PDO School Newsletter
15th January 2024
Dear Parents
As we approach our International week it’s important that we explore the values and the motivation behind developing International Mindedness (IM). The IPC and IEYC have a significant focus on developing IM and it is viewed as critical learning within our global context.
International mindedness in education does not mean compromising local values or traditions; rather, it enhances them by preparing children to navigate an increasingly interconnected world. Understanding diverse perspectives is essential, even for those who remain rooted in their communities. The OECD found that exposure to multicultural learning environments helps students develop collaboration and critical thinking skills—qualities that are crucial for success in any profession or setting.
Rather than weakening national identity, international mindedness deepens it. UNESCO highlights that understanding other cultures encourages children to reflect on and appreciate their own traditions, building pride in their heritage while also fostering mutual respect.
The benefits to children are also more practical. International mindedness equips children for real-world challenges. Employers increasingly seek individuals with cultural awareness and adaptability, skills that are cultivated through international curricula like the IPC/IEYC or IB. These approaches integrate global perspectives into learning, enabling students to navigate and contribute to their communities and beyond with confidence.
As children grow and develop their inter-personal skills, they benefit from learning how to engage with others thoughtfully while maintaining a strong sense of their own identity. International mindedness does not replace local values; it equips children to understand them and advance them in a global context.
As we approach International Week we hope that you will all take the opportunity to discuss with your own children what IM means to them and how you as parents can support an open mindset to new experiences and opportunities.
Tim Robinson
Headteacher
Home Reading Books
Children are enjoying reading our new home reading books and were keen to give us some feedback:
Waleed: 'I like the variety of books'.
Ricardo: 'The books are really interesting'.
Pratista: 'They are easy to find'.
Hashir: 'I like the non-fiction books because they give me information'.
Ahmed: 'The books are marvellous'.
We hope the books are having a positive impact on your reading time at home with your child.
Early Years
Children have a fundamental right to play, as recognised by UNICEF and the Sustainable Development Goals, which are essential for their growth and development. Through play, children can explore, express themselves and extend their learning in ways that shape their future.
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This week in Early Years, our children were fully immersed in outdoor play, where they explored different areas of creativity and discovery. Some were building bridges and structures with wooden crates, while others designed cosy homes and beds, learning about construction and problem solving. Meanwhile, some children dug in the sand, exploring textures and sensory play, while others worked together in the mud kitchen, creating imaginary dishes. On the climbing frame, children developed strength and balance, while those on the seesaw engaged in turn taking and teamwork. These activities not only allow children to engage in physical play, but also support their social, cognitive and emotional growth.
A New Space for Learning in MP1
This week, we were excited to introduce a brand-new classroom for MP1 during a special assembly with the children. This new space has been thoughtfully designed to inspire creativity, collaboration, and independent enquiry, and it’s filled with carefully chosen resources from Early Excellence.
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During the assembly, we explored the theme of Respect, which is one of our Personal Learning Goals. The children listened to the story What If Everybody Did That?, which helped them think about how their actions can affect others and how we can all show respect for people and shared spaces. They shared fantastic ideas about how they can help 'grow respect' in our school, which they’ll be adding to a beautiful 'Respect Garden' display in the new classroom.
The room is equipped with high-quality resources to encourage imaginative play, problem-solving, teamwork, and enquiry-based learning. We’re so excited to see how the children in MP1 will use this space to support their learning and develop new skills.
Milepost 2
Year 3 kicked off their 'Island Life' IPC Entry Point with an exciting shelter-building challenge!
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Using Personal Learning Goals such as collaboration, communication and thinking, they worked together to create sturdy shelters. The fun continued as they unpacked their 'survival kits' from home and put their creations to the test. What a fantastic start to the topic! In this unit, the children will be learning about the islands of the world, how they are formed, what life is like on some islands, as well as some of the threats to people’s lives and their unique cultures.
Milepost 3
This week, Year 5 launched their exciting new topic, 900 CE, with an engaging and immersive Entry Point activity.
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The day began with an exploration of students’ existing knowledge about some of history’s most fascinating civilizations, including the Egyptians, Vikings, Mayas, and the Islamic Empire. Children shared their understanding of these influential societies, sparking curiosity about the connections between them and their lasting impact on the modern world. The discussions laid a strong foundation for a deeper dive into this captivating era of history.
The fun didn’t stop there! Students participated in a variety of quizzes, challenges, and games designed to test their historical knowledge and teamwork skills. These activities encouraged collaboration and creative thinking, creating a lively atmosphere that was as educational as it was enjoyable. The Entry Point set the stage for what promises to be an incredible journey through 900 CE, as Year 5 delves into the richness of past civilisations and discovers the threads that tie history together. This exciting start has already left everyone eager to learn more in the coming weeks!
Toddler Hut
This week at Toddler Hut, the children had a wonderful time engaging in hands-on exploration! They delved into a dinosaur-themed sand small world, made their mark with colourful markers, and honed their scooping and catching skills in the water tray, bringing joy and wonder to their learning experience!
Budding eco-warriors clean up PDO Beach!
Over the weekend, a group of children noticed a huge amount of plastic pollution on PDO Beach and decided to clean it up. A massive thank you to Addy (Y1L), Ivy (Frog Class), Mia (Y2A), Hattie (Y4A), Eilidh (Y2H), Pippa (Y2H), Miles (Frog Class) and Euan (Frog Class) for your hard work. They were accompanied by adults to ensure they remained safe and that the rubbish was disposed of correctly.
Let's all do our part to protect our beaches and marine life and look after the planet by putting our rubbish in the bin.
Enrichment update
It has been great to see our Term 2 Enrichment Programme underway. Thank you to everyone who signed up through the new system. We hope this has made it easier to navigate and select your child's choices. We have over 90% of the pupils in school listed in our Enrichment Programme with a large variety of clubs on offer including our lunchtime activities, with some pupils taking part in over 5hrs a week of enrichment which we are pleased to see.
This terms enrichment will finish in time for Ramadan so we have 5 more weeks of opportunities still to come.
Congratulations to our Learners of the Week!
As always, we are celebrating our Learners of the Week - it is always wonderful to hear about their achievements.