This website is no longer updated.
Please visit our new website at:
www.dunkirkprimary.com
to get the latest news and info.
Please visit our new website at:
www.dunkirkprimary.com
to get the latest news and info.
SATS 2016
Please find below Information for Parents about the 2016 SATS from the Standards and Testing Agency for the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 tests.
'Community'
Find out more about our latest whole school theme....
This year our school theme is ‘Community’. All classes will be exploring this theme all year. It will be part of our curriculum, the school environment, our international links, whole school events, our work with parents and the wider community. We would like all members of our school community to join us with this work!
This theme is particularly relevant as we move into a new chapter of our journey as a school. With new leadership and the continued expansion of our school, it feels like a good time to explore what makes our Dunkirk Primary Community a special and unique place to be and how can move forward to become a stronger community.
Children and teachers have already been planning exciting curriculum activities that will happen over the next year. The work happening in classes will include exploring ourselves as individuals and how we connect to the people around us, creating a sense of community within classes, strengthening the links across the two school sites and finding opportunities for the school to connect more actively with our local and global communities.
Children and teachers have identified many ‘Big Questions’ they would like to explore about ‘Community’ including:
Why do people have to leave their communities?
How can we make our community more welcoming?
What is belonging?
How do charities help communities?
Do we need borders to divide up our world community?
Who helps us and keeps us safe in our community?
Why is it important to have rules?
What sorts of groups, teams and communities do I belong to?
What do we celebrate together?
What makes me, me?
How do you build a community?
Why do teams fall out?
What happens when communities go wrong?
How can we help each other?
How do we help people who are lonely?
What is an ideal community?
How do animal communities work together to survive?
Do communities need a leader?
Who makes communities happen?
These questions and many others will lead to activities in all subject areas. There will also be many Community school projects and events happening that parents and families can get involved in. So keep an eye on the website and the letters that come home to find out more about what’s happening in school! We are all very excited about this theme and hope it will create many opportunities to celebrate our school community and help us all work together more closely!
This theme is particularly relevant as we move into a new chapter of our journey as a school. With new leadership and the continued expansion of our school, it feels like a good time to explore what makes our Dunkirk Primary Community a special and unique place to be and how can move forward to become a stronger community.
Children and teachers have already been planning exciting curriculum activities that will happen over the next year. The work happening in classes will include exploring ourselves as individuals and how we connect to the people around us, creating a sense of community within classes, strengthening the links across the two school sites and finding opportunities for the school to connect more actively with our local and global communities.
Children and teachers have identified many ‘Big Questions’ they would like to explore about ‘Community’ including:
Why do people have to leave their communities?
How can we make our community more welcoming?
What is belonging?
How do charities help communities?
Do we need borders to divide up our world community?
Who helps us and keeps us safe in our community?
Why is it important to have rules?
What sorts of groups, teams and communities do I belong to?
What do we celebrate together?
What makes me, me?
How do you build a community?
Why do teams fall out?
What happens when communities go wrong?
How can we help each other?
How do we help people who are lonely?
What is an ideal community?
How do animal communities work together to survive?
Do communities need a leader?
Who makes communities happen?
These questions and many others will lead to activities in all subject areas. There will also be many Community school projects and events happening that parents and families can get involved in. So keep an eye on the website and the letters that come home to find out more about what’s happening in school! We are all very excited about this theme and hope it will create many opportunities to celebrate our school community and help us all work together more closely!
Mrs Alford's Retirement Extravaganza
We have enjoyed an amazing half term of celebration to say goodbye to Mrs Alford who has been head at this school for 18 years.
Surprising Mrs Alford has been our key mission throughout the last few weeks!
Each class has flash-mobbed her around the school, on the Discovery Garden, in assemblies and on school visits! For example, Hazel Class interrupted her assembly and challenged her to a light sabre battle, Cedar Class broke into a Michael Jackson dance routine whilst she was visiting their class to see some of their work. Madrono Class staged a sudden protest in the middle of her assembly, singing to Bob Marley's 'Get up, Stand up', Olive Class sang a Ghanaian song whilst on the discovery garden and Banyan Class totally surprised her with their own comical rendition of 'We Don't Need No Education' !
Surprising Mrs Alford has been our key mission throughout the last few weeks!
