Animal visits; Y5 Rainforest experience; Y6 Skins & Feet drumming and dancing! Steaming ahead into 2018!
Updated 2-1-18
Happy New Year!
May 2018 be a happy, healthy and peaceful one for us all.
Looking forward to getting back to work and seeing everyone. Starting off 2018 as we mean to go on, busy and full of great experiences! Y6 WW2 Sleepover and we welcome our BEd students from the University of Wolverhampton.
Updated 20-12-17
Wow! All our shows provided a fantastic, festive finale to 2017. I'm so proud of our school and teachers for working so hard and really shining.
Merry Christmas everyone.
I wish everyone a great time with families and I hope 2018 is happy, healthy and peaceful.
Only four sleeps to go....
This is the last update of 2017 and we'll be back in January 2018.
Updated 17-12-17
The first snow to cause a closure in a number of years, fun for families but a pain for site safety. Two days of rehearsals missed moves the Christmas shows to next week but Nursery lit the way with a lovely nativity and a solo too! Our week finished on a high with our Christmas fair and it was fab. Thanks to all parents from our 'Friends of Abbey' and staff who stayed to help - a great team effort.
With three days to go I'm looking forward to carols and performances from YR & Y5...then it's time for festive family fun.
Updated 8-12-17
A Santa dominated week with a fab EYFS trip and a huge 'thank you' to our Friends of Abbey for giving up so much time to make a great three evenings for KS1 meeting and having 'Tea with Santa'. Looking forward to a production filled last full week of term, and we stayed open in the snow! Well done us!
Updated 1-12-17
The Festival of Light at St Hilda's was lovely and the kids really enjoyed it and were really well behaved. Y2 have also had a super week working with parents and being INSPIRED to learn Scottish dancing. EYFS are off to see Santa, Tea with Santa in school and our end of term disco. Christmas is coming!
Updated 24-11-17
Fab theatre! What a great turn out with parents, and our PCSO have been doing a sterling job watching parking. Looking forward to Y3 Festival of Light, Y2 INSPIRE and another Smarty Arts day all about Scottish Dancing.
Updated 15-11-17
YR-Y4 protected from flu and a great Spot-tacular! Well done us for raising money for Children in Need. Looking forward to Y4 Awful Auntie and a special road safety assembly.
Updated 3-11-17
Our Infant Ofsted report is out and we are really pleased! We hope you enjoy reading the report too. Y6 residential was fantastic (look at the class pages!) and I'm looking forward to an EYFS story telling session along with Y5 at the theatre.
Be safe this week with 🔥!
Updated 27-10-17
Almost a tropical half term with t-shirt weather on some days. Clocks go back so take care and be seen. It's our first of three residential trips, Y6 off to North Wales and I am also looking forward to our next set of 'Let's do it days'; PCSO Litter pick and Y4's Roald Dahl night.
Be safe this week with 🎃 and 🔥!
Updated 20-10-17
A great end to the half term with a super set of discos. Have a great Diwali, 🎃 (be safe) and I look forward to our next set of 'Let's do it days'; PCSO Litter pick and Y4's Roald Dahl night.
Have a great half term!
Updated 13-10-17
Our first full parents' evening done - great turn out and great responses to our 'life skills' survey. The week finished with a trip to the seaside - not bad for October. One week and we break up, looking forward to cross country, football and more inspire workshops.
Updated 6-10-17
Farm to Fork is a great initiative by Tesco - every little helps! Our Abbey song is developing nicely and our school council has launched in 2017-18. Looking forward to Y4 at the Sea-life centre and using a new venue for double the amount of swimming time.
Updated 30-9-17
Maths Methods and Hatton Park all checked out well! We've got Y3 going 'Farm to Fork' with Tesco along with our sponsored bounce. I'm looking forward to more Y1 forest school and we are already one month into the academic year - scary!
Updated 22-9-17
'Careless Talk' was a powerful piece of drama supporting out Y6 pupils on the theme of radicalisation and extremism both well done and well received. Our first educational trips have started and Y1 had a fab day at the Black Country Museum, using our mini-busses to take a class at a time works really well and our kids were fabulously well behaved (a bit scared of the Victorian schoolmaster!) Looking forward to Y3 Hatton, EYFS Let's do it day and our Maths Methods workshop.
Thank you for visiting!
Updated 15-9-17
WW2 & Egyptian workshops have launched some great topic learning! Y1 are off to the Black Country Museum, we are off to an NCETM meeting to further develop our maths and forest school has begun in YR. Great to meet new parents at our coffee morning. Also looking forward to the 'Careless Talk' theatre and our first Governing Body Meeting of 2017-18.
Updated 8-9-17
INSET was great with super ideas for teaching, learning and assessment; safeguarding training sobering and necessary - best bit was seeing the kids back. YR had a great couple of days in full time education, happy and enjoying dinners (finished in record time!). Everyone else has settled into their new year groups and a very smart group of returning children we have. Looking forward to starting swimming, and our first educational experiences.
Updated 30-8-17
The summer is gone and I do believe I have a UK T-shirt tan! Welcome back everyone and a very warm welcome to our new children and families. I hope everyone had a great break and I look forward to welcoming everyone and seeing our new faces. Looking forward to three exciting, relevant and important INSET days and then the best bit, kids return!
We've worked hard over the summer improving our interior and things appear to be moving forward with the rebuild of our Y1 & Y2 block. The contractors have been on-site for the first time looking at the reality of the plans....we are second on the list for the contractor's list of six re-builds.
Updated 21-7-17
A final great week, all done, sorted and tears shed by Y6! Fantastic 2 x shows with Y2 & Y6 shining! 2 x proms and a lovely end of Y6 assembly. Have a great summer break. This is the last update before September.
Updated 14-7-17
Great trips, a visit from the Mayor for our 'Big Sleuth' Bear and a fantastic summer fair. Our Friends of Abbey, PTA group, is amazing. So much dedication and effort that we couldn't ask for any more. We really need an influx of new helpers to keep this going - can you help?
Into the last week and looking forward to 2 x proms; 2 x leavers' shows and a final great week before the summer break.
Thank you for visiting!
Updated 7-7-17
The end of term is getting close....KS2 results in and an improvement at all key stages - woo hoo! EYFS on the Severn Valley Railway and our summer fair. May the weather be great this week!
Updated 30-6-17!
Sports days were great! The kids throughly enjoyed them and whilst competition is important, the team spirit is even better - well done us! The weeks are flying by and we've got three left. Looking forward to transition week where our children meet their new teachers, Y6 are also out at their new schools. Y1 are off to a Mosque, so proud of our role in helping to promote tolerance and respect in what is a difficult time for many faiths and religions. Our 'Big Sleuth' Bear will also be launched with 130 others....
Updated 23-6-17!
What a week of weather and our kids have been fantastic! Dudley Zoo was great and the week ended well with a cooler spell that refreshed us all. Looking forward to our sports days and opening the Big Sleuth bear opening. Eid Mubarak to all of our families ending a very hot Ramadan.
