Headlines By James Saunders 5th February 2021
100 Recording Lessons Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation I have recently been talking to staff about intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and the difficulties in encouraging intrinsic motivation from a distance as well as using the carrot approach of extrinsic motivation when we do not have access to learners in school. However, some of my worries about intrinsic motivation were allayed this week when I received a bunch of emails from our learners. I had, over the previous week, emailed quite a few of them to congratulate them on the fantastic progress they were making. What I didn’t expect on the back of these emails, was to be inundated with kind, considerate, thoughtful and inspirational replies.
From these replies it was clear that there is no lack of intrinsic motivation in our learners. It takes a fair bit of time to send emails and I managed to get through about 350 learners over the course of the week - not quite everyone I know but I am confident that the rest of the Honywood team have also been following up with communications. Our aim remains to contact every learner weekly where possible. Now onto extrinsic motivation. It has struck me that so many learners are doing a fantastic job. To complement our learner of the week we are going to look to plan some kind of reward trip/experience to celebrate when we finally get back to normal. We will use learner of the week, house points, engagement levels and feedback from staff about overcoming challenge and adversity over the lockdown period to identify those who have done their best. If learners need some extrinsic motivation to keep on pushing then a reward will most certainly be at the end of the line. Parents, you can help us to develop motivation as well as cement the learning in our learners. Please spend time each day asking them what they have been up to; what lessons they had and what work they completed. Ask them what they struggled with and what new things they have learnt. I know that you will probably be doing this already but it really does help them to remain focused.
I have recently read some worrying reports in the media about children and parents filming lessons that are delivered remotely and putting them on social media. I have not heard of this happening in our community but I feel it is worth reminding all learners that they are not permitted to film lessons in this way. The privacy of both staff and learners should be respected at all times. If we come across incidents such as this there will be consequences for those involved and we may limit their access to our devices. 8th March and Mock exams You will have heard in the media the government’s desire to open schools from the 8th March. We have been informed that they will provide us with 2 weeks notice. The sceptic in me is taking this date with a pinch of salt and should we be opening further I expect it to be only to select year groups. I could be wrong. I have been wrong before. I just want to prepare you for the fact that we may still be working this way for longer than we would hope. I wrote to our C11 learners this week to reassure them, as best as I could in an uncertain world, about their upcoming mock exams and GCSE grades. Mock exams are scheduled to take place later this term - from Monday 8th March We have not looked to move them as we think that they could be back in school by then. Until we have clarity on this we will keep them as they are (there is no point in moving them to only have to move them again) - I expect to be confirming them after half term. They did a great job last year completing virtual mocks so we do have that option should there be a delay in their return, but I really don't think we will need to do that. Naturally we would prefer them to sit these mocks at school rather than home as this robustness will be able to provide more secure data for their final grades. It could be that we will delay them until later in the term or after Easter. All of these changes will be dependent on two things: when schools are able to open back up to C11s and what format the GCSE assessments will take.
Headlines contd... GCSE grades As you will be aware there has been a consultation on how these are to be awarded. The consultation ended last week. We are currently waiting for confirmation on how learners will be assessed and what is involved. What I do know is that it will be more robust than the process used last summer and will take into account much of the work they are completing now. Mocks will most definitely play a key role. Therefore, my advice to our C11s is to continue to prep as though they will be taking mocks this term on 8th March - that is what teachers are currently preparing them for. The grades they receive over this period and from mocks will contribute to the GCSE in some way so they can't afford to lose focus. There is always speculation in the media about schools and your future - they love to create drama with a news story. Many of these stories are exactly that - a story - something made up.
I would like to reassure you that as soon as we know the full facts regarding what will definitely be happening we will let you know. In the meantime I would like to thank you for the admirable way you have supported us to navigate this historical period in time. Please keep yourselves and your families safe. James Saunders Headteacher
Our lateral flow testing continues this week offering the test to key worker children in school and to staff. Thankyou to all of the volunteers from our school community and wider community for making this possible.
Illness / absence from either virtual or physical school should be reported in the usual way via email to
Attendance @honywoodschool.com
Inclement weather procedure Please remember to take a look at the inclement weather procedure on our website, for those key worker learners currently attending school. https://www.honywoodschool.com/ information/inclement-weatherprocedure/
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Week commencing 1st February 2021
English
Maths
Geography
C7—Robert Ardern C7—Aiden Smith C8—Jenson Galvin C8—Harriet Trustrum
C7—Keira Martin C7—Robert Ardern C8—Alexander Whitehead C8—Harriet Trustrum
C7—Jay Connor Gormley Morris C8—Nathan Succamore C9—Erin Smith C10—Emily Champion
C9—Clara Donnelly C9—Theo Snowling C10—Brodie Henrici-Fernandez C10—Lily Tilyard C11—Jonny Adams C11—Katherine Harvey
C9—Maddy Strugnell C9—Rory Nicola C10—Layla Al-Riyami C10—Harry Alderton C11- George Wallbank C11-Jonathan Harris
C11- Billy Franklin
Science C7—Emily Henrici-Fernandez C8—Jack Garner C8—Rose Young C9—Grace Harper C9—Harriet Mead C10—Lienke Viljoen C11—Sienna Gray C11—Billy Franklin C11—Finley Kennedy
KS3 Technology C7—Keira Martin C9—Jack Hammond
Food Technology C10—Alex Banyard
Resistant Materials C10—Gregory Glover
Graphics Art
C7– Kai Harding C8—Lucy Hinkin C9—Harry Hookings C10—Rose Forster C11—Jonny Adams Health and Social Care C9—Bobby-Jo Witney C10—Harry Freeman
C9—Erin Smith
Textiles C9—Matilda Plumb
History C7—Tessa Hardy C8—Tamar Milliken C9—Josh Hardingham C10- Miranda Nicholls C11—Alex Larner
Philosophy & Religion C7—Zehra Torbas C8—Alexander Whitehead C9—Daisy Young C11—Oliver Stayt
Week commencing 1st February 2021
French
Music
C7—Ella Pinkham C8—Daniel Taylor C9—George Stark C10—Charlie Long
C7—Tessa Hardy C8—Amy Garner C9—Theo Nicholls C10—Melissa Lemin
C11—Luke Evans
C11—James Wilson
German C7—Morgan Dearsley C8—Kacper Wrobel C9—Will Chandler C10—Holly Murrell C11—Lauren Baker
Spanish C9—Joanne Neary C10—Brodie Henrici-Fernanadez C11—Radvilas Venckus
Drama C7—Emma Jullien C8—Rose Collier C9—Finlay Newton C10—Melissa Lemin C11—Emily Hasler
C9—Finley Newton (GCSE PE) C10—Jake Ring (Core PE) C10—Amelia Jenkins (GCSE PE) C11—Grace Morris (Core PE) C11—Hannah Pyatt (GCSE PE)
C7—Freddie Dorling C8—Amy Garner
Computer Science C9—Thomas March C10—James Rissen C11—Kieran Ward
Business Studies C9—Nadia Twardosz C10—Jack Symonds C11– Abby Colairo
Dance C7—Harry Gosling C9—Florence Ball C10—Amelia Jenkins C11—Sienna Gray
PE C7– Jay Connor Gormley Morriss C8—Amy Garner C9—Jay Walford (Core PE)
Enterprise Solutions
All Learners nominated will be receiving certificates in the post. Well done to everyone who has been nominated this week!
Media Studies C9—Charlie Harper C10—Owen James C11—Adam Edwards