Read below to find out more about some of the different activities we have been getting up to; from sporting and musical activities, to visitors and 'wow' days. We are looking forward to helping our children 'explore and grow' further in 2025-26.

• Exton Governors meet our School Council

  Thu 16 Mar 2023 M Davis

  On 16th March we we were very pleased to welcome all of our Governors into school to come and see what we get up to on a normal school day.

   

  The governors joined us for lunch and chatted with the children, before visiting break time outside and then lessons around the school in the afternoon.

   

  Towards the end of the afternoon the governors met with our school council so that the governors could find out more about what the school council do, and the school council could find out more about the role of the governors. The children made a presentation to the governors about what they wanted to achieve in making the school more eco-friendly. 

   

  The afternoon finished with an impromptu performance by the top two classes of some of the songs we have been learning for the High Sheriff Declaration next week. 

   

  Thank you to all the governors who were able to attend, and particularly to Derek for providing delicious doughnuts for the school council and staff!

• Artsmark and Developing the Arts

  Mon 13 Mar 2023 M Davis

  This term we embarked on our Artsmark journey. We have signed up to the Artsmark to develop our work in the arts and ensure that there is equity in provision across all the arts in school.

  We know that there is much to celebrate about the arts at Exton & Greetham CE Primary School - particularly linked with our music and our productions at Christmas. Indeed, we take the lead for music across the RLT and share our expertise in this area with other local schools. However, there is always more that we can do, and we are taking this opportunity to focus on developing our art provision to match our music provision.

  The Artsmark is seen as a journey. So far we have submitted a statement of intent. This tells the professionals at Artsmark what we do well, and what we are intending to work on over the next 18 months to improve arts provision in the school further. At the end of the process, we submit another statement to explain what we have achieved so far in our journey, and we will hopefully be awarded the Artsmark at either silver, gold or platinum level.

  Not only will the Artsmark look at our curriculum in arts subjects, but it will also look at the extra- curricular opportunities that is offered to our pupils. Since COVID trips out and visits in have, by necessity, been more limited. However, we are now in a position to review what we offer our children as part of our cultural capital, and ensure that they get wide and varied opportunities. As part of this, there will be a questionnaire for parents, asking for opinions around school trips and visits. Since COVID, the cost of coaches has shot up, and this has led to us having to think more creatively to ensure that the experiences we give the children are good value for money. We know that the cost of school trips could become prohibitive for some parents, so the questionnaire will look at ways to help make this more manageable for our families, and to help us prioritise the right sort of experiences.

  Watch this space for further information!

• World Book Day

  Fri 03 Mar 2023 M Davis

  World Book Day came to Exton & Greetham CE Primary School a day later than most of the rest of the country. We wanted to make sure that all the fantastic effort on costumes was not wasted and washed off in the swimming pool in our swimming lessons yesterday!

   

  The children were all tasked with dressing up as their favourite book character, and there were lots of very inventive costumes. Staff shared favourite stories and the children completed lots of book-related activities during the day. 

   

  A huge thank you to Mrs Gould for all her organisation.

• RLT Artists Workshop

  Thu 23 Feb 2023 M Davis

  Six of our children were able to join with other children from schools in the Rutland Learning Trust today to work with an artist on some joint artwork to represent the seasons. 

   

  We started with some 'quickdraw activities' -where we were challenged to draw things in 30 seconds, 10 seconds and 5 seconds; draw things with our eyes closed, and draw with our 'wrong' hand. The children then worked in groups with children from across the schools to make a frieze of the four seasons. Four friezes were created, one for each season. The children worked collaboratively on each picture with children from the other four schools. It was a great day and the children were a credit to the school.

• E-Safety Day

  Tue 07 Feb 2023 M Davis

  Today was e-safety day and all of the children had a chance to explore what it means to keep themselves safe online during the day.

