Local Schools news

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Schools 45

Bury Primary School

The last few weeks have been as busy as ever here at Bury. The conversion of the old swimming pool into a new learning environment for the children has been completed. Rather than a big grand opening now, we are leaving the space to allow all of the wildlife to acclimatise to its new surroundings and will be opening the area officially at the end of spring when we will start ponddipping and recording the species attracted, this will allow us to begin a longitudinal study of the species inhabiting the space created. The new wetland benefits from a large outdoor classroom which the children can then use to further investigate their findings before carefully returning the creatures to their home. Buzzard class spent a week at Hindleap for their residential. The very first activity was a forest adventure which involves walking through a stream to reach some rather large pools. Every one Climbing tower

St James Coldwaltham

St James’ mini bus

The children of St James’ have been immersed in their learning this term with many opportunities to learn inside and outside the classroom. Every Monday, a minibus full of eager children have benefitted from the lessons with MXT Swim School in Storrington, travelling to and from the pool in St James’ own minibus. For this whole term, Elm Class (Years 2, 3 and 4) have been enjoying weekly Forest School sessions where they have been learning outdoors whilst having fun. There have been trips for the older children to see The Butterfly Lion at Chichester Festival Theatre and to Bignor Roman Villa. The school sent children to science and textile workshops of our children threw themselves into it, quite literally, and were fantastic throughout the week. We had some great feedback about how polite our children were and how they were willing to give everything a go and push themselves to reach new heights, again literally on the climbing tower! I am pleased to say I was able to successfully ‘test’ the activities, purely for safety reasons! Our outdoor learning is regularly praised by outsiders and it was our delight to welcome representatives from National Parks across the UK to spend the day with us. They had a go at our school walk through the Downs before returning to hear a little from me about our curriculum and then heading back out to see Bury Rangers. The visitors were bowled over with the knowledge demonstrated by the children who could happily explain the tree species they were working next to and how they knew. Mr Moore, Headteacher www.bury.w-sussex.sch.uk Pupil getting very muddy walking through large pools

at Midhust Rother College; these visits help the children to make a smooth transition to secondary school in a few years time. December is a busy month at St James. The children attended a Christingle Service at St Giles’s Church, next door to the school, with Father Peter. Every child made a Christingle and learned that the orange represents the world, four cocktail sticks represent the four corners of the Earth and the sweets on the sticks represent the fruits of the earth. The candle represents Jesus, the light of the World. Thanks to the Friends of St James, all the children will be attending Peter Pan the Panto in Horsham. This fantastic experience is thanks to the hard work and support by the parents and friends who have paid for every child’s ticket. We hope the children had a restful Christmas and return to school in January ready for another term full of learning opportunities. For more information call 01798 872196 or visit www.st-james-coldwaltham.w-sussex.sch.uk.

46 Competition / Schools

Win a copy of Harry Potter or Minecraft quiz book Send your answer and contact details to: Harry Potter & Minecraft quiz book Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough, RH20 9AH or enter online at www.sussexlocal.net/features/competitions Winner drawn after 31st January 2020. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list. To enter the competition answer the question below and state which book you would prefer Q: Where do the authors go to school? a) Fittleworth b) Midhurst c) Pulborough combined experience these young people certainly know their stuff about Minecraft! The authors have given their time to create these books to raise money for IT equipment at their school. Both books are available to buy for just £6.99 each. Contact Jim 07970 700505 or email: jim@signaturebooksuk.com Harry Potter quiz book by Esme-Rose Sneller & Hattie McTeer You may think you know everything you possibly could about Harry Potter but the young authors of this book are ready to test your knowledge on all things Hogwarts and beyond. With hundreds of questions about the characters and plots of the wizarding world will you become a Headmaster/mistress at Hogwarts or a prisoner of Azkaban? Having read all seven books twice within three months, author Esme is a Harry Potter fanatic as is co -author Hattie who has read the whole series with equal fervour. These authors may be young but don’t be fooled, there is plenty of tricky trivia to keep you on your toes. The ultimate quiz book for all HP fans. Minecraft quiz book by Pupils of Fittleworth Village School This Minecraft quiz book will test even the toughest of Minecraft Masters with its searching questions specialising in all areas of the hit game by ‘Mojang’. The questions have been thoroughly researched by the young authors. Test your knowledge on Redstone, potions, crafting and mobs. The authors are all pupils at Fittleworth Village School and range from 8-11 years old. With over 25 years of Harry Potter & Minecraft Quiz Books By Children from Fittleworth Village School

St Mary’s Pulborough

Another busy term awaits the children and staff of St Mary’s CE (Aided) Primary in Pulborough. After a (hopefully) restful couple of weeks, the staff have a full list of activities planned for this term. Forest School will be continuing for children throughout the school, the children really enjoy their time outside, getting up close and personal with mud, insects and trees! There will be film nights for KS1 and KS2, organised by the PTA who do a great job raising funds for all the extras that enhance the children’s time at school. ‘Hawking About’ will be coming to spend a day with us, there will be lots of opportunities for the children to handle and learn about these fascinating birds. Enjoying the mud, insects & trees in Forest School Hawking About to visit On January 22nd, we will be holding a Careers Day - if you have an interesting job and would be able to spend some time talking to the children about it, please get in touch with the school. Many of the children will be taking part in sporting events, both at The Weald School and further afield. We are especially looking forward to the Christ’s Hospital cross-country event, our runners very much enjoy the opportunity to take part in such a large event. We will also be welcoming the Kent Air Ambulance and some of their team who will be ‘dropping in’ to talk to the children about their work for this amazing organisation.

Kent Air Ambulance we be ‘dropping in’

Mrs S Copus, Headteacher Please call the school office on 01798 872007 or visit st-marys-pulborough.w-sussex.sch.uk for any more information.