Tanworth-in-Arden CofE Primary School calls out for votes to get a share of Tesco’s Stronger Starts fund

Tanworth-in-Arden CofE  is bidding for a cash boost from the Tesco Stronger Starts scheme.

Stronger Starts provides grant awards of up to £1,500 to local community projects, with a particular focus on children and young people.

Three groups in every community have been shortlisted to receive grant awards and Tesco customers can vote for the group they think should take away the top award in their local Tesco store.

Tanworth is one of the groups on the shortlist in this area.

We are raising funds to purchase Trim Trails for our children to use at break times to encourage children to be active and get moving.

Voting is open in the following Tesco stores from early January until the end of March. Customers will cast their vote using a blue token given to them at the check-out each time they shop.

2504    Barnt Green Bham Express B45 8NE
3084    Redditch Extra B98 7RU
3262    Lodge Park Express B98 7LB
5000    Marlbrook Bromsgrove Express B60 1DL
6447    Redditch Brockhill Express B97 6PH
 

 

Monday 13th March 2023 is Science Week at Tanworth. Mrs Hoskins (Science Leader) has planned a week full of investigation and experiments, including the 'dunking biscuit' investigation. Look out for the newsletter next week for news of all things Science.

Penultimate Week

There may only be 1 week left before we break up for the half-term break, but there is still lots going on in school. On Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th we have our first Parent Meetings of the new school year. This is a chance for parents and Carers, to hear how their child/children have settled into their new class and to hear about their progress and next steps for development. It is also a chance to take a look at their learning in their books.

On Tuesday we also have our Courage Assembly, where children re recognised for demonstrating this half-terms value.

On Wednesday Year 3 have a special Stone age workshop in school, which sounds amazing. Look out for photos and information about this special workshop on the Year 3 class page.

Don't forget school and nursery are both closed on Friday for staff training.

 

Assembly Today

 

 

Today is assembly I spoke to the children about our half-term value of 'courage'. We discussed what courage means and how we demonstrate courage in our every day lives. I played the You Tube clip of Derek Redmond in the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. We then discussed how Derek demonstrated courage. Take a look at the clip and see what you think (click the link below)

 

Derek Redmond Barcelona 1992

 

Dear God,

Sometimes it’s hard to be brave.

Please help me to have courage to face my fears and to admit my mistakes.

Help me to find the courage to pursue my dreams and know that, even if I am afraid, having courage will help me to achieve my dreams.

 

Amen

Strawberry Tea with the Bishop of Birmingham

 

Today (Wednesday 29th June) I had the pleasure of attending Bishops Croft to have a strawberry tea with the Bishop of Birmingham. Every year the Bishop invites the Headteachers of the schools within the Birmingham Diocese to his house for a strawberry tea, as a end of year thank you. It was a lovely afternoon meeting other Head teachers and staff from the Birmingham Diocese Education.

On Wednesday the Reception children went on their first ever school trip to ‘All Things Wild’. Mrs Blatchly has written a short report about their visit.

 

Reception had a brilliant time at All Things Wild on Wednesday. There was lots of excitement on the coach on the way there and Miss Chambers had them all singing many of her wonderful songs. The children were really well behaved and very brave on our dinosaur walk. They loved playing in the helicopter and on the diggers, and seeing the different animals, especially the meerkats and camels. We had a fantastic talk off one of the zookeepers and learnt lots about some of the animals in the park. They even had the chance to hold a lizard! We all had a fantastic day. 

Mrs Blatchly, Miss Scattergood and Miss Chambers

Special thank you to the three parent volunteers who accompanied the children on their first ever visit!

 

Welcome to the summer term. I hope you all had enjoyable Easters and took time to rest and relax. It was lovely to spend quality time with my family and we were fortunate to be able to go to sunnier climates for a week, which was really lovely. The children all looked refreshed, it was lovely to see their smiling faces in assembly this morning. This maybe a short half-term, but we still have lots to do. Keep checking the school newsletter for up and coming dates for your diaries.

