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Dear Parents
It was a pleasure to see so many of you at the Summer Fair, ‘ChanFest,’ yesterday afternoon. It was wonderful to watch the girls and all of you enjoying the games, the Adventure Playground, and the delicious food and drink. Many thanks to the Channing Association for organising such a fabulous event. Mrs Graham and Mrs Taylor certainly considered every single detail! The atmosphere was fantastic, and it was great to soak it all up together.
This morning, the Year 1 girls took us on a delightful journey inspired by the enchanting adventures of Sunny the meerkat in the book, ‘Meerkat Mail.’ Their assembly served as a gateway to explore various environments, encounter diverse animals, and marvel at the wonders of nature alongside Sunny. Through engaging performances and interactive learning, the girls explored the vibrant world of meerkats and their habitats.
As the girls vividly portrayed the life of Sunny in the Kalahari Desert, they not only entertained but also educated the rest of us about the unique characteristics and challenges faced by meerkats.They artfully wove together important lessons about unity, safety, independence, and the significance of family bonds, all through the lens of a meerkat’s journey. The assembly showcased the girls’ creativity, teamwork, and enthusiasm for storytelling. They seamlessly integrated facts about deserts, animal behaviours, and environmental adaptations into a compelling narrative that captivated the audience’s attention and sparked curiosity.
I commend the girls for their dedication and hard work in bringing this assembly to life. Their commitment to learning and their creative talents were truly evident throughout the performance, and I am incredibly proud of each and every one of them.
Assemblies and other such experiences play a vital role in the holistic development of our pupils, fostering not only their academic knowledge but also their oracy skills, confidence, and collaborative spirit. At the Junior School, we place a strong emphasis on oracy skills – the ability to communicate effectively through spoken language. I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of developing these skills from a young age, both within the curriculum and through co-curricular activities.
Oracy skills are fundamental for the girls’ academic success and personal development. Strong communication skills enable children to express their thoughts and ideas confidently, engage in meaningful discussions, and articulate their understanding of various subjects. Moreover, oracy skills are essential for building positive relationships, collaborating effectively with peers, and succeeding in future careers that require effective communication.
At the Junior School, we integrate oracy skills across the curriculum to ensure that the girls have ample opportunities to practise and develop their speaking and listening abilities. From participating in class discussions and presentations to engaging in drama activities and debates, we aim to nurture the girls’ confidence and proficiency in verbal communication. In addition, we also offer a range of co-curricular activities (for example storytelling sessions and Drama workshops) and extracurricular activities (including Drama and Debating clubs) that further enhance your daughter’s oracy skills. These activities can help your daughter to explore different forms of expression and build a strong foundation for effective communication in various contexts.
We encourage you to support your daughter’s development of oracy skills at home by engaging in meaningful conversations, reading together, and providing opportunities for her to express herself verbally. By fostering a language-rich environment and valuing communication, you can contribute significantly to your daughter’s overall growth and success.
In conclusion, oracy skills are a vital aspect of the girls’ education and future prospects. By working together to develop and nurture these skills, we can empower the girls to become confident, articulate communicators who are well-equipped to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your daughter’s education. Together, we can create a nurturing and enriching environment that empowers her to thrive and grow.
Wishing all the dads reading this a very Happy Father’s Day on Sunday!
And Chag Sameach for those families who will be celebrating Shavuot this week.
With warm wishes
Miss Dina Hamalis
Head of the Junior School
