Sports’ Day

What  glorious weather we were blessed with this afternoon for our Sports’ Day. As always it was brilliantly  organised by Mrs Langton with her team of Year 4 helpers.  The FBS with extra parents helpers put  on another fabulous cream tea and the event was well attended by the parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles.

The children were very sporting and enthusiastic and it was great seeing the winners receive their medals on the podium.

The only cloud for me was that it was my very last Sports’ Day at Berkley !

School Disco

I have just got home from the school disco!  Mrs Langton and I had a lovely evening. Everyone was really well behaved which meant we had a really great time!

I got to dance with lots of children, Malachi shared his mini donuts with me and I even got a giraffe tattoo! Evie said I was a good sport!

Mr Carver was the DJ and loads of parents helped to make it a terrific evening.

Thank you  everybody!

Mrs White

PS good luck with the London Marathon Jo Blackburn

Visiting the HMS Victory

We had a wonderful day in Portsmouth. It was fantastic to see everything first hand that we have been thinking about in our topic.

My group knew so much and I was really proud of them.

It was also really interesting to see that there were over 300 articulated lorries on the road that day!( in joke- you had to be there) !!

Mrs White

 

Forest Schools!

I have just finished looking at the photos of some Squirrels out in the forest. It looks as if they were having a terrific time. I would love to go but sadly I haven’t had the chance.

Maybe one day I’ll disguise myself as a Squirrel and sneak onto the minibus! I bet no-one would notice!!! What do you think?

Mrs White

The Victory!

This week everybody will be travelling to Portsmouth on an educational visit to The HMS Victory. This is part of our creative curriculum topic on ‘The Fighting Temeraire’.

In KS2 we have been learning all about what it might have been like to have been a sailor aboard one of the ships in Nelson’s navy. Perhaps the Temeraire or the Tenacious or even the  Victory herself. So, hopefully, everyone will have a good idea about life in those times and will get the most out of the visit.

I am really looking forward to the trip! I expect there will be lots of blogs about it next week!

Is anyone else excited?

Mrs White

The Fighting Temeraire

Mrs Perry and I have both been watching the James Bond movie ‘Skyfall’ and it was really funny because at one point 007 goes to the National Gallery and he sits right in front of the Fighting Temeraire while he is waiting to talk to another spy.

I have been to see the painting recently and it was in a different place In the gallery. I think they must have moved it for the film?

Mrs White

E-SAFETY DAY

E-safety day [February 5th 2013] began at Berkley School with an assembly where Mrs Matthews talked to us all about the  theme of ‘Connect with Respect’. We spent the day in each of the classes considering this. You may like to look at the link to the clip of the Rabbits singing their E-Safety song!

In Badgers we have been designing our own E-Safety posters. We have also thought in depth about how we might develop an E-Safety charter for our class. We have nearly completed this and we will share it with you once we have finalised it!

Today the Badgers thought about keeping safe in general – not just E-Safety-  and we all played a board game, called ‘I Know That’ , this morning. It was fun and made us think about lots of areas of our lives where we need to be be safe!

 

ROBOTS!!!!

Exciting news! Next half term our creative curriculum topic will be Robots! When I told my class this they all cheered really LOUDLY and I can understand why! It is going to be such great fun! And I can hardly wait!!!!

Mrs White

End of Term

It was hectic at the end of term. Following the two Christmas productions we all met together as a school to listen to the two choirs sing and share some of the production songs again.

We had our Christmas Party – this was a full Christmas lunch, followed by a really good entertainer and then, finally, because we had all been so good, Santa made a surprise appearance carrying 3 sacks of presents  for everybody.

It was a lovely end to a busy and fulfilling term.

Have a wonderful, peaceful Christmas everyone.

Mrs White

Exciting Community Project

On Monday Badgers class took part in a workshop linked to a Frome Community Project. A new book, ‘Working Memories’ which contains information about industries and companies that have traded in Frome is currently being printed. We were asked to help out by producing marbled paper, titles and pictures to make covers for special books which will be presented to the contributors to the book.

