THEECHO ECHO ECHO Well Done Year 6! Congratulations to our Year 6 children who completed their entrance exams to their senior schools back in January. Academic and sporting achievement was recognised by the award of a number of scholarships and exhibitions, but more importantly was the evidence of the ‘can do’ attitude that our children have and their enthusiasm for school life. The children were prepared for a variety of schools and feedback from many of them recognise all that our pupils have to offer. Their commitment to learning shone through and we are very proud of the confident and articulate way in which they conducted themselves in interviews. We send huge congratulations to all pupils in Year 6 and many thanks to the staff for their support and guidance.
Spring 2020 Edition
Florence* Abbeyfield St Mary’s Calne Maths Prize Georgina Abbeyfield Grace M* Abbeyfield St Mary’s Calne Maths Prize Rufus Calder House Gwion Dauntsey’s Academic Scholarship Heidi Dauntsey’s Katie Dauntsey’s Maddy Dauntsey’s Missy Dauntsey’s Nelson Dauntsey’s Nina Dauntsey’s Sport Scholarship Sophia Downe House Academic Exhibition Harriett Hardenhuish Isla Royal High School Bath Bo Sheldon Riley Sheldon Bea St Mary’s Calne Sport Exhibition Carlotta St Mary’s Calne Clementine St Mary’s Calne Swimming Prize Eloise St Mary’s Calne Academic Scholarship Grace H St Mary’s Calne Willa St Mary’s Calne Academic Exhibition Alex Stonar Annabel Stonar Arthur Stonar Francesca Stonar Ellie Warminster *decision to be confirmed
Welcome to the Spring Edition of The Echo As we come to the end of another exciting and action-packed term of learning at St Margaret’s, I would like to extend my thanks to the team for their hard work, dedication and resilience that they have shown through this term. Throughout this edition of The Echo, you will read about the various endeavours, challenges and ventures our pupils have been undertaking - from Roman ruins in Year 3 to the manufacturing of mould in Year 6 Science - our curriculum continues to challenge and inspire our learners.
Pupils across the whole school have once again shone and they continue to impress daily in and out of the classrooms and across the whole curriculum. They have demonstrated their curiosity in their lessons and their kindness and respect in the corridors – they should be very proud of all that they have achieved! As I write, we are living in very uncertain times and clearly it’s more important than ever that we look after each other and stay safe and well. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and understanding over what has been a very challenging period. I send you and those close to you good wishes for a peaceful Easter holiday.
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Colour-mixing Puts Kindergarten in a Spin! This term, Kindergarten have been in a bit of a spin whilst exploring colour-mixing! The children had great fun choosing a selection of different coloured paints and exploring what happened when they were mixed together. Rather than engaging in traditional paint-mixing techniques the children put their choice of paints into a salad spinner. This sparked lots more curiosity and as the spinning gathered speed, the children worked collaboratively to ensure that the contents remained inside the spinner and that their paper plate was completely covered. What a fantastic, fun way for our youngest learners to engage in simple art experiments and to explore the use of new vocabulary through play.
Creative Communicators in Kindergarten The children in Kindergarten have had great fun this term exploring how to use ‘Talking Tins’ to support their communication skills. During a circle time activity each child had a turn at pressing the buttons to record their own voices and pressing the play button to listen to what was recorded. Everyone loved listening to their own voices! They then used the tins to engage in a range of fun speaking and listening games. Firstly, they recorded some voices of familiar staff and tried hard to identify who each person was; this was certainly a challenge but Kindergarten rose to it! Another activity involved going outdoors and using the ‘Talking Tins’ to record sounds in the school environment. These recordings were then used during Letters and Sounds activities to help the children focus on developing their listening skills.
