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“Penpol pupils are curious, creative and courageous learners. Our school community believes in authenticity as the foundations of deep-rooted learning. Through our rich and relevant curriculum, we nurture community-minded, forward-facing international citizens of the future.”
The Reception classes had a truly magical and memorable day at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth.
I weared a cloak, it made us see Oshi and the grown ups didnt see Oshi because they didnt have a cloak – Georgie
We looked at the waves and the surfboards and we saw Oshi. She showed us treasure – Zuri
We followed a trail of clues to discover the whereabouts of a mysterious sea sprite named Oshi, who came from the legendary lost land of Lyonesse. Donning our magical cloaks, we followed the fishy path that led us beneath the waves to find her. Oshi told us how a great storm once swept her out to sea, and how the mighty waves rose up and swallowed her homeland beneath the ocean. The children learned that Lyonesse is a mythical land once said to lie between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly—lost forever beneath the waves in a single night.
We never put plastic bottles in the sea because then the mermaids will not like it, the rubbish will need to go in the bin – Autumn
With the children’s help, Oshi retold her tale using musical instruments to create the sounds of the sea—the whooshing wind, crashing waves, and rumbling thunder. It was a fantastic way to bring the story to life!
I saw a cannon ball and I saw a submarine window and I saw money, Oshi found them in sea, in where the sand was at the bottom of the sea – Arthur
Oshi also showed us some fascinating treasures she’d discovered on the ocean floor: a real whale’s tooth, a piece of shipwrecked wood, and even a heavy cannon ball! The children were amazed by these mysterious objects from the deep.
We then explored the Boat Hall, where we examined all the different parts of boats—sails, hulls, the mast and more. Inspired by what we saw, the children designed, built, and sailed their very own mini-boats on the museum’s boating pond. It was great fun watching them test their creations and see which ones floated the best!
We saw lots of boats there, we made boats and we sailed them in the water – Eliza
I loved going in the lifeboat, I had a life helmet – Ella
Afterward, we explored the surfing exhibition, where we learned all about Cornwall’s surfing history and culture. We saw old wooden surfboards, wetsuits through the ages, and even a huge board once used in big wave competitions!
I liked the skateboards, I got a skateboard at home. I like the sea – Christopher
A trip up the Look Out Tower gave us stunning views across Falmouth Harbour. We spotted some enormous and very expensive-looking sailboats and yachts. The children enjoyed using the binoculars to take a closer look at all the boats coming and going.
I liked the Captain American surf board. I saw a really big boat, there were 3 little boats on the side of the big boats, lifeboats – Jack
Finally, we ended the day with big excitement in the RNLI Rescue Zone, where the children got hands-on with life as a sea rescuer. They rode on jet skis, rescue boats, and even climbed aboard a life raft—learning how the RNLI helps people stay safe at sea.
I really liked when we went in the boats. I really liked going in the big orange boat because it was really fancy. It was a circle it goes out to sea with lifeguard in it and makes sure everyone is OK – Jackson
It was a day packed with stories, adventure, and discovery—Reception had a brilliant time and left with a boatload of memories! We would like to say a big thank you to Seth, Marilyn and Fiona at the museum for making our visit so much fun.
Plastic pollution is so bad and it will make animals really sick and sometimes so poorly they could die. We could pick the pollution up off the beaches – Esme
The Reception children had an unforgettable adventure this week as they set off on a trip to Tehidy Woods. Blessed with glorious weather—bright sunshine and a crisp spring breeze—the children eagerly embarked on their outdoor exploration, ready for a day filled with fun, discovery, and adventure.
Me and Hudson found rocks, sticks, a spikey leaf and there was a piece of rough on the rock. We found logs and mud and Hudson found a daisy – Jack
The first activity on the agenda was a wellie walk through the woodland paths. With their wellington boots firmly on (and a couple came off), the children splashed through muddy puddles, crunched through leaves and twigs and listened carefully to the sounds of nature all around them. The rustling trees, chirping birds and occasional scurrying of woodland creatures created a magical atmosphere that truly captivated their imaginations.
We go to Tehidy woods. We was climbing up some sticks. I found a squirrel. – Luca
Next, the children took part in a scavenger hunt, searching high and low for different natural treasures hidden within the forest. They excitedly collected leaves of all shapes and colours, smooth stones, pinecones and hunted for woodlice, worms, spiders webs and even a few feathers. The activity encouraged them to observe their surroundings closely and sparked lively discussions about the different textures, colours and patterns they discovered.