Updated 16-6-17!
Phonics all done and the Y3 children had a great time in beautiful weather. Y2's Inspire day was so well attended - another great week. Looking forward to Y1 at Dudley Zoo and three more possible 'silverware' cups coming to Abbey at the end of the week.
Woo hoo!
Updated 9-6-17!
It's been a fab week with Frack Chapman as the first residential experience away from home. Have a look at the class pages for some great pictures. Weather has been naff but today has been sunshiny, the day after the general election - we won't talk about that!
Looking forward to the last bit of testing (Y1 phonics), Y3 at Hatton, EYFS minibeasts and PCSO road safety.
Updated 2-6-17
Hope the holiday was great for you and yours. I'm looking forward to our PCSO working in school, Y2 off to Frank Chapman on a three day residential and the small matter of a general election. That'll do for the first week back!
Updated 25-5-17!
5/6 of the way there! Beautiful weather and a super end to summer 1 with a disco. Have a great holiday! Looking forward to our PCSO working in school with June upon us. Have a great holiday, may it stay sunny.
Updated 19-5-17
Fantastic planting, first aid and three more trophies to add to our cabinet of greatness! Tests all done, just phonics to go and things are looking good! A shorter week ahead but also Y1 at Clent, EYFS 'Let's do it days', PCSO training, discos and our Sun Bear decoration begins.
Updated 12-5-17!
Tests and task in Y2 this week. It's no problem as it's just regular part of the practice in our school - no big deal and only one part of the evidence. Y6 kids were great during their tests and a joy to see how well they responded. Looking forward to a First Aid day, Musical evening and a special meeting with our Ed Psych.
Updated 6-5-17!
Lunt was a great trip, really recommend it for schools studying the Romans. It's testing week and on behalf of many schools - good luck! Looking forward to getting the tests finished and then we've got only two weeks till summer 2.
Updated 29-4-17!
Great week of sport, this time we didn't win but the sportsman ship shown by our children was incredible - sometimes more important I think. A short week with Bank Holiday and we're looking forward to a visiting theatre group working with Y6 of safe social media, Y4 off to Lunt, EYFS moderation and then we are into testing season.
Enjoy the long weekend!
Updated 20-4-17!
Here we go for the summer term 2017! What an exciting time it is with our children working hard to make great progress before leaving us for Y7 or moving to another new set of staff. Testing season (we are sensible about it and really do recognise that they are children still!) and nearly time for report writing to begin. Looking forward to Y1 going to Think Tank, three sporting competitions and May is nearly in sight!
Updated 7-4-17!
Wishing all of our children and families a great Easter break. May the weather be kind and enjoy the time with families. Keep using our e-resources! See you all safely on Monday 24th April. This is the last blog update until we return.
Updated 31-3-17!
Only one entry this week, the retirement of Mrs Cotterill. Thank you for everything you have given to our school - you will be missed. Looking forward to EYFS moderation, Easter bonnet and the end of a long term.
Goodbye Mrs Cotterill!
STOP PRESS - Active Sport Black Country Award for us!
Updated 24-3-17
Warley was cancelled due to massive rain but the planting will be re-arranged. Parents' evening was great and 416 people completed our survey, it's really positive and we'll continue to develop our school and listen to feedback. Lots of trips next week with EYFS at Aston Hall, Y1 Gurdwara, Y2 Inspire and Y1 Exhibition. Another great week to look forward to. It's also Mrs Cotterill's last week at Abbey - do wish her well if you see her.
Updated 17-3-17!
Part 1 filming is finished - woo hoo! Our amazing footballers just lost out in the final so have narrowly missed going to Stanford Bridge but what a difference our team's attitude to the others - really proud of you! Looking forward to budget setting, tree-planting in Warley Woods, Warwick Castle and Parents' evening.
Updated 10-3-17
What a great week again with some sunshine! Let's hope that we get even more. School council filming has begun, Y5 out at Chester Zoo and Y1 had a great day. Looking forward to 'Peter and the Wolf' project, Y3 Stoneage Man, Y5 Rainforest Day and more sporting competitions.
Updated 3-3-17!
What a great week! Check out our Y4 at Edgmond Hall on our 'class pages' section. World Book day was great fun and Y5 had a super time enjoying secondary Hairspray! Looking forward to Y5 at Chester Zoo and their rainforest experience, our EYFS children are starting a rotation of whole days in our forest school area.
Updated 27-2-17
What a great first week back, children off to Edgmond Hall, World Book day and pancakes! School council video is progressing nicely and should be finished soon. Looking forward to rainforest, whole days of forest school and Chester Zoo!
Updated 16-2-17!
Half way through.....have a great holiday! Looking forward to our second residential when we return.
Updated 10-2-17!
Half way through the academic year and it's looking like a bit of snow in the air. Disco, film night, Valentine's craft and a cake sale to end the week. Had some great in-house Art training for staff and we are looking forward to even more of this.
Updated 3-2-17!
Great E-safety theatre as the start to 'Internet safety week' - our whole set of assemblies and follow up work in classes will be turned over to this important issue. It's not just one week, of course, we do this all of the time but having a focus week too is good. Looking forward to Y1 at 'Think Tank' and our February disco.
Updated 27-1-17!
Fantastic 'Soccer Star Challenge' raising money and tremendous fun. Another resounding victory in a football tournament too. Our BEd colleagues have finished their 1st placements and had a great time and we'll keep an eye out for them as teachers of the future. Looking forward to a visiting theatre group for an e-safety performance alongside getting our video channel launched.
Updated 20-1-17
Memorable learning with Y1's 'Be Brave' science day - really great attendance from parents. Parent course started really well but a strange week ahead - it's quite quiet! Just kidding! Soccer star penalty shoot out and more sporting competitions. Brrr - cold too!
Updated 13-1-17
The 'thunder snow' didn't arrive but it's still been another great week. A tremendous success in the swimming pool along with a great review of our 'bucket list' and 'soft skills' has made for a cold but rewarding week. Looking forward to Y1 'Let's do it day' and starting a parenting course hosted here! Woo hoo!
Updated 9-1-17
What a great first week back! Y3 at the theatre; Y6 WW2 sleepover (fantastic group of staff giving up their Friday night and Saturday for our kids); Y1 Mad scientists and our BEd colleagues are doing really well. Looking forward to starting some new subject leader training along with more sporting opportunities too. School Council are beginning their new job to look at an e-safety video.
Updated 2-1-17
Happy new year to you all! Back to school on Tuesday 3rd!
Looking forward to our Y1 science afternoon! This will make our first Abbey Lens of 2017.
Updated 16-12-16
The last day to end what has been a fantastic week. I'm really proud of all of the staff for working hard to give our children a great time performing. It's been a massively busy week but immensely enjoyable. Merry Christmas everyone and I hope that 2017 is great for our school, children and families. Let's look forward to a happy, healthy and peaceful 2017. This is the last update of 2016 - see you all when dieting begins!
