STEM Go kart update
This week we built the motor cage, attached the motor belt to the rear axle and attached the motor cage to the chassis. We worked well as a team to communicate and problem solve. Harry solved the issue of attaching the belt to the axle and the whole team confidently used spanners to secure the bolts. Next time we plan to insert the seat and attach the rollcage to the go kart chassis.
Playground Meeting 5th March
The Momo Challenge
There has been a lot of media attention given to the ‘Momo’ challenge. The link below offers advice and answers some key questions you may have.
https://parentzone.org.uk/article/three-minute-briefing-momo-challenge
In addition to this advice we would encourage families to have video games and screens used in shared family areas so you can see what kids are doing. This also means they can talk to you more easily about anything that upsets them.
In Roblox, selecting the Restricted setting for your child’s accounts ensures they can only access games that have been checked for appropriateness.
On Youtube select restricted mode so that children cannot access content flagged by the YouTube community as potentially sensitive.
In the event of your child feeling vunerable or distressed by seeing inappropriate material online, there are a number of organisations that can offer direct support to you and your child.
Playground Working Party meets together for the first time
Playground Working Party Meeting Tuesday 26th February 2019
Present: Fletcher P4B, Frankie P4A, Alejandro P5A, Sophie P5B, Christina P6A, Matthew P6B, Mahnoor P7A, Ashkin P7B, Mrs Agate, Mrs Mackay, Mr Burgess
Apologies: None
- Welcome: Mr Burgess : Importance of play – Mr Burgess explained that we spend up to 20% of our school day in the playground. He asked what skills we learn when we are outside, Alejandro said we developed sharing and co-operating, Frankie said we do PE outside and Alejandro said that we also include others in our games. As a group we covered social inclusion, physical development and social and emotional skills as ways we develop during play.
- Aims of the group: What problems do we face? :
Our playground is crowded at times, particularly at morning break.
People can often push into the teepees and P1’s feel they are being pushed off trim trail by bigger pupils.
Different types of bullying behaviour is seen outside. Teasing and verbal insults, physical arguments and exclusion of people from games.
The back playground is cold and shaded and rarely sees the sunshine.
Not enough resources for children to play with outside.
- Action Plan: Plan, Do, Review
Following the ‘Supporting Positive Playground’ document, we plan to use the playground action plan. We have started by gathering views from stakeholders and forming a working party. We completed a pupil questionnaire in the meeting and handed out playground staff questionnaires to be completed before next week. The Senior Leadership Team will observe playground behaviours and identify key issues which need resolved to improve play experiences. These observations will be fed back to the working party.
- Views of children and adults: Distribute pupil surveys, ask PSA volunteer to distribute surveys to supervisors.
- Working party members completed surveys during the meeting. These will be shared next week along with Playground supervisors feedback.
- Decide on main areas for development: Children and staff identified 6 key features to develop at playtime.
More space to play
More equipment for example climbing frames
Play buddies to support play outside
More and better placement of bins
A chillzone for upper pupils
Indoor play options during playtime
Mr Burgess explained that we will explore these 6 key features next week and share our feedback from adult and pupil surveys.
Next meeting Tuesday 5th March 2019