FRIDAY 18th MARCH 2022

 

Today we had our last session of Maths and Munch for our Year 2 parents. Today was also Mad March Hair Day for Comic Relief, with everyone looking very colourful. The sun was shining so the children had a great lunchtime playing outside. At the end of lunch we had a special round of applause, organised by Finley B,  for Brwyn who has raised over £300 with the sale of sunflowers. The weather forecast is good for the weekend, so I hope you all manage to have a great weekend.

Tuesday 15th March 2022

Today has really felt like a Spring day because the sun has been shining. It's lovely to see the children playing outside without their coats and enjoying the spring sunshine, long may it continue. This week we have our Maths and Munch sessions. We have already had Year 5 and 6 on Monday and today was the turn of Reception parents and children. I hope the parents so far have found the sessions informative and have enjoyed supporting their child on a maths activity. Year 5 and 6 focussed on fractions! Tomorrow we have Year 1, Thursday Years 3 and 4 and then on Friday Year 2. Don't forget, if you can't make it all of the information will be on the class pages of the website. 

Yesterday I sent a Survey Monkey to see what time is the best for future sessions, so please make sure you complete the quick survey.

Monday 31st January

Happy Monday. This morning in assembly I spoke to the children about the 'January Blues' and what this means. We spoke about how after the excitement of Christmas, January can leave us feeling a bit glum with the cold dark mornings and nothing to look forward to. Then we all came up with some ideas of things that make us happy i.e. the sun, spending time with family and friends, taking our dog for a walk, being outside, looking forward to Easter and also half-term. We also discussed that when we are feeling down and glum sometimes we can help ourselves by thinking about and remembering the things that make us happy. However, at other times we may need a bit more help, perhaps by talking to a friend, family member or a teacher or adult in school. We then discussed that Christians believe they can talk to God about anything that is worrying them or making them feel down and this is called praying.

Think about things that make you feel happy on these cold January days.

Friday 28th January 2022

What a busy week I have had this week? I have had a lovely couple of days working in nursery. It has been great to see the children playing in their environment. We had a great time on Monday racing the cars down the slope. For some reason the red cars always came first!

Then on Thursday I had a lovely afternoon in Years 3 and 4 joining in their Music lessons. In Year 3 I am learning the Ukulele and then in Year 4 I am learning the flute. 

Happy New Year!

 

We are now in week 2 of the Spring term and Christmas now feels a distant memory, well it would if it wasn't for Year 1 and 2 performing Babushka this week. Babushka is a Russian tale telling the story of Babushka a lady who was always busy cleaning but after visiting the baby Jesus had her heart full with joy and happiness. 

Well done to the staff and children for lovely singing, super dancing and amazing acting.

This half-term we are focusing on the value of 'perseverance'. In assembly we are looking at how we can demonstrate perseverance and what it means to each of us individually.

There are lots of exciting things planned for the Spring term so please keep checking back to see all of the exciting learning that's taking place.

 

 

Monday 6th December 

Thank you to all of the parents that attended the Parent Focus Group this morning. Mr Fidler also attended to discuss our SIAMS inspection on Wednesday and to gain some feedback. It was great to hear positive comments about our effectiveness as a Church school and also hear about what you would like from us as parents. Please look on the 'SIAMS and Our Faith' page of the website for a wealth of information.

We also discussed the new 'Relationships Policy'. This policy is to replace our 'Behaviour Policy', as all behaviours are as a result of relationships. Now that the policy has been consulted on with parents, it will go to Governors for approval.

 

After the Parent Focus Group I went straight to the hall to lead our daily act of worship continuing exploring our value of hope. I shared the story 'Little Glow' to the children and we discussed how light is a symbol of hope not just in the Christian faith but also in other faiths.

 

Then this afternoon, I had the pleasure of watching our amazing Reception children perform their 'Wriggly Nativity'. The children retold the story of the First Christmas reminding us all what a special time of year this is. 