The excitement continued as some of the children had the opportunity to climb a few trees. With careful supervision, they tested their balance and coordination, building confidence as they clambered onto sturdy branches. The joy on their faces was clear as they experienced the thrill of climbing and looking at the world from a slightly higher perspective.
We were exploring. We finded nature like a giant fat slug and woodlice and ants – Arthur
To round off the adventure, the children worked together to build their own dens using sticks and branches found on the forest floor. Their creativity and teamwork shone through as they carefully arranged their materials to create cosy woodland shelters. Some children imagined their dens as secret hideaways, while others transformed them into woodland homes for small creatures.
The trip to Tehidy Woods was a fantastic opportunity for the children to connect with nature, develop their problem-solving skills and enjoy outdoor play in a beautiful setting.
I was the queen fairy and I was in love with a donkey – Jackson
Our Reception children have embarked on an unforgettable journey to the breathtaking Minack Theatre for a singing, dancing, and performing workshop. The experience was a playful and immersive exploration of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, filled with music, movement, and storytelling.
We went to the Minack Theatre. I was a builder and we also did super heros. We had to save the day – Tristan
Led by the lively and engaging Wenna White, Betty Blue and Ryan Red, the children were transported into the magical world of fairies, kings and queens, builders, and even a donkey! Through song and dance, they brought Shakespeare’s enchanting story to life, stepping into the roles of characters and embracing the spirit of the play.
I was a fairy. We saw the dressing room. We had to collect magic dust. We had to be naughty with it and spread it over the builders and the princess and the donkey ee-or – Esme
The adventure didn’t stop there! As well as performing, the children had the chance to explore the stunning Minack Theatre and its beautiful gardens. They learned about the theatre’s fascinating history and how the remarkable Rowena Cade built it with her own hands. A real highlight was going backstage, where the children got a glimpse of where the performers prepare before stepping onto the famous stage.
I was being the prince – Ava, I was being the queen – Flora, I was being a fairy and I falled in love with a donkey – Georgie
The day ended with a special performance on the Minack’s stage, where the children showcased everything they had learned.
It was a magical and memorable experience for all, sparking creativity and excitement about theatre and performance.
A huge thank you to the Minack Theatre team for giving our children such an incredible opportunity. Who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll see some of them return as future stars of the stage!
Our Reception classes had a fantastic afternoon celebrating Shrove Tuesday with some exciting pancake-making activities!
I love pancakes they’re yummy yum yum – Zuri
I love pancakes, I like syrup on mine – Noah
We began by discussing how to make pancakes, identifying the ingredients we needed, and carefully writing our own step-by-step instructions for making them.
Next, we followed our instructions, measuring out the ingredients and carefully mixing them to create the perfect pancake batter.
Flipping the pancakes was so much fun – Jackson
Once the pancakes were cooked, we moved on to the best part – tasting and enjoying our delicious creations! We enjoyed them with lemon and sugar, and they tasted amazing.
We also had a go at tossing the pancakes, which was great fun! Some of us managed a perfect flip, while others ended up with a few giggles along the way. We used the slightly well done pancake as the one to have a go at flipping!
We need butter and eggs and flour and milk to make the pancakes – Shea
As part of our learning, we discovered that Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent begins, and people traditionally eat pancakes to use up ingredients like eggs, milk, and flour before fasting.
They were yummy – Darcie
It was a wonderful afternoon full of learning, laughter and of course, tasty pancakes!
Our Reception classes have been busy little gardeners this term, getting their hands dirty and learning all about how plants grow! As part of their learning, the children have been outside planting a wonderful selection of herbs, fruits, and flowers.
The flower needs sun and rain to grow, seeds make the flowers grow – Luca
So far, they have planted mint, oregano, thyme, strawberries, primroses, a gooseberry bush, and a raspberry bush. The children have been carefully watering their plants, checking their progress, and learning about what they need to grow strong and healthy. They have explored how sunlight, water, and good soil help plants to thrive, developing their understanding of the natural world around them.
