HIGHLIGHTS SUMMER 2021
C RO S F I E L D S SCHOOL
THE LOVE OF LANGUAGES In June, lessons across the school took on an international flavour for a whole week as the Languages department cleverly wove foreign language tasks into the pupils’ timetables. Throughout the week a variety of activities took place that encouraged the children to learn vocabulary in new languages as well as in their timetabled lessons. Children in the early stages of their languages journey in Nursery and Reception enjoyed playing parachute games in French and took part in a Disney Quiz using many languages, and also boogied along to a French and Spanish Disco!
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Pupils in Years 1 to 7 tested their knowledge in a Big Language Quiz during Collect.
Girls and boys in Year 1 discussed and learnt about festivities from other countries and some taught words and sentences in their native language to their class. This included Chinese/ Mandarin, Russian, Kazak, Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali to name but a few! Pupils in Years 2 to 4 enjoyed watching and re-enacting fairy tales in French, while Year 5 and 6 prepared and took part in Les Trois Mousquetaires mini play in French. Un pour Tous, Tous pour un!
CROSFIELDS SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS | SUMMER 2021
In the Senior School, Year 7 pupils had the opportunity to sample some delicious French delicacies, including the famous ESCARGOTS! Meanwhile Year 8 took part in a Spanish MasterChef. They all impressed the judges making amazingly tasty Tortilla Espanola.
During their timetabled Language lessons pupils also enjoyed sharing their culture and several pupils taught their peers some of their native language. During the week pupils added a little competitive spirit to their week as they enjoyed playing several games of Pétanque and boules in the quad.
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YEAR 8 COMPETE FOR COVETED IAN MICHAEL AWARD
In a nod to former Headmaster Mr. Ian Michael who worked at the school in the late 1950s, pupils in Year 8 continue to compete for the Ian Michael Award to this day, which has traditionally been prepared for Speech Day on the last day of term. Pupils must prepare a presentation of one of their hobbies and interests to display to their teachers and peers. This year the presentations were made in the theatre to a live audience of the entire Senior School and staff during the last week of term. Girls and boys produced a PowerPoint presentation, focusing on the images and videos they wished to share. Pupils pounced on the opportunity to research their ideas
over the 10 activities sessions of the summer term and presented their thoughts and findings using a variety of media. They presented these to their class and the whole year by recording these presentations and adding them to a Sway. Twelve finalists were chosen from this process based on the skills they showed with research, presentation and speaking. The variety of topics being discussed was incredible with the final presentations including the History of Ireland, Roller Blading, Ways the World Might End and Palaeontology. Congratulations went to all for making the most of this project, but special mention went to this year’s winner, Aine for speaking so well about Irish History (pictured above).
YEAR ENJOY QUIRKY YEAR 22ENJOY QUIRKY SCIENCE LESSON SCIENCE LESSON
At At the the end end of of June, June, Year Year 22 had had an an exciting exciting science science lesson lesson meeting theAfrican giant African millipede, meeting GalaxyGalaxy the giant millipede, Sven the Sven rabbit the tofew name a few rabbitthe and Echoand the Echo gecko, togecko, name a of the animals! of the from animals! Luke, from Roadshow, Quirks Animal Roadshow, Luke, Quirks Animal brought in a brought selectionand of animals to the selectioninofa animals talked toand thetalked children about children different habitats, to life differentabout habitats, bringing to life bringing their science topic this their topic this great term.science The children hadterm. greatThe fun children learning had about where fun where different live, of the learning differentabout animals live, the stroking and animals holding some stroking and holding them….even them… even watchingsome Splatofthe white tree watching frog hopping Splat thethe white treeItfrog around the around carpet. washopping a great morning fullcarpet. of surprises It wasmany a great morning fullat ofhome. surprises with many with stories shared stories shared at home.
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CROSFIELDS SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS | SUMMER 2021
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SENIORS PERFORM ON STAGE In July, Year 8 pupils took part in a Performing Arts Morning. It was an opportunity for the year group to share their devised drama pieces which they have been working at with Mrs O’Leary. Various scenarios inspired by television shows and everyday situations were
DOUBLE FARMYARD FUN FOR NURSERY
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brought to life by the actors and were well received by a supportive audience. Musically, there were string and saxophone ensembles and a couple of solo performances for variety. What a great way to start the day!
