Senior School Weekly News
News from Senior School this week: 22nd April 2024
Mrs Séguier
Deputy Head of Senior School
It has been really lovely to welcome all the pupils back after the Easter break.
Thank you to all the parents and carers of our Year 4 pupils who came to School yesterday to watch them perform a fantastic rendition of “The Emerald Crown” and thank you to all the parents and carers of our Year 3 pupils who came today to watch them perform “Little Red and the Wolf”.
All the children performed exceptionally well and with so much confidence. It takes a lot of hard work and time to memorise lines, songs and choreography. They should all be really proud of themselves. I would also like to thank Mr Ward, Ms Aller, Mr Robinson and Ms Paul for putting together these fantastic performances with the children.
Our Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 students had their first session of watersports focusing on kayaking at the Canalside Activity Centre on Tuesday. The students were really thrilled and really enjoyed the session. They are very much looking forward to next Tuesday as well as potentially exploring other types of water based activities later on in the Summer Term.
Year 5 and Year 6 will be going to the Theatre next Thursday afternoon to watch “Moby Dick”. A gentle reminder that if your child is attending this trip and they are usually part of a club, they will not be able to attend it on this occasion as the pupils will be returning to Senior School at 5.45pm on that day.
I wish you all the best for the weekend.
Year 3
Dear Parents and Carers,
What an incredible week it has been! The highlight, without a doubt, was our Year 3 Show of Roald Dahl’s ‘Little Red and the Wolf’. Witnessing the children sing, dance, and bring the story to life on stage was an absolute delight. Their enthusiasm and talent truly shone through, leaving us all in awe. A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who joined us, your support meant the world to the children, and they were overjoyed to perform for you!
In Geography, we embarked on a thrilling journey into the world of Volcanoes. Using Play-Doh to visualise the layers of the earth was not only educational but also a whole lot of fun! The children's creations are simply remarkable and have become invaluable tools for learning in the classroom. We can’t wait to see how the children will use their models to deepen their understanding in the coming weeks.
Science took us on an exploration of Rocks and Fossils, delving into the fascinating world beneath our feet. Our first lesson introduced the children to the three main types of rock—igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic—along with their unique properties and uses. The children were captivated by the discovery process, and their curiosity knows no bounds!
Now, we're diving headfirst into our Ancient Romans topic, igniting the children's curiosity about the past. They've been eagerly exploring various artifacts and literature related to our theme, including ancient archaeological finds and intriguing rocks from around the globe. The journey promises to be both enlightening and exhilarating!
Looking ahead to next week, we have an exciting trip to Forest School planned for Monday. Please ensure your child is snugly wrapped up with a change of shoes or wellies and a morning snack, as we embark on an adventure in Holland Park’s West Wood.
Wishing you all a fantastic weekend. Warm regards, Mr Ward
Year 4
Welcome back to the new school term. The summer term promises to be an exciting and very busy time.
On Tuesday and Thursday this week, the Year 4s performed The Emerald Crown to the Year 3 and 5 classes, and Year 4 parents respectively. Congratulations on an excellent performance all round and many thanks to all our parents who watched the show and helped provide the children’s costumes.
In Science this week, we began our new topic Sound and Hearing. The students made their own cord telephones and learnt how sound is made by particles vibrating in matter,and for that reason, learnt that sound can travel through solids, liquids and gas (air). They were intrigued that sound travels fastest through a solid, and by the knowledge that there is no sound in the vacuum that is outer space! No particles to vibrate….no sound!
In Maths, we have begun to focus on units of time, analogue clock time and the 24 hour clock. The students have demonstrated good knowledge of analogue time and the recording of digital time.
We completed our Vikings topic this week and made some Viking silver penningars (silver pennies) etched with runic letters and weapons of battle! Our new topic will focus on the lives of the early (palaeolithic), middle (mesolithic) and late (neolithic) stone age. The students will complete a history timeline for British history and then another timeline which covers the stone and metal periods of time. They will also explore how stone age people used natural resources for survival and try to identify threats and assets in their environment.
Please note that we have made a change to the homework schedule. Beginning this week, the reading books will be sent out on Wednesdays and returned to me the following Wednesday. On Wednesday mornings the students will be given writing tasks based on their week’s reading book. To ensure they can approach the writing tasks confidently they must therefore read their books cover to cover. Please check with your child to ensure they are completing their reading books each week.
Kind regards, The Year 4 Team
From the Science Department - Years 5-10
The science department is very much looking forward to the term ahead and our first full week back has already included several interesting experiments. Our focus remains to encourage students to discover more about the world around them through the process of scientific enquiry and practical discovery. We hope you enjoy the photographs of our work this week, along with a summary of what the students hope to achieve this term.
Year 5
This week, Year 5 started their new topic, 'Living things and their Habitats.' The focus of their first two lessons has been on plant reproduction. The students revised their prior knowledge of plant parts and have been looking at the role in which each part plays in reproduction. The students have also had the opportunity to take cuttings from a parent plant in order to create new plants.
Year 6
This week, Year 6 have been looking at the difference between heat and temperature. They have learnt about three main ways in which heat can be transferred; radiation, conduction and convection. They also conducted an investigation to determine which materials are most suitable for insulation. They have recorded their data and will be creating a graph to show their results.
Year 7
Throughout their lessons, Year 7 will be uncovering the intricate mechanisms by which plants convert sunlight into energy and explore how they, along with all living organisms, utilize this energy through respiration.
Year 8
Year 8 will be immersing themselves in the captivating world of ecology. Throughout this unit, students will embark on an exploration of the intricate relationships between organisms and their environments. From understanding ecosystems and biodiversity to examining the impact of human activities on the natural world, our goal is to instil a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of life on Earth.
Year 9
Year 9 will be studying Biology and learning more about the topic of organisation. Throughout this unit, students will explore the intricacies of biological organisation at various levels, from cells to organ systems. They will delve into the structures and functions of living organisms, uncovering the remarkable ways in which different systems work together to sustain life. Through engaging discussions, hands-on activities, and interactive experiences, we aim to deepen their understanding of the complex organisation of living things.
Year 10
Students will learn about voltage, current, and resistance, gaining a deeper understanding of how these factors influence the behaviour of electrical components. Additionally, students will investigate series and parallel circuits, discovering how different configurations affect the overall flow of electricity. Practical experiments and real-world applications will allow them to grasp the importance of electricity in our modern world and appreciate its impact on technology and everyday life.