The children learned about some of the Frome companies from the past and enjoyed taking part in the workshop. We are now looking forward to seeing the completed books.

Mrs White

Leavers’ Trip

Today the Year 4 Leavers, Mrs Perry and I travelled to Warminster School for a special day of science, PE and music. First of all we travelled into the world of CSI as we tried to solve a crime that had been committed. We took finger prints and matched them to ones found at ‘the scene of the crime’. We went on to identify the perpetrator of the crime by investigating a range of inks taken from different pens. It was such fun!

Then, after a short break, the children had a tennis lesson. This was also very enjoyable although it rained very hard and we had to come in early.

Finally we had a drumming lesson. This was absolutely terrific! The teacher was ‘outstanding’ in my view and the children had a brilliant time playing the djembe African drums.

Finally the school treated us to lunch and this was delicious.

Then we returned to school

It was a really enjoyable day and we are very grateful to the staff of Warminster School for the invitation and for the welcome received to day.

Mrs White

Jubilee Day

The last day of school before the half term break was centred around the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. The whole school dressed in red, white and blue! Ladies from the Mothers’ Union came into school to help the children to decorate special jubilee biscuits which were then eaten at lunchtime! Yum. The MU ladies were so complementary about the way the children had behaved which was great to hear. Everyone made a ‘crown’ to wear during the picnic, we all made bunting ready for the ‘Berkley Olympics’, and in Badgers’ class we began to draw portraits of the Queen – which we will finish next half term.

It had not been the best of weather so the field was wet. We decided to have our picnic on the playground which worked out quite well. Chloe and Max’s mum with the help of Christopher’s mum had made 100 small cakes which were beautifully presented on cake stands. And they were delicious – so a huge thank you to them for their thoughtfulness.

After the lunch Mrs Langton organised everyone for a country dancing session which was fun and then Mrs White led a very loud three cheers for the Queen – which we have been told she heard in London!!!

After that we all went back to our own rooms before starting an extra long Golden Time [ Diamond Time?] when children from the different classes mixed together.

We took lots of wonderful photos which will appear on the website once we return to school.

Mrs White.

Football Crazy

The weather was perfect for the supporting crowd this afternoon, although perhaps a little warm for the players who looked a bit pink by the end of their final match. It was great to see them working so well as a team and to see a good mix of boys and girls again. All three school teams played in a very sportsmanlike way and it was a pleasure to be part of such a lovely afternoon.  Go to Mr James’ blog for a detailed match report!

Mrs White

‘Oliver!’

On Tuesday we were lucky enough to travel to the Merlin Theatre to watch the dress rehearsal of Selwood Academy’s production of Oliver! It was great for us because as you know we studied the Victorians in the Autumn term and had learned  some of the songs from the musical.

We loved it and it was great to see lots of past Berkley school pupils in the cast!! It was so great to see such a lot of talent and it was evident that a huge amount of hard work had gone into the production.

When the cast sang ‘ Consider Yourself’ in the finale I’m afraid that Berkley School broke out into song along with them!!! and we carried on singing in the foyer afterwards whilst waiting for the parents!!!

It was so good that I’m going again on Friday!!! I promise not to sing that time though!!!

Mrs White

Fantastic Football

Mrs Langton and I were so proud of the football team on Thursday evening. The team played Bishop Henderson school at Coleford and, if you have read Mr James’ blog you will see that , they won convincingly 6 -1. How fantastic!!!

Winning is always great but the thing that made Mrs Langton and me so pleased was the way in which the team played. They were terrific sports – they supported one another well and were really encouraging. They shared the ball around and you can see this was a good strategy from the goal scoring results. I watched them talking and passing and running and really thinking about what they were doing. It was brilliant to see and I stood them all up in Good Work Assembly on Friday and we gave them a clap. Mrs B was on a course but I’m sure she won’t mind that I’ve promised them all one of her special ‘Head Teacher Award’ stickers!!

