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.

• Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

  Thu 08 Jan 2015 M Davis

  We had a lovely time at the pantomime in Nottingham on Thursday. (Oh yes we did!)

   

  After a lovely coach journey we ate our lunch in the theatre foyer before entering the auditorium. We had prime seats at the front of the dress circle and were soon joining in with all the pantomime antics. There were lots of special effects and super dancing, singing and acting. The dame was very funny and had some magnificent outfits.

   

  All the adults agreed it was a great trip. The behaviour was exemplary and the children were all very polite. We were loud when we needed to be (oh, no we weren't!) and quiet when required too. What a delight the children are to take out on a trip!

• Tinsel Day

  Thu 18 Dec 2014 M Davis
  Many thanks to all those who wore Tinsel on Thursday 18th December and bought in a pound in support of Thorpe Hall Hospice. Miss Mewes, our lunchtime assistant, had asked if we could support the fundraising of two former pupils who were raising money for the Hospice in memory of their mother who sadly died in October. We raised £36 towards their collection.

• Singing at Oak House

  Wed 17 Dec 2014 M Davis

  KS1 ventured out on the last Wednesday of term to Oak House Residential Home in Greetham to share with the residents some of our Christmas celebrations.

   

  The children happily dressed up in their nativity finery, and sang and acted their way through the songs from their nativity. It was lovely to be able to take some of our Christmas festivities out into the community.

   

  All their efforts were rewarded with drinks, biscuits and mince pies! Many thanks to the staff of Oak House for inviting us, and for making us all feel so welcome.

  

• Christmas Plays

  Wed 17 Dec 2014 M Davis

  Yet again, our two Christmas plays were well received by packed audiences. We even had people at the dress rehearsal in order to try and let as many people see our plays as possible!

   

  Class 1, through 'The Donkey Seller', told the traditional nativity story from the point of view of the donkeys of the time. Every child, from the youngest reception child to the oldest year 2, had lines to say. The singing was hearty and clear, and the acting was superb. I don't think anyone will forget the donkeys 'No, no, no!' when a game of pin the tail on the donkey was suggested!

   

  Key Stage 2 then produced their annual pantomime, this year following the story of Dickens 'A Christmas Carol', penned by Mr Marks and Mrs Davis. Again, every child had lines to learn and say, and these were delivered clearly and articulately with lots of expression. We have many a budding actor in Key Stage 2 at the moment! A special mention should go to our ex-Headteacher, Mrs Whitehead, for making a brief cameo appearance as the ghost of Christmas past, before being removed by the real ghost of Christmas past! The singing was magnificent. It is hard to believe the quality of the sound and diction that the children give, despite there being less than 20 of them. This year there were many keen soloists; and 5 children had a turn in the limelight. Mrs Davis will soon be out of a singing job!

   

  After seeing such fantastic performances from all taking part, the Headteacher's second highlight was the many comments afterwards congratulating the children and staff on such outstanding performances. We spend a lot of time in school talking about 'adding value' to the children's education. It is opportunities like this, where every child gets a moment to shine, that really add value to the learning experiences of our children.

• Samba Workshops

  Tue 02 Dec 2014 M Davis

  It was very noisy in school today, as we all had a go at Samba Drumming!

   

  The first people to have a go were our Reception children, who all threw themselves into finding rhythms and playing the instruments. We have found some budding drummers!

   

  After break, KS1 were able to try some samba rhythms. They learnt about how to play the different samba instruments and also experimented with rhythms.

   

  In the afternoon KS2 worked together to make a complete samba piece to perform to the rest of the school. We learnt 3 different samba rhythms that could be played together on the agogo bells, the tambourim, and the surdo drums. We learnt how to do the different parts of a samba piece, including how to start and how to do a break.

   

  Not only were we able to work on our musical skills, but our concentration skills were put to the test too. It is not easy to play one rhythm and keep it going when people around you are playing something different! We also had to listen to different signals from the leader as well.