Each class has flash-mobbed her around the school, on the Discovery Garden, in assemblies and on school visits! For example, Hazel Class interrupted her assembly and challenged her to a light sabre battle, Cedar Class broke into a Michael Jackson dance routine whilst she was visiting their class to see some of their work. Madrono Class staged a sudden protest in the middle of her assembly, singing to Bob Marley's 'Get up, Stand up', Olive Class sang a Ghanaian song whilst on the discovery garden and Banyan Class totally surprised her with their own comical rendition of 'We Don't Need No Education' !
This week has been busy where staff organised a surprise party at Woodborough Hall for Mrs Alford.
Parents, children, ex-pupils and colleagues gathered together for a Garden Party on the school field. The staff surprised her with a Flash Mob, where they all danced to a medley of some of her favourite music.
The highlight of the week was a whole school assembly where every child from both Abbey Campus and Highfields Campus gathered in the NUAST Academy hall.
The newly established Dunkirk Youth Theatre Company and the school choir collaborated to create an original piece of theatre called 'Beyond the Wall'. The story looked at conflict, resolution and community.
Parents, children, ex-pupils and colleagues gathered together for a Garden Party on the school field. The staff surprised her with a Flash Mob, where they all danced to a medley of some of her favourite music.
The highlight of the week was a whole school assembly where every child from both Abbey Campus and Highfields Campus gathered in the NUAST Academy hall.
The newly established Dunkirk Youth Theatre Company and the school choir collaborated to create an original piece of theatre called 'Beyond the Wall'. The story looked at conflict, resolution and community.
Staff and children hand made unique gifts and cards for Mrs.Alford which were presented to her at the celebration assembly.
It has been a very special week during which the school community came together to give Mrs.Alford the best send off possible! We will miss her and wish her a very happy retirement!
Do come and visit us Mrs.Alford....you are welcome back anytime!!
It has been a very special week during which the school community came together to give Mrs.Alford the best send off possible! We will miss her and wish her a very happy retirement!
Do come and visit us Mrs.Alford....you are welcome back anytime!!
Visit the exhibition now showing at NUAST and be amazed at the power of pupil protest
small action big change
Dunkirk Primary's Protest Art Exhibition
How can we enable our voice to be heard?
What is protest?
How can we create positive change within our local and global communities?
These are just some of the Big Questions that children have been exploring whilst developing this unique exhibition. These explorations have also linked closely to our current curriculum theme of 'Greed and Power'. Inspired by examples of protest art across the world, pupils have worked with our artists-in-residence, Claire Simpson and Julie Wise, to create their own protest art pieces. This thought provoking exhibition invites you to explore what students at the school have to say about the world we live in, the global issues that matter to them and how they would like to shape and influence the future.
The exhibition is being kindly hosted by NUAST, Abbey Road, Dunkirk.
Many thanks to the staff at NUAST for supporting this exhibition.
The exhibition was launched on Wednesday 18th March with a private viewing for all teaching staff, governors and NUAST staff. Each class will be able to visit and explore the exhibition.
A special event will be held for parents to visit the exhibition, dates for this are yet to be confirmed...so watch this space!
What is protest?
How can we create positive change within our local and global communities?
These are just some of the Big Questions that children have been exploring whilst developing this unique exhibition. These explorations have also linked closely to our current curriculum theme of 'Greed and Power'. Inspired by examples of protest art across the world, pupils have worked with our artists-in-residence, Claire Simpson and Julie Wise, to create their own protest art pieces. This thought provoking exhibition invites you to explore what students at the school have to say about the world we live in, the global issues that matter to them and how they would like to shape and influence the future.
The exhibition is being kindly hosted by NUAST, Abbey Road, Dunkirk.
Many thanks to the staff at NUAST for supporting this exhibition.
The exhibition was launched on Wednesday 18th March with a private viewing for all teaching staff, governors and NUAST staff. Each class will be able to visit and explore the exhibition.
A special event will be held for parents to visit the exhibition, dates for this are yet to be confirmed...so watch this space!
The Solar Eclipse March 2015
The whole school had a great time building and using solar eclipse viewers. We were so lucky to have a bright sunny day for our observations.
