PHIZ LABS AT ST ALPHEGE INFANT SCHOOL

Synergy Newsletter
September 2015
Issue 1
‘Educating and nurturing today for all that tomorrow brings’
Collectively we work together to ensure that all our children and young people are successfully
equipped to exceed their aspirations and flourish in an ever-changing world
PHIZ LABS AT ST ALPHEGE INFANT
SCHOOL
Phiz Labs have been created
with the principal aim of stimulating children's interest and
excitement in science, but
they also provide a valuable,
practical training venue for
science teachers. There are
currently nine Phiz Labs in
the Midlands, with St. Alphege
CE Junior School becoming
the tenth. The Lab and resources
have been funded by the Ogden
Trust (a charity aimed at promoting physics in primary and secondary schools). When children use
the Phiz lab, they wear the new
Ogden Trust lab coats and safety
goggles for practical investigations.
The Synergy Science network have now become the Solihull Ogden Trust Primary Partnership. Primary Science Partnerships are an important part of the Ogden Trust's efforts to make physics matter in primary schools. The Trust believe
that through working together, primary schools can access and deliver more inspiring learning opportunities. By becoming a Primary Partnership we have
been able to access funding of £2,500 for the collaborative in order to enable us
to provide an exciting programme of events for the coming year. Science leaders
within schools can share the programme with their schools. It also means that
schools can access the Ogden Trust website and the latest Phizi news is available
for schools to down load at http://www.ogdentrust.com/primary-science/phizzinews
The Trust have also provided funding to set up a Phiz Lab at St Alphege Junior
school the lab is for the entire collaborative to use and as part of our programme
for the coming year we have set up a range of activities for schools to come and
use at the Phiz Lab.
Page 2
Synergy Safety Event at Tudor
A fantastic day was experienced by over 100 pupils from 7 Primary and
Junior Schools with the interest of Safety. Cheswick Green, Dickens Heath,
St Alphege, Monkspath, St Augustine's, Sharmans Cross and Widney all
attended a day which witnessed the collaboration of secondary schools and
primary schools alongside the West Midlands Police and Fire service. Pupils listened to the ever inspirational PC Rob Pedley; had an interactive session with Mr Walker, senior staff at Tudor Grange and then followed
workshop sessions on the topics of Anti-Social Behaviour, Harmful Substances, Safety in Parks, Railways and Canals, Social Media and Weapons. Both the police and fire service gave up a considerable amount of time
and effort and this was very much appreciated by the hard working and
attentive pupils. A special thanks to Tim Evans at the West Midlands Police for his help in coordinating the services which added to the overall impact and also to Sharmans Cross, Widney, St Alphege, Alderbrook and Tudor Grange who produced the workshop material.
"Really enjoyed it and got to meet loads of other children" Sharmans Cross
pupil
"Awesome, PC Pedley is a legend" Widney pupil
"A great day and can we do it again?" St Augustine's pupil
"A tremendous opportunity to openly discuss serious topics, especially just
before the summer break. The pupils can be very proud of themselves and
big thanks to the schools for collaborating so effectively"
Forest School event on June 10th
Page 3
CHESWICK GREEN SCHOOL
Children from Year 2 across Synergy Schools worked together developing a
range of outdoor learning skills.
SCIENCE 3 pupils from St Augustine’s School went to a Wolverhampton University along with other pupils from Synergy schools following a Science Week
project.
Other activities that happened over 2014-15.
SPORTS
FS + KS1 children participated ina dance competition. All the videos were
brilliant, well done to Cranmore Infants who were judged to be the best
dancers. Year 5 learnt how to play Dodge Ball and then entered a competition held at Tudor Grange.
ST GEORGE’S DAY
Page 4
As part of the Synergy Collaboration commitment to educating for the future schools took the opportunity on St
George’s Day to celebrate British Values, cultures and traditions. Year 1 of St Augustine’s School had Afternoon Cream
Tea and St George and the Dragon was seen in Year 2.
Year 6 children took part in a debate on civil rights.
CRANMORE SCHOOL
Children from Year 2 across the Synergy Group of Schools working
together for a morning exploring the theme of ST GEORGE’S DAY
Mayor’s Visit – children from
Synergy Collaboration of Schools
Page 5
held at St Augustine’s School
Children from Year 5 & Year 7 across the
Synergy Schools came together to listen
to the Mayor on the 23rd April 2015 - St
George’s Day.
They listened very attentively and then
asked excellent questions on many aspects of a Mayor’s Life, appointment and
civic duties.
The Mayor told the children the
gown was very special and was
quite heavy.
The Mayor’s Processional Gown
Children from St Augustine’s & Tudor
Grange Schools with the Mayor
Page 6
Teachers Working Together
Synergy working together provides continuous professional development and learning experiences for all its staff.
This helps to ensure that every professional working in a
Synergy School is able to support the collective aims of
the collaborative.
G&T ART WORKSHOP AT
BLOSSOMFIELD INFANT SCHOOL
Children from the Synergy Collaborative gathered at
Blossomfield Infant School to learn about ‘pointillism’.
They looked at examples of artwork in this style and
learned about some of the artists who use this technique
to create artwork. Once inspired by artists such as
Georges Seurat and Paul Signac, each child created
their own unique pointillist piece of art. They then they
collaborated to create 2 large pieces of artwork. The
children thoroughly enjoyed meeting each other and
working as a team to complete some stunning artwork!
Page 7
FUTURE EVENTS PLANNED
FOR 2015-16
AUTHOR—
VISITS
KS1
KS2
SCIENCE WEEK
MUSICAL
PERFORMANCES
The Olympics
Representatives from each
Tudor Grange
Mass Orchestra
Monday 8th February 2016
Safety Event for Year 6 Pupils at Tudor
Grange.
GIFTED & TALENTED EVENTS
Year 2 ‘Arts’ opportunities
school wil show their Scientific
Knowledge at Walsall.
SPORTS
Year 5 Dodge Ball
FS/KS1 Dance