Last Friday evening, Mr Thomas conducted his Blackburn and Darwen Brass Band alongside the Prep Choir, the Prep Giant Orchestra and the Senior School Concert Band in our Prep Christmas Extravaganza. A highlight was the newly formed Prep Chamber Choir singing in beautiful harmony with Miranda from the Senior School.
The younger children showed their confidence, courage and resilience when performing five outstanding Christmas Plays this week. Huge congratulations go to all the Nursery and Infant children and staff involved.
Congratulations also go to the Year 3 and 4 children who demonstrated their determination in their Swimming Gala this week too. Excellent individual performances were seen- well done to all the year groups winners, and thank you to Mr Moretti for organising a super event.
Finally, thank you for your kind donations sent into school today for the PTA Christmas Fair tomorrow. The Prep Choir will sing at 11.00am to start off the Fair in the Senior School Hall. I hope to see you all there!
Amanda Ilhan
Head of Nursery and Preparatory School
Nursery
This week, Ducklings Class have been busy hunting for treasure in the sand tray, as well as exploring the different books in our cosy area. These activities, as well as being great fun, have been helping to develop the children's fine motor skills.
Meanwhile, Christmas is well under way in the Butterflies Class! We have started to make our Christmas crafts for parents, and we have also explored our winter wonderland scene and made Christmas music on our new music wall outside in our garden.
Nursery Team
Reception
In between rehearsing and performing the Christmas Play so well, the Reception children have continued with their literacy lessons. This week, one of the Ditty reading books involved a variety of animals standing on top of each other- the children found this story very funny. Linked to the progression in literacy, it has been fantastic to see the children giving out their Christmas cards having written them all by themselves.
And finally, a delightful drawing which made us all smile... in her words "It's you Miss Allen, Mrs Walsh and Miss Erskine. You have your party dresses on ready to go out!"
Miss Allen and Mrs Walsh
Year 1
This week has very much been about teamwork, resilience and doing our very best. Work has continued in the classroom, with a particular focus on reading, integral to every part of learning.
The children have been so excited about their Christmas performances and understand that every single character in the play is important to re-make the perfect Christmas story, despite runny noses, sore throats, funny tummies and last-minute nerves! We are so proud of our children and their individual courage and achievements.
Mrs Smith and Mrs Brooker
Year 2
This week, I feel incredibly proud as we have completed two dress rehearsals and two performances of our Christmas production. Amazing performances by everyone in Year 2 from learning their lines, speaking up clearly, acting their part and singing their hearts out. Each child gave their all and it was a delight to see some nervous children really perform well and enjoy the show. I am sure as parents and grandparents you will join me in thanking the children for all their hard work and for providing that magical feeling to start off the festive season.
Mrs Bleasdale
Year 3
The hot topic this week was the Year 3 and 4 Swimming Gala. The Year 3 Girls Champion was Willow and there was a tie between William and Arthur for the Boys Champion.
Science this week involved the children fully planning and undertaking a shadow investigation. The children hypothesized whether the size of a shadow changed depending on the distance of the light source from an object. A fabulous investigation, make sure to ask us about the results!
Finally, our DT lessons were a buzz of creativity this week. The children have been working hard to create their Moving Monsters and were putting the finishing touches on their models. Be prepared for some marvellous monsters coming home!
Mrs Blinston and Mr Worthington
Year 4
On Tuesday, we took part in our annual Swimming Gala. Everyone cheered each other on and everyone tried their best. Well done to all Year 4 and in particular Emilia and Will.
In Mathematics, we have begun to look at division of two- and three- digit numbers using the bar method and short division, also known as the bus stop method!
We enjoyed our Science lessons this week, continuing with the digestive system and learning about food chains.
Mrs Briggs
Year 5
In Science, Year 5 learned about dependent and independent variables this week. They discussed how to make a test fair and carried out an investigation into how different surfaces affect the force of friction. Harry made a fabulous model which used friction and a pulley to lift the load up his tall Knex tower.
In Maths, they used their number skills to solve some tricky multi-step perimeter problems and worked on a code breaking activity using all four operations.
Mrs Whitaker
Year 6
In ICT, the children have started a new task of being computer game developers. Well done Isaac and Harry for creating a superb range of customisations up levelling their game specification.
In Geography, Year 6 have continued delivering their COP27 presentations on Climate Change. Well done Amelia, Wilfred and Brody for giving an excellent presentation on deforestation and how it affects wildlife, ecosystems and weather patterns. They are now writing a letter to our local MP to show their support of new laws banning the import of products directly involved in deforestation.
Sienna's presentation on wild bush fires in Australia was extra special featuring an informative video message from her uncle, a firefighter based in Perth, Western Australia! In Maths, the children are enjoying their new Geometry topic describing movement by translating and reflecting shapes around a quadrant. Well done Rowan, Sam and Rupert for showing excellent use and application of the X and Y axis as a mirror line to reflect some very tricky shapes and give new co-ordinates.
Mr Avis and Mr Rice
Art News
The children in Year 3 have been learning about the cave paintings at Lascaux in southern France. This week, the children were carefully sketching some of the animals found drawn on the walls of the caves.
Mrs Hine
Sports Round-up
With the cold weather setting in, our Year 3 and 4 swimmers took to the pool on Tuesday and raised the temperature with some sizzling performances and a vibrant atmosphere for all the children to compete in.
After a full term of swimming lessons, the Gala is a great opportunity for all our pupils to further demonstrate their individual learning and development. It is also a very competitive time to be part of our House team event, with each pupil earning points for their respective Houses, Gawthorpe, Leighton, Rufford and Samlesbury, which always adds a little extra spice to the event.
We had some very close races in both year groups with the gap between 1st to 3rd being separated by under 1 second in the majority of the races, a great spectacle for all and a show of great tenacity and resilience on behalf of all our swimmers. It was also great to see our development swimmers pushing themselves with their 15m races, great reward for all their efforts throughout their lessons.
Year 3 Boy Champions - William and Arthur
Year 3 Girl Champion - Willow
Year 4 Boy Champion - William
Year 4 Girl Champion - Emilia
It was also a very close House event with overall winners Leighton taking the title from Gawthorpe by only 2 points!
Years 1 and 2 thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas Swim Party today, and we look forward to the Year 5 and 6 Swimming Gala on Tuesday.
