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“Penpol pupils are curious, creative and courageous learners. Our school community believes in authenticity as the foundation 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
Tuesday brought not only sunshine but also Year 6’s exciting trip to St Michael’s Mount. In the coming weeks, they will be exploring Cornish myths and legends in English, and what better way to immerse themselves in local folklore than by visiting the very setting of one of the most gruesome tales?
Before making the short walk across the causeway, both classes took a moment to soak in the island’s grandeur from the mainland. They sketched the scene and began using their senses to capture details that would later enrich their descriptions back at school.
Once the tide had retreated, Class 13 made their way across first, arriving with only slightly damp socks before Class 14 joined later. On the island, the children got to work in the newly opened Learning Centre, which we had the honour of inaugurating last year alongside the St Aubyn family.
They began by learning, retelling, and story-mapping the tale of young Jack—a boy courageous enough to take on Cormoran and free the villagers from their fearful strife. This immersive experience will undoubtedly support them when they rewrite the story in the coming weeks, as they can revisit the key actions, vocabulary, and plot points through drama—and trust me, we had some truly terrifying giants!
The children also had the opportunity to explore the quaint village nestled at the foot of the mount. Through completing the ‘Harbour Challenge,’ they gained insight into how people live on the mount today while also uncovering its rich military and royal history.
