The Chaffinch class, 10-11 years visited Roche Court Sculpture Park and Salisbury Museum in connection with their Art and Design work. They learned about curating and organisation of galleries and museums.
Leading up to half-term all the children enjoyed a Science and Technology week which began with a Trailblazer Day of outdoor learning and moved on to include a visit from the Fire Safety Crew for the Infant children and Angela Munn of the Environment Centre (Energy Conservation) who worked with the Juniors.
The School Council, which is made of representatives of every class organised a Bring and Buy Sale and Non-Uniform Day to raise money for the Tsunami Appeal. The events were so well supported that a sum of £188 was raised.
Country Matters :
Early crops
Walking on the paths through the fields recently, thinking about my next pint, I was very pleased to notice the Optic being planted. In the next field, I saw Gerald poking his head through the soil alongside another field of Hereward. Both of these crops will eventually be used in food, and it could be destined for either human or animal consumption!! These early signs of the coming summer harvest were good to see on a cold and cloudy day.
My nose twitched as I smelt the pig poo from Patchington being used as a top dressing (fertiliser) on the Expert to make it grow. When harvested, this crop will be used for oils. Some of the paths I walked took me through fields with nothing yet in them – so I thought about what might be going to be spring drilled into them. It might be poppies, linseed, peas, or maybe Cellar.
On my walk, I came across a field of Clipper which had been sown during the autumn, although it is called a “winter” crop. This would be used for animal feed protein as well as putting the nitrogen back into the soil as it grows.
So, you have a number of “names” of crop varieties. Your mission, should you accept it, is to match the varieties above to the crops which are as follows:
Spring Barley
Winter Beans
Winter Wheat
Winter Rape
Winter Oats
Answers next time!!
Country Bumpkin
NEWS FROM TESTBOURNE
Pupils meet their Mentors
Our Year 11 pupils are now on their last stretch before taking their GCSEs in May and June. We have set up a Mentor Programme for a number of our pupils who we feel would benefit from a little extra support or encouragement. The programme is already proving so popular that some pupils who have not been allocated their own individual mentor have asked “Can I have one too?”
Room for fun too
Pupils continue to enjoy and find success in a wide range of extra-curricular activities. A group from our growing Chess Club has taken part in the local stage of the United Kingdom Chess International, with particular congratulations going to Nathan Jones, James Beare and Robyn Jobson, who reached the Area Final. The newly relaunched Duke of Edinburgh Scheme is also proving very popular, with a group now training for the expedition section of the award and a few ready to start some activities at Silver level.
Our Year 7 Rugby Team has now started to play outside fixtures, getting off to a tremendous start when they beat John Hanson 42 – 0.
Mosque Visit Deepens Understanding
Our Year 8 pupils have recently paid a very moving visit to the Southampton Mosque as part of their RE course. Given the world we live in, this visit plays a very important role in fostering real understanding and tolerance between different faith communities. On this occasion pupils found themselves witnesses to the sad funeral of a 14 year-old Muslim schoolgirl who had died suddenly and whose family allowed our children to continue their planned visit to the Mosque. Our pupils were moved by tragedy and solemnity of the occasion.
Money for Mobiles
We are happy to help with the dilemma of what to do with your old mobile phone. Give it to Testbourne! We are able to recycle them and raise funds for the school in the process. Just drop them in to the school office.
Tickets go on sale for West Side Story
West Side Story, our next major production, is being staged from 16 th to 19 th March in the Theatre Hall. Tickets are available from the school office ((01256 892061). We look forward to seeing you there.