Who would have believed that a Year 4/5 class would be able to make such original, creative and diverse Greek urns as these? Well done! Once we had learned what these urns were used for (any kind of carrying and storage, basically), we then set about learning, firstly, the pinch pot technique and secondly, the coil technique. We could see how the coil technique took a lot longer and was fiddlier, but it made our pots so much more rigid. We had some great shaping from all of you – and some of you even added handles to your urns. We then used imagery from genuine Greek urns to find out more about everyday life in Greece, learning about issues as diverse as Slavery, the Role of Women and Leisure and Pleasure in Greek Society. We realised what a sophisticated society the Greek people were.
Classes
Congo Class Art
Children in Congo Class have been looking at work by the American hyperrealist Dennis Wojtkiewicz, who made detailed studies of the cross-sections of fruit. Children explored the texture and composition of pieces of fruit and vegetables, sketching them, and then making them larger than life. They then made printing blocks and created their own hyperrealist imagery. Great work, Congo Class.
National Poetry Day
For National Poetry Day, Congo Class listened to a range of raps, then worked collaboratively on their own. We created a chorus with good rhythm, then chose a verse each, in groups, on the theme of Harvest. We were so pleased with our rap that we recited it at the church for our harvest festival. Well done, Congo Class. What do you think?
Ruby Attends Children’s Parliament As Part Of COP26
We offer our congratulations to Ruby who was nominated to participate in the Children’s Parliament as part of the lead up to COP26 on Friday 28th October. Ruby is keenly interested in politics and, as a passionate environmental campaigner, is also a member of our Eco Committee. She was nominated to sit as the member for North Ipswich and Mid Suffolk (the seat currently held by Dr Daniel Poulter MP). The event was due to be hosted by Sir David Ames MP, so started with a tribute to his work helping establish the Children’s Parliament. An introduction was also made by both Prime Minister Johnson, and the Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle. The formal debate was wide-ranging and the contributions made by the members (who ranged in age from 7 to 13) were extremely informed, passionate and impressive. A vote was taken on which issues were the most pressing for young people and the Parliament voted that the need to reduce the use of carbon was their prime concern – this will now be relayed to representatives attending the Climate Change Conference in Glasgow at COP26.
If you would like to watch the debate in full, it can be accessed here: https://youtu.be/bQnb4Mb8R0Q
Well done Ruby.
Football Tournament
Well done to the 12 Year 5 and 6 children who took part in the Football Tournament in Hartismere. The whole team really enjoyed themselves and showed admirable resilience, commitment and sportsmanship despite finishing ‘second’ in each of their games! As we kept on telling ourselves—it’s the taking part that counts!
Cross-Country Success at Mellis
Well done Nancy, Sonny and Liam who came second, fourth and fifth in their year groups. The three will now proceed to the Cross-Country County Finals which takes place in the Spring. Indeed, well done to all the children who raced around the (very) long course on Mellis Common last Friday. All the children in Yangtze and Congo classes took part and great resilience and determination was shown by all. Some opted to take part in the fun run (which was also over a long-distance) and others took part in the competitive course, which was slightly longer again.
