Silence is golden...

Our Year 5 pupils on the 'We Are Silent' march to City Hall made the school proud today. Not only did they create their own protest banners and posters in place of using their voices, but they also managed to remain silent throughout the actual marches and sit-in protest inside City Hall.

Sarah, Elm class, said 'It was really cool to go on a silent march and visit City Hall. I couldn't do it every day though as it was tiring walking around!'

The causes and issues the children chose to stay silent for were all personal choices and included: war, domestic violence, animal cruelty and racism. They were joined by secondary school pupils from Jo Richardson Academy and enjoyed a picturesque lunch alongside the River Thames. We hope that more pupils from Broadford will participate next year!

Year 5 at Drapers' Academy

On Tuesday, our Year 5 pupils were given the chance to experience an afternoon as a secondary school pupil in a taster afternoon at Drapers' Academy. When we arrived, we were split into two groups with one participating in a food technology session and the other taking a drama class before swapping.

This was a fantastic opportunity to children to see what secondary schools are like before beginning the transition at the end of Year 6.

Mitchell, Elm class, said 'I am interested in going to Drapers' because I've always wanted to learn how to play the drums and guitar but have never had the opportunity. The music studios and opportunities are impressive there!' 

Kie, Maple class, added 'The afternoon was really fun and I enjoyed baking the most as we had to work in teams with different people. My cupcakes were really delicious!'

Most of the children were very excited about the excellent provisions at Drapers' across the curriculum, including a fully equipped gym and drama studios!
With over 200 places on offer, we are sure that many Year 5s will be able to join Drapers' in just over a year's time!

Junior Citizenship Project

On Wednesday 29th June,  our Year 6 pupils took part in Havering's Junior Citizenship Project. More than 1400 pupils from year 6 classes across the borough will be taking part. The key aims are for the children to learn about protecting themselves from crime and other potential dangers. The event took place at Taunton Hall in Harold Hill.

The event was created out of a desire to educate young people at a crucial point in their educational and social development before they make the move into secondary school. This is a time when some of our pupils will start to travel alone for the first time. 

The children were faced with 8 challenges related to personal safety on the Internet, public transport, fire safety and road safety. While each group faced their challenge, the host of the event awarded points to each group based on their safety knowledge, their interaction with each other and group work and their behaviour. 

" I was shocked at first when I was told

by the Fire Officer,  that if my house was on fire and my sister was trapped in her room not to go back and try and save her! He explained that in a room with a closed door and window she would have 30 minutes of air to breathe and that would give me enough time to call the Fire Brigade. But if you took just two breaths of smoky air it would make you unconscious! "

Sian Burnett, Palm class

HMS Belfast

Last week, Year 6 made the journey to Central London to visit the famous vessel, HMS Belfast. As part of our enrichment trips, the children had the wonderful experience of exploring the warship. As we stepped aboard the magnificent boat it was as if we were transported back to the past to discover what life was like on board for the crew at war and at sea.

Prior to our visit, the children found out interesting facts about the HMS Belfast and the important role it played on D-Day, the beginning of the end of the war. On June 6th 1944, HMS Belfast crossed the English Channel to Normandy. It was the flagship of Bombardment Force E, which supported troops landing at Gold and Juno beaches. Her first target was the German gun battery, which resulted in the German battery not playing a meaningful role in the defences of the beach.

Did you know...

HMS Belfast is one of only three remaining vessels from the bombardment fleer which supported the Normandy landings on 6th Jube 1944. The other vessels, which are the destroyerr USS Laffey and battleship USS Texas, can be found in South Carolina and Taxas in North America.

Many veterans of the HMS Belfast believe their ship was the first to open fire but this wasn't the case. Lieutenant Peter Brooks Smith, who served onboard the ship, recorded in his diary that another cruiser to the west fired first at 0523. The log records on board the ship show that she opened fire three minutes laterat 0527, 'with full broadside to port.'

