Whitehall Park Table Top Sale
On Saturday 14th June the Whitehall Park Supporters group, in collaboration with our school, will be holding a table top sale fundraising event. You are very welcome to sell goods or bric or brac or come along and buy items to raise money for our local park. We use Whitehall Park a lot as a school so we would love to raise some funds to help with the upkeep of our wonderful park. We will also be displaying some Easter Art Work in the Rose Garden over the Easter holidays for you to appreciate and enjoy.
Year 6 English - Non Chronological Reports
In English, Year 6 have begun a new unit on non-chronological reports. They watched a video about a sports journalist, who explained the key features of the reports that she writes. The children then had to identify and annotate those key features in an example text. We also looked at relative clauses and “Kung Fu Punctuation” in our grammar session.
Whole School Science Boffin Show- A Whirlwind of Scientific Wonders
The whole school was treated to an unforgettable science show today, delivered by the amazing Science Boffin Katja. Katja started with demonstrating the incredible power of polymers with slush powder, turning liquid into gel. The highlight for many was the "Elephant Toothpaste" experiment, which created a mountain of foam in seconds! This spectacular display showcased an exothermic reaction in a way that truly captured everyone's attention. Katja also explained the essential Fire Triangle (fuel, heat, and oxygen) and demonstrated a controlled fire experiment, teaching us about the science behind combustion. The wonders of air pressure and fluid dynamics were unveiled with a mesmerising demonstration using a hairdryer, balloons, and a foam ball. By generating a powerful column of air, Katja made the objects appear to float, illustrating Bernoulli's principle and leaving students amazed. Naomi, our science Ambassador assisted Katja with this. The latex glove was used in more than one experiment, and was used to show how gases expand. Katja, with Miss Wilkinson's assistance, demonstrated the dramatic effects of gas production using a simple latex glove. As the chemical reaction progressed, the increasing carbon dioxide within the glove caused a noticeable pressure build-up, inflating it and making it firm to the touch. Latex, being inherently limited in its ability to withstand extreme pressure, would stretch beyond its elastic capacity. This continuous stretching, coupled with the weakening effects of the reaction's byproducts and moisture, would eventually lead to the glove becoming brittle and 'crumbling,' visually illustrating the material's breakdown under the stress of the expanding gas.Now, 'Henry' the glove has taken up residence in our school. Science ambassador Noah and Poppy, with a gas blower, demonstrated a captivating toilet roll trick, visually illustrating Bernoulli's principle; by directing a powerful airflow through the center of the suspended toilet roll, they created a region of low pressure, causing the surrounding higher-pressure air to stabilize the roll within the airstream, leaving the children amazed at how the roll appeared to defy gravity. The show sparked a flurry of brilliant questions from our inquisitive students, including Leonora, Elijah, Mason, and Darcy. Their thoughtful inquiries were a testament to their genuine love of learning and the power of hands-on science, truly living life in all its fullness through exploration and discovery. A huge thank you to Science Boffin Katja for bringing science to life in such an engaging and memorable way!
Year 5 English - “The Invention of Hugo Cabret”
In English, year 5 have been looking at the text “The Invention of Hugo Cabret.” They have been doing lots of partner work and class discussions, sharing ideas for writing. The focus has been fronted adverbials with -ing openers to describe settings and characters. We can see already that the children’s independent writing for this unit is going to be fantastic!
Year 5 Bikeability
Year 5 have been taking part in Bikeability sessions, where they have learned: how to correctly wear their helmet; how to make sure their bike is road-worthy; how to ride with confidence and control and how to ride their bike safely on the road.
Reception: Muddy Monday
The children explored Jack Keys for their Muddy Monday session. They enjoyed a walk, built sculptures, built a den, balanced on natural materials and collectively walked 58km to add to our CAFOD Big Lent Walk. Well done!
Mad Science After-School Club- Where's the Air?
Our last Science Club session was an exciting exploration of the invisible yet powerful world of air pressure. Our future scientists conducted fascinating experiments that revealed how air behaves in different conditions. They watched in amazement as foam imploded, demonstrating the effects of changing air pressure, and saw marshmallows expand when placed in a vacuum. One of the most exciting moments was watching balloons inflate on their own, involving chemical reactions and pressure differences. By the end of the session, the children gained a new appreciation for the air around us, something we can’t see but is constantly shaping our world in incredible ways.
Year 5 - Easter Artwork
Year 5 have been exploring Jesus’ victory during this period leading up to Easter. Through discussions and reflections, the children considered how Christ’s triumph brings hope and light into the world, overcoming sadness and darkness. They then expressed their understanding through artwork, using contrasting colours to depict the cross as a symbol of victory against a dark background. Each piece powerfully represented the message of hope, reinforcing the significance of Easter in the Christian faith.
Year 5 - Gaelic Football
Year 5 had their final session on Gaelic football, putting all their hard work and effort into action during competitive game situations. Throughout the sessions, they have developed their skills, teamwork and understanding of the game, finishing with an exciting and well-played final match. Well done to everyone for their dedication and enthusiasm!
Year 3- English- Semantic Mapping
Today, the children began their new unit by working in small groups to create semantic maps for the word biography. They explored synonyms, defined the term, identified key events to include, and discussed people they could write about. This collaborative activity helped them develop a deeper understanding of what makes a compelling biography. Over the coming weeks, they will build on this as they work towards writing a biography on David Attenborough.
Year 3- The Big Lent Walk
This afternoon, Year 3 walked 2.7 miles, embracing the journey of living life in all its fullness. Along the way, we engaged with our spirituality windows, mirrors, and doors concept, gaining new perspectives, reflecting on our own experiences, and considering how we can make a difference. Through our actions, we not only contributed to a great cause but also felt a deep sense of achievement. We stopped by the graveyard to remember the lives lost, taking a moment to reflect and feel thankful.
Year Prayer and Singing Worship
What an uplifting and joyous way to start a Monday morning practising 'When I think about the cross' and the new upbeat Easter song from Pop Uk called 'He is alive'. We loved putting our own actions to the song and Year 6 modelled enthusiastically at the front, encouraging everyone to join in. We also introduced the Year of Prayer in classes for this week which involves everyone eating hot cross buns, which Mrs Ham brought in. We then said had our special Year of Prayer prayer for this week which thanked Jesus for praying for us just before he died and for always loving us and being there to hear our prayers.