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Smithy Street Primary School has been nominated for a National Happiest School Award 2017

Smithy Street Primary School has been nominated for a National Happiest School Award 2017, by Magdalena Martinez Queipo, the parent of a child attending the school.

Magdalena says in her nomination for Smithy Street Primary:

'My son has been going to Smithy Primary School for a year now. Whenever I walk into the school, you see kids (and teachers) having and making learning fun.

'The whole school is uplifting and energetic, and the teachers and staff are fabulous. My son regularly comes home with funny stories of what they have done in school and how much he has inadvertently learned in a relaxed, cheerful environment.

'He is in year 1 now and in the first week, as part of the assessment was asked to do a self-portrait. On the first parent's information day on what is expected this year, we saw it for the first time. I was amazed by the portrait to the point that I thought it was another child's vision of him. No, my son had spent a significant amount of time drawing himself. A child that generally hates any activity that involves a pencil or sitting down and has the concentration span of a fish.

'The school also has activities that involve parents and help us, such as English and Maths lessons, sessions on parenting, or chats about all sorts of subjects (usually on Fridays) such as bilingual kids or access to services in the community.

'There are also regular workshops to support parents with parenting issues or to seek specific support for kids and families with all types of difficulties.

'The reception class playground was upgraded last summer. The children in reception the previous year were pivotal in making decisions on how it was going to be upgraded and what they wanted in the playground. A fantastic display in the corridor showed how the children had reached a decision.

'Last year they organized a book fair. This book fair encouraged children to read more, but there was also a visit by a children’s author who read them his book and discussed with them how to write a good story, how to get a book published and the importance of reading. The kids were fascinated, and some had tough questions for the author. It was impressive to see the insight that the kids gained from the visit.

'To encourage children to try new foods and understand about food, they grew their own vegetables and they were encouraged to pick them and make a meal of them. My son who is allergic to trying anything green came back saying he likes lettuce and how eating healthy is so important. He now regularly eats lettuce which has opened him to trying new “green stuff”. We are now growing our own lettuce at home.

'There is a SEN child in my son’s class. Last year the children were taught some basic BSL to be more inclusive with him.
Coco, the school dog, helps kids deal with emotions and reading.

'I have many other fantastic examples of how the kids learn in a playful way or how the school supports parents and the community, but 500 words are not nearly enough to mention them all.'

Don't forget to nominate your school, teacher or pupil for a National Happiness Award 2017. There is over £5000 worth of prizes to be won for the winners and runners-up. The awards also receive national coverage which helps to raise the profile of your school and puts wellbeing and happiness at the heart of your curriculum.

Nominations close at midnight on Friday, 20th October. Winners and runners-up will receive their prizes at a happiness-studded ceremony in London on Friday, 17th November.

Don't delay - nominate today!

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