I can’t wait until the next match!!! A special thank you to Mr James too.

Mrs White

Wells Cathedral

Today the Year 4 children were pilgrims on a journey to Wells Cathedral. We travelled on the coach with Beckington school which was nice and we were lovely and early so we got the front seats on either side of the cathedral.

There was a welcoming service and then we split off into groups. First of all we had a tour of the cathedral and saw some of the interesting sites. The children dressed up in cloaks and carried staffs around just as the early pilgrims did – although they were able to keep their shoes on – early pilgrims often walked hundreds of miles without their shoes!!!

Then we made pilgrim boxes before setting off to our next workshops. One group ,with Mrs White and Mrs Jeffery, went to a craft session where we made shell bookmarks and the other group, with Mrs Wheeler, went to a drumming workshop. We all had great fun.

Then it was time for lunch followed by a Mime Workshop which was hilariously funny and also communicated thoughtful ideas.

Finally we returned to the cathedral for the closing Act of Worship. Abi and Sam carried the banner, Kieran and Rob and Mrs Jeffery collected the lighted candle and Izzy read our pilgrim prayer from the pulpit.

It was a smashing day and all the children were really great ambassadors for Berkley School.

Mrs White

Photographic Exhibition

Children in Badgers’ class have been enjoying a photography club. It has been so interesting, they have learnt a great deal and this afternoon they set up an exhibition of their work in Juraj’s studio. Parents and other members of the families came, and after enjoying refreshments, toured the studio to enjoy the children’s work. They then had the opportunity to purchase the photographs and Juraj kindly offered to donate all profits to Berkley School!

e-safety day

Today has been e-safety day and everyone at Berkley School has been thinking about how to keep safe when we use the internet. We have talked about some of the people that we could turn to if we were worried about anything when we are using the internet.

We have also started to think about ‘Connecting Generations’ which is the theme this year. I have asked the Badgers to find out from their parents and grandparents about what they like most about the internet and what their favourite pastimes are.

What do you like about using the internet? I love researching fantastic games for my class to use in support of their learning. I love being able to keep in touch with my friend who lives in Australia.

Do you know how to keep safe on the internet? If not – ask your children for advice!!!

Fantastic Thursday!

I know that I am biased but if I was aged between 4-9 I wouldn’t want to go to any other school but Berkley School!! The WOW day was a wonderful way to start the week.

 The ‘Jumping Jellybeans’ club took place and some children have been to Forest Schools this week.

This morning  the Badgers went to the sports’ centre for their swimming lesson followed by an exciting science investigation with Mrs Langton involving blowing bubbles !!

After lunch  Badgers class welcomed Dave  and Nick who gave us a Rookie First Aider’s taster session. We spent a brilliant hour learning to apply bandages to one another’s arms and heads. We also learnt how to make a simple sling to support a painful wrist. Hopefully Dave and Nick will be able to run an after school club for us.

Then we put on our old clothes and wellies and went back up onto the field to enjoy all the activities that were built for the Wow day. We got very muddy as it has been raining a bit this week but it was great fun and we’ll be going again tomorrow!!

And – finally – after school was over – a group of children and Mrs Hirons and I stayed to a ‘Photography Club’. Uri, the photographer showed us a whole range of cameras and equipment and we found out all about them. It was really very interesting. Uri made it great fun.

Next week we are going to begin to take photos – then later we are going to mount and frame them, set up an exhibition, learn to market our product and finally try to sell them!!! All the profits going to Berkley School. I can’t wait!

What a great day.

Mrs White

Wow Day film clips

I have just been showing Mr White [who helped put up the assault course on the school field] and my daughter Rosanne all of the brilliant pictures of the day. And at the bottom I found the fantastic film clips that Mrs Hirons has put on for us all to see. Have you watched it yet? Look at all the smiling faces and listen to all the laughter!! What a great day we had.

