Simba - Summer 2009

Excellence through care....

BABLAKE JUNIOR SCHOOL COUNDON ROAD COVENTRY CV1 4AU TEL: 024 7627 1260 www.bablakejuniorschool.co.uk

ROUNDERS

COUNTY CHAMPIONS

Rounders is a game enjoyed by many girls and matches have been arranged for Years 4, 5 & 6 teams.

To date, there have been many exciting games played; some fantastic victories and some very narrow losses.

The U11 team were invited to the Rugby School Tournament and against stiff opposition qualified for the semi-final of the plate competition. Despite a one rounder defeat to the eventual winners, the Bablake team learnt from the experience and thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.

The highlight of the season will be the Year 5/6 Mums v Daughters match. If all goes to plan, this will be a very closely contested game and hopefully this year we may even see a victory for the mums!!

The U/11 Cricket team recently won the Warwickshire Lord Taverners Schools title, beating Twycross, Solihull and Warwick along the way. Led by Warwickshire’s U/11 Cricketer Ross Parnell, the team beat Styvechale in the final. All the games were fine team performances with everyone fielding with vigour and batting and bowling with discipline and determination.

Simba

Bablake Junior School Summer 2009

Under 11 Cricket v Arnold Lodge The Under 11 Cricket Team has gone from strength to strength this term. A definite highlight was a resounding 63 run victory over a quality Arnold Lodge side, boasting several district players.

We were asked to bat first. This is not always easy in the T20 format of the game but with Ross Parnell and Rory Kenney-Herbert (see photo) smashing excellent fifties, a total of 142 was always going to be tough to beat. It proved so, with Arnold Lodge crumbling under some excellent bowling by no less than nine Bablake bowlers. Arnold Lodge were eventually bowled out for 79 thanks to a superb allround team effort, well done boys.

U8 Cricket

Late News Flash, The Mums Won!

The Under 8 Cricket Team enjoyed a comfortable victory over a determined King Henry’s side earlier in the term. After bowling and fielding well we chased down the runs required thanks to some sensible and vigorous batting by the boys. Thank you to Mrs Penny Simpson for these photographs.

Message from Mr Price This term really has rushed by. What with the exams, enterprise days, the play, cricket, rounders and skipping set amongst all the hard work, it has been a very busy time. Of course the sun has been great and we have been able to play outside which is always a big plus.

Interestingly enough it is during playtimes that I feel we sometimes see the very best of our children. As I look out across the field today there are literally sixteen different organised games going on. Boys and girls are playing cricket, or something like it and footballs are being chased. Many other children are gently sitting on the grass talking to their friends. They all seem very happy - perhaps the teachers have let their kindness win over and have extended break!

Remarkably the children have organised themselves. They are both co-operating and competing, being considerate and yet still determined. We are certainly privileged to have found such good company.

“IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE!”

DUNFIELD HOUSE Comments from Year 4 “I loved the woods and enjoyed splashing in the stream. This was the first trip away from my family I’d ever had and everyone at Dunfield made me feel very welcome and at home.” Ewan Fraser “My favourite part of Dunfield was the stream because I was allowed to get messy and wet!” Tarun Sanghera “It was challenging to climb the big hill. It made my back and legs ache!” Rajen Parekh “I really liked the stream. It was very clean and natural. The wood was fabulous. It had lots of wildlife.”

Kartik Sareen “There was so much to explore and to do, I wasn’t even bored for a second!” Salim Zayyan “It was my first weekend away from my family and the staff at Dunfield made it very special.” Ellena Edmiston “Dunfield House is the best place in the whole universe and I hope to go again.” Ruby Booth “When we did the activities it was fun because there were lots of different places for challenges.” Ben Rutter “ There were so many fantastic things to do and I especially enjoyed climbing the trees and splashing in the stream.” Lauren Ashby

SKIPPING CLUB The club has gone from strength to strength this term. We’re now proficient at stunt skipping on our own: including slalom, cross its, and jumpin jax foot manoeuvres. We can also use the rope in a variety of ways. Skipping in pairs, we’ve learnt to jump into a large rope and sing rhymes. Next step the double dutch!