Updated 10-12-16
What an amazing Friday at Abbey! The day started so well with Y5 performing 'Lights, Camel, Action' to a packed hall. There was such a sense of enjoyment and fun that every adult walked out feeling proud. Our partner teachers from The University of Wolverhampton worked tirelessly and stayed to support our amazing Christmas fair, they will be great teachers of the future. Our Friends of Abbey and their commitment to our school is second to none. It was a joy to see the school so full and fun at the end of the day too. Hard work but well worth it. Looking forward to our last week of performances galore. What a team!
Updated 2-12-16
There's been more theatre this week with even more to come! Two weeks to go and we are in full Christmas rehearsal and performance mode. Looking forward to a manic but great last two weeks. School council have done a great job in helping with our road safety and their plans for Abbey's e-safety will be even better.
Thank you for visiting!
Updated 25-11-16
The theatre trip went really well and it was enjoyed by all. Seeing so many parents in school for our 'achievement days' was fab and children really enjoyed showing their work, proudly and justified! Even more parental engagement with INSPIRE style workshops in Y2 & Y1, back to the theatre on Friday and the Christmas tree is going up - wow! Looking forward to all of this and my final OFSTED inspection of 2016, always a privilege. To top it all, it's my birthday!
Updated 18-11-16
The mini-bus has been christened and there was no sick! OFSTED is always a privilege and a lovely welcoming school. Anti-bullying week is always important and we keep this fresh all of the way through the year. Looking forward to the theatre and Inspire Y4
Updated 12-11-16
Bhangra and 'Let's Do it days' were fab! It was great to see the Y6 Remembrance artwork outside and the observation of the 2min silence was done really well. Y4 Bake off - great creations and great kids. It's our first mini-bus use to transport Y2 to a competition and I'm doing an OFSTED - always a privilege to visit other schools. Looking forward to our new middle leader training.
Updated 5-11-16
You must look at the Plan Gwynant Y6 page 2016 - all kids back safe and sound. What an amazing experience and I'm so proud of my staff. They give up a whole week away from home and their families and I couldn't do it without them - I am a lucky HT and I really value what the staff do. Y4 had a slumber party with three great activities ending in fireworks. I don't think they'll ever look at their Grandma in the same way! Another great expereince - memorable learning! Met a lovely group of new parents that are thinking of joining our school and our new intake of BEd students. Great week!
Looking forward to Y1 Let's Do it Days and Bhangra in EYFS.
Updated 30-10-16
Welcome back after half-term! Be safe if you are going out and about 'Trick or Treating'. I'm really looking forward to our first residential of the year and Road Dahl fun for Y4.
Updated 21-10-16
Our computer room is refurbished - wow! We'll open it to the kids after half term. Discos were fun and our children are so well behaved - really proud of them. Y5's Egyptian tomb and parental workshops were great - stunning would be more appropriate. Two more trips back to the Victorian times all completed and our new mini-buses have arrived! Wooo Hoooo (In an excited and slightly Halloween voice). Looking forward to our first residential of the year and Road Dahl fun for Y4. Have a great half-term!
Updated 14-10-16
Google was fab! Weston was lovely! HT conference was inspiring! Great parents' evening ! We are looking forward to Victorian visits and our end of half term discos. So excited with our re-vamped computer room, I can't wait to show you! Unbelievably, we are 1/6 of the way through the academic year.
Updated 7-10-16
Bounce was great fun! Here we are, into October! We are having Google visit our school and Y2 are off to Weston. Harvest rehearsals are well under way and we are looking forward to seeing how many tins we can collect for Smethwick food bank. Y4 Roald Dahl night coming up - Whoopsy-Splunkers!
Updated 1-10-16
October! Lead inspector training completed. Busy but good week.
Updated 23-9-16
The new school council are a fab bunch and we're already up and running with our jobs. Have a look at the School Council page for information. Y6 are choosing Secondary schools; Y2 are applying for KS2 and we are in full swing! The new YR have settled well, just need a few more numbers for nursery. Looking forward to the final phase of Lead Inspector training and then we'll be nudging October.
Updated 16-9-16
Abbey made it to London and back - was a very long day but our kids were fab. Well worth it too, if you are studying Egypt and can't get to Cairo then The British Museum is next best. Really proud of my team and the kids for their stamina.
We've been busy electing all of our council members and next week we meet for the first time. Looking forward to that and testing out our new 'meeters and greeters'.
Updated 9-9-16
We've seen everyone back safely and our new children have started - great! I've completed the OFSTED training and things are looking quite positive - that's what we like! Looking forward to seeing our new children with specific jobs, like our new school council, and our first educational trip. Abbey is going to London - to The British Museum. Fab start!
Updated 1-9-16
Welcome back to the new academic year and a special welcome to our new Nursery & Reception parents, welcome to Abbey! A shorter week with the two INSET (Teacher training) days and then we are back to it. Exciting first meetings about our new school building and I'm off to OFSTED September conference. Looking forward to meeting all of our new children and parents.
Updated 20-7-16
Fantastic Y6 Show!
Updated 15-7-16
Reports have gone out and we are into the final week. Rehearsals are well underway for our leavers and the last week is going to be exceptionally busy! In addition to all of our end of term round ups, we have an assessment for the ICT Mark and Coachmark.
What a fab end to a great year.
Updated 8-7-16
All of the reports are completed and are now being collated, the key stage results are in (we've done well and scored above the national average), final rehearsals for Y2 & Y6 are underway. All of the children have met their new teachers and our new nursery came visiting. Today was our amazing Summer Fair with (again) huge thanks to our Friends of Abbey. Everyone had a great time and there were a few star turns including the staff in the stocks, Emily Allen on guitar and lots of family fun. A personal thanks to all of our staff and FOA who gave up time to help - it is much appreciated. Looking forward to the last two weeks including our assessment for the ICT mark and Coachmark.
Updated 1-7-16
The school council had a great time in London and saw a few famous (well, for now!) faces. The tour was super due to the setting and fabulous guides. We met our new reception parents this week and had a great 'Fashion Show' by our wonderful Friends of Abbey (FOA). Next week we have our summer fair and then we've only two weeks to go...gulp!
Updated 24-6-16
Sporting fun done! One day with horrendous rain and another with loverly sun - only in Britain! We've been moderated for writing assessments at the end of KS2 and all judgments agreed - well done us! I really enjoyed my 'shadow' lead inspection too. Looking forward to our School Council visiting London and the Houses of Parliament, more trips and suddenly we are in July......
Updated 17-6-16
What a week of weather! Let's hope that's not the end of summer as we approach the equinox! Had a great and we are all looking forward to cross school sporting days! I'm doing an OFSTED next week, always a privilege to be out and about.
