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 2025-26.

• Osprey Assembly

  Tue 19 Mar 2019 M Davis

  This morning we were visited three experts from Rutland Water who came to talk to us about the ospreys who live there for half of the year.

   

  The session started with an assembly for the whole school where we learnt all about the size of an osprey and how to recognise one. We also learnt about how they hunt and catch fish. We then looked at a year in the life of an osprey, looking at where they live and how they travel from one place to another. We found out when chicks are hatched and how quickly the chicks grow and learn to fly. Our visitors also shared how each osprey that visits Rutland Water is tagged and numbered, and how some of the ospreys also carry trackers so that they can find out where in the world they are.

   

  After the assembly, cobalt class took part in a workshop to learn more about ospreys, including the different fish they like to eat.

   

  Did you know that you can be an osprey ambassador? More details are available from Rutland Water!

  

• Science Week

  Sat 16 Mar 2019 M Davis

  This week has seen a lot of investigating and finding out across the school as part of science week. 

   

  Our 'R' for this term is being resourceful. Mrs Davis kicked off the week with an assembly about being resourceful by asking questions. The children were encouraged to ask lots of questions this week and particularly to ask 'why'. This is what a good scientist does!

   

  Each afternoon began with a short science investigation or experiment. Amongst other things the children looked at exploding coke, investigating solids and liquids, investigating sound waves, and looking at what happens when you put skittles in milk! There are pictures on class pages on ClassDojo as well as the pictures below.

  

• World Book Day

  Thu 07 Mar 2019 M Davis

  What a fantastic time we had on World Book Day!

   

  The children all looked great in their costumes and it was lovely to see such a wide range of costumes, especially those who had been inventive creating costumes with what they had at home. 

   

  We started the day with a reading breakfast. It was lovely to be joined by so many parents and grandparents to share a book, some toast and a drink. There was a real buzz of enjoyment about the reading that was taking place. 

   

  Once the children were back in their classrooms, there were many different book day activities: from writing a story, to writing about favourite books and creating new book covers. Throughout the day, teachers swapped classes and shared different stories with the children. 

   

  In assembly we admired everyone's costumes and learnt a valuable lesson from the latest Mary Poppins film. Mrs Davis, dressed as Mary Poppins, introduced a clip with a song 'the cover is not the book', about how we should open a book to find out about the story, not just dismiss it if we don't like the cover.

   

  A huge thank you to Mrs Gould for organising the day and to parents for making costumes.

   

• Year 5/6 Warning Zone Visit

  Wed 06 Mar 2019 M Davis

  On Wednesday, year 5 and 6 spent the day at Warning Zone in Leicester. Warning Zone is a life-Skills Centre and children safeguarding charity who work with children towards the end of their primary school to catch them at a key transition in their life. As the children have more independence, they become responsible for their actions, behaviour and the decisions they make - both offline and online. At Warning Zone, the children are educated on understanding risks and consequences, peer pressure and anti-social behaviour amongst other things. 

   

  The children spent the morning looking at e-safety and keeping themselves safe on-line. This included how to behave on-line and developing an awareness of who they are talking to.

   

  The afternoon was spent in the 8 safety learning zones. Here the children learnt about road safety, water safety, staying safe around electricity, building sites and railways and about the dangers of taking short cuts.

   

  The children came back full of ideas and ways to keep themselves safe. A huge thank you to the Windmill House Trust for sponsoring our visit.

   

   

• Barnabas RE Day

  Thu 14 Feb 2019 M Davis

  On Tuesday we were visited by Jane from 'Barnabas in Schools' who came to work with the children on Respect, Resilience and Responsibility.

   

  Focusing on stories from the Bible, the day allowed the children to explore:

  • What are values and character?
  • How do they form the people we are and the communities we belong to?
  • How do values relate to school life both individually and corporately?

   

  The day began with collective worship on the Creating Character theme for the whole school. Jane talked to the children about what a VIP is. Mrs Davis was very flattered that some children thought she was a VIP! We soon discovered that we are all VIPs, and that a job or status does not make us any more important than the next person.

