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• Kingswood Trip Day 4

  Thu 22 Sep 2016 Mr Moore

  And so, it is with heavy heart, we have completed our last full day at Kingswood. Yet again, it was a day of bravery and success in a number of engaging activities. Without doubt, the biggest achievement must go to Mrs Garbutt for remembering the door code on the final time that we had to use it! Bravo Mrs Garbutt (as suggested in similar terms by Luke May). 

  Another hearty breakfast was consumed before we set off to take part in Marble Motion. Yes, quite literally, we were tasked with designing a system using four sheets of A4 paper that would maintain the movement of a marble. In three groups the children had to see who could keep the marble moving the longest with the winners managing 7.12 seconds. A great team building exercise and lots of new skills learnt.

  Indoor Climb was next on the agenda and yet again the girls showed how fearless they are with all four reaching the summit. A few boys reached the dizzy heights and none other than Mrs Garbutt was very close behind them. All of the children did very well and were extremely positive.

  We then enjoyed participating in a Circus Skills activity with spinning plates, juggling and other particularly tricky new skills to master. Mrs Garbutt and I were given the responsibility of judging the children's final efforts (in pairs) and scoring out of ten. After a very close competition, Devon and Maison came out on top. I can now add spinning plates to my skill set which should hold me in good stead for later in the year!

  Field Games followed with a very exciting football match (my team won 4-1!) and a great game of kick/bat rounders. A very competitive session but lots of lessons learned on how to compete in the right manner. Definitely exhausted after this one! No time to rest though as the final big event was next...Abseiling. Most of the children had been looking forward to the challenge and didn't back out when the opportunity came. As you can see in the pictures, it is the highest event of the trip and to see the children coming day without a care was inspiring. So much so that Mrs Garbutt couldn't help but have a go herself. A fantastic activity that had so many life skills attached, even for those that didn't manage it, they played a very important part in supporting the others. The highlight has to be Luke and Jack May coming down together and supporting each other. Brilliant!! A special mention must also go to Maison who went to the top on two occasions but just couldn't face the drop. It's so important to realise that this is in no way a failure but a success in the courage it takes just to try. We were all very proud of you Maison!!

  A new activity next with us all taking part in Indoor Initiatives. A very good session in where the children are shown how to 'think outside of the box'. It was very rewarding to see how the children's resilience is improving and the pleasure they got from that eureka moment. Excellent activities that also had them working together to achieve a goal. More valuable life skills and learning experiences. 

  Our last evening meal was enjoyed and the children munched down as much as they could before we went off for showers and to get dressed for the Disco. As far as Mrs Garbutt and I were concerned, a very noisy and brash affair but one which the children seemed to enjoy. Lots of load music, plenty of dancing and the odd sing along. However, it was a relief when we were asked to go and collect our last hot chocolate of the trip.

  As I type, the children are tucked up in bed for one last sleep before we wake in the morning for our last few activities. It won't be long before we are back to normal and Kingswood is just lots of fun memories. I hope you enjoy the pictures and please don't forget to keep an eye out for the videos which will be placed on the Year 6 class page int he very near future. 

   

   

  

• Jacqueline Wilson comes to Hertford

  Thu 22 Sep 2016

  As part of the Hertford Book Festival, Jacqueline Wilson visited Hertford Theatre and some of our year 5s and 6s were fortunate enough to hear her stories about growing up, becoming a writer and her inspirations for her books. It was a busy and packed theatre where our children were perfectly behaved. Some also received signed copies of her books. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take photos of her in the theatre, but here are a few we did manage to take on a special, special trip.

  

• Kingswood Trip Day 3

  Wed 21 Sep 2016 Mr Moore

  Another fun filled day with lots of action and adventure. Following another successful breakfast where lots of scrambled egg, bacon and pancakes with maple syrup were consumed, it was time to get the activities underway. Our first session of the day involved lots of team work when the children had to work together to overcome a number of obstacles. The activity was called (quite appropriately!) Team Challenge and they had to work their way around a course that included climbing walls, balance beams and rope jumps. All the children worked well together and managed to get through without any lasting injuries. 

  Next we had to build up our courage ready for High Equilibrium. The children were put into pairs and tasked to scale a particularly high pole to a see-saw piece of equipment and balance this out. However, we are talking HIGH!! All of the group were fantastic and did their best but on this occasion a special mention must go out to the girls (Kira, Zoe, Marie and Olivia) who all reached the very top and even danced on the equipment. Extremely impressed with their bravery! 

  With towels and swimming costumes at the ready, we then made our way to the swimming pool. Lots of floats and balls were supplied and the children then played a game of water polo. This activity was a definite highlight for Devon who spent all of the time we had practising how to swim. In such a short time he made such good progress and he should be very proud of his achievement.

