On the 27th September, Yr 3 had a FANTASTIC time at Alnwick Castle. They were finding out about medieval life as part of their Medieval Monsters and Northern Knights topic.
The children soon discovered that making animal fat soap was truly gross! However they really enjoyed making tiles.
Everyone agreed that completing the very scary Dragon's Quest and learning how to attack and defend a castle were the highlights of the day.

Altogether: battle cry!

Aaargh!

Gross soap making!

Tile making

The Ladies of the Court

The Scots storm Alnwick Castle, the English fight back but the Scots succeed and enter the castle.

The children and Mr Stevenson really looked the parts in their costumes.

This term the topic for Year 3 is Medieval Monsters and Northern Knights. To link in with this Molly and Annie will be working with Year 3 on a very creative and wonderful monster making experience over the following 5 weeks.The children will be designing and making monsters which will then be taking part in Gateshead Council's Art Team Juice Festival.

Two teams were taken to Whickham School to participate in a hockey festival against several other schools.
Both teams were excellent and really competitive, demonstrating their skills brilliantly. By the end of the day the Year 4 team had won the bronze medal, whilst the Year 3 team put in a tremendous effort and won the gold medal.
A great day was had by all pupils.

On Monday 20th June children from year 3 and 4 went on a visit to Hebburn Independent Methodist Church to learn about the Old Testament. They saw the main events of the Old Testament illustrated on picture boards which stood all aound the room. A narrator explained the stories and during the course of the session biblical characters stood up and explained what happened to them.

The characters included Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, King David, Esther and Mary Mother of Jesus.

The children then had to complete a quiz, after which their efforts were rewarded with a drink of juice and a biscuit. The session ended with the children singing a song called Lovely Jubbly which is all about the creation. A good day was had by all.

Year 3 got the opportunity to work alongside Hugh and a few of his collegues from the Sage in Gateshead. Hugh came into school and worked with the children on their performance of 'The Whaletone Opera' which they performed at the Sage. Willow said "I really enjoyed it when we performed the Electric Ballet and the Banana Cake recipe dance. I really hope in the future we can work with Hugh again."

Year 3 were visited by a Roman lady called Claudia. She told us all about Roman life - how they dressed, what they ate, how they bathed and what the lives of Roman soldiers were like. We learnt about all the different weapons used by Roman Soldiers including a Roman sword. We dressed up as rich and poor Romans and Luca became a Roman soldier! Claudia showed us how to weave and Ellen and Megan did some weaving. Matthew said, "I really enjoyed the story she told us about two travellers, I hope she comes back soon."

Ellen and Megan weaving.

Luca dressed as a Roman solider.

Year 3 visited Segedunum Roman Fort in Wallsend linked to their History topic.

Me and my class went to Segedunum, we went into a big room with lots of different rooms inside. I was very excited because it looked very big and fun. Then this big Roman solider came into the room, he looked very scary because he was huge. His name was Maximus and that was the name of the chief Roman solider. He taught me and my class to be a Roman Solider. We got to dress up and then he had to go. We went to the tower that was my favourite bit. It looked a bit like a cinema it had glass walls and seats. We made amulets, I love mine I wear it everyday. The trip has got to be just the best. I hope we go again soon.

By Lucy

Year 3 visited, Arbeia and took part in a Time Quest Day, looking for Roman artefacts. When they had finished looking for artefacts they explored the gatehouse and commanders villa.

Children looking for Roman artefacts.

Children exploring the gatehouse.

Year 3 and Year 4 visited the City Learning Centre at Heworth, to take part in ICT workshops. Pupils in Year 3 used a programme called "Jungle Jingle Jangle" to create their own musical piece. They then leaned how to send and receive emails to each other and created a comic strip using "Comic Life." Year 4 used a programme to design their own mazes. They had to design a maze and then control a line through. In the afternoon they used the Kar2ouche to create and print out their own Viking sagas and stories.

