Well I expect there are a few tired children at home this weekend!  Having looked around assembly on Friday I could see lots of tired children after a busy week of special week learning!  This year the school council chose '50 years of Barking and Dagenham' as their Special Week focus.    Across the week children looked at the history of Barking and Dagenham, and the lives of people living in Barking and Dagenham now and in the past.  We also thought about the next 50 years.  Children welcomed visitors into school all week, including ex pupils, to look at the roles different adults in Barking and Dagenham have.  We hope the children were inspired by these visitors.

On Monday Years 4 and 6 visited Valence House in Dagenham to find out the local history.  Meanwhile Primetime drama came in and performed for Year 5 and 3H.  Year 2 had visits from a midwife and a forensic scientist.  Former pupil Rachel Russell talked about how she learnt gymnastics at Godwin and is now training for her Level 1 gymnastic coaching certificate as part of the local group Catleaps.

On Tuesday Mrs Thoburn's sons came and spoke with children across the school about their careers.  One is a hairdresser who has styled many a famous celebrities' hair and the other is a surveyor, who talked to the children about construction.   Ex pupil (and now TA) Mrs Malcolm spoke to children across the school about her experiences and memories at Godwin Primary when she was a child.  Meanwhile Mrs Fluin talked to Year 1 about her childhood, amidst Year 1 singing along to sounds of the 70's and making their own lava lamps.  Year 1's day ended with a '70s finger food buffets in the staff room - very special!

Wednesday was an extremely hot day but this didn't stop the staff and children.  Lena Smith, ex pupil, came in from Dagenham library to talk to the children in EYFS and KS1 all about being a librarian and her career.  Meanwhile a coach from West Ham United work with KS2, training them in basic PE skills.

Thursday was a day of Sport for all.  All children participated in a 'Sport for All' challenge, consisting of 30 second bursts of activity.  Children were grinning from ear to ear, enjoying their sports to the max.  Meanwhile, in a new partnership with Jo Richardson Secondary school, Years 3 & 4 and Years 5 & 6 took part in a Sport's Day, competing in events such as the 600m track run and javelin.  Children loved the opportunity to compete and try out new sports.   We are looking at developing this partnership more next year and hoping to invite parents.

And finally we reached Friday!  School council had arranged a non school uniform day for Friday, in aid of raising funds for the school's chosen charity- Teenage Cancer Trust.  Children and teachers dressed up in clothes from the past and present (look out for pictures in the Barking and Dagenham Post) to celebrate the end of the week and raise funds for charity.  Activities included visits from the Paramedics, a Year 1 & 2 Sports' Day and a visit from the Riot police.  Children and parents were amazed to enter the playground and see a Riot van.  The children all got the chance to explore the van, listening to the sirens and sitting in the back as well as look at the defence shields.  We were also fortunate to have a visit from Mrs Audrey Deal, one of Godwin's long term friends and supporters.  Children interviewed her to find out about her history in Barking and Dagenham.

Sharing assemblies at the end of the day allowed children to share their week's experiences and it was fantastic to hear all about what the children had learnt.

Throughout the week children showed the Godwin values - resilience and determination (particularly around their Sports' events), thoughtfulness, respect and understanding, when working with the many visitors in school, and working together.

We would like to thank all staff for planning and organising such a Special week for the children - particularly Mrs Hindocha, Miss Peita, Mr Moran and Miss Brandon.  We would also like to say a huge Thank you to the many visitors, who we now feel are part of our Godwin Community, who gave up their time to help our children feel so special.  We are sure you have inspired many of our children and have given them plenty of ideas about the variety of jobs and activities they can do as they grow up and become the future adult generation of Barking and Dagenham.

We made the paper!!

http://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/news/pictures_celebrating_50_years_of_barking_and_dagenham_in_style_1_4141367