Unfortunately we are having trouble with our phone system this morning. If you need to reach the school please use our backup number of 01736 756915. Thank you.
“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
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!
In Year 1, we’ve been working hard to understand place value up to 50. We’ve been using a variety of manipulatives, including base ten, to help us visualise how many tens and ones are in different numbers. This hands-on approach has made learning about numbers both fun and engaging!
We’ve enjoyed working with our partners, which not only helped us with our place value understanding but also allowed us to develop our Penpol Value of Friendship. By collaborating and discussing our ideas, we’ve been able to improve our Oracy skills, explaining our thinking and listening to others.
It’s been wonderful to see the children excited to share their discoveries and we’re looking forward to continuing to build our mathematical and communication skills together!
Class 14 have fully embraced the enjoyment of our ‘Festival of Maths’ this week. We have spent time embedding our fluency and number skills through a variety of games and activities whilst also finishing our Algebra unit with some hands on missing number problems! This week maths, has not simply been limited to maths lessons; we’ve explored parallel and perpendicular lines in art, written maths inspired stories and used our orienteering skills to support the learning of reading buddies.
I really enjoyed Maths Week because I love giving myself hard challenges to work out- it was nice to do things a little bit differently this week!- Luke
I really liked maths week because there was loads of fun activities to do across the curriculum- Violet
As part of our exciting Festival of Maths week at Penpol School, our Year 2 pupils got moving in maths with an activity called Active Arrays! Combining the physical skills of coordination, agility and teamwork with their enthusiasm for multiplication, the children worked together to create large-scale arrays using cones on the school playground.
Pupils explored the concept of multiplication in a hands-on way, arranging cones into rows and columns to help visualise the number patterns of arrays. This interactive approach helped them grasp this key mathematical concept while staying physically active and socially engaged.
It was fantastic to see their enthusiasm and energy in action—learning really comes to life when we move! Hooray for Arrays!
Maths isn’t just about numbers – it’s about discovering patterns, solving problems, and most importantly, having fun! That’s exactly what Class 13 has been exploring by diving into the world of maths fluency games! Fluency is an integral part of our maths curriculum here at Penpol and we’ve been shaking it up in Year 6!
These games have been about more than just a break from traditional lessons; they’re a chance for the pupils to challenge themselves further, work together, and re-discover how fun maths can be! Our Year 6 pupils are proving that by thinking like a mathematician and utilising the power of games, they’re able to discover new ways to build their skills, tackle challenges, and most importantly, enjoy the journey.
How You Can Join the Fun at Home
Simple activities like times table challenges, card games, or even apps like Times Tables Rock Stars and Numbots can help keep the momentum going!
Class 7 is buzzing with excitement as we delve into activities that foster teamwork, encourage creativity, and make learning fun and interactive. Here are some highlights from our recent adventures:
Collaborating on Writing
This week, Year 3 focused on improving their writing skills through collaboration and peer reviews. The children worked in pairs to share their stories and ideas. Each writer had the opportunity to hear feedback from their peers, who highlighted the strengths of the work and suggested thoughtful improvements. It was wonderful to see how constructive feedback inspired the children to polish their writing. The teamwork and respect demonstrated during these sessions were truly commendable!
Maths Dice Race Game
Learning maths has never been so engaging! To strengthen their quick-thinking and number sense, Class 7 enjoyed a lively dice race game. In this activity, pairs competed to solve problems by rolling dice and calculating sums in record time. Laughter and determination filled the room as the children cheered each other on, showcasing their competitive spirit while working together. Games like these are a fantastic way to turn learning into a playful experience.
What’s Next?
As we continue to embrace collaboration in all areas of learning, we are excited for what’s ahead. Whether through writing, problem-solving, or creating art, Class 7 is proving that teamwork and creativity go hand-in-hand. Stay tuned for more updates from our incredible young learners!
This week, our Year 2 classrooms were buzzing with excitement as pupils traded pencils for mixing bowls to create their very own honey flapjacks. The sweet smell of honey and oats filled the air as the children took part in this hands-on learning experience, combining cooking with literacy, mathematics and creativity.
The week began with an introduction to reading recipes. In their whole-class reading lessons, the children learned to navigate the instructions step by step, identifying time connectives and command sentences. They practised reading measurements and ingredient lists, connecting their classroom English and maths lessons to real-life scenarios.
Our Year 2 pupils worked in groups to read their recipes, then carefully measured out and mixed the ingredients, before scraping the flapjack mixtures into greased and lined baking tins.
The flapjacks, baked to golden perfection, received raving reviews from children and parents alike. More than just a fun activity, this experience highlighted valuable lessons about following instructions, expressing creativity, and working collaboratively with peers.
After successfully making (and tasting!) their flapjacks, the children have been inspired to write their own recipes… Watch this space for their own oat-standing flapjack recipes!
In Year 1, we love exploring different areas of Mathematics in fun and creative ways. Here are some photos of the children thinking outside the box to make their own number sentences and using various resources to help them learn.
We also enjoy getting up and being active to support our learning! This helps us to use our reasoning skills and strengthens our fluency by embedding it kinestetically.
Earlier this month, our Year 6 pupils enjoyed a short walk to Hayle Academy to take part in an exciting transition and taster day within the Science, Maths, and DT departments.
In the ‘Magical Maths’ session, the children tackled challenging puzzles that even left the adults scratching their heads! They worked diligently to solve Sudoku-style problems and explored how ancient civilizations used mathematics to create intricate shapes and patterns.
The theme of patterns continued in DT, where Class 14 had a hands-on challenge to construct geodesic domes using cocktail sticks and sweets. While some domes were more successful than others, a few sweet-related distractions may have played a part! If you’d like to try this activity at home, the brief sheet is attached below.
In the Science lab, Class 13 geared up in PPE and delved into an exciting experiment to test the pH levels of different liquids. Budding scientists in the making!
