PP2’s volcanoes
PP2 had a fantastic Literacy lesson where they had to read carefully and follow instructions to create an erupting volcano. Working in teams the children did a brilliant job making their volcanoes and then mixing baking soda, washing up liquid, vinegar and food colouring to make lava. They then poured vinegar in and stood back to watch the eruption. There was some spectacular lava and the children were excited to see that their hard work paid off. Parents, watch out as the children might be looking in your kitchen cupboards so they can try making erupting volcanoes at home!
PP1 learn about carnivorous plants!
On Monday 10th November, Pre-Prep were treated to a talk about Carnivorous Plants. We learned about how these plants catch their food and even about plants that live on the Yorkshire Moors! We also discovered that the one of the plants could grow as tall as a full grown man. Finally we were lucky to see a Venus Fly Trap in action with a live demonstration.
Children in Need
The whole of school was packed full of superheroes on Friday to raise money for Children in Need, nowhere more so than in Pre-Prep. Our youngest pupils particularly enjoyed Mrs Feeley’s Super TA costume – complete with tinsel clad pants and rubber gloves – as she prepared to “tackle anything on the mean streets of Cundall!”. We also held a competition to design a funky pair of superhero pants. There were some fantastic designs including plenty of sparkle and style. The winner of the competition was Alexander Reid with his ‘mince pie boy’ creation. The Pre-Prep children enjoyed a Children in Need assembly where they learnt about where the money they raised would go and PP2 counted the money to give a grand total of £141 to add to the superb total already raised by Form 6 (see below). Again, we would like to congratulate the Form 6 pupils for their excellent concert in aid of Children in Need. Led by fundraising veteran Henry Calvert, the Form 6 pupils treated their evening audience of family and friends to a delightful programme of song, dance, drama and poetry. Many parents had very generously contributed to the wonderful hampers that were raffled on the night. Thank you to everyone who supported our various Children in Need activities this year; we are delighted to announce that the total banked now stands at £1368.74.
Pre-Prep’s Halloween transformation
Pre-Prep children arrived on the last day of the half term to a big surprise. Mrs Feeley and Mrs Majewski had transformed the Pre-Prep main building into a Halloween extravaganza with pumpkins, cauldrons, giant spiders and spooky ghosts! The children then had great fun playing games, decorating biscuits and listening to spooky stories. The highlight was to make your teacher into a mummy game where the children raced to cover their teacher in toilet roll to look like a mummy. The poor teacher’s couldn’t even see by the end of it, but the children all thought it was hilarious, especially Mrs Weber and Mrs Living who were wrapped together! It was a lovely way to round off the half term and to celebrate the hard work of the children in Pre-Prep.
PP2’s Good Work Assembly
PP2 shared their fabulous work during PP2 Good Work Assembly. They told their parents and the other Pre-Prep pupils about Big Write and how they use VCOP (Vocabulary, connectives, openers and punctuation) to help them become amazing authors. The children use ‘Writing superheroes’ and Sophia Dallas gave a superb performance as Victoria Visualiser who helps the children add interesting vocabulary to their writing. PP2 shared some Maths games that help them to become speedy when working out calculations mentally. Finally the children shared their topic work from this term’s topic about the Island of Coll. This work included map work, work on weather and some detailed portraits of Mary Queen of Scots who they have been learning about in History. Good Work assembly was rounded off with a rocking performance from EYFS who had made their own musical instruments this week. They rocked out to a bit of Status Quo. The teachers, particularly Mrs Living, really got into the swing of it! Well done to PP2 and EYFS.
PP2 Explore Ripley Castle
Last Tuesday PP2 went to Ripley Castle. The children wanted to find out all about the castle so they could compare it with the castle on the island of Coll which they have been learning about. We were given a fascinating tour of the castle and the children particularly enjoyed going through a secret door and climbing up some step spiral stone steps to a room full of armour. Here they were lucky enough to try on a gauntlet which was made in the armouries of Henry VIII. We also found out about the family coat of arms and why it shows a wild boar. In the afternoon the children braved the rain to go on a walk through the grounds to create their own journey stick. They enjoyed searching for objects to attach to their sticks which would remind them of their journey. On their return to school the children used their journey sticks to create linear maps as part of our map making work in Geography.
Pre-Prep Playtimes
This term we are putting out different activities each week to make playtimes exciting for the children. Last week the Pre-Prep children had lots of fun at playtime learning to build walls. They know how to make the cement mix, use a trowel and build a strong wall. The children can carry the bricks safely and always remember to wear hard hats and high vis vests!
PP1 visit Beningbrough Castle
On Monday 6th October PP1 went back in time to Beningbrough Hall to learn about the Great Fire of London. First they had a tour around the hall from Samuel Pepys’ maid called Jane. They then heard extracts from Samuel Pepys’ diary and even had the chance to try on some Samuel Pepys style wigs! Afterwards the children had a go at creating their own Fire of London pictures using pastels. After lunch they practised drawing their own portraits of Samuel Pepys’s and then wrote diaries just like Samuel Pepys would have done using a quill and ink. Despite all the rain PP1 had a fantastic day and showed plenty of enthusiasm for experiencing life in 1666!
PP1 visit Ripon Fire Station
On Monday 29th September PP1 had a great time visiting Ripon Fire Station. The fire fighters kindly gave the group a talk about fire safety and showed them the four different fire engines that are kept at the station. During our visit the children learned about the job of a fire fighter and how to keep safe at home by using smoke alarms. They all got the chance to sit in a fire engine, look at the breathing apparatus and try on some of the uniform. To end the visit, PP1 all had a go at pretending to put out a fire using the hose from a fire engine. It was a very enjoyable and informative trip.
Pre-Prep Football
On Thursday 2nd October PP2 travelled to Highfield to play a much anticipated football match. The children all played with determination and demonstrated some great team work to win two matches, draw one and lose one narrowly, making them overall winners. They also took part in some football skills activities which were great fun. After the matches the children enjoyed meeting new friends at match tea and returned home full of stories about their first match for Cundall.