The art work is looking good too!!!

Mrs White

WOW DAY!!!

We have just had the  most wonderful WOW Day!!! I think the adults had as much fun as the children!!

This term our creative curriculum topic goes under the umbrella name of  ‘All Creatures Great and Small’. It is going to be primarily a geography based topic made up of a series of  smaller units. All areas of work will be driven by our wish to spend lots of time outside using our environment in as many inventive ways as we can.

So…. we started by building a sort of assault course on the school field. I am sure you will find lots of photos in the gallery. There were huge hay bales draped with cargo nets  making tunnels to crawl through,an enormous tent, ropes strung between trees to swing and climb along, ladders to climb and trampettes to bounce on, there was a marshy area to navigate using stepping stones, a set of tubular tunnels draped with more cargo nets to crawl through, an ‘ ice palace’, a mini forest, a sand pit, and water filled balloons to navigate whilst walking along a rope bridge and more!

We were very pleased with our results. BUT when we came to school this morning we discovered that we had been visited over night by a mysterious creature. ‘Something’ had been using our assault course.

We gave the children a ‘forensic kit’ so that they could search the field for clues. And they found lots!! There was fur of many different colours, there were feathers and something that looked like blood [ but was it?], we found giant footprints in the sandpit and tiny ones all over the place. Something had been trapping giant bugs and putting them in a cauldron and a fire had been lit in the tent – we know because there was cold ash in the fireplace. At the back of the field was what looked like a giant nest! It was filled with leaves and there were some broken egg shells – some of these were hen’s eggs but some were giant eggs.

It was exciting and a real mystery. We returned to school to think about what we had seen and using all our ideas we each drew an ‘identikit’ picture of what we thought the mysterious creature might have looked like. Now we are going to paint them.

What a thrilling time we had – we were lucky with the weather which was perfect and we would especially like to thanks everybody to helped in whatever way. The children will be able to use the assault course for the rest of the week before we dismantle it on Friday. Look out for more pictures and information about all our follow up work!!!

Mrs White

Christmas Production

The Christmas Productions are next week and everybody is working very hard!!! KS2 are planning a Victorian style production with singing, poetry and readings. It is a little different to our usual musical but it is taking shape well and I think eevryone will enjoy it!!!

Mrs White

Operation Christmas Child

Over the last few weeks my classroom has been filling up with shoeboxes wrapped in cheerful Christmas paper. These have been filled by Berkley families as part of the Operation Christmas Child project.

We know that not everybody is as lucky as us so we are always keen to take part in this project. This year our boxes are going to Liberia, which is a country in Africa. It is on the Atlantic coast next door to Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast. A civil war in the 1990s destroyed the economy and created thousands of refugees.

And of course many of these people are children who will not normally receive any gifts at Christmas.

This year will be different for at least 57 children because they will be receiving our shoeboxes containing pens, pencils and paper, soap and flannels, toothbrushes and toothpaste, scarves, hats and gloves [ for the cold nights – even in Africa!!], toys [I put a skipping rope in my box], sweets, hairslides and much more.

We have sent them this with all our love and we hope they enjoy the thrill of receiving these gifts from us, and the contentment of knowing that we have thought of them and care for them from thousands of miles away.

Have you made a box of love yet? If not there may still be time – or there’s always next year!

Mrs White



Victorian Trip to Bath

I was so pleased to read everyone’s blogs about the school trip to Bath. I thought the museums were really interesting and I am thrilled to see that the children did too!!!

At the moment Badgers are writing non fiction pages about the challenging jobs that young children had to do during Victorian times. Their ICT skills are developing well and they have been doing a good job with their research and presentation.

