For the first four weeks of thew sumer holidays some children and staff were busy at summer school.

The summer school was run for the lucky children in years 5 and 6 who couldn't bear being at home with their parents for 6 weeks. In truth it was for the children who really wanted to continue with the hard work they had been doing in school.

The school was run by five members of staff ; Mr. Prosser, Miss Vowles, Mr. Spicer, Miss Sparrock and Mrs Hussain. It was all based around the book and film by C.S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Most importantly the teachers and the children all had fun.

The children got a chance to test out their acting skills, they role played various parts of the film,  they  rewrote parts of the story changing parts to make it funnier, they created their own new worlds and finally they created short videos from their stories using plasticine models. WOW WHAT A LOT OF WORK!

Here are some pictures from where they were frozen by the wicked witch of Narnia. What a cruel person she is, the children were going about their daily routines when she just turned up and froze them. Can you guess what they were doing at the time they were frozen?

As you can see some children put up a fight, where as some children just gave themselves up rather easily.

Well thats another six week break finished and with everyone refreshed it's back to school for another year of hard work.

All the staff returned to work on Monday followed by the children on Wednesday and it was straight back to hard work for everybody.

It was good to see everybody had enjoyed the summer break and returned to school healthy. As soon as all the summer stories are shared by staff and children I will put some recounts and maybe a few pictures on the website for everyone to read and see. 

Even though school was closed for summer break lots of things happened, building work, computer work, work on the playground and for for weeks here was even a summer school for some year 5 and 6 children.

I will put pictures of some of the changes and also put some of the work completed in the summer school on the webiste soon. 

On Friday 5th May 18 children from Croft had the chance to visit North Wales for the weekend staying at the Brytysilio Educational Centre.

They left school Friday lunchtime and arrived just in time to walk to see the ruins of an Abbey.

The first night is always a strange night when you stay away from home but all the children soon fell asleep knowing they had lots to look forward to the next day.

Up early ready for a cooked breakfast to stock up their energy for the day. Next the children had to prepare their own lunches, deciding what to put on their sandwiches. As usual some interesting combinations were put together including jam and salad and chocolate and salad.

The children then went for a long walk along the canal and then to their surprise a walk or more like a climb up a massive hill called, Dinas Bran

Some children really rose to the challenge and shot up the hill really quick, where as others needed a bit of encouragement to reach the top. All the teachers made it to the top as well, fantastic. Whilst at the top of the hill the group had time to pose for a photo and even had a chance to look around the ruins of a castle.

Now for the fun part the children got to go down the hill and they went down it twice as quick as they went up it. They walked into the town and had their lunches followed by ice creams, in fact I hear the local shop set a new record that day when Mr. Dickson ordered 21 ice creams. Whilst in the town they enjoyed a little bit of shopping.

Now for an extra special treat for the children, they did not have to walk back to the centre, instead they all got into a canal barge which was pulled by a very strong horse.

After dinner at the centre the children got a chance to experience the rope course and the zip line. The children were so brave on the zip line and were very lucky to have Mr. Dickson catching them at the bottom or they would still be hanging around now.

And just as you thought the evening was over they even had a chance to have a little disco. 

Believe it or not the children also had some free time in the day, they had a chance to play football, cricket or other exciting outside games and then indoors they had giant jenga and also the football and pool tables to play on. The pool table was really popular, especially when Hakeeb beat Mr. Dickson.

The next morning the children got a chance to go rowing on the canal, 3 to a boat while the teachers shouted instructions from the side.

After a short walk along the canal upto The Horseshoe falls.

Then finally home back to Walsall arriving home with lots of parents waiting to greet them.

All the children and staff had a great time. Many thanks to Mr. Dickson, Miss Vowles and Miss Lalli.

The children in Mercury and Neptune class got their engineering brains into gear today as we had a visit from The Young Engineers for Britain Organisation.

They had a task of getting into pairs and then designing and building a machine that could carry a wellington boot and a rubber down a hill. The winning design would be the machine that took the onjects the furthest. They had to do all this using K'Nex.

All groups were busy designing their machines, deciding how big, how many wheels and more importantly how to stop the objects from falling of.

Next they had the chance to build their designs, some recognising that their original designs needed changing.

Finally the big competition, whose machine would travel the furthest? Who would represent the school in the regional competition?

The winners were Shahid and Adris - well done boys and good luck in the finals.

Many thanks to Kirsty Sparrow from Young Engineers, the children really enjoyed the morning.

Day three and the children were told they were going to be writing poems about the goldern coat.

This is a great poem and Adam really enjoyed writing it. Well done Adam.

