DO YOU LIKE SPROUTS AS MUCH AS WE DO?
We would like to thank Mrs Tuthill for cooking us a delicious Christmas dinner yesterday including turkey and all the trimmings. Every morsel was devoured and there was absolutely nothing left by the end of the service. The children in Year 6 were once again invited to take part in the Sprout Challenge and these were soon demolished. Some children seem to like mountains of sprouts, whilst others prefer to hold their noses and swallow with lots of glugs of water. Whatever the technique, there were none left in the room by the time pudding was started.
After lunch, each class had their class parties – thank you to FOFSA who provided fantastic party boxes for us to use (and which we are still using whenever we have a spare moment).
We wish you all a very merry, sprout-filled Christmas.
EXCITING EXOTHERMIC REACTIONS IN AMAZON CLASS!
The children in Amazon Class learnt about endothermic and exothermic reactions in science today. The lesson started by thinking about how the reaction in an ice-pack will cause it to become very cold (an endothermic reaction), whereas the chemical reaction in a handwarmer will cause it to heat up (an exothermic reaction).
The children then explored exothermic reactions in more depth by investigating what happens to the temperature of the mixture when Calcium carbonate is added to water. They asked the question: How does the volume of calcium carbonate affect the temperature of water?
A large part of the lesson focused on assessing and mitigating risk. You will notice in the pictures that the children are wearing goggles, aprons and gloves to avoid getting calcium carbonate onto their skin or in their eyes (as it can be an irritant) and that they are using a long-arm-pour technique to keep the reactants away from their faces.
The children were really interested to learn that there is a direct link between the quantity of CaCl2 and the temperature of the water, which on the fifth repetition heated up to more than 400C!
We would like to thank Mr Burroughs with providing us with the idea and some of the equipment from Hartismere High School.
Animals with Moving Heads
Well done to children in Amazon Class, who have completed a great DT topic on ‘Animals with Moving Heads’!
To start with, we looked at some adverts for moving toys on the market, including a very old one for Action Man with a moving eyes lever! We then used our theme, Endangered Animals, to research an animal and how its mouth moved. The next step was our prototype when we had a go at creating the 3-d model and adding a crank or lever mechanism, to make the mouth or tongue move. This was the tricky bit!
Finally, we used what we learned from making our prototypes to create our final products. We decided to use thicker card. Lots of us used a crank mechanism for waggling tongues; a few of us had a lever for nodding heads. We even had a few flapping wings! I was really impressed with the way children worked on the detail, to make their models really professional. Then, as you do, we had a great discussion, or evaluation, to talk about what we enjoyed about this topic, what we found easy and what was downright fiddly! Great work, Amazon Class – your creativity is amazing!
A SAILOR’S LIFE FOR ME!
What a great trip we had to London on 4th November! The children in Amazon and Zambezi Classes visited the Cutty Sark and National Maritime Museum to find out about the Great Explorers of the Age of Exploration, and what life was like aboard a sailing ship in the middle ages.
The children coped magnificently with the very, very early start (6am) and had fun on the coach journey down – they particularly loved the tunnel under the Thames. Once there, we split into two groups – one group had a workshop on board the Cutty Sark about life at sea, whilst the other group explored the magnificently interactive Maritime Museum. The children seemed to love the whole day —even lunch was a bit of an adventure because we were in the dry dock underneath the hull of the ship! They were fascinated by tales of weevils in ship’s biscuits, punishment and the ‘cat-o-nine-tails,’ and climbing the rigging in all weathers to furl and unfurl the sails.
Thank you parents for getting up so early and thank you to all the volunteers who came with us—we wouldn’t have been able to do it without you!
Year 4 Hilltop Trip 2024 – The Final Day
After a restful night and a hearty breakfast, the Year 4 children were geared up for their final day of adventures – and they truly surpassed all expectations!
The Crazy Climbing Wall
The first challenge of the day was the Climbing Wall, a thrilling test of bravery and teamwork. The children had to decide not only how high to climb but also the difficulty level of their route. True to form, they supported each other, steadying the ropes to ensure safe ascents and descents. Every child pushed beyond their comfort zone, and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts!
