Metheringham Primary School News Winter 2011

Our 38 new Reception class pupils have now settled into school and are being well supported by Miss Meyerhoff, Mrs Flintham, Mrs Thackray, Mrs Jones and Mrs Wray. They, along with some of their Year 1 classmates, have been out on Autumn walks, held puppet shows and have enjoyed celebrating Halloween in school in true spooky style.

The Harvest Assembly took place in school at the beginning of October. Our new Reception parents were invited to attend and see their children take part in their first school performance. Our Year 6 pupils led the assembly and everyone took part either by singing, writing and reciting poetry or acting in a harvest play. Harvest donations were sent to the New Life Church Community Larder in Sleaford.

Once again the school held a themed week on the Expressive Arts. Pupils spent time working on a number of large pieces of artwork to be displayed in and out of school. The focus of the week was 'the seasons' and pupils worked on large seasonal pictures by Klimt, Van Gogh, Kandinsky, Monet and Hockney. Time was also spent exploring music and writing poetry. Our Early Years cloakroom has been transformed by seasonal trees and large pieces of artwork. A huge thank you goes to Miss Vrettos, one of our new teachers, who organised this week for the staff and children.

Mrs Freeman's, Mrs Pattison's and Mrs Jones' classes spent a day visiting Skegness to help them with their topic on the Victorians. Pupils looked at how Skegness had changed since Victorian times. Despite a blustery day by the sea, a good time was had by all. These classes are set to visit St Katherine's centre in Lincoln to experience a Victorian Christmas at the end of this term.

Once again Metheringham Primary School has been successful at the Lincolnshire Awards for Film, Teamwork and Achievement more commonly known as the LAFTAs. Our 6 Year 2 stars collectively filmed, directed, acted in, edited and produced their film 'Isambard Kingdom Brunel' and picked up a LAFTA for winning the Early Years non fiction category. In addition to this, our pupils also won the Patrons Award LAFTA for the best primary school film at the event. This is the second time in the past 3 years that Metheringham has picked up such a prestigious award. Our pupils, their parents and staff enjoyed picking up their prizes at a spectacular awards ceremony at the Engine Shed in Lincoln.

Mr Wall's and Mrs Ullyatt's classes have held a 'Super Hero' day. Pupils, and staff, made their own costumes and dressed up as the hero that they had invented. They then had to solve problems, be challenged with brain teasers and face physical challenges to test their super powers. Pupils have used their experiences from this day to help them with their maths, story writing and film making.

Christmas will soon be upon us all and we have our fingers crossed that our Christmas events will not be disrupted by heavy snow falls like the ones we experienced last year. We are looking forward to our Christmas fair, infant plays, talent shows, parties and carol services that have been planned.

We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from us all at Metheringham Primary School.

Elspeth McMenemie Head Teacher