“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.”
Language lessons at Penpol primary school are already underway as we begin the new academic year. All classes have already enjoyed their first French lesson this year, with both Mr Emery and Michelle. Every student has already demonstrated lots of enthusiasm and eagerness to take part, which are key ingredients to having fun and gaining confidence in learning a language.
Reception students have already mastered the action “tire”(pull) and the different animals in French. Classes 1 + 2 very much enjoyed dressing up and acting out the classic French children’s story, “le navet enorme”(the giant turnip). Classes 3, 4, 5 + 6 are already enjoying being able to greet each other in French, with lots of students even making it part of their daily routine to greet Mr Emery in French outside the classroom.
Years 2 all the way to 5 have already taken part in singing “Alouette” ( the classic French song about a skylark), showing excellent knowledge of the body parts in French, with actions.
I loved learning about the giant turnip – Hunter – Class 2
Year 6 have the unique opportunity of putting all of the French they have used over the years to the ultimate test: corresponding with their very own French pen pal from a French primary school. The small school, situated just outside of Paris, have already expressed their excitement about this exchange and are eager to learn more about our Year 6 students. Watch this space for more news, as Penpol students learn more about French culture and way of life.
With language club now up and running every Thursday, students at Penpol also have the opportunity of learning another language, whether it is extra French practice, or learning numbers 1-10 in Mandarin.
Finally, Penpol school will be celebrating European Day of Languages on Tuesday 26th September, with all students competing in a whole school languages competition. The competition will be run by Mr Emery, with the aid of Penpol’s ICT teacher, Mr Woolcock. The aim will be for students to show-off their foreign language skills, ranging from French to Mandarin. The winners for each Year group will be rewarded with a prize in an assembly to conclude the action-packed day.
Watch this space for more news from languages over the next few weeks!
Violet had an action packed and fun filled summer holiday and brought an amazing diary in to show the class of her adventures. Violet told the class all about going on a barefoot trail, making bug houses with Mrs Goodman, dressing up in different costumes, her arts and crafts afternoons where she made some fabulous chimneys and painting a handbag money box that broke so her very kind sister Elsie gave her painted teddy money box.
She told us all about how she loved the pony rides and how on a trip to Flambards she went on the log flume and got soaking wet. We heard all about how she made her own tent next to a cup cake tree and during a trip to Heligan she enjoyed the singing. Violet told us about how she enjoyed going to the beach and having a go at rowing a boat with Grandad.
Finally, Violet showed us some great photos of when she went to Montenegro. She talked about how she went up some mountains, swam into a cave where the water was blue and it turned her skin blue but her favourite thing was when she jumped into the swimming pool with her nightie on with Mummy and Elsie.
My favourite bit was jumping in the pool with my nightie on because Mummy did it with her nightie on and so did Elsie.
Violet did some fabulous writing to accompany the pictures and drawings in her diary and sounds like she had an amazing time. Well done Violet for working so hard.
The new children in classes 1 and 2 have had a great first week at school. We have been very busy meeting all the new children in our classes as well as going on a tour of the school to see where to go for lunch, where we will be doing our IT lessons, the library and to meet the older children.
I love going to school because I like playing with my friends Dakota and Debora – Sophia (Class 1)
I like going to school because I like to do drawing and colouring in – Kensa (Class 2)
We have had our first phonics lesson where we practised saying and writing the letter ‘s’ and we had a delicious school dinner in the hall. We’ve also been busy doing PE and practising our counting to 10!
I love school because when we play with the mobilo I’m very sneaky at getting the toys out – Finley (Class 1)
I can write my name. It starts with a big ‘s’ – Skye (Class 2)
We are looking forward to a great year and have lots planned. Our first topic will be ‘ourselves’ and we will be having a go at some self-portraits in the coming weeks!
On Fridays we are looking forward to learning some French with Mr Emery and some music with Mr Jones and are busy practising our singing ready for Harvest Festival in a few weeks time.
I loved playing with the parachute – Nicholas (Class 2)
I love school because I like playing outside and with the castles – Will (Class 1)
It doesn’t matter what age you are, if you are a boy or a girl, tall or short, EVERYONE worries about something, even adults! Sometimes the things that make us feel upset or frustrated are obvious, like when we have an important test coming up or have got into trouble! Other times we may not understand what is causing us to feel the way we do. This can cause a tummy ache, it can make us feel shaky, unable to sit still and feel sad or scared. This is because when we worry, our body thinks there is something wrong and will try and let us know. This makes worries not very easy to ignore as our body is trying to look after us.
