Nursery to Year Six Highlights

This week, Reception have been learning all about sustainability and the importance of caring for plants, animals and the natural world around us. The children explored our outdoor environment carefully, collecting natural objects such as leaves, sticks and petals while making sure they did not damage or disturb nature. They used their treasures to create beautiful pieces of artwork, confidently discussing the materials they had chosen and showing a wonderful understanding that nature can be both enjoyed and respected. Midway through the week, the children excitedly put on their waterproofs and braved the heavy downpours to continue their outdoor learning. They collected natural materials to build cosy nests for birds, learning about how we can help care for the animals that share our planet. The children showed fantastic teamwork, curiosity and resilience throughout the activities! 

Year One are learning all about toys this term and are exploring the topic through a cross-curricular approach, incorporating subjects such as History and Science. The highlight of the term so far was a special Toy Day, where the girls had a fantastic time engaging in a variety of activities. They used their Mathematics skills to measure the lengths of their toys, showcasing their growing confidence with numbers. In English, they wrote descriptive sentences about their toys, demonstrating impressive writing skills. The day also included creative Art sessions, where the girls sketched and painted their toys with great care and enthusiasm. It was a fun and enriching day for everyone! 

Year Two enjoyed an exciting visit to Martineau Gardens, where the girls took part in a variety of outdoor learning activities. During the visit, they discovered what plants need in order to grow and how bees and butterflies support pollination.  They then ventured into the woodland area and became nature detectives as they identified different trees from their leaves, comparing their shapes and edges to work out which trees they had found. The girls also explored the allotment, where they had the opportunity to taste different plants and herbs, including mint, marjoram, chives and rhubarb. While many enjoyed the fresh herbs, the rhubarb was found to be quite sour! 

In the wildflower garden, the children used identification keys to recognise different flowers before carefully sketching their favourite ones. The day ended with an exciting minibeast hunt. The girls searched under logs and among the plants, discovering and identifying a range of creatures including worms, centipedes, woodlice, spiders and ladybirds. Well done girls! 

This week in Year Four, the girls have been thoroughly enjoying their Humanities lessons as they continue their exciting topic on the Tudors. In History, they explored what life was like for children attending Tudor schools and discovered many surprising differences compared to schools today. The girls learned that Tudor classrooms were often very strict, with long hours of study and harsh punishments for poor behaviour. They compared this to the positive and supportive learning environment we enjoy in modern schools. The children discussed similarities and differences in subjects taught, classroom rules, school equipment and daily routines. To bring their learning to life, the girls took part in a fun and engaging drama activity. They acted out scenes from a Tudor classroom, with some pupils playing strict schoolmasters and others acting as Tudor children. Through role play, the girls gained a deeper understanding of what school life would have been like over 400 years ago. It has been wonderful to see such enthusiasm and creativity in Year Four this week and we look forward to continuing our Tudor studies over the rest of the term. 

Year Five pupils enjoyed an exciting educational visit to the Botanical Gardens this week, where they put their map-reading skills to the test by following an orienteering trail around the grounds. The trip helped to consolidate the skills they developed during their recent visit to Cranedale, with the girls successfully navigating different checkpoints using maps and teamwork. As part of the school’s work towards achieving the Platinum Green School Award, pupils also took part in a creative photography activity. Armed with ipads, the girls captured fascinating “insects’ eye view” photographs from around the school site, encouraging them to look closely at nature from a different perspective and appreciate the biodiversity around them. The visit was both educational and enjoyable, with pupils demonstrating excellent cooperation, curiosity and enthusiasm throughout the morning. 

Year Six Pupils became travel reporters and cultural researchers this week as they investigated towns, cities and villages from across France. Their fascinating projects showcased detailed research into the history, architecture, cuisine and traditions that make each location unique. Using a mixture of informative writing, photographs, maps and colourful illustrations, children presented their findings with impressive attention to detail. From the coastal beauty of Nice to the charming villages of the French countryside, pupils explored how different regions of France each have their own identity and culture. 

Many reports highlighted famous landmarks such as the Palace of Versailles and Mont Saint-Michel. Others focused on traditional French cuisine including croissants, crêpes and regional specialities, while some pupils researched famous historical figures, artists and sporting personalities connected to their chosen locations. The project encouraged pupils to develop their geographical knowledge, research skills and creativity while gaining a deeper understanding of French culture and daily life. The finished presentations were both informative and visually impressive, demonstrating the pupils’ enthusiasm and hard work throughout the topic.