Martin Dunn Questionnaire

admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:15:57 +0000

Martin Dunn – Greenbank Preparatory School, Cheadle Hulme

How long have you been a teacher? 13 years

What did you do before? Worked for BG as a systems analyst and also in the Caribbean as a scuba diver

What’s special about your classes? Never boring – children don’t learn if they’re bored, and certainly don’t learn to enjoy their education

What have your class been learning this week? About micro-organisms, by learning how to encourage food to rot and then looking at the results under a digital microscope; about how to write scripts, through looking at Dr Who; about WW2 through giving presentations to the class; and how to construct geometrical shapes using protractors and compasses. We’re varied!

Most memorable thing that has happened in your class? There are many! – from having an 11 year-old child present me with a 40 page project trying to persuade me that Eminem was a legitimate artist, to producing my first school play, co-written with the children, to another class organising a surprise xmas party! My favourite experiences are either individuals making sudden bursts of understanding or my class doing something as a whole group.

Best thing about (Cheadle Hulme?) Variety of things to do – I have a young family and we can choose from as many indoor or outdoor activities as we have time for.

Worst thing about (Cheadle Hulme?) The quality of public transport – I’m used to the variety and amount of links in larger cities around the world and we lag behind at the moment.

Heather Burnett Questionnaire

admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:10:15 +0000

Heather Burnett – Greenbank Preparatory School, Cheadle Hulme

How long have you been a teacher? Teaching for 21 years

What did you do before? I worked in marketing for a steel tube manufacturer then had a “mum break”. I was so fascinated by watching my own children learn that I trained as a teacher whilst they were at primary school.

What’s special about your classes? I am very fortunate to teach in a school where the pupils are well motivated and eager to learn. I love the fact that they are “bright-eyed and bushy tailed”.

What have your class been learning this week? Every hour of every day is different. This week my Year Five class has studied a wide range of topics including dinosaurs, Dickens and Decagons.

Most memorable thing that has happened in your class? My fondest memories including really getting to know the children on residential adventure holidays – watching them grow in confidence, self-esteem and independence.

Best thing about (Cheadle Hulme)? It is a pleasant residential suburb with excellent facilities – ideal for families.

Worst thing about (Cheadle Hulme)? The dwindling number of small independent shops due to competition from large out of town stores.

French Week

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:09:59 +0000

Napoleon and Josephine were reunited during Greenbank Preparatory School’s French Week. The celebration of all things gallic, saw children first spend a week during Easter in Le Touquet, south of Calais, followed by a another week of celebration and study. The traditional French rustic dish Cassoulet was on the dinner menu and the children were treated to the French version of Home Alone ‘Maman j’ai rate avion’, or ‘Mother, I forgot to get on the plane.’ More importantly there was study of French culture, custom and history with Greenbank’s Deputy Headteacher Heather Burnett, alias Josephine, saying: “Although France lies just 21 miles off our southern coast, we have astonishingly different cultures and the French week was designed to celebrate those differences and ensure our boys and girls practised the language on holiday, in class and even in the lunch queue.”

Pictured with Heather Burnett as Josephine and Director of Studies Martin Dunn as Napoleon are from left to right on the back row: Samiha Farooqi, Jack Everton, Hannah Robinson and Katie Haynes. On the front row are Safi Choudhri, Almira Awan-Rutter and Alfie Sime.

Wallace & Gromit’s Big Breakfast

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:17:23 +0000

From bacon barm cakes to fabulous French bricoche, Greenbank Preparatory School pupils, parents and staff munched their way through Wallace and Gromit’s Big Breakfast to raise £430 for Manchester Children’s Hospital. Wallace and Gromit’s Big Breakfast is a brand new fundraising event organised by Wallace and Gromit’s Children’s Foundation, a national charity created in 2003 to improve the quality of life for children in hospitals and hospices throughout the UK. The Big Breakfast saw schools and colleges nationwide raise funds for a network of children’s hospitals and hospices throughout the UK to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.The aim is to support projects and causes in local communities such as music therapy,arts programmes, family accommodation facilities, state of the art equipment and hospice care, with Greenbank’s funds going straight to their nearest children’s hospital in Manchester. Greenbank Preparatory School Headmistress Janet Lowe said: “About the only thing not on our breakfast menu was Cheese – but I am sure Wallace knew it was all in good cause.” Mrs Lowe added: “It was a fabulous community event with Tesco’s kindly donating bread rolls and Brakes much of the food.”