Miss Love

Sponsored Skipping in aid of The British Heart Foundation David Rawlings, British Heart Foundation co-ordinator, came and gave an assembly about the charity and promoting heart health awareness. As a result of his visit we decided to raise money by holding ‘Jump Rope for Heart sponsored skips. Bablake Junior pupils have now raised an astonishing £3000 this term for The British Heart Foundation. All the pupils in the school skipped for an hour in an effort to help this charity following David Rawlings’ visit. Everyone enjoyed themselves and had fun whilst helping a good cause. Skipping has really taken off in the school and the tricks the children can do are magnificent. Well done everyone and many thanks to parents and friends for their support.

CALSHOT 2009

Mandy Reed

“The sponsored skip was fun because I skipped with my friends and raised money for a worthwhile charity” said one pupil.

Bablake Creative The Haiku of the Four Seasons Spring! Bright sharp green shoots Woods full of new leafing trees Leaves are fluttering.

When spring time turns green, Colours bloom like fireworks, Glittering light shines.

Summer! Hot bright sun Beaches filled up to the brim Bright yellow striped wasps.

Now summer has come, Glorious sun shining bright, School out, scream and shout!

Autumn! Leaves come down Conkers fall from a grand tree And are soon buried.

Now autumn is here, Coloured leaves golden, red ,green.

The wind breaks through day.

Winter! Cold snow comes Falls down on the path and road Christmas comes again.

Now winter arrives, Long cold icicles linger, A snow queen’s finger.

By Joe Harty

By Jasmine Hundal

Bablake Spinney

Autumn Lake Gentle ochres and golds fill the atmosphere like minute suns, resting on paths of deep brown. Still waters give off calm auras, yet the scent is rarely attractive. Early-autumn time, the best time to view this murky body of water.

A solitary bench is present, perfect for resting and absorbing the sights, smells and sounds of rural bliss. Reflections give the sense of blissful tranquillity, yet are sometimes disturbed by feathered creatures (such as mallards, coots and swans).

Abundant freedom is the emotion that all beings can share, towering to minute, elderly to youthful. Occasional green wreaths still linger, indicating late summer or early autumn, whereas they are outnumbered by overpowering shades of yellow. Furthermore, these leaves will perish soon, leaving spacious strips of bark for fresh leaves to emerge and fill this rural getaway with life again…

Imagine this area, gold, yellow, ochre, and imagine a frail body of murky water… never let that image leave your mind… ever… that image erases stress from the mind quickly and harmlessly, leaving that person with a simple emotion: bliss.

By Amelia Noble

As I walk through this vast forest I hear birds singing sweetly in the trees.

They whistle through the freezing air.

The buzzing bumble bee floats between the towering trees.

The freshness of the green leaves rests in the spinney.

The smell of honey hovers in the breeze!

The bees are making sweet honey; the combination of sweet honey and the green leaves is great.

The soft, delicate flower gleams in the bright sunlight.

Violet stripes run along the bluebells. I see spectacular scenery!

Gigantic trees cram the blue sky. White butterflies fly through the misty air.

Ecstatic feelings I feel as the insects play on the tree branches!

By Bavleen Bhambra

The grey tabby cat Stalks its prey in the long grass, As quiet as a mouse.

The black and white cat Lies on the bed still as stone, Thinking, ‘cuddle me’.

The totoiseshell cat, Camouflaged in autumn leaves, Hunting for dinner.

The dark, sleek, black cat, Eyes glowing in the dark, dark sky, Wailing on the road.

By Emily Senior

THE HIGHWAYMAN by Alfred Noyes 5P have been studying “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes. We have written about the poem, giving an account of what happened from the perspective of the different characters involved; the Highwayman, Bess the Landlord’s beautiful black-eyed daughter and Tim the Ostler, who betrayed them to King George’s soldiers. We have also written some additional verses about the ghosts of the Highwayman and Bess, who now haunt the old inn after their tragic deaths. We painted some pictures using wax resist to capture the ghostly and mysterious atmosphere of the poem. If you haven’t read the poem then we would definitely recommend it.

My life as a Highwayman

Additional verse for “The Highwayman”

Did it really have to end this way? Did I ever imagine growing up on the highway and dying there? My love of wealth has been the end of my career, and of me, but I would not have met Bess.... It was love at first sight.

