RoundUp
Term 2 End of Term | 2021-2022
Thinking back to my time living in the UK, I can recall train journeys where one journey ended and another began. The train would grind to a halt and the conductor would call out over the tannoy ‘All change’.
Life often seems like that and I know that my eldest daughter Lydia is faced with change as she finishes school and moves on to the next stage of her life, possibly in another country. Change for her will also mean change for me and my family but in an ever changing world, we must be prepared for change and manage the hopes and fears that change brings.
In his message, Mr Lewis refers to the cycle of change within schools as older students graduate and move on to university whilst others start their first day at school, dropped off by proud mums and dads.
Whilst acknowledging this change, I’d like to consider the constants in our school and the effect these have on all who pass through its gates. Always present in our school is the care for each and every one of our students; from the littlest four year olds to the very grown up 18 year olds who make up our Sixth Form. Recently, our Year 13s were asked, as part of their Apolyterion assessment on personal development, how their time at TLC Private School has changed them. Whilst it could be expected that students might see this as a task that would prove challenging, most embraced it as an opportunity to showcase how the school has helped develop them into the young people they are today.
There are many teachers too who have been part of TLC for several years. They’ve had the pleasure of seeing our students grow in stature, character and maturity in that time and it’s a bittersweet moment for them when the students who’ve been part of their teaching lives for so long move on; sad that they’re leaving but with sweet memories of the good times we’ve enjoyed with them and knowing that the school and all its teachers have done their very best to prepare them for their future.
Recently I’ve felt privileged to facilitate the process for students to undertake the International Civic and Citizenship Education survey which seeks to collect information on how well schools provide sufficient opportunities for students to consider wider issues that will affect their futures and those of other young people. We are confident that TLC provides our students with many opportunities to shape the future and our response to the survey will show just how much of a voice the young people in our care have.
Whilst change is happening all around us, at TLC, we can all feel confident that we are supplying our students with the tools to cope with change and, where appropriate, be facilitators of positive change in the future.
Laura Wells | Director
They say we learn something new everyday and I’m sure we learn many new things each day. As I write my Easter message I wanted to share with you what I’ve learned recently from our younger students who were finding out about Easter.
The name comes from that of a pagan goddess, Eostre, who was the Germanic goddess of the dawn and who was celebrated during the spring festival. It’s only been in the last century or so that we haven’t needed to live our lives according to the seasons. In the winter, repairs to buildings, tools and clothes would be done when it was too cold to work outside. In spring, the fields would be ploughed and seeds sown, and how many of you know that the long summer school holidays were planned to allow children to finish school just as the harvest was ready to be gathered; from corn through to apples? Did you know that the holidays would be a little different depending on where in the country you lived? Further north, where harvests ripen later, children had summer holidays sometimes a couple of weeks after those in the south.
The spring festival would start at the spring equinox, March 21st, when the day and night were the same length and the days were getting warmer, seeds needed planting and domesticated animals were giving birth to their young. The link with the Christian festival of Easter comes from the idea of renewal or new birth linked with Christ’s resurrection, hence all the Easter chicks and bunnies and the favourite Easter treat – the Easter Egg! And so, as Christianity supplanted pagan religions in Europe, Eostre became Easter.
In many ways schools share this idea of renewal – soon our Year 13 students will leave us, first for their all-important exams and then to go on to universities and careers. In their place, September will see our Early Years welcome in four year old children for their first day at school, whilst our Year 6 move to ‘big school’ and the next stage in their education journey, and year on year this cycle continues. All this comes under the watchful eyes of our teachers who also wonder what the new year will bring and the ages-old ideal of learning something new each day will continue.
Let me first start by thanking all the staff and students for their hard work and parents for your support for my first half term as Head of Secondary.
It has been a very productive half term, with the English Department working hard in order to prepare our students for the Young Journalism Awards with the winners of each category announced in our final assembly before the end of term.
Our Art students, guided by Miss Zoe, have been working on their project of personifying boiled eggs as one of their teachers. I have wandered into the art room a few times when I have had the chance and have to admit that I was really impressed with their creations.
The highlight of the term would have to be our Annual Sports Day, which our students had the joy of attending after two full years of restrictions. Seeing the pure enjoyment on their beaming faces has made us all realise how much we have missed these activities and left us with the hope that we can look forward to many more such events in the future.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our exam students good luck in their upcoming examinations which start in May and urge them to take full advantage of their break to best prepare for these. We believe in you and know that you will do amazingly well!
Wishing everyone a Happy Easter and looking forward to seeing you all after the break for our final term of the academic year.
Ben Pavlou | Head of Secondary
TLC Private School is renowned for its welcoming family ethos and community spirit. Over the past couple of years we’ve really missed those events that bring us together as a whole school community, but with an easing of restrictions, we’re delighted to be able to re-introduce opportunities that extend beyond the curriculum and enrich a student’s learning experience.
This half-term, students within our secondary school had the opportunity to participate in MEDIMUN, the Mediterranean Mini United Nations, whilst others have become involved in an environmental action group with one of our Climate Change Ambassadors appearing on national television. This week our students were invited to plant a selection of endemic trees, donated by The Forestry Commission, which will, in years to come, provide beauty and shade for our students as well as helping to offset the carbon emissions, a key factor in climate change.