Newspaper Day
Cedar and Banyan spent the day producing a newspaper to share with our linked international schools in Pakistan and Finland. Both schools also produced newspapers, Mrs Qureshi, Ms Barrett and Mrs Hollis coordinated the production in Pakistan. See the slide shows below to find out the latest news.
To see the newspapers from Finland and Pakistan please visit :-
http://smallactionbigchange.weebly.com/comenius.html
New Street signs designed by Dunkirk pupils
We are really pleased with the two new Dunkirk and Lenton street signs which have just gone up - one near each school campus - which were designed by the present year 6 children, working with Claire Simpson. This project is part of our on-going community work and part of our commitment to being a strong part of the Dunkirk and Lenton community. The children worked with Miss Claire to design lots of different ideas for the signs - they spent a lot of time out in the local area looking at the buildings, wildlife and features that are a key part of Dunkirk and Lenton. They did lots of drawings whilst outside and then back in class they added lots more ideas with paints, collage and using real leaves to gather textures. The children looked at lots of examples of street signs and created their own ideas for shapes and actual layout for the Dunkirk and Lenton signs. Miss Claire then scanned all the drawings and digitally collaged them together - so that the final sign designs had elements from many different children.
On the last day of term in December 2014 we celebrated the signs going into place together with Councillor Sarah Piper, who instigated the project with the school. There is one sign on University Boulevard and one on Lenton Boulevard. The project was in partnership with Nottingham City Council and NET. Huge thanks to everyone involved.
Christmas performance marathon at Dunkirk!!
There has been a frenzy of Christmas show rehearsals and performances at Dunkirk this year!! In total we have staged 8 shows this month...wow!!
Key Stage 2 at Dunkirk Primary creates and performs an original interpretation of 'Scrooge'!!
Key Stage 2 classes from both campuses have been involved in creating and devising a very different version of 'Scrooge'. The production was a huge event with every Key Stage 2 class contributing a key scene to the story. Year 5 and 6 pupils auditioned to be part of a central cast of narrators, ghosts and Scrooge...and the best of Dunkirk's KS2 singing talent was brought together to create a special Scrooge choir!
Our version of Scrooge went deeper into the story, exploring why Scrooge had become the bitter and twisted man you meet at the beginning of the play. The mysterious ensemble of narrators and ghosts take him on an dark and ethereal dream journey through his past, present and future, during which he reflects upon what has happened during his life and the lessons he can learn from the past. The final section of the play placed Scrooge face to face with the future and his own grave, a bleak scene where no one mourns his passing away. As he sits by his own grave, the ghosts present Scrooge with a window to the world, revealing a series of images and movement which show what a world filled with kindness looks and feels like. By the end of his dream journey, Scrooge has opened up his mind and heart, promising to live a life full of kindness, trust and care.
The story was told through drama, physical theatre, dance, film, music, yoga inspired movement and singing. It certainly brought together the many talents of the children and staff! Amongst the madness of Christmas shopping and present buying, our version of Scrooge aimed to communicate the true meaning of Christmas...a time to celebrate kindness and the impact our caring actions can have upon the world around us.
Winter Fair
The Winter Fair was a great success. Thanks to the Friends of Dunkirk for all their hard work organising and running the event. Thanks to every one for coming and contributing.
Canning Circus lights switch on
Over 250 children from different Nottingham schools attended this lovely event at Canning Circus Nottingham. A small choir from Dunkirk went along after school and joined in the event singing carols and enjoying the lights being switched on. The University of Nottingham's Brass Ensemble played and accompanied the children whilst they sang. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening. |
Clay tiles adorn entrance to Abbey Campus
We are really proud of the clay tiles fixed onto one of the walls at the main entrance to Abbey Campus. All children at Abbey worked with Miss Claire over many weeks before the summer holidays to create the tiles - and it was wonderful that so many parents took part too. The clay tiles had to slowly dry and then went off to be fired in a kiln before coming back to Abbey in the autumn term. Miss Claire has been busy fixing the tiles onto the outside wall - and the children and adults were really excited to see how their tiles looked after they'd been fired.
Miss Claire works with clay a lot (it was a big part of her art degree many years ago) and it's used throughout school and in Discovery Garden sessions all the time; but to get the children's work fired in a kiln was really special and we're delighted to be able to display their ideas in this way.
