Boats Project

Green class recently built boats as a science project. We raced them down the fast moving rapids to see which boat had been designed and built the best.

Eventual winners were 'The Cube' and 'Titanic 2' who
tied for first place.

For Orange Class, Autumn Term begins with an exciting Residential Trip to Pixie's Holt. This 2-night stay involved weebling (rock scrambling) to the top of Hound Tor, tunneling, shelter building and a nature trail.

Evening activities involved games based at the Centre.

The study of the Vikings gave the children an insight into the life and lifestyle of the invaders and settlers. The children designed and decorated their own Viking shields.

Orange Class enjoyed the leading role in the Nativity, narrating, acting and playing percussion.

In Spring Term we are studying the Ancient Egyptians and are planning a trip to the British Museum. We have made a sarcophagus and a wrapped mummy to go in it.

This term, Red Class have been busy learning about the Ancient Egyptians and have designed repeating patterns with hieroglyphics using indian inks and paint.

Meanwhile, groups of children have been working with Mr Hardy busily sawing and hammering wood and recyclable materials into musical instruments.

We have been busy examining rocks and soils and dissolving solids (raided from kitchen cupboards at home!) in water. Next we will be separating materials such as sand, pebbles and water using different methods.

Our story work has included some amazing monster descriptions based on the 'Iron Man' and strange settings. At present, we are planning our mini horror stories.

We have had a bust term looking at dream-like pictures and constructed our own 'weird' photos using the digital camera.

In the Gym we created paired sequences that included balances, rolls and jumps. We also considered mirroring and matching.

In Science we used torches to look at shadows and investigated how to change the pitch of different instruments. We also experimented with bulbs, buzzers and batteries.

Just before Christmas, KS2 ventured out for an exhilarating Welly Walk at Killerton. This involved plenty of mud, fresh air and glorious views. This was followed by a light lunch and an hour of ice-skating at Exeter's Christmas Rink. This was great fun despite being wet!

In Silver Class we have been busy this term doing lots of creative writing in literacy. The children have particularly enjoyed writing plays and fables and performing them to the younger children in the school. Many of the children in year 5 opt to do additional literacy in our lunch time poetry and story writing club. We are currently working on a script for a puppet show.

We have been involved with lots of investigations in numeracy this term, examining number patterns and shape and space. The children particularly enjoyed making and building 3D shapes. Even in year 5 the children still love doing lots of sticking and gluing activities!

The year 5 children have all completed an excellent mediation course. They are all trained mediators and have worked hard, developing the social and emotional aspects of their learning. After half term the children will take it in turns to be on duty in the play ground, helping to solve minor conflicts.

Silver class are also working hard to keep up their French connection. Each child has a pen pal in France with whom they correspond . We are planning to celebrate the end of this half term with a French food tasting session. All food must be ordered in French of course !

Penpal Scheme

Year 4 children are taking part in a Penpal scheme with the School in Takoradi, Ghana, where former pupil Vicky Mugleston spent her Gap Year. 25 students from Western High School have already written several times to their Kentisbeare friends, and both classes are learning about each other's cultures.