Some More Photos of our EcoTech Trip

Many thanks to Mr Bosley for sending me the photographs he took on the trip. Here are a sample. All the photographs can be found in our Picasa Webalbum.

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Dental Health Topic - Yellow Class

 
 
On week 3 of our Dental Health Topic Mrs Rice brought some disclosing tablets for us to investigate the two types of plaque we might find on our teeth. It caused great excitement and hilarity when mouths and tongues turned blue! The children then used their own toothbrushes to practice the correct way to clean their teeth, after a demonstration with a gigantic set of teeth!
 
 

Class Visit to the EcoTech Centre

Today, Blue class visited the EcoTech Centre in Swaffham. The children were welcomed with a short video explaining how power has traditionally been produced and some of the ways in which more sustainable alternatives are being sought.

The children then split into two groups. They each took part in a recycling activity in which they had to sort a variety of different types of waste into the correct containers -something which proved more difficult than it first seemed. The other morning activity involved a tour around the Eco-Centre building where they learnt about the importance of using sustainable materials in its construction.

After a short break for lunch, we had the exciting opportunity of climbing to the top of the world's only publicly accessible wind turbine. This meant a climb of some 305 steps, but the view from the top was well worth the effort. The children learnt that a single turbine of the type they climbed was capable of providing power for over 1000 homes. We were surprised by how quiet the turbine was. Even standing right beneath it, the noise from the road several hundred yards away was far louder than the occasional gentle swish of the majestic turbine blades.

The children also had the chance to build their own model wind turbine and test it using a fan. They experimented to see which configuration of turbine blades could generate the highest power output.

Everyone had an enjoyable day, and my only regret is that we didn't have longer to spend there.

Harvest Festival

This morning we made our way to St Mary's Church to celebrate our Harvest Festival. The church was decorated with flowers and produce which had been donated. Mr Pearce gave a welcome speech and talked about why we celebrate harvest, and the children sung some old favourites and some new numbers. Reverend Brian spoke to the children about the importance of harvest and spelt out (literally) why it is so important to share the food we have with others.

If you weren't able to make it to the service, we hope you will enjoy listening to some of the songs and looking through the pictures in this video.
Following on from the service, over 30 grandparents joined us for a delicious Harvest lunch which went down extremely well. One thank you email read...

Thank you so much for such a delightful lunch today, it was absolutely delicious! We were very well looked after and very much enjoyed being shown around by our grandchildren and seeing it all through their eyes – what lucky children to have the opportunity to attend such a great school.

Thank you so much for including the grand-parents in your busy school calendar, it was a charming event and very much appreciated.

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Harvest Fun

In Blue Class this week, to celebrate Harvest, we produced some artwork in the style of Giuseppe Archimboldo. We took our inspiration from this painting of Rudolf II (Holy Roman Emperor) painted as Vertumnus, Roman God of the seasons, c.1590-1.

The children then used a range of locally produced fruit and vegetables, some of which was grown in school, to produce their own versions as a Harvest celebration. 

Their efforts can be seen below - I personally think they did a very good job!

Dental Health Nurse Visit - 2nd Session

This afternoon's session was all about tooth decay. Plaque was described as being 'like a glue stick' almost invisible, but sugar sticks to it really well. The children found out that plaque germs love to eat sugar as it helps to make them grow much faster.

The children looked briefly at brushing teeth (more on this area next week) and how plaque starts to grow one hour after teeth have been brushed - and it grows all day long... The plaque and sugar mix together to create an acid which is not good for teeth!

The children then looked at the importance of healthy snacks between meals which contain no added sugar. Having brought in tins and packets of food, it was amazing for the children to see how many foods have added sugar.A small bottle of 'fizzy cola' contains an incredible 11 teaspoons of sugar!

School Council Elections

Yesterday the school turned out for the 'big vote' to elect a new chairman of the school council. There were only two candidates, so the pressure was on and it was a tense time as the votes were counted, but finally the result was announced in assembly.

As decision was made that although the winner of the vote would become the chairman of the council, the runner up would take on the role of vice-chairman.

Congratulations to both boys, pictured below.

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Dental Health Nurse Visit

This afternoon, Nicki Rice (Dental Health Nurse) joined Yellow Class for the first of three visits. This work is part of the 'Healthy Bodies' topic currently being undertaken by the children. Today's session looked at the teeth in general as part of the skull, what teeth actually do, the different parts of teeth and the different types of teeth that children, adults and animals have.

First Day of Term - Wednesday 7th September

We look forward to welcoming faces old and new to Earl Soham for the first day of the new school year on Wednesday 7th September.