Sunshine, Snowdrops and Spring Lambs!

Whatever the weather, everyday is an outdoor education opportunity for our Copthill Learners. Snow showers were no exception recently and proved an invaluable investigative experience as our Lower School children learnt about changes in matter from solids, liquids and gases in a short few hours as blizzards brought freshly fallen snow that quickly melted into puddles and evaporated in the spring sunshine. Fortunately, there was enough time before the snow disappeared for snowball fights, snowmen and sculptures, snow angels, skating, sledging and general frivolity in true Copthill style.

The enquiring minds of our Reception children were very apparent during our recent trip to the Genevers’ farm in Uffington. They learnt all about the life cycles of cattle and sheep, together with the processes of local farming. We were proud of the questions our children asked the farmers and the interest that they showed. The opportunity for them to witness the birth of a new born lamb was so magical and a definite “awe and wonder” moment that will last in their memories forever. What could possibly be more beautiful than fields of frolicking lambs in paddocks fringed with daffodils?

Reception topics this term involved an under the sea theme, including investigations into a variety of sea creatures from around the world. Our underwater themed sea cave play areas were particularly popular and our regular trips to the library for our sea creature research were very informative. Sharks were a very popular topic and “Commotion in the Ocean” by Giles Andreae a favourite book. The “Happy to be me!” topic embraced diversity and culture throughout the world and helped us all to reflect upon our families, friends and how each and every one of us is special and unique.

Year 1 children have been very industrious this term and enjoyed their “Happily ever after” topic including an immersive experience about a day in a fairytale castle. Teachers welcomed a variety of different characters into school that morning as the children came dressed as their favourite fairytale personality. There were knights, princesses, dragons and trolls, to name just a few. During their day the children made magic potions, soaps and decorated cakes. They made leather bookmarks, wrote with quills, learnt about jousting and even had a chance to partake in a little bit of juggling! The children really enjoyed painting with watercolours and created some magnificent castle masterpieces and woven fairytale frogs.

Another engaging topic was all about explorers. The children learnt about the English explorer Ranulph Fiennes which culminated in a personal message from the man himself, together with one from a grandfather of a Year 1 pupil who had been involved in one of his expeditions in the past! What a special and rare opportunity! It was lovely to see a beautiful River Nile display in each of the classrooms too. The children really enjoyed learning about Nile crocodiles and “killer worms”.

Year 2 started the term with a topic on famous people. They studied Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II, investigating their influence as leaders. A trip to the Space Centre in Leicester gave the children an insight into the universe and how space travel has advanced and developed over the years.

They have been enjoying their current topic “Inter-Nation Media Station,” a fascinating study of how news and messages are shared around the world. The children have been creating their own news bulletins and discussing how messages are relayed through television, radio and in the newspaper. The history of messages was investigated and our Year 2 pupils were intrigued with the use of smoke signals and carrier pigeons. How did we ever manage without text messages and the internet? Morse code and the semaphore alphabet were enthusiastically practised - decoding secret messages and writing their names was great fun! The children were particularly keen to create their own unique Year 2 code using Skittles and Smarties sweets. We all wish that we had been there to help them taste test that code! After carefully reading and studying newspaper articles, watching Newsround and Newsbites, the children collaborated to create their own newspaper articles which were read out to the staff. Year 2, you show incredible Copthill Learner attributes!

Our Lower School children have all had an incredibly successful, adventurous and fulfilling term. Thank you to the incredible staff for the exciting learning opportunities, enthusiasm and hard work and to our parents for your support and encouragement. The Lower School staff and children would like to wish everyone a happy and restful Easter holiday.