Ofsted Report April 2010 (May 2010)
Gainsborough,a school where: "The good leadership of both the head of school and the deputy headteacher has successfully steered the school through the continuing period of change, the teachers make lessons exciting and make the children feel important and the well-organised care, support and guidance arrangements make a strong contribution to pupils' well-being and learning." Ofsted April 2010.
Thank you so much to the 86 parents who returned questionnaires to the inspection team, your feedback is gratefully received and helps us identify the next steps on our journey.
An Afternoon of Spelling Fun & mess... (April 2010)
For anyone with children in key stage 1, who finds practising spellings to be the last thing their child wants to do when they get home (…or even if you just want to have some fun!), Rachel Phipp (Year 1 Gold Class Teacher) would like to invite you to: An afternoon of spelling fun and mess.
Rachel will be in the key stage 1 playground on Friday 7th May from 3.30pm-4.00pm with lots of creative and hassle free ideas! Feel free to pop along and stay as long as you like.
Opportunities for Learning at Gainsborough... (April 2010)
Francessca Paliotta and Carol Lewis will be in the playground on Wednesday afternoon (28th April) at 3:30pm, to ask parents briefly about your views on Parental Involvement and Family Learning.
Your views and opinions are crucial to the development of future opportunities.
Parent Ideas... (April 2010)
At Gainsborough, we know that after the children, the next most important people in the school community are the parents and carers and we need your help to know what you would like from the school. Would you like to be more involved? How can we use your many talents and skills to support more of our children? What can we do for you? Would you like more social events? What events would you like the school to host? Please come and join us on Thursday 6th May from 3pm in the Top Hall.
Parent Governor Needed... (April 2010)
The Governing Body is at the heart of school development and is made up of staff, members of the community and parents. We currently have two vacancies for parent governors and will be running an election over the next few weeks. This is an extremely important role; representing parents in helping to make the decisions that contribute to the education and success of all our children. Please think about the skills and assets that you could bring to the Governing Body and consider standing for Parent Governor. More information will be coming out next week.
Children Learn What They Live... (April 2010)
Children Learn What They Live…
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
We would like to remind anyone visiting Gainsborough School that our first priority here is for the children; for their education, their happiness and for their safety. Behaviour that goes against this will not be tolerated.
If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with acceptance and friendship, they learn to find love in the world.
Money Raised for H aiti... (April 2010)
A big thank you to everybody who helped contribute towards the money raised for Haiti. Along with the money raised from the School Disco, Debbie and Pam were out in the playground with buckets accepting donations. All in all, just over £300 was raised! This is a great achievement, and something we can all be proud of.
School Disco for Haiti... (March 2010)
We are fundraising for the children of Haiti. To help support the cause we are having a school disco which will also celebrate the end of term. By having our school fundraiser we would hope to raise awareness of world issues. The school disco will take place on the last day of term, Thursday 1st April from 3.30pm-5.00pm. This will only be for children in years 1-6. Tickets will cost £2.00 and should be paid in advance to the school office.
Debbie and Pam will also be collecting any contributions on Tuesday 23rd March in the school playground.
Fire Safety Workshop! (March 2010)
On Wednesday 24th March 2010 between 11:30am - 12:00 noon you are invited to come along and meet our Community Firemen at Gainsborough Children's Centre, Berkshire Road, E9 5ND.
There will be a talk about fire safety and you will have a chance to ask questions
You will also receive free gifts and a tour of a Fire Engine!
Women's Pampering Day (March 2010)
Come along and get pampered at Gainsborough Community Primary School on Friday 12th March 2010 between 2.30pm and 3.30pm. Pampering choices will include: Threading, massage, Henna and more....
Refreshments will also be provided on the day by our very own Boy's Cooking Club: Pasta, Parmesan Muffins, Selection of sandwiches and Fruit Kebabs. We look forward to seeing you there!
Fundraising Raffle to Help Our Boys Represent Hackney in Jersey (March 2010)
We are holding raffle to fundraise to help three of our Year 6 boys go to Jersey. They have been chosen to represent Hackney Football Team which is an incredible opportunity. Teams from all over the country come together to play in the Jersey Football Festival. Tickets can be purchased at a cost of £1.00 for a strip of five from Ann Emmons. There are lots of wonderful prizes including chocolates, photo album, a hand-made card box set and many more!
The draw will take place on: Friday 26th March 2010 (Time TBC).
Deutsche Bank and the Impact Team
You may have noticed the 54 volunteers working in the KS1 playground during the first two days of term. As part of a team building exercise, Deutsche Bank engage their new graduate employees in a variety of tasks aiming to give something to local communities. As a result we now have some wonderful additions to the school playground including a giant xylophone, tunnel tables and story sacks. The Impact Team, who coordinated the event, commented on how polite, friendly, enthusiastic and helpful the children are and have said they would really like to work in our school again. One of the coordinators even said, “I can honestly say it was the most enjoyable and rewarding community project I have worked on”.
