Amanda Aspden

Fun at the Fire Station

30th June 202230th June 2022 by Amanda Aspden

The reception classes have had a great time learning about fire saftey at Tolvaddon Fire Station. We had a talk first with fire fighter Robbie who explained to us all about their role as a fire fighter and what they do to rescue people and animals. He showed us some smoke alarms and we practised shouting “the fire alarm is going off” as loud as we could. He gave us the task of going home and trying to spot where the smoke alarms are in our homes and count how many we have.

We saw Andy, the station manager, slide down the pole to show us that it is quicker that taking the stairs. We learnt that they have 90 seconds to get into the fire engine with all their kit after a call comes in.

We saw the trucks, they had sirens, they help people and set out fires and they also help animals. They help them if they are in trouble and if there is fires and they don’t know how to get out, they help them. Hazel

Next, we had a look at the fire kit that the fire crew have to wear when attending fires to protect themselves. We tried some of the kit on and it was surprisingly heavy.

After that, we met Gertrude the cow who we learnt is used by the firemen to practise rescuing because they have to rescue many animals from cliffs and mine shafts around the Cornish coastline.

I like how they showed us the fire trucks. I really like how they showed us the hose, we sprayed the water. Maya

Next, Max showed us around the firetrucks. We learnt there are different types of fire trucks with different equipment and different sizes depending on the type of call they have to attend to. Some of the trucks are smaller and some have computers, winches, specialist cutting saws, cutters, spreaders, ropes, pumps, ladders and hoses to name a few.

The fire men save the animals if they are too close to the edge of a cliff. Maia

Finally, we got to have a turn at squirting the water from the hoses. This was great fun and we loved pretending to put out a fire.

The reception classes would like to say a massive thank you to the fire crew on blue watch, we learnt a lot about fire safety. Thank you for keeping us all safe.

Being Kind

17th June 202217th June 2022 by Amanda Aspden

The reception classes were lucky to be invited into assembly to see an amazing speaker called Bereford Lee with the local Tri Service Safety Officer Adrian Hart.

Beresford has formed a group called Rice and Peas which is a community project in Cornwall which promotes acceptance, inclusion and cultural diversity throughout the county.

The children were captivated as Beresford talked about the importance of being kind to each other regardless of where you come from, your nationality or the colour of your skin.

It doesn’t matter who has different coloured skin, you should be kind to people of different skin – Jasper

Beresford explained that sometimes some people have been unkind because of the colour of their skin, we know this is wrong.

He also told the children that we need to be friendly to all and show respect for one another which fitted in beautifully with our Penpol School Values of Friendship and Respect.

It’s fine if you have black or white skin you have to be kind to everyone – Frida

Adrian was on hand to tell the children all about the law and what could happen if people are unkind to each other.

Beresford explained how being unkind to each other can not only hurt the other people, but can hurt yourself too therefore you have to be kind to everyone, including yourself.

He spoke about kindness, you have to help people get up and not push them over. It doesn’t matter about other peoples skin you still have to be nice – Maia

It doesn’t matter if you’ve got black or white skin or any colour even rainbow, you have to be kind to everyone – Freya

The children really loved listening to both speakers and commented on how they were all going to be kind to everyone when they left the assembly.

Thank you so much for the interesting and inspiring assembly. Please come and visit us again very soon.

Reception Classes Visit the Maritime Museum

29th May 2022 by Amanda Aspden

Classes 1 and 2 had a great time at the Maritime Museum in Falmouth.

We loved meeting Oceana, the sea sprite who told us a wonderful story of how she now lives in the lost land of Lyonesse. We helped her retell her story using instruments and learnt how she was rescued by merpeople and how Poseidon the God of the sea gave her the gift of being able to breathe underwater.

We looked at some treasures that Oceana had found at the bottom of the ocean which included part of a shipwreck, (possibly a pirate ship), a cannon ball, an old boot and a killer whales tooth.

We also learnt all about the different parts of a boat before making our own.

Next was the exciting boat races where we got the chance to race them on the boating lake.

