Our Junior Department have put on a kaleidoscope of activities for pupils throughout the last week of term, with lots of outdoor learning, exciting and energising learning experiences and giving pupils the time to work together as a team.
Mr Halliday, Head of Juniors - Academic, said: “This week has been very important after the lockdown to help the children spend time working on their social and collaborative skills in a team-focused environment. It has enabled them to have fun while learning as they have been covering their usual subjects but in an alternative guise. The Year 3s have really enjoyed it, whether creating immersive, chalk pictures or learning about Shakespeare and the plot of Romeo and Juliet, it has been a truly valuable experience for us all and great to end the term on a high."
Year 3, started with a nature hunt around the lake to see what they could find. They spotted lots of different wildlife living in and around the lake; coots, moorhen, fish and even some deer in a field next door. They went on to climb into chalk paintings, have an introduction to chess, make nature art, create word spells, decorate Easter eggs and reports from the pupils was that they loved their introduction to Shakespeare.
Year 4 were equally busy. They made kites, had an introduction to chess, went outside to observe and make a watercolour painting, took part in a mock legal courtroom in their introduction to Law, played boys vs girls football and had a talent show.
The week culminated in a Celebration Assembly, at which Year 3 and 4 children are awarded certificates for academic effort and for positive behaviour. An outstanding pupil in each category from year group is awarded an Academic or Behavioural Cup.
Mr Stewart, Head of Juniors - Pastoral, commented: “The Year 4 children have been learning how to play again. After being at home for so long it’s been wonderful to see them having the time to enjoy each other’s company and work together on different, creative projects and share ideas as well as experience new things. They have had to use their creative, flexible and fluent-thinking high performance learning skills as well as originality and the ability to create new ideas. The kite-making was fantastic and so was the mock trial and to see so many children playing chess (a third of whom who had never played before) and using their tactical skills was really special. We hope this will leave them with a happy memory of the Easter term and looking forward to a brilliant summer term."
When Mrs Pitman asked her Year 3 class which was their favourite part of the week, she was delighted to hear that everyone's favourite activity was different. "The variety really did work for the children," she added.