Swine Flu - update (July 2009)
The Learning Trust continues to monitor the position across Hackney schools, working closely with the Director of Public Health and the HPU. The link below is an update from the DCSF (17th July 2009) and a Q & A section.
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/educationoverview/flupandemic/
Gainsborough Students Hit the Headlines
The Fourth Plinth Primary Schools Award is a competition, open to all primary schools in London, which provides an opportunity for children ages 7-12, to design an artwork inspired by the Fourth Plinth (the empty plinth in Trafalgar Square)art commissioning programme. The Award embraces a variety of different art forms including drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, digital designs, sound and performance and aims to include varied visual styles and materials stemming from London ’s diverse communities and faiths.
The winners were Sao Pain and Zakariya Ahmed who worked together
.
"The reason we chose Urban London was because of Big Ben. Big Ben stands up and never gives up, just like the people of London. In class we have been learning about London. It’s really good having an opinion as it helps you change so many important things. We worked together and the idea came because we saw some people making origami so we tried it".
Sao and Zakariya received their award and prizes for the Fourth Plinth Borough Winners on Friday 15th May at City Hall. You can see their work at City Hall until Friday 29th May.
Sao and Zakariya received their award and prizes for the Fourth Plinth Borough Winners on Friday 15th May at City Hall. You can see their work at City Hall until Friday 29th May. Click here to read the EDCATION review.
Adult Learner's Week (18th May 2009)
Take a look at some of the wonderful activities that our parents and carers enjoyed as part of Adult Learners Week. Visit FrOGS BLOG to tell us what you thought about Adult Learners Week. Click here to go to FrOGS BLOG.
FrOGS BLOG Leaps Into Action (14th May 2009)
Gainsborough launches its new blog. To view the blog and complete our poll click here.
Dance Competition (May 2009)
Monday 15th June @ the Round Chapel
The competition is open to children in Years 1 - 6. If you are interested you will need to find a dance partner in your year group and let your teacher know. Tickets will be available next half term for parents to buy so they can come along and watch the event.
For more information please see Malcolm Hill.
Adult Learner's Week (11th - 15th May 2009)
This week the school are offering a variety of fun and useful taster sessions for parents and other adults in the community to take part in and enjoy. The timetable is attached to this letter. Please see Carol, Allan, Ann or Camilla in the playground before and after school to sign up for these sessions absolutely free.
Over the coming weeks, we are hoping to make a Gainsborough Quilt.
Camilla will be in the KS1 playground at the end of the day once a week to encourage parents to join in. Please start gathering any old scraps of material - 5 inches by 5 inches in size - or any old buttons you don't need. We are hoping to bring together a wide selection of textiles, colours and stories!
This year’s Adult Learner's Week marks the 15th Anniversary of Britain’s biggest festival of learning.
Wednesday 13th May, 11 – 12.30pm at the Hothouse, 274 Richmond Road, E8
Come along to ecoACTION - a FREE session where you can find out ways to reduce your environmental footprint in everyday life, and have a go at customizing a T-shirt with reused and recycled materials.
Interested? Contact ecoACTIVE on 020 7923 7899 / admin@ecoactive.org.uk
Photo Competition!!!
Do you have a camera at home? We would like you to take a photo of your child reading in their favourite place. It could be snuggled up in bed or on the sofa. It could be outside on Mabley Green. It could be sitting on your lap or cuddling their favourite toy. Where is your child’s favourite reading place to read?
We will be awarding prizes for:
1. The cosiest place to read and
2. The most unusual place to read.
Please bring in your photos to school by Monday 30th March.
Gainsborough Pupils Help Save Endangered Instruments (Friday 13th March 2009)
We’ve all heard of the snow leopard and the giant panda being endangered species but there’s also the French horn, oboe, tuba and the bassoon amongst other musical instruments – that are also endangered. Over the years the numbers of people learning to play these instruments has declined. This is largely due to the cost and accessibility to these instruments.
The bassoon, a woodwind instrument, is in danger of becoming extinct but to
the rescue come Year 3 super heroes, CHLOE, LAUREN and KRISHNA! They have been chosen by HCYM (Hackney Centre for Young Musicians) and have taken up the exciting challenge to learn this amazing woodwind instrument.
Gainsborough is looking forward to hearing more on Chloe, Lauren and Krishna’s bassoon playing progress in the very near future. With more children like these, the music world will no longer have to fear the decline of traditional music making and the demise of the orchestra, as we know it.
Please visit for more information about these endangered instruments: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3239302.stm
Gainsborough Make the headlines
To view the article click here
Gainsborough gets a Snow Day (Monday 2nd & Tuesday 3rd February 2009)
Due to heavy snowfall many schools were closed. As a result adults and children alike enjoyed a snow day. Below are some pictures showing the wonderful sights that could be seen in and around Hackney. If you have some fun pictures showing the fun that you had on snow day that you think would look great on the school website then please let us know, we'd love to see them!