Thank You Greenbank. A Big Breakfast £430 raised for Manchester Childrens Hospitals.

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:05:33 +0000

[Show as slideshow]

Greenbank Easter Parade

admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:06:50 +0000

Shoppers cooed and shopkeepers left their tills, as the cute kids from Greenbank Preparatory School Early Years Department held their own Easter Parade in Cheadle Hulme Precinct. Singing a selection of Easter songs, the children in their beautiful bonnets were a breath of fresh air to the passers-by. Jo Hudson from Hudson’s Cafe was so moved she gave them all an Easter egg after their performance and said: “They were quite simply the most delightful choir I have ever seen.” Greenbank held a collection for Port Reitz School in Kenya, which cares for orphan children with special needs and would like to thank all those who contributed.

Greenbank Under 9′s vs Lady Barn House School

admin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:25:29 +0000

Greenbank played really well. Harrison Heaton scored the first goal with a good shot. Joseph Dodd scored the second goal from far out and then he scored the third goal and he scored it from the same place. Joseph nearly scored … Continue reading →

Boris Wins Dinosaur Competition

admin — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:25:28 +0000

Budding palaeontologist Boris came eye to eye with the dinosaurs of his dreams when he won the Manchester Grammar School Dino drawing competition. Boris, 10, a pupil at Greenbank School in Cheadle Hulme, was among 300 pupils at the annual MGS Bexwyke lecture given by dinosaur expert Dr. Phil Manning. During the day they had to draw their own dinosaur with Boris winning the special prize of a dinosaur book for the most lifelike Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Boris, who has left his homeland in Hong Kong to get the best possible education, could not speak English 18 months ago when he first arrived, but said on winning the competition. “I love dinosaurs. There are remains in and around Cheshire and in the Peak District just as there are fossils back in Hong Kong, and it is amazing to think that they dominated the Earth 65 million years ago.” Greenbank Preparatory School Headmistress Janet Lowe said “Boris is a very talented and hard working child and we are delighted his parents chose Greenbank from all the schools across the region.” Mrs Lowe added: “It is the second time a Greenbank pupil has won the MGS Bexwyke competition in the last three years, which is a magnificent achievement considering how many pupils attend the day.”

Bums & Tums Club at School

admin — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:15:55 +0000

Greenbank Preparatory School’s mums know that education is all about building brain power, but bums and tums are important too. This term Greenbank has started a new mums’ keep fit club run by Head of Physical Education and Girls Games Sally Lochrie. Sally said “We run it from 9am every Wednesday so mums can get in a half hour work out every week. It is extremely popular and I think it’s an idea that could sweep the country.” Sally (Left) is pictured with mother and daughter Zonira and Aleeza Bani.
Mum Zonira said: “It’s a fabulous idea, keeps us fit and means we all can all have a bit of a chin wag as well.”

Exam Success for Greenbank’s Young Academics

admin — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:26:21 +0000

“Inquiring young minds need focus,” said Greenbank School’s Director of Studies Martin Dunn when he announced record academic results at the top independent preparatory school in Cheadle Hulme. This year 25 Greenbank Year 6 pupils passed 60 of the 64 local entrance examinations they sat, enjoying a 94% pass rate with all pupils now enjoying a choice of secondary schools. Pass rates to the Manchester Grammar School, Withington High, Stockport and Grammar School, The King’s School, Macclesfield and Cheadle Hulme School were exceptional. Mr Dunn said “A good education is not only about introducing inquiring young minds to as many challenging and interesting topics as possible, but instilling disciplined working habits and making sure they can focus on the question and are able to give an accurate, considered answer.”