Mind-boggling Mathletics!!!!!

Year 5s and Year 6s have been battling each other across the Internet, trying to be Number 1 i.e. the Best in the World. Mathletics is a fun, addictive and competitive way to practise and level-up your Maths skills and abilities. You can also compete live against other people in the world! There are different activities to target different areas like times tables, division facts, shapes, perimeter and area.

Zach in year 6 got to 2nd in the WORLD and 1st in the UK, battling against brain boxes Harry, Mirren, Oliver and Dan!!!!!!!!!!!!
Class 13, 14 and 15 all got to number 1 in the UK in separate weeks. While class 15 boosted to number 1 in the WORLD!

If we don't answer the phone, then you'll know where we'll be!

Smashing Science

On Tuesday 7th July, Year 5 were lucky enough to visit the new Science Block at St Birinus. We studied Physics, Biology and Chemistry.
In Biology, we used microscopes to find out if leaves have mouths and they do! Dr Mundy showed us how to use the microscopes correctly to get the best image. There were thousands of tiny mouths; it was like looking into another world.
In Physics, we worked with Dr Maselkowski who helped us to investigate static electricity. We tried to make balloons stick to the wall, use magic wands to move tin cans and make people’s hair stand on end.
In Chemistry, Miss Astridge allowed us to use Bunson burners, chemicals and test tubes to make oxygen. We had to wear goggles and the girls and Kuba had to tie their hair up. We mixed two chemicals to produce a gas. We knew we had made oxygen if the glowing splint lit up when we held it in the test tube.
At the end of the afternoon we were all given a memory stick to remember our day. The boys are now really looking forward to going to the boys school in September 2010 and Georgia is considering changing her name to George so she can go too!

Class 13 at the Circus

As part of Shine Week we spent time learning circus skills. We got the opportunity to learn how to juggle, spin plates and do new tricks on the Diablo. We split ourselves into three groups and spent time on each activity. Mrs Owen was the first to spin a plate (but she had done it before). Zach was quick to learn too and was soon doing tricks. Everyone found the juggling tricky but Jamie managed to tackle three! The Diablo was the easiest as almost everyone has one but it was great to learn a routine. Joe and Jamie were chosen to demonstrate their routine to the class, it was amazing!
At the end we had a fun competition to see who could spin the most hula hoops. Laura was fantastic and managed to spin eleven!
We all enjoyed our time learning circus skills and can’t wait to practise at playtimes. The Class 13 Circus could be touring soon!

The Bomb Squad

Soldiers from 821 Squadron of the 11 EOD Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps, came to visit today. These soldiers are responsible for safely disposing of bombs and munitions all over the world.

The children from Years 5 and 6 enjoyed dressing up in a bomb suit (it was very heavy!), to see rocket launchers up close and personal and to explore the inside of the bomb disposal truck.

The sirens and warning systems were well used and heard throughout the school!



The soldiers demonstrated how to use specialist equipment, such as 'Wheelbarrow' bomb disposal robots and the children had an opportunity to take control - thousands of pounds worth of equipment was safe in their hands!

In year six we created feely boxes to immitate Lucy going through the wardrobe door into Narnia. We used different materials to represent different feelings she might have felt. For example, corrugated card for rough bark and talcum powder for snow. It was very interesting to put our hands into other people finished feely boxes.

By Chloe, Imogen, Rhiannon and Zoe in class 14.

Year 6 DT Day

On Tuesday 9th of December year 6 had a DT day building monuments of Europe. We had a choice of making the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben & the houses of Parlement, The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Atomium or The Brandonburg Gate. They split into groups to make these Monuments. Everyone had a great day and really enjoyed it !

written by Kurt Maccormick, Ben Levy and Ben Hardy

Year 5 Trip to Abingdon Museum

On Wednesday 1st October Class 13 went to Abingdon Museum to learn about the Ancient Greeks. There were four groups and when we got there we got into two groups. Two groups went upstairs and the others went down stairs.

Downstairs the activity was cooking. There were pots of different Greek food and we tried to guess what foods were in the pots. There was barley, dried dates, dried rasins, lentils, garlic and also figs. The figs smelt like rotten cabbage, YUCK! Next made some Greek pudding. The ingredients were nuts, honey, sesame seeds, eggs and flour. We mixed it together and baked them in the oven. When they were cool we got to eat them. They tasted lovely!

Meanwhile upstairs the other group were making masks. They all looked really funny! The group had to act out a famous Greek play. The play was about birds, so the masks were decorated with colourful feathers.

At lunch time we ate our lunch in the basement YUM!! We also got to try the Greek cakes that we made. Most people didnt like them but I loved them! Afterwards we wanted to go to the park but it was raining so we played games in the courtyard.

In the afternoon, there were two more activities. Downstairs we learned about Greek music and dance. We looked at pictures of Ancient Greek instruments and then we got to dance to Greek music. It was fun.

Upstairs we looked at and touched Ancient Greek pottery.

Everyone enjoyed the trip and had a great time!

by Katie Richardson, Oliver McConnell, Daniel Kerin and Becky Richardson.