The British Museum

Serious sketching at the British Museum

Year 3 enjoyed a great day out last Friday 26th January at the British Museum.  The children were so excited to be seeing “real mummies” for the first time.  Some serious sketching and note taking took place! 

After viewing The Egyptian Rooms, they enjoyed a workshop which gave them valuable information about how to “read” ancient Egyptian pictures. 

There was just time to visit The Sutton Hoo treasures before beading back to school.

Farm Visit in British Food Fortnight
On Wednesday Year 4 visited Mr Frederick's farm in Penshurst as part of British Food Fortnight, in order to learn the importance of British produce. They listened to the farmer talk about how he cares for the livestock. At Penshurst the calves stay with their mothers, and the cattle are fed only home grown feed. The children all had exercise and fun, and they learnt about where food comes from.
Beef from this farm is sold at the Farmers' market on the first Saturday of each month.

400 Years of Tunbridge Wells
As part of Tunbridge Wells 400th Anniversary celebrations, taking place all year, Year 6 have written mini-projects about the history of Tunbridge Wells.  Visits to the Tunbridge Wells Museum and Dunorlan Park provided their inspiration, being reminded of how Lord North tasted the energising and health-giving waters from the Chalybeate Spring - the beginning of the town we know so well. This study has been most interesting and informative for our Year 6 pupils.  Well done to all the children who produced lovely mini-projects as a reminder of this year’s celebrations. Winners were Kishen and Maddie, with runners-up, Phoebe and Alec.

"Kensuke's Kingdom" - a book brought to life
On Tuesday 19 September, Year 6 gathered excitedly to see the Birmingham Theatre Company’s production of Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo, at the Assembly Halls.
"We had read the book in class and now it was going to be brought to life.  Upon arrival, we all waited with great anticipation to see how the adaptation from novel to stage would work. "
The story is based around a boy called Michael, who is lost overboard while on a boat trip around the world with his parents.  He survives this ordeal and finds himself washed ashore on an island populated by orang-utans.  He also finds that he is not alone and eventually meets Kensuke.  The story of their friendship and survival was portrayed on stage brilliantly.  It was an excellent trip out and a chance for us to see a book come to life! 
Edward (Year 6)400 Years of Tunbridge Wells

Year 3 children are hungry for English!

Hungry for English

Under the theme of ‘Instructions’ this term, the children found themselves eating for English! 

Year 3 children combined an English lesson with table etiquette: they enjoyed a plate of bread and butter and sausages. 

Would you believe that to do this requires a list of seven instructions - from washing hands to correctly placing knives and forks on the plate at the end of the meal? 

Prep children enjoy ‘le shopping’

Year 6 say "cheese" on French Day

In a whole day devoted to la belle France, children experienced a variety of specially planned lessons: a French cheese tasting; a Geography lesson about France; the French Revolution in their History lesson, and more.

Glorious weather allowed for games of petanque on Fountain Lawn, and a French lunch was enjoyed by the whole school, with the refectory decorated in true French style!

After a performance of accordion music, there was a ‘French shopping expedition’ in the Auditorium, where children purchased items from the Boulangerie, Boucherie and Poissonnerie. Fruits et legumes were exchanged for euros, and we heard lots of French conversation!

The day wound down when the children took a breather at the Beechwood Café, where they had an opportunity to chat to their friends and watch the world go by!

Ancient Egypt

"Beechwood" in hieroglyphs

Year 3 have been studying Ancient Egypt. They have been looking at hieroglyphs and have written their name in a cartouche. This cartouche was produced by Zoe who has written Beechwood in hieroglyphs.

Preparatory School Poetry

The Black Widow Spider by Holly (Year 6)

On my belly, there’s a mark,
It says you should beware,
Of the places I might live,
Don’t go poking under there!

I like rocks and piles of wood,
I like places deep and dark,
This hourglass you see on me,
Should be a danger mark.

I’m the black widow spider,
You may want me on your side.
I’m famous for my bite,
And the places that I hide.

I’m the black widow spider.
I love little bugs.
I’ll eat you for lunch and dinner too.
Just don’t stick around poor bugs.