Updated 10-6-16
Euro football begins and we are the champions! We've won the league and the cup will be on the next Abbey Lens. G&T writers, a fun assembly and KS1 data all completed. Looking forward to our upcoming 'shine weeks' and Sports Day. We've also been nominated to join 'Music Mark' to show our commitment to Music at our school! Fab!
Updated 4-6-16
Welcome back to summer 2! It's a record - not one spot of rain in Wales! Even got a tan! Hope everyone had a great break. Looking forward to more sporting clubs and then we begin the summer term run of Governing Body meetings, reports and transition to new year groups. It's all go - and I love it!
Updated 26-5-16
Summer 2 is nearly here and we say a very fond farewell to Miss Williams who is going on a secondment to a senior leadership position at another school. We are really going to miss her and look forward to her return.
Tests done, dusted and back onto proper matters - do have a look at our Y3 building! Saw the architects for our new school....it's (very) slowly getting closer.
Have a fab half term - I'm off to the seaside so there will be no more updates till we return. Enjoy the time with families!
Updated 20-5-16
OFSTED Lead Inspector training complete....shadow followed by lead then that's it! KS1 Sats all gone smoothly as have the Y3-5 optional tests. We said goodbye to one of our maternity crew and said hello to Mrs Williamson who returned! Y3 are cracking in with their stone-age huts and I'm looking forward to Y6 at Liverpool, YR Gruffalo hunt; and a possible trial of a new musical instrument at Abbey! Discos were fab and then we are into the last seven weeks...gulp!
Updated 14-5-16
KS2 Sats all done, in the bag(s) and sent off. Really proud of our kids for being so sensible and level headed about it all. I'm very excited about "Abbey does The Apprentice" - check out the class pages for some Oscar winning performances. KS1 next week then we are into the final week, 5/6 of the way through the year. I'm training to be an OFSTED Lead Inspector....that's the end of my forthcoming week. Enjoy Eurovision!
Updated 7-5-16
We've got a new award! Last last night we received notification that we have been awarded (with distinction) the afPE Quality Mark for Physical Education & Sport! Woo Hoo! Well done us and a special mention to Miss Hinton who put all of the evidence together and who leads on this aspect! Looking forward to visiting Birmingham Museum.....oh....and it's test week for KS2. Good luck to everyone here and across the country - do the best you can for YOU!
Updated 6-7-15
It's been a shorter week with a Bank Holiday and I've been OFSTEDing. A Good week for everyone concerned!
Updated 29-4-16
The AFPE assessment went really well! We've submitted our evidence and we'll await the decision on May 3rd! Music night was sensational! The atmosphere and pleasure from all, especially our 1st time performers was great (see the blog for more pictures). Had some great news about support for our children and the School Council have finished their DVD on road safety. Looking forward to Y2 going to Frank Chapman next week and then we enter May. Woo hoo!
Updated 22-4-16
We won the rugby this week! What a start to the summer term! I've been on OFSTED training and we've had our FOA AGM. Looking forward to our AFPE assessment and the Music Night! Can't believe how time flies and what a fantastic opportunity for our budding musicians to shine.
Update 19-4-16
It's been our music night and what a night it has been! A pleasure and privilege to see so many children and parents enjoy a spectacle. Well done to all our performers, especially the first timers!
Updated 10-4-16
Welcome back to the summer term 2016. I hope the Easter break has been good for everyone. Two thirds of the way through the academic year, so much achieved and so much still to look forward to. We have lots more sporting competitions ahead and we are looking to secure the AFPE quality mark.....we'll need a new letter head I think!
Updated 23-3-16
It's the end of the spring term and our Parents' evening was really well attended. Great last week with trips, workshops, hats and the FOA Easter end of term. Have a great break and we'll see you all in April for the start of the summer term. This is the last update before 11/4. Enjoy Easter!
Updated 18-3-16
What a fab week! Loads of sport, competitions, academic challenges, gymnastics, science fair, theatre at Lordswood and we all ran a mile! Over 800 Abbey miles completed. Look where we could get to! Looking forward to Parents' evening and then it's Easter. Phew! (Note: I'm quite unfit as 1 mile was enough today!!)
Updated 13-3-16
Nine teaching days until the end of the spring term. We've been working hard moderating the end of key stage writing against the interim assessment framework, cross school too! It's Sport Relief on Friday and we are going to see if we can all do 1-mile....wish us luck! Also looking forward to Think Tank; Discos; Big Bang Science fair and a Y4 maths competition.
The Papaya that spoke! We've kept the quality lower to fit on our web-space! Listen, watch and enjoy!
Updated 7-3-16
It's a chilly start to March but a good one! Quite a lot of training for our staff on dealing with and supporting children and families who find themselves in a household with domestic violence. KS1 writing moderation; Author visits and Drayton Manor have all been on the menu this week and it's been a great week! Friday had 360 children speaking in unison! Have a look below.
Updated 1-3-16
The children are all back safely from Edgmond Hall and YR had a great time at the Safari Park. It's carers' day assemblies next week and we set the budget for 2016-17 and the three year plan. I'm very excited about trying our electronic Parents' evening booking system and the school council have started recording our road safety video. Moderating writing coming up and I can't believe it's March.
Updated 21-2-16
Welcome back and I hope half term was good for everyone (even those of use with Manflu). Off to Edmond Hall this week with Year 4 and what a short half term it is going to be. Looks like a good one already though and we are all working hard to prepare the children for the new tests. Parents' evening soon too and trying an electronic booking system.....exciting!
Updated 5-2-16
Half way through the academic year! We are flying! Had a great end to the week with PWC Theatre and Skins and Feet in Y6. Looking forward to the discos, film night and the FOA cake sale. Thinking about the budget and the future - exciting ideas coming together.
Updated 29-1-16
It was good looking around BETT to see the new technologies, software and web-sites that can support learning. We've come a long way with our new kit and it's pleasing to see it impacting on learning. Had a fabulous three days with our 'soccer challenge' and Y2's themed 'Australia Day'. Looking forward to Y6 with 'Skins and Feet' drumming and Dancing; more theatre trips and discos. We say goodbye to our BEd students who have had a great first teaching practice. Good luck for the future!
We really feel for the Secondary colleagues who are being affected by the current bomb threats. We have our plan to deal with this situation and hope that Abbey (and others) are not affected. Worrying and annoying at the same time.
Updates 22-1-16
Had a great week doing an inspection, always a privilege to visit other schools and see what they are doing. Great inspection team and a great school (who will have a super weekend!). The chicks have all hatched and are causing quite a stir.....we've been looking at teaching, learning and assessment in our school this week and it's good! Next week we are looking deeply at the books and the 'progress over time' that our children are making - frighteningly we are nearly half way through the academic year. Going to BETT in London too - keeping an eye on the new technologies to make a difference to our school.
Updated 15-1-16
The first snow of the year and it's a refreshing change! Our website will always show the status of school should we be closed.....not that deep yet! Looking forward to Y4 hatching chickens and beginning to think of our first residential experiences of 2016. I'm doing an OFSTED next week (good to keep an eye from the inside) and visiting BETT to check out the latest technology to enhance learning.