Mrs White

School Disco

Last Friday evening it was the school disco!!! We cleared out my classroom and the DJ arrived to set up. He soon transformed my room into a disco with lights and music and lots of fun! The lovely ladies of the FBS provided refreshments including some particularly yummy mini doughnuts for sale. There was facepainting and tattoos. Everybody had a brillant time, were fantastically behaved and we made lots of money for the school.

I can’t wait for the next one!!!

Mrs White

Victorian Concert

Using the hall at Selwood Middle School to perform in front of such a large audience – about 180 people, was a great adventure for the children and they did brilliantly. It was wonderful to have so many friends of the school both present and past to share the evening with us. Some of our performers were only 4 years old and some of our audience were in their nineties – but everyone had the same thing in common – we all love Berkley School and believe in its ability to give the children a wonderful start in life.

There was a lovely feeling in the hall as our Berkley ‘family’ all joined together in an evening of music, singing, games, recitations and drill. The staff were very proud of the children as they had worked very hard to get to the high standard that you saw and the costumes were terrific.

We are currently on a much needed and well deserved half term break but when we return we will be rehearsing for our next extravaganza – the Christmas Victorian Productions!!!

 

 

 

Horn of Africa Concert

Yesterday there was a wonderful event at Christ Church, Frome. It was a twelve hour musical concert held to raise money to support those people suffering due to the famine in the Horn of Africa. It was organised by Ann Burgess, a long term friend of Berkley School. She asked if we would bring along a group of children to take part in the concert and I suggested that it would be even better if more schools were involved – so I got busy organising  and was pleased to find some enthusiastic teachers in other schools who agreed to take  part.

Everyone arrived for our 11 o’clock  slot and joined together to sing the African songs that we had all been learning. We also enjoyed learning some ‘call and response’ African songs, along with the audience, who joined in too.

I was delighted to hear from Ann today. The total raised yesterday was just about £3,500 which is a wonderful total. I can only imagine how many families this will help and how many lives this will save. So to all the Berkley children and parents and staff who attended or gave contributions,  thank you so very much and may God bless you all.

Mrs White

Victorian Harvest

Berkley School is celebrating its 150 years anniversary and this week we held our annual Harvest Festival. This year it was a Harvest Festival with a difference because it had a Victorian theme. Everyone dressed in Victorian style costumes and the songs and hymns originated in the Victorian times. Everyone did very well and it was particularly great to see the Reception children stand up after only such a short time at school and sing several songs and tell the story of The Little Red Hen with actions.

The church was packed with parents and grandparents, other family and friends and it was a really enjoyable service.

In the afternoon we invited past pupils, parents, teachers of the school to enjoy the service. Two past Headteachers, Miss Morgan and Mr Packer were able to attend which was lovely. One past pupil was aged 93 and he watched the 4 year olds as they performed enthusiastically.

Feedback from the visitors was very positive and the children gained so much from the day.

Our next exciting event is on Wednesday 19th October. It is an evening of music and poetry, games and ‘drill’ in the main hall at Selwood Middle School at 6.30pm. Do come along – it will be great fun!

Mrs White

A huge thank you!

I would like to say a huge thank you for all the gifts and cards that I received at the end of term – mainly from the children leaving us but also from some of the Year 3 children. I was overwhelmed – as I know the other staff were – by your generosity and thoughtfulness. Thank you letters have been written and will make themselves to you, some by post in the next week or so and some by hand. Finally some of you will receive them via Selwood in September. But in the mean time

THANKYOU!!!

Enjoy the rest of the summer and I look forward to seeing you all in September.

Mrs White

Leavers!

Year 4 are currently working on their Leaver’s Service. It is a time of mixed emotions for the staff. We are proud to see the progress of these children – it only seems a moment ago when they were tiny 4 year olds shyly standing at the edges of the playground. So much has happened over the five years that they have been with us and they have grown and matured to the children they are now. Some have joined us on the way but most have been with us the whole time.

Now they are confident and demonstrate leadership qualities. They comfort the younger children and lead them in games at playtimes. They take responsibility and support staff in school.