We had a look around the museum and discovered all kinds of amazing monsters from the deep including a blob fish, angler fish, a fangtooth fish and a cock eyed squid.

We also had time to play on the rescue boats, jet ski, quad bike and life raft. We pretended to rescue each other from the ocean.

Finally we went to the top of the lookout tower and had a look at all the amazing boats in the harbour. We learnt all about sail boats, yachts and catamarans and found out that one of the super yachts in the harbour would need about 15 crew members to run the ship.

Class 1 and 2 would like to say a big thank you to all the staff at the maritime museum. We learnt so much, had lots of fun and had a great day out.

Terrific Trevaskis

1st April 2022 by Amanda Aspden

Class 1 had a lovely day at Trevaskis farm.

We learnt some names of different fruits and vegetables including some of the more unusual ones such as kumquats, moolis and romanesco cauliflower and learnt how and where they grow.

We found some chickens, the white chickens lay the white eggs, the brown chickens laid the brown eggs – Vinnie

We saw some interesting eggs of varying colours and sizes depending on the colour and breed of chicken or whether a larger bird had laid it, such as goose.

We saw vegetables, cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, they grow in the ground. Cassius

We walked past some gooseberry bushes and studied their buds then onto the kitchen garden where they usually grow the herbs, leeks and potatos.

Broccoli and carrots and onions, the need sunshine and water to grow and love – Henry

Next was into the polly tunnel where we saw some asparagus, rhubarb and sugar snap peas growing. We learnt that the strawberries grow up then down and the raspberries grow up in a curly wurly shape.

Strawberries have seeds on the outsides of them, raspberries have seeds on the inside – Maya

Strawberries have 200 seeds on the outside – Ferne

We met some animals including the South Devonside cattle, some British Lop pigs and piglets, some chickens, a very noisy cockerel, a goose, some sheep, some donkeys and some goats.

Pigs roll in mud to keep warm so they don’t get sunburnt, soil has nutrients which is something that the plants eat – Jack

Class 1 would like to say a huge thank you to Bev and everyone at Trevaskis farm for showing us around and making our day fun packed and informative.

Heyl Crossfit

15th March 202214th March 2022 by Amanda Aspden

Class 1 spent a fun packed afternoon at the high energy Heyl Crossfit gym.

We practised running, jumping, climbing, crawling, swinging, squats and balancing.

“I liked the ropes, I liked to swing on it.” – Cassius

The obstacle course was exciting and the game the floor is larva was great fun.

“I liked the balls when you jump on them.” – Felix

Heyl CrossFit have kindly offered another free taster session to children over 5 on Monday’s and Friday’s from 4.30. Contact Ted at the gym for more information.

“I liked the benches and the boxes, go under the boxes and over the benches.” – Ethan

Class 1 would like to say thank you Ted, Aimee and Sophie for the amazing afternoon of games, activities and fun.

“This is the best school trip ever.” – Ferne

Exploring at Tehidy Woods

16th June 202223rd November 2021 by Amanda Aspden

Class 1 had a great time in Tehidy woods.

As part of our 360 curriculum, we are took the learning outside the classroom and experienced our local environment.

We builded dens for us for next time we go to the woods, with sticks, big ones and little ones. We did potions and we put leaves on a stick 5 leaves – Maya

Tehidy woods was the venue of our a scavenger hunt. We foraged, observed and hunted for treasures.

We collected some sticks and leaves to take back to class to make some leaf pictures and prints.

We made dens and made potions in the woods, me and Maya were witches and we were going to turn any bad monsters into frogs – Flo

The leaves called off the trees because its Autumn. We found leaves and sticks and we lifted up trees and we made dens for the fairies and the lion king – Maia

We built dens, made a birds nest sculpture and a fairy home using the things we find.

Finally we had a go on the rope swing.

There are squirrels in the woods and woodlice and beetles and foxes but I’ve never seen a fox. Reggie needed help lifting logs up so I asked other people to help him. I found a sweet chestnut- Jack

A great time was had by all in the terrific Tehidy woods.

Super Savvy

10th November 202110th November 2021 by Amanda Aspden

Class 1 had an incredible fun packed morning with the super savvy team in Hayle.