Alphabetical Year 1 The children in Year 1 have really had their heads in their books this term. They have been busy exploring the use of picture dictionaries; demonstrating and developing a wide range of comprehension skills during the process. Everyone showed great perseverance in trying to find words in the dictionaries to match classroom objects. Revising the alphabet song and learning the vowel song helped them to improve the speed of their searches. They engaged in mind-mapping words that began with the first grapheme in their forenames and created their own class Dictionary of Books, which formed the basis of their class assembly. As part of the preparation for this, the children also practised putting themselves in alphabetical order. This was a great challenge, particularly because there are four children in the class whose names begin with A! An A-Z of fun and facts was a lovely way to end World Book Day and Book Week celebrations.
Egg Mystery in Year 1 A special challenge meant that there were Egg-citing times afoot for children in Year 1 this term. Year 6 brought Year 1 a special egg to look after. With no further information or instructions, the children engaged in lively discussions about what was inside the egg and what would happen next. On return from the half term holiday the children discovered footprints that appeared to lead from the nest, up the interactive whiteboard, across the ceiling and into the speaker! Spread across the floor were ten Breakout chocolate bar wrappers and inside the cracked eggshell was a golden egg. The children were so excited and extremely curious about what had occurred. This ignited several lively discussions and the children used their abundance of enthusiasm and imagination to engage in story writing. Using a story mountain, the class mind-mapped what had happened in the ‘beginning’ and what the ‘problem’ was before writing their own ‘ending’ to their cracking stories.
Year 5 Boat Race Battle! This term in Science, Year 5 have been focusing on forces. The children have been eagerly engaging in discussions and experiments to further develop their learning. They needed to show each other respect, as they have been predominately working collaboratively with their peers to predict and test a number of theories relating to forces in our world. A highlight was linking their home learning with school. All the children participated in a boat race; they designed and created a scrap model boat that needed to travel a set distance, in the shortest amount of time. The children were very supportive of each other and celebrated and commiserated with their peers after the competition took place. Later on in the term, they discussed different types of soil. As before, Year 5 predominately worked in teams, and therefore had to respect and value the opinions of others when completing tasks. The children really enjoyed making close observations of the content of soil samples brought from near their homes. They were very curious to see the multitude of different colours and soil types that had been collected in such a small radius of Calne – with the occasional worm!
Reception go Crazy for Numicon! The air was filled with anticipation earlier this term as the Reception children opened up a package. Questions filled the air, what could it be? Will it be fun? Will it be easy to use? The curiosity and excitement was bubbling away inside everyone. A gasp of surprise was heard as the Numicon shapes were first seen and the children’s eyes were met by an array of colours which heightened their interest - they wanted to play and explore together. Our values of respect and kindness were soon being embraced as sharing and waiting turns were a necessity. Firstly, the children wanted to find as many ways to fill the 10x10 boards without leaving any gaps. This was a tricky challenge and the children needed to work together whilst respecting each other’s ideas to successfully complete the challenge. Secondly, 2 children chose to build a number line using the shapes in the correct order from 1-10. They had to engage their careful counting to ensure they were placing the pieces in the correct order. Following on from this they were noticing patterns in the shapes and making their own observations. They shared these with their friends, valuing people’s ideas and thoughts. Finally, in pairs the children found all of the number bonds to 10 using Numicon as a manipulative to support their learning. To extend their learning they even wrote down the number sentences and made a list of them all together with their class friends. Well done Reception for ensuring everyone had a voice and was listened to.
Talented Bakers in Year 5 Year 5 were lucky to have a special visitor this term to help them with their DT. Devizes Chef, Peter Vaughan, instilled a sense of curiosity in the Year 5s to look at why certain breads are chosen and how these breads are made. Throughout all their lessons, the children collaborated successfully with their peers and impressed Chef Peter and their teachers with their curiosity and enthusiasm when asking questions to enhance their learning. The children really enjoyed designing and making their own pizzas and putting into practice the skills they had learnt – kneading and measuring – as well as adapting the recipe to their own personal taste!
