MrsWild's blog
Welcome Back!!!
We are look forward to welcoming the children back on Thursday 9th September 2010!
Manor Press 2 July 2010
Thought for the Week:
"There is a time for daring and a time for caution, and a wise man knows which is called for."
John Keating, Teacher in Dead Poets’ Society
Firwood’s World Cup
As this week’s newsletter is going to press, the World Cup competition is in full swing. I must congratulate you and the children on their kits – they look fabulous as the photos will testify when they appear on the website.
Thank you to Mr. Lengden for his superb organisation and to the rest of the staff for their support.
Firwood’s Got Talent
Firwood certainly has got talent!! We had a huge range of acts from singing and dancing to magic tricks and recitations, from playing musical instruments to impersonations. Piers, Amanda and Simon had a very difficult job choosing the winning acts and would like me to thank all the children for their magnificent performances. The eventual winner was Lady Gaga (CG of Year 5) with the Year 4/5 dance troupe in second place and the V Brothers in third place. There will be another opportunity to see these acts in our final assembly on Tuesday, 13th.
Sports Competitions
Our year 3 – 6 children came third out of six schools in the Athletics competition at Beech House this week. This was a very creditable achievement for a small school. The most outstanding performance came from GK who came first in the Year4 boys 100 metres.
Head’slines
I start my Head’slines this week with a confession. The children have promised me that they will not tell the Tooth Fairy and you must promise too.
As a reward for two excellent sports days and a fabulous performing arts evening, I have given all of the children a “Wild and Whippy” chocolate bar today.
Our very first performing arts evening was more successful than I could have imagined and I thank you for your compliments. What struck me most was the way in which all of the children actually performed – with confidence and grace and a strong awareness of their audience. Once again thank you for your support in watching and bringing the children back for the evening.
The weather was kind for our Strinesdale visits. Most classes managed a picnic and the older children completed the orienteering course with much fun. The children also visited our tree in the Life for a Life forest.
After an incredibly busy half term we are approaching our final week with some very important events to come.
On Tuesday from 4pm to 8pm we have our Open Evening and Art exhibition.
Hopefully, your taste buds were tickled sufficiently last Thursday to want to see more of our Year 6 production, “Lights Camera Action”. The World Premiere begins at 7pm in our hall and everyone is welcome to attend. PLEASE, PLEASE support these magnificent children and their academy award winning director, Mr. Lengden.
Manor Press 28 May 2010
Thought for the Week:
"Before speaking, consider the interpretation of your words as well as their intent."
Andrew Alden
Congratulations
To Mrs. Wroe and Mrs. Harris in the kitchen who have achieved a 5 star rating from Oldham Environmental Health Service for the second year running.
A great achievement!
Value and Habit of Mind for Next Half Term
After the holiday our value will be Responsibility.
Our Habit of Mind is Taking Responsible Risks.
Being adventuresome. Living on the edge of one's competence. Venture Out!
Thinking Skills lessons will focus on Thinking outside the Box.
Manor Press 21 May 2010
Thought for the Week:
"If you just communicate you can get by. But if you skilfully communicate, you can work miracles."
Jim Rohn
"To talk well and eloquently is a very great art, but an equally great one is to know the right moment to stop."
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Head'slines
A huge well done to all who took part in our first swimming gala last Friday. It was a great success and very much enjoyed by everyone. Thank you to the children who participated with such enthusiasm and support for their fellow house members, to the parents for their support and for bringing the children to the venue and to the staff for giving up their Friday evening to assist. The competition was close but the overall winners were the children from ELK.
Manor Press 16 April 2010
Thought for the Week:
"True eloquence consists of saying all that should be said, and that only."
Francois de La Rochefoucald
Head'slines
I hope that you have all had an enjoyable holiday and that the children are well rested and ready for the new term.
Thank You
Thank you to Mrs. Lavinia Bell for collecting so many Tesco computer vouchers for us for the second year running. We are very grateful!
