The band in the garage!

Part two of out pioneer training saw the children being introduced to different aspects of Dropbox, but also the creativity of Garage Band. They had the opportunity to explore different instruments, how to record and place on the mixing panel, as well how to review and improve their creations. 

The opportunities for using this software to not just introduce composition skills, but also to provide a creative stimuli to go along side other learning is endless.

The silence in the room, apart from the noise of drum kits, electric guitars and keyboards was a testimony to the level of interest this particular package stirred up. I am sure that it will be a very popular download at home, if not already a well established APP.

Getting ready

It was a real joy today to spend time in our Foundation Stage classes. They are working hard on their part in our Christmas production and as ever it will be a very creative presentation. There is even a bit of eighties music in there somewhere! 

The children have been exploring the theme of winter through their various activities and they were very keen to share with me the things they had learnt. Although I am not sure that I enjoyed the moment when a small group came in from outside where they had been enjoying working with ice. They all seemed very keen to demonstrate to me how cold their hands where! 

As ever the foundation area is full of art work and collages that bring to mind the key aspects of the current theme the children are learning through and the excitement and anticipation that is all part of Advent is very clear to see in all areas. I look forward to my next visit.

A new Nativity scene

The school foyer is always a focus for reflection and interaction which the children always enjoy and participate in. This advent we have a new display that celebrates the story of Christmas.

This week in assemblies our theme is travelling, we are focusing on the journey of the Wise men or Magi as they might have been called. These men gave up the comforts of their homes to travel a great distance, following a star, to find the Christ child. They travelled in faith, there was no certainty about what they might find, although they believed personally that there was enough evidence to convince them to travel and follow the star. 

The recent production of 'The  Nativity' portrays these key characters in the Christmas story in a refreshing way, it's well worth a watch if it appears on our TV screens again this Christmas. The discussion and analysis of what they hope will come to pass is quite fascinating and shows the human aspect that any journey of faith involves. Faith, as the book of Hebrews tells us , is 'being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see'. The Wise men put their faith in the Christ child, but their discovery required a journey, one that was not always easy, one that certainly faced difficulties and opposition, one that they did not make alone, but a journey that was certainly made in faith. We do not have a star in the sky to lead us, but our journey of discovery requires the same faith, but also an awareness of the fact that we travel together, and it is this traveling together that certainly makes a difference.

ICT PIONEERS

Today we launched our first ICT pioneer training event. The vision for this is to train up a number of children in each year group to be able to confidently use our iPads and the software that we will be looking to use in school. The children learnt some housekeeping tips, explored the use of Simpleminds, a mind mapping tool, as well as considering how to use the school's Dropbox facility. 

Two children were chosen from each class and they will receive a number of training sessions over the coming weeks. The first session was certainly enjoyed and all the pioneers were keen to share their new found knowledge and skills.

Angels, decorations and the start of Advent

The school hall has once again been turned into a creative space, adorned with angels and stars. All the children have been working within their class groups to prepare borders and hoops to decorate the main hall. This year's theme builds on the role that angels and a star played in the Christmas story. Both serve to bring good news, both point towards the baby Jesus and both provide direction for those that seek to discover the truth of Christmas.