A.    We have had a great week out of school on the Isle of Wight and I’m sure the children will have stories to tell for days to come.  They have had a pleasure to be taken away and have been complimented on numerous occasions by the school staff.  They got involved in all activities, supported each other through difficult challenges but most importantly entertained their teachers with their smiles and comments.

B.     The education committee says there is evidence of boards which offer the easiest tests. Schools are said to choose exams that will make them look good in local league tables. The committee calls for exam boards to be limited in the right to set their own tests to prevent a decline in standards. It recommends a technical and regulatory fix to stop what it says is a "public loss of confidence in exams such as GCSEs and A-levels”. This includes tighter regulation of what is recognized as one of these qualifications.

C.    Pupils in England who fail to achieve at least a C grade at GCSE in English and Maths will have to carry on taking the subjects to the age of 18, the government has announced. Too many teenagers who leave education without adequate skills in literacy and numeracy are not needed by employers. It will see some pupils re-taking GCSEs and others taking less demanding tests, aimed at improving basic skills. This will apply from September 2013. The changes are set out in a written ministerial statement from Education Secretary Michael Gove.

D.    Class teachers are responsible for the children’s welfare and delivery of the curriculum. Work is planned jointly, in Year Teams of three teaching staff with close contact, communication and support from our teaching assistant team. During planning, Year Teams share the preparation of work, drawing on different experiences, knowledge to ensure work is relevant and well matched to meet the needs of the children.  In this way, we are able to use the strengths of a large staff team and improve the quality of learning and teaching.

E.     Schools were attached to monasteries and churches to educate clerics who were the civil servants and the scholars of the time as well as monks, nuns and priests. Education had no direct control by the state, the church had been almost a monopoly of literacy and education. There were chantry schools for boys from poor families, beating was highly recommended in such schools and was an important part of education. Song schools were attached to cathedrals and almonry schools were attached to monasteries for sons of those connected with the religious house.

F.     Our school starts at 8:55 with registration. At 9:10 we go to assembly. In assembly we sing songs, listen to a story and pray. Our first lesson begins at 9:20. We have break time from 10:20 until 10:35. During break time, the children have a snack and play games outdoors. Afterwards, we go back in for another lesson until lunch at 12:00. Afternoon lessons begin at 1:10 and end at 3:15, when the children go home. We do not have a break in the afternoon.

G.    Camp Buckskin located at 8100 Wayzata Boulevard in Golden Valley Minnesota is one of many at risk summer camps for teens. Camp Buckskin defines their goals as having a two-fold purpose, and that is in serving as a preventive program, and secondly acts as a bridge from one school year to the other. While at camp teens are exposed to the necessary daily life to develop habits and behaviors to improve their self confidence, social skills, academics and self esteem. Through the skills acquired during the summer camp programs, students leave with a sense of accomplishment which they carry over into their new school year.

Fab Things About Woodlands

Hi, our names are Ashleigh, Rachel, Chloe and Maddie. We are all in class 3Wa.

We have lots of news from Woodlands Junior School. We hope you like reading about us, here are the top ten best things about our school.

1. At Woodlands we have raised money for many charity programmes.

2. We have a lot of fun days called Rainbow Days where we pay money to dress up in lots of different coloured clothes.

3. We are having a New Building that is progressing very well. It started on 10th of December 2005 and it is now growing steadily each day and hopefully it will be completed in a few months time.

4. We have a set of rules at Woodlands otherwise known as The Woodlands Code. These are the four Code words: Care, Consideration, Courtesy and Community.

5. Pupils and teachers have been on TV many times. We all enjoy watching ourselves on TV.

6. We have had many important visitors. The Mayor of Tonbridge is one of them.

7. Keeping Fit is important to us.

8. Our School Dinners are delicious and healthy.

9. Teddy Trousers (Teddy with really long legs) is our Head Teacher’s best friend and helps him in assemblies.

10. Every pupil has the opportunity to join after school clubs. Here they are: choir, country dancing, cross country running, judo, football, netball and computer club.

A 7          The three girls write about the main points of their school.

                1) True                    2) False                       3) Not stated

A 8          Children at Woodlands pay money for new clothes.

                1) True                    2) False                       3) Not stated

A 9          Children at school are expecting a new building for their needs.

                1) True                    2) False                       3) Not stated

A 10        Woodlands have code words to enter the school.

                1) True                    2) False                       3) Not stated

A 11       Children at school like watching TV a lot.

               1) True                     2) False                       3) Not stated

A 12       Woodlands are supported by the local mayor.

               1) True                     2) False                       3) Not stated

A 13       The school has a lot of sports facilities.

               1) True                     2) False                       3) Not stated

A 14       Schoolchildren have a chance to socialize after classes.

               1) True                     2) False                       3) Not stated