The first time we met was at the Bull’s Head Inn. Every time we set eyes on each other I muttered to myself, ‘I will end up with you.’ Every time we met we knew we were supposed to be together. Bess’ father never liked her meeting me and in the end he forbid her from ever seeing me again. Consequently we had to meet at night.

One starlight night it all happened. I had seen Bess the night before, she was plaiting a long red love knot in her jet black hair. “One kiss my bonny sweetheart, I’m after a prize tonight, but I shall be back with the yellow gold before morning light.”

Through that night I got chased for all I was worth. It felt like running the marathon a thousand times. The relief when I was able to head off back to Bess’s, my beloved Bess!

BANG! Something was wrong. The air felt musty with gun powder, everything went thick and black. All of a sudden I knew there was danger. I spurred to the west. The horse was galloping for his life. He was like a greyhound being let out the traps. The race was on!

Early next morning I heard some terrible rumours that Bess had been killed. I rode in fury to the inn. Why did this have to happen to me? Why, why, o why?

“BANG” They shot me down, down like a dog on the highway. I loved Bess so much I didn’t think straight. That was it! My life was over. Life would be not be worth living without her.

And yet I still visit her, my true love, every cold winter’s evening. Bess stands at her casement, plaiting a dark red love knot in her long black hair. Even now I still ask myself, did I really want to be a Highwayman?

The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees, The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas, Suddenly I was awakened by a whistling in the air, I jumped up a shaking, shaking, shaking, I woke up a shaking! Who or what was there?

By Anna Price

In Year 5 we do an art project on ‘Still Life’. Here are some pencil drawings of fruit and vegetables that we did in an observational lesson in 5M.

He’d a crumpled hat on his head, and ragged lace at his chin, A coat of the claret velvet, and breeches of brown doe skin.

His clothes were fitted perfectly, his boots were up to the thigh.

He rode with a blazing twinkle, twinkle, twinkle, As he rode slowly, with a blazing twinkle under the moonlit sky.

Over the cobbles he wobbled and bashed in the dark inn yard.

He tapped with his stick on the window but all was locked and barred.

He whistled a tune to the locked window, who was waiting there?

Bess, plaiting a dark red love knot, love knot, love knot, Bess, plaiting a dark red love knot in her long black hair.

By George Bayliss

In the Class Room Year 5 have been having a great time learning how sound travels In Science we have started to learn about how sound travels.

We started with a sound carousel. We investigated a bottle organ by both hitting and blowing and twanging rulers made of different materials. We wanted to know what happens to rice when you place it on a drum and then it is beaten and how tuning forks sound when you place them on different surfaces and what happens to a balloon stretched over a tube when you talk down it?

We also played with string telephones and investigated the best way to make them work.

Now we are planning an experiment to find out which material is the best for muffling sound.

Jemima Beddow

Year 4 Enterprise Day

T

BABLAKE’S GOT

LENT

On Thursday 11th June, Year 4 had the opportunity to enter the world of business through an exciting ‘Enterprise Day’, held at Bablake Junior School.

Each company had to choose their Managing Directors, Buyers and Sellers, Finance Directors and Creative Directors.

The task involved choosing cars to make and selling them for the best price. Of course, the market changed during the day and the children experienced the highs and lows of the fluctuating market place! Accompanying this was the challenge of making their own radio and television adverts to promote their products.

A thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all and the children were inspired by the enthusiasm of the team leading the task. Our thanks go to Mrs Sexton and her team at ‘Progressive Educational Tools’ for all their hard work.

Mrs Francis

HANDS ON SCIENCE

In Drama, Miss Davies organised Bablake’s Got Talent! It was amazing hearing the music play, dancing and all the different instruments. I didn’t know we had all that talent! We had lots of rehearsals and everyone worked really hard. We had lots of acts including the violin, piano, Indian drums, guitar, harmonium, recorder, singing, dancing, tap dancing, acting and so on. At school I have violin lessons.

I have been going home to my music room to practise straight away. My piece is called Country Chimes. Being a winner and getting through to the next round feels great!

