School Blog, Week ending 3rd October
Spotlight on our English Department. “As a department, we aim to encourage the development of sensitive, articulate, and thoughtful individuals who can use language effectively and appropriately in a wide range of situations. We reinforce specific values and objectives that are linked with whole school aims. Our aim is to enable students to develop into sensitive, critical, and efficient readers who form the habit of reading for pleasure, interest, and information. In discussions and written work, we foster rational attitudes and arguments that are free of prejudice and supported by evidence.” Mrs Evans, Head of English
To view the ‘Learning Journey’ for each Year groups, please click here ENGLISH – Stone Lodge School
Miss Haynes, Teacher of English. Dual coding is an interactive teaching method that integrates information in varying formats – text, images, diagrams and in this case, signing – into lessons to help students process and organise new information.
Underpinning this strategy is the theory that working memory processes visual and spatial information differently from auditory information. As such, dual coding covers both bases to increase the possibility that learning will stick! Miss Haynes and her Year 7 English class are recapping their analytical writing topic, combining their written work with a signing competition! Great work everyone!
Welcome to Mrs Bunea, Teacher of English. This cycle my Year 7 students have been exploring Greek Mythology, which we are all enjoying! I have been reading with the students in class, and we have been discussing Creation Myths, the Epic of Gilgamesh and Greek Mythology so far. We will be looking into The Iliad and Odyssey in the weeks to come.
In addition to classroom lessons, we have one library lesson a week where students are able to make their own personal reading choices and have an opportunity for quiet reading.
Mrs Bunea joins us with 20 years teaching experience and is a keen to inspire a culture of reading for pleasure .. and taking full advantage of our incredibly well-stocked library!
Our PTFA have certainly contributed to that ambition and have sponsored the Book Buzz scheme, funding the purchase of a free book for every Year 7. Thank you so much for your generosity, and as you can see from the below photos .. the students are loving their new books!
Over the past couple of years our PTFA have made a significant impact on school life. Form offering pre-loved uniform, pencil cases, and so much more …
This year we would love to see the PTFA grow, to be able to help build the wider school community, and make an impact in all the lives of the students. To do that we need your help. Would you consider supporting the works of the PTFA and enhance our wonderful school community?
Please come along to our PTFA interest meeting on:
When : Wednesday 9th October
Time : 5.30pm -6.30pm
Venue : In the school hall
To mark National Poetry Day, Mrs Evan’s Year 8 students have been creating their own poem on this year’s theme ‘counting’. For inspiration, students read and discussed the poem ‘Inventory’ by poet Lorraine Mariner (featured below). Aiming to inspire a love of poetry, this annual event provides a fantastic opportunity to explore and celebrate poetry. From engaging with familiar poems, to the creative fulfilment of writing our own, we support our student to explore self-expression and get creative!
Mr Hoque, Techer of English also joined us this academic year. Some of you will have already met Mr Hoque as he is also a Year 7 form tutor. “I am enjoying getting to know our students as we all settle into a new school environment, we have been made to feel incredibly welcome by our Stone Lodge community of staff and students!” Mr Hoque is an experienced specialist English teacher with additional experience as Head of Year in secondary school settings. Additionally, Mr Hoque is a talented footballer and coach and is looking forward to supporting our school teams in the Kent schools’ leagues! In the below photos, Mr Hoque and his form 7G reviewing their Knowledge Organisers.
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Our Art Club meets every Tuesday after school providing a calm and creative space for students to explore self-expression and interpersonal skills. Taking part in art club can improve focus by calming your brain and helping your body to relax – and its great fun too! Everyone is welcome! This month we will be taking part in the Inktober Challenge – to create 31 drawings over 31 days! Each day provides a ‘prompt’ start point to inspire your work. If you would like to join in at home the daily ‘themes’ are below, or for more details please click here Inktober.
Below, students are free to embark on a project of their choice, using the many resources available!
Graphic design with Year 7. Mrs Jackson’s students have been working on a design brief to create their own logo. Students first researched graphic design artists’ work, considering the importance of impactful design for consumer brands. As you can see from the below images, students have really considered the design of their creative letters and refined their design before producing a final logo. Their logos will be incorporated into their mini skateboards which they will be making in design technology.