The children and adults really experimented with the clay and have become huge experts at the many ways clay can be used. They eagerly learnt to roll and cut their own tiles - and they were so inventive with different ways of decorating them. The Friends of Dunkirk Group at Abbey were a huge part of the whole project and their enthusiasm was really infectious. We think the tiles really reflect the process that went into their creation - you can really see how everyone has explored and experimented and used many different ideas.
A HUGE thanks to everyone who has been involved - we really hope you will enjoy looking at the tiles and spotting all the different things hidden within them!
Here's a link to Miss Claire's website page where she explains more about working with clay.
Nottingham Panthers visit Dunkirk
We had some visitors who gave us a presentation in our assembly. They were from the ice hockey team Nottingham Panthers. I was chosen to try on the equipment and they told us why they need it, to protect themselves from the hard puck that they play with, fights and more. They had shin pads, big shorts, elbow pads, a big top and a helmet.
Ahmed y6
Ahmed y6
I Pad intervention study
Last year we took part in an Ipad intervention study linked to Nottingham University. This study looked at a maths app called 'OneBillion' being used within our Reception classes to aid the teaching of maths. As part of the study the children had to use the maths games for half an hour a day for 6 weeks, and then complete a maths game 'test' that used all of their knowledge and understanding gained so far. The children in Reception made exceptional progress, gaining 1 month of progress per week, so 6 months of progress was made altogether. This study was even more interesting as Nottingham University compared our results to a school in Malawi where they also carried out the study. We were featured on BBC Click as well as in the Nottingham Evening Post, as such gains were made. We hope to carry on using the app even though the study has finished, and we would like to thank all of the children who took part. Please see below for the Nottingham Evening Post article.
Thank you
Jamie Curtis
Maths Subject Leader
Thank you
Jamie Curtis
Maths Subject Leader
Attendance Matters
Emily Bennett recently won an award for outstanding attendance. She went to the Council House and was given the award by the Lord Mayor.
She tells her story below.
She tells her story below.
Attendance award’s
I was lucky enough to go to the council house for the attendance awards because, since year 1 my attendance has been over 98%. After school Miss Hollis picked me up from madrono class and took me to the attendance ceremony, where we queued for a couple of minutes before we entered the room where there were many different tables. We sat at a table next to the window; on the tables there were bowls of fruit and biscuits. After a few minutes a man came up to the front and gave out some of the awards. After he had finished we all started to leave but my award had not been given out yet so I went into another room with all the other children who also had over 98% attendance and met the lord mayor, who gave me a prize and a certificate. Also I had a photo with lord mayor and then Miss Hollis took me home in her car.
I was really happy to go and represent my school.
Dunkirk's first Languages Day.
Please watch our video of the day.
We hope you all had a great summerfull of exciting events as well as rest and relaxation.
All the staff at Dunkirk are excited about beginning their new school year and have been busy planning and preparing the environment and curriculum over the summer.
Our first key event of the year is
INTERNATIONAL EVENING on Thursday 18th September at 5pm-7pm
SO SAVE THE DATE!
More information to follow shortly!
on
All the staff at Dunkirk are excited about beginning their new school year and have been busy planning and preparing the environment and curriculum over the summer.
Our first key event of the year is
INTERNATIONAL EVENING on Thursday 18th September at 5pm-7pm
SO SAVE THE DATE!
More information to follow shortly!
on
Happy Holidays and Eid Mubarak to all our Muslim families.
School breaks up today 24th July and re-opens for pupils on Tuesday 2nd September 2014. We wish you all a very happy holiday and look forward to seeing you back here in September.
School breaks up today 24th July and re-opens for pupils on Tuesday 2nd September 2014. We wish you all a very happy holiday and look forward to seeing you back here in September.
The Ogden Young Scientist of the Year Awards
On the 26th June 2014 5.30pm-7.30pm Daniel Duckworth was invited by the University of Nottingham to attend an award ceremony as a result of his nomination for Primary Scientist of the Year!
Daniel attended with his Dad and his Teacher Ms Prior as he proudly received the award, certificate and prize which was presented by the Ogden Trust. There were some amazing demonstrations from real scientists and also the chance to attend an interactive science talk.
