RoundUp
Term 2 Mid-Term | 2021-2022
Dear Parents
Owning a school is not an undertaking to be taken lightly and the fresh Covid wave that has swept the island since Christmas has made it even more of a challenge this last half term. Whilst we haven’t needed to go fully online, the need for a hybrid model where some students are in school and others are online, has tested our teachers’ adaptability and endurance but, in the true spirit of TLC, we have continued to provide a high quality education experience for our students and for this, I thank all of our dedicated, hard-working teachers and the staff who support them.
Thursday saw the first time in years that we have been able to have a whole school celebration, this time in recognition of Tsiknopempti. I think all of us would agree that we have sorely missed the occasions when we can come together to celebrate and socialise and we are hopeful that we may be able to look forward to holding a Sports Day for the first time in over two years and eventually, be able to mark the tenth anniversary of the school which passed by under the Covid cloud last summer. This half term break would normally see us participating in the Paphos Carnival but again, this has had to be cancelled, although our primary school children will have been able to enjoy a carnival themed day on Friday.
TLC is renowned island-wide for its family and community spirit but we have been unable to welcome parents into school for some years now, a situation that we hope will soon change. It doesn’t seem right to only speak over the school fence or on a video call instead of face to face at parent consultations or Easter and Christmas Fairs and performances but, if the scientists are right, 2022 will see the end of tight restrictions and the chance to meet and greet parents and friends of the school again without the social distancing and the masks. I hope that as restrictions are eased, and spring turns into summer, the joy and happiness of the members of our school community enjoying themselves together will ring out again from our primary and secondary schools.
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Ian Wells | Director
My RoundUp messages and my newsletters are often full of praise for our students and our teachers who work with them each day but there’s another important element of our school community which doesn’t always get the attention it deserves – you as parents.
It’s a well-known and oft-tested fact that the most successful students are part of a three way partnership between them, the teacher and supportive parents and we often compare this three way partnership to a triangle, one of the strongest shapes.
It’s said that the best gift you can ever give your child is a good education and probably the second best gift is to give your child your full support in helping them to do well in school. This can be from reading with them or encouraging older children to read independently, ensuring that homework is complete or ensuring that they are prepared each day for school.
Sometimes they’ll need encouragement when things get tough and at other times, they’ll thrive on your praise when they’ve achieved. Asking them what they’ve done at school that day can also help them embed the learning in their memories as they recount the day’s lessons and what they’ve learned. Sometimes things go wrong for a child – there may have been a falling out with a friend at school or a school rule may have been broken and on these occasions, rather than chastising a child, it helps for the teacher, child and parents to work together to help them learn from the issue and move forward. Getting on with others and learning that rules are there for a reason is all part of growing up.
I am grateful that we have such caring and supportive parents at TLC. I am regularly asked if parents can volunteer to read or help in class (Covid regulations has prevented this of late), parents have sometimes recognised a need in school and offered to fund new resources for the children, others donate books that their child has grown out of, all of which help to enrich and enhance the learning of others in school.
TLC Private School wouldn’t be the success without you and your support for all we do and for that, I thank you sincerely.
David Lewis | Principal
Prior to January, throughout the pandemic, we were fortunate as a school to have had few positive Covid cases, but this half-term has been challenging as students and staff have needed to isolate either as positive cases or as close contacts. It’s been difficult for us as a school, and I’m sure as parents, keeping up with the constant changes in guidance being issued by the Ministry of Health and Education and we thank you for your forbearance and understanding when matters have been outside our control.
If I had to choose three words to describe our team at this time they would be; adaptable, resilient and committed. Delivering a hybrid model of teaching, where some students receive in-class, face to face instruction whilst others are online, has not been easy for our teaching team and I also recognise for some of our students, and parents providing support at home. Pre-pandemic, teachers taught to classes in front of them, were able to assess their understanding orally and review work in their exercise books.
The pandemic has forced us all to work differently (teachers and students), and in addition to work being undertaken in class, work is uploaded and downloaded, sent to students via Microsoft Teams, Class Notebook and emailed home to minimise any disruption to learning. This takes extra time and our team of committed teachers have worked hard to support students with any identified gaps in learning, as well as supporting their wellbeing in a pastoral capacity. I feel very fortunate to be part of a team whereby we all step in to support one another. It was wonderful to see lovely messages from students and teachers during Random Acts of Kindness week. Students at Primary had the opportunity to write their wishes on a heart and hang it on a ‘wish tree’. A common wish from the students was for Covid to go away. We miss all those wonderful community activities pre-pandemic and look forward to those times returning soon.
I’d like to thank all our teaching team for supporting one another and our students for remaining positive and committed during this challenging time. We’re all very much looking forward to the mid-term break to rest and recharge.