Harry Hine

Music JUNGLE BOOK It has been encouraging to see a significant up-take of instrumental lessons this year and I know the children are really enjoying the experience of learning a new instrument. We have been very fortunate in having more music clubs run by peripatetic teachers: a guitar club run by Mr. Munns, a string ensemble with one of our past pupils, Simone Willis and of course the brass group and orchestra with Mr. Cooper.

We have enjoyed some fabulous assemblies: the children perform as soloists and in music groups, and we have also been fortunate to have visiting musicians who have performed and encouraged audience participation, including a live rock band from Ernsford Grange Community School. Thank you to Mr. Adenegan for his recent visit which involved many of the children playing percussion instruments that we do not have in school and it was also an opportunity to see what the staff could do!

During the year we have had four informal concerts after school which has been an opportunity for the various music groups to perform; these include both the invitation and beginner’s recorder groups and the percussion group. At Christmas

we were able to put on two concerts in the theatre which is a lovely venue, one for the lower school and the other for the upper school.

In lessons the children have had an opportunity to compose their own pieces; creative sound pictures and improvised compositions. In Year 6 they work as a group on a popular music composition; they write the lyrics, compose an on-going rhythm and add a melody: this is not easy for many of the children. Then they are invited to perform these to an audience of pupils and parents. Generally these concerts are very entertaining and rewarding for the pupils.

Finally at the end of this school year, the Year 6 children put on their final performance before moving up to the Senior School. We have all enjoyed watching the ‘Jungle Book’ and witnessed the lovely singing and wonderful acting. Well done Year 6; I’m sure the Senior School music and drama staff will be looking forward to working with you in the future.

Mrs Mason

Lunt Roman Fort On Tuesday 2nd June, Year 3 visited Lunt Fort in Baginton. This trip was to support our History topic on ‘The Romans.’

We were very lucky to have such a fantastic guide, who shared his extensive knowledge with us and answered the children’s questions. The children learnt all about the clothing and armour, Sarjun looked very menacing dressed as a Roman soldier.

The children showed great interest in the weapons used against the Celts; the swords, daggers, javelins, catapults and spikes hidden in the moat. We explored the defences and climbed the gateway to experience the advantageous views that the soldiers would have had. We looked around the granary went into the gyros (cavalry training ring,) the only one of it’s kind in the world.

The children, being children, were fascinated with the Roman toilet habits, particularly the sponge on the stick, which was shared amongst many soldiers in their communal latrine (a great source of amusement for the children!) We had a truly fantastic day out. The sun was shining and there were smiling faces all round!

Miss Davies

The Year 6’s excelled with this fantastic production.

The play was adapted by Mr Norman and produced by Miss Tatum.

The pupils auditioned earlier in the term and the key players were excellent – funny and captivating. Everyone enjoyed the show, from parents to the pre prep. All of the Year 6’s were involved and those with backing roles were as committed and helpful as the stars.

Well done to all and special thanks to Mr Wyatt for his technical support and Mrs Thomas for her magnificent face painting.

Coventry’s First Lady Visits Babake!

Why send your child to Bablake Junior School?

On June 10th we had a very important visitor in school.

Lady Godiva rode in on her favourite horse.

As part of our ‘Persuasive Writing’ the children had to pretend that they were the Head at Bablake Junior School. They were given the task of writing a persuasive letter to go into the prospectus to parents who had expressed an interest in the school.

YES…. Before you ask she WAS fully clothed!!!!

Through prayer, poetry and drama we heard her amazing story and the part she played in our city’s rich history. We learnt how she took the side of the citizens of Coventry against her husband, Leofric, and spared them from harsh taxation by riding naked (or in her nightgown!) through the streets.

Everyone was ordered to stay indoors except for Peeping Tom, who appeared from his window.

We really enjoyed watching the legend being re-enacted for us in our assembly.

Lady Godiva is portrayed by Pru Poretta, who is a wonderful ambassador for Coventry. I am grateful that she could fit our visit into her busy schedule. I am also delighted that she has asked us to be involved in some forthcoming events she is planning next year, so watch this space and let’s hope we all get to keep warmly dressed!

Mrs Francis

Should Fox Hunting be banned?

Here’s what they decided were Bablake Junior School’s best features ….