Congratulations
Congratulations to CG in Year 5. Just before the holiday, CG took her grade one violin examination. News came through last week that she has passed with distinction (135 marks out of a possible 150). This is a fantastic achievement, CG. We are very proud of you.
How to help your child to succeed
These workshops designed by Bill Lucas who has written many books on parenting and learning will commence on Tuesday, 20th April at 7pm. They will continue on Tuesday evenings until the end of term with the exceptions of 1st June and 8th June.
Topics included are :
- Being a Parent
- It Starts With You!
- Your Child is a Learner
- Go For It!
- Your Learning Home
- Classrooms on Your Doorstep
- Getting Unstuck
- You’ve Got a Friend
- Words and Sums
- Beyond the School Gates
- Tough Parenting Issues
Manor Press 26 March 2010
Thought for the Week:
"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."
Rudyard Kipling
Value and Habit of Mind
The Value and Habit of Mind for the next half term will be Co-Operation and Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision. Thinking Skills lessons will focus on Dialogue.
Reports On Events
Please check the website for reports on the Strinesdale visits and a report on our Science Week activities. There are also reports on the cross country competition at Bridgewater Hall and the Umbro football tournament.
Sport Relief
Our final total for Sport Relief was £ 270.05.
Thank you for your support.
Head'slines
The end of a term always prompts one to look back and reflect on what has happened. We have been so busy this term particularly with sports events. (My waistline should have reduced considerably with all the running up and down sidelines I seem to have done.)
It has been a very successful term on the sports field and academically. The one constant though is always our wonderful children and the compliments we receive on their behalf, from how well they support one another on the sports fields to how well behaved they are on visits to their attitude and ability to ask pertinent questions within the classroom. One of the dads who came into school to speak to the children during Science Week commented on how well they listened and participated, and said that the children are a credit to us.
I would like to thank all the dads who gave up their valuable time to speak to the children about their work. It gave them a fascinating insight into the world of work and of Science.
Apparently one discussion continued on the cross country field last Saturday!!
Once again, I do urge you to spend time at the weekend on our website. It does contain a mine of information about our school.
Finally, on behalf of the staff I hope that you all enjoy the Easter weekend. We all look forward to welcoming the children back on Monday, 19th April.
Manor Press 19 February 2010
Thought for the Week:
"The most beautiful experience in the world is the experience of the mysterious."
Albert Einstein
Head’slines
Valentine's Disco
Thank you to everyone who supported our Valentine’s Day Disco.
The children responded beautifully to requests to behave well and sit nicely with Mums and Dads whilst supper was served.
Thank you to the staff for giving up their precious relaxation time to ensure that the children had such a wonderful time.
Value and Habit of Mind
This term’s Value is……
Respect.
Our Habit of Mind is Responding with Wonderment and Awe.
Finding the world awesome, mysterious.
Being intrigued with phenomena and beauty.
Have fun figuring it out!
Thinking Skills lessons will focus on....
Thinking through Concepts.
Manor Press 5 February 2010
Thought for the Week:
"Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide."
"When the mind is thinking, it is talking to itself."
Plato
Cross Country
Our Cross Country Team took part in the ISA North Area Cross Country competition in Cheadle on Wednesday. Mr. Lengden and I accompanied a very plucky group of children from Years 4,5 and 6 on a very cold and snowy afternoon. As we got off the coach, it was evident that the competition would require guts and determination. The course was long and quite slushy in places and, with about ten schools participating, we knew the going would be tough but nothing was going to deter our youngsters. There were four races – Year 6 boys, Year 6 girls, Year 5 and under boys and Year 5 and under girls, with over 100 children in each race.
Our Year 4 and 5 girls were first away and they certainly laid down the ground rules. The girls fought their way through the start and all completed the course. This race was followed by the Year 4 and 5 boys. TB led the way for the first part and eventually finished a very creditable 16th. He was closely followed by TD, GR, WA and WL and HM from Year 5 and JG, TB, JS and ET from Year 4. Our Year 6 girls were valiant in their efforts. Congratulations go to AB, OB, DR, RS, FM and EC. Finally, came the Year 6 boys race and we are so proud to let you know that CC came 2nd. He was ably supported by HK. CC received a beautiful silver medal and will go on to represent ISA North in the National Championships later in the term. This is a wonderful achievement. Well done. We are looking forward to supporting you in this competition. The standard at this competition is always high and we are very proud of all of our pupils.