Daniel attends Dunkirk Primary School who had nominated Daniel for the award because all his teachers, Eco Club Leader and Science Club organiser had endorsed his interest and commitment to this subject. When asked how he felt about comments from his teachers Daniel reflected that he was ‘proud and
honoured.’
On the 26th June 2014 5.30pm-7.30pm Daniel Duckworth was invited by the University of Nottingham to attend an award ceremony as a result of his nomination for Primary Scientist of the Year!
Daniel attended with his Dad and his Teacher Ms Prior as he proudly received the award, certificate and prize which was presented by the Ogden Trust. There were some amazing demonstrations from real scientists and also the chance to attend an interactive science talk.
Daniel attends Dunkirk Primary School who had nominated Daniel for the award because all his teachers, Eco Club Leader and Science Club organiser had endorsed his interest and commitment to this subject. When asked how he felt about comments from his teachers Daniel reflected that he was ‘proud and
honoured.’
Personal Finance Education Group Award (pfeg)
Dunkirk has been recognised as a Centre of Excellence for Financial Education by the Personal Finance Education Group (PFEG). They are the UK's leading financial education charity. They provide resources and lesson plans, help and advice to anyone teaching children and young people about money. Working alongside local finance business, Experian, and PFEG, the teachers of Dunkirk have planned and taught financial lessons to ensure Dunkirk's children have a financially safe future. As well as using money within maths, the children have been learning all about where money comes from, the differences between needs and wants and how to keep money safe within more PSHE (personal, social, health education) style lessons. Each year PFEG run a My Money Week across the country and as the first school in Nottingham and one of very few across the country to receive the Centre of Excellence award, Experian wanted to celebrate this achievement during My Money Week by asking BBC East Midlands, Nottingham Evening Post and Nott's TV to join Jamie Curtis and her year 3 class during a finance lesson. Please see below to watch the news coverage and newspaper stories.
Please follow this link to find out more about this prestigious award.
http://www.pfeg.org/about-us/blog/post/another-historic-dunkirk-launch
The Nottingham Post reported from school here.
http://www.nottinghampost.com/Vital-kids-know-cash/story-21242059-detail/story.html
http://www.nottinghampost.com/Children-banking-money-lessons/story-21242052-detail/story.html
Please follow this link to find out more about this prestigious award.
http://www.pfeg.org/about-us/blog/post/another-historic-dunkirk-launch
The Nottingham Post reported from school here.
http://www.nottinghampost.com/Vital-kids-know-cash/story-21242059-detail/story.html
http://www.nottinghampost.com/Children-banking-money-lessons/story-21242052-detail/story.html
Financial information in action at Dunkirk.
Dunkirk welcomes visitors from Norway, Finland and Italy
Dunkirk has been working with link schools in all three countries for two years. Teachers and Head Teachers from the schools visited Dunkirk in April. They were only here for two days but were able to visit classes, join assemblies led by our International Ambassadors at both Highfields and Abbey Campus and take part in a meeting where the whole two year project was evaluated. Future linking plans were also discussed. They watched the film 'The Man Who Planted Trees' which showed the amazing collaboration that took place between Abbey Campus pupils and pupils in our link school in Italy. They also took part in in the whole process of making bread with Oak Class and Cedar Class hosted an amazing Tea Party which had a wonderful range of food from across the world that the pupils brought in.
Mrs Jane Alford receives an OBE from Prince William
Dunkirk's International Ambassadors return from Finland
Our ambassadors have returned from a hugely successful visit to Finland to attend the Pupil Camp.
Shola, Sarah, Shanice, Abdul-Dayaan, Aneekah, Alex and Eddie spent 4 days working alongside their peers from Finland, Norway and Italy. They worked on a new Big Question;
"What Kind of a World would you like to live in?"
Go to Global links and Comenius to find out more.
Also visit our Small Action Big Change website which all our link schools use.
Shola, Sarah, Shanice, Abdul-Dayaan, Aneekah, Alex and Eddie spent 4 days working alongside their peers from Finland, Norway and Italy. They worked on a new Big Question;
"What Kind of a World would you like to live in?"
Go to Global links and Comenius to find out more.
Also visit our Small Action Big Change website which all our link schools use.
Dunkirk's International Ambassadors prepare to visit Finland
7 pupils from Cedar and Banyan are travelling to Finland on 11th February to attend a pupil camp where many pupils from our link schools will gather to discuss a Big Question!