THEECHO ECHO ECHO SPRING 2020 EDITION
Year 2 Put Hong Kong on the Map Year 2 have been getting creative this term through their Geography learning about Hong Kong. Their first challenge involved creating a 3D map of Hong Kong to show its island layout. The children enjoyed looking closely at Google Maps to see where the mountainous areas are, as well as the shape of the main islands. They collaborated and persevered incredibly well to draw, cut out and build separate parts of the map before piecing it together to make an impressive display. After half term, the children’s creativity was tapped into through their willow patterned plate designs. They had a go at creating their own, using imaginative, detailed pattern work for the borders and retelling the famous story through their drawings on the centre of the plate. Focus, concentration, and perseverance have once again been key to producing such beautiful Hong Kong Chinese artwork.
Year 2 Blow the House Down! Year 2 have been developing their curiosity skills through their Science lessons this term. The unit has been looking at the suitability of different materials and the children have carried out numerous investigations to test these out. They started off the term testing which material would be best for building a house for the Three Little Pigs which linked to their work on fairy tales. They worked collaboratively in small groups to build their houses using materials of their choice such as lollipop sticks, card, plastic and Lego. They then had great fun when the Big Bad Wolf came (hairdryer) and tried to blow the houses down, thinking carefully about how to keep it a fair test. Another great investigation the children enjoyed carrying out was seeing which material would be best to fix a hole in a bucket. Again, they worked collaboratively testing the different materials. They persevered when certain materials did not work and demonstrated their excitement when they did. They were delighted to discover that Blu Tac is the best material because it is waterproof. Great work Year 2!
Year 6 Find Their Dancing Feet! As part of their History curriculum this term, the children in Year 6 have been learning about how culture and society in the UK transformed in the decades following World War Two. As well as investigating changes in housing, employment and the Welfare State, the children have made the most of the opportunity to learn more about leisure activities! They have been familiarising themselves with the music greats of the 20th Century‌including such names as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys and The Supremes. They have shown great curiosity in their efforts to learn and practise various dance moves. Do ask your child to show you how to dance the Freddie, the Hitch-hike, the Loco-motion, the Mashed Potato, the Shimmy, the Swim or the Twist!
Year 6 Manufacture Mould! Year 6 needed to use their critical thinking skills when examining microbes in Science this term. First, the children learnt about the structure of cells, using the microscopes to observe closely. This required them to make detailed drawings of what they could see and to realise that these single cells are vital for life and that many bacteria are actually good for us. Back in class, they set up an experiment to see in which conditions mould develops fastest. It took some courage to look at the different kinds of mould that did develop. The children found that mould likes warm, moist conditions the best. This is because they are living organisms that need water to survive. Everyone made posters to warn people about the need to prevent the spread of germs, especially at the moment. Hand washing is vital as we all have about 1,500 bacteria on each square cm of our hands. So, please remember to wash your hands regularly!
www.stmargaretsprep.org.uk Year 3’s Riveting Roman Relaxation! In March, Year 3 went back in time to explore the amazing Roman Baths. The children were curious to see how a typical Roman would relax after a tiring day in the Empire. They could only dream of slipping beneath the famously warm water as a Roman. In reality, everyone agreed the water today looked less than inviting due to the rich mineral deposits giving it a distinctly green hue! The children were fascinated to explore the large range of coins and jewellery that had been found in the baths. Some of these would have been Roman lost property similar to our changing rooms! However, it was also common for offerings to be given to the Goddess Minerva who they looked to for wisdom.
One way that rich Romans communicated their displeasure was to cast a curse or two to those they had felt had wronged them. Year 3 collaborated to devise a curse of their own; watch this space to see if they’re successful at abolishing homework! In their learning session, the children really got into role, dressing in togas and tunics. They developed their creativity through designing an authentic mosaic which they then created on mini whiteboards from tiles. Everyone soon realised just how difficult this would have been on a larger scale. Next was Roman food and whilst they were pleased to find grapes, bread and honey were all on a Roman menu, they were shocked to discover that oysters were considered a simple snack. This was especially useful around the baths where the shell could then be used as a fantastic dead skin removing tool! It was lovely to see their awe and wonder as Year 3 toured the many ancient baths, truly helping to bring History to life in such a remarkable location.