 

Monday 15th November 2021

Today in assembly, Miss Cutler spoke to the children about road safety, to coincide with Brakes Road Safety Week. Road Safety Week runs from the 15th November until 22nd November and is the UK's biggest road safety event. Today the children thought about how they travel to school and how to keep themselves safe when they travel.     

 

TUESDAY 10th NOVEMBER 2021

 

It was lovely to see so many children and staff all joining in with our weekly Wednesday 'Wake up, Shake up' session on the Junior playground. Mr Nicholls once more had everybody working out to the music. We even had a few parents joining in this week. It really is a great way to start the day! Please join us next Wednesday from 8.30 on the Junior playground.

Monday 8th November 2021

 

Thank you to the parents who attended the Parent Focus Group Meeting today. Today we discussed Parents Evening and PE Kit. There was also a lengthy discussion about what we are doing well and what we could do to improve further. The minutes of the meeting will be under the 'Parents' tab, so please take a look. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday 6th December at 9am, so please come along. 

Friday 15th October 2021

 

Today has been a good day, busy but good. It started with Church, and a visiting Priest, Mother Laura Ward. Mother Laura spoke to the children about her life and her calling to God. It was lovely to hear Mother Laura talk so passionately about her job. Mother Laura also spoke to the children about our Christian value of 'justice', and explained to the children that for Christians justice is about following God's Will. 

 

Then after Church I had the pleasure of teaching Year 3 for the morning, whilst Mr Fidler took some subject leadership time. In Year 3 we were writing instructions of how to make a pair of trousers out of animal skin, to link with their learning about the Stone Age. The children all did an amazing job really focusing on their handwriting and presentation. A special mention to Toby DC who said he was so proud of his writing!

 

It has been a busy week and I am so pleased it is Friday. Have a lovely weekend everyone.

 

Wednesday 13th October 2021

Wednesday Wake up and Shake Up 

This morning started with our newly introduced Wednesday Wake up and Shake up session. At 8.35 the teachers and staff along with children and their parents started the day by joining Mr Nicholls in a Zumba session on the Junior playground. It was a great way to start the day with everyone smiling and enjoying themselves. Don't forget to join us next Wednesday for more Zumba fun.

Monday 27th September 2021

Today was a special day. Not only because it's my mum's birthday, but also because today we had a special assembly. The Prayer Garden Friends spoke to the children about the Prayer Garden, reminding the children that it is a quiet place, a place for thinking, prayer and reflection and also introducing some Prayer activities to go with each of the Prayer stations. Each Prayer station has an activity that the children can engage in. I am really looking forward to joining the children in the Prayer Garden over the coming weeks.

Also in assembly the children were presented with their badges for the different roles and responsibilities they have taken on this year. Please check the newsletter this week for all the details.

Friday 24th September 2021

 

I have had a lovely day today. It started with a Fire Alarm drill which went smoothly. All of the staff and children were safely out of the building in 2.29 minutes. It was not as quick as the previous one, but it was the first one of the new school year.

Then I got to do the job that I like most about being a Head teacher...teach! I started off in Year 6 where the children were considering Genesis 1 from the Bible, evolution and cosmology. The children and I had a great discussion about the different view points and left us all with more questions than we had started with.

Then after play I was in Year 5 where I taught the first computing session on the theme of online safety. The children already had a good basic understanding of how to stay safe online, but we did discuss not always trusting what we read. It was good to go over where the children can go for support if they have a concern about their safety online. We did get to visit the computing suite where the plan was to start to create an online safety comic, however as always technology does not always work the way we expect it to, so we will have to continue next week.

It has been another good week in school, although I am ready for a rest at the weekend and am looking forward to spending time with my daughter before she returns to university next weekend.

Tuesday 21st September 2021

Well done to everyone who received a certificate in our first Celebration Assembly of this academic year. It was lovely to see the parents and family members joining us to hear about their wonderful children. Don't forget to look out on the newsletter this week to see who received a certificate and the reason why.

