Olympic Torch Relay Begins...

This afternoon there was great excitement as the TMHS pyramid Olympic Torch Relay set off from Easton Primary School. The whole of Earl Soham, plus Year 3 & 4 from Eastom were present to see the torch handed over (to our youngest and oldest pupils) in style, having been delivered by what can best be described as a very large red tractor! The torch (see below) was designed and created by pupils at Easton Primary School. Over the next few days, the torch will be transported to Charsfield, Dennington, SRH Framlingham and finally ending up in Wickham Market on the 'official' torch day - Thursday 5th July.

There followed an afternoon of sporting activities between the Year 3 and 4 children from both schools which appeared to epitomise the true Olympic spirit.

Crucial Crew

Following our success at rounders, we made a mad dash to Stowmarket for our Crucial Crew workshop, in which the children learnt some important safety lessons, including what to do in an emergency situation; how to prevent fires in the home; staying safe on the road; and how to keep their hands clean! After learning that one square inch of skin on your hand can house up to a billion bacteria, I'm sure they will all be washing very thoroughly in future!

Rounders Success: A Winning Combination!

This morning, the rounders team set off to Hartismere High School, Eye, to defend our title for the small schools Rounders Tournament. Last year we had come joint first, and this year we were determined to bring back the trophy.

We played a total of five games, against Wilby, Wortham, Dennington and Gislingham 1 and 2. The children played superbly, quickly sussing out the strengths and weaknesses of their opposition and playing a tactical game. Thanks to some excellent rounders and lots of half-rounders, we came out of each game we played victorious, often getting so many of the opposing team out that they ended up with a negative score. Some wonderful bowls, throws and catches from bowler, backstop and 2nd base, meant the other teams had little chance to score.

I was so proud of all of them when it was announced that they had won the tournament by a very convincing 12 points. Unfortunately, the school who had the trophy last year (and never passed it on to us, despite being joint first!) were not represented this year, so we were not able to bring the trophy home with us. I am assured, however, that we will receive it shortly. Maybe it will give us time to buy a trophy cabinet to house it in!

Year 5 Crystal Maze and Orienteering

Earlier today, Year 5 children from the Debenham High School Pyramid met up at Stonham Aspal for a day ouf outdoor activities. Fortunatelly, for this re-arranged event, the weather was kind and the children were all in good spirits.
The morning was spent undertaking a series of team challenges, many of them involving water, to earn as many crystals as possible. Teamwork was the ultimate skill (as well as a b it of thinking) to being successful.
The afternoon was spent orienteering around the school site. The children had to read a map to find letters which were the answers to multiple choice questions at each base. Once all the letters had been found, the letters needed to be sorted into a word which actually exists!

It was great to see children from the six schools working so well together and also behaving exceptionally well.

Summer Play Rehearsals

Rehearsals for this year's production, All Aboard the SS Galaxy are well under way, and I thought I'd share some highlights from the show to whet your appetites. Letters will be going out soon to book tickets, so keep the production dates free in your diaries: Tuesday 17th July (6pm) and Wednesday 18th July (1:30pm and 6pm).

Hustle and Bustle in the Conservation Area

It's that time of year again when the conservation area is buzzing (literally) with life. Enjoy a few snapshots of the many species of bee, bug, fly, and even a frog, that visit or have made their homes in this little corner of our school.

Year Five Concert at Thomas Mills

Yesterday evening, after several weeks of hard work, ten pupils in year five joined their peers from Wickham Market, Charsfield, Dennington and Sir Robert Hitcham (Framlingham) for a short concert to celebrate the Olympics in London. The children were joined by a selection of the Thomas Mills Orchestra and the Chamber Choir. It was a lovely evening, which I am sure those of you who were there will agree was a lot of fun. If you couldn't make it along to watch the concert, I hope you will enjoy listening to the recordings I made.

You can find them by following this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wt8rvqsi398qicy/SoSpOc2FnO where the files can be downloaded for playing on your computer. Feel free to forward the link to friends and relatives who missed it.

Year 5 & 6 Mini Olympics

This morning, children in Years 5 & 6 took part in the latest mini Olympics event at Debenham High School. This had a slightly different format to previous events with the children choosing one individual event (high jump, long jump, javelin or 75m sprint) and one team event (handball, tag rugby or hockey). For the team events, all of the different schools were mixed together to create the teams.
Fortunately, the rain held off and everyone appeared to have a great time. A number of individual and team medals were won and a number of wrist bands were given to children for their efforts and attitude.

Worlingworth Football Tournament - Runners Up

Earlier today, Earl Soham took part (for the first time ever) in the Worlingworth Fete 5-a-side Football Tournament.

During a rather windy afternoon, victories were accomplished against Wilby (A and B), Dennington, Worlingworth and Easton. When added to a defeat against Bedfield, Earl Soham picked up a total of 15 points in qualifying, meaning that they progressed to the final.

In a very tense and hard-fought final, Easton ran out the victors with a 1 - 0 victory, courtesy of a fantastic strike. However, the Earl Soham boys can hold their heads high with a hard afternoon's work resulting in a thoroughly deserved silver medal.