Fox hunting –as you all probably know- is considered a sport which to me is very cruel.

Fox hunting is, and only is, for entertainment. If you disagree with me, well here’s the truth. You say fox hunting is a tradition, yes? Well King Henry VIII went hunting and he did it for fun, that’s where the tradition starts from.

Child labour used to be tradition but it got banned, if it still continued we’d be scrubbing floors and sweeping chimneys. So why not stop fox hunting too?

You might eat fox but probably 98.9% of the British people don’t, so hunters can’t come back to me and say they sell fox. If you did you’re very unlikely to make a good living.

Scientists claim that female foxes have fewer cubs when food is not so plentiful, that’s why (I think) foxes hunt chickens and lambs. If farmers out there say ‘Well, why don’t the foxes go hunt wild rabbits? ’ The answer is that during winter when rabbits hibernate in burrows UNDERGROUND, foxes can’t get to them so they hunt chicken and lambs instead. Yes, I know how you feel about not having enough chickens to sell, so you kill the foxes, however how would you feel with 40 odd dogs biting at your heels knowing that if you trip you’d be killed?

Foxes might carry rabies, but that’s life. We sometimes carry the flu which isn’t what we want to have, neither do foxes want to carry rabies. What I’m trying to put across to you is that nature does what it’s supposed to do and that’s what it’s to do. Why not buy some secure fencing which doesn’t cost a lot?

I understand that the animal rights association wants to ban fox hunting, but they are pests, pests I tell you, PESTS!!! The foxes I mean, not the animal rights people! If you carry on protesting, the countries main sport will be banned. It is a helpful sport, not like football or rugby, it is a sport that brings our nation together . . . the fox hunt!!

Foxes spread deadly diseases and parasites like foot and mouth or rabies. Foxes kill farmers’ animals one of two ways, either they bite them or give them foot and mouth.

We need fox-hunting or the fox population will get too big and starvation will occur. If we don’t fox hunt over 250,000 people will lose their jobs and thousands of people will be devastated. Their ancestors had fox-hunted in the past!

I hope I have persuaded you to change your mind about fox hunting. Do you really want this country’s most helpful sport to be banned and never be seen again?

By Katerina Jackson

By Thomas Nelson

Foxes reek havoc in your garden, not to mention being a nuisance for farmers.

Dear Mr and Mrs Brown

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Brown,

Thank you for your interest in Bablake Junior School. We care highly that you get to know us a little better. I am going to tell you a bit about our community, education and sport.

Thank you for your interest in Bablake Junior School. It would be an absolute pleasure to have your child at Bablake, so he will get the best education, make fantastic friends and have fun.

I firstly would like to tell you about the community here. Everybody is very friendly and your child will be very welcomed. Our staff have years of experience with children and in their teaching. If there is a problem we can sort it out quickly and fairly. Every room is filled with smiles, smiles all around as we say!

Firstly, do you want your child to get the best education possible? Well if you do, our school offers wide and varied lessons. Our children are very clever and if they find anything difficult they will be helped and supported by their form teacher or Mrs Thomas, our help and support teacher.

Education is one of the most important things in every school. At Bablake we expect our teachers to make lessons as much fun as possible.

Also we think that longer school days give children a better education, don’t you agree? At the end of the year, Year 5s have to do the test leading into the Senior School.

In addition, everyone in Bablake behaves extremely well. You will be astonished to discover how well the children behave and work together.

Also our School Council lets children decide/vote on what we do as a school.

We care about sport at Bablake Junior School. We have good facilities.

We deeply recommend your children staying fit; to help them with this we run a x-country club! Here we have a very large range of sports from netball to cricket.

I hope that you are satisfied with the school and will consider coming to an open day. Wouldn’t you want this for your child?

Furthermore it’s fun! Most children think that school is boring, but once they have spent one day at Bablake they will be itching to come to school. Our secret to children having an immensely good time is our strong sense of community we naturally generate. Why don’t you come and experience this yourself? It’s an unmissable chance.

In conclusion, send your child to Bablake for a brilliant education, excellent sport and for them to have fun. Remember the door is always open for kind, clever children.

Your sincerely, Yours sincerely, Annabel McChesney Aiden T homas