In God's family learning, loving, growing to be our very best.

 

 

Hello everybody, I hope you are all enjoying the Spring sunshine. School is very quiet today and it seems odd when the bell rings for playtime and there are no children rushing outside. I hope you are all keeping safe and enjoying being at home. Don't forget to blog your teachers as I know they are really enjoying hearing what you have been doing.

Thursday 12th January 2020

Don't forget that it is non-school uniform on Friday 13th. The PTA would like donations for the Mother's Day Shop.

Friday 7th January

It is hard to believe that we now only have one week left before the half term holiday. This half term is flying past! These past couple of weeks have been busy with visits from our School Improvement Partner and our Learning Improvement Officer. It is always great when visitors come in and can see the progress we are making as a school against our development areas. The past two visits have focused on our foundation curriculum, ensuring that there is clear progression in our teaching and learning and also that skills are revisited. Please take a look at our website to see how the curriculum is taught. 

FRIDAY 31st January 2020

I have had a lovely morning in Nursery this morning playing with the children. The role play is currently a hospital which the children love playing in dressing up as doctors and nurses and bandaging one another up. As always the children love being outside, today the scooters and bikes were numbered emergency vehicles to link in with the theme of People Who Help Us. The nursery has recently purchased a bird feeder which the children get very excited about when a bird appears. Posters of different garden birds are displayed to encourage the children to identify the type of bird. But the most fun the children had was with some lengths of guttering! The children spent ages balancing the guttering and then letting cars travel down it. It was a super morning for all.

Tuesday 28th January 2020 Hope and Kindness

On Monday, Judy from Hope and Kindness came in to school to talk to the children and staff in an assembly about the charity Hope and Kindness.

Hope and Kindness support the view that every child deserves the opportunity to make the most of the life that God has given them and that opportunity should not depend on the place where you were born or the family you were born into.

Judy and her husband and two young children moved to Kosele in Kenya in 2002 and over the past 18 years they have made a difference to many children in Kosele. They have, with the support of others, created a school that now has over 200 pupils. At Tanworth we have for a number of years sponsored two children Dancun and Carolyn and have been able to see how the money we send each month has supported the children so that they can have an education.

The assembly on Monday was a great reminder of how fortunate we are and how at times we may take for granted amenities such as running water, electricity, flushing toilets etc.

Our School Council are going to be writing letters to the two children we sponsor and later on in the year we will be doing a fundraising event to support this wonderful charity.

If you would like to find out more then please take a look at their website www.hopeandkindness.org or on their Facebook page HopeandKindnessKosele

Monday 14th October

 

The assembly today was called 'Count your blessings'. I spoke to the children about how we should always be thankful for what we have. Three children acted out how even when it is raining, and we can't play outside, and we have forgotten our tuck money we can still be thankful for what we already have. The children all then closed their eyes to take time to reflect and think of three things that they are thankful for. A new flip chart in the hall allows children to write their own reflections on the worship or indeed any questions that is has raised for them.

 

1 Thessalonians 5.18 -

 

Be thankful in all circumstances.

 

Thursday 26th September

This half-term our Christian Value is Thankfulness. We are considering how to demonstrate thankfulness and considering all we have to be thankful for.

Sometimes in this busy world, we forget to stop and take time to be thankful for what we already have and can often spend time wishing for things we do not have.

I have much to be thankful for. I have three healthy children, a job that I enjoy and friends and family that I love and know that they love me. We are encouraging the children to take time to stop and think of something that they are thankful for. Why don't you do the same?

Welcome Back 09/09/19

I hope you all had a lovely summer holiday. I had a great six weeks. I went camping a couple of times and luckily the weather was fab. I also went to Malta for a week, where it was really hot. 

It has been lovely this week speaking to the children about their holidays, where they went and what they did.

This is a busy half term in school with Harvest, Parents' Evening, Meet the Teacher sessions, clubs starting and settling the children into their new classes. Please keep checking the calendar so that you know what is coming up in school.

