THE SECOND HALF KICKS OFF FOR THE NEW SEASON
As the new term swings into action in the schools of Newport, the buzz of excitement in new classrooms is reflected throughout all education establishments. This is mirrored in the most unusual classroom of the lot, that is the one that hosts the exciting and innovate Second Half project.
The Second Half scheme is a joint initiative between Newport City Education Department and the Dragons. The aims and objectives are clearly set.
§ To raise standards of basic literacy, numeracy and IT for year 5 pupils
§ To engender good classroom techniques in an-out-of school experience
§ To produce completed writing tasks (especially for boys)
§ To improve thinking and writing skills
§ For every junior and primary school in the Newport area to attend the scheme
To this end the project has met its aims. Each pupil that visits the scheme is given a workout book, which contains over 20 hours of work that complies with the requirements of the national curriculum. Many of the teachers who have accompanied their class have commented on how effective the pupils have been when they are back in their classrooms.
The Uskmouth Power maths page has become a major source of learning for pupils, in what can sometimes be a difficult subject. The format and structure of the tasks, makes the working out process and learning very clear.
However, far from resting on it’s laurels the project continues to evolve, generic sporting skills are now incorporated into the working day and are presented by Newport coaching team member Mike Sage. A demonstration of the effectiveness of reducing power costs within the home is a further addition thanks to help from our partners at International Rectifiers.
Further to this the importance of maintaining a healthy and varied diet is taught to the kids and is reinforced by the playing members of staff who they interview. To conclude the day each visitor is given a loaf of bread, an unusual and memorable gift courtesy of sponsors Warburtons.
Other aims for the project is the chance to help disaffected pupils back into mainstream learning by using the classroom at Rodney Parade as an incentive for them to learn that ‘school is cool’. To this end EOTAS have provided invaluable support and their support of the scheme is vital.
As in so many cases Newport Education lead the way, as head teacher Richard Hughes of Alway primary said,
“The days visit has been superb. It provides the pupils a focus for their literacy tasks. Given the opportunity to explore their creative and factual writing through the stimulus of the Second Half, the work they produced was first class. Everyone is a winner!”