Well most children are enjoying their school holidays the year 6 children at Croft are giving up some of their time to get help in some of their subjects, especially English, Maths and Science.

Day one was yesterday and the children were in at 9:00 till 12:30. I will be putting some of the work and pictures from the four days on the website.

Yesterday we were looking at health and designed leaflets, wrote letters, wrote a report and even found time to write a newspaper report.

Here is Sarah's letter to the appropriately named Mr. Big

Also Asma's newspaper article all about improving health.

Right ready for day two and some writing about a magic bycicle.

Goodbye Mrs Gum. the whole school wishes you luck in your career. I bet Mrs Gum has lots of fond memories about the school, but just to remind her I have found a few pictures.  

Mrs Gum as one of Santas little helpers this Christmas

Here is Mrs Gum on last years year six trip, I think her team went around in circles alot that day.

Finally Mrs Gum during the recent gardening project which has helped transform year 1's playground.

I am sure I will find a few more photos to add to the collection.

What a busy assembly it was.

It started with reception class doing a fantastic goodbye assembly as their teacher Mrs Gum is moving to a new school. It was great - well done Pluto. They all made some fantatsic drawings of Mrs Gum.

Next we had our two best children from Key Stage One and Key Stage two recieve their prizes and have their names put onto the shield. Many thanks to Walsall Rotary club for their support.

We also had awards given out to children and even some of the teachers got awards. Mr. Prosser, Mr Spicer and Mrs Gum have all completed their leading from the middle course and recieved their certificates.

Well it is red nose day after all! All the staff and children at Croft have dressed in red especially for the occasion to help raise money.

There were some incREDible noses on display with lots of children and staff wearing them. All of them had different faces on them.

Some children even wore the REDiculous ears, they looked so funny, but it was all for a good course. 

The school had a visitor to their assembly on Tuesday when Mr. Lal came to show us all his fantastic paper creations. It is amazing what you can make from a couple of pieces of paper folded and cut in the correct places.

He made some fantastic looking flowers, with lots of pretty colours. The children were amazed and some even bought his book so they can make some designs at home.  

Mr. Lal is currently visiting the country from India showing lots of schools his creations. Thanks for visiting Mr. Lal.

The teachers have made a great effort to dress up today.

Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean has been seen today. Obviously looking for some of the hidden treasures at Croft school.

That's not the only pirate on the shores of Croft today as another Caribbean pirate is searching for the treasure. Who knows what they will dig up?

In Mercury class the two staff dressed up as two characters from a famous book. Can you guess the book? We got a horrible witch and a friendly looking lion wagging it's tail. All we need now is a warbdrobe.

We also had Robin Hood in school, looking to steal from the rich and give to the poor. I don't think he found many rich people here though.

Here's someone with the hump, I wonder what has got up his back. Poor Quasimodo, I am sure here will cheer up when he finds his hair bobble.

I don't know what book this character is from, but with shoulders as that I am not going to ask him. It's amazing what you can do with a couple of lunch boxes. Poor Woody is keeping well clear from that character!

Pocohontus with her long black hair was seen in Mars class today. I hope there are no cowboys around today.

A new secuity system in school today has seen it protected by one of the knights of the round table. The school certainly is a safe place.

Here's Cinderella looking for her Prince in Venus class. I wonder whether she had any luck? I hope her two ugly sisters are not about.

Also in year one we have a beautiful fairy looking after fairy tale characters.

And finally in the office we have got a lion and a knight. I hope the lion does not upset the Knight or we might have a bit of a slaying in the office.

There are a couple of staff photos to be added to the report - so make sure you visit to see.

What a fantastic day at Croft Community Primary School today. The children and staff are all in character and it's all for World Book Day. It is that good I am doing two reports, one with the staff and one with the children.

I will let you decide who has made the best effort.

Disco dancing and party games were on the agenda at Croft this afternoon.

With Christmas and Eid both happening during the break the children got the chance to enjoy a disco in the hall. Once again Mr. Prosser and Mr. Spicer (A.K.A Ant and Sweat) were hid behind the lights playing the music.

Nursery had the chance for their disco in the morning and as you can see they had a great time.

There was some excellent dancing going on this afternoon and it was not only the children showing their moves.

The smoke machine was a hit again as the children (and Mr. Dickson) danced through the smoke.

The teachers also had a great time, showing the children how they used to dance when they were young.

Where as some of the teachers kept well to the back of the room thinking the smoke machine would saves their dances moves from the camera.

Back in the classrooms children were enjoying their party treats.

