Read below to find out more about some of the different activities we have been getting up to; from sporting and musical activities, to visitors and 'wow' days. We are looking forward to helping our children 'explore and grow' further in 2023-24.

• Fire Service Visit

  Wed 16 Oct 2019 M Davis

  On Wednesday the Fire Service came to visit to talk to the children about Halloween and Bonfire Night safety. There was lots of excellent advice, from how to identify houses that may or may not like visits from trick or treaters, to how to keep themselves safe around Bonfires and fireworks. The highlight of the visit was the surprise addition of the fire engine, which all the children had the opportunity to visit. To help us keep safe at home, the fire service provide and fit smoke detectors for free. If this is something you would be interested in, do contact them on 01162872241 or email at riat@LFRS.org.

  Parents may also be interested to know that the fire station will be providing battery operated tea lights for pumpkins to help keep children safe in costumes. Look out at Oakham Fire Station for these.

  

• Rutland in Concert - Pied Piper!

  Tue 15 Oct 2019 M Davis

   On Tuesday Cobalt class joined together with nearly 500 other pupils from all of the other Rutland State Schools to take part in a Rutland first - Rutland in Concert!

   

  Rutland in Concert was the culmination of a large scale project, led by Rutland Music Education Hub, which brought together children to perform a concert in De Montfort Hall in Leicester.

   

  In the first half of the concert, the massed Primary School Choir shared three songs under the direction of Beth Hodgson: ‘Interwoven Tapestry’ - a song about the joys of reading; ‘The Mermaid’ - a traditional Sea Shanty; and ‘How Far I’ll Go’ from Moana. We then had the opportunity to listen to performers from secondary schools in the county.

   

  The second half contained a world premiere of a new piece of music ‘Pied Piper’ written especially for the Rutland schools by Peter Davis.This setting of the story of The Pied Piper of Hamelin, using Robert Browning’s famous poem was composed for the combined forces of the primary and secondary choirs, five soloists and a small professional band.

   

  The atmosphere in the hall was amazing! To see representatives of every school in  the county performing together to a packed and enthusiastic De Montfort Hall was a marvellous sight and the reception from the audience at the end was overwhelming: a standing ovation for an outstanding performance.

   

  Giving Things a Go

  We always encourage children to give new experiences a go - you can’t know you won’t like something until you’ve tried it! It was fantastic that every member of year 4,5 and 6 took part in the concert - and I am pleased to say that every child who attended agreed that they had a good time and were glad that they took part. However - do watch out next term for an update on Mrs Davis’ deal with one pupil… ‘you take part in the concert, and I’ll do a gym class’! One side of the bargain was kept, (And I’m pleased to report that the child concerned said they were glad they took part and enjoyed it!) so next term Mrs Davis will be trying a gym class to see if she likes it!

  

• A Visit to a Pumpkin Patch

  Mon 14 Oct 2019 M Davis

  Aqua class had an exciting visit out on Monday to the Pumpkin Patch in Sebastian’s garden. The children had a fantastic time looking at the pumpkins growing on the plants, before picking and bringing a wide variety of shapes and sizes back to school. The week that has followed has explored many things linked to pumpkins, and the week will end with some pumpkin cooking. A huge thank you to Sebastian’s family for inviting the children and sharing their pumpkins, as well as providing the children with a welcome cup of hot chocolate.

  

• RLT Athletics Festival

  Mon 14 Oct 2019 M Davis

  On Monday, all of KS2 went and took part in the RLT KS2 Athletics Festival at Corby Athletics Stadium. This is an annual visit which gives the children the opportunity to experience running on a proper running track and use a proper sand long jump. It also gives the children a chance to meet with other friends from across the Trust.

   

   The children all tried their best, and it was great to see some great personal achievements as well as great sportsmanship. Personal achievements are not always about coming first, but also about keeping going when things are hard, or giving something a go for the first time. On the track there were people who attempted 400m for the first time, and others who experienced 50m sprints and obstacle races. Field events included long jump, and tennis ball and howler throws. The event concluded with relay races. We were particularly grateful to a child from another school who offered to join our year 3 girls to make up a relay team of four. 

   

  We were proud of all of the children (whether they came first, second, in the middle or towards the end), for their energy, commitment, support of each other and of children from other schools. The weather was not kind to us from lunchtime, and the good humour with which the children continued, despite the rain was fantastic.

   

  A huge well done to all who took part.

  

• The Exton Big Dig!

  Sat 05 Oct 2019 M Davis

  On Thursday and Friday the school field was transformed into an archaeological dig as we tried to find out more about previous occupants of the school land from what is buried on site. 

   

  One of our parents is an archaeologist, and volunteered to lead the children in their exploration. We spent two days exploring change in our school grounds, opening up a trench to try and answer questions about the environment in which we live and about how people lived in Exton in the past. We didn't know if we would find a lot, or a little, but knew that whatever we did find would provoke more questions! On finding a lot of things we would be able to ask questions about how important a place it was and why, as well as finding out about the activities people did here. If there were not so many things, we would be able to ask why there was so little activity. Either way, we would be able to ask whether the environment could tell us why it was so heavily or lightly used in the past. 

   

  The real story of our Dig can be seen in the pictures (more to be uploaded after the weekend!). We hadn't been sure we would find much before lifting the turf, but were surprised to immediately find bits of pottery and flints. The children all had the opportunity to dig and scrape through the plough-zone, (the second layer below the turf) reaching a depth of about 30 centimetres before we hit rock. The older children enjoyed logging and describing their finds, whilst the younger children enjoyed digging and sieving, followed by exploring all the different rocks and stones that they found. 

   

  We are very grateful to have been able to share the expertise of one of our parents, ably supported by other parents who came to help lift turf, support the children, lift buckets, and finally put the turf back so that we can leave the environment back as we found it. Thank you to you all - we could not have done this without your support.

   

  We know that the children all enjoyed the experience, and some of Cobalt class are now considering Archaeology as a career! We all learnt a huge amount from our expert (staff included!). We look forward to sharing more about our finds once we have sorted through them!

  

• RSSP Cross Country

  Wed 02 Oct 2019 M Davis

  Congratulations to our six runners who took part in the RSSP Cross Country at Rutland Water on Friday. 

   

  The course was not easy! Setting off downhill alongside the dam, the children then ran varying distances (the older they were, the further they went!) before climbing back up the hill to the finish line. Not only was half the course up-hill. Many of the children ran, or waited to run in torrential rain. I am very impressed with your commitment to running and representing the school in challenging conditions.

   

  A special mention must go to Harvey for completing the Cross Country every year during his KS2 career - what a star!

   

  Thank you to Miss Bevins and Mrs Ranson for supporting the children, and to all the parents who helped with transport.