Headteacher Note It’s hard to believe that it is half-term already. Schools up and down the country have been adopting measures to limit the spread of COVID 19 in their environments. Pinewood is no different and I’m very pleased with our plans and the way everyone in our school community has adapted so well to the changes we have put in place. Undeniably there have been teething troubles and things that we have sought to change and improve over time. What has been best of all is to the students return with excitement and enthusiasm for their learning. Their attitudes have been excellent, I can’t praise them highly enough. I want, also, to say how well the staff have worked to embrace the new ways of working and to e able Pinewood to continue to work as well as ever. I hope you all have a good and safe half term. Mr D. McGachen Headteacher

Halloween Safety

You are all probably getting excited about Halloween at the end of October and may

be thinking of trick or treating. This year, due to Coronavirus, the government have recommended that people do not go out

trick or treating, the advice is to stay at home please. See Hertfordshire CC link

below: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/about-the-council/news/news-archive/herts-

leaders-advise-stay-safe-for-halloween-2020

Whilst this is disappointing you can still have fun in your own home with Halloween games and fun,

try:…… Apple bobbing

‘murder’ in the dark Silent disco’s at home with scary music

‘mummy’ toilet paper race Pin the tail on the witches’ cat (not literally

please……) Blind fold food tasting (pick nice and not so nice

foods) Pumpkin Carving (ensure an adult helps) Hanging doughnuts – eating competition

Have a virtual Halloween fancy dress party Halloween scavenger hunt – hunt for sweets hidden

around the house and garden And finally…..

PUMPKIN BOWLING

Starring Toilet Paper as Ghost and Pumpkin as the Ball, this uncomplicated game can entertain kids for ages. I bet you’ll have all the supplies on hand to create this bowling game. You’ll use a black sharpie marker to create the faces on toilet paper and pumpkin before allowing kids to go “bowling”.

Staff Update As part of our ongoing recruitment we have appointed three new teaching assistants this half term who will be joining classes in year 7 & 8.

Starting October 19th , we welcome;

Mr T Buchan – 8T Mrs T Gafney – 7H

Mr S King – 7H

We are sure you will give them our usual warm ‘Pinewood Welcome”

Important Notice

Please be reminded that parent/carers/visitors to the school should NOT be taking any photographs or filming

at any time on school premises for Safeguarding reasons

Wellbeing

Dear all A huge thank you for all your support around the Wellbeing Award. Parents/carers, pupils and staff have been involved in filling out questionnaires and some have been part of the change group making decisions around how school can improve its wellbeing. I am very pleased to announce that the school has officially qualified for the Optimus Schools Wellbeing Award. We received very positive feedback from our verifier which was nice recognition for all the hard work. You may have seen the following logo apparel on the website and we are awaiting a certificate to display in school. But more importantly the best bit has been seeing pupils, staff and parents become more comfortable in talking around emotions, communication increase, mindfulness and zones of regulation within learning and some reduction in workload for staff. By chance this venture coincided with COVID and lockdown and I think that a focus around wellbeing during this time helped the Pinewood community cope with change and develop new skills. Thanks again Mr Baines