   

  

• Whole School Improving Writing Morning

  Thu 27 Nov 2014 M Davis

  On 27th November years 1-6 worked together in the hall to develop their writing using the 'Grammar Rainbow' created by Jane Considine. Mrs Fowler recently went on a course led by Jane Considine and was keen to share with staff and children what she had learnt. What better way to do that, than for us all to learn together!

   

  After watching a short video story of Goldilocks to make sure we all knew the same story, we set about writing the story together. First we mapped the story through as a large group. Then we split into smaller mixed age groups and each had to write a small part of the story.

   

  While the story we wrote was okay, it was not very exciting! We then looked at how to use the Grammar Rainbow and FANTASTIC to help us add detail and make our writing more exciting.

   

  You can see both our first and final attempts on the powerpoint in the gallery. http://www.extonschool.co.uk/gallery/

   

  It was a great morning, and it was lovely to learn alongside the children. We are all excited to start using the techniques we learnt back in our classrooms. Look out for some budding authors!

  

• FOEGS Bingo Night

  Tue 25 Nov 2014 M Davis

  A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to make our Bingo evening last Friday such a success. There was much fun to be had, and lots of laughter in the school hall. We are particularly grateful to Andy Saunders for his delicious fillings for the baked potatoes and to Wendy Saunders for her expert Bingo calling.

   

  It was great to see members of the community and from the school come together to share in the warmth we were able to provide at school, particularly for those from Greetham who were without water for 24 hours! Water bottles were provided to enable people to go home with enough water to brush their teeth and have a drink.

   

  Apologies for the clarity of the photographs below. Hopefully you can see some of the fun we had.

   

  The event raised over £350 which FOEGS puts straight back into supporting the work of the school.

  

• Sports Hall Athletics

  Mon 17 Nov 2014 M Davis

  Our older children were a credit to the school today at the Rutland Schools Sports Hall Athletics Competition.

   

  We learnt a lot about different sports hall athletics sports. (We are coveting some coloured turning boards like those we used in the track events now!) There were some great personal achievements, and it was fantastic to hear children so enthusiastic about competing. One of our more hesitant competitors was even heard saying 'I want to do that one again!' The Obstacle Race was a particular favourite.

   

  Behaviour was impeccable, and there was a great sense of sportsmanship. We are always proud of our children, but we were especially proud of the way they encouraged children from other schools in other races.

   

  A huge thank you to all the children for a super day.

  

• Act of Remembrance

  Tue 11 Nov 2014 M Davis

  Key Stage 2 pupils joined with the local community in Exton at the Exton War Memorial for the annual Act of Remembrance. Together, we heard the names of the fallen of Exton Village from both World War I and World War II, then shared a two minute silence. After the laying of wreaths, some poems that the children had written in school were shared with the people at the service.

   

  Back at school Reception and Key Stage 1 pupils also joined with the countries Act of Remembrance at 11am. They shared a two minute silence following an assembly looking at Remembrance and particularly reflecting on the Tower of London Poppies.

• A Visit from the High Sheriff of Rutland

  Thu 06 Nov 2014 M Davis

  It was lovely to welcome Air Commodore S M D Williamson-Noble, the High Sheriff of Rutland, to Exton and Greetham CE Primary School. He came to talk to Key Stage 2 about World War I, and shared many interesting artefacts with the children.

   

  The High Sheriff came armed with interesting facts and figures about how many people lived in both Exton and Greetham in 1914. We were surprised to find out that Exton was the bigger village 100 years ago! About 10% of each villages population went to war, and about one in ten of these were killed in action.

   

  Key Stage 2 listened with interest to stories of the trenches and asked many interesting questions. It was fascinating to hear extracts from a diary written in the trenches and see a genuine present that was sent to soldiers fighting in World War I as a Christmas present.

   

  The High Sheriff also showed the children his ceremonial sword, and everyone was keen to hold it!