Mrs N’s Notes – 9th November
NURTURE
That word has been on my mind and in my conversations all week long. We launched the competition for a name for our recently created Nurture/Sensory Room last Friday and I am delighted that so many families have taken the time to come up with interesting and varied ideas – so much better than I could!
But nurture at Kirkshaws doesn’t just happen in a cosy corner with beanbags and subdued lighting. Nurture underpins everything we do: all our planning, our professional conversations and our interactions with all our learners! Our interest in our pupils is not limited from 9am until 3pm and our concern for each individual extends well beyond academic results.
I spent time with each teacher this week discussing individual pupil progress in depth. These were most encouraging meetings, providing me with an up-to-date picture of progress, needs and next steps covering each of the SHANARRI indicators: Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Respected, Responsible and Included . We work as a team to ensure we are best meeting the needs of all; getting it right for every child in our care. On Thursday I attended a Nurture conference with Miss Ralston. This gave us an invaluable opportunity to reflect on our existing good practice and identify our next steps to become a more trauma-informed school and nursery.
We continue to be sensitive to the social and emotional needs of our pupils when they arrive each morning. We firmly believe that positive relationships lie at the heart of our success here at Kirkshaws and value your ongoing support developing these further. We also aim to nurture individual interests and talents. This week our Librarians began their new role – a post they requested and a job description they devised! We are always open to new roles or responsibilities our learners want to embrace – we never have too many partners leading the learning!
This week I benefited from gaining that snap-shot of learning from the teachers at our meetings. Next week you too will get the chance to enjoy a similar glimpse of your child’s progress to date. Next Friday our new SNAP-SHOT jotters will come home. These will give you an overview of your child’s learning NOW. We hope you benefit from the chance to discuss these jotters together, praising your child’s efforts and encouraging them in their next steps. Nurture – a task we share as our children grow!
