This week is SATs week for the children in Year 6. The children are no longer expected to take a science test, as they have done in previous years, but they still take a reading test, spelling test, two writing tests, two written maths papers and a mental maths test.

The children in Year 2 are also being assessed at the moment. In Year 2 the situation is different to Year 6; the children’s level of attainment is assessed through continuous teacher assessment and they are also given a formal test to help support the teacher’s assessments. In Year 2 the teacher assessments are reported to parents and the local authority. In Year 6 both the test results and the teacher assessments are reported.

School Governors

This week, Dr Anna Monnickendam introduces herself.

“Stepping through the door of St Mary's, there is a passion for education and team spirit, I have never felt before in a school. Families, children, staff, volunteers… everyone, working together. Not just outstanding but best.

A parent of 3 children of the school (Izzy in Yr 6 and twins now at secondary school), a Parent Governor, then a Foundation Governor, this is no fleeting first impression - it still amazes me.

As a link Governor, firstly for Music, PSHE and now Science, Art, Design & Technology, I have got to see close up, the talent, hard work and thought with which our teachers develop subjects, year after year. The budget and curriculum restraints they work within have also been an eye-opener. Hands on, I have helped with working parties about school lunches, parents and governors' meetings and disability.  

Professionally, I am a medical consultant working in a hospital. Within my speciality, I have a special interest in accessing those who find it most difficult to reach services. Our family is part Greek, Scottish, Dutch and even a little bit English, so I have grown up with how equal but different everyone's lives can be..

Health promotion, including schools and colleges, is also an important part of my job.

I hope  to continue to help link St Mary's with local resources, in whatever small way possible.

Outside work, I am training in Sculpture.”

This Week

• Year 6 SATs tests

• Friday: Year 5 and Year 6 to the library

Dates For Your Diary