Updated 8-1-15
What a week! Roman Man; Y5 Rainforest; winning the swimming gala; WW2 Y6 sleepover; Forest School back in action and everyone is back safely. Off to the 'dark-side' today for the regional conference (always wise to keep an eye on OFSTED!) and looking forward to working with some great school next week. First chill in the air - about time we had some winter weather!
Updated 4-1-16
Great to see everyone back today and what a super start to the year! Happy New Year everyone! Super visitors and super experiences to look forward to this week and if 2016 continues this way - I'll be really happy!
Updated 16-12-15
The last week was awesome with all our productions. Enough said! Have a great Christmas and we'll see everyone in 2016!
Updated 12/12/15
The disco was fun and the excitement from 'Tea with Santa' was great. It's the first birthday of our 'Friends of Abbey' as 'Tea with Santa' was the first event a year ago.....The end of year productions have started and Y5's 'The boy king' was an amazing beginning to the final week of fun and celebration. Our Xmas Fair was amazing! The school was filled with people having a great time and I am so proud of our Friends of Abbey for all their hard work. Staff from both sites all came together to make this night sensational, our BEd students worked super hard too. So proud! The final week is going to be busy but great with YN, YR,Y1,Y2, choir and orchestra all performing....party day and fun. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....productions on every day!
Updated 4-12/15
Christmas is coming and rehearsals are in full swing! Thanks to all of our generous parents for donations to our Christmas Fair....our FOA are working hard to make this a fab event! Theatre trips galore along with an amazing 'Tea with Santa' event, all topped off with the disco. We'll need a Christmas break soon! On a personal note - just made it to 10 blood donations! Woo hoo!
Updated 28-11-15
FOA quiz night was great fun! We've held our 'achievement days' where children and staff share something that our kids are really proud of - fantastic attendance and the children are, quite rightly, proud of what we are doing together. We've just been awarded the Sainsbury Gold PE award showing our commitment to sporting competition. Three weeks to go and rehearsals are all picking up pace. It's looking exciting for a fab end to 2015.
Updated 23/11/15
We've had our plaque for BSQM and sent the story to the press, they might publish for us....Had a great week reminded everyone about our Abbey 'Let's START..STOP' about anti-bullying. (Start telling other people...several times on purpose). Road safety week ahead and I'm also looking forward to our forthcoming achievement days......then its December and advent calendar time! Friends of Abbey Quiz night (hoping to improve on our 2nd place last time!) and the Christmas Fair will soon be upon us.
Updated 20/11/15
It's always busy - Children in Need was fun (also raised just under £300)! We are working in partnership with Wolverhampton University to help train the new batch of teachers - this is exciting! We've just started some work using a 'Forest School' approach in EYFS and I've heard the first rehearsals for Christmas..... I'm also looking forward to our forthcoming achievement days......Half of November gone.....!
Updated 14-11-15
We got the Basic Skills Quality Mark (BSQM) - woo hoo! It shows a commitment to supporting English and Mathematics across our school and as soon as the report is here we'll share it (get a new badge and logo for us too!). Our first residential has been completed and you must see the photos, they ooze enjoyment (Class Pages - Plas Gwynant) - really proud of my staff for giving up their week and time with their families. We've met our new students and they seem like a really enthusiastic bunch who will develop well with us. Looking forward to Eco Bus part 2; Diwali; Remembrance and starting a new Coaching Programme! Our FOA are working really hard toward the Xmas Fair.....exciting times!
Updated 2-11-15
Welcome back to the autumn 2nd half term. Residential visits; trips; WW2 arts; our assessment for the Basic Skills Quality Mark.....all exciting. Christmas is coming - rehearsals will soon be under way!
Updated 30/10/15
It's half term and what a week to finish! Disco, Eco week part 1 and a lovely leaf bowl sale. Feel old about Back to The Future (those that are old(er) will understand!!) Time to re-charge and come back looking forward to even more.....1st residential in Wales; Eco Bus week 2; Wolf Mountain Y6; Black Country Museum Y1.....have a good half term and don't forget clocks!
Updated 23-10-15
It's nearly half term - what a fab week meeting Parents at our second open evening of the year. Trips, discos, and another super Friends of Abbey event with a spooooooky cake sale. Then it'll soon be November. Just had a great sign printed to celebrate 14-15 - looks super.
Updated 16/10/15
What a great week of drumming, dancing, story and fun! Meet the teacher evenings went really and the response rate was 414! All of our children have finished their Reception baseline, quite impressed with the reports received. Our School Council and Health & Safety council are working very hard at improving our school. FOA have a great lost of events ahead. A great school!
Updated 9/10/15
October is here already! Really proud of our FOA group - another great success at the fashion night and cake sale. Our curriculum trips have stated with theatre groups; swimming for Y4 and lots coming up. Numicon training was great and we will be using this as an early number resource! Looking forward to a celebration of diversity over the next few weeks, especially The Mighty Zulu Nation; Skins & Feet. Fab to be at Abbey!
Updated 2/10/15
Our School council is back up and running, proudly wearing new badges! The week has been busy but some great links opening up with Lightwoods House, Lordswood Secondary, and The University of Wolverhampton. Our great FOA have been super busy with a great fashion night for ladies (my profile was VERY low!) and the week finished with a super cake sale for MacMillan that raised £250. Looking forward to Numicon, Y6 theatre and our sponsored bounce.
Updated 25/9/15
The INSET was great and all of our staff have been inspired by the Maths work. All of our school councillors have their badges and the first meeting is next week. I'm really looking forward to working with all of the children and using this as a great 2-way communication. Our Health & Safety council has met and started their important work too! We've seen our teachers using Apple TV to help with assessment for learning (AFL) and the future is bright. Fab end to the week with our school turning from blue to green and raising money for Warley Woods - well done us! (£340!)
Updated 13-9-15
It's been a good first week! All the new children and families arrived safely and the crying stopped by Thursday (Parents that is, kids were fine!) Had a great 2nd place against schools across the West Midlands in a King Edward's maths challenge. The end of the week saw a lovely coffee morning with our Friends of Abbey (FOA) for our new parents. That's pretty good for week 1! Looking forward to some great INSET (Teacher training) from Laurence Hicks and Alan Peat.
Updated 6-9-15
All the staff are back and we've had two great days of training. Our annual safeguarding; school nurse; fire safety and where we are going this year......also a great day using iPads to support teaching and learning through Apple TV and Apps. It's going to be an exciting year and I'm looking forward to seeing all our children and families this week.
Updated 1-9-15
The clock turns to September and the new school year is upon us, so much of for the sun over the bank holiday. Enjoy the last days of the holiday and we'll see you all on Monday September 7th!
Updated 29-8-15
We approach the end of the summer holiday and I hope everyone has had a good time with their families. School restarts on Monday 7th and we look forward to welcoming all of our new children and families. Have a great bank holiday weekend.....let's hope for sun.