In keeping with their learning about animals, girls and boys in the Nursery have enjoyed not one but two terrific opportunities to get up close with farm animals during the summer term which included a trip to Rushall Farm in Reading. They were extremely excited to go to the farm and, for some of them, to go on a coach for the first time! They enjoyed exploring, looking at the animals, seeing a live bee hive and going on a tractor ride. It was lovely for the children to be able to go on their first school trip and they all had a wonderful time. In addition, Nursery children had an exciting visit
CROSFIELDS SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS | SUMMER 2021
from some farm animals courtesy of mobile farm, Farms2Ewe. The children were able to hold, stroke and feed lots of different animals such as cows, goats, horses, ducks and more! They even helped to groom the horse. The children learnt lots about how to care for animals and really enjoyed the experience.
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THE SPIRIT OF SPORTS DAY RETURNS TO CROSFIELDS
For the first time in two years, it was a real pleasure to see pupils across the school enjoy their respective sports days in June and July. The first group to return to the athletics field were children in the Pre-Prep who took part in individual games and track events. The following week pupils in Years 3 to 5 did the same but also enjoyed a throw, a jump and a relay race. It was fantastic to see the competition at full throttle in Year 7 and 8 a week later, with it not taking long for pupils to regain the competitive, fair and supportive approach that has been the theme of sports days at Crosfields for so long with everyone doing their best for themselves and for their houses. The only piece of the puzzle missing was Year 6 who were given a virtual sports day to do at home with ten athletics-based tasks to complete. Pupils then entered their results on Teams to see how their classmates had got on.
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CROSFIELDS SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS | SUMMER 2021
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PERFECT DAY AT PGL Year 2 had a wonderful time at outdoor activity centre PGL in May (their first trip in over 18 months!). Despite an early start, there was much chatting and laughing on the journey. When they arrived at Liddington, there was only one other school there due to Covid restrictions. Needless to say that it didn’t stop the children having a fabulous fun-filled and memorable day. Children overcame fears, particularly to do with height, worked in teams and supported their friends and teachers when they were doing something completely out of their comfort zone. It was very well organised by PGL and the instructors were super with the children. On the return journey, teachers were expecting the coach to be a little quieter, however listening to the children talk about the day being “the best day ever” demonstrates just how important school trips are to the children and their curriculum.
UNBELIEVABLE UFTON COURT
In the middle of May, Year 4 visited the historic venue of Ufton Court In Berkshire to take part in a range of Saxon activities. The children learnt how to grind corn, churn milk, played Saxon games, reenacted the story of Beowulf, identified Saxon objects and gave out punishments Saxon style! The two days culminated in the ever-famous Battle of Reading vs the Vikings and the splendid banquet in full costume. The children came away with a wealth of knowledge which will add to their learning in school, as well as making some lifelong memories.
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CROSFIELDS SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS | SUMMER 2021
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COMPETITIONS HEAT UP IN THE POOL
In early May the first inter-squad championships took place in the Crosfields pool, headed by Senior pupils in Years 7 and 8. Not only was it great fun to be back to enjoying competing but unbelievably three new records were created in the back and breaststroke by Lottie and freestyle by Charlotte. Year 6 then took their turn a week later, followed by Years 3 and 4. It was wonderful to see the squads back enjoying competing setting some great times. Also on the scoreboard was Sofia who broke not one but three school records in the freestyle, backstroke and butterfly, and it was the first time that the Year 3’s had taken part in a gala. A really positive start to the competition calendar and exciting for the future of swimming at Crosfields. Congratulations to all the medal winners and swimmers who have kept up their amazing enthusiasm during the year.
YEAR 6 DAZZLE IN SNOW WHITE AND CINDERELLA The end of June saw the return of productions to the Crosfields theatre for the first time in two years! Year 6 were delighted to perform amusing versions of Snow White and Cinderella to an appreciative audience of parents, with Shakespeare, Harry Potter, a rather cool magic fairy and one
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of Macbeth’s witches making guest appearances alongside the more usual characters. Heads rolled, and more than one character met a grisly end and was carried off stage by the efficient storytellers! Well done Year 6 - you were all amazing!
CROSFIELDS SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS | SUMMER 2021
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MEDIEVAL MADNESS FOR YEAR 1 A colourful array of children in costumes arrived at school in early May to participate in Year 1’s Medieval Day. They began the day meeting ‘Lord Phillip’ around the fire pit. After this the children took part in a morning of activities in the castle (AKA Acorns Hall!) which included candle making, weaving, leather work, soap making and creating pots and faces out of clay. Children also had the opportunity to take part in lessons in archery, jousting and warfare. This wonderful, interactive day ended with a banquet with the children taking on roles at the banquet. There were juggling jesters, singers, dancers, and servants. What an exciting and memorable day!
