Detailed information of the work planned for each year, and the material and teaching techniques will be explained and demonstrated at the Information Meeting at the beginning of each academic year. Parents will receive an overview of what will be taught at the beginning of each term.

It should be noted that in KS2, your boys will begin to come into contact with a greater variety of subject specialist teachers, where the emphasis continues to be based upon the boys’ practical involvement in the curriculum.

Y3 and 4 Art and Technology lessons are planned and delivered by Mrs Kramer.

Drama is organised by Mrs Penfold for Years 3 and 4.

Games and PE are coordinated by Mr Bowes, and involve both staff from within the School, and other specialists who pass on their expertise to the boys. They will follow a broad programme that will include rugby, football, cricket, athletics, gymnastics, swimming and tennis.

Mrs Gilbert leads the Music Department within KS2, and the boys are given many opportunities to perform - this can be as part of a class group, or taking advantage of the vast number of opportunities school will present them with such as Choir, Guitar Groups, Recorder Groups or learning an instrument in School from Year 4.

Our curriculum is further enhanced and enriched by the diverse range of extra-curricular activities we are able to offer, as well as the many clubs, concerts, competitions, fund-raising activities and themed days our boys are able to take part in.

 

TRIPS AND VISITS – KS2

Trips and visits play a major part in school life. Children need first hand experience of places and events, and visits are arranged at least every term.

You will be asked to sign a consent form to cover all of these trips, and you will be given advance notification for each individual trip.

 

EQUIPMENT – KS2

All our boys are encouraged to organise their own kit and equipment. All Year 3, 4 and 5 boys should provide their own:

 

 

This should all be contained within a reasonably sized pencil case. We will, of course, provide equipment to boys who have lost or forgotten items of equipment, but increasingly we expect our boys to take responsibility for their own organisation.

Boys in Year 4 will begin to write with an ink pen as part of their handwriting programme, whilst boys in Year 5 will be expected to have a good quality ink, fibre tip or ballpoint pen of their own. Please help us by assisting your boys in the packing of bags every night in order to ensure that they come to school with everything they need for each day’s work, including making sure that each boy has the appropriate kit and equipment on games days.

 

Games kit required for Autumn and Spring Terms by all boys in Years 3, 4 and 5.

(See Uniform List for full details)

PE: White shorts

White polo shirt

White socks

Training shoes

Tracksuit (top and bottom)

 

Swimming: Y3 Autumn Term + 1st half of Spring Term

Y4+5 2nd half of Spring Term + Summer Term

Blue trunks

Towel

Goggles (if worn)

 

Games : Games shorts

Rugby or Football shirt

Games Socks

Football or rugby boots (these must be fitted with rugby safety studs – these are kite marked and available from good sports shops)

Training shoes (in case of wet weather programme)

Tracksuit (top and bottom)

Towel (to get off the worst of the mud!)

Mouth guard (optional for Year 3, but compulsory for Years 4 and 5 as full contact tackling will take place – boys without a mouth guard will, unfortunately, not be able to take part in any sessions involving full contact)

 

Kit required for Summer Term 2008 by all boys in Years 3, 4 and 5.

PE + Games: PE shorts

White polo shirt

White socks

Training shoes

Tracksuit (top and bottom)

Blue Newcastle School for Boys cap

 

It is also advisable that boys bring to School a high factor sunscreen and sun block during the warmer summer months, and are taught to apply this correctly by themselves.

It would also help Games and PE staff enormously if all boys, particularly those coming into Year 3, are able to tie their boot laces correctly.

HOMEWORK – KS2

Our boys have a long school day, during which they have been extremely active in both work and play. It is important that when they get home there is an opportunity to relax and enjoy family activities. The boys will then be fresher to tackle a new school day. Homework, therefore, is kept to a minimum.

Each boy is given a homework book or planner, in which he writes any homework, tables or spellings to be learnt. This book is also an excellent way of communicating messages between parents and staff. Homework is given on 3 or 4 evenings each week, and is expected to take between 20 and 30 minutes to complete. It is important for boys to form a homework routine. However, boys must not be expected to spend too much of their free time completing homework.

All boys are encouraged to read every night, and will bring home a reading book and reading record book. It is hoped that parents will read with their sons, and talk about the books on a regular basis. Comments written in the record book by parents and teachers can be very helpful.

We value all the support that parents give their children at home, but please stop homework if either you or your child becomes distressed. To continue will defeat the object, which is to encourage the child in his studies, and to give an opportunity for skills to be practised and demonstrated.

 

RECOGNITION OF GOOD WORK – KS2

Good work stickers and house points are given for achievement on a daily basis. Our Special Celebration of Efforts Assembly is held on a Friday morning, when certificates are given for good work, good behaviour and good manners.

In all such recognition, Staff are looking for personal bests, thus encouraging every child to strive for recognition; not only the most academically able.

 

ASSEMBLY – KS2

Except for Thursdays, each day begins with Morning Assembly, during which children are taught the stories and teachings of the Christian faith, through which they develop an awareness of the wide world and the need for co-operation and understanding. Stories from other faiths are also used, and children are encouraged to talk about celebrations from other faiths.

Each class will present at least one Assembly during the year, and parents are most welcome to share in their work or celebration.

 

LUNCH TIMES – KS2

Lunches are cooked on the West Avenue site. Each day we offer a choice of hot meal, or a baked potato and salad selection. A menu will be displayed on the parents’ notice board. The daily choice of desserts includes cooked puddings, ice-cream, yoghurts and fruit. Children are encouraged to try new foods, but are not forced to eat anything they dislike. Good manners are encouraged at all times. Please inform us of any dietary requirements.

 

BREAK – KS2

Boys are allowed to bring a small ‘snack’ of plain biscuits or fruit. We do request no chocolate, oranges or crisps please, and nothing containing nuts. Milk is provided, and there is a drinking fountain in the Cloakroom Area. Boys may bring water to School in a suitable container.

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