Music at Pinewood…

As I cannot teach all students at Pinewood at the moment I thought I’d give you a brief introduction of what and who I am! Especially for the Year 7 parents and carers as I have not met your children at all yet. I am primarily a Saxophonist - but also play piano and percussion- and a little ukulele! Throughout my Teaching career I have been involved in many projects at many establishments gaining significant experience with children and adults of all abilities. As well as Teaching at Pinewood I teach for Essex Music Services where I am a Music Tutor and Music Tutor Mentor. I’m also in charge of 2 Music Centres in Harlow and Braintree- although this work is all online for the foreseeable. I have taught in different countries that widened my view on teaching and have attended many lectures and workshops about Teaching and Musical Nurturing. I have delivered workshops to students of all ages and abilities. Small and large group work. Workshops include – improvisation/vocal studies/drama/song writing/dance/Sensory Stories and signing- with singing I also deliver regular CPD sessions for Teachers in Music Class Teaching. My performing experience has broadened my flexibility to show myself as an Artist when Teaching. Performing includes Working with Johnny Bristol, Edwin Starr, Van Morrison, Michael Garrick- and many other British Jazz Musicians. I played in a Saxophone Qrt ‘Jazz a belles’ ( I didn’t choose the name!) for many years- touring Europe teaching and performing for many different events including lots of Car launches! I also played in the Crissy Lee Big Band- Yup, the drummer who was BGT- who was not given a fair chance! Do not get me started on that one! She really is a lovely, talented lady. We still gig occasionally- it’s lovely seeing all the other players, we really are like a big family. Recently I have been meeting up with Musicians and it looks like more gigs could be occurring. Can’t do the trips up and down the country living off stale sandwiches anymore though! I write music and do session work now and again that keeps me inspired. I recently featured on an Album by John Beagly - a dedication to Howard Jones- now, there’s a blast from the past! My plans for Creativity at Pinewood….well, no-one knows what will be going on next week, let alone a few months’ time, but one thing we all need to do is remain positive and fill our lives with beautiful things. What have we all been doing in lockdown? Listening to music, being creative, watching films… I could go on… Keeping creativity alive in education is paramount, and I intend to create events and opportunities for our talented youngsters. So, for those of you who don’t know, I usually host Variety Shows at Pinewood every term, which are a real celebration of the wonderful talent we have at school. These events include food cooked by our very own chef - Mr. Ryan. We are not able to have a live performance in school this Christmas, so I intend to invite you all to a virtual show that will be pre-recorded and streamed for a small fee. There may even be a ‘cook along’ too! Watch this space for details… Further on - I hope to restart Drama Club- even if it’s just within the KS4 bubble to start. In the meantime- if you have any instruments that are not being used, I’m always on the lookout, ALSO any vinyl - any records would be great! Your Musically Ms. T Hathaway

MUSIC CELEBRATIONS

I am so pleased to announce that CAMERON BATCHELOR in 10c has received a MERIT for his GRADE 4 singing exam. This is fabulous news and I’m sure you will all want to send him virtual congratulations! Well Done

Cameron!

Inside Out – Mr. M. Ritchie Why did you become a teacher? I left my career as a tennis coach to train as a PE teacher so I was still working with children in sport but had more security than I did in the winter months. And to work outside (the latter of which I find ironic!) What other jobs have you had? Shop assistant in chemist, Halfords & Pizza Hut, Tennis Coach, block paving contractor Who do you admire most and why? Danny Baker – bit like Marmite but I love him, incredible wordsmith Bobby Robson – in the world of football not always easy to find a man with such high morals and a good people person Anyone with a good sense of humour What do you most dislike and why? Selfish, ignorant and non-caring people Your most embarrassing moment? That I can add to this……… Dropping my dance lecturer to the floor at university in front of all the other students! Delivering a pizza to a 70+ lady on a moped in the height of winter, wearing a balaclava so my head didn’t freeze, taking the crash helmet off but forgetting the balaclava, she thought she was being burgled!!! Your best holiday? Anywhere in Scotland What is your favourite…. Item of clothing: Shoes Film: Once Upon a Time in America, or Mike Leigh, Shane Meadows, Scorsese or Tarantino Films Pastime: Playing records & getting my grove on… Car: Ford Mustang 289 Food: Anything hot in flavour Music: Ska and Reggae TV Programme: Only Fools & Horses Book: Lost in Music Who would you like to meet from history and why? Coxsone Dodd – a Ska record producer from Jamaica in the 60’s,, to watch and learn how the music was made by incredible musicians Who would you like to spend an evening with and why? Billy Connolly, Kevin Bridges, Danny Baker, Peter Cook endless hilarious stories Who or what scares you most? Not a big fan of bad turbulence on plane journeys Who or what makes you laugh most? Big fan of slap stick comedy – Harold Lloyd, Laurel & Hardy – (the fish slapping scene from Monty Phyton), Yosamite Sam Cartoons, Billy Connolly’s sketch about Afghan Melons and the Recipe Book What is your favourite saying? If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