Whilst Abdul-Dayaan, Eddie, Alex, Sarah, Annekah, Shanice and Shola are in Finland we will try and Skype them and look forward to hearing all about their experiences.
Whilst Abdul-Dayaan, Eddie, Alex, Sarah, Annekah, Shanice and Shola are in Finland we will try and Skype them and look forward to hearing all about their experiences.
RECEPTION ADMISSIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2014
It can be quite daunting choosing a school for your child and we understand that there are many questions you will want to ask. To try and help you with the process we have open days planned at both of our sites. These open days will give you the opportunity to have a look around the school and meet with members of staff who will be able to answer any questions you may have.
HIGHFIELD CAMPUS OPEN DAYS:
Wednesday 27th November 2013 - 1.30pm till 3pm
Wednesday 8th January 2014 - 9.30am till 11am
ABBEY CAMPUS OPEN DAYS:
Wednesday 4th December 2013 - 1.30pm till 3pm
Wednesday 8th January 2014 - 1.30 till 3pm
It can be quite daunting choosing a school for your child and we understand that there are many questions you will want to ask. To try and help you with the process we have open days planned at both of our sites. These open days will give you the opportunity to have a look around the school and meet with members of staff who will be able to answer any questions you may have.
HIGHFIELD CAMPUS OPEN DAYS:
Wednesday 27th November 2013 - 1.30pm till 3pm
Wednesday 8th January 2014 - 9.30am till 11am
ABBEY CAMPUS OPEN DAYS:
Wednesday 4th December 2013 - 1.30pm till 3pm
Wednesday 8th January 2014 - 1.30 till 3pm
Dunkirk wins the International School Award
Dunkirk wins the International School Award for the 4th consecutive time. This is as a result of amazing collaborations with a range of link schools across the world.Joint planning and teaching has been full of exciting and interesting projects which have linked closely to the schools curriculum. The award is valid for three years and Dunkirk will continue to provide an excellent benchmark for global citizenship and international linking.
Our new focus for this year's international linking work is the Big Question, 'Why are Trees Precious?' We will be looking at this question with all our link schools in Norway, Finland, Italy and Pakistan.
Our new focus for this year's international linking work is the Big Question, 'Why are Trees Precious?' We will be looking at this question with all our link schools in Norway, Finland, Italy and Pakistan.
Welcome Back- September 2013
Hope you had a great summer. Belated Eid Mubarak to you all!
We would like to welcome all our new pupils and their families and also our new staff.
Our new year 2 class at Abbey is called Mango. They are the first class to occupy our newly completed Edward Building.
We would like to welcome all our new pupils and their families and also our new staff.
Our new year 2 class at Abbey is called Mango. They are the first class to occupy our newly completed Edward Building.
International Evening 2013
Our much anticipated and enjoyed International Evening was held on Wednesday 3rd July. This event is ones of the most popular after school activity of the year. As always, the food was a highlight, there were so many dishes from so many different parts of the world. A huge thank you for all those who brought a taste of their country to share at Dunkirk.
There were so many activities on offer, such as Belly Dancing, Aikido demonstration, bow making, kite making, tent painting, popcorn making, crazy creature crafts, cake decorating, face painting, mehndi, raffle, art auction and of course the great balloon race.
Thanks to everyone who came and made the night one of the best International Evening we have had.
Enjoy the pictures.
There were so many activities on offer, such as Belly Dancing, Aikido demonstration, bow making, kite making, tent painting, popcorn making, crazy creature crafts, cake decorating, face painting, mehndi, raffle, art auction and of course the great balloon race.
Thanks to everyone who came and made the night one of the best International Evening we have had.
Enjoy the pictures.
Road Safety Quiz Finalists 2013
During the spring term 14,000 key stage 2 pupils take part in the Road Safety Quiz. Every child receives a copy of the quiz activity sheet, which is produced by the Road Safety Team and covers topics of local road safety interest, such as different crossings and the tram. The top ten scoring schools will go through to the final which is usually held in May/June.
We are very pleased to say that out of the eighty schools that took part we got through to the final. The team put in a credit worthy effort but were just pipped at the post. Well done to every one who took part.