Updated 17-7-15
The Year 6 and Year 2 children have all performed for the whole school and all of our Parents. Our whole school community is buzzing with all of the celebrations this week. I am really proud of all the children and everything we have achieved. This is the last update this academic year and I wish all of our children and families a great summer break. Good luck to our leavers and we'll see you all in September. Eid Mubarak to our families celebrating Eid this weekend.
Updated 10-7-15
Just finished the penultimate week and had a great summer fair! An amazing thank you to all of our parents who helped with time, donations and help! What a fantastic group of people and what a fantastic end to the week. One week to go with all of our end of year Y2 and Y6 celebrations.....then it's the summer holiday.
Updated 3-7-15
The year is fast rolling on, two weeks to go! This week has seen us win the Champion of Champion's book quiz final (well played St Hubert's); win the 'Spoz' poetry slam; Y2 had their end of year leaving trip; Y6 visited their new secondary schools; all of the Abbey children spent a day in their new year group with their new teachers. Looking forward to Y5 sporting at Lordswood; end of year rehearsals; final Governing Body meeting and then we are into the final week. Fantastic response to our Summer Fair non-uniform day! Thank you to all our great parents!
We've also survived the hottest day of the year!
Updated 27-6-15
We've been shining this week! Fantastic two days of creative learning....lego movie maker, 2code game making, cooking, art, music, drama, dance, iMovie, nail art, science rockets, t-shirt making, bag creating, string picture making....what a week! Fantastic sports day at Hadley stadium (well done Seaton!).
Looking forward to welcoming new YR parents, Y2 end of year trip and all of our children meeting their new teachers for a whole day on Thursday.....Wow!
Updated 20-6-15
With the exception of some hard to reach high windows, our replacement is complete! What a difference it makes! The singing today was great and our kids were the best (Langley and St Greg's were ok!). It's sports day next week (let's hope for no rain!) and we start to visit the new starters to our school who are at other nurseries. Looking forward to getting the reports finished and out to Parents - can't believe there is only a week and a bit until July.
Updated 12-6-15
Seeing our Y2 Inspire workshops and the number of parents/grandparents involved in school learning has been great! Added to that, the Y6 SPOZ poetry slam looked and sounded great! Class photos and reports nearly drafted - shows the end of the academic year is coming!
Y6 enjoyed visiting the Gurdwara, Sandwell Music Support came to host a Singing morning and our first Parent Social event through a quiz night on Friday! Well done FOA!
Updated 8-6-15
We are all starting to plan for the new academic year, looking to check on our topics, themes and learning experiences. Our wind replacement is going really well and is on schedule; great to see and it's making a big difference to the look and feel of our school. More sporting opportunities this week along with the last preparation for the Y1 phonic (the sounds that letters make) test.
The sun is also shining - and that makes a difference too!
Updated 29-5-15
Welcome back to summer 2! Half the calendar year nearly gone and a good year for Abbey so far! This last half term is always a busy one, goodbye to Year 6, hello to new YN,YR,Y3 children, lots of trips, reports and end of term goodbyes. The final day of summer 1 was great and 'Froggy Friday' was a great success (if we ignore staff Zumba!). Our window renovation plan went really well with the whole of the Barclay Road side fitted and looking great. This half term we start planning some curriculum changes for September and re-jigging, inventing and 'bucket listing' our topics. That's not bad for the first week back. Our OFSTED report should be published on the OFSTED website 1/6 - we've already shared the GOOD news with parents.
Updated 22-5-15
It's been a great end to the half term, OSFTED, Froggy Friday and new windows! The bear trail was a great success but our bear has gone missing......have you seen it? (check the news page). Our MacMillan fundraiser was a great success and the partnership with parents through our Friends of Abbey group is growing stronger all the time....Window replacement part 1 went without a hitch and is a good investment for the future; by the end of the summer term nearly all of our junior windows will have been replaced.
OFSTED reported us a 'good school' with some outstanding elements - really pleased with the progress we have made since working together in September.
Updated 20-5-15
The last week of summer 2! We leave SATs behind us and look to finish with a great celebration of the life of one of our colleagues who lost her battle with cancer. I'm really proud of our Friends of Abbey group - a fantastic group of parents working to help our school in every way we can.....excellence through partnership. Have a great half term! Fab end with Froggy Friday and new windows....
Updated 18-5-15
A special entry - we've received our OFSTED report! It's good! Really proud of our team for all their hard work.
Updated 9-5-15
A three day week with the bank holiday and general election. As the country learns of a new government, our school has been reviewing and setting out The Abbey manifesto through the school improvement planning process - we've got our 15-16 plan drafted and it looks good! One of the most important weeks in the life of a school - SATs tests for Y2 & Y6. Personally don't believe in making a big deal of the tests, it should be just a regular day for our children, sometimes easy to forget that they are 7 and 11! We wish all of our children good luck, our whole school has worked hard and we are looking forward to getting good results.......we are going to get a number of children attaining level 6! Good work us and well done kids! A quiet week ahead, because of the tests but looking forward to seeing our school bears as part of the Bearwood Bear trail.......
Updated 1-5-15
What a week! We've had a financial audit, safeguarding audit and OFSTED! Luckily it's followed by a long weekend to recover! We look forward to sharing the outcomes with you as soon as the reports are published. A short week ahead as we have the last push toward the SATs tests for Y2 and Y6........good luck to all our children who have worked so hard....Y1 phonic test too! We are looking forward to writing our new school improvement plan for 2015-16 - where has a year gone?
Updated 24-4-15
Blind Dave was great this week - a truly nice bloke and really down to earth! I've been out doing an OFSTED inspection for two days, always a privilege to work with other schools and share ideas. Got a couple of exciting visitors coming up next week, our local PC and one of our Y2 Parents are coming to lead assembly- should be great, lovely to share skills and experiences. Had some lovely feedback from visitors this week who said how polite and enthusiastic our children are. School council continue their great job of helping to bring the voices of our children into the work we do. Looking forward to the last preparations for KS1 and KS2 SATS - the last year group to sit the tests under the current format. Starting to draft our school improvement plan for September 2015 - time flies, soon be the last half term! Tempus Fugit!
Updated 17-4-15
What a great week at Frank Chapman our Y2 have had - fab weather too, let's hope it lasts! Thanks to our staff for going away from home to help our children have great experiences. Sad news about the death of a long standing member of our staff, our thoughts are with her family and friends. We are collecting for MacMillan and will be looking to hold an event to commemorate our missed colleague. Our Y3 had a great visit to Tesco for a free community trip looking at food's journey from Farm to Fork. Looking forward to a visit from 'Blind Dave' (www.blinddaveheeley.co.uk) who should be an inspiration to us all and he will be bringing the Olympic torch and also sharing his recent Easter trek in the Sahara. Y3 are off out again, to the museum and we are holding the second of our achievement days to share with parents. Also reached 10,000 visitors to our web-site - fantastic!