Our boys’ football team go to Grimsby soon to take part in the ISA North Football Tournament. We wish you every success boys!!
Firefighter
We are indebted to Mr. E for arranging for a firefighter to visit Firwood Manor soon. Mr. D is one of Greater Manchester’s firefighter hero rescuers who helped save two year old Mia from earthquake ravaged Haiti. He will speak to the children about the difficult conditions they worked in and will bring a rescue dog to demonstrate the fantastic work these dogs do.
Manor Press 22 January 2010
Thought for the Week:
"I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think."
Socrates
School Council
The children have suggested that we raise money for the recent earthquake in Haiti. We would like every child to bring a donation on Monday.
Website Addtions
The latest photographs added to the website for public viewing are as follows:
All In One Garden Centre (Christmas Holiday Club)
Christmas Celebration
Firwood Manor in the Snow
Lledr Hall 2009
Strinesdale Autumn 2009
Young Voices 2009
Manor Press 18 January 2010
Thoughts for the Week:
"To be able to concentrate for a considerable time is essential to difficult achievement."
Bertrand Russell
"If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right"
Mary Kay Ash
School Council
We now have everything in place to begin our own composting and on Thursday, Jo Stanley from Oldham Council came to speak to the School Council about composting so that they can kick start our initiative. The pictures will be on the website this weekend.
Pupil News
A pupil in Year 5 has made some amazing snow sculptures, pictures of which are on the website. The Russian church was part of his project work on Russia and shows an ingenious way of fulfilling the task. These pictures are so fantastic that they should have been on national television!!
Manor Press 16 December 2009
Thoughts for the Week:
"Change is fun and exciting and, like a new haircut, looks funny at first; but once you get used to it, it’s great."
Anne Blair
"If you never change your mind, why have one?"
Edward de Bono
We would like to wish everyone a very peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year.
Head'slines
We all had a fabulous time at the MEN Arena last Tuesday evening. We sang our prepared songs alongside thousands of children from other schools from as far afield as Kirby Lonsdale and Liverpool. We were also entertained by the fantastic girl group “All Angels”. The children sang their hearts out and danced until they could dance no more. It truly was a wonderful experience and many of our youngsters immediately asked if we could go again next year. Many thanks to our parents for their support.
We have had a super term. Our website is testament to the many varied activities and sporting events in which our youngsters have been involved this term. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Wild for all his hard work in keeping the website up to date and making it such a vibrant reminder of what our school is about. Please take the time to browse through it during the holiday. The password remains unchanged until January.
Many thanks too to the staff for enabling our pupils to show off their acting skills so well in our Christmas productions. The standard was once again set by the Foundation Stage and ably maintained by Years 1,2 and 3. The Christmas celebrations were completed with the Emergent Stage’s evening of readings and carols. We are hoping that Father Christmas thinks we have been good enough to warrant a visit on Wednesday. I am always reminded of the child who said, “Christmas should be sooner because children can only be good for so long.”
All that remains is for us to wish you a happy and safe Christmas holiday. We look forward to seeing you all again on Monday, 4th January 2010.
Value and Habit of Mind for next term:
Our value next term is Self-Discipline and our Habit of Mind is Thinking about Thinking. Thinking skills lessons will focus on de Bono’s Direct Attention Thinking Skills.
Website Additions
The latest FMfm Pupils' Blogs added are as follows:
Please also check A Good Sport for reports on sports fixtures.
Christmas Cards
Our fabulous Christmas cards are still on sale. Please support your child’s class’s artwork and chosen charity.
You will find them all displayed on the website.
Manor Press 4 December 2009
Thoughts for the Week:
"A person can grow only as much as his horizon allows."
John Powell
"You are the one who can stretch your own horizon."