In a few days they will leave us and move on to Selwood. They will be the youngest again. But they will make their mark and continue to grow and develop. We wish them all the very best and the greatest success for the future.

Violin Recital

Imagine thirty four 7,8and 9 year olds each with a violin, viola or cello. Then add a satisfyingly large audience of parents, grandparents, little brothers and sisters and friends. Into this mix add a music teacher and you will have Badgers class on Friday afternoon.

Year 4 have been learning their instrument for two years and Year 3 since September. The room was filled with music and the standard was gratifyingly good.

We will really miss Hywel Jenkins – Mr J – as he is leaving to open a music shop.

We have really appreciated his lovely calm and patient manner and his excellent teaching skills.

Division can be fun!

This week the Badgers have been working on division problems in numeracy! ‘Oh no!’ I can hear you all groaning , ‘not division!’. Well in Badgers there was not this reaction because we have had lots of fun dividing!!

We have played a range of games; lotto and snap, games on the computer and TARZIA which is a puzzle game which I make especially for each group. We have played brilliant games on the laptops which have required some pretty quick thinking and some of us have had a go at some mental maths Speaking and Listening activities which also involved division.

We have also done some recording but not too much as the main point was to practise dividing as much as possible in our heads.

Luckily over the week I had help from Mrs Perry, Mrs Pang, Mrs Wheeler, Mrs Jeffery, Mrs Harding and Mrs Snell [ not all at once!] which meant that we could really differentiate the activities finely and we all saw the children making good progress and HAVING FUN!

Bayeux Tapestry

We have been learning about the Bayeux Tapestry. It’s not actually a tapestry but an embroidery. It shows the Norman invasion in 1066.

We are making our own tapestry. Everyone is making a piece of their own and then joining it together. We are going to call it the Berkley Tapestry!!!

Medieval Banquet Day

Today we had another of our ‘WOW’ days and for me it was the most perfect day. The rain held off which was a blessing as in the morning we were visited by an archer who set up his targets on the school field. He demonstrated his skills to us and some children were able to have a go. Olivia scored a bullseye with her first arrow! We all brought medieval style lunches and wore amazing hats and crowns that we had made.

In the afternoon we met the armourer. He brought a range of ring mail, helmets, plate armour and weapons. The children were able to try some of the items on and impressed the armourer with their knowledge of medieval weaponry and of how to attack and defend a castle.

Then we met the falconer. He brought two Harris Hawks and two different owls. They flew around the field, skimming over our heads and causing great excitement.

As a teacher I think this was one of my favourite days of the year, and believe me there have been lots of great ones! So I am sure that the children must have really enjoyed themselves. They are certainly very fortunate – such a memorable and wonderful day can only enhance their education and give them a real enthusiasm for learning!

Family Service

On Sunday we gathered in St Mary’s Church Berkley for the monthly Family Service. This one was special though because the children and staff of Berkley School took part in the service. The church was almost full and there was a lovely atmosphere. Our theme was ‘Friendship’ and we had lovely painting by the Rabbits, wonderful prayers written and spoken by the Squirrels and an  item called ‘Recipe of a good friend’ by the Badgers.

Huge thankyous to everybody who took part in the service and for getting up so early on a Sunday morning. We are all looking forward to the next one!

Windsor Castle

Berkley School was buzzing with excitement on Friday morning. We set off at 8.a.m. bound for Windsor Castle . This was one of our ‘WOW’ days linked to our creative curriculum topic on Castles. We were lucky, the roads were clear and the weather was fine. We arrived at the castle, were welcomed and taken to our base and then our adventure really began!! We all had to go through security which was a bit like being in an airport. Then we saw the Changing of the Guard, we did a treasure hunt in St George’s Chapel and saw the tombs of Henry VIII, Jane Seymour, George VI and the Queen Mother as well as many more of our Kings and Queens.