Ethan working hard to design his maze.

Year 3 worked alongside an artist when they visited the Baltic on Newcastle Quayside. Pupils looked at the work of Keifer and discussed their ideas about what the art represented. They then created their own art works inspired by the theme, journeys.

Chris Connaughton well known storyteller, actor and author visited Year 5 and Year 3. Chris performed the classic Hans Andersen tale 'The Tinderbox' to Year 3 using voices, actions and details to interest the children. The children then took part in a discussion session linked to the performance where the children shared their ideas. Chris performed Lewis Carroll's Adventures in Wonderland to Year 5. In his performance, Chris brought to life some of the children's favourite characters, including the Dormouse, the Mad March Hare, the White Rabbit and of course Alice. Following the performance Year 5 took part in a workshop which included literacy exercises and storytelling games linked to the performance, to develop children's story writing.

Chris performing to Year 5.

Year 3 children visited Heworth Comprehensive School to take part in a multi-skills challenge within our Heworth Cluster of schools. They took part in a variety of PE activities including throwing, golf, jumping, balancing and tennis. At each activity they accumulated points for their team. Well done to all the children who took part especially Bill Quay Team A who won the challenge overall by over 400 points!!!

Children having great fun taking part!

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Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5 visited Hebburn Independent Methodist Church on Monday where they took part in the 'Bible Comes Alive' workshop. They learnt all about the Acts of the Apostles through role play and oral storytelling from members of the church. The children took part in a quiz at the end of the workshop to reinforce what they had learnt. They also got the opportunity to sing along with the church members.

Susan Warlock, artist in the community, has been working with year three pupils on a six week art project based around the topic they have been studying 'Ancient Greeks'. Each week she focused on one of the many Greek myths starting with Medusa then Pegasus, Pandora's Box and Arachne. The children were told the story then Susan worked with the class to create a character creature or scene from each tale using both 3D and 2D work. For their final session, the children made a colourful banner made up of individual felt collages of characters or objects from the Greek stories.

Click on link below
Greek Myths Art Project

Children in Year 3 had a fantastic day out at the Great North Museum on Monday. To start the day off they were met by Pericles, a Greek Hoplite soldier from Sparta. He told the children about his life as a soldier and what challenges he had to overcome to become a successful Spartan warrior. He then introduced the children to a fellow Greek Hoplite and explained about the uniform he was wearing. He also showed the children what a soldier would carry with him when going into battle. Some children got the opportunity to dress up as a Spartan boy and Spartan girl. To end the morning session, Pericles told the children an ancient Greek myth about Theseus and the Minotaur. To compliment the day, in the afternoon the children got the chance to visit the Ancient Greeks Gallery.

Children been introduced to Pericles fellow Greek Hoplite.

Pericles weapons used in battle.

William dressed as a Spartan boy!

Chloe dressed as a Spartan girl!

Who's this wearing a Spartan warrior headdress?

During Science week this term, children in Key Stage 2 got the opportunity to watch an amazing Science Magic Show. They were totally enthralled with this visual and interactive show which included lots of fantastic liquid nitrogen demonstrations as well as tricks using sodium polyacrylate to absorb water.

It was truly a learning experience for us all especially Mr Collinson!

During Multi - Cultural week Year 3 took part in an African Music Workshop at the Dryden Centre. The children worked alongside the African drummers getting the opportunity to play lots of different kinds of drums and make lots of noise!

Children having lots of fun playing the drums!

Year 3 visited the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle where they studied an old painting of the Quayside and discussed how things have changed. They then looked at the different bridges along the River Tyne and the different shapes that they were made up from. The class then split into four groups and were set the challenge of building a bridge with as little paper and paper clips as possible. The bridges were then put to the test. The whole class had a great day and I think we have some architects in the making in Year 3.

