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.