Last term, children from our school and other schools in Worcestershire, entered a competition to design a flag for the Unlocking The Severn project.

 

There were over 1000 entries and this week we were informed that the winning design came from one of our pupils. A huge well done to Freya Rothery in 6AC, whose design pictured below, will feature on flagpoles along the Severn. Well done Freya!

 

Unlocking The Severn is an ambitious conservation project led by the Canal and River Trust, brand new fish passes have been built around four weirs in the Worcester area to reinstate the migration routes for the Shad, or May Fish as they are commonly known.

 

More information about the Unlocking the Severn Project can be found through their website.

Unlocking The Severn - Our river for people and wildlifeUnlocking the Severn

 

On Monday 25th April, Year 4 travelled to West Malvern for their two night residential at the Boundless Outdoors Centre. Once there, the children were able to take part in a range of activities and learn many new skills – including how to make their own beds! As always, the staff at the centre were knowledgeable, supportive and engaging and the food was delicious. Seeing the children challenge themselves and grow in confidence was wonderful and everyone had a fabulous time – including the Somers Park staff (A special thank you to Mrs Everett, Miss Rowney, Mrs Gough and Mrs Miltiadou for giving up their time). Well done to all the children for conquering fears, making new friends, sharing their ideas and yet again representing Somers Park in such a superb way.

Mrs Black and Miss Cecil.

 

A West Malvern Review

‘When we first arrived we were shown which dorms we would be sleeping in (there were boys rooms and girls rooms) and then put into our day groups for activities where we were all mixed together. Each group did different activities on each day. In group one, our first activity was archery where we learned to load an arrow and shoot a bow – some people even hit a bullseye! Then we did the king swing which is a massive swing that goes through the trees. It was really high up but amazing to do. In the evening we did the low rope which were really good fun. We worked in pairs and had to ‘spot’ each other doing the superman or ninja squirrel pose. One of the best parts was the waffle net but the monkey bars were really tough. Another group did the punch trail where we got to explore the grounds and learn to read maps.

 

On day two it was Iron Age day where we did lots of Iron Age activities. We made roundhouses with wattle and daub – lots of us forgot to leave a door but our villages were good. We made pots out of clay which we got to take home and we also tried Iron Age stew which didn’t have potatoes because there weren’t any back then. The most exciting part was our hill battle, where we ran up the ramparts on British camp (which was really hard) and then got to paint our faces and be Romans or Celts and have a big battle. Some of us even got to beat the teachers- it was lots of fun!

Before we went home on day three, we did crate stacking where we pulled ropes and had to balance on a tower like Jenga. After that, we did the zip wire which was 60 metres tall! It was so fast it was almost like flying. It was kind of scary because it was so high up but really exciting.

We all loved the food – especially getting to choose our meals and the cake we had before story time in the evening. Boundless Outdoors was the best experience we’ve ever had. The activities were super exciting and all the staff were really helpful and kind.’

 

By Noah, Oliver, Indigo and Megan (4JB)

 

Our residential to West Malvern

‘On Monday 25^th April, Year 4 travelled up to West Malvern. We started our trip by walking up the steep road to get to Boundless Outdoors, were really a tired when we got up there.                                When we arrived they kindly greeted us by showing us around and told us the important rules.      The first thing they told us where our rooms were and.  We put our bags in our room and then went to the V.I.P room so we could find out what we would be doing during our stay.

 

The first activity group we did was crate stacking and the king swing, Group 4 did the zip wire and group 1 did archery. After the activities we went outside to have lunch outside and free time where we could play outside or be in our dorms. We really challenged ourselves during the activities and encouraged each other to face our fears!

 

On day two, we began the day with walking up to British Camp for an Iron Age Battle. We split into two teams, the Romans and the Celts, it was really fun! In the afternoon, we made Iron Age pottery and made a roundhouse in teams using the wattle and daub technique. To finish the day, we all sat round the camp fire and tasted some Iron Age Stew, it was delicious and some of us went back for more.

Our trip to West Malvern was brilliant and it taught us how to challenge ourselves and work well in a team and become more confident!’

By Holly Smith, Beatrix Harmer and Stella Gurney

 

‘I liked conquering my fears on the zip line.’ Raffy

 

‘I smashed creating fire twice with flint, steel and cotton wool!’ James

 

‘I enjoyed archery because it was challenging and we got to use a bow and arrow.’ Jamie

 

‘I had a brilliant time at Bounless Outdoors. I liked the king swing and crate stacking the most.’ Morgan

 

‘I really enjoyed conquering my fear of heights on the zip wire and I also loved the food.’ Hattie

 

A little message from Mr Hansen

Residential visits can only take place if school staff give up their own time. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Black, Miss Cecil, Mrs Everett, Miss Rowney, Mrs Gough and Mrs Miltiadou for staying away with the Year 4 children. An additional thanks to Mrs Russell who joined the trip one evening to read a bedtime story!

 

On Monday 25th April, Year 2 children from both of our sites came together to meet some Guide Dogs and learn about the amazing work they do. Volunteers from 'The Guide Dogs for the Blind' visited school and told us about the everyday difficulties blind people face and the difference Guide Dogs make to their life. Did you know a Guide Dog starts it's training at around 6 weeks old?

 

Year 2 are going to collect used stamps to help raise money for the Guide Dogs for the Blind charity.

 

If you have any used stamps, please give them to a Year 2 teacher or drop them into either of our school offices.

 

‘I had to use a white stick to walk to the door wearing a blindfold. It felt really scary not been able to see and I noticed that I used my sense of hearing more.’ Alfie P

 

‘The puppies were really well behaved and sat and listened to Mrs Emberlin throughout their visit. My dogs can't sit still for one second!’ Caius

 

‘It was interesting seeing the gadgets available to support blind people in the home. I liked watching Billie trying to pour water into a mug. She couldn't see because she was wearing a blindfold, the gadget made a loud beep when it was full which made me jump!’ Chloe

 

‘I enjoyed when some of us got to try out wearing a blindfold and try some everyday activities to see how tricky it was when you can’t see. Also, I enjoyed learning all about how our different senses like touch and vibrations can help.’ Henrietta

 

‘I learned that guide dogs had to be trained for at least 2 years and that people that couldn’t have a guide dog can use a cane. It was interesting to find out about the gadgets that can help blind people.’ Rose

 

‘It was great listening to our visitor tell us all about training a guided dog. I didn’t know that you couldn’t disturb them while they are working.’Inaayah
 

‘It was fun using the gadget to measure water level. I couldn't see when I poured the water but the loud beep told me when to stop!’ Billee

 

‘It was interesting learning about how the dogs are trained. Did you know, they can find an empty seat on a train or bus? I'm going to save stamps to help the charity.’ Sonny