Inside Out – Mrs. A. Peacock Why did you become a School Business Manager? I was asked to take on the role in my previous school and found I really enjoyed it, so I was really pleased to take on the role at Pinewood. What other jobs have you had? Lots! Mainly administration/finance jobs, but I also worked in travel for 11-years, worked for a charity for 10-years and have been a doctor’s receptionist as well. Who do you admire most and why? Maya Angelou – an American poet, memoirist and civil rights activist. She truly is an inspirational woman. What do you most dislike and why? Unkindness. If everyone did one kind thing every day, the world would be a better place. Your most embarrassing moment? It was on a really hot day a few years ago and I was rushing down the road as I was late for the hair dressers. I suddenly felt very hot and dizzy and fainted – right on the main road and next to a bus stop! I woke up with a crowd of people around me and a bus full of passengers watching! Really embarrassing. Your best holiday? That would be a Mediterranean cruise I went on with my dad in 2012. It was an absolutely amazing holiday and a wonderful memory. What is your favourite…. Item of clothing: Boots! I have so many pairs…. Film: Pride & Prejudice (Colin Firth version) Pastime: Reading and gardening Car: Ford Puma Food: Christmas dinner Music: Any 80’s music TV Programme: The Great British Bake Off and the X-Factor Book: Any psychological thrillers Who would you like to meet from history and why? Florence Nightingale – known as ‘the Lady with the Lamp’, Florence was a British nurse best known as the founder of modern nursing and she transformed sanitation and hygiene standards, which has helped make our NHS so great. Who would you like to spend an evening with and why? Michelle Obama. She is an amazing lady and I would love to know what it was really like to be married to the President of the United States and live in the White House. Who or what scares you most? Moths and Birds! I don’t like their flapping wings near me. Who or what makes you laugh most? I find Mickey Flannagan hilarious, also Jack & Michael Whitehall and Romesh Ranganathan. But to be honest, my son Adam is the person who makes me laugh the most. He is really funny! What is your favourite saying? When live gives you lemons….make Gin & Tonic!!

Email: admin@pinewood.herts.sch.uk

Phone 01920 412 211

Website: www.pinewood.herts.sch.uk

What is a PTFA? The Pinewood School parents, teachers & friends association (PTFA)is a fun, sociable and charitable committee of parents, carers and teachers and aims to raise money to support the pupils and the school. The PTFA maybe best known for its fundraising work which most recently has enabled the school’s pupils to enjoy 2 pantomime performances.

How is the PTFA organised? The PTFA holds its meetings thoughout the year, normally at the school. At the AGM, a committee is elected to run the PTFA – usually consisting of a chair, a vice-chair, a secretary, a treasurer and ordinary committee members.

How is money raised? The majority of the PTFA’s money is raised through events such as the school fair, disco’s and raffles. The PTFA are always looking for new fundraising ideas and anyone can submit them.

How is money spent? Funds raised by the PTFA are intended to provide ‘extras’ not already provided by the school’s main income – often things that make learning more interesting and fun. The PTFA committee as the school to put requests in writing and work together to decide how the funds will be best spent.

How can I be involved in my PTFA? The PTFA needs new members! There are many different ways you can help, whether you have lots of time to offer or not. Some roles are not time-consuming. If you cannot commit to a big job, look out for things you can do less frequently (e.g. running a stall at a fair or baking a cake for a cake sale).

More information For more information, you can join the Pinewood Parents Facebook group or contact the PTFA on PTFA@pinewood.herts.sch.uk or a.macdonald@pinewood.herts.sch.uk

Second hand uniform for sale: The PTFA have a large selection of second hand uniform for sale in a variety of sizes. Prices ranging between £2-£8. All items have been washed and packaged securely. For more info regarding the uniform they can email a.macdonad@pinewood.herts.sch.uk . We also appreciate any donations of old uniform that is in good condition. Please send this in a bag to the school office marked PTFA. PTFA Fancy Dress Day The PTFA organised a fancy-dress day for today including a cake sale at break time, to raise money for Pinewood School – more pictures will follow in next newsletter edition

You can help support the PTFA by joining the following: East Herts Lottery: https://www.easthertslottery.co.uk/support/pinewood-school-

ptfa

Amazon Smile: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/1081816-0

New PTFA website section on Pinewood School Website: https://www.pinewood.herts.sch.uk/parents-carers/ptfa/

Some of our staff getting involved