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Hatherop Messenger 7th June 2024

Boarding Update

After a well earned weeks break, we have had a busy week at the castle. It has been a little odd missing some of our key Year 6 and 7 boarders because they have been at Cumulus, but we have welcomed several new faces in the younger part of the school to board for the first time. The Year 8 boarders have been working hard during their Common Entrance exam week, doing extra revision sessions each night with a member of staff to assist.

Hatherop Summer Party

Final chance to book your tickets now to the annual HCS PA Summer Party on Saturday 22nd June 2024! Catch up with friends, meet new ones and kick off your shoes to dance the night away to our live band on the back lawn. The DEADLINE for all bookings is FRIDAY 14th JUNE.

Match Reports

Please click on the link below to access this weeks' match reports.

Learning This Week

Kindergarten

Welcome back! We hope you all had a lovely half-term break. Mrs Lexi Russell joined the Nursery team this week and will be assisting in all Kindergarten classrooms. This week, we have been learning about space. The children have been busy painting a moon and stars, with a touch of glitter. They have also collaged a rocket and used shaving foam to make some planets. A tuff tray of gloop was enjoyed by all. On Wednesday, we headed up to the sports field to practise our running races. More details will follow about our sports day.

Please remember to put a spare pair of clothes in your child's bag and to keep us stocked up with nappies and wipes if your child needs them.

Transition

I hope you all had a lovely half-term and are ready for a busy few weeks. This half-term, we are focusing on transitioning to Reception and preparing the children for their next big journey. This week, the children have enjoyed role-playing schools in our classroom setup. They take turns being the teacher, practising phonics, singing rhymes, and reading stories aloud. It's lovely to see them so keen to learn.

In the playground, the children have been creating fantastic models with planks, bricks, and tyres. Every day, their imagination transforms the construction site into something new—a rocket, roller coaster, car, or assault course.

We are practising for sports day, which will be held on Wednesday, 3rd July. The transition assembly will be held beforehand in the PAC. Please remember that we have our "Dinosaur Day" in the woods on Tuesday, 18th June.

Reception

Reception’s highlight of the week was definitely our trip to Bristol Aquarium! We were very excited to board the coach with Prep 4 and head off to the aquarium. We started the day with a workshop from one of the aquarium experts, who taught us about the adaptations that animals make to keep them safe in the ocean. We learnt lots of new facts about sharks, octopuses and starfish. Did you know that an octopus has arms not tentacles? And that starfish can shed a leg when they are in danger from predators, and then regrow it later? We absolutely loved feeding Ravioli, the sting ray, and meeting Sheila, the giant grouper!

Next week we will be writing a recount of our trip and thinking about our favourite memories from our year in Reception. We will continue our work on sharing and grouping using the book ‘Sharing a Shell’ by Julia Donaldson.

Please don’t forget that next Friday is Sports Day! All children should be wearing their house t-shirt, and have a hat, sun cream and a water bottle in school.

Prep 1

It has been lovely to see the children inspired by our new topic, "A Pocket Full of Poems." We began by exploring a Michael Rosen poem, which captivated the children with its content and delivery. We also read poems about trains, including "From a Railway Carriage" by Robert Louis Stevenson, to explore rhythm. The children then wrote poems in Michael Rosen's style, inspired by a tour of the school grounds. We look forward to sharing these at our class assembly next Friday!

In Maths, we consolidated our learning on money and time. We handled greater amounts of money, made the same amount in different ways, ordered values, and added amounts. Real coins are best for practice. We also worked on telling time, covering quarter past and quarter to, using both digital and analogue clocks. Practising at home helps build confidence.

For World Environment Day on 5th June, we learned about its origins, themes, and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 15, "Life on Land." We tended plants, did a litter pick, and started making EcoBricks. Please bring in any soft plastics to fill our class bottles.

Prep 2

This week, Prep 2 have become poets. We explored poems about food, and the children enjoyed playing with spaghetti on Monday, describing its look, feel, and smell with adjectives and phrases. We combined their ideas to create a class poem about spaghetti. Later, the children wrote their own poems about their favourite foods.

We have also been learning a poem to perform in Arts Week, and each child has a copy in their bookbag. Please help your child learn the poem; we practise every morning. In maths, we measured in centimetres and metres, compared lengths, and converted between units (e.g., 1m = 100cm). In topic lessons, Prep 2 learned about different materials and their uses. They sorted items by material and described their properties. Prep 2 enjoyed their final swim of the year and are looking forward to forest school next Thursday. We look forward to seeing you at the Pre-Prep Sports Day on Friday, 14th June.

