The Penpol Times

Year 3 Head to the Mines

7th February 20257th February 2025 by Jess Riches

Our Amazing Trip to Geevor Tin Mine!

Wow! What an exciting day we had at Geevor Tin Mine! We travelled back in time to learn about tin mining in Cornwall and even became miners for the day.

Wearing hard hats, we explored a real mine. It was dark, damp, and spooky! We saw how tin was separated from rocks, used old tools, and tried drilling and crushing rocks ourselves.

Next, we panned for gold and found gems—just like real treasure hunters! We visited the locker room, left just as miners had last used it, and ended the day with a fun Cornish sing-along.

We had an amazing time and learned so much.

Year 4’s Planting Adventure!

7th February 2025 by Jack Emery

Year 4 rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty this week as they took part in Cormac’s Green Shoots community project at the Playing Fields!

Both classes embraced the challenge, taking on everything from planning and digging to planting bulbs and native shrubs—and even a bit of litter-picking to keep the space looking great. Both classes were a credit to the school – no matter the task, every child threw themselves into the project with enthusiasm!

A huge thank you to Melissa, Becky, and Kelly from Cormac, who made sure every child felt involved and valued throughout the process. Their support and guidance turned this into a truly hands-on learning experience.

It was fantastic to see the children so engaged, and they’ve already told us they’re keen to visit the Playing Fields more often—what a brilliant legacy for this project! We’ll definitely be planning some of our school learning in this wonderful space to make the most of their hard work and the new picnic area.

More photos to come soon—watch this space!

Footballers represent Penpol at Penwith Festival

12th February 20255th February 2025 by Nic Stanlake

17 of our talented Year 5 and 6 pupils made their way to Mounts Bay Academy to take part in a football festival against 7 other schools. A mixed bag of results but all children returned home with smiles on their faces. These festivals are not about winning they are simply about providing the opportunity for young football fanatics to get out on the pitch and get involved! The boys did exceptionally well and certainly played the game with the right values- the Penpol values of respect, friendship, creativity and integrity!

Hooray for Arrays!

12th February 20255th February 2025 by Michael Pearson

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!

Frozen Frenzy: The Great Dinosaur Ice Break!

6th March 20254th February 2025 by Clare Sara

Class 4 had a smashing time today in our science lesson! First, the children eagerly revealed what was hidden inside the balloons. Many enthusiastic helpers volunteered to remove the balloons from the freezing ice.

We began by using our skills to record predictions. Carefully, we worked as a team to set up three controlled methods to figure out which would be the best way to free the dinosaurs from the ice quickly. Each method was timed to find out the results.

Then came the frenzy of smashing the capsules over and over again to free the dinosaurs (don’t worry, no dinosaurs were harmed in the process! 😊).

After all the fun, it was time to record our results. In third place, after 19 minutes and 42 seconds, we decided the ice egg near the heater was no longer in the running. The hot water method impressed us with a time of 9 minutes and 21 seconds, with one child noting, “…the water is now cold because the ice has melted, making it go from hot water to cold water.” But, in first place, with a super speedy time of 1 minute and 56 seconds, was the smashing, crashing, and bashing of the ice capsules!

What a frosty, fun-filled lesson it was!

AI in the Classroom

31st January 202531st January 2025 by Jess Riches

As Class 7 continues to learn about Cornish Mining, this week we added a special twist! We used “School AI” to help us explore this fascinating topic in a way that was just right for each child.

With AI, we could ask our own questions and get tailored answers to help us understand what life was like for miners. Some chidlren wanted to discover what kinds of food miners ate, while others wanted to find out about their family life. Some even explored how mining helped the economy and why it was so important for Cornwall. It was amazing to see how AI could guide us to learn in a way that suited us best!

We also had an important discussion about using ai safely. We learned that AI is a great tool for learning, but we should always check information, think critically, and ask a teacher if we’re unsure.

A Special Visit from Clint at Geevor Mine!

3rd February 202531st January 2025 by Christie Jackson

Year 3 had an unforgettable experience this week when Clint from Geevor Mine came to visit us! He brought history to life with his fascinating stories about what it was like to be a miner in Cornwall, both in the 19th century and in the 1990s. The children were amazed to learn how mining has changed over the years and just how tough the job was!

One of the highlights of the visit was the chance to dress up in traditional mining clothing. The children had so much fun trying on the outfits and imagining what it must have been like to work deep underground. They also had the opportunity to feel the weight of real mining equipment—everyone was shocked at how heavy it was! It really helped us appreciate the hard work and strength needed to be a miner.

There were gasps of amazement when Clint told us that, in the past, children as young as three used to go down into the mines! It was difficult to believe, but it helped us understand just how different life was for children in those times.

We are now even more excited for our upcoming visit to Geevor Mine next week! We can’t wait to explore the site in person and see firsthand the places and equipment Clint told us about. Stay tuned for more updates after our trip!

Fantastic Fluency!

27th January 202527th January 2025 by Bethany Waters

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 are embracing collaboration and creativity!

25th January 202524th January 2025 by Jess Riches

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!

The Great Scone Showdown: Jam or Cream First?

17th January 2025 by Lisa Bettens

When it comes to a Cornish Cream Tea, there’s one question that’s crumbling the peace: which should you spread first—jam or cream?

Our Cornish Club decided to whisk things up by taking part in a tasty experiment to see which method our students preferred. The results were as buttery as a freshly baked scone—but there were definitely some crumbs of controversy along the way!

Cornish Vocabulary:

Dehen Te – Cream Tea

Jamm – Jam

Skonsen – Scone

Dehen Molys – Clotted Cream

The Battle of the Scones

A Cornish cream tea is a beloved tradition in the South West of England, made up of scones, clotted cream, and jam. But the order of toppings is where the real debate lies.

Cornish Way: In Cornwall, the correct method is to spread the jam first, followed by a dollop of clotted cream on top. The jam acts as a base to hold the cream in place—like a perfect marriage of sweetness and richness.
Devon Way: In Devon, however, the cream comes first, with the jam plopped on top. Fans of this method say the cream acts as a soft, luxurious base, letting the jam sit pretty on top—like a crown atop a royal scone.

The Great Taste Test:

Students were invited to try both methods and cast their vote for the ultimate cream tea combination. The room buzzed with excitement as everyone spread their toppings, each determined to win the argument.

“Mrs Bettens, you are wrong, the best way is dehen/cream first”, came a healthy debate from Morwenna.

As the scones disappeared and the debate rumbled on, it became clear: there was no easy way to spread the love in this argument.

Conclusion:

After much deliberation, the children decided there is no ‘right way’ to eat a scone, just whichever way you find jam-packed with flavour! Whether you’re team Cornwall or team Devon, one thing’s for sure: a Cornish cream tea is a treat worth arguing over.

Just remember: no matter how you spread it, it’s bound to be splann/super!