We are very pleased to say that out of the eighty schools that took part we got through to the final. The team put in a credit worthy effort but were just pipped at the post. Well done to every one who took part.
Rastaala School Teachers and Pupils visit Dunkirk
Ms Taija, Ms Minna, Heini and Katarina visited London and Dunkirk Primary School this week. During their stay many activities and lessons were covered. There were a number of visits to the school allotment where careful observations of life in the pond were made, fires were lit and activities connected with the big question 'Why is Water Precious?' took place. A narrow boat adventure took place where different year groups were able to travel and steer a canal boat along the local canal network. The weather was glorious and everyone who steered the boats managed to get their classes back to school safe and sound! The visitors answered many questions pupils and teachers had for them about life in cold and snowy Finland. Cedar Class and Willow Class continued working jointly on the big question and this work will continue once the visitors return to their school
Everyone at Dunkirk really enjoyed their visit and learnt a lot. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Taija, Minna, Heini and Katarina for the lovely gifts they brought from Finland for the school and for all their hard work and time.
Everyone at Dunkirk really enjoyed their visit and learnt a lot. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Taija, Minna, Heini and Katarina for the lovely gifts they brought from Finland for the school and for all their hard work and time.
Local Newspaper reports on our link with Finland
4 Staff Visit Helsinki - February 2013
Ms Gallagher, Ms Jurkiw, Mrs Hollis and Ms Simpson have all made a visit to our link school in Finland. It was very brave to go in February...the weather can be extremely cold and very snowy. They have been exploring the Big Question, 'Why is Water Precious?' with their link classes and teachers. They have skyped Dunkirk at assembly time and we have been able to ask them questions and find out all about their visit. We look forward to hearing more on their return! Here are a few photos they have sent us so far...
Light Week and The Lantern Procession
The whole school has spent a week looking at the theme of Light across different faiths in the world.
Children have looked at what light means to people and what it means to them. They have explored the symbolism of light and how it is used in different cultures and religions. They explored some Big Questions on light such as ' What is the light of your life?',' What would happen if all the light in this world disappeared tomorrow?', ' Is light more important than darkness?' , ' Can light exist without darkness?' and 'What/who created light? '. Claire Simpson and Katy Doncaster (Visual artists) worked alongside every child in school to make beautiful willow lanterns. Parents came and joined in and also had a session on their own to make some lanterns. Parmjit Sagoo did some yoga sessions with different classes and groups on the theme of light and stories about light were read in assemblies.
The procession was held on the windiest day of the year so far!!! But was a huge success. The lanterns stayed in one piece and all the families and children paraded through the Dunkirk streets and ended on the school allotment and sang songs around the fire. A big thank you to every parent/carer who made the effort to join us. There will be an assembly at 2.30 on Friday 1st February to show the work that classes have been doing. Please join us then.
Children have looked at what light means to people and what it means to them. They have explored the symbolism of light and how it is used in different cultures and religions. They explored some Big Questions on light such as ' What is the light of your life?',' What would happen if all the light in this world disappeared tomorrow?', ' Is light more important than darkness?' , ' Can light exist without darkness?' and 'What/who created light? '. Claire Simpson and Katy Doncaster (Visual artists) worked alongside every child in school to make beautiful willow lanterns. Parents came and joined in and also had a session on their own to make some lanterns. Parmjit Sagoo did some yoga sessions with different classes and groups on the theme of light and stories about light were read in assemblies.
The procession was held on the windiest day of the year so far!!! But was a huge success. The lanterns stayed in one piece and all the families and children paraded through the Dunkirk streets and ended on the school allotment and sang songs around the fire. A big thank you to every parent/carer who made the effort to join us. There will be an assembly at 2.30 on Friday 1st February to show the work that classes have been doing. Please join us then.
Admissions Policy
Admissions places to Dunkirk Primary are managed by the Nottingham City (Local Authority) Admissions Department. The attached policy below explains how places are allocated to Dunkirk Primary & Nursery School. At this stage of the process parents and carers are applying for a place at Dunkirk Primary & Nursery School and not for a specific campus.
Once the Local Authority has allocated school places (Friday 12 April 2013) and parents have been informed, the Head Teacher and Governors will meet to decide campus allocations. Pupils who have
gained a place at Dunkirk Primary & Nursery School could be offered a place at either the Highfields campus (Marlborough Street) or the Abbey campus (Lenton Boulevard).