As part of our commitment to delivering meaningful PSHE curriculum and wellbeing support we enjoyed a very special perfomance by singer, songwriter Danny Mellin. Danny is a great advocate of maintaining positive mental health – exploring your interests, and following your dreams! Danny delivered a brilliant accoustic set of his original songs and discussed strategies and tactics for good mental health, as well as advice on staying safe online. Students clearly enjoyed the performance, staying to chat to Danny about playing the guitar, song writing .. and asking for autographs! To find out more about Danny’s music and his upcoming concerts click here Music | Danny Mellin (bandcamp.com)
Our SL6 correspondent, Year 13 student Harvey has contributed the below item;
“The Year 13 cohort have been taking their first steps in preparation for our future options and career pathways. Over the last 2 weeks, we have been creating our personal statements, covering letters and CVs to send off to potential apprenticeships, universities and full-time jobs for when we depart SL6 in May. We work with the platform UCAS which offers brilliant tips on how to apporach your personal statement and stand out from the crowd. UCAS is a great resource for researching future options, and to directly apply for university places and tips on success application processes. To view the UCAS parent/carer guide visit Parent, Guardian and Carer Guide | Undergraduate, Conservatoires | UCAS”
Our recent welcome and expectation evenings provided an opportunity to meet key year group staff including Form tutors, Head of Year, Student Managers and members of SLT. Thank you to all families who have attended, it was wonderful to see so many of you! If you were unable to attend or would like to reference the presentations; they can be viewed on our website here;
Year 12 – Click here
Year 11 – Click here
Year 10 – Click here
Year 9 – Click here
Year 8 – Click here
Year 7 – Click here – was a meet the tutor event – the transition booklet can be viewed here
I’d like to share another important ‘welcome’! Ms Cambridge, Teachers Assistant brought a very special visitor to school this week. Iris Victoria Cambridge was born on 8th August weighing in at 4lbs 11oz, it was lovely to meet you!
The Great British Bake Off is back on Channel 4 and Miss West is very excited. She is challenging you to make one of the cooks from this week’s episode.
Give it a watch and see the mistakes they make whilst they are making loaf cakes with a marbled sponge and amazing flavours. Or you could make some mini Battenberg’s. GBBO, has shared a recipe on their website.
Paul Hollywood’s Mini Battenbergs – The Great British Bake Off | The Great British Bake Off
You don’t have to make the jam and marzipan. You can also put your own twist on it.
Have fun and take some photos to email to Miss West
This week Hawking has edged ahead to take pole position on the House Point score board! Well done to everyone who has contributed to their House total. Special congratulations to the highest scoring forms from each year group ..
7C
8H
9A
10F
11D
Our Librarian, Mrs Nguyen, had a fantastic opportunity this summer to work as a volunteer for National Library Board in Singapore. NLB is a statutory board that currently manages the National Library, a network of 28 public libraries, National Archives of Singapore, as well as a digital library that encompasses a range of electronic resources. She gained valuable experience in librarianship in South East Asia where 95% of population reads for pleasure – working in some of the most modern libraries in the world. The national libraries of Singapore house books in all 4 official languages of Singapore: English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil!
Based in one of the biggest libraries on the island (500.000 books) she was involved in helping patrons to navigate library services (how to use NLB Mobile App, eResources, digital registrations, answering enquiries and of course shelving books!
Libraries in Singapore are very busy places that offer more than books. Librarians and vetted and approved NLB volunteers also run an amazing array of programs and activities for children and adults. Libraries, all 28 of them, are hubs for learning, reading, socialising and more. Many buildings are super modern and very beautiful inside, often built in places with gorgeous views and amazing water features inside! Singaporeans also seek shelter there to avoid scorching heat – 35 degrees every day! For those unable to get to the library there is always Molly the Mobile Library.
Forthcoming Dates;
Year 9 & 12 Financial Education Workshop – 1 & 3 Oct
Year 7-11 Flu Vaccines – 4 Oct
PTFA Meeting – if you are interested in joining our PTFA, please come along! EVERYONE IS WELCOME – Wednesday 9 Oct 5.30-6.30pm in the school hall
Year 12 NCS Residential Teambuilding Trip – 7-11 Oct
Year 6 Open Mornings – 14-16 & 18 Oct
Year 6 Open Evening – 17 Oct
Year 10 Careers Insights – 24 Oct
Year 13 Grade Reports home – 25 Oct
Last Day of Term 1 – 25 Oct
First Day of Term 2 – 7 Nov
Best wishes,
Gavin Barnett
Head Teacher