Edgar F. Magnin
School Council News
A particular page on the website is to be opened for School Council News with details of our charity fundraising.
Christmas Cards
Our fabulous Christmas cards are now on sale. Please support your child’s class’s artwork and chosen charity. Unfortunately, we have already sold out of Year 3s.
You will find them all displayed on the website.
Sports Events
This week our Year 4 boys took part in the Gems Tournament at the Soccerdome and the Year 5 & 6 team have played more league games at Chapel Road.
Soon we welcome Hull Collegiate School’ soccer team, whom we have drawn in the second round of the Umbro Cup. The boys will be joining us for lunch afterwards. You are welcome to support us if you are able.
Website Additions
The latest FMfm Pupils' Blogs added are as follows:
Please also check A Good Sport for reports on sports fixtures.
STOP PRESS: The next newsletter will go to press on Tuesday, 15th December.
Manor Press 27 November 2009
Thought for the Week:
"Change cannot be avoided. Change provides the opportunity for innovation. It gives you the chance to demonstrate your creativity."
Keshavan Nair
Head’slines
From time to time I receive letters from past pupils. It is always lovely to read their news and to learn how well they are settling into secondary school life. It is very reassuring that they seem to attack secondary education with such verve and enthusiasm. Most secondary schools take the new intake away on a residential course very early in the new term. Because of the residential experiences here at Firwood, I know that this is one area which doesn’t phase them one little bit.
Matthew wrote, “Last week we went to Plas Menai. We did lots of fun activities such as canoeing, sailing, rock climbing, windsurfing and power boating. My favourite was windsurfing even though I did get stuck on the other side of the lake and had to be rescued. It was so much fun that I didn’t want to go back to school.”
I am sure that Mrs. Wroe will be heartened to know that Michael is missing her lunches. The ones at his new school are OK but not a patch on Firwood’s.
School Council News
Thank you for your support for Children In Need and especially for all the wonderful toys you brought in for the Toy Sale. We raised over £400.
On Wednesday we presented our cheques to Christies, Macmillan Cancer Support and Link 4 Pink. Please look out in the Oldham Evening Chronicle for our picture and write up.
Our Pudsey Bear made using pennies.
Website Additions
Please check A Good Sport for reports on sports fixtures.
Manor Press 20 November 2009
Thoughts for the Week:
"Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."
Michael Jordan
"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."
Michael Jordan
Please note there is no official newsletter this week. However, please read the articles below.
Children In Need
Please remember Children In Need is this week. Please click Pudsey on the left for more information.
We will inform parents in the next newsletter how much we have raised.
Book Reading
We were privileged to have local author, Adam Perrott, in school on Thursday. Adam read some of his first published book, Eerie Deirdre Darkly, to the children.
The feedback received was very positive and the children thoroughly enjoyed it. Adam has been in a few schools now and he was very impressed with our children, both their behaviour and also the questions they asked him. We have some copies of the book in school so if anyone would like one (parents included) they can be purchased from the school office at a reduced price of £5. They are selling fast but we can obtain more to meet demand.
For more information about the book please click on the front cover above.
Website Additions
The latest FMfm Pupils' Blogs added to the website are as follows:
Horrible Histories at The Opera House
Beamish
Visit from a Doctor
Please also check A Good Sport for reports on sports fixtures.
Manor Press 13 November 2009
Thoughts for the Week:
"I dwell in possibility."
Emily Dickinson
"A wise man changes his mind. A fool never will."
Spanish Proverb
Please regularly check the FMfm Pupils' Blog for reports on visits and A Good Sport for sports reports.
School Council News
Children in Need
All children may come to school in their own clothes next Friday, 20th November. In exchange for this privilege, the children should bring a £2 donation to Children in Need. This includes a Pudsey Bear cake. (Please note that toast will NOT be sold next Friday.) We shall also hold our customary Toy Sale which gives you the opportunity to clear unwanted toys prior to Father Christmas’s arrival with a sackful of new ones. The children should bring no more than 50p to spend at the Toy Sale. We would be grateful for donations of unwanted toys and books from Monday. Finally, we hope to make a Pudsey from loose change so would be grateful for a clear out of coins from your pockets and purses!!
