Newsletter Spring term 2006

This Newsletter is an attempt to keep all staff members in our cluster schools in touch with what’s going on in the Holt Heath Cluster  I would be glad to have your views, ideas and questions on any of our joint activities – I can be contacted on 01202 840126 or by e-mail c.sparks@oakhurst.dorset.sch.uk (Cilla Sparks- Cluster Link teacher)

Teacher Health and Wellbeing

Our Emotional Literacy for Teachers INSET afternoon at the beginning of term was a new initiative in that it focussed on our needs as teachers rather than the children. Thank you to everyone who sent feedback. From the responses I found it interesting that most statements which involved understanding or cognitive knowledge we answered with a “yes” – it was the statements which involved an awareness of our own emotions and recognition of stressors which raised the most negatives. As teachers we are good at thinking and understanding, but emotional awareness is not an area we are often asked to consider.

Some of the strategies for coping caused a little controversy and generated further debate back at school.

Many of us were able to relax to some extent in the visualisation exercise (although intruding thoughts were a problem!) but recreating thoughts and imaginings in pictorial (non-verbal) form generated mixed responses from “loved it” to “embarrassing”.

Concern was expressed at the lack of support from County and I have taken these issues to those concerned with the setting up of EDEP. The response I have received so far gives me some grounds to hope that Teacher Wellbeing will be taken seriously, but watch this space.

Don’t forget that each school has £300 to spend on yourselves – the only criterion is that it should promote your (the teachers’) health and wellbeing

Health Week

The various events of Health Week seem to have been successful, even though, ironically, there was a lot of ill health amongst staff and children. To date I have received feedback from some schools, and will pass it on to the visitors and teachers involved when everyone has had their say. Please keep sending your comments and photos.

 Don’t forget there is some more money – this time £400 for each school to spend on making their school environment healthy.

 Sports Events

Our Football tournament  this year will be held on March 30th, at Emmanuel Middle School – kick off 1.00 p.m. The venue has changed this year because we now have six schools taking part and we need three pitches. A coach pick up has been arranged for players from all the schools, parents are welcome to watch but will need to provide their own transport.  Details of the programme will be sent to each school by Jane Marshall from Hampreston.

Stuart Calvert has arranged a date for all PE co-ordinators to meet on March 15th at St Ives School to plan sporting events in the summer term. This will include students from Queen Elizabeth’s School coming into our schools during the first half of the summer term to work with children on games skills. We then plan to have a Top Links Games afternoon for all year 4 children at St Ives on June 27th. 

We also hope to arrange a Rounders league for the summer term. It will be a chance to use the Rounders equipment which each school purchased with Cluster funds last year.

Life Education

The Life Education van will be visiting all the schools in the summer after Half term. It will be subsidised by the Cluster again to the tune of £1 per child.

Job Vacancy

I will be standing down from my role as Cluster Link Teacher at the end of the summer term. I have enjoyed my time organising all our joint events over the last five years. The nature of the post may change somewhat next year but if any of you out there want to take it on do get in touch with me or chat to your head teacher.