When we worry it can help to talk to someone, before our worries get to much. This can be difficult, but there are lots of people that you can trust and that care about how you are feeling. Imagine seeing that one of your friends was worried. You might try to cheer them up, or help them to solve a problem. Sometimes all your friend might need is a hug and to be told ‘its okay’. It is important to be able to look after yourself when you are worried, like you would look after your friend when they are worried.
Some people you could share your worries with include:
A caring friend
A family member
Your teacher
Other grown ups at Penpol School
Mr Doyle
Mrs Jane
“Its okay to worry. Being worried means you really, really care. And caring makes you a kind person. -Miss Clarey”
Ideas to help you stop worrying:
Talk to someone
Write a ‘worry list’
Draw, paint, cut and stick!
Lie still, close your eyes and listen to your breathing
Hold something comforting like a blanket or bear
Read a good book or poem*
Dance and be silly!
Ask an adult to help you learn more about why we worry
*
It is important to challenge our fears and try new things. Remember, it is okay to make mistakes and if you have a big worry, always share it with someone!
At the end of last term Mrs Turner and the Penpol Friends Association very kindly agreed to pay for half of a brand new 3D printer for the Mac Suite.
Over the last year our 3D printing work has become more and more exciting and whilst our original MakerBot Mini has helped us create some stunning 3D models in the past, it seemed the right time to push the boundaries even further and invest in a proper full-size 3D printer.
Introducing, the MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer!
This new printer can produce models at nearly TWICE the speed of our old printer. It can also build objects that are up to SIXTEEN times bigger in volume!! And to top it all off, it’s MUCH quieter when it’s being used. It really is a fantastic upgrade for the Mac Suite and we are hugely grateful to the PFA for helping us to buy it. – Mr Woolcock
This term we’re hoping that every child in Key Stage 2 will have the chance to design and print their own creation in 3D.
I can’t wait to use the new 3D printer, I can build anything in my imagination! – Will, Y6
Here’s a photo of the very first object built by the MakerBot Replicator+ – the beautiful Egyptian Sphinx!
Back we are with a new academic year here at Penpol. The new school pupils are busy settling in and the Year 6 children have begun well, realising that they are now the role models for the younger children to look up to. The Year 6 teaching staff, comprising of Mr Wise, Mr Pollard, Mrs Turner, Mrs Keeler and Caroline, are all raring to go also.
This year we have much planned: school camp, the end of year school production and the children sitting their SATS being some of the highlights.
We will begin looking at the story of ‘Clockwork’ in Year 6, a book written by Philip Pullman. We will focus on creative writing and ideas around this story, whilst all listening and reading it together.
In Geography we will be putting map-reading skills to the test and in Science and DT we will be looking at forces in action as we build our own Go Karts!
We are also fortunate to have Computing, Music and Modern Foreign Languages taught by three other teaching experts: Mr Woolcock, Mr Jones and Mr Emery.
It’s sure to be another exciting year that flies by and we are looking forward to it!
Thursday afternoon brought about the much anticipated Staff vs Football team football match and a fine end to the season it was.
With both teams kitted, warmed up, mentally prepared and awaiting the whistle, kick off was delayed due to a freak thunder storm. The weather gods are obviously football fans and were rooting for the children as the wet pitch then suited their passing style of play. Unfortunately for them, nobody told the adults as the pre-match favourites raced into an early lead. After some excellent Lampard-esque work in midfield Mrs Smart released Mr Stanlake to race through and finish past the onrushing ‘keeper. With the staff thinking the game was won they foolishly took their ‘foot of the pedal’ and were immediately pegged back as Finn played Ben through who duly fired past Mr Pollard in goal. His shot rocketed past the flat footed goal keeper ricocheting off the far past and nestling in the back of the net.
Some stubborn defending from Mrs Loughlin and the staff team’s mountainous central defender, Mr Woolcock, ensured the score remained level with the children’s attacks being limited to pot shots from distance to which Mr Pollard was equal to if not better. As the game neared its midpoint the teams looked destined to be tied however a quick fire double from the staff ensured this wasn’t the case. Naomi grabbed her debut goal with a very smart left footed finish after being set free my Miss Clarey’s fleet footed midfield play before Mr Stanlake netted his second, must to the disappointment of the mostly child supporting crowd.