Updated 13-4-15
Back to the summer term! I hope that the Easter break has been good for everyone. Nothing like a good break (wi-fi and internet free for two weeks!) to give some valuable pondering time. What a huge amount we have achieved since September - really pleased! Looking forward to the Y2 residential, swimming competitions, rugby competition and a visit of the Anglo Saxon man.....not bad for the first week back!
Updated 27-3-14
What a great final week! Music Night (gutted I missed it, our Governing Body was meeting and the original date for the Music night was changed and then clashed) was amazing. Our fantastic Site manager, Mr Edwards, had to step in to thank people (the Governors and I were still hard at it sorting the budget and looking at the term's work and to the future). The feedback was so fantastic and the kids got such a kick out of performing. Our EYFS have had another 'Wow' day as Lords & Ladies; Y2 have inspired everyone with their art workshops.
We'll be back, raring to go on the 13th April.
Updated 20-3-15
We've made it to the last week of the spring term, two thirds of the way through the academic year. I am really pleased with the response to our Parent survey over 400 respondents and the comparison to our September survey is great! Every aspect has increased significantly. Looking forward to our Music Night on Tuesday, Easter Bonnets and Friends of Abbey cake sale. What a fab way to end the term. Our new home-school e-resources have also been received well so that Parents can work with their children to support and stretch as much as we can.
Spring has sprung too!
Updated 13-3-15
Red Nose Day and Carer's day assemblies have brought a nice end to the week. Our Y4 children did really well at the Maths competition and finished in the top 10. Next week sees our penalty shoot out in KS1; science roadshow in KS2 and our second Parents' evening where we will be launching the online e-resources we have bought to support our partnership working. Two weeks until two thirds of the academic year is gone! Abbey are Smethwick reading champions and brought home the cup, defeating Bearwood Primary in the final! Woo hoo!
Updated 6-3-15
Two weeks left till Easter and we are going great guns! We had such a busy week we needed a double edition Abbey Lens to capture all the greatness! World Book Day was great fun (check out the WBD class page and test your knowledge of staff baby photos!). Looking forward to our penalty shoot out and Red Nose Day. Had a great victory in the Semi-finals of the Smethwick library quiz. King Edward's boys came into deliver a 'forensics workshop' and Y4 will return to compete in the Maths Quiz......Wow!
Updated 1-3-15
What a great week! A special mid-year anti-bullying assembly and workshop; Year 6 through to the library quiz final; World Book Day; Mathematics open morning; School Photographs and more! Really pleased with the mid-year pupil progress, it's looking good and we are on-track for increasing our SATs results. Our 'Friends of Abbey' group is well on the way to raining it's first £1000 and our school council are about to work on developing our school prayer. Steaming ahead!
28-2-15
Half term gone and almost ready to begin the second half of the academic year. We have achieved a huge amount and are building more partnerships as time evolves. Our next adventure is for Y4 to go to their residential at Edmond Hall and our Y6 begin working with Lordswood Girls on some L6 Maths work! Already have a group who have achieved Level 6 - aiming for 12 more! Looking into a potential Grammar School club and about to launch an exciting iPad masterclass for Y6! All this and a host of on-line resources to launch at our second Parents' evening - not bad for the first week back!
Updated 13-2-15
Last day of the half term, half way through the academic year. Really proud of all we have achieved so far, staff and children working hard and delighted to be getting more parents involved too. Have a great holiday and we'll be back on the 23rd February! This is the last update before we return to school.
Updated 13-2-15
It's the last week of the half term and half the way through our academic year! Just started using '2build a profile' assessments in EYFS (Reception and Nursery) to capture the children and their experiences electronically! Great use of technology. Managed to be creative and find £8000 to spend on home/school readers and guided reading books too. Also managed to negotiate some great packages for home/school e-learning to launch at our next Parents' evening in mid March. Great cake sale by our Friends of Abbey group - fab way to finish the half term!
Updated 5-2-15
Where has January gone? One twelfth of the year disappeared! This week has seen us have a really positive budget meeting with the Governing Body and the work we have done to stabilise our budget looks like it has paid (!) off. Our new ICT kit is finally on schedule to be delivered and this excites me greatly. We've managed to decorate two of three classrooms with the children in situ along with fitting two new hall projectors to support PE and Collective Worship/Assembly at our school. Saw some great teaching and I'm looking forward to even more next week.
Updated 30-1-15
Starting to look ahead to the new budget year, wireless fitted and ready this week - really happy with that achievement. Our T4W is working so well, Y6,5,4 all completed a unit yesterday and the results are amazing! Had great fun in our end of week assembly and am looking forward to spending more time in classrooms next week. Dr K.
Updated 18-1-15
It was great getting back to school to see all the children and families. I had to complete some mandatory Safeguarding training for OFSTED this week and it was great to see how much we do to support children and families. Very excited about the new 'Friends of Abbey' group that is starting up, it will be a great new addition to our school and further strengthen our home/school partnership.
Happy New Year!
I'm not a natural 'blogger' - I have never really kept a diary or journal but I recognise the importance of capturing moments in our school life that are not ordinarily placed on letters or official publications. Over the Christmas break our site team has been working hard to re-decroate the nursery, install new toilets and upgrade lighting. Along with repairs to roofing matters and supporting our ageing junior building and infant block - lots takes place that staff and parents don't see. Thanks to our building team for doing this, Mr Edwards and Mr Smith do a great job for our school community.
The start of a new year always brings hope and fresh resolutions but I have a longer term view of making our school great. There is no quick fix to school improvement, it's all about making everything that we do good - consistently good - that will eventually lead to outstanding. That's the plan - simple! We need to ensure that we work together to achieve this, no school should sit on its own in isolation and the links to other school and particularly parent partnership working is very important. Our newly created 'Friends of Abbey' parent group is another example of this - looking forward to a fab new year!
Dr K - 3-1-15.
The end of 2014.
We've had a great week! Performances from YN, YR, Y1, Y2, Y5 and the choir have all helped to make this last week of the academic year really special.
I firmly believe in giving children the skills and opportunity to develop their speaking and listening skills and the opportunity to perform is one important part of this. I have had a great week and judging by the faces of our parents, so have all of you! The children have been brilliant and their pleasure and pride in performing was clear for all to see.
This is the last update for 2014 and so I wish one and all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
See you all in 2015!
We've made it to the end of 2014 and what a fantastic week to finish with! Great performances, great parental support and great children enjoying showcasing all we do.
May 2015 be as successful as this term - Merry Christmas everyone and see you all in 2015.
Dr K 18-12-14
The penultimate week of 2014 is gone! It's rehearsal fun before performing to our Parents and community, YN, Y1, Y2, Y5, Choir......Y3 have already been to St Hilda's.
The Christmas Fayre was a big success and this followed a great new event of 'Tea with Santa' - many thanks to all our staff and parents who helped with these events, we couldn't have done it without you!