I

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Creating the Fete Banner

This morning, the children who entered the 'Create a Fete Banner' competition, saw their designs become reality. We walked through the village to 'Ashwell Signs' where we were greeted by Nick Ashwell who had uploaded the designs onto a computer to create a final design which contained something from everyone's initial ideas.
With a flick of a switch, the large printing machine leapt into life and gradually the banner was produced. Mr Ashwell had kindly produced a magnet of the design for every child to take home. We look forward to seeing the banner outside the school early next week!

Thorpe Woodlands Adventure Day

This morning, year six pupils set out, with their friends from Helmingham and Bedfield, to Thorpe Woodlands, where a day of team challenges and adventurous pursuits awaited them.

After some warm-up games, the children were divided into four groups and each set off to the first of their three activities, which included Team Challenge and Low Ropes, Big Swing, Caving, Climbing and Canoeing.

Highlights of the day for me consisted of:

• finding out in the team challenge that I needed two other people to balance me on the see-saw;
• getting wedged in a tunnel whilst caving;
• and nearly breaking the fan descender (twice).

I have learnt today that:

• it is important to work as a team;
• not to go in the smallest tunnels in a cave;
• it's time to go on a diet!

I consider myself very lucky though, to have spent the day with a great bunch of kids, who threw themselves into the activities (and the river) whole-heartedly. 

One important note for anyone thinking of paying a visit to Thorpe Woodlands: take your lunch in a squirrel-proof bag, as otherwise you will be mugged.

Year 4 mini-Olympics, Thursday 14th June

On a surprisingly bright AND SUNNY  Thursday morning the Year 4 children took part in their mini-Olympics at Debenham. The activities were slightly different to those seen at the previous events, but nonetheless they came back bedecked with medals, just like their predecessors.
Judging by the smiling faces, they all had a great morning. Thank you again to the adults accompanying them.   Well done Year 4.

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Very Hungry Caterpillars!

Earl Soham is taking part in The Butterfly Effect 2012, an educational programme supported by Butterfly Conservation and M&S to get everyone involved in the Big Butterfly Count.

This is a nationwide public survey that will take place from July 14th to August 5th, however, because children are such great spotters, they can start counting from the beginning of July til the end of August.
Keep an eye out in your child's bookbag for their butterfly spotter poster and more information.

Part of this activity also means having our own butterfly garden hatching kit and our 'very hungry caterpillars' arrived yesterday. They are currently cocooned in Mrs Sayer's office, where she will be keeping a watchful eye on them over the next couple of weeks.  Be sure to ask Mrs Sayer how they're getting on, if ever you're in the office.


Once they have become chrysalides, we will transfer them into the Hatching Habitat and wait (anywhere between 7 to 14 days) for the butterflies to emerge.  As soon as all the butterflies have emerged, we will wait for a warm day (may take a while) and release them in the conservation area.


Watch this space for photos of our caterpillar gang as they grow...

                                               ..........not very big at the moment are they?

Susan Webber - Double Olympian

On Thursday 14th June, we were delighted to welcome Mrs Susan Webber to our school. Mrs Webber, Senior Deputy Headteacher at Framlingham College, represented her country (South Africa) at the 2000 (Sydney) and 2004 (Athens) Olympic Games at hockey. She was capped an incredible 153 times for South Africa and captained her country at the 2004 Olympics.

Susan Webber during her final appearance for South Africa against Spain in the 2004 Olympics

Her presentation to the school included the history of the games, going back to Ancient Greece, and the re-introduction of the 'modern' games in 1896 following the efforts of Baron Pierre de Coubertin. Mrs Webber then talked about her personal experiences of life in the Olympic Village, the opening ceremony, partaking in hockey matches and her fond memories.
What was amazing was when she spoke about her introduction to hockey which she played from the age of 6. Mrs Webber explained that she simply 'loved' playing hockey with her friends and that she had an inspirational coach which made her want to play even more.


Mrs Webber, herself, is an inspirational person as well as an athlete. She stressed the importance of playing sport for 'fun' and as a great way of making friends. Her proudest moment was when she was in the South African team which defeated the subsequent gold medallists (Germany) 3 - 0 during the 2004 Olympics.
Her best friend, Pietie Coetzee, will be representing South African in the hockey tournament in the London 2012 Olympics.

Fathers' Day Lunch

Earlier today, we were joined by a number of our parents for our Fathers' Day Lunch. Yet again, Caroline did a fantastic job with the cooking and we were fortunate that the sun shone on us.
It was great to stand back and watch all of the children playing so happily together, parents joining in and all amid a delightful atmosphere.

Designing the Olympic Site

Last week during our Olympic Theme week, the children in Blue Class were set the task of working in teams to design the site for the London Olympics. These photographs show some of their work in progress.

They gave group presentations on Friday to present their ideas and showed some impressive thinking and design skills.

Recordings of our morning performance

In case you missed it, here are some recordings of this morning's performance.

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Wildlife Club

 The children at after school Wildlife Club pictured settling into their willow nest (below) and some rather rowdy hatchlings (above) in need of food!