THE PRIMARY DEPARTMENT

Review of the Year 2000/1

In September we welcomed Clare Linfitt to Year 5 and Mrs Charlotte Hiscox to Year 2. Ms Gallagher commenced Maternity Leave and in December gave birth to a little girl, Ella. Our learning support team expanded with the arrival of Ms Evonne Hay and Ms Katya Cofiño.

During the year we had a number of outings and events that broadened and supported the children’s experiences in the classroom:

The whole school visited the Spanish puppet theatre in Malaga and we were amazed at the skills of the puppeteers.

Bookworld España provided a very comprehensive bookfair during the parent/teacher evening in February.

Keystage One went on day visits to SeaLife and Selwo.

In Keystage Two the visits linked to History and Geography got us out and about exploring local cultural and environmental areas.

Year 5 investigated the everyday problem of traffic in Fuengirola and wrote in support of the campaign to save the tree in Plaza de la Constitución.
Being a “good citizen” is part of our personal and social education programme. Year 6 supported by Miss Jo, organized a “Mini-Bazaar”. The proceeds went to a centre for Downs Syndrome and Rickets in Morocco. A marvellous 118.000 ptas was raised and presented as a giant cheque to Dr Maria Sutcliffe who co-ordinates some of the school’s involvement with charities.

Raising the level of achievement of all pupils is our most important aim. Achievement must be viewed in its widest sense: from academic level, to self-confidence and experience of a wide range of activities. This year there has been a noticeable rise due to the team work undertaken by the staff. It is important that staff, children and parents work in partnership so that children have a positive attitude to learning. The Literacy and Numeracy Strategies that were introduced over the past two years are now having an important impact on achievement . Our children have done so well this year that they must be congratulated.

The year ends on a successful note but as always, it is a time for 'goodbyes'.

Mrs Holmes leaves us after 18 years of service. Her 'retirement' is well deserved. Mrs Holmes has made a remarkable contribution to the school and an impact on so may pupils’ educational lives. There is a saying “teachers never die they just lose their class”. Mrs Holmes will never lose the skill to inspire young minds! She will be missed but fully deserves to move on to the next phase in her life.

It has been a successful year in the Primary School and there is an exciting future ahead of us. We look forward to welcoming new students and staff as the Primary Department expands!

Mrs Pat Dodds

Year 6 Leave Primary School

Moving from Primary to Secondary school is an important milestone in a child’s educational life. Some would say it is the changing point from childhood to being a young adult!

Year 6 have already spent one day following a Year 7 timetable. Having to carry their possessions from class to class was quite a shock! As usual a highlight was buying lunch in the cafeteria.



All the children have achieved so much during their primary years. As well as the formal curriculum, they have been in shows, assemblies and sports events, with many places of interest having been visited during each year.

To mark the children’s achievement Mr Dunckley presented each “leaver” with a Primary Certificate during their final assembly.
Good luck Year 6! You are well prepared for the challenges ahead.

Elephants
Never Forget

and neither will Reception! We had a fantastic day at Selwo on the 14th June that brought to life all we have learned in our African topic in class.

HALLOWE’EN

On a beautifully sunny afternoon in the late October the playground was filled with the spooky vision of witches, wizards, ghosts and mythical creatures. This year all the items arose from work in the classrooms, particularly music and literacy lessons.

Year 6 performed their version of the witch’s speech from Shakespeare´s “Macbeth”. Until a few years ago it was presumed that Shakespeare was too advanced for primary age children! Year 6 proved this view incorrect – their contribution to the Hallowe´en show was only one piece from a whole unit on the plays of Shakespeare. The mix of song, instrumental work, prose and wonderful costume made a very varied and lively show.

Congratulations! - 1

To the cup winners of the Primary Athletics. On the sixth of April we enjoyed the annual Primary School Athletics event - a full afternoon of fun and games for all (including a race for mums & dads). The three students pictured left were the winners of the overall cups for scoring the highest points in the whole event. Danielle Kinnen of Year 2 took the girls’ cup and Max Gibbs-Jones and Eddie Hyde-Lopez of Year 3 shared the boys’ cup.


Congratulations! - 2

Everyone in Primary school loves books. To celebrate World Book Day our local book supplier - Bookworld Espana - asked children to draw their favourite character from a story. Entries flooded in from all the local schools - 80 entries from EIC alone! Surprise! Surprise! - EIC was amongst the runners up. Rochelle Mair from Reception was a runner up in the 4-6 year olds category. We all watched with excitement as Rochelle opened her winner’s parcel - what wonderful prizes for a beginning reader. Well done Rochelle - happy reading!

SAVING THE TREE

As part of the Year 5 Geography curriculum, we studied local environmental issues. We organised a field trip to the centre of Fuengirola and discovered that traffic was a big problem in the town. We heard about the council’s plans to replace a tree (which is over 100 years old) with an underground carpark. After debating the issue, we wrote letters to Fuengirola council to persuade them not to move the tree from the Plaza de la Constitution. The latest news is the tree has been saved!!!

James Langton Year 5