Downsway Primary School, Tilehurst, Reading

WOW! What an amazing Creativity Week we had this year!

This year's Creativity Week was themed around our school's 50th anniversary celebrations 'Downsway Through the Decades'. The highlight of the week was our whole-school project, where each year group explored a different decade from the 1970s through to the present day. Children researched music, fashion, entertainment, significant events and popular culture before creating their own artistic square inspired by their decade. The finished pieces will form a fantastic collaborative display to be showcased at our 50th Anniversary Afternoon Tea Party. We can't begin to tell you how amazing these squares are– it's opportunities like these that allow the artistic flair of our pupils to truly shine!

The week began with energetic 'Dance Through the Decades' workshops led by Miss White. Each year group learnt iconic dance moves from their allocated decade and had great fun exploring how music and dance styles have evolved over the years– complete with props and plenty of enthusiasm! Thank-you Miss White!

Another highlight of the week was a visit from Eastnor Pottery. FoD kindly funded this fantastic workshop for all pupils at Downsway, where they helped create a unique commemorative piece to celebrate the school's 50th anniversary. During the workshop, every child took part in a hands-on pottery experience, developing their clay-modelling skills. Each child crafted their own clay face, which has been incorporated into the final piece that has now been taken away for firing. The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience and we cannot wait to see the finished artwork displayed in school as a lasting reminder of this special anniversary year. A huge thank you to FoD for funding this wonderful experience and helping to create such a special memento for our school community.

The week concluded with our Downsway Through the Decades Dress-Up Day, where pupils and staff came to school dressed as iconic figures and fashion trends from across the decades. It was wonderful to see such creativity, enthusiasm and effort from everyone involved– from the Spice Girls to Elton John and from astronauts to David Attenborough, Downsway never fails to amaze us!

A huge thank you to all staff, visitors and FoD who helped make the week such a success. Most importantly, thank you to our pupils, whose imagination, creativity and enthusiasm made the week one to remember.

Miss Watson & Miss Gale

Writers' Raffle - £5 – end of Summer 1st Half Term

Congratulations to the children who were awarded with £5 as a result of being the writers’ raffle winner for their class for the end of this half term.

Foundation Stage – Tahlia
Year 1 – Ada M
Year 2 - Ishaan
Year 3 - Samuel
Year 4 - Blake
Year 5 - Charlotte
Year 6 - Brooke

🌟 We’re hiring! 🌟

Are you passionate about supporting children to thrive and achieve their best? Our friendly and nurturing primary school is looking for a dedicated Teaching Assistant to join our wonderful team.

If you are caring, enthusiastic and ready to make a real difference every day, we would love to hear from you!

Please see the advert below for full details and how to apply. 📚✨

A HUGE thank you to everyone who attended and supported our Macmillan Coffee Morning today by coming along, donating cakes and bakes, or even giving a pound or two. We raised a wonderful £433.20 for this amazing charity, which will be so greatly appreciated.

We loved having the gorgeous designs from the colouring competition displayed at the coffee morning. We have been amazed by all the fantastic Macmillan colouring competition entries we received- so much thought, time, and effort had clearly gone into them. A huge well done to all the children who entered and helped support the Macmillan Coffee Morning. All participants were celebrated in today’s celebration assembly and received a certificate for their participation in class. BUT after much deliberation, the winners have been decided…

The winner of a large ‘Tashas Cookie Kitchen’ cookie is Mila (Year 2) for their creative and colourful design!

Our other winner, receiving a £10 voucher to be redeemed at ‘Warings’, a local bakery, is Rory (Year 5) for their imaginative and eye-catching design!

Thank you again for all your support for this wonderful charity.

Miss Gale

A huge well done to all of our amazing Year 6 pupils who have completed their SATs today! 🌟

We are incredibly proud of the resilience, determination and positive attitude you have shown. You have approached each day with maturity and gave your best.

SATs are only a small part of their journey but the courage, perseverance and teamwork they have shown say so much more about the wonderful young people they are becoming.

Now it’s time for them to look forward to their exciting final term of primary school.

Well done Year 6, you have been brilliant! 👏

Last week, we hosted our final football tournament of this academic year against 5 other local primary schools. This time, it was the Year 3 Boy’s turn and they played some excellent football throughout.

They were gutted at not winning the tournament but they should hold their heads very high as the football was a joy to watch at times with some memorable goals and great teamwork. It’s clear that they are good friends and a close-knit group as well as being talented footballers.

A big thanks to Danny and Liz for running the team during the afternoon and being so enthusiastic and positive with them all!

Mr Bolton

🎉 Downsway Primary School is 50! 🎉

Are you a past member of staff, governor or former pupil of our school? We would love for you to join us in celebrating this special milestone on Friday 5th June.

Please refer to the invitation for full details about the event.

If you have a fond memory or photo you’d like to share, and haven’t already done so, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please send these via email to the school office.

We look forward to celebrating and reminiscing with our school community, past and present! 💜💚

Year 2 were delighted to welcome Marie Cope, who is working with the children to create beautiful artwork celebrating all the things they love about Downsway. These will then be compiled into items to be sold to commemorate Downsway’s 50th anniversary. This project has been organised by the Friends of Downsway (FOD) as part of their fundraising efforts and Marie will be working with all year groups.

The children are very excited to be part of this creative opportunity and we are looking forward to seeing the finished pieces and supporting this wonderful milestone in our school’s history.

Miss Worlin

We have a vacancy for a Lunchtime Assistant to join our team. Please refer to the advert and please share far and wide! Many thanks.