“This topic has a huge influence on the children’s learning and attainment; we can see them falling in love with reading and they are so absorbed in the topic, they hardly notice they are learning so much!”
Miss Hannan, Year 4 teacher
What have Year 4 been up to at the Westbourne House School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Quidditch, making frozen foaming cat's spit, experimenting and using their imagination to create wonderful written work.
“Our potions topic sets the imagination alight to boost the children’s story telling, scene setting, love of reading and writing,” explained our Year 4 teachers.
“It is a learning launchpad for the whole year group that lasts the whole year.”
‘My best thing about our topic was learning how to play Quidditch and making potions.’
Jack, Year 4 pupil
Magical Showcase Celebration
The Mill Hall was transformed into a realm of enchantment to celebrate the culmination of a truly magical topic. This showcase marked the perfect opportunity for the children, teachers and parents to reflect on and revel in the incredible learning and creativity that had taken place this term.
The children couldn't wait to show their parents their potion books, which are full or recipes, fantastical ideas and experiments.
Welcomed by Professor Dumbledore (aka Miss Hannan) and children dressed in full wizarding attire, the atmosphere was both spooky and exciting. Carefully crafted broomsticks, magically enchanted wands, daring potions and skilfully prepared spell books were just some of the highlights that our Year 4 parents loved.
‘I have really enjoyed everything about our Potions topic!’
Lily, Year 4 pupil
'I really enjoyed showing my mum and dad my work at the Showcase. They were very proud of my potion book.’
Pupil in Miss Hannan's class
Quidditch Finals
Parents were treated to two exhilarating matches between the finest teams in the Quidditch league. The games were intense from the start, with all sides displaying remarkable skill and determination. As players zipped through the ‘skies’, vying for control of the Quaffle and dodging the Bludgers, executing spectacular moves to outmanoeuvre their opponents. However, the true moment of glory came when Ravenclaw's Seeker showed daring drive, outpacing their counterpart to seize the elusive Golden Snitch. This masterful play sealed the victory for Ravenclaw, earning them the title of Quidditch champions in an unforgettable display of talent and teamwork.
‘My mum said it was a magical morning and she liked seeing all my work.’
Hector, Year 4 pupil
Mrs Bonn's Foaming Cat's Spit
Year 4 experienced a whole world of blood curdling fun with Mrs Bonn in the Food Tech Dungeon making frozen foaming cat’s spit (aka dry ice ice cream). The young witches and wizards added some delightful embellishments to their cat’s spit creation, including toads’ bile, dragon’s blood and some unmentionable substances from poorly bats!
The children observed process of sublimation, as the frozen carbon dioxide, at a temperature of -79°C, soon turned the ingredients from a liquid into a solid before their very eyes. The resulting ice cream, we mean frozen foaming cat’s spit, was delicious. Was this perhaps the tastiest phase change science experiment ever performed?
"At the moment, we are looking at how to write instructions. Grammatically, we look what is needed to make excellent instructions and why, including the imperative and time conjunctions. It also involves putting yourself in someone else’s shoes to ensure all the detail has been thought through," explained Mr Cutting, Year 4 teacher.