The invasion of Normandy was the last time HMS Belfast fired her guns during the Second World War. 

"I wan scared at first as I don't like boats or being at sea  but I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the HMS Belfast. It was of my most favourite Broadford trips!"

Sophie Adams, Palm class

Romeo & Juliet

In preparation for the drama and animated productions of Romeo & Juliet. Year 6 watched the recent production of Shakespeare's greatest love story ever told. 

The children were enthralled by Shakespeare's greatest love story with its tragic ending. The visual effects and awesome acting brought the story to life before the children's eyes.

After studying and analysing the text, character and plot through our Literacy sessions. The film version showed the children how the characters would have looked, the places where the story was set and the children's own challenge of learning the language used and understanding the play as it unfolded. 

The children were able to link the Sky Blue Theatre production and the roles they reenacted to the film version. The prologue, which was studied in detail, was portrayed through an opening speech and visually through a jousting tournament between the two great households: the Montagues and Capulets. Main characters were quickly identified as children knew the play through their class work. 

"I really enjoyed watching the film as it made it easier to imagine what that period of time would have looked like." Isaac Stevens, Palm class.

 

Finding the volume of cuboids

In Year 5, the children have been finding the volume of different 3d shapes, cubes and cuboids. They used cubes to help them construct shapes in order to help them visualise and had to work out how many more blocks would be needed to make the shapes into cubes and cuboids. Some of the children even worked backwards and tried to create shapes after being given the volumes. 

Lucy, Elm class, said 'using the blocks helped me to work out how many more cubes I needed to make cubes and cuboids. It was a fun way to learn!'

Marvellous History Museum

As part of our Year 6 experiences, the children of Palm and Acer class had the opportunity to visit a London museum of their choice. The children were thrilled to be visiting either the Natural History Museum or The Science Musuem. Mrs Gradley's, Mrs Stallard's and Mrs Marchant's group chose the magnificent History Musuem.

The children couldn't wait to visit the Dinosaur exhibition and even renovation works to the area couldn't dampen their spirits and enthusiasm. The life like mechanical  model of the Tyranasaurus Rex enthralled the children as they walked through the exhibition and discovered more about dinosaurs. 

"I loved visiting the Natural History Musuem as I learnt about dinosaurs and mammals. I couldn't believe how gigantic the blue whale was." Endurance Obazee, Palm class.

The life size models of the blue whale and other mammals were unbelievable as the children realised how small they are compared to other animals. 

"I  enjoyed the trip today, my favourite part was being able to see the skeletons  and fossils of dinosaurs which roamed the Earth thousands of years ago. " Sam Murcia, Palm class.

A Royal Celebration in Year 5

To celebrate the Queen's official state birthday, Elm and Maple class held a mini tea-party in Her Majesty's honour. The children tucked into crisps, squash, chocolate fingers and cupcakes to celebrate such a long reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Temira, Maple class, said "The Queen has done so much for our country and is a real inspiration as she always seems so wise and helpful to others. It's amazing that she has reigned for 64 years, more than any other British monarch!"

Year 5's £5 Challenge!

This term, the children in Year 5 have been learning all about bank accounts, how to keep their money safe and interest rates linked to the Financial Curriculum. They really enjoyed learning real life skills and knowledge that can help them as they grow older and we decided to set them a challenge... For the remainder of the half term, the children have been put into groups, given £5 per team and have been tasked with setting up their own business!

Ideas have ranged from face painting, bakery businesses and card making. The pupils are hoping to bring their goods live to the public in the next few weeks and the team that generates the most profit will win and keep the profit they make (after repaying the £5 loan from the school, of course!).

Nathaniel, Elm class, said "The chance to put our financial skills to the test by running our own businesses is really exciting but we have to work together and be resourceful to make this work! I enjoyed learning about how profit is the revenue generated minus the expenses and I think this will be a challenge to keep our costs low!"