Cheque presentations
We are organising a press release on our fundraising when we shall present our cheques for the Christies at Oldham Appeal, Macmillan Cancer Support and Link 4 Pink. If you remember we raised money last term for Christies at Oldham through Firwood’s Got Talent. The final amount was £462.78.
Head'slines
We were very proud of the children on Wednesday when we held our two minutes silence. They were absolutely silent and full of respect. In the words of one of our Reception children, “It was very solemn.”
School life is so busy at the moment that I can hardly keep track of all the events. The football league has begun at Chapel Road and I am pleased to report that so far we are unbeaten.
Manor Press 6 November 2009
Thought for the Week:
"If you are too attached to your own thinking and how everything is done now, then nothing will change for the better."
John C. Maxwell
Head'slines
Our new half term has started very well with all staff reporting that the children were raring to go this week. It seems to have been a very calm week but things begin to hot up next week with meetings for parents for residential visits and another visit for Years 4 and 5 to enhance their work on the Victorians.
Manor Press 23 October 2009
Thoughts for the Week:
"Listening is a hug you give with your mind."
Barbara Nixon
"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
Winston Churchill
"Listen as though your life depended on it. It does."
The Art of Pilgrimage
Head'slines
We have had a wonderful half term. The children all appear to have been working hard and certainly deserve a good rest at half term. We have had our usual share of compliments from a variety of people, from the people who received harvest parcels to the staff at Morrisons, from visitors to the school even to workmen outside the Maritime Museum!! One of the qualities which has been mentioned over and over again is the type of questions our children ask. I am really proud of them for that one. Please see the FMfm Pupils’ Blog on our website for more information and reports on our visits. Please also see "A Good Sport" for a match report from our recent game with Mills Hill.
Have a lovely holiday!!
School Council News
Thank you again for all your support for our charities so far this academic year. Our final totals are as follows:
Macmillan Cancer Support: £835
Seeds for Africa: £297.79
Link 4 Pink: £382.35
A Grand Total of £1515.14
Value and Habit of Mind
Our Value for next half term is...
Generosity
Our Habit of Mind is...
Thinking Flexibly
Changing perspectives, generating alternatives, considering options. Look at it another way!
Thinking Skills lessons will focus on...
Hyerle’s Thinking Maps and Concept Cartoons
Manor Press 16 October 2009
Thought for the Week:
"If you can learn a simple trick, you’ll get along a lot better with all kind of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
Harper Lee, To Kill a Mocking Bird
School Council News
Thank you for your support for the Link 4 Pink Charity today and well done to everyone who managed to wear something pink, especially the boys. We will give you an update next week of all our fund raising so far this term.
Artsmark Silver Certificate
Firwood Manor is pleased to announce that we have received our certificate for the Artsmark Silver award from The Arts Council.
It is now proudly displayed in our entrance hall.
Manor Press 9 October 2009
Thoughts for the Week:
"It is understanding that gives us an ability to have peace. When we understand the other fellow’s viewpoint, and he understands ours, then we can sit down and work out the differences."
Harry S. Truman
"Silent and listen are spelled with the same letters."
School Council News
On Friday, 16th October, we shall be supporting the Link 4 Pink Day. The children may come in their own clothes but should wear something pink. They should bring a £2 donation and 50p for a Link 4 Pink cake.
Manor Press 2 October 2009
Thoughts for the Week:
"The first duty of love is to listen."
Paul Tillich
"The simple act of paying attention can take you a long way."
Keanu Reeves
Head'slines
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Our annual Harvest Festival is due to take place next week on 8th October and all parents and grandparents are cordially invited. We aim to start at 9am. I would like to inform you that this is not regarded as a performance by the children, more a sharing of a special assembly with yourselves.
We look forward to seeing many of you next Thursday to share this special event with us.
School Council News
We raised a fantastic £835 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Thank you for all your support.