Year 3 were visited by chef Nick Fairley from Cooking 4 Life, they learnt how to chop vegetables safely and how to make healthy pizzas. The children also got the opportunity to try vegetables they hadn't eaten before.

If you would like to visit the Cooking 4 Life website please click on the link below.
www.cooking4life.co.uk

The children thoroughly enjoyed it!

Year 3 children visited the Whitley Bay Playhouse to watch George's Marvellous Medicine, which is one of Roald Dahl's funniest and most exciting stories. The children enjoyed the tale of a young boy who made a fantastic new medicine to cure his grandmother of her terrifying temper. But, when his grandmother drank his special new potion, the results were explosive and the most incredible things began to happen. The children thoroughly enjoyed watching the show as Georges amazing adventure unfolded.

Pupils in Key Stage 2 took part in the Fab Food Funhouse Roadshow to raise awareness of healthy eating. The children were spit into teams and completed physical activity challenges, took part in various games and answered questions about healthy food choices to score points for their team.

A fun afternoon was had by all!!!

As part of our topic 'Eye of the North' Year 3 visited St. Mary's Heritage centre and worked with Richard. He took us on a historical tour of the Quayside and told us all about the bridges and how the Tyne Bridge was originally where the Swing Bridge is now. We also sketched the different bridges from the Quayside to go on display in school. We had a fantastic day even though it was very cold!!!

Children on a historical tour of the Quayside.

Year 3 were out and about in the local area this week. They had great fun when they visited the Skate Park and the Methodist church to do some sketching in their sketch books.

Children having great fun sketching in the Skate Park in their sketch books!

This week our pupils have been performing their Christmas Shows and they have all been a great success.

There are certainly some budding stars in the making!

Reception Class performed 'Jesus in a Manger' a traditional nativity play, their acting and singing was tremendous!

Year 1 and Year 2 performed 'A Creepy Crawly Christmas' a thoroughly entertaining show along with brilliant acting and singing from all of the children!

Year 3 performed 'A Tale of two Birthdays'. This tale had action, adventure, magical characters, lots of laughs along with a superb performance from all the children!

Year 4 & 5 performed 'Dick Whittington and his Cat' a popular and well-loved story about Dick, who was down on his luck and decided to head for the city of London to see if the streets were really paved with gold. The show had catchy songs, lots of laughs and of course a 'happy ever after' ending. Providing a great recipe for a thoroughly entertaining show along with fantastic acting and singing from all of the children.

Year 6 performed 'Hansel and Gretal an adaptation of the popular fairytale. Hansel was imprisoned while Gretal 'force fed' him in order to, as the old witch put it 'fatten him up for the Christmas pot! It was great fun to watch with its witty script, catchy songs and some real 'character acting' from the children.

Children rehearsing for their shows!

This term, pupils from Years 1-3 have taken part in multiskills challenges within our Heworth Cluster of schools.

Pupils did really well and had a fabulous time completing the activities.

Every year Film Education organises a nationwide film festival called National Schools Film Week (NSFW) which takes place this year on 19th-23rd October. National Schools Film Week is the biggest event of its kind in the world for young people, it is a unique festival which provides schools across the UK with free trips to the cinema with the aim of exposing children to a wide range of films. This years theme is Creativity and Diversity and our Key Stage 2 children have had the opportunity to take part. They have visited Sunderland Empire Cinema and The Customs House, South Shields where they have enjoyed watching a film.

Year 3 are studying Mexico this term and were lucky enough to be invited along to Chiquito's Restaurant in the Metro Centre to sample a range of traditional Mexican food and drink. They were allowed behind the bar to mix their own cocktails made from fruit juice and fizzy pop. They were also shown how traditional Mexican cocktails such as a Pina Colada and a Margarita are made (non alcoholic versions of course). They also got the opportunity to make their own tortilla wrap which they thoroughly enjoyed.

A brilliant time was had by all!!!!!

Ethan busy making his cocktail

George enjoying the Mexican food!