   

  In the afternoon the KS2 children all took part in the RLT E-Safety quiz, and we were very proud of how well the answered all the questions. Well done for knowing how to keep yourselves safe online!

• Virtual Reality Morning

  Wed 01 Feb 2023 M Davis

  Today we were able to bring the world into the school for the children through the use of Virtual Reality! Each class had the opportunity to either visit a different time in history, or a different place in the world to support their learning in school. 

   

  Teal Class were first to have a go on our Virtual Reality morning. They were off  to London in 1666 to experience what it was like at the time of the Great Fire of London. They were then able to visit St Paul's Cathedral in London and see evidence from the Great Fire that can be seen today - all topped off by a quick trip on a roller coaster for all those who were brave enough!

   

  Aqua class were able to meet a variety of animals. They started in an aquarium, before moving on to go on safari and meet rhinos and elephants. They even got the opportunity to hold a penguin in their hand! As Archie said, "wow!'

   

  Cobalt and Navy class were then able to visit the rainforests of Brazil as a 'brilliant beginning' for their topic next term looking at Brazil. They enjoyed exploring the different layers and meeting lots of the different animals. 

   

  With coaches becoming increasingly costly, it was amazing to be able to take all of the children on an adventure, all for the cost of a coach to Oakham! We will definitely be borrowing the headsets again!

• RE Day - Exploring our School Vision and Values

  Wed 25 Jan 2023 M Davis

  Today we have had an RE day exploring our school vision and values. This morning we worked in our classes to look at what our school vision meant, and reflected on what our hopes for the future are for ourselves, the school and the world. This afternoon we split in to mixed age groups and looked at each of our school's Christian values. Each group has created a piece of 'big art' for display in the hall. Attached are a few pictures of our work in progress - we are just waiting for the paint to dry before we add the finishing touches! We were really impressed with how thoughtful the children were in their discussions, and how well they worked together in their groups in the afternoon.

  

• Balance Bikes

  Mon 23 Jan 2023 M Davis

  During January our EYFS and Year 1 children in Aqua class all had the opportunity to take part in some Balance Bike sessions through RCC. 

   

  Working in small groups, the children practised their balancing skills, as well as their ability to manoeuvre around a variety of obstacles. It was also a lesson in listening to and following instructions!

   

  Thank you to the instructors for giving up their time for us. 

• Christmas Performances

  Thu 15 Dec 2022 M Davis

  This week saw four amazing performances by the children over two days.

   

  Aqua and Teal classes joined forces to perform our nativity for this year 'A Midwife Crisis' - a retelling of the nativity story from the point of view of the local midwife and her donkey. The children were amazing in how well they performed, both in singing and dancing, and in their acting on stage. What a triumph! 

   

  Each nativity performance was followed by our traditional Exton pantomime - performed by Cobalt and Navy Classes. This year the pantomime was Sleeping Beauty. The older children always rise to the occasion (oh yes they do!) and it was lovely to see everyone putting their best comedic skills to the fore as they shared some traditional pantomime banter. As always, the singing was exemplary and the children shared some great dancing too. Well done to all involved!

• Christmas in a Day

  Thu 15 Dec 2022 M Davis

  Today was our traditional Exton and Greetham 'Christmas in a Day'. We started the day by climbing onto a coach to visit the churching Greetham for our Christmas Service. The older children shared the story of the nativity, interspersed with some of our favourite Christmas carols. This included what is now becoming a firm favourite 'sheep, sheep, sheep'; Hark the Herald with the descant for the last verse; and asking all the adults to join in with singing 'The Holly and the Ivy' in canon. Thank you to Mrs Davis' daughter for coming to help play the piano!

   

  We then returned to school for some craft time, before sharing in our Christmas dinner, lovingly cooked by Lizzie. It was delicious!

   

  After lunch Disco Steve joined us for our Christmas Disco. We were very pleased that Father Christmas found time to stop off and drop off some presents during his busy December. We sent him on his way with a round of jingle bells!