On Wednesday this week, I took three Year Five children to Winchester to take part in a Kidsmeet. At a kidsmeet, teachers and children from a number of schools tour a venue watching short presentations about new ideas. We went along to talk about the recent work we’ve done using Google SketchUp. The children presented four different times, and spent lots of extra time talking to people from ther schools about how SketchUp works, and demonstrating their skills to an audience. I was very proud of the way they represented the school – well done to all three of them!
Thursday 25th April 2012 – Year 5 Primary Engineering Project at Swanmore College
On Thursday I accompanied 20 year 5 children to Swanmore College where they took part in the Primary Engineering Project. The project is run by the college for its local feeder primary schools; 4 of which are taking part this year. The children worked in teams of 4 to design and make their own race car! They had to build everything from scratch, including the chassis and all the electronics to make the car move both forwards and backwards. The really exciting parts were making the body of the car on a special machine to form the plastic into the correct shape. They also designed and made their own stickers to decorate and personalise their cars. The whole afternoon was finished off with a series of races. The children all had a fantastic afternoon and have come back to school with their cars, which will be shared in assembly this Friday. One lucky team will also be taken through to the final where they will compete against all the other schools to hopfully be crownded winner. I have yet to decide who this lucky team will be…!
April 25, 2012
Wednesday 25th April 2012 – Year 4 Trip to Butser Farm
On Monday 23rd April, Year 4 went to Butser Farm to start learning about their new history topic – the Celts and Romans.
The children came very well prepared for the wet weather – wellies, waterproof coats and even hats! Despite the terrible weather which lasted all day, the children still enjoyed themselves and were very enthusiastic about all the activities they took part in.
When we arrived, we gathered in the main Roundhouse, which had a fire lit in the middle of it for warmth and light. The children sat on the animal fur rugs and benches and listened to a member of the Centre staff tell us important information about the Celts and their way of life.
After this, both classes were re-named after two Celtic tribes – Maple became the Atrebates, the second most powerful tribe in Southern Britain and Jackalberry became the Brigantes, the largest tribe in the north of Britain. It was then time to begin our activities!
First of all, the children took part in some archaeology where they discovered many different artefacts, such as a knife, shells, mosaics, pottery and even bird skulls. This activity took place in the Roman villa and the children were able to have a really good look at authentic Celtic and Roman artefacts. After this, they moved back to the main Roundhouse and learnt about spinning – a technique the Celts used to make their clothes. The children all had a go at spinning lambs wool which we found tricky to begin with, but after a while managed to get the hang of it. Once the children had spun their wool, they were able to transfer it from their spindle to a stick to take it home.
Lunch was eaten in the main Roundhouse as it was still very wet and cold outside. After we had finished eating, the children learnt about Roman jewellery and had a chance to make either a ring or bracelet out of copper, using the same techniques the Romans would have used all of those years ago. Once they had finished making their jewellery, it was time to look around the gift shop and buy some small souvenirs.
Their final activity was a tour of the Roman villa. We learnt about each room and the purpose it served, how it was decorated and how it had been built. We also learnt about the under-floor heating system which the Romans invented. The children all agreed that they much preferred their houses today as they were warm and cosy compared to the draughty and cold villa of Roman times.
The children had a very memorable and enjoyable day and it really helped to get them more enthusiastic about their new History topic. As ever, the children were very well behaved and a pleasure to take – well done Year 4.
(Report by Miss Pearmain)
February 6, 2012
Monday 6th February 2012 – Team Supersports Challenge
Bishop’s Waltham Junior School was visited today by former Olympian Todd Bennett, and Olympic hopeful for 2012, Tom Parsons. They visited the school to put us all through our circuit paces, a sponsored event to raise money for us to use on PE equipment. At the end of the day, Tom Parson’s spoke to us about his experiences as a high jumper in Beijing 2008, and the hopes he has about competing again this year.
At the end of Tom’s talk, Amber from Year 6 signed the Great British flag that will presented to the GB team before the Olympics this year. To find out more about Team Superschools, click here.
To hear more from Tom Parsons, watch the following video.
To see Tom in action, watch the video below.
January 20, 2012
Friday 20th January 2012 – Healthy Eating with HC3S
Hampshire Caterers HC3S were in school today to teach each class about healthy eating. Each session covered the ingredients of a balanced meal before finishing with example fruit kebabs and smoothies.
The day concluded with a live version of ‘Ready Steady Cook’ featuring some special guest stars. Watch the video below to find out more.
December 9, 2011
Friday 9th December 2011 – AMJ Music
Earlier this week, we were lucky enough to be joined by Matthew and Charlie-Jade from AMJ Music, a local organisation who run music tuition. They joined us during an assembly to demonstrate some singing and drumming. Thanks to them for coming in – find out more by visiting their website here.
November 13, 2011
Friday 11th November 2011 – Year 3 Visit to Butser Ancient Farm
As an exciting launch to the Year 3′s new History topic (Invaders and Settlers) we visited Butser Ancient Farm near Petersfield. The rain held off and we all enjoyed a fun and very educational day learning about the lifestyles of the Iron Age Celts and the Romans who invadedBritain. The children experienced what it might have been like living in a Celtic roundhouse with an open fire in the middle, and compared this to the Roman villas which used different building materials and were designed in a different way. We admired the artistic skills of the Romans whose villas included mosaic floors and detailed murals adorning the walls. Practical activities included:
- Being archaeologists: digging up a plot of earth to find items from over 2000 years ago and suggesting what they may have been used for;
- Creating a wattle fence using hazel sticks;
- Grinding chalk using lightweight mallets;
- Daubing a wall with a muddy mixture including chalk and straw but thankfully not animal dung!;
- Creating mosaics using small coloured tiles.
This hands-on experience has given us lots of information which we can explore further in our forthcoming History lessons. We will also be drawing on this knowledge during our Literacy lessons where children will be writing their own information report about Celt and Roman lifestyles.
Report by Mrs Milne
October 20, 2011
Thursday 20th October 2011 – A Visit From Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
We were lucky enough to be visited today by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell, author and illustrator of The Edge Chronicles, Muddle Earth, and many other books.
After an entertaining and informative talk from the pair, children were able to buy books and get them signed.
October 13, 2011
Thursday 13th October 2011 – M&M Presents ‘The Hobbit’
M&M Theatrical Productions were in school today with their new production of ‘The Hobbit’. M&M have visited us many times in the past and, as usual, the children thoroughly enjoyed their performance.
To learn more about M&M Productions, click here.
July 21, 2011
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Thursday 21st July 2011 – A Visit From The Police
On the 6th July, the police came into school to talk to the Year 6 children about the risks and laws associated with smoking, drinking and anti-social behaviour. In their presentation to the children, they reinforced previous learning, explaining the contents of cigarettes and the effects of them and of alcohol on the body.
The children were involved in various activities, including being given the opportunity to wear special goggles to simulate the experience of being under the influence of alcohol. It was an extremely informative session for the children, equipping them with knowledge for later life to help them make the right decisions.
(Report by Mrs Hope)