Catherine Lewis | Head of Teacher and Learning
For two years now we have been addressing the difficulties we face in school because of the pandemic, but I’m sure you all agree that this half term has been the most challenging for our younger students and their teachers.
Unfortunately, testing has now become a part of school life and primary teachers have needed to do everything they can to catch up on the teaching time lost twice a week due to testing. Another new challenge we have had to face was offering hybrid learning to some younger year groups but it has proved to be very difficult for the students at home, the teachers offering it, and the students in class. We all know that students learn best in a class environment and undoubtedly need the social interaction with their peers. Nothing can beat that! Let’s hope we never have to go through all this again but as a school we must take the credit for being able to offer a nearly full curriculum to the students who were self-isolating at home.
Luckily, we were fortunate enough that most students were back in school for Valentine’s Day and the photographs posted on social media are proof that everyone enjoyed this celebration. A special thanks goes to Miss Debbie as she organised the event in the Primary school and I’m sure all students agree that we should keep this tradition going. Another celebration that the students were looking forward to was our annual Carnival dress-up day and I am sure you will agree that there were some fabulous and original costumes for you to spot at the gate this Friday afternoon.
Once more, all students and teachers have done an amazing job, coping with all the challenges and difficulties this half term has presented but I must admit that we are now ready for a well-deserved break so we can all recharge our batteries.
Let’s hope that we can return to a ‘normal’ next half term.
See you all in March.
Miranda Matthee | Head of Primary
It has been a bit of a turbulent half term with many of the children and two members of staff in Early Years unfortunately coming down with the Covid virus (including me) and with the introduction of compulsory rapid testing for the younger children. However, the children have really shown how mature they have become and how resilient they are, in coping with the changes and there seems to have been little disruption to their learning and progress.
I would also like to personally thank all the parents for all your lovely, kind messages which I was sent on a regular basis while I was sick and for all the pictures and well wishes from the children.
A big event this half term was our TLC Random Acts of Kindness week. This showed me what a kind and caring family we are in Early Years.
I have been amazed at how kind the children have been to each other and are always willing to lend a hand to help out in the class and to help their friends.
The half term finished in a fun way with our celebrations for Tsiknopempti on Thursday and the Carnival dress up day on Friday. During these special days, we not only had loads of fun, but the children developed lots of important early learning skills, such as: taking turns, being able to wait for what they want, listening to instructions, being a risk taker and willing to try new activities, working cooperatively, being able to identify and moderate their own feelings, as well as developing their fine and gross motor control and communication skills. And again, the children demonstrated how caring and what a great team they are.
I would like to wish all the children and their families a relaxing half term holiday and look forward to seeing everyone on the 8th March for another action packed, and hopefully a healthy, half term!
Toni Hayden | Head of Early Years
On Thursday 24th February we said goodbye to Mrs Tracey Hewitt who has been our Head of Secondary for nearly two years. In that time the students have come to know her through her Year 9 science classes, her Chemistry lessons and on her regular tours of the secondary classes as she checks that all is well each day.
At the assembly, the students presented her with cards and gifts including petal fans which many of them had completed to recall good times spent with her and to wish her well in her new job at the garrison school in Episkopi.
After the assembly, the staff had their chance to say goodbye and to wish her all the best as she starts her new career.
Thank you Mrs Hewitt for all you’ve done for TLC Private School and good luck in the future!
A Collection of Classroom Capers - Online Concert
On Friday 18th February the music department presented their on-line concert for this half term “A Collection of Classroom Capers”.
All classes from Early Years right the way up to Year 9 presented a recorded musical performance direct from the classroom. Each performance was a demonstration of what the children have been studying in Music this half term.
The concert was presented by Miss Clare and Mrs Outram and a brief explanation of what the children had been learning was given before each performance.
The students treated their audience to a wide variety of performances covering a diverse range of musical genres. The classical performances included “Mars” from “The Planets Suite” by Gustav Holst and “In the Hall of the Mountain King” By Edvard Grieg. There were also performances of the student’s own compositions based on the story from Igor Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring”.
From the popular music genre we were treated to a variety of styles including 1980s Rock, The Beatles, Rock and Roll and even some popular sing along songs from the World War 1 era.
Here are just some of the lovely comments the performers received about their performances:
A huge thank you to all of our wonderful performers and to all who attended.
Thank you to Miss Clare and Mrs Outram for organising the event.
If you missed the concert – fear not – as the whole event was recorded. Please click the link below to view A Collection of Classroom Capers!
Margarita Liasidou Foundation Visit
Four of our Sixth Form students visited the Margarita Liasidou Foundation in Paphos to present a donation of five hundred euros, raised by our primary and secondary students before Christmas.