Stay tuned for more news and keep an eye out for the teams' advertisements for their businesses!

Macabre massacres in Macbeth

Today in Year 5, the children have participated in an interactive re-enactment of the Shakespeare classic as well as put their drama skills to use in acting workshops. The story of Macbeth is s gruesome one, with murder and themes of betrayal, greed and ambition. In the workshops, the children created their own movie trailers to advertise Macbeth as a film and then took part in role-playing activities, trying to put themselves in the characters' shoes by acting out fear and anger. 

Peiyce, Elm class, said "I have found this morning exciting because I hadn't learnt about Macbeth before. My favourite part was when Banquo returned as a ghost and Macbeth thought he had lost his mind". 

It is clear that learning a Shakespearean text has enriched the children's literary skills and knowledge as well as allowing them to explore their creative and dramatic side. 

Star Wars and other performances by The London Symphony Orchestra at The Barbican, London

We believe in providing exciting opportunities for our pupils.  We believe experiences like visiting The Barbican Centre to listen to a full-piece orchestra adds another exciting element to the curriculum at Broadford.

And this was no different!

The concert began with a stunning rendition of the piece of music called 'Bolero'.  "I found it hypnotising and couldn't stop staring at the flutists!" Nathanial Ramus 


After finding out a little about crescendos, instruments and the jobs of the different parts of the orchestra, we were treated to a full-piece orchestra performance of Star Wars theme music and what a treat it was!

"I didn't realise how many instruments it took to create the theme tune.  I thought it could only be done on a computer.  It was epic!" Natalie Towner

100% of Y5 pupils have now experienced a orchestral performance.

Year 5's Falafel Fun

For healthy eating week, Year 5 made wraps this afternoon. They learnt what the different food groups can provide us and what portion size we should eat. In their wraps, the children sampled cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, tzatziki, houmous and even sampled sweet potato falafel. 

Brooke, Maple, said "This has been the first time I have ever tasted falafel and it was really delicious. I would definitely like eat it again".

After creating their own posters promoting healthy, balanced diets and enjoying their self-made food, we are sure that the children will think twice about avoiding green vegetables in the future!

Year 6 Voyage to Victoria Park

Yesterday the children of Year 6 set off on the first of a series of celebratory trips for their last half term at Broadford. Two trains and a long walk later they arrived at Victoria Park in East London. 

The rain couldn't dampen the spirits of the year 6 children as they slid and swung their way around the play park, taking full advantage of the facilities. 

"Our legs were tired from the walking but we soon forgot about it once we saw the slides and swings!" said Charly. 

Back before the end of the school day, the children were excited for the next of their trips organised for next Monday. 

Oh Romeo, Oh Romeo!

Year 6 have just started their Shakespeare workshop with the Sky Blue Theatre. 

They are about to embark on a day of Romeo and Juliet performances and workshops courtesy of our friends at the Sky Blue Theatre company. A day of guaranteed fun, feigning and feuding between the Capulets and Montagues awaits...

Year 6 Nets Challenge

This week the children of Year 6 have been preparing for this morning's maths challenge. Fixing together nets of various 3D shapes, the children have been compiling shapes to contribute to today's finale. Their task was to build the tallest free-standing structure from their shapes. Tetrahedrons, cubes, cuboids, pentagonal and hexagonal based pyramids were attached to each other in various directions using only 5cm of masking tape per two nets. The time limit was 30 minutes for teams of 4 children to exercise their reciprocity and resourcefulness skills. Quickly, the children figured out that they had left their strategy planning until the last minute: "Maybe we should have used less triangular shapes" thought Caitlin. 

"It was really hard to keep the shapes together once we got past a certain height," said Vinnie. 

"I chose to use boxes as they stacked easier and were sturdy" quoted Kynan. 

The winning team's tower measured a staggering 70cm and used a combination of cubes and tetrahedrons. A fantastic effort from all children.