Pre-Prep Book Recommendation

A fantastic guide to the natural world that will have children identifying mini beasts and wildlife, star spotting, building tipis, identifying trees and making things from found natural items. A lovely book to really support the adventure of childhood!

Prep 6 Cumulus Trip: A Week of Sun, Sea, and Adventure in Dorset

Prep 6 recently embarked on an unforgettable journey to Dorset for their Cumulus Trip, and what a week it has been! With the sun shining down on them, the children embraced every moment of adventure, overcoming fears, experiencing new thrills, and strengthening friendships along the way.

From the outset, it was evident that this group of children was ready for action. Abseiling and climbing proved to be thrilling challenges that pushed the boundaries of their comfort zones. With encouragement from their peers and instructors, each child conquered their fears and scaled the heights with confidence and courage. The sense of accomplishment that radiated from them upon reaching the summit was truly inspiring to witness.

But the excitement didn't stop there. Mackerel fishing provided a unique opportunity for the children to connect with nature and try their hand at a new skill. From casting their lines to reeling in their catch, each moment was filled with excitement and anticipation. Kayaking offered another chance for exploration and adventure as the children navigated the tranquil waters along Dorset's coastline. With each paddle stroke, they gained a deeper appreciation for the beauty of the natural world around them, forging memories that will last a lifetime.

As the week drew to a close, it was clear that the Prep 6 Cumulus Trip had been a resounding success. Not only had the children conquered physical challenges and embraced new experiences, but they had also formed bonds that would last far beyond their time in Dorset. The laughter, the shared triumphs, and the moments of sheer joy were testament to the incredible journey they had undertaken together.

As they bid farewell to Dorset and returned home, the children of Prep 6 carried with them a newfound sense of confidence, resilience, and adventure. The Cumulus Trip had not only provided them with unforgettable memories but had also equipped them with invaluable life skills that will serve them well in the years to come.

Prep 7's Cumulus Trip: A Week of Adventure and Thrills

This week, Prep 7 embarked on an unforgettable journey filled with excitement and adrenaline as they ventured into the heart of adventure on their Cumulus Trip.

Monday kicked off with an exhilarating surfing experience at The Wave in Bristol. From mastering the art of catching waves to perfecting their balance on the surfboard, the students were in for a day of fun and laughter. Afterward, they headed to a local lake for some refreshing water activities, adding another layer of enjoyment to their day.

Tuesday saw the group diving into the natural wonders of gorge scrambling and caving. Armed with helmets and torches, they navigated through rugged terrain, overcoming obstacles and discovering hidden treasures within the earth's depths.

Wednesday brought them to new heights as they tackled the challenge of climbing Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales. With determination and teamwork, they conquered the ascent, rewarded with breathtaking views from the summit.

Thursday continued the adrenaline rush with a day of climbing and abseiling. Scaling rocky cliffs and descending with controlled precision, the children pushed their limits and embraced the thrill of the vertical world.

As the week drew to a close, Friday offered a more relaxed but equally enjoyable finale with park fun. From games and picnics to laughter and camaraderie, it was the perfect way to reflect on the incredible experiences shared throughout the week.

Throughout the Cumulus Trip, Prep 7 not only immersed themselves in thrilling adventures but also forged lasting memories and friendships. From the rush of surfing to the triumph of summiting Pen y Fan, each day brought new challenges and triumphs, shaping them into resilient and adventurous individuals. As they return home, the children carry with them not only the tangible souvenirs of their journey but also the intangible lessons of perseverance, teamwork, and the joy of embracing new experiences. The Cumulus Trip has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Prep 7, reminding them that the greatest adventures often begin with a single step into the unknown.

Splashing into Summer: Prep 8's Wibit Adventure at Cotswold Lakes

After weeks of diligent preparation and hard work, it was time for Prep 8 children to celebrate the end of their Common Entrance exam week in style. And what better way to mark this milestone than with an exhilarating trip to the Wibit at the Cotswold Lakes? With the sun shining brightly overhead, excitement filled the air as the children arrived at the lakeside venue. Clad in swimsuits and armed with enthusiasm, they eagerly anticipated the aquatic adventure that awaited them.

Navigating the inflatable obstacles of the Wibit proved to be a delightful challenge. From balancing acts on wobbly beams to heart-pounding descents down towering slides, each obstacle provided a thrilling opportunity for the children to test their agility and bravery. Amidst the laughter and cheers, bonds were strengthened as children cheered each other on and shared in the joy of conquering each obstacle. The spirit of camaraderie and teamwork was palpable, creating unforgettable memories that will be cherished for years to come.

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