The attached policy provides further information on how Nottingham City Admissions Department will allocate places and the criteria the Head Teacher and Governors will use to determine allocation to either Highfields Campus or Abbey Campus.
Admissions places to Dunkirk Primary are managed by the Nottingham City (Local Authority) Admissions Department. The attached policy below explains how places are allocated to Dunkirk Primary & Nursery School. At this stage of the process parents and carers are applying for a place at Dunkirk Primary & Nursery School and not for a specific campus.
Once the Local Authority has allocated school places (Friday 12 April 2013) and parents have been informed, the Head Teacher and Governors will meet to decide campus allocations. Pupils who have
gained a place at Dunkirk Primary & Nursery School could be offered a place at either the Highfields campus (Marlborough Street) or the Abbey campus (Lenton Boulevard).
The attached policy provides further information on how Nottingham City Admissions Department will allocate places and the criteria the Head Teacher and Governors will use to determine allocation to either Highfields Campus or Abbey Campus.
admissions_criteria_2013-2014.pdf | |
File Size: | 150 kb |
File Type: |
Ofsted Inspection - Thursday 17 & Friday 18 May 2012
Dunkirk is 'Outstanding' (again) says Ofsted!
We are delighted and excited to share with you the results of our latest Ofsted inspection. The school was deemed to be 'Outstanding' again.This is the third consecutive time that Dunkirk Primary School has gained this criteria from Ofsted. Thank you for all your support and comments throughout the process.
Click here to read the latest report.
Click here to read the latest report.
The Subway Mural is Finished
After many months of planning and 5 days of hard work and committment, the subway is finally finished. Through out the week, members of the public who walked through the subway made positive comments on how much better this mural made the local environment look. One passer by even stopped and asked if he could help, even returning the next day to help again.
All the pupils are now finding their journey through the subway more interesting, colourful and enjoyable. They like to spot their own hand prints and are keen to show their families and friends what they have achieved. Everyone at Dunkirk feels very involved, happy and proud to have been part of such an exciting project. This accomplishment has made a big difference within the local community and is creating a great talking point.
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this big achievement. We would particularly like to thank the Dunkirk School Council and Mandy Bishton;Friends of Dunkirk; the Highways Agency; Dunkirk and Lenton Forum; A one + who cleaned the graffitti off and local councillors who supported the project throughout.
A special thank you to Claire and Kate, our artists who coordinated and offered their creativity and expertise and time all week.
A massive thanks to all the parents, friends,volunteers and families who gave up their time to get involved and get painting!
All the pupils are now finding their journey through the subway more interesting, colourful and enjoyable. They like to spot their own hand prints and are keen to show their families and friends what they have achieved. Everyone at Dunkirk feels very involved, happy and proud to have been part of such an exciting project. This accomplishment has made a big difference within the local community and is creating a great talking point.
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this big achievement. We would particularly like to thank the Dunkirk School Council and Mandy Bishton;Friends of Dunkirk; the Highways Agency; Dunkirk and Lenton Forum; A one + who cleaned the graffitti off and local councillors who supported the project throughout.
A special thank you to Claire and Kate, our artists who coordinated and offered their creativity and expertise and time all week.
A massive thanks to all the parents, friends,volunteers and families who gave up their time to get involved and get painting!
Teaching children to read
Click here to see and hear how we teach phonics at Dunkirk. Phonics provides the building blocks for reading. Children have produced a series of films to show how phonics are taught at Dunkirk and how we say the sounds.
Dunkirk are Carbon Detectives
Dunkirk has signed up to become a Carbon Detective. This has involved the school in finding out what it's carbon footprint is per child and what we are our future actions are to ensure we are not making too big an impact on our environment. We have been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for 2011/2012 and we have won third prize nationally for all the actions we have undertaken so far to lessen and improve our footprint. Please visit the website to see our profile and images. Click on the competition link and see our achievements. Our link school in Pakistan, The Lahore Lyceum is also taking part in this survey and has completed a survey to see whether their footprint is greater or less than ours! Watch this space for more details.
Here is a link to the Carbon Detectives Website
Here is a link to the Carbon Detectives Website