Art: Boys have come back into Art brilliantly. All year groups are now spending this month completing their final pieces for their projects. Year 2 are doing nature inspired monotone prints, Year 3 listening to music while producing artwork inspired by Kandinsky. In Year 4, boys are using carbon paper to create Georgia O'Keefe inspired patters, while Year 5 are creating their political Pop art posters. Year 6 are continuing with their masks, Year 7 are designing their lights on drawing software ready for laser cutting and year 8 are doing their megacity canvases. Very busy!
Computing: In computing we are starting a range of new topics across the school. Year 1 are discovering how to be an effective TV chef, Year 2 are finishing their digital artists topic and then looking at searching online, Year 3 are working with Logo to create algorithms, Year 4 are animating in PowerPoint, Year 5 are coding with 2Code in Purple mash, Year 6 are using BBC MicroBits and Python to expand their coding knowledge, Year 7 solved their murder mystery using an Access database and will move onto spreadsheets and Year 8 are coding in Python.
English: The boys have hit the ground running in English lessons. Year 3 have explored Haikus while year 4 pondered feelings in preparation for autobiographical writing, Year 5 boys have been exploring what poetry is and giving performances in class. Year 6 held a debate on war before writing their own poems, Year 7 have used persuasive language to present arguments and Year 8 have explored the dark world of Gothic literature.
French: It has been a busy start to term in French with the start of brand new topics across every year group. Reception are reading the story: "Le Loup qui ne voulait plus marcher" and Year 1 are building their vocabulary about pets. In the pictures, you can see Year 5 enjoying some revision of how to give directions around a town and hoping they don't lead their blindfolded partners to the wrong part of the obstacle course!
History: It has been an exciting start to the term in history as Year 8 kicked off Week 1 with a trip to Battle Abbey to investigate the site of the Battle of Hastings. We even managed to stop off for some fun in the snow! Other history highlights include the amazing entries for the Year of the Dragon Competition and the excitement for the Townsend Warner Prize Paper 1 on Friday 12th January.
Maths: At Homefield, problem-solving is at the heart of our maths mastery curriculum. This week, our boys in the Upper School relished the opportunity to dive deeper into problem-solving and further develop their critical thinking skills. Year 3 investigated commutative law, Year 4 solved problems with division, Year 5 explored standard index form and ordinary numbers, Year 6 consolidated their understanding of negative numbers within algebraic expressions, Year 7 completed their unit on problems with algebra, and Year 8 explored mixed radix notation with factorials.
P.E. & Games: This week in Games, the boys have started their rugby unit of work. The Lower School have been focusing on passing and invasion skills in tag rugby. Despite the temperature going below 0 the Upper School have worked hard to secure knowledge on rugby tackling. The Year 4 boys all raved about 'smashing into the big spongy tackle bags' and practiced tackling each other for the first time. In PE, the Year 3 boys have been honing their skills in Japanese dance, tennis and planning, performing and evaluating some gymnastic balance sequences. Boys from Years 1, 4 and 5 have begun their swimming unit of work. On top of this the sports clubs provision has increased by 100%. It has been a very rewarding week of sport for boys throughout the school!
Science: As always, the science labs have been a hub of active learning through various practicals and investigations. Year 3 have been building electrical circuits, Year 4 have been investigating light and getting their Bunsen burner licenses, Year 5 are on a rotation of energy, forces and cells, Year 6 are studying the circulatory system, Year 7 the musculoskeletal system, and Year 8 have been getting to grips with electronics.
STEAM: In STEAM, Reception and Year 2 boys are excited to commence their CREST STAR awards where they embark on a series of exciting investigations. Year 1 are completing model vehicles and boys in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 are well underway with the Primary Leaders Award Competition Entries.