YEAR 3 WALK LIKE THE EGYPTIANS In May, girls and boys in Year 3 had an amazing day full of handson activities all about ancient Egypt. The children were visited by Tim and Coz from ‘Living History Workshops’ and spent the whole day engaged in a variety of making, crafting and investigative tasks whilst dressed in fabulous
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costumes to help them get into character. The day began with a living timeline and then went on to include carving shabtis from bars of soap, looking for clues in real ancient Egyptian artefacts and even grinding flour from barley which was pretty hard work!
CROSFIELDS SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS | SUMMER 2021
A successful day was had by both the children and staff and it was great to see such enthusiasm from everyone, even when being taught some belly dancing moves. A real treat to help all of Year 3 find out more about history and bring some of it to life for them.
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RESIDENTIAL TRIPS FOR YEARS 5 AND 6 In June, pupils in Years 5 enjoyed a three-day residential trip to adventure holiday camp PGL in Osmington Bay near Weymouth, while pupils in Year 6 went to outdoor campsite Bushcraft at Badminton Woods in Gloucestershire. Resilience and bravery were put to the test as Year 5 enjoyed the use of a very high giant swing and zip wire, while teamwork skills were required to paddle a large boat together out in the bay. Evening activities included games, singing and beach walking. Meanwhile, over at Bushcraft girls and boys in Year 6 were getting hands on with practical outdoor activities of a different nature. Putting their survival skills into action, they lit fires using sticks and twigs, and then cooked their lunch, as well as making spears and bracelets, skinning fish, making pizza and playing games around the campfire and tents. All children returned home tired but delighted with their achievements.
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CROSFIELDS SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS | SUMMER 2021
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BRILLIANT BROOKLANDS! On a sunny Wednesday morning in June, children in Year 1 were excited to board the coach for their longawaited trip to Brooklands Museum in Woking. As the coach approached the museum, and Concorde was insight, a huge cheer went up! The children enjoyed being guided around the museum, looking at different vehicles, recognising some of the planes they had learnt about in their topic lessons. Each child had fun making a loopy plane and particularly enjoyed racing them outside, seeing which plane could travel the furthest. The highlight for most was the short trip on Concorde, sadly not in the air, but the children were fascinated to learn how fast it could travel and what it looked like inside. It was a fun and memorable day for all!
WONDERFUL WOOLLEY FIRS
Just before May half term, some very excited Reception children went on their first ever school trip to Woolley Firs Environmental Education Centre. The focus of the day was ‘Marvellous Minibeasts’ and the children spent the day out and about in the fields and woodland
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CROSFIELDS SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS | SUMMER 2021
finding, identifying and learning about a variety of creatures. It was lovely to see the children’s enthusiasm for all aspects of the day and, amongst all the fun, the children’s knowledge and understanding of the natural world was both enhanced and extended. www.crosfields.com
VIEW FROM THE TOP
Five pupils from Year 7 took a brief interlude from their lessons towards the end of term to join Headmaster Mr. Watson and Chair of Governors Mr. Dering for an exclusive visit to the very top of the new Senior School building. The pupils enjoyed a tour of the classrooms, cafe and performance space and the library before accessing the roof to take a look at the views of the rest of the school. The ‘topping out’ ceremony marks the completion of the structure of the building as Matthew Bennett from Beard Construction explained. Mr. Watson proudly talked through the journey of the Senior School building and how it would make an incredible difference to Crosfields future.
LANGUAGE GAMES SUCCESS A number of pupils in Years 3 and took part in the uTalk Language Games competition this academic year. They had to independently learn three foreign languages; French was unlocked for the first stage, Japanese for the second and Manx for the third and final stage. In June, teacher of languages Mme Boutant was delighted to learn that five Crosfields children had qualified to take part in
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CROSFIELDS SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS | SUMMER 2021
the Final stage of the national competition. Just 30 children from around the country had been selected for this, so it’s incredible that five of those were Crosfields pupils. The Final stage took place online, live at school in the last week of June. The children did amazingly well, placing between 26th and 10th place. Congratulations to all of the pupils for their amazing achievement and efforts! www.crosfields.com
AWESOME WEEK OF ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS In the two weeks before the end of term, girls and boys in Years 7 and 8 took part in a series of exciting activities that were introduced to replace the planned residentials which, unfortunately, were cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic. Recognising that this must have been disappointing for the pupils, Head of Enrichment Mr. Clarke set about organising a thrilling replacement timetable which saw them bouncing around at Red Kangaroo Trampoline Park, Liquid Leisure Water Park, Go Ape, Thorpe Park, The Natural History Museum and finally concluding with a water sports activity day and the annual BBQ and funfair. The pupils were an absolute credit to themselves and the school, and, despite the visible level of fatigue towards the end, embraced every activity with great energy and humour and ending the academic year on a high.
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