We are at the end of the first half of the Autumn term and we have so much to celebrate and share. We had a lovely Effort Cup assembly this morning, with Goslings joining us for the first time. Their behaviour was amazing!
Effort Cup Awards
The Effort Cups are awarded to children that have shown a continued and excellent attitude to their learning or have significantly changed how much effort they have put into their work. A child from every class is nominated with an EYFS/KS1 and a KS2 winner being selected.
Congratulations to Jesse and Arthur for being our overall winners.
Science Stars
Science Stars are awarded to a child in every class from Year 1 upwards. This is to recognise their enthusiasm or passion for science or for someone who has made great progress in the subject.
New Reporting Arrangements
Following feedback in the last parent survey, we are changing how we report your child's progress and attainment to you across the year. Feedback indicated that parents wanted more regular and timely information about how their child was doing in class. Balancing this alongside a teacher's workload, I hope our new system will give you more effective and timely information so that you can support your child in their education. More details are below and I have also put together a one-page factsheet as well.
Learning Consultations
We will be adding an additional Learning Consultation into the summer term and changing the timing of the Spring Learning Consultation. These sessions will happen in the first half term of Autumn, Spring and Summer term.
We ask that the children do not sit in on the Autumn and Spring meetings but are welcome to attend the Summer meeting to celebrate their achievements. We will provide child care facilities for the Autumn and Spring meetings.
Report Cards
Once the children have completed their assessments at the end of each term and teachers have moderated children's work parents will receive a short Report Card detailing the children’s achievements in Reading, Writing and Maths. The Summer term Report Card will be slightly longer and report on all national curriculum subjects.
Drop - in Sessions
We will continue to have three drop in sessions across the year so that you can view the children’s work.
Goslings Class will continue to have their special weeks rather than receiving Report Cards and having Learning Consultations.
I hope that these changes will give you more opportunities to engage with class teachers about your child’s learning and give you a more frequent and timely update on your child’s progress. We will trial the structure for a year and make any necessary tweaks for 2025/2026.
Train to be a Teacher in DEEP (Dunmow Excellence in Education Partnership)
I’m excited to announce that the DEEP group of schools, which Rodings is a part of, will be offering primary initial teacher training from September 2025. Training will occur locally in the extended Dunmow area with opportunities to train in ten schools that make up the partnership. It is hoped that the opportunity to train locally and within ten varied and dynamic schools will attract more people to choose a career in teaching. It is the best job in the world!
There will be a launch event on 27th November at Great Dunmow Primary School. An attached flyer has more details on how to sign up for the event. The launch event is for possible trainees to hear staff across the schools discuss training opportunities, see presentations from Headteachers and listen to new teachers that have recently qualified.
Please share the flyer with friends and family who may be interested.
Open Morning - Prospective Parents for September 2025
Please save the date! We will be holding an open morning for prospective parents who would like their children to start in September 2025. There will be tours by our Year 6 children and a Headteacher's talk for parents to ask questions. The morning runs from 9:30am to 11:30am with the Headteacher's talk at 10:30am. Please spread the word!
Parking
I have had several complaints about parking over the last few weeks. These have come from residents, the Parish Council and parents. Please be very considerate when parking, especially around the pedestrian crossing. There have been a few near misses recently as cars and large trucks are parking on the zig-zags. Consequently, blocking a clear view for pedestrians and drivers.
Once again, thank you so much for all your support this half-term.
Whatever you are doing, have a brilliant half-term!
Mr Raraty
