A Very Creative Way To Explore Tables

Children in Congo Class have been investigating the patterns made by different times tables, using a 10-point circle. They made points on the circle for each ‘ones digit’ up to twelve, then joined up the points. The patterns made are incredibly interesting, and helped us the see some connections between different tables. What amazing work you’ve all done!

World Mental Health Day

Congo Class children have been celebrating World Mental Health day by creating dances to show different scenarios, reflecting feelings of worry or anxiety, which might be natural when we go through change. The children have worked hard on varying the dynamics to show moods. Great work, Congo Class!

Forest School – Tuesday 24th May 2022

We have had such a fantastic time participating in Forest Schools this half-term and today was particularly fun! Despite the weather, we had a still great time (and Mrs Bishop managed to keep our fire going)! We spent time playing and then took turns to whittle a piece of hazel, wrap dough around the hazel and then bake our bread on the fire. It was delicious, especially with golden syrup on the middle! Such a lovely end to our wonderful Forest School sessions!

How Cool is your Drink?

Children in Congo Class have had an amazing day, evaluating, planning and making their own soft drinks!  After discussing a few fizzy drink adverts on YouTube, they decided they could do better. What amazing ideas you all had, and well done with the language you used when you evaluated commercial drinks. Some of you even went a bit further, designing packaging for your drinks. Well done, all. 

Congo Homework Project

A massive well done to Congo Class children (and their families) for a 100% amazing turnout in their recent homework project – to make a model volcano, with written information. 
We had such a variety of volcanoes. Some ‘worked’ with vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, some were edible (one had icing made with tomato ketchup) and many were detailed cross-sections.

I was so impressed with the way children explained to the class how they completed their projects, and also with the way they talked to Colorado class, when they came to visit our ‘Volcano Museum’. 

Congo Class residential, day 3

Today, our last day, we were greeted with rain; cold rain. Still, I think everyone had had a decent night’s sleep, and was looking forward to the final day, despite the weather. 

Packing to go home really is the hardest thing, especially if you’re only eight. But, with the help of a few really awesome lads who, not only packed themselves up very quickly, but also helped carry other people’s luggage to the storage points, the job soon got done.  

After another delicious cooked breakfast, we set off for our final activities; team games and the Super Swing. The Swing involved being harnessed and hard-hatted (again), and was not for everyone. However, everyone loved running up to the viewpoint in the shelter, and watching children’s faces, as a strange 3-person contraption swung through the clearing in the forest. Apologies for the lack of photos; the school camera memory card was full!

To finish, we played an intriguing team game involving squares and trapdoors. That’s when the sun finally began to shine. In between activities, we sneaked in for a quick, warming hot chocolate, which hit the spot perfectly. 

After a nippy, but yummy, pit stop (homemade pizzas), it was time to say goodbye and thank you to everyone. The entire Hilltop team was so complimentary about everybody. ‘You are all such a great school’ Mrs Tooley and I heard, time and time again. 

We are all so proud of you, Congo Class, for being a real credit to us all. We hope you all had a fantastic time, and will take home some great memories. 

Many thanks to everybody who made this (the first of many, we hope) happen.