Celebrating Success
At Lynch Hill School Primary Academy we endeavour to recognise the children’s individual and collective achievements. We firmly believe it is important to celebrate success inside and outside of school, and to give recognition as well as reinforce good behaviour. We also encourage personal development and goal setting, whether it is by following our strap line ‘Aim High, Work Hard, Care Deeply’, or through our various rewards systems.
Graduation Day
Every year at the end of each Key Stage, we like to celebrate the wonderful things that have been achieved by our pupils throughout the year. Graduation Days are planned in the summer term to mark the end of a successful key stage and the entry into the next stage. For our Year 6 pupils this is particularly a memorable event as they will leave their primary school to transition into secondary studies. It is also a precious moment to announce that our pupils are ‘secondary ready.’ On this occasion, our Year 6 pupils dress in graduation gowns whilst they proudly receive their personalised plaques in front of an audience of parents, governors, senior leaders, teachers and teaching staff. In Reception and Year 2, pupils are awarded with certificates to acknowledge the success of reaching end of a key stage.
We feel it is really important to recognise the children’s individual and collective achievements. At Lynch Hill we celebrate the progress of everyone, including those who overcome difficulties and shine through in whatever way they can. We recognise that everyone has a valuable contribution to make to this school.
Our Rewards System
The positive reinforcement of good behaviour is a high priority at Lynch Hill. We also want to develop our pupils as mature, thoughtful and independent learners. We stand firmly by our ethos and believe in our strapline ‘Aim High, Work hard, Care deeply’ because pupils are given so many opportunities to work towards personal goals or targets, and to experience success both individually and collaboratively. Achievements are recognised and celebrated in many ways.
Good Day Tickets:
All pupils in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 work to earn Good Day Tickets each day they are in school. If they have completed tasks (including homework), behaved well both in class and in the playground, and displayed a positive attitude, their homework diaries will be stamped. Children who have collected a considerable number of good day tickets will receive their ‘Certificate of Achievement’ alongside a small prize at the end of term.
Weekly Awards:
Each week teachers will nominate pupils in their class who are deserving of Headteacher’s Award or a Praise Award. The pupil’s name – and the reason for receiving the award – will be read out in a celebratory assembly and they are presented with a special sticker. Their names will also feature on the weekly newsletter.
Bonus Points and Significant Achievement Awards:
Children in Years 1-5 collect Bonus Points. Bonus Points are awarded for good behaviour and to recognise efforts made with work and towards targets set. At the end of each term, the two pupils in each class who have accumulated the most Bonus Points are rewarded with a book prize.
Staff closely monitor the progress of each and every child in their class, and recognise the significant achievements made by individuals. At the end of each term, teachers nominate one pupil per class to receive the Significant Achievement certificate and book prize.
Credits:
This is a special reward system for Year 6 pupils. We recognise that the final year of primary school is a particularly challenging one and there are many obstacles to overcome in the preparation for secondary school. Our oldest pupils receive credits for their positive efforts and can trade these for goods in the Credit cupboard.
KidZone
We recognise that learning takes place in a number of different ways, both in and out of the classroom. Therefore, we aim to provide Year 1 – Year 6 pupils with the opportunity to develop their interests. This includes a range of extra activities, which they can complete during a Friday afternoon session called Kidzone. Some schools have a similar style of session which they refer to as Golden Time; both are times dedicated to recognising and celebrating those children who have worked hard throughout the week. Feedback tells us that Kidzone is a very popular slot in the weekly timetable at Lynch Hill but, as staff, we are always mindful of ensuring that learning, discovery and challenge are at the heart of all we do and so it is imperative that this time has a planned focus. The theme for the Kidzone sessions now always link with whatever PRESENT (Passion, Resilience, Equality, Safety, Enrichment, Nurture and Teamwork) learning goal has been the focus for the pupils that week and referenced through the ‘Thought for the Week’. This provides a good dialogue with the children and the opportunity to reflect on how they have demonstrated the learning goal during that session and across the week.
Activities in Kidzone might include developing cookery or art skills, playing a sport or game, participating in a team quiz, or simply watching and reviewing a movie. Pupils select the activity of their choice and work alongside peers from other classes or year groups. Some of our most popular Kidzone activities include Build a Tower, Pictionary, Chatterbox, Wink Murder, Art & Craft and football.
The session is 45 minutes, but can be reduced for individual children if there have been any behavioural incidents during the week. As they select the activity of their choice, early in the week, children recognise they have the responsibility of behaving appropriately to protect their Kidzone time.