There was even a visit from santa himself, who had taken time out from his busy schedule to bring the children some presents. As you know santa gets fed up of havinghis picture taken, he is on the front of so many cards. But we managed an exclusive, he did try to do a runner, but we persuaded him to have his picture taken. All it took was a nice Spicey mince pie and he posed with his presents.  THANKS SANTA

A very busy but enjoyable day enjoyed by all the children and staff.

This morning the children have come dressed in their party gear ready for the disco this afternoon.

They have been busy preparing christmas cards, making Christmas hats and decorations and also got a chance to play with their own toys from home.

But it was not only the children who brought in their toys as some of the staff brought their computers from home to challenge the children with.

A quick run through the classes .

Two from Mars class wearing Christmas red. Another picture showing Christmas activities.

From reception was have a group ready for their party this afternoon.

In Saturn class we have santa claus himslef, well actually it is Morgan, so I guess we can call him Morgan Claus. Well done Morgan for getting in the Christmas spirit. Plus Adil on the guitar, which is linked to a computer system. Rock on Adil.

In Neptune we have had hat making and also some children playing with toys from home.

Mercury were having great fun playing twister and making calenders for 2007.

In Nursery they managed to finish the excellent display of the snowman.

In Jupiter the children have made their Christmas hats.

In Venus class we have a lot of finished snow flakes.

In reception class, we have a display of lots of different Christmas presents.

And to finish off, Mercury class practicing their Chrsitmas dances.

You can tell the end of term is nearing, not only are the children in non school uniform today, the staff are in on the act and have all worn Christmas hats and what's more they are even smiling.

So to try and keep it to a christmas theme here are the staff in thier hats with a little christmas messgae underneath.

Lets start with the two out of the  Three Wise Men.

Next we have the head reindeer - I think that means he is Rudolf.

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Its amazing what a piece of tinsel can do to a cowboy hat - I hear santa needs some cowgirls to help him round up his reindeer at the North Pole.

One of Santa's Little Helpers in the school.

I think we have found the Mr and Mrs Claus of the school, with a few of santa's helpers.

These angels were last seen in Mercury class, they must have been the ones Robbie Williams was singing about.

Here we have the band Slade - looks like they are reforming for another atempt at the Christmas number one "Merry Christmas Everybody". What an excellent band they are. Just to prove it moments after the first picture was taken the guitar was out.

In Mars we have two shepherd(esses) watching over their flock.

I get many interesting emails regarding this website, but not many set a challenge. Here is one I received 13th December 2006.

"As a child I attended Croft Street School up until I started senior school. It would be nice if you could find pictures of old staff that was working from the years 1970-1982....................... and pictures of the children that attended Croft Street School in the seventies. It looked alot different back then to how it looks now......... I would be most grateful if you could present pictures of such a wonderful school with so much history on the website. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future"

This email was followed by an email stating "sounds like hardwork Matt" from Steve Hooker. Hopefully this post will be a surprise for both.

Well Keran Bennett, here is my attempt to show Croft Street School as it was then 20-30 years ago. Maybe others who look at the website could identify some of the staff or children in the photographs. I hope I do your memories justice.

The school definatly did look a bit different back then, in fact a whole new building was built around 1981, this new building is the school today. The above pictures are all taken within the old buildings of the school, which is now our community association. All the pictures were taken in 1981.

More photographs of the school grounds but this time from 1976. It looks like they used to have some great playground equipment in those days. All the children seem to be enjoying it. In the picture on the right the children are actually sat where the new school was built.

This picture from an asembly in 1976 took place in the schools main hall. This hall is now part of the community association and is still used today outside of school.

They also went on some really fun trips. Here are some pictures of a trip to Tycross Zoo.

Forward a couple of years to 1978 and some key stage one children enjoying a creative day. This room is still a creative room today, used by young children in the community.

They certainly enjoyed their trips back then, again in 1978 the children enjoyed a trip to the farm. Looked like a lovely day out, even the staff are smiling on the photographs.

Next we have some picture of a performance put on by the school in 1980. The performance took place in the old hall in the community association. It was of Goldilocks and the The Bears.

The lunchtime staff are getting in on the act in the late 70's. Just a couple of years later she would have had a bigger obstacle to jump. As this is where the school is now standing. Plus another performance from the children in the same year.

We have always had little angels at this school and here is proof with another picture of a performance from the early 80's this time. Also from that time the picture on the right shows the children enjoying an outside party.

If anyone else wants to email a suggestion about what they would like to see on the website then let me know, if it is a sensible suggestion I will try to make it happen.

It's that time of year when the children have done all their practicing, the teachers have organised the performance and the parents get the chance to really be proud of their children in the school's Christmas performance.

The year Croft Community Primary Schools performance was bigger and better than ever.