The roots grow so that it doesn’t make the plant fall over. The stem helps the flower stay up. It needs to catch the rain and sun – Jackson
Alongside planting, the children have been using their senses to explore different textures and scents—smelling the fresh mint leaves and feeling the soft petals of the primroses. They have also been observing changes in the plants over time, sparking their curiosity and encouraging them to ask questions about what they see.
And the growing doesn’t stop there! Over the next few weeks, we will be planting peas, beans, and sunflowers. The children will be keeping a close eye on their plants to see whose can grow the tallest—what a fantastic way to bring a little friendly competition into our learning!
When the seeds start to grow they germinate – Eliza
Thanks so much to Hayle plants for the very generous donations of plants and we would like to say a big thank you to Eleanor, Poppy’s Mum for supplying mounds of compost and containers.
I planted some seeds in the garden and I made a bean stalk and it growed beans and I growed an apple tree. I planted the seed and it growed orange flowers everywhere in the garden – Christopher
Through these hands-on experiences, the children are developing important skills such as patience, responsibility, and a deeper appreciation for the environment. We can’t wait to see how their garden grows!
Our Reception classes had an amazing afternoon at Bluff Beach, making the most of the fresh sea air and beautiful scenery! We were lucky with the weather—bright skies and a gentle breeze made it the perfect day for outdoor fun.
Me and Jackson were playing in the sand and the seaweed – Aaron. Yes and we also made a castle with the seaweed – Jackson
The children took part in a variety of exciting beach activities, including building sandcastles, collecting shells, and creating beach art using seaweed and pebbles. We also played group games like relay races, beach ball challenges, bat and ball and a giant game of “Duck, Duck, Goose” on the sand!
Although the waves looked very tempting, it was a little too chilly for paddling this time. We managed to keep dry and will save our splashing adventures for when the weather warms up.
I did a sand angel. I make sandcastles and I always get wet in the sea. When I went in the sea when it was warm – Ella
Last time I went surfing with my Dad. We were surfing a lot and we watched some big waves and we crashed on the shore and we kept on walking back to the waves where we were again. Then we were surfing again and again and again.
It was a fantastic day, and we can’t wait for our next beach adventure!
My favourite bit of maths is number bonds. A two and a two makes four, a three and a one makes four – Ella
Our Reception classes have been making the most of the drier weather by taking their maths learning outside! The children have been exploring a range of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) maths activities in the fresh air, using the natural environment to develop key skills in a fun and engaging way.
A one and a four makes five and a two and a three makes five – Arthur
I love maths, it’s my favourite. I’m good at numbers – Reuben
Our young mathematicians have been: 🔢 Practicing number recognition by spotting and ordering numbers in outdoor scavenger hunts. 🪵 Using natural materials like sticks, shells, and stones to create repeating patterns. 🎲 Playing counting games with hoops, beanbags, and outdoor number tracks. 📏 Exploring measurement by comparing the lengths of sticks and estimating distances. 🔺 Creating 2D and 3D shapes with outdoor objects, developing their understanding of geometry.
We’ve been learning doubles, double two is four, double four is eight, double 5 is ten – Jackson
Outdoor learning provides a fantastic opportunity for children to apply their mathematical skills in real-life contexts while enjoying the benefits of fresh air and movement. We look forward to many more outdoor maths adventures as the season continues!
The reception classes had a great time at the standing stones stables.
We met James, Alfie and Mouse and learnt all about how to take good care of these lovely horses.
You cant shout or it will hurt their ears. You cant walk behind it because it would kick you. I stroked him with a brush – Billy
We stroked them and had a go at grooming a very gentle Alfie and Bailey.
I liked going upstairs, I saw 2 guinea pigs, I liked horse riding and it was so bumpy – Elowen
Next we learnt about what they eat and where they sleep at night. We even had a go at mucking out the stables.
The horses eat hay and sleep on straw. I liked the horse riding – Fraser
We were really lucky to be able to have a pony ride too on Sponge.
I really liked riding the horse and always the caring bit about it is when they sweep up the poo. They actually had some chestnuts and they were for the horses to eat. So there was a toy for her to stop her being bored, so her just kicked it with her foot with these things inside and she tries to get them out and then eat them up -Ted
We also had a play in the field. We played games, practised our balancing skills and pretended to be ponies and T-Rex’s.
Class 1 and 2 would like thank Natalie, Kelly, Debs and Tanya for a great morning out. We had a great time.
