Dear ALS Community,
We are delighted to be writing the weekly email this week and to get the opportunity to give you an insight into life in the Upper Juniors at ALS.
My name is Henry, I am in Year 6 and the Head Prefect of the Juniors. I started at Arnold Lodge in Reception and throughout the 6 years here, the school has been very supportive. My favourite subject has changed over the years but at the moment I really enjoy science because it is taught in a really fun way. I have been on lots of trips in my time here but I think my fondest memories are of the Tudor trip in Year 2 when we went to The Shakespeare Birthplace and the residential trip in Year 5 when we went to Folly Farm. It was such a great experience to take video footage and learn about habitats and ecosystems. I have had so many opportunities in the Juniors, for example I read a speech at the Remembrance Service in front of the whole school and more recently at the Carol Service. I enjoy my responsibilities as Head Prefect but I think the one I enjoy the most is running the Dojo shop so that everyone gets their rewards.
My name is Issy and I joined ALS at the start of this academic year into Year 6. I am Deputy Head Prefect. When I first joined ALS I felt very welcomed into the Arnold Lodge Community and found it easy to make friends. When I joined I found it easier to concentrate and understand my dyslexia because the classes are smaller so I get help really quickly. I really enjoy being a Prefect and having lots of responsibilities like looking after the Year 3’s when we do shared reading. I enjoy all of the PE activities like hockey and swimming. I have also really enjoyed my art lessons with Miss Howard, who has taught me how to use different types of media in my artwork.
In Key Stage 2 recently we have been doing ‘Genius Hour’, which is a project where we get put into groups in which we research different topics. This year the topic is on the Earthshot Prize and we have been split into 5 groups and each given a topic: Clean Our Air; Fix Our Climate; Protect and Restore Our Nature, Revive Our Oceans; and Build a Waste-Free World. We are really looking forward to sharing our knowledge and work with everyone next half term.
We are both looking forward to starting in Year 7 in September, moving in to the ALS Seniors and getting our new blue blazers. We have already had a couple of transition lessons so we are starting to get to know what it will be like. The science transition lesson has been the best so far because we dissected at lung! We are both looking forward to more exciting science experiments and also doing some cool art projects. In Year 7, we are looking forward to all of the responsibilities and opportunities to learn new things. We can’t wait!
Our mantra for next week is ‘Be ready to put in the work that isn’t seen’, our Head of Dedicas, Mr Scott writes; this mantra has been a poignant one for our Year 11’s over recent weeks. With one set of mocks completed, and another looming, they have put in numerous hours of unseen work through revision sessions and past papers. We are fortunate to have a studious and diligent student body, and I am convinced that they will continue to put in the necessary work outside of the classroom to achieve their goals in the summer. It wouldn’t be right for me to address this mantra without linking it to a sporting example; Jonny Wilkinson used to arrive to training an hour early, and leave an hour after everybody to perfect his kicking. His relentless work behind the scenes was finally showcased in the 2003 rugby world cup final, where his winning kick secured glory for England.
This week saw Safer Internet Day which was recognised in school to remind us that it is as important to be respectful and kind online as it is face to face which leads us nicely into the online safety guide this week on 'Sharing Kindness Online'. Last year, around one in five children aged 10–15 in England and Wales admitted experiencing online bullying: most commonly being insulted or sworn at, or having hurtful messages sent about them. To a child who’s being bullied, the world can seem like a bleak, negative place – but just one kind word can be a ray of hope: a turning point that brightens someone’s day and resets their perspective. That’s why ‘One Kind Word’ is the theme of Anti-Bullying Week 2022. We’re supporting this year’s event by bringing you ten top tips for beating online bullying by replacing it with kindness. In the guide, you'll find tips such as reaching out, thinking before commenting and recommending fun things.
It’s a non-uniform day on Monday (14th February), please do remind pupils to wear something red and bring £2 for a fantastic cause. Warwickshire Hearts have been in to visit Year 8 recently and will be returning to visit more Seniors in the coming weeks. In addition to their inschool training sessions, Warwickshire Hearts provide an immediate trained response to 999 calls when a West Midlands Ambulance Service resources is not immediately available.
On Thursday and Friday this coming week, our Juniors (Yr 4-6) and Seniors (Yr 7-9) will take to the pool in our annual ALS House Swimming Gala. Please do come and join us to spectate from the poolside gallery. The Seniors are swimming on Thursday from 10:00am – 12:00pm and the Juniors on Friday from (10:00am – 11:30am). It will be a great event, do come and cheer us on from the side as we race for our houses to win. Here is more information from Mr Gear.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Best wishes,
Henry & Issy | Head Prefect & Deputy Head Prefect of the Juniors
February 11th 2022