Vikings Visit Year 4 Year 4 Learn to Love Vegetables Year 4 have been learning to love their vegetables in DT lessons. The children have looked at a variety of techniques to prepare their vegetables and everyone has really enjoyed creating and tasting dishes. Favourites included a Middle Eastern salad with fresh herbs and sumac, served with lamb koftas and carrot mug cakes – all of which the children made completely independently. Collaboration really paid off when learning how to crack an egg, use a potato peeler or smell different spices before adding them heightened their curiosity. Critical thinking was then employed when the children looked at how the cakes had risen, if the fruit and carrot were well distributed and if there was a soggy bottom - who needs the Great British Bake Off?! Not much evidence remained… Yum!
In Year 4, the children have been learning about the Vikings this term. They have discovered where the Vikings came from and why and when they came to settle in Britain. This has formed part of ‘Travelling Along the Time Line of Britain’ unit which was started in Year 3. It is important that the children are able to link their learning and to understand where our history started. History is a great subject to inspire creativity as well as to learn to respect and value the lessons from the past. It is great fun too! The children in Year 4 have worked collaboratively to build and design their own Viking longboats and shields. There are some great pieces of work – well done!
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Year 6 Get Mobile This term, the Year 6 children have shown great perseverance and relished the opportunity to venture outside for 2 days of cycling. The ‘Bikeability’ programme is aimed at primarily giving children the knowledge and skills required to be safely out on their bikes on the public highways.
Art Club Champion Fair Trade
Bikeability is an improved, updated and more relevant version of the old cycling proficiency scheme that we will have been used to as children, delivered by professional instructors. The scheme is underpinned by the National Standard for cycle training which is a government-recognised set of principles.
The Year 5/6 Art Club recently entered the Calne Fair Trade School’s Art Competition with a thought-provoking piece. After initial research into child labour issues around the world, Art Club were very curious to find out more and, by using their collaborative and creative skills, they told the story of children less fortunate than themselves in this eye-catching textile wall hanging. They have learnt about the importance of Fair Trade and how this helps to provide every child in the world with an education and a fair chance in life.
We recognise that when delivered by professionals our pupils develop safer cycling habits whilst being inspired to get outside on their bikes and explore the wonderful area in which we live. Challenge your child to put you through your paces and see just how enjoyable cycling in your leisure time can be!
We are delighted to report that St Margaret’s won the competition! The judges were very positive and commented that the piece was ‘very thought provoking’ and that there was ‘clear evidence of lots of collaboration’. The children were also thrilled with their prizes of stationery!
A First-Hand Experience of Foreign Traditions Besides embracing the opportunity to learn a variety of foreign languages at St Margaret’s, the children, whatever their age, are always curious to find out about other cultures and traditions. This term Year 6 have celebrated the start of 2020 by re-enacting the Spanish New Year’s tradition of “Las doce uvas de la suerte”. Spanish people believe that eating one grape with each strike of the bell at midnight on 31 December leads to a year of good luck and prosperity. Our pupils agreed that it was a deceptively easy challenge and understood why so many people buy seedless grapes and peel them, ready for the occasion in order to speed the eating process and avoid choking accidents!
As for Kindergarten, they were surprised to discover that “La Chandeleur” (Pancake Day) was celebrated on 2 February in France. Instead, “Mardi Gras” (Fat Tuesday) is celebrated the day before the ritual fasting of Lent. The children enjoyed dressing up for the occasion in order to simulate their own carnival and were delighted to taste some “Bugnes” ou “Roussettes”, doughnut-like pastries sprinkled with sugar. It was a great opportunity to express a few simple opinions in French as well as a fun and delicious event for all involved. Our cultural awareness sessions always raise lots of questions and discussion and we cannot but be proud of our pupils’ openmindedness and respect towards other cultures and traditions.
St Margaret’s Preparatory School, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 0DF T: 01249 857220 E: office@stmargaretsprep.org.uk W: www.stmargaretsprep.org.uk @StMargaretsPrep
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