Year 6 Service in Church 10/07/19

 

Well done to Year 6 for their fantastic behaviour representing the school at St Martin in the Bull Ring today in Birmingham. Thank you to all of the Year 6 family members who also joined us to take part in this special service.

Thursday 27th June 2019

 

Thank you to all of the parents who attended the new Reception Parents Meeting this afternoon. Please find a copy of the powerpoint used below.

PE SURVEY

Help us to improve our PE/Sports provision by taking part in our PE/Sports Survey. It is simple to do and will only take 5 minutes to complete. Please click the link below.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FJGH2NW

I hope the parents that attended Parents' Evening tonight found the meetings informative. It was great to receive positive feedback regarding the introduction of the target slips, that you as parents get a copy of to take away with you.Thank you to all of you that commented on the Parent Feedback board. It is really important as a school that we get feedback not only about what we are doing well, but also how we could be even better. If you did not see the board for comments or would like to give feedback on any aspect of the school, good or developmental, then please email me at head3311@welearn365.com .

Wednesday 20th June 2018

Please tell your family and friends about our Nursery Open Day on Wednesday 4th and Wednesday 11th July.

Tuesday 22nd May 2018

As we approach the half term holiday again it is time to reflect on achievements and lessons learned this half term. As a school we have introduced a new Christian value of 'service' which has been the focus for our assemblies this half term. Every time a child gives 'service', they can pop a cube into a jug. The jug is now over flowing, which demonstrates how kind, caring and thoughtful the children of Tanworth are.

Year 6 have shown true determination and resilience this half term and completed their SATs with a smile. Let's hope all their hard work is reflective in the results they receive in July.

The hall is looking amazing, with all the major religions of the world reflected in the art work created with Art Base and all of our children. We now eagerly waiting for the securing of the decorated cross to complete our newly decorated hall.

We celebrated the recent Royal Wedding in style, with Year 2 taking part in a wedding ceremony in the church. Afterwards, all the children had a street party on the KS1 playground. A great day was had by all!

 

Friday 27th April 2018

It maybe raining outside but the weather has not dampened the children's enthusiasm for learning. This week Year 1 have been on a visit to St John's Museum, Year 3 have been learning about the Egyptians, Year 6 have been creating balanced arguments on whether they should have to do SATs and Year 2 have been creating newspaper reports on their visit to the Sea Life Centre.

The art work on different faiths is now complete and next week will transform our hall.

It has been a busy week in school and everybody is looking forward to the weekend.

Sunday 4th March 2018

Yet again the decision to close the school because of snow had to be made. Thursday evening was a long evening deciding what to do. I was constantly checking the weather app on my phone, watching the weather on TV and also texting staff members who live in or near to Tanworth for updates on the conditions. I must say that on Friday, when I saw photos on social media of roads with lorries and cars stuck I was pleased with the decision made.

Hopefully that will be the last of the snow for this academic year!

Don't forget that on Monday we will be holding the next Parent Focus Group meeting, so please come along.

 

 

 

Thursday 18th January 2018

 

Happy New Year! Wow, I can't believe that we are almost at the end of the second week of the Spring term and Christmas seems such a distant memory! I hope that you and your children all had a fantastic Christmas break.

Don't forget you can keep up to date with what your children are learning by looking at our Curriculum overview and the Class Pages.

Friday 22nd December

November and December have been very busy moths. We have had: a school Open Day, Firework night, Remembrance service, Parents Evening, Nasal Flu vaccinations, Year 2 parents joined their children in a Diwali afternoon, the first Parent Focus Group meeting, Art Base worked with Year 5 and 6 creating art work for the entrance, RE curriculum day on light,  Nursery Christmas Party, a visit to the pantomime, Year 4 café with lots of parents, a Nativity, performance of Babushka, Junior Carol Concert, Party Day, Christmas Lunch, Year 3 Christmas service and lets not forget the snow and the new library and book scheme we have introduced!

