Know more, Do more, Remember more. At Westroyd we have had a right good think over the last year, about what are the most effective strategies that we can use in our teaching to ensure our children learn the functional knowledge that the National Curriculum prescribes. That big think, involved delving into the most recent up-to-date evidence-based research, talking to educational consultants and a nosey into what other schools are up to!  The teachers at Westroyd now have a really strong understanding of cognitive science, which is a very complex process!  One of the key strategies we have adopted is to make our learning memorable and, as you know, one of our school values is to ENJOY our learning.  Therefore, these two concepts go hand in hand. There was no better way to exemplify this than a couple of lessons. I observed last week and could not help myself but to get involved! As a keen racquet sports player, I was invited by the teacher to participate in a Y6 pickle ball lesson! What was cracking about this lesson was that we were all active in the lesson, and we had a clear learning intention for that lesson. We were taught how to hold the racquet and how to strike the ball effectively on the forehand. We then applied this to a game. Which, of course, was highly competitive! At the end, the children evaluated their progress. It was incredibly good fun and the children will remember that lesson for a long time! Another memorable lesson last week was Year Three's Worm Charming lesson at Hainsworth Park. The children were spotted by one of our Govornors, banging drums, making loads of noise and enthusiastically dancing, and jumping up and down on the grass! It was quite an entertaining moment! This was part of our participation in National Science week. The children were carrying out an investigation and attempting to beat the world record of charming 511 worms out of the mud. Do not worry, we looked after the worms in warm damp soil throughout! This memorable moment will help the children to remember how to carry out an investigation, including a fair test.  Again, this was incredibly good fun and the children certainly enjoyed their science learning! 

Proud to be Westroyd! On Friday, the teachers had a lunchtime trip down to Whitakers on Town Street to purchase school hoodies! You may notice us proudly wearing them around school, showing that we are proud to be Westroyd and part of the team! Mr Popple wants a T-Shirt next, now that summer is finally on its way.

Finally, I am very excited as I write this as myself and Year Four are off on tour tomorrow for three days! Talking to the children before we head off, they have blown me away with how they are managing their emotions about this trip. The mixture of excitement and nervousness about what is going to happen. We have talked a lot about how this is a normal response and the children have openly shared their feelings with each other to exemplify this. We have a bunch of very emotionally intelligent children! The weather is looking great, bags are packed. I know the food is going to be fabulous and all we have to do now, is make the most of every moment and have some fun! I can't wait to tell you all about it next week!