Make Do and Mend

As part of our topic, Britain at War, we have been learning about the ‘Make Do and Mend’ campaign. We have learnt running stitch, whip stitch and blanket stitch and are using these to create either a bookmark, pencil case or a pin cushion. They are starting to look great!

Navy STEM Morning- written by a Year Six

Today the Navy came into our school and showed us some really cool activities like how to build a mini drone and a mini alarm. They also showed some mini robots that can move around and we played a small football match with a tennis ball. Then lastly we made a small rover that we could drive around the course they made in the outdoor classroom and controlled them with an ipad then we played tag with them.

My favourite activity was the mini robots or the mini rovers.  

Luke Delahunty

On Monday, Luke Delahunty, who had competed in the invictus games, came into school to tell us about his sporting journey and to lead us in some fitness activities. We enjoyed hearing about all the different sports he had tried and how he had competed for GB at the invictus games in cycling!

World Book Day!

Year 6 had a brilliant time with their buddies yesterday on World Book Day. Some of us built cosy dens and some of us chose to share a book outside. It was lovely to see the range of books the children chose and to see everyone enjoying themselves!

Woodland Trust - Platinum Award

Huge congratulations to all of Badger Class. I have just been told that we have been awarded the Platinum Award from the Woodland Trust as the ultimate part of the Green Tree Schools Award. This is thanks to the outdoor work completed by Badger Class last year and this year. I’m so proud of you all, this is a fantastic achievement. Have a wonderful Christmas break. Love Mrs Ashton-Smith

Maya Food

On Wednesday morning year six spent the whole morning cooking Maya inspired food. They made tortillas, guacamole, salsa, cooked sweet potatoes and Maya style spicy hot chocolate. We enjoyed our Maya feast with many children trying food they’d never had before.

Brilliant buddies!

Year Six had a fantastic time with their buddies on Tuesday. They searched the school and grounds for festive pictures together and the buddies crossed off each item as they found them. Afterwards, they had free play in Robins Class. It was such a joy to see them all having so much fun together.

Fearsome French

On Friday year six acted out doctor, patient scenarios in French. To make this more lifelike they used fake blood and make up to give themselves ‘injuries’ and when asked by the doctor they had to say where they were hurt. They then swapped roles. We then crept into the library and hid while one member of the class (who won rock, paper, scissors to get the role) staggered into the office clutching their head with fake blood trickling through their fingers, calling Mrs Parsons! We all cracked up when she believed it. Sorry Mrs Parsons! You were so kind to them though and took the joke very well! You weren’t the only one fooled, my husband and children all thought I had a black-eye when I got home!

Marvellous Maya Masks

This week year six finished their Maya masks and the result is outstanding! This project started with the class learning why Maya wore masks (battle, event and death) and looking at examples of each as inspiration for them to design their own. Once they had designed their own and considered their colour choices based on the purpose of their mask, it was time to create them. The class used air dry clay and learnt how to join it so their masks could be 3D. They also etched patterns and symbols into their masks and the result, I’m sure you’ll agree, is rather striking.

Canoeing at Henley Fort

Waking up Guildford singing en route to the river (Cotton eye Joe and Mr Brightside firm favourites), canoeing, challenges and lots of jumping in. No sign of Steve (ask the children) ;-)

Henley Fort

Year Six have are having a terrific time at Henley Fort. Here are just a few pictures of some of the things we’ve been up to…

Heart dissection

What a way to start our science topic! The class found it fascinating to see inside an ox’s heart and identify the oxygenated and de-oxygenated side, by the thickness of the walls. They were also able to see the different chambers and identify the pulmonary artery and vein and aorta. They then had a go at dissecting pigs hearts. It was a very valuable aid to their learning and led to interesting discussions. It is really useful for the children to see the colour and size of the hearts and is a memorable way of learning.

Our First Day at Henley Fort - photos

The children have been having a fantastic time over at Henley Fort - lots of smiles, laughs, good times and memories being made! Today has been a day of Climbing, Team Tasks and Challenges. We’ve got dinner and an evening walk plan for tonight before bed time!

The Forbidden Forest

Last Thursday we arrived at school to find: socks pinned up on a display with a sign saying, ‘Free Dobby’, a message written in what looked like blood saying, ‘The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir beware’, a trail of spiders going out the window and a letter from Professor Dumbledore! The letter from Dumbledore warned us that Death Eaters had cursed the school and we had to spend the day in the Forbidden Forest, while staff performed powerful counter curses to make the class safe again. Mrs Ashton-Smith was busy casting spells (we always knew she was a witch) so Mr King dusted off the Plaistow and Kirdford sorting hat and it put us in our houses: Unicorn, Acromatula, Basilisk and Werewolf. Mrs Ashton-Smith returned having done all she could so we headed off to the forest…

When we arrived at the forest we had to search for our house mascot, then we had lessons… Potions with Ms Smith, where we investigated pH using Shrivelfig juice, ground claw of Horntail and Troll snot! Herbology was led by Mrs Chase. We prepped our lunch: sausages, mashed potatoes and ratatouille, with honey biscuits for dessert. Mrs Ashton-Smith taught us the ancient art of wand making, with knowledge passed on to her from Ollivander. -we demonstrated some excellent whittling skills. We also used happa zone to create house banners. Mrs Jesse was in charge of the fire and cooking. We didn’t see any house elves helping her but there must have been, even the most powerful witch or wizard couldn’t have done all that on their own!

Finally we received word that the classroom was safe, so we headed back -just in time for our parents to collect us! What a day!