Credit must go to the School team’s ‘gaffa as his team talk certainly worked. Jake would have been playing beside Jake must have delivered some precise instructions to prevent Miss Nidds and Caroline from running the midfield. Dylan and Jowan began to press higher up the field allowing Ethan and Josh to spread the ball with great joy. Releasing both Charlie and Ben to grab their first and second goals respectively and continue their season of free flowing goal scoring. With the game now tied at 3 goals a piece it settled into a far tenser affair.
Jake was gutted to miss out with a broken arm but plays this part as manager.
A reshuffle in the staff formation from player/manager Mr Pollard proved to be the breakthrough. Combining Mr Little swapping his whistle for his playing shirt and with the introduction of Lady Turner’s combative style the staff had a very good platform to attack from. From an attacking throw in on the left wing Caroline sent on-loan striker Ethan towards goal where he calmly slotted past the isolated Riley in goal. Nervous that the flood gates had opened Riley began to show the form that has earned him the Golden Glove with smart saves from Naomi, Mrs Chapman and a wayward goal kick from Mr Pollard. However, it wasn’t just the youngster drawing attention to his goal keeping ability. Mr Pollard rolled back the years with a handful of acrobatic saves including a cat like reflex s from Ethan’s deflected effort that would have has the scouts of Plymouth Argyle busily bustling for his signature. It was at this point the game could have swung in the children’s favour but for brave defending from Mrs Chapman and Mrs Loughlin whose competitive streak is mirrored by her son Dylan on the opposing team.
As the game neared its final quarter fatigue began to be an issue for the staff team and the rolling substitutions allowed the children to strike through the disorganised defensive set up on show. First through Charlie as a freak bobble left ‘keeper Mr Pollard red faced and on the look out for grounds man Mr Wells. The children’s jubilation was short lived as a clipped ball straight form kick off was flicked on by the experienced head of Mr Little to allow Ethan, on work experience from St Ives School, to poke past reserve keeper Leo.
The match soon descended from a tactical featherweight bout into a heavyweight slogging match as both teams exchanged dangerous attacks, but excellent goal keeping and resolute defending from skipper Josh and a very brave block from Erin prevented a cricket score. The game needed a spark and it was provided by an attacking run from Mr Stanlake who picked up a short ball from the goalkeeper before setting off on a run that Messi would have been proud of – ebbing and flowing between defenders as if they were banks of sand in the Hayle Estuary – before smashing the ball home at the near post. With the minutes left on the clock the goals began to fly in- 3 in 2 minutes.
First it was Charlie securing his hat trick after a trademark run, using his strength the brush Caroline aside before flashing his shot past the goalkeeper but again they were immediately pegged back by the cultured left foot of Mr Little as he feigned the goalkeeper before rifling high into the net. Next came a rush of blood to the head from Mr Stanlake as he conceded a late penalty for what he claimed was accidental handball. Step up Emmeline, who had the chance to bring her team to within one. Her first attempt was powerful, but straight at stand in keeper Mr Woolcock. However, as the ball rebounded she took a touch and dispatched with power as her shot deflected in off the goalkeeper. 7-6! Game on. With the children buoyed with the idea of drawing if not winning they continued to attack. Unfortunately for them the ever competitive Mr Stanlake had other things on his mind. A pinpoint pass from Mrs Chapman found Mr Stanlake who controlled and turned before curling into the bottom corner to complete the goal scoring.
In truth it was a game closer than most of the staff had envisaged and played with an exceptional level of sportsmanship, mostly from the children. Well done to everyone involved and until next year, the trophy shall sit proudly in the staffroom.
Since Christmas, Harry has been working on code for his first full iOS app, the Horror Maze game. He has spent countless lunchtimes, evenings and weekends working on his idea and today (on the last day of term) has got it fully working on a real iPhone! He has worked incredibly hard, learnt countless new skills and should be very, very proud of what he has achieved.
Here is a short video of Harry talking you through his creation.
Last Thursday there was great excitement in the school marquee as the children awaited the arrival of our three very special judges for this years ‘Penpol’s Got Talent. This year the auditions were amazing with children from reception through to year 6 demonstrating that they had the ability and confidence to dance, sing and play a musical instrument in front of a live audience.
Eventually, following four days of auditions, fourteen acts went through to the final. Judging the acts was a very difficult challenge for the three judges but eventually a decision was made.
This year’s winner was Leah who sang so beautifully that it gave the compere, Mrs Ruffell, goose bumps and left the three judges with tears in their eyes.
I liked all the singing and dancing, it was beautiful. – Isabella
I enjoyed watching all of the acts, especially my sisters singing group. – Patrick
I really enjoyed watching and listening to the drummer. He even had light up drum sticks. – Jonash