   

  Each class then had a workshop using the Bible stories of the feeding of the 5,000, Jonah and the whale, and the temptations of Jesus, to consider questions such as:

  • How do we show respect for all people?
  • What does respect look like in practice?
  • What does it mean to be resilient?
  • What does resilience look like in times of challenge?
  • How do we take responsibility for our values and actions?
  • What happens if we don’t take responsibility?

   

  Cobalt Class also had the opportunity to discuss Christianity as a World Religion and explore how Christianity is lived out in other parts of the world.

   

  The children all enjoyed their activities and storytelling and it was good to explore links between our 6 Rs and some Bible stories. 

   

  

• RSSP Swimming Gala

  Thu 07 Feb 2019 M Davis
  On Friday 1st February 5 children went to Uppingham Swimming Pool to represent the school at the RSSP Swimming Gala. Each child took part in two different races and all demonstrated excellent determination and sportsmanship. We did not win any heats, but the children all showed great ability and improvement in their swimming. Well done to all involved, and a huge thank you to all staff who transported or supervised the children at the gala.

• Primary Maths Challenge

  Mon 28 Jan 2019 M Davis

  Back in November our year 4/5/6 children all took part in the Primary Maths Challenge. This is aimed at children in year 5 and 6 across the country and asks the children to apply their maths skills in problem solving and reasoning activities. 

   

  We were pleased to receive a package on Friday with our results. All of those who took part got a certificate, however, we also had 4 bronze certificate winners, 4 silver certificate winners and one gold award winner, who also got a medal. Well done Joshua!

• Brass Lessons!

  Mon 14 Jan 2019 M Davis

  What a fantastic sound they are making already!

   

  Cobalt class started their brass project today - a series of 10 class lessons to introduce them to playing instruments in the brass family. We have a selection of trumpets, baritones and trombones and are looking forward to becoming a brass band together.

   

  Look out in the coming weeks - we will find a performance opportunity!

  

• Trip to 'Peter Pan' in Nottingham

  Thu 10 Jan 2019 M Davis

  On Thursday we all got on a double decker bus and set off on our annual whole school trip to the pantomime in Nottingham.

   

  This year the pantomime was to be Peter Pan, and we were all looking forward to comparing the professionals performance to our own pantomime performance in December! We were not to be disappointed! The different characters were fantastic, and the children were soon booing Captain Hook, cheering for Peter Pan and shouting 'Wotcha Smee' to the character played by Joe Pasquali. As always, the songs and dances were magical, and the special effects were out of this world! The children enjoyed watching Tinkerbell, Wendy and Peter fly, and there were also fireworks and special lights flashing.

   

  At the end of the first half there was an amazing animatronic crocodile, which the younger children thought was fantastic! We then settled down to eat our ice creams before grabbing our 3D glasses for the second half. 

   

  As always, the 3D effects soon had people shouting and screaming in amazement (though some of us did take off our glasses when we were a bit scared). Soon everything was okay, and Captain Hook was defeated. 

   

  We were very lucky as three of the school were invited to go up onto the stage and meet Smee and play some musical instruments. George enjoyed demonstrating his expertise on a bass drum that was nearly as big as him, Matthew triumphed on the trombone and Charley made a great noise on a trumpet.

   

  All too soon it was the end and time to get back on the coach. The trip back was much quieter, with many sleepy children tired out from so much excitement.

   

  The children were asked in assembly on Friday whether they had enjoyed themselves and whether they wanted to go again next year.... the resounding answer was 'yes'! What a successful trip!

• NSPCC Visit

  Tue 08 Jan 2019 M Davis

  On Tuesday morning we were visited by Adele from the NSPCC as part of their 'Stay safe, speak out' campaign. Adele led two assemblies for the children followed by a workshop for the year 5/6 children. The assemblies were focussed on developing the children's awareness of staying safe, and encouraging them to realise that they have a voice. The children were also introduced to Buddy, the NSPCC mascot.

  Year 5/6 then took part in a workshop where they were able to discuss and talk through different scenarios, deciding whether they were safe or not safe, and how they could seek help.

   

  Thank you to Adele for visiting - we will be doing a sponsored event in the next couple of weeks to raise money for the NSPCC as a thank you for visiting us, and to help them spread their message to other children.