The Roundup - Edition 107

D Group (Year 6) students embarked on their much-anticipated day trip to France this week, setting off before dawn for a memorable adventure across the Channel. After enjoying breakfast on the ferry and taking in the sea views, students spent time on the beach making the most of the sunshine and fresh sea air before heading to a local supermarket, where they had the opportunity to practise their French language skills in authentic situations.

The trip offered a wonderful opportunity for students to experience French culture beyond the classroom while celebrating their final weeks in the Junior School. Throughout the day, they represented the school exceptionally well, with members of the public commenting positively on their manners, behaviour and attitude. From exploring the beach to enjoying dinner on the return ferry and entertaining one another with games and activities, students embraced every moment of the experience. It was a fantastic day and a fitting milestone as D Group (Year 6) prepare for the next stage of their educational journey.

E Group (Year 5) students travelled to Cambridge this week for an exciting visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum. During an engaging Ancient Greece workshop, they explored artefacts and deepened their understanding of the civilisation they have been studying, bringing their classroom learning vividly to life.

Back at school, students also enjoyed a final Forest School session of the year. Whether practising knots, tackling new challenges or pursuing their own interests outdoors, students demonstrated growing confidence, independence and resilience. The session provided a fitting conclusion to a successful year of outdoor learning.

G Group (Year 3) students enjoyed a wonderful Forest School session, making the most of the cooler weather with a campfire on which they cooked popcorn. Alongside their outdoor cooking, students spent time observing butterflies, engaging in imaginative historical role play, creating nature-inspired recipes and relaxing in the hammock. The afternoon provided a valuable opportunity to combine creativity, exploration and outdoor learning in the natural environment. 

G Group (Year 3) students impressed families and staff alike during their morning talk this week. They spoke confidently, sang beautifully and demonstrated the hard work and preparation that had gone into the performance. The students should be extremely proud of themselves for the enthusiasm and confidence they showed while sharing their learning.

As part of their ongoing STEM activities, students also explored the science of air pressure and elasticity through a fascinating balloon experiment. After inflating balloons, they carefully coated skewers with oil before attempting to push them through the balloons without causing them to burst. While some attempts were more successful than others, students showed great perseverance and curiosity as they investigated the challenge. The activity sparked plenty of discussion and provided an enjoyable hands-on opportunity to apply scientific thinking and problem-solving skills. 

J Group (Year 1) students enjoyed a memorable Forest School session, gathering around the campfire to cook popcorn. Alongside learning new outdoor cooking skills, students were encouraged to try unfamiliar foods and reflect on the importance of being open to new experiences. They also discovered that ashes and embers can remain hot long after a fire appears to have gone out, reinforcing important fire safety lessons. There was plenty of time for collaborative play too, including building a seesaw, relaxing in the hammock and experimenting with charcoal from a previous campfire.

In Science, J Group (Year 1) students put their investigative skills to the test by predicting which objects would float or sink before carrying out their own experiments. Through observation and discussion, they explored why some materials behave differently in water and considered how large metal boats are able to float. The lesson provided an excellent opportunity to revisit previous learning about materials while developing scientific enquiry skills.

K Group (Reception) students enjoyed a fun-filled end to the week last week, making the most of the warm weather with a range of outdoor activities. The day began with splashing in paddling pools and creating giant bubbles using bubble wands before students worked together to prepare colourful fruit kebabs using their favourite fruits. Following their swimming session, everyone enjoyed a refreshing iced lolly, providing the perfect end to a memorable day. The bubble wands were then taken home so the fun could continue beyond the school gates.

The class took a trip on Friday to Bury Farm to pick strawberries together. They had a wonderful time exploring the tunnels and (hopefully) left some strawberries for other visitors...!

Monte (Nursery) students enjoyed a wonderful trip to Willow Farm this week, where they spent the day meeting animals, watching shows and taking part in a range of hands-on activities. Highlights included feeding the animals, milking Daisy the cow and enjoying a ride on Tristan the tractor. The students were a credit to the school throughout the visit, demonstrating excellent behaviour and enthusiasm as they explored everything the farm had to offer.

During Forest School, Monte (Nursery) students focused on learning how to undo knots while helping to tidy the rope box. They also took great care of the young apple trees by watering them and learning how to carry and pour water carefully. A visit to the nursery garden provided an opportunity to sample some homegrown sugar snap peas before students headed into the orchard, where they explored the pond, searched for wildlife and discovered a water boatman. Creative play flourished as students mixed natural ingredients to make imaginative cakes and built an outdoor oven using logs. With butterflies to observe, trees to water and a pond to top up ahead of the warm weather, it was a busy and rewarding session outdoors.