One week to go and looking forward to finishing the end of the year in style.
Dr K 15-12-14
Another great week! Maths Methods and Maths Open morning has been a super success. Had lots of positive comments from parents, our 'meeters and greeters' did a great job along with all of the children and staff! Our website will be updated with information to support these meetings, see the class pages.
Last two weeks of the year and with our Christmas Fayre, performances and festive fun - there is much to celebrate and enjoy! Christmas Fayre was a great success - see what we raised next week. Fab job of 'Tea with Santa' from our new 'Friends of Abbey' group. Choir did a great job at the Church, Thursday night; Y3 at St Hilda's; Choir at the Symphony Hall on Sunday....Wow
Dr K 13-12-14
Everyone in our school is now engaged in the process of Talk For Writing, our new approach to improving attainment and achievement in this key area. All of the staff went through a great INSET (teacher training day) and came away enthused and ready to go. After half term, our year groups all started the process of planning and delivery in this new and exciting way. Y5 have started this week, meaning that all of our children from YN to Y6 are now T4W!
Year four have finished their unit first and we are delighted with the response and outcome.....Y3 and Y1 tomorrow!
We are into December - time is flying and I am having great fun!
Dr K 4-12-14
A new week and a whole school theme to support everyone in being safe. Let's start S.T.O.P! What's it all about? Bullying is a serious but sometimes over-used term. We've defined it as Several Times On Purpose (STOP) and Start Telling Other People (STOP); also the notion that everyone can be pro-active with saying politely, STOP, I don't like what you are doing.
All of our children and staff are wearing a bracelet that contains this idea. Working together we can ensure everyone is aware of how we deal with any form of bullying. There are resources to help children and families on our class pages.
Oh, by the way, there are only 33 shopping days left till Christmas! Gulp.....!
Dr K 27-11-14
Our Year 4 children have just finished their first unit using 'Talk for Writing', I have seen some amazing pieces and look forward to seeing what other year groups achieve too. The structure is really helping the children and staff are weaving through all of the Spelling, punctuation and grammar that we need. Really pleased on a cold Friday!
Dr K 21-11-14
Year 6 are back from Plas Gwynant after a great week! There is a real buzz about starting our 'Talk for Writing' approach to English and we will be running workshops for Parents, before Christmas.
Children in Need this week and our sponsored bounce - all of the money raised on our bounce will be spent on reading books for our children. £3000! Wow! What a school!
Dr K 14-11-14
Winter has arrived and with it a busy but good week. Our Y6 have been at Plas Gwynant residential of outdoor and adventurous activities; Y3/4 won the Cross Country Race; Y3 have used the mobile library and YR have all been to the library to join and take a book.
On top of all that, the school council have continued with their work and chosen how we support Children in Need and we started thinking about our Christmas Fayre.....that's enough for the first week back!
Dr K 7-11-14
Half term has been and gone with hopefully a rest for all our children and staff. This is going to be an exciting half term and there is much that we are pushing forward with e.g. our new 'Talk for Writing' approach to teaching writing across the school. Should be amazing and I'm looking forward to seeing the results in a few weeks time of the first exploratory units.
Dr K 2-11-14
Had a great week (despite the rain!) with our Open Evening and Harvest Festival! Thank you for supporting us and being so generous! All of the contributions for Harvest to the Smethwick Food Bank. Looking forward to our discos and then it's half term! Next week we have exciting Zulus in school! Dr K 16-10-14
Been on the HT conference these last two days, met some good people and had lots of thought provoking seminars. Really looking forward to using these ideas with staff and children. In school I have been talking to groups of children across the school about their learning - really great to hear their views and use it to celebrate and move forward. It was super! The end of the half term approaches and we are looking forward to a training day to refine how we deliver writing outcomes - then it's November and Y6 residential.....time flies!
Dr K 10-10-14
Our school council have made their first decisions and I am looking forward to strengthening this group further. Started our whole school handwriting and I am already seeing children using this in their books - fully joined! Our marking is now consistent across KS1 and KS2 - the 'Meeters and Greeters' are fantastic! The YR child who told me they were 'Child Initiated Learning - fine motor skills' - I hit the ground! Got to October and still enjoying it!
Dr K 3-10-15
Met the school council today for our first meeting - what a great group of kids! Tasked with their first job of finding out about the next disco theme and songs......(modern songs mean nothing to me!). Our next meeting in one week away and I have a sense the kids will have lots to tell me.
Dr K 16-9-14
Had a really busy, really good day! It's been great to see our Y4 children start swimming - and enjoying it; saw some great behaviour with new visitors and a fabulous fire drill! Worked hard with my senior crew on ensuring consistency. Our new marking policy is agreed and work has started on using this. Always a challenge to get so many people to agree and we worked hard to ensure that everyone's voice was heard.
Dr K 11-9-14
Met the Governing Body and set the formal committees up, statutory business at the start of the year. It's been a really busy start to the week and I am looking forward to spending some time in and around classrooms later this week.
Dr K 9-9-14
It's been a good end to the first week. Met some new YR Parents at our coffee morning - many thanks to the ladies who organised and did such a fantastic job. All our YR children are in, nursery pre-visits next week. Our KS1 free meals has also started well and once the YR children settle in even more, I am sure we will keep on time after lunch.
Looking forward to week 2 and meeting the full Governing Body for the first time.
Dr K 5-9-14
It's been a super day moving between both sites and meeting all the children. Had great fun in assembly and enjoyed sharing a key message - we are one team and we do things together. Saw lots of new starters in YR and met with lots of staff to begin building our new team. Tired but happy!
Dr K 3-9-14
Had two great days training and working with staff. It's been great meeting everyone and sharing some of my beliefs about what schools should really be about. One team working together for the benefit of everyone with children at the heart of what we do - parent school relationships strong. It's the best day next - meet the children!
Dr K 2/9/14
The night before a new term always brings nerves - this is a bigger set as I start my new job! Looking forward to finally meeting people officially. Two INSET days at the start, meet the new HT; Safeguarding; Fire and Health & Safety; Performance Management all wrapped up at the start! Then we meet the children and things get more exciting.
Dr K 31-8-14.
The holiday is nearly over.
Had a great day in school, meeting more people and getting ready to start on Monday. Populated the website with a few more pages and working hard on my first session with staff. Hardbound copy of my thesis submitted, electronic version submitted - graduation in December!
Dr K 27-8-14
Our new Blog begins!
We hope to continually populate this area with snippets of life at Abbey, small and big things that are going on that help to share in the life of our school.
Here's one from me. Brought all of the things from my old office over, I've not got enough space! Mr Edwards helped me to find somewhere to store all of my boxes - will need to use the ladders frequently. Put my pictures up and met with some of the teachers - I have a lot of names to start learning! Looking forward to the start of term.
Dr K 22-8-14
Unfortunately not the ones with chocolate chips.
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