Amongst all of this we have ensured that learning opportunities are maximised and that all children are being given a broad and rich curriculum. Teachers have taken part in moderation of learning, Pupil Progress meetings, book trawls and  Numicon training amongst many other activities that make up their roles and responsibilities as a class teacher.

I am sure everybody is ready for a well earned rest and time to recharge their batteries ready for the Spring term.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and I look forward to working with you again in the New Year.

 

 

 

Monday 20th November

 

The half term holiday now seems a distant memory, and I can't believe that we have already completed three weeks of this half term, it won't be long until the countdown to Christmas begins! 

This half term has been busy with the Reception 2018 Open Day, Parents Evening for Nursery and the school, the PTA firework display, the Remembrance service and we have also started to create the new library area in the entrance to the school. 

The school is looking really inviting with some amazing displays of learning. Please take a look in the gallery under the children tab.

'Don't count the days; Make the days count.'

Muhammad Ali

Tuesday 17th October 2017

 

It is time to reflect on this first half term as we edge ever closer to a well earned rest (I say rest, but I have a long list of jobs to work my way through during the half term break). This half term we have welcomed 30 new children into our Reception class, along with 7 new children across the school and 13 new children in to our Nursery. We have also said a sad 'Good bye' to Miss Benton one of our TAs and a warm 'Hello' to Mrs Flower who is supporting in Year 5. We also welcomed Miss Evens as our new Deputy Head and Year 2 teacher.

During the summer months each class teacher was busy planning and preparing new curriculum themes for their year group with a focus on ensuring children are engaged, interested and enjoying their learning, whilst developing the key skills in maths and English. You can find out more by visiting the class pages on the website.

In September we held our 'meet the teacher' evening, which was very well attended, and I spoke to parents about our plans for the year ahead. The main focus for us as a school is to ensure that children leave Tanworth with all the skills they need to grow into the adults of the future. Of course the children need to leave Tanworth with good attainment in Maths and English but also with the life long learning skills they will need in order to succeed i.e. perseverance, stamina, respect, dignity, trust, faith, hope... the list could go on.

There has been a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes, monitoring teaching and learning, to ensure all of our children regardless of their starting points make good progress, and that the learning is well matched to each individual child. We have introduced book covers and had a real push on everyone taking pride in their work and ensuring their presentation is always at its best! There have also been subtle changes to the timetabled day to maximise learning time.

One of the changes that I am most pleased with, is the introduction of a shared Celebration Assembly on a Tuesday. It has been lovely to see so many parents and family members join us to celebrate the achievements of the children in school, whether this is for attainment and effort or for behaviour and manners. The feedback from parents has been really positive.

There is much still to be achieved but together as the 'Tanworth Family' I know we will achieve.

 

 

"If you focus on results,you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results."

 

2/10/17 Monday Again!!!

I hope you all had lovely weekends and are ready for the week ahead at Tanworth! I am really looking forward to the Harvest Service on Friday in church. Today in assembly, the children were having a run through of one of my favourite songs 'Everywhere around me'. It sounded beautiful.

 

25.9.17 Hello Monday

 I hope you all had a lovely weekend, let's hope that we still have some sunshine left to come as we edge further into the Autumn! Today the Governors and I had a walk around the school, popping into classrooms and looking at the displays that have started to appear. We were really impressed by how all the children were engaged in their learning, and the behaviour, as always, was truly excellent. On Friday I will be looking at the work in books, with the Governors, which I am really looking forward to. I know all of the teachers have planned really exciting themes for the children, so I am excited to find out more about the learning opportunities by looking through the books at the work produced.

22.9.17 Happy Friday!

It has been a busy week in school. We have had meet the teacher, Governors meeting, our first celebration assembly and two open the book assemblies. I also spent a lovely morning in our Nursery on Thursday, where I got to play!!! The teachers have also been very busy adding more and more displays of wonderful learning around the school.

I am going to leave you with a little thought of the day.

 

"Everyday may not be good, but there is something good in everyday"

 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend!