Adrian Townsend Visit

We were very lucky yesterday to have author Adrian Townsend come and visit the school. He talked to years 2 to 6 about how he gets his ideas, what helps him write and his writing process.

He then read one of his short stories from Gran's Gang to the children. 

He even brought in a potato and a hose to help!

Thank you very much to Adrian Townsend for an entertaining afternoon.

Our choir performed in the SSMA Proms concert at Central Hall on 30th June 2015.  Children from Year 2 through to Year 6 got through the auditions, and on the night, sang 3 songs - two from The Sound of Music and one from Beauty and the Beast.  They were really fantastic and myself and all the staff who attended would just like to say how very proud we are of all the children.  They enjoyed performances from other schools as well.    Mrs Pritchard.

Bitterne Library Garden Opening

On Thursday 21st May 9 children from year two and three were invited to  the opening of the new garden at Bitterne Library. The children in Dragonflies, Bumblebees and Ladybirds all entered a competition to design their new garden area. We had three winners from our school who all won a book token.

The Mayor of Southampton was there to officially open the garden.

One of our winners presented the mayor with some flowers. The children were able to spend some time exploring the new gardens before showing the mayor some of their garden designs.

 

Our competition winners then planted a rose bush as a reminder of the day.

 



After a little read we had a well deserved glass of squash.

 

Invertebrates

Year Two and Three were very lucky to have some visitors from the Reptile Centre come in on Monday. We were very excited when we sat down in front of a selection of invertebrates in various habitats.

We had a close look at  a Dead Leaf Praying Mantis which can make itself look just like a pile of leaves and a Vinegaroon which shoots vinegar at its predators.

We looked (from a distance!) at a Scorpian and a Tarantula.

 

Mrs Whittingstall-Bean was very brave.

Year Two have been asked to look after some African Land Snails and Year Three are looking after some Locusts.

Thank you very much to Dave for coming in and talking to us.

The dragon visit

Ladybirds class could not decide if dragons were real or not, so we had a debate and put our answers in a voting box. But still we could not decide. Mrs Whittingstall-Bean said she had arranged for some dragons to visit the school and we could decide then.   

 

We are so lucky to have dragons and lizards visit our class, can we have one as a pet?

It was the best day ever, the big monitor dragon was only 8 months old and it will be huge when it’s an adult.

 

Even Mrs Whittingstall-Bean held the big dragon.

 

I found out reptiles are cold blooded.

I found out that they shed their skin like snakes do.

 

 

They lay eggs and their babies know how to eat and hunt straight away.

 

They were amazing and felt dry not wet like I thought.

 

I found out that a dragon is a type of lizard which is a reptile.

 

It was brilliant; I got to hold a bearded dragon.

Wow! wow! I touched a bearded dragon.

Pumpkin soup

When the children were in year 1 they planted pumpkin seeds. As they grew the children kept watering the plants and in year 2 brought them with and re potted them in bigger pts. They fed them regularly and were rewarded with one large pumpkin. The children had a vote on what to do with their prized pumpkin, the children all decided to make pumpkin soup as one of their class secrets of success is to try new things. The children had to follow written instructions to prepare and cook the soup.

 

It is a shame only one pumpkin grew really big. We have kept the seeds and will grow them again next year.

 

 

I can’t wait to grow more vegetables in our outside area.

 

 

It was tricky to cut the pumpkin into cube shapes but I persevered.

 

The smell from the kitchen was really good as it was cooking.

 

The pumpkin soup was smooth in texture and very tasty.

 

It tasted really yummy.

I wasn’t going to try it but I did and loved it, I had two cups of it.

 

Gymnastics

Ladybird’s class are very lucky to have a gymnastics coach once a week.  As he is a specialist he can teach the children many different moves. The children each week practice the skills he has taught them and then learn something new.

 

Some of the stretches are tricky.

I can do pike, straddle and star jumps.  

 

You have to be sensible and follow instructions.

 

Using the two benches is hard when he leaves a gap in between but I enjoy the challenge.

 

I would like to join a gymnastic club.

 

I like doing the crab, rabbit hop and spider move.

I have learnt it is best to do them slowly because if you rush you don’t do it right.

 

I like the wall bars best. I was scared to start with.

 

Castle role play

The children in Ladybirds made their own role play for the topic ‘Dungeons and Dragons.’ The children decided they wanted a castle. So they got together and made a list of what they wanted it to look like. They then made a list of all the equipment they needed. The children have had great fun planning and making their role play.

 

Oh it’s so much fun making our own role play.

We got messy painting the castle but that didn’t matter as it looks really good. We used a sponge to make the castle look old.

 

 

Some parents made us outfits for us to dress up in. My favourite is the maids outfit.

 

 

We wanted to know what musical instruments were played in a castle in the olden days. So we invited a lady who played the Lute. It was so cool.

 

We learnt that Lutes and Bugles were played to entertain the King and Queen.

 

Reuben’s family made a great throne for the castle. It is amazing.

 

I like telling jokes and being a Jester to make the King laugh.