We practised our ballet moves with Clare and pretended to be cheeky pixies picking a lovely juicy apple from a tree then running away.

We had to lie on our tummies and I had to touch my hair with my feet. We had to take a apple from the farmers tree and run away – Darcey

It was so fun, we did exercises and dancing – Ashton

We danced the morning away with wings, wands and scarves to some beautiful ballet tunes.

Upstairs in the second studio we practised our street dancing to some upbeat dance tunes.

Clare and Ben were wonderful with the children as ever. There were smiles all round as the children pirouetted, twirled, stretched, skipped, jumped and practised different positions for their feet, legs arms and bodies.

We had to put our legs out straight. We have to point our feet up and down and had to creep and try to get the apple and we have to spin our scarves around. Then we had to walk side to side -Elsie

The children were really lucky to be given a ticket for another free trail class. Class 1 would like say a massive thank you to Clare, Aidan and Ben more making our morning so much fun and teaching us some great moves.

Splendid Standing Stones Stables

9th November 2021 by Amanda Aspden

Class 1 had a fabulous time at the Standing Stones Stables in Trink St.Ives.

We met Rolo, Buddy and James the gentle and patient ponies.

I liked riding the horse, the brown one – Jasper

We took turns in grooming the horses and learning all about how to care for them. We decorated James the unicorn with glitter, sparkles, gems and gave his mane and tail a good groom.

We had a go at waxing some saddles, colouring some unicorn pictures and filling up the nets with hay for the horses.

It was fun. I loved it. I decorated the horse with glitter and I rided on a horse, the white one, it felt like my dog because I have a dog called Tessa – Billy

After making a wish by the largest standing stone in Cornwall, we had a run around in the field then made our way over to the paddock. There we took it in turns to ride Rolo and Buddy. We also got to lead James around the paddock.

We had a lovely time and would like to say thank you to Natalie and all her wonderful staff for making our visit so much fun.

I liked going on the horses. My favourite one was the white one. I liked going on Buddy – Hazel

Brilliant Beach Days

5th July 2021 by Amanda Aspden

Class 1 had an amazing day at the Bluff beach with the surf lifesaving super star Ben Holtaway.

We started out in the beach hut and learnt all about beach safety. We learnt where and when it is safe to go into the sea to swim or surf and what to do if we get into trouble.

We swim in between the red and yellow flags, otherwise you’ll go out to sea – Elowen

Next we met the life guards. We learnt all about the important role they have and what they do to keep us safe on the beach. We even got a demonstration of one of the lifeguards rescuing his friend who had got into trouble in the sea with the jet ski. Next we had a go on the rescue board and were excited to sit on the jet ski and quad bike.

I liked going on the jet ski best and the quad bike. Joseph

After the jet ski fun, we played some amazing beach games including the assault course with the sea weed cave of doom.

I liked playing in the wet sand best – Jacob

Finally, the highlight of the day was going surfing. The tide was perfect and the children had an amazing time swimming, splashing and surfing in the gentle waves.

I like surfing the best. I paddled on the surf board – Seth

Class 1 would like to say a massive thanks you to Ben and all the life guards for making the day so much fun and enjoyable.

The Great Reception Class Bake Off

28th April 202028th April 2020 by Amanda Aspden

Class 1 and 2 demonstrate their culinary skills by baking the most delicious treats for all their family to enjoy.

With a little help from Mum or Dad, the children weighed, kneaded, mixed, melted, iced, glazed, and decorated to their hearts content.

They made cup cakes, large chocolate cakes, fruit cakes, mug cakes, pies, tarts, biscuits, cheesecakes, swiss rolls, millionaires shortbread, gingerbread men, cheese scones, fruit scones, Finnish cinnamon buns and even made their own pasta and filled it with a variety of tasty fillings.

These indulgent tasty delights were a massive hit with the children’s families but they had to get in there quickly, they didn’t last long.

“I made them cakes for mummy’s birthday, I made patterns with chocolate buttons and smarties. It’s yummy”- Koby

The Dragons and the Six Super Stars both come back from Culdrose with Trophies!

“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.”