They were met by Mrs Niovi Michael – Fakonti, one of the foundation’s directors who warmly welcomed them. After a meeting with the directors who explained the work of the foundation where students are encouraged to support each other in their learning, they presented our donation and were invited to return, once Covid restrictions are eased, to see the special work the foundation does with young people.
As they were leaving, our students were presented with gifts made by some of the young people who are helped by the foundation.
Carnival Fun at TLC Primary
For the third year in a row there is no Paphos Carnival for us to enjoy as a school but not to be disheartened by this, TLC held its own socially distanced Carnival Day at our primary school. It was very difficult to identify many of the children arriving at the school gates this morning as they arrived in a fabulous array of costumes and the day continued with carnival themed activities in class and in the school studio where Mrs Outram set up carnival dance sessions for the classes.
The teachers weren’t to be left out either and all joined in the fun in their favourite carnival costumes – what a great way to end the half term and the start of the holiday!
School Libraries
Our two welcoming, well resourced school libraries give pupils a positive experience to engage with good quality literature in a relaxed environment.
As a school we are strongly committed to improving literacy by encouraging the importance of reading, so each week our Primary children are given the opportunity to access the Library, find and borrow books that they can enjoy reading for two weeks.
All borrowed books are issued to your child via our Library catalogue ‘The Reading Cloud’ which parents, staff and children can access from the home page of the school website and online.
Miss Carol -TLC School Librarian
Random Acts of Kindness Week at TLC Primary
Last week was Random Acts of Kindness Week in Primary and the F1b class rose to the challenge of performing random acts of kindness for fellow students, parents and teachers. The first challenge was to leave sweets around the school for students to find. On the next day, we painted rocks with positive quotes and hid them in the school grounds. On Thursday, the class learnt that a wave of kindness can start with one person and that you should also be kind to yourself. For all the students’ efforts they were rewarded with an act of kindness from their teacher – a movie with popcorn!
Miss Sam
Tsiknopempti at TLC School
Everything was planned for a fun day of games and souvlaki to celebrate Tsiknopempti at TLC Private School, only for thunderstorms to spoil the fun. That said, despite the bad weather, TLC staff and students still marked the occasion with a delicious souvlaki lunch!
Valentine's Day
at TLC
Many thanks goes to the TLC School Council, led by Miss Valentina at TLC Secondary and Ms Miranda and Ms Debbie at primary. Thanks also goes to all the teachers, staff and students for making the day a huge success.
The children were amazed one morning when they came in to find the role play area was no longer a house but during the night a jungle had grown! They are having lots of fun playing in the jungle with their friends, digging in the soil and examining the jungle wildlife!
Reception - Learning to Grow
Reception + and Year 1- Ages and Seasons
This term in Topic we have been looking at the Stone Age, and have enjoyed making Stone Age jewellery and outfits, and even our own Stone Age models on the playground at breaktime! We have linked this to English and have been looking at the book ‘Stone Age Boy’. We have also been studying the seasons and weather, and had fun making windsocks and rain guages. We have done some map reading and been on a local area walk, and measured our shadows at different times of the day.
Ms Louise and Ms Emma
Year 2 Back to the Future Art lesson
Year 2 students have been working on a theme entitled: Back to the Future. Miss Debbie has shown students how to produce their own marbled effects using shaving foam and food colouring. The creative marbled outcomes were cut into planets and positioned onto black papers representing space. Students then progressed to constructing their own space rockets, complete with astronauts and windows in their rocket. Emission from the rocket was constructed from silver tinsel. Students enjoyed making their own UFO out of paper plates and clear cups, in which their alien was housed looking out as it flew its UFO into outer space. Everything was made using recycled materials. Well done Year 2!
Ms Debbie
Year 2 - 2D and 3D shapes
The students in Year 2 have been learning about 2D and 3D shapes in maths. They have explored the different properties and have learnt to count the faces, vertices and edges of shapes accurately. Students enjoyed the practical activities in class and were fascinated by the heart shaped designs they were able to make with tangrams on Valentine’s Day.
Ms Miranda
Year 2 - 2D and 3D shapes
Year 4 - Making South American Candome Drums
Year 4 students created South American abstract designs on long sheets of black card which were in turn wrapped around cut down large water containers that had been recycled. The water containers became drums and were completed with a set of painted bamboo drum sticks! Students had coloured their South American patterned artworks using oil pastels and coloured pencils. Students will be performing South American inspired drumming in their following music lessons.
Ms Debbie
Year 4 Geography - Making Volcanoes in Extreme Earth
Students have been learning about volcano eruptions, tetonic plates and under the ocean earthquakes. They have studied the ‘Ring of Fire’ and enjoyed constructing their own papier-mache volcanoes. These papier-mache structures have been overlaid upon recycled water containers, cut down and utilising of the top section of the container. Students are now painting their individual volcanoes and creating their own eruptions using vinegar with baking soda mixed with orange food colouring. Learning through exciting fun experiences!