The Battle of the Bell: Crate Stacking Challenge
The final trial of the trip was the ultimate team challenge: stacking crates to reach a bell and give it a loud ring. Communication and teamwork were key, as each child took turns stacking the crates carefully to avoid wobbling while others kept a steady eye on safety. With great determination and collaboration, all those who wished to participate rang the bell with pride, celebrating their success as a team.
Home Time
Our journey back home presented its own challenges. After navigating the tricky task of carrying bags downhill to the coach, we discovered that the coach was too large to park at the bottom! The children then had to carry their bags back uphill – quite the workout! Then came the challenge of manoeuvring the bus through tight spaces to get us safely out of the centre! However, thanks to our expert driver, we overcame these obstacles and made our way home safely.
It was truly heartwarming to see the Year 4 children reunited with their families. We take immense pride in knowing that each child has returned with new skills, stronger friendships, and unforgettable memories of their time away. Their journey was filled with personal growth, learning, and adventure.
A special thank you goes to Ms. Perry, Mr. Taylor, Mrs. Scott, and Lisa, whose dedication and support made this trip possible. We are deeply grateful for their invaluable assistance in making everything run smoothly.
Please be patient, more pictures will follow.
Year 4 Hilltop Trip 2024 Day 2
The day started with a bit of bonding in the games room followed by a delicious 3 course breakfast. 
Brilliant Bush Craft
Year 4 channelled their inner Bear Grylls as they worked in teams to build fires from scratch! After gathering kindling and sticks, they carefully built and “fed” their fires until they were strong enough to boil water for hot chocolate and toast marshmallows. Each group even named their fire—be sure to ask your child about them! After this, each child had a go at creating sparks to start their own mini fire. To top it off, the children embraced their wild side with some creative charcoal face painting. What a pretty picture they made! 
The Big Zipper: Not for the Faint-Hearted!
The Big Zipper pushed Year 4’s bravery to new heights! Higher and faster than the Aerial Runway, this exhilarating zipline had the children taking on different roles to operate the ride, from gatekeepers to “wizards.” The children soon became familiar with the process and worked together to keep the fun going, Despite initial nerves from some children, everyone conquered the challenge, with each child eager for extra turns.
Team Tasks
Teamwork and communication were put to the test in a series of tricky challenges. From balancing on thin wires to navigating a spy-style web of wires, the children relied on each other’s communication, support and determination. While the tasks weren’t always completed, the children showed tremendous improvement and had a blast becoming ninjas and spies for the session!
Campfire Capers
The evening wrapped up with a cozy campfire in the woods. Using torches to find their way, the children shared jokes, sang songs, and enjoyed toasted marshmallows. With a bit of charcoal face painting to end the day, the children headed back to camp for their final night at Hilltop, full of unforgettable memories.
Each child has eaten extremely well throughout the day. They are now all settled in their beds and soundly sleeping.
Year 4 Hilltop Trip 2024
Day 1
Awesome Assault Course Trial
We’re having so much fun at Hilltop! After lunch, we tackled the Assault Course for a little warm up. The children impressed us with their resilience and willingness to try tricky obstacles.
Year 4’s Agility Course Challenge
Year 4 tackled an exciting agility course with a fiery twist—the floor was lava! Working in pairs, they showed fantastic teamwork, helping each other navigate the obstacles with creativity and encouragement. A brilliant display of partnership and perseverance!
Year 4’s Aerial Runway Adventure
Year 4 harnessed up and soared through the Aerial Runway, their final challenge before dinner! Though there were plenty of screams and shouts of “That was terrifying,” every brave participant went back for a second turn. The children cheered each other on, showcasing fantastic teamwork and courage!
Owls and Mice in the Dark
After a delicious dinner of fish and chips, the children dove into a thrilling game of Owls and Mice. Armed with torches, they hid in the dark while the ‘Owls’ used their senses to track them down. Year 4’s quiet mice proved to be excellent hiders!
The children are now settling and getting ready to sleep.
