Small Schools' Netball Champions!

This afternoon saw our mixed netball team take part in the small schools' competition at Stradbroke High School. The commitment and effort of the children and coaches clearly paid off with the team winning all six of their matches without conceding! That is a truly remarkable feat - well done.

It was lovely to see their smiling faces on their return - big thanks to everyone involved.

Writer of the Week

Wall of Fame

Suffolk Sporting Primary School of the Year - Runners Up

Last night a group of staff from the school attended the Suffolk Sports Awards 2013 held at Trinity Park, Ipswich. Earl Soham were nominated in the final three for 'The Healthy Ambitions Primary School of the Year Award'. The title was awarded to Halifax Primary School (Ipswich) but it is a tremendous achievement for the school to recognised for its efforts in providing such a range of sporting activities and competitions for the children to access. So, whilst slightly disappointed its important to reflect on what an achievement this is, for the 2nd year in succession, for the school. Ultimately, the school is determined to continue in ensuring that its sporting provision enables all children of all ages the opportunities which they deserve.

So, thank you to absolutely everyone in our school community who have supported us in so many ways.

Cross Country Final @ Mellis

Yesterday afternoon seven of our children participated in the next round of the cross country competition. The venue was Mellis Common on what can only be described as a typical autumnal day. Progressing to this stage is an achievement in itself and the children can be rightly proud of their individual performances which, as you can see from the pictures below, were full of a delightful blend of determination and enthusiasm!

Children in Need

Today, to raise money for Children in Need, pupils and staff were invited to come to school in their pyjamas and/or wacky hats and spotty clothes. We saw a wonderful array of interesting outfits, including one-derful onesies, weird wigs and glamorous glasses.



The children laid a copper trail around the school, and the school council collected donations. Thank you for all your donations. We will announce the grand total of moneys raised as soon as we have finished counting it all, so check back soon.

Writer of the Week

Wall of Fame

Earl Soham Remembers

This morning, with the bells of St. Mary's Church still ringing, the whole school gathered on the playground to participate in an act of remembrance. The bells then fell silent as everyone observed two minutes' silence.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

During lunchtime, a group of Year 6 children visited the church and then paid their respects by laying remembrance crosses at the village memorial.

Happy 40th Birthday Mr Pearce

Today our headteacher, Mr Pearce, celebrated his 40th Birthday. An important milestone year such as this needs to be recognised and he was surprised in this morning's assembly by the gifts of a cake and balloon from the children and a lovely set of cufflinks from the staff.

Happy Birthday Mr Pearce!

Visit from a Feathered Friend

This Wednesday we were joined by a very special visitor from Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, Rascal. We learnt all about the great work that is done to look after owls there and some amazing facts. Did you know, for example, that there are an estimated 100,000 breeding pairs of tawny owls in Britain, compared to just 4,000 pairs of barn owls, yet we hardly ever see them. The barn owl which is crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) is much more likely to be spotted than its nocturnal relatives.

Thank you to Suffolk Owl Sanctuary for taking the time to come and visit us. 

Writer of the Week

Wall of Fame

Suffolk Sporting Primary School of the Year Nomination

We were delighted to hear the news earlier today that the school has been shortlisted in the final three for the prestigious 'Healthy Ambitions Suffolk Primary school of the Year Award'.

Their description of our school (based on last year) reads:
Earl Soham Community Primary school started the academic year with 64 pupils on roll. This did not deter them from continuing to provide a wide range of extra curricular activities nor entering many of the School Games competitions. The commitment of staff and parents enabled the pupils to qualify for an unprecedented 5 county finals, the highlights of these being the School Games Festival in Bury St Edmunds where the school finished 5th in the swimming and remained unbeaten in Netball. All children have access to sporting activities with participation levels high in the many after school clubs offered. The whole school sports day continued the ethos of the Olympics with participation and enjoyment working alongside teamwork, respect, determination and commitment. The children’s achievements both within school and outside of the school environment are recognised and celebrated at the schools ‘sharing assembly’ with the parents every Friday morning. What the school has achieved, considering it’s size, is phenomenal. 

A big thank you for the nomination and for everyone's continued support in enabling the children to have the opportunities to take part in so many different sporting activities.
The awards ceremony takes place at Trinity Park, Ipswich, during the evening of Friday 15th November. Fingers crossed!

The Great Storm - guest posts by Bella and Matty, year five

Bad news - A few days ago we were listening to bbc radio 2 and heard that there was a storm dew very soon. Now you may think we always have storms but this was not going to be any ordinary storm though. The weather predictors forecasted it to be like the storm of 1988. That storm brung down trees, made houses sway and even killed people!
This storm was just the same. Trees fell down, houses swayed and people died. At dunwich heath they lost power for a day and the woodland areas were cut of to anybody because the trees had become dangerous. My best friend lost her power for roughly a week! She said one thing that may become a famous quote one day that sentence was “that was the most BORING day of my life!” Anyway the storms over now and everyone in this school is ok.
            
by Bella

The windy weather.
Since Monday morning there has been a massive storm that has blown over cars and trees and has made a lot of damage in very many villages.
Last night there was another big storm but not as big as the one on Monday . In our field there has been a massive Oak tree that has blown over and broken two big fences on either side of the tree; we had to pull it out with the tractor.

By Matty