The Lister Weekly Update #31

Dear Parents and Carers,

We're writing to let you know that our consultation regarding students wearing black trainers to school is now complete.

Ms. Clay, our Head Teacher, is incredibly grateful for all the valuable feedback we received from you. Your input is very important to us, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.

Ms. Clay will be reviewing all the feedback and will share the outcome of the consultation with you all at the soonest opportunity.

Thank you again for your continued engagement and support.

The Matilda cast visited the Cambridge Theatre to watch the West End production of Matilda and loved it! There was even some crying...from laughter! For a school cast who had performed their own version of Matilda, seeing the professional West End production was an invaluable source of inspiration related back to their own experience. It allowed them to observe the staging, choreography, performances, and overall theatrical magic firsthand, which they related back to their own production.

We can't wait to see another production on the west end soon!

As Year 11 students continue their hard work towards their GCSE exams, your support at home is more crucial than ever. This is particularly true over the half term. Some intervention classes will be running during the week. Here is a reminder of some effective ways you can help them navigate this important period:

Creating a Conducive Study Environment:

• Dedicated Space: Help them establish a quiet area free from distractions where they can focus on their revision. This doesn't need to be a separate room, but a designated space where they know they can work undisturbed.
• Minimize Interruptions: During their study time, try to minimize interruptions from siblings, phone notifications, and household activities. Let other family members know when your Year 11 student needs quiet time.
• Provide Necessary Resources: Ensure they have access to all the materials they need, such as textbooks, revision guides, stationery, and a reliable internet connection if required.

Supporting Organisation and Planning:

• Revision Timetable: Encourage them to create a realistic revision timetable that breaks down subjects into manageable chunks. Help them factor in breaks and allocate time to each subject based on their needs. There are many free templates and apps available online that can assist with this.
• Prioritize and Plan: Help them identify their weaker areas and plan their revision accordingly. Encourage them to tackle challenging topics earlier rather than leaving them until the last minute.
• Regular Check-ins: Have regular, brief conversations about their revision progress. This shows you are interested and allows them to voice any concerns they may have.

Encouraging Effective Revision Strategies:

• Active Revision: Encourage active revision techniques rather than passive reading. This includes:
  • Flashcards: Creating and testing themselves on key facts, dates, and vocabulary.
  • Mind Maps: Visually organizing information and making connections between topics.
  • Practice Questions and Past Papers: Working through exam-style questions under timed conditions to familiarize themselves with the format and identify areas for improvement.
  • Teaching Others: Explaining concepts to you or siblings can solidify their understanding.
  • Summarizing: Condensing notes into key points.
• Regular Breaks: Remind them to take short, regular breaks to avoid burnout. Encourage them to step away from their study space, stretch, and get some fresh air.
• Variety is Key: Encourage them to use a mix of revision techniques to keep things engaging and cater to their learning style.
• Limit screen time: Encourage students to have as little time on their phones as possible - also to have complete breaks from screen time. This will mean that they get time to concentrate purely on their work.

Ms Coke kept our dancers busy this week.

On Tuesday there was a trip to the Royal Opera House to see the dress rehearsal of the Royal Ballet's "Ballet to Broadway" The ballets were modern in nature and were set to modern and jazz music which made them a little easier to understand. We were the only members of the public in the audience which made us feel even more special.

The second trip was to see Matsena's 'Kabel" at Sadler's Wells East which was a duet performed by two brothers. Kabel was based on the story of Kane and Abel. The red dramatic lighting used throughout was fascinating as the dancers danced in and out of the shapes it made on the stage. The dancers used spoken word mixed with dance to keep the audience enthralled.

Everyone loved it!

Monday 9th June

Shipman Youth Zone

This is a free, family-friendly event where you can explore local services and support around infant feeding, perinatal health, parenting, SEND, and more — with professionals from the NHS, CAMHS, Public Health, and others. Please see the flyer below

Here we highlight year groups' success and the particular form groups and individuals in year groups who are earning the most praises. Keep an eye out for your child's name here and see whether their form group have had particular success through the week!

The Thought for the Week next week is focused on success. Please discuss the thought with your child who will be looking at the thought in assembly and discussing the idea with peers and the year team.