Gatehouse Newsletter | 3rd February

Friday 3rd February 2023

Head's Reflections

This week Mrs Korbay was interviewed by the Year 5s!

You can expect more from this amazing group of researchers - read on for the Interview of the Week!

Drama

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

In drama, the children have learnt all about Chinese New Year. Pupils met a Chinese dragon puppet, acted out the story of the Chinese Calendar and created their very own dragon dances.

Boom-Bang-a-Bang-Boom-Boom

The sound of drumming resonated along the corridors yesterday morning...and afternoon.

The fantastic Mr Fox organised a drumming team, not only to entertain the children, but also to teach them drumming skills and technique. The Upper Junior children, from Year 3 to Year 6 had workshops during the day, where they all got to be hands on with the drums.

We have discovered that we have some competition for the late Phil Collins!

Early Years

What kind of planet do we want? A happy and healthy one! Reception have been making ecoconscious posters about protecting the planet.

There is always a rainbow over Gatehouse when Reception are around. Have a look at the colourful rainbows made with paper and felt tips.

One person's junk is another person's treasure! The children used kitchen rolls to make animals, monsters and so much more!

Year 1

Who you gonna call? The Number Chasers!

Year 1 learnt about place value, counting in 100s, 10s and 1s. The children had great fun playing the 'Number Chaser' game. The children followed the clues using place value. Each answer led to solving the puzzle.

Year 2

Year 2 can help you find the silver lining in the clouds!

This week, it has been all the weather. The children learnt about clouds and rain. They went out and about to spot different types of clouds and now know what they are called.

Back in the classroom, they investigated what clouds are made from. They discovered the different types of clouds which give clues as to the kind of weather that is coming.

The children realised if they can learn to read these, they can become cloud experts and impress everyone with their powers of prediction!

Year 2 students are learning about the importance of protecting personal information and creating safe, non-identifying usernames based on their interests.

Year 3

Walk like an Egyptian!

Year 3 transported us back to Ancient Egypt, headdresses and all, in assembly this week. The children sang and danced to demonstrate the art of mummification.

Going even further back in time, Year 3 made their own woolly mammoths. They wrote detailed instructions to go along with their crafts, so you can make one too - just ask Year 3!

These paper helicopters were a force to be reckoned with!

Year 3 have been learning about air resistance and gravity. The children used Newton meters to measure gravity and using the helicopters, they saw air resistance in action.

Year 4

The force (of electricity) is strong with this year group!

The children continue to make their own series and parallel circuits.

Year 5

So, what is your dream for our world?

In PSHE, the children wrote incredibly moving speeches about their dreams for how our world could be. These were in response to Martin Luther King's I have a Dream. Their speeches were both inspiring and interesting to hear!

https://sway.office.com/AkydIuJSZM7VLKLG#content=hmVcicAqXW5AQR

Electrifying is an understatement!

There is nothing quite like learning about static electricity using the famed Van Der Graaf Generator. Look at that hair!

Year 6

Fixtures are happening left, right and centre over here!

Another triumph for Gatehouse at the Under 11 Hockey match against Faraday School.

The children played fantastically in their first hockey matches of the year.

Both teams won their games and worked tactically as a team.

Orange Flame?

Pink Flame?

Green Flame?

Which will it be?

Year 6 have been busy demonstrating the reactivity of alkali metals in water. Then, without a doubt the most exciting chemistry experiment they will ever do, changing the colour of the Bunsen Burner flame in the flame tests!

French

Where would you like to visit?

Madame Moisy was impressed with the Year 6 presentations focusing on the geographical diversity of France, from gastronomy to landmarks.

The children learnt that some regions of France are not actually on the European continent! Can you name any?

Pupil Leadership Spotlight

My role at Gatehouse School is the Head Eco-warrior.

To be an Eco-warrior we make small changes in a small group to change the big world.

The reason I love Gatehouse is because I have learnt so much from here and had so much fun too.

- Arunika

SEN Team

The children go from strength to strength with their mathematics!

Commendations

Well done Gatehouse School, you have had a tremendous week!

A special mention to those who were commended for their positivity.

Interview of the Week

In PSHE, Year 5 reflected on the different people who help us and discussed what sort of skills would be useful when doing that job.

Here is Mrs Korbay's interview:

Anouk: Thank you for taking the time today to answer our questions. This week in PSHE, we are learning about the skills we need to get a job.

Ophelia: How long have you been a Headteacher?

I took over as the Headteacher of Gatehouse in 2019. So it has been over 3 years now.

Anouk: Have you had other jobs outside of education?

I was trained to be an accountant. I really loved maths when I was younger (I still do!). So I worked in the city for a company as a trainee accountant. But I did not really enjoy the job and that is when I chose education.

Etta: Why did you choose Gatehouse?

I was working in the state sector and actually my children came to Gatehouse and I told myself, “What a wonderful school to work in!" And here I am, Headteacher of this wonderful school I fell in love with years ago. What a blessing!

Ophelia: What was your dream when you were younger and did it come true?

My dream job when I was younger was to be a dentist.

I loved pulling teeth out. I pulled all my sister’s teeth out. But in secondary school, I started biology and I quickly realised that I could not dissect animals.

Giuliana: What skills do you need in your job as a headteacher?

To be a headteacher, you have to be honest, true and hard working.

You also need to be resilient, very organised, focused and courageous. You need to have inspiration and to be ambitious.

You have to believe in children and your staff.

Being a headteacher is actually a really lonely job. You have to spend a lot of time on your own thinking of what is the best for the children and the staff.

That is why I love being outside in the playground, chatting with the children and going to assemblies.

Anouk: What obstacles did you face?

The biggest obstacle I faced was answering a key question I was asked during my interview to be the Headteacher of Gatehouse. The question was: "Can you stop teaching?" It is very difficult to teach and fulfil your responsibilities as a headteacher. It was so hard to answer because I LOVED teaching.

Giuliana: Are there any skills you would like to develop further?

Definitely my musical instrument skills.

I always wanted to play piano but I never took the time in my life. It is a lot of practice and I have not yet managed my time well enough to start. But I am so impressed with our Gatehouse children that can play an instrument. It is such a fantastic skill to have.

Etta: If you had to consider another job what would it be?

I do not think I could do another job as I love my job so much.

But in a dream or maybe later in my life, I would like to volunteer at a children's home called SOS. I would read and sing to them. I would play with them.

I am very blessed to be the Headteacher at Gatehouse and to spend my days with great children and work with great teachers. Because I feel so blessed, I would love to give back to the universe to say thank you.

Anouk: What is your favourite year group to work with?

It is such a hard question. I am torn between Reception and Year 6. Reception represents the start of your education where you learn how to count, write and read. I have always loved the magic of what happens in Reception.

But I also love the champion qualities of Year 6.

It is like a flower that you can see blossoming and becoming so confident and reading for the future.

It would be impossible to answer this question, impossible to choose between the magic at the beginning and magic at the end.

Etta: Thank you so much, Mrs Korbay, for taking the time to answer our questionnaire. We wanted to tell you that you are doing a GREAT job and thank you for that.

Noticeboard

The Bookmark Competition has begun!

You can start designing. Ask Ms Howe for more information.

"Look What I Saw…”

Gatehouse Photography Exhibition - enter by 6th March!

Have a fantastic weekend!