We walked around the State Apartments and saw fantastic weapons and armour. We had a talk led by Lesley who was really impressed by the knowledge of all the children. We saw real murder holes and crenulations. We saw arrow loops and  the motte and keep at the centre of the two baileys. Last of all we had an art workshop. It was a wonderful , exhilarating and tiring day. As we left we craned our necks to see if the Union Flag was being replaced by the Royal Standard…. and we think it was……if so the Queen had arrived just as we were leaving!

Life Stories

Badgers class have been studying ‘Life Stories’ in RE. We have found out about a range of people who put their faith at the centre  of their lives. We have learnt about David the Shepherd Boy, Grace Darling, St Francis of Assisi and Guru Nanak. Today our Rector Andrew Chalkley came in to talk to us about his role. The children asked him some tricky and thought provoking questions – for example ‘If something bad or sad happens do you get cross with God?’ and ‘Have you ever had a vision?’. Next we will be finding out about St Aldhelm, Bishop Ken and a local man – Maurice Eyres who served St Mary’s Berkley for most of his life.

Mrs White

Poetry Performances

On Thursday afternoon the three classes came together to share performances of the poems they had been learning. Rabbits and Squirrels both shared poems about Dragons and they did really brilliantly with lots of super actions. Badgers had spent time on dragon poems the previous week so instead they had worked on a ‘cheeky’ performance which was all about animals’ bottoms!!! Parents were also invited and additionally two Literacy Consultants, who were visiting the school, enjoyed the performances.

King Arthur

This week we are sharing the legend of King Arthur. We used a powerpoint presentation of the story and I modelled the retelling of  the legend in my own words. Then the children worked in groups of four, taking the roles of Arthur, King Uther, Sir Kay and Merlin. I had given them questions to consider in character and then we used the ‘hotseating’ technique to draw out their ideas. This involved some of the children sitting on the ‘throne’ and responding to the questions that had been given to their character.

They had some really great answers and were unfazed when I attempted to explore deeper by asking additional questions. You could have heard a pin drop in the classroom as everyone listened to the child in the hotseat. It was smashing.

Following that they are now retelling the legend from the point of view of their specific character! I am looking forward to reading the results.

 

WOW days!! Castles

This term our creative curricular topic is ‘ Castles’. It has caused a great deal of excitement. We love our ‘WOW’ days. When the children came back after the Easter holidays they found that the outside classroom had been turned into a castle complete with a working drawbridge and a throne!! The children are having a brilliant time playing in and around this castle at break and lunchtimes. It was a lot of hours in the making but was worth every second to see the children having such a good time.

Our second ‘WOW’ day is next week and we are all getting very excited. On Friday we will be travelling to Windsor Castle to spend the day and we are all looking forward to it. I expect lots of photos and blogs from the children [ and staff] will follow!

Finally we will be having a ‘Medieval Banquet’ on the school field. We have invited a Falconer, an Archer and a man who will be bringing medieval armour to show the children. Food will be in keeping with the day and I, for one, can hardly wait!!!

Media Arts ‘Oscars’ 2011

Badgers’ Class has been having such a lot of fun making films during the last year.  We ran an Animation Club after school led by Julia Roberts. Mrs Hirons, Mr Hunt [ our Bath Spa Teacher] and I supported too. We had been studying a topic called ‘Flight and Space’ so in literacy we shared the story of ‘Icarus and Daedalus’. So we made an animated film all about the legend. We had a brilliant time and learnt so many new skills – the adults too! Some children also wrote their own background music to add to the film.

As part of the Frome Community Learning Partnership Year 4  planned and filmed an information film called ‘ How to look after your teeth’ which hopefully will soon appear on the website.

Several children and I attended the ‘Oscars’ award ceremony at the Merlin Theatre and we were delighted to win an Oscar for ‘Best original concept’ and a special award for the ‘Icarus and Daedalus’ film.

Look out for the films and also for photos of the award winners!!!