Pre-Prep Life

Year 2 discover gas, liquids and solids

There were bright lights and big bangs when Year 2 excitedly took part in chemistry experiments at the Senior School with Head of Chemistry, Dr Brogden. The children delved deeper into gas, liquids and solids and discovered a variety of materials from slime to iron wool.

Year 1 and 2 swimming

Bravely building confidence in the water, Year 1s and 2s enjoyed time in the pool. In preparation for competitive swimming galas when they move up to Prep, both year groups took part in fun races, practising different strokes. Though it was only for fun, the little ones cheered each other on and were very supportive of one another.

The natural world

In the first half of Summer Term, Nursery children looked into all aspects of the natural world.

They created their own mini cress garden by sprinkling seeds delicately onto a soaked cotton pad. Nurturing the seeds, and the components needed for growth, were aptly discussed, encouraging conversation amongst themselves about the natural world.

To help them understand the growth cycle, the children re-enacted growing plants. They curled up into a ball like seeds in dark soil, whilst teachers ‘watered’ the children to rhythmic music. Floaty scarves were used as sunshine and rain and the little seeds slowly grew. They stretched up high into the air, manoeuvring their bodies as tall as possible as they grew.

When it was their turn for Forest School lessons, the children went to collect worms for wormeries. They tried to stamp their feet and pretend to be birds, but in the end had to dig the soil to find the wriggly creatures. The children set to work layering the wormery with soil, compost, sand and leaves. The children were very excited about their wormeries, which resulted in lots of worm-related activities and play. They made wriggly worms from play dough, drew worms and pretended to be worms.

Later on, Nursery were intrigued by Eric Carle’s artistic approach to illustrating his stories, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The German-born artist was famous for his use of collage and die-cut pages, and other original elements. Sadly, the author died in May at the age of 91.

The children had a go at their own display, called Lifecycle of a Butterfly, echoing the famous story and using the same method of artwork, and dedicated it to Eric Carle. Mrs Banks read his amazing stories to hundreds of children over her many years of teaching, and has loved watching the children’s faces as the story unfolds.

Pre-Prep’s Cornish baking

When the G7 summit took place in Carbis Bay in June, Pre-Prep got into the spirit by baking traditional Cornish saffron buns. The Truro School Cookery team led the baking session, and went from Nursery to Year 2 baking in small groups. The young bakers were fascinated with the colour of the saffron and learned basic techniques to get the best dough possible. They were baked in the school ovens in the afternoon, ready to be enjoyed at home.

Forest School

Year 2 had a full day of Forest School in the woods with the sun shining on them through the foliage.

The first task was to build dens using branches and logs so that they could set up their camp blankets. They all made fruit kebabs for their morning snack and enjoyed them in their dens.

They climbed trees, made mud art with their own nature-made paintbrushes, cooked chocolatefilled bananas on the fire and created magic potions in Mr Sharp’s hidden hut. After a sausage lunch and their bananas for dessert, the children had a Mountain Rescue talk and an afternoon of team games.

Pre-Prep Life

Year 1 go wild at the zoo

The young explorers couldn’t wait to see all the different animals and enjoyed reading the information plaques, discovering more about where they originate. During their picnic, a Zoo guide spoke a bit about the park and took interesting questions from the children. Questions ranged from ‘how many herbivores are there?’, to ‘what are the slowest and fastest animals?’, ‘what’s the biggest animal at the zoo?’ and ‘can the lion eat us?’. The children were very intrigued by the answers, which satisfied their curiosity.

Beach trips

The Summer Term meant a couple of beach trips for the little ones, for a chance to get some sea air and play in the sand. Reception went to St Agnes, where they had a full day building sandcastles with moats, carving out ponds and rivers, making sand mountains and burying themselves like mermaids. After a picnic lunch, two RNLI lifeguards judged the children’s sand creations, before finishing with refreshing ice lollies. Year 2 ventured to Castle Beach, where they had a whale of a time doing plenty of investigating in rockpools and finding crabs and a cushion starfish. They loved finding different shells and seaweed types and identifying them on a coastal marine life sheet. While they were out rockpooling, a seal made an appearance, which caught the children’s attention.

After a beach picnic, it was time for some beach games and an obligatory ice cream before going back to school.

On the farm

Nursery children had a fantastic time at Healey’s Cyder Farm. The children got to go on a very bumpy tractor ride through the orchard, design labels for their own bottle of apple juice, watch the apple juice production line and compare with how apple juice was made in the past. The highlights of the trip were going on a coach, seeing lots of farm animals and, of course, eating lunch! The children told Mrs Banks what they enjoyed most on their visit.

“I liked doing all of it. I also liked seeing the pigs and the unicorn goat.”

Max J

“Bumping up and down on the tractor was my favourite.”

William

“Going up the big barrel and hearing the bubbles was good even though

I was a bit scared.”

Otto D

“I liked it when we saw the apple juice being made and the old one that went round and round to get the juice.”

James

“The cheeky baby goat that can fit through the fence was my favourite.”

Bea

Pre-Prep Sports Day

A big well done to all the children for participating with much enthusiasm, and also to Mr Harvey for organising his first sports day at Truro School.