Gainsborough makes the headlines (January 2009)
Over the next few years, in the run up to the Olympic Games, Gainsborough Primary School is being followed by BBC London to find out what children, staff and their families think about the Olympic Games coming to London and the changes that are being made in their local area. We will be filmed approximately 3 times a year and having the opportunity to share our views.
Click here to watch January 2009 news clip.
Grey and silver Class Create Blog
To find out what they have been using their blog spot for click here.
Teaching Awards 2009
The Teaching awards is an annual celebration of teaching and learning. You can nominate a school*, teachers, headteachers, teaching assistants and governors for a Teaching Award and anyone and everyone can nominate. To find out more information and make your nomination visit: www.teachingawards.com.
Athletics - Gainsborough takes 1st place!
An amazing achievement. Gainsborough competed with primary schools across Hackney in Indoor Athletics. Our children did themselves and Gainsborough very proud, they came first place. Each child received their own personal medal and the team received a cup for the school trophy cabinet. Our federated school, Jubilee also did very well and managed to scoop 2nd place. Well done to all the children that took part.
Team Green
Team green is a group of nine eco-warriors who are currently in Year Four. Their job is to ensure that all classes and offices are reusing, reducing and recycling classroom resources. This includes paper, cardboard and water! You may have noticed the ‘cow bins’ in the school grounds. These will be collected each week once Team Green has filled them with our waste. To find out more, look out for the children who will be wearing their fabulous new badges whilst they work! Look out for Team Green during Science Week, Monday 7th July – Friday 11th July.
Gainsborough's School Travel Plan reviewed
Gainsborough recently carried out a review of how pupils and staff travel to school and how it effects Gainsborough School and its community. To read the review click here.
Gold Tea Party Award Celebrations
The Gold Tea Award celebrates those children who have been entered into the Gold Book for excellence in any aspect of their learning in addition to good citizenship. The Gold Tea Award entitles the child to a special tea with the Head Teacher and to receive a special certificate.
As we have had so many children from every class in the school exhibiting excellent learning and good citizenship; each class in the school has qualified for the amazing afternoon tea provided by Pam our school cook.
Book Week News
The week beginning Monday 9th June was the start of Book Week. As part of this we held a 'Book Swap' where children brought in books they no longer wanted and chose a book that another child has brought in, with their parents permission.
On friday 13th June children and staff were invited to come to school dressed as their favorite character from a book. To have a look at some of the wonderful costumes below click here.
Gainsborough Share The Cup!
In November our school football team began competing in The Bottomley Cup - League. We have made it through to the finals! The team faced Holmleigh Primary School on Thursday 8th May 2008. Gainsborough won with an amazing 2 - 1 victory!
On Wednesday 21st May Gainsborough competed in a three way final against Rushmore and Woodberry Downs Primary Schools.
Gainsborough Won their match against Rushmore with a 1 - 0 victory. They then had to face Woodberry Downs. Both teams played exceptionally well, the end result was 0 - 0. This means that we share the cup with Woodberry Downs Primary School.
The performance was a roaring success. Audience participation gave the opportunity for the outcome of events to be changed and offered parents and children the chance to act out how they thought the situation could have been dealt with differently. The Hackney Gazette reviewed the performance. Click here to read the review. Well done to the children that took part, Leya Shah, Joseph Baugh, Brittany Penton and Birsu Bilgetay.
The Investors in People Standard is a tool which helps improve the school through it’s people. Everyone agrees that people are the school's greatest asset, and we all know that for Gainsborough to succeed everyone has to perform well. To achieve this, people need the right knowledge, skills and motivation to work efficiently.
We are really proud to have the IiP Standard. Well done everybody!
Forget Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan, we have Malcolm Hill and our very own talented dancers. On Friday 16th May Gainsborough competed in the STRICTLY BALLROOM DANCING COMPETITION. Eighty children from across the school performed at The Round Chapel against three other Hackney Schools! This was a wonderful opportunity for Gainsborough's stars to shine. See below for the results of our little Ginger Rogers and
Fred Astaires.
Gainsborough took part in a cross-country relay where most of the schools in Hackney participated. We managed to finish 4th place overall (out of 15 schools). Our Year 6 boys, Tshimanga, Nehemiah, Marlando and Javanti came 2nd overall. Well done to all the children who took part in the relay.
Radio Gainsborough. Pupils have been working hard to create their own podcasts. Find out what we have been learning through our podcasts and blogs Click here to listen.
Gainsborough is proud to announce that our new website was launched on 4th July 2007. We will be adding a huge amount of content over the coming months so watch this space. Any feedback will be most welcome. You can let us know your thoughts by clicking here.
Some of you may know that Gainsborough School had its Investors in People Review last month and we are very pleased to announce that our school has once again met the Investors in People National Standard.