Ms Debbie
Year 4 Science - Electric circuits, conductors and insulators
Students have been studying electricity, how it is generated, how it powers appliances, the history of electricity and finally had the opportunity to construct their own circuits. Students were given a tool kit of light bulbs, wires, batteries, propellers, motors and a brief to construct a powered light bulb and propeller on a circuit board. Superb results- they figured it out. We have inspired, critically-thinking, independent learners!
Ms Debbie
Year 2 - 2D and 3D shapes
Year 5T - Properties of Change
This Term has had its challenges with most students having spent some time attending online lessons due to the COVID pandemic. However, in all this disruption the students have remained committed to their learning and have made continued progress thought the term. A big thank you to the parents for their valued support during this time.
The focus of science this term was Properties of Change. This included a few practical lessons, which put the student’s prediction skills to test and further develop their understanding of variables and how these can influence a result.
Geography covered Western Europe, and this tied in with the History topic of Crime and Punishment in England and how punishments have changed throughout the ages. Re-enacting Victorian punishments in the school playground made for a memorable lesson!
In English, we covered the curriculum area of argument and debate. This topic was very engaging and not only enabled the students to learn to write a structured argument but develop public speaking skills by having to present their work as a debate to the class.
In the final two weeks, we created and illustrated individual and group cartoon strips. This was an activity enjoyed by all the students.
Maths this term included building on our prior knowledge of multiplication, division, and fraction problems. Art lessons included drawing buildings using a mapping frame and finger painting. In ICT, the students had the chance to create a few iMovie Trailers about life at TLC. The last two weeks have been spent in the computer lab learning touch typing, a skill which will be very valuable in later years.
Thank you for all your support this term and have a safe and enjoyable mid-term break.
Ms Wendy
Year 6 - History Lesson
Year 6 has been investigating the history of World War One and have discovered what led up to the start of one of the largest wars in history. We explored what life was like for the soldiers on the front line as well as how animals were used in the war. Our class explored some of the significant events in the war and how the alliances between countries and empires and the assassination of an archduke began WWI.
Ms Evie
Year 7- Describing characters
When we describe real people or fictional characters, we try to make their identity as clear as possible. We often use imagery to conjure up pictures in the reader’s mind. These images tell us something specific about the character, often in a memorable or amusing way. Year 7 were set the challenge of describing their favourite characters in a way that readers would know exactly who they were but without naming them. You could try to test each other over half term to see if you can guess who is being described!
Ms Valentina
Year 2 - 2D and 3D shapes
Year 8-William Shakespeare
Year 8 students have been learning about William Shakespeare, a renowned English poet, playwright and actor. Many people believe William Shakespeare is the best English writer of all time. His many works are about life, love, death, revenge, grief, jealousy, murder, magic and mystery. Our Year 8 students were tasked to create a storyboard or a leaflet about ‘Shakespeare’s Life’ and created some amazing pieces which are displayed on a noticeboard in their classroom.
Ms Valentina
Year 9 - Figurative Language
The Year 9 pupils have been learning all about figurative language and how to use it in their own writing to grab their readers’ attention and to make it more interesting and more colourful. The pupils had to design their own posters and they created beautiful pieces which are displayed in their classroom.
Ms Valentina
Ambassadors of Generation KLIMACT
On Friday the 11th February, two of our students Havana Achilleos from Year 13 and Spyros Mavromichalos from Year 10 represented our school in their first online meeting as ambassadors of generation KLIMACT, along with other ambassadors all over Cyprus. Here is what they had to say:
I am pleased to be representing TLC Private School as the secondary ambassador in the Generation KLIMACT movement. For those who don’t know what Generation KLIMACT is, it is a project that aims to create the first informed youth movement which will demand climate action to be taken on the island. Climate change is a topic that should concern us all, in the year 2030 the effects of climate change will become irreversible. This is why Havana and I are proud to be representing TLC and are determined to make a change. We have united with many schools from all over Cyprus with a purpose to demand a safe and prosperous future and to reduce our carbon emissions making the island resilient to climate change. – By Spyros Mavromichalos
On the 11th of February, Spyros and I represented our school in the first online meeting as ambassadors of generation KLIMACT, along with other youth ambassadors from around the country. The meeting was organised by TERRA CYPRIA, which is the Cyprus conservation foundation. With some help from one of our teachers here at TLC, the meeting was set up and moved forward smoothly. Although it was only our first meeting, we have already been set “work”. We must answer two questions in a small paragraph, which will later be published in the national/local newspapers. As the representatives of our school here at TLC, we are very excited for what the future has planned for us. We now have an established “channel” where we can voice the views of the youth, and protect our one and only source of life – our planet Earth.
By Havana Achilleos