On 16th October we shall be supporting Link for Pink Day so please read next week’s newsletter for more information.
Manor Press 25 September 2009
European Languages Day
On Thursday, 1st October we are holding an activity day to celebrate the European Languages Day. This is a day which was first celebrated in 2001 and which has continued to grow in success. Many primary and secondary schools throughout the country participate in celebrating the rich cultural diversity in Europe.
The children in Years 1 to 6 will be split into groups representing six different countries: Italy, Germany, Portugal, Romania, Poland and Switzerland. We would like the children to dress in their own clothes in the colours of their country. The Year 4,5 and 6 classes should also research 5 interesting facts about their country which they will share with the whole school in the end of day assembly.
Throughout the day the children will participate in various activities, eg. German taster lesson, boules, craft, singing, language activities and a traditional French breakfast.
Foundation Stage children (Nursery and Reception) will do their own activities and should wear their own clothes predominantly red, white and blue.
Manor Press 18 September 2009
Thoughts for the Week:
"Never mind what others do; do better than yourself, beat your own record from day to day, and you are a success."
William J.H. Boetcker
"If you want to be listened to, you should put in time listening."
Marge Piercy
Head'slines
Thank you for your wonderful support this week both in attending our parents’ workshops for reading and spelling and also in joining us for breakfast this morning. We still have not got our final total but we do appear to be approaching the £800 mark. This will definitely be the best total we have had for Macmillan Cancer Support.
There was a lovely atmosphere in the hall this morning. None of us can remember a breakfast morning with so many parents in attendance. Thank you also to Mrs. Wroe and Mrs. Harris for making it for us and to Mrs. Toms for organising the day.
Have a lovely weekend.
Spanish Success at Firwood Manor!
Felicidades or congratulations! to all of last year's Yr 6 pupils who sat and passed the Listening and Reading papers of the Asset Languages Breakthrough Examination. This is the first step of the DCSF Languages Ladder initiated by The Government to provide some continuity in MFL between Primary and Secondary schools. The children worked really hard and can look forward to receiving their certificates soon. The current Yr 6 will hopefully be sitting this examination in May.
Mrs. Woodward
Thank you, Mrs. Woodward for helping us to achieve such high standards in our Modern Foreign Languages.
Manor Press 11 September 2009
Thoughts for the Week:
"It is the province of knowledge to speak and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen."
Oliver Wendell Holmes
Head'slines
We have come to end of our first full week and most of our old routines have been re-established.
We have a full programme of events next week starting with the theatre visit for Years 4,5 & 6 on Monday. The “Reading” Meeting for Reception parents on Tuesday at 7pm. At this meeting we help you to understand how children become readers and how you can best help them at home. It is also a good opportunity to speak with Mrs. Greenwood and Mrs. Patterson about how well your child is settling into the Reception class.
As per my letter last week, the meeting for Year 1 parents is now on Thursday, 17th at 7pm. At this meeting we give you tips on how to help your child with learning spellings. Again, it is also a good opportunity to speak with Mr. Woodward about your child and I also want to use the meeting as an open forum to discuss any queries or issues parents may have.
We are looking forward to raising a HUGE amount of money for Macmillan Cancer next week. Please don’t forget that the children may come to school in their own clothes, including a green item, and that they should bring a £3 donation.
On Thursday the individual photographs will be taken. The children should wear full Winter uniform. Please let us know how you would like family groups to be taken, ie. siblings together and separately or just together etc. We are happy to accommodate your wishes and if you have a younger child not at the school he/she may be photographed as well. These photographs will be taken at 8.45am.
On Tuesday, 8th December, our choir will take part in Young Voices at the MEN Arena. This is a national event taking place at different venues across the country. It raises money for the CLIC Sargent Cancer Fund for children. The children will bring home all the information on Monday. This will include an order form for tickets for parents if they wish to come along too. It is an evening event but the rehearsals take place in the afternoon and the children will have a packed tea at the MEN.
Have a lovely weekend.
Welcome Back
We look forward to welcoming the children back to school on Thursday 3rd September.
