Early this week in our Literacy lesson, the Reception children busily prepared for our exciting school trip to the zoo on Thursday! To spark their imaginations and build excitement, we constructed our very own imaginative maps. The children were encouraged to think creatively about what animals they might discover and where they might live. Using a mixture of drawing, discussion and phonetic writing, each child designed their own zoo layout and began labelling enclosures and features using their developing phonics skills. Ask your child to tell you about their zoo map – what animals did they include and where did they place them?

Rosie Snagge, Reception Teacher

This week, as part of our topic on where food comes from, Year 1 learnt that all food comes from plants or animals and must be caught, farmed or grown. As we always enjoy chopping and eating peppers and tomatoes during our Continuous Provision, we decided to plant some pepper and tomato seeds. The children learnt that plants need warmth, water and a little love to grow. With the glorious weather this week and the water and love our Year 1s are providing, we are hoping for a bumper crop later this term.

Kathleen Salusbury, Year 1 Class Teacher

Having been inspired by Spring from the Four Seasons by Vivaldi, Year 2 honed their creativity skills by composing pieces. They used notes from the C major scale (C, E, G) to create a short motif on xylophones, then played and recorded it on a midi keyboard using GarageBand, adding a string section drone on C and G. The class took turns playing their motifs live over the track with their xylophones, creating the gentle effect of a stream on a sunny spring day. As part of our Year 2 instrument taster sessions, some of the children also had the opportunity to experience cello, violin and recorder with our specialist teachers.

Jessica Harman, Assistant Director of Music

Year 3 have been focused on describing the functions of different parts of a flowering plant and their role in photosynthesis. They used one of their Essential Skills, speaking, during the topic as the children referred to previous learning and shared their understanding of what plants need to thrive, making connections between their science and Essential Skills curriculum. They practised teamwork, collaborating on planting seeds and selecting the best spot for their plants in the classroom. They planted basil in recycled plastic bottles, exploring a non-traditional method of self-watering, which reduces the need for constant care.

Rebecca Lane, Year 3 Class Teacher

This week, Year 5 have been learning about the wood joinery method known as the Mitre Joint, while working on a project to design a birdhouse or picture frame inspired by Italian designer Ettore Sottsass and the Memphis Design movement. The children created a paper mitre joint to help them understand the accuracy when measuring and cutting. The task also gave them the opportunity to explore decorative techniques and consider how design has evolved.

Jamie Dew, Head of DT

Year 6 used their speaking and listening skills as they read the story, Holes. There is no doubt that patience has also been needed as many children were desperate to read on and find out what happens in this exciting story! Through small group read-aloud sessions, pupils sharpened their pronunciation, fluency and vocabulary and strengthened their comprehension and memory. Reading aloud also helps build confidence and self-esteem and fosters a genuine love for reading. Oracy is crucial for overall development and success and enhances communication and literacy skills.

Vivienne Liddell, Year 6 Teacher

This term, Year 7 geographers are shifting from physical geography topics to human geography, exploring people’s relationships with places both individually and globally. This week we started the first topic, which revolves around population and seeing the world’s transition to a global population of over 8 billion people. We have also looked at where the United Kingdom fits into this, and on a smaller scale Liphook.  It is a theme that allows plenty of discovery as well as classroom discussion and debate. They’ve engaged enthusiastically with the topic, which helps them reflect on their own place in the world.

James Figgis, Head of Upper Prep

This week, Year 8 pupils learnt about body proportions and were amazed to discover that the head fits into an adult body eight times! They then explored the importance of gesture drawing and thoroughly enjoyed creating timed sketches of their peers using different drawing materials. Pupils also applied their problem solving skills by counting how many times the head fitted into their figure drawings. They produced some fantastic sketches and gained a clear understanding of the benefits of quick, loose drawing.

Tamsin Pearson, Year 8 Art Teacher