  Mrs Garbutt's favourite time of the day had arrived and we went for lunch. It has to be said that the chicken curry on offer was very tasty and definitely a favourite of the adults so far. Once all energised again, the children were off running around the grounds Orienteering. A great team event where the children were left to search the whole site for clues. Another excellent learning experience.

  Now for the highlight of the day.......3G Swing. All of the children could not stop talking about this activity and the time had finally arrived. Some children decided not to go on it and others decided not to go to the highest point. Those that did reach the highest point before the drop were extremely brave. Lots of very pale faces after they came off the ride but some very good video footage was taken.

  Our last activity before dinner was Tech Time where the children were split into two groups and given equipment to create certain models in a set time. The ultimate challenge was to build a bicycle with both teams producing fantastic models. 

  Another meal was consumed very quickly but on this occasion it was due to the promise to the children that they could visit the gift shop. Extremely excited and ready to spend, they descended on the shop en masse and bought various bits. 

  Our day ended with Mini Olympics in one of the sports halls and the children were given the chance to compete using their athletic skills. All of the children performed brilliantly. However, I must say that Mrs Garbutt and I have never laughed so much whilst watching the hula hoop skipping race. Some of the techniques were definitely originals!!

  All the children are tucked up in bed now and hopefully on their way to a good sleep. A quick note to say that many short videos have been taken as well as the photos on the news page. These videos will be posted on the Year 6 class page in the near future. Definitely worth a quick watch!!

  

• Kingswood Trip Day 2

  Tue 20 Sep 2016 Mr Moore

  Wow! What a fun packed day we've had with such a mix of activities. After a filling breakfast this morning (and a very early start), we ignored the rain and set off to our archery session. We definitely have some Robin Hood characters going by the quality of some of the targets hit but without doubt the clear winner was Kira. A wonderful shot that just missed the centre of the target with the most amazing shot going to Maison, who managed to hit a tree about fifty metres beyond everything. A mention must go to Mrs Garbutt who actually managed to hit something!

  Still having the focus on using weapons (Yikes!) the children then enjoyed two sessions of Laser Tag, one inside in the darkness and one outside using a purpose built combat zone. Lots of serious stalking of each other and long distance shots. All enjoyed the combat and some just a tad too much!

  With the threat of lots of mud after lunch, the children quickly got changed and we had burgers and wraps before moving on to Night Line. The children were all blindfolded and had to lead each other around an obstacle course. An added problem was the spontaneous explosion of my water bottle all over them! No idea how that happened!

  We then went straight into the problem solving activity where the children had to work together in certain scenarios. An excellent activity for communication skills and team work. It was a real pleasure to see how some of the children communicated clearly and brought others into the activity.

  Now for the big one! The zip wire. We were all building ourselves up to the main event of the day and it didn't disappoint. All of the children had harnesses fitted and clambered up the activity in threes. Mrs Garbutt and I are so proud of them all, even the children that decided it wasn't quite the thing for them. Before you knew it, they were shooting down the wire screaming with joy. After taking photos and filming, with only 15 minutes to go, Mrs Garbutt says in front of all the children, "Let's do it!" So without thinking clearly, we put on our harnesses and acted like a couple of children for 10 minutes. Without doubt, we were by far the less gracious pair but we did it for the children!

  Dinner was gulped down and certain people took advantage of the massive amounts of jam doughnuts on offer before we started our last activity....The Mystery Trail. A session very similar to Cluedo with some of the children acting the parts and the remainder trying to solve the mystery. The acting was nothing short of outstanding and we found out that it was Zoe who had murdered the Headteacher with the sports trophy (watch out Mrs Stark!).

  Finally, we made it back to our rooms for showers and juice. Some of the children still had a bit of energy left but last time I looked........it was all quiet. 

  

• Kingswood Trip Day 1

  Mon 19 Sep 2016 Mr Moore

  It has been a wonderful start to our trip to Kingswood. After a trouble free journey down to Kent we had quite a bit of time to familiarise ourselves with the dorms and surrounding area. I managed to misread every door entry code and Wifi password which led to a small amount of stress.

  The children have been fantastic and couldn't wait to start the first activity.......Crate Stack. Every child had a go and some (Eddie) even tried to reach the moon! Once we had watched all the children tumble from great heights (Spaghetti!!) we had something to eat (which Mrs Garbutt was VERY grateful for!). 

  After filling ourselves with pasta and jacket potatoes, we then had a go at Scrapheap Challenge. With cardboard fashion, laser arms and new styles of boxes, all the children had lots of fun before being attacked from on high with water balloons.

  As I type, the children are starting to settle down ready for a deep (and hopefully long!) sleep.  

  

• Take One Picture Week

  Fri 09 Sep 2016
  All week, the children have been learning about their class artist and producing stunning pieces of art. The gallery after school was a huge success as everyone enjoyed the children's learning. Some definite masterpieces on our hands!