All secondary students and some primary students have entered the Global Young Journalist Awards and we wish them every success in this competition. Those who love sports will be excited to join the Cyprus Cricket Federation’s cricket tournament next month whilst Paphos International Sailing Club will recommence their Young Sailors’ Program after Easter.
School is not just about gaining good grades, just as importantly, it’s about embracing wider experiences that may lead on to a lifetime of pleasure in an activity they first encountered at school.
I would encourage our students to grasp every opportunity they can so that, in the tradition of TLC Private School, our young people can enjoy the broadest of educational experiences which will help develop them into the well-rounded adults of which we can all be proud.
Catherine Lewis | Head of Teacher and Learning
Another term has come to an end. The spring term has always been my favourite time of the year due to the many activities our students and staff look forward to. Our primary team have proven once again that even with all the Covid restrictions in place, school can be a fun and exciting place for our pupils! From an educational World Maths Day, where students had to solve puzzles and use their critical thinking skills, to our annual Book Week, which was undoubtedly the best one we ever had. The games and competitions were a great success and all the character dress-up costumes were more original than ever! This year we also welcomed back our Sports Day and many children commented on how fun it was and that we should have events like this more often. Let’s hope we are now finally getting to the end of this pandemic so that more house events can be planned throughout the year.
With the money raised at the end of last term, the students now have access to some new playground equipment and a gigantic Connect 4 and Jenga game. A carousel system has been put in place to give every class a turn. It is wonderful to see many happy faces whilst playing a variety of creative and inventive games outside.
I’ve also had the privilege to observe many exciting lessons in different year groups this term and I would like to thank the primary teaching team for their hard work, dedication and creativity. A special thanks goes to Miss Kashouli, our Biology Teacher from Secondary, who visits us annually to teach Year 6 how to dissect a heart. Miss Kashouli is always able to engage all the students in this fascinating lesson and many students are already excited to have her as their teacher in the near future.
Although it seems like this term has passed by so quickly, I’m sure you will all agree that we are now ready for a well-deserved Easter break.
Miranda Matthee | Head of Primary
It has been another busy and fun filled half term in Early Years. Learning through play is so important for this age group and incredibly motivating.
The children are busy playing but already the children in Kindergarten are learning their letters and Reception class have learnt to read many words!
The key to good progress in early education is drip feeding and I hope the children will continue to practise their reading for just a few minutes a day over the holidays to ensure these skills stay fresh.
Of course we focus on a lot of skills in Early Years, not just academic learning. The most important being the ‘Prime Areas’ of personal, social and emotional development; for example, learning how to build relationships, problem solve, listen and communicate effectively, managing their own feelings and personal needs, the importance of making healthy food choices and building team work.
The highlight of this term was, of course, our Sports Day; our first one in almost 3 years! The children engaged in a range of different physical activities, designed to develop team work and to practise many of our early learning motor skills.
Our focus for sports day was on Sportsmanship, the joy of participation rather than winning and we spoke to the children beforehand to discuss this and how we would be looking out for children who were trying their best, cheering others, shaking hands after each race and supporting their team mates. I am so glad to say, the children came through with flying colours! They were so well behaved; they really had fun and supported each other. They made us proud!
I wish all the children and parents, a very restful break and look forward to seeing all their happy faces when we return in the summer term.
Toni Hayden | Head of Early Years
Book Week
We had a fantastic fun packed Book Week at our Primary School, the week was dedicated to celebrating books and reading.
The children really enjoyed participating in several competitions. ‘Guess the Teacher’ who was caught reading and the children stretched their art skills to decorate a potato to look like a favourite book character. By the end of the week the display of the creative potatoes was just amazing!
A table was set up for the fun activity ‘Who’s Coming to Dinner’, where the children were challenged to guess who would arrive for dinner from the 21 clues.
The Phantom Reader made his annual appearance in some of the classes reading from the famous book by Roald Dahl’s ‘Revolting Rhymes’
Our focus on reading week culminated on Friday by staff and children dressing up as a book character and the book people ‘Books R Us’ arrived in school for a book fair.
I think everyone would agree that we had the best Book Week ever!
Ms Carol
TLC School Librarian
25th of March - Greek Independence Day
TLC students marched along G.Griva Digeni Avenue in Paphos representing our school on this national day with great pride.
Well done TLC students. We are extremely proud of you!
Generation Klimact
On Saturday the 26th March 2022 I had the opportunity to represent my school TLC Private School and appear on RIK, a live national TV station in their headquarters in Nicosia to be interviewed as ambassador of Generation KLIMACT. We spoke about the pressing matters we are facing due to climate crisis and to discuss our movement and the things that can be done. This experience is one to remember, in one word amazing…They said ‘ breathe and act naturally 3.2.1 go ’ and then it all started; lights and cameras hanging onto every word. This appearance was of great importance to remind and inform the public of the dangers our environment is facing and that we must be the change, WE must change our current attitudes, or our hope for survival will be diminished.
Climate crisis should not be misunderstood and confused with climate change, by climate crisis we mean the temporary climatic state and whilst maybe far reaching and long lasting there is a possible chance of returning to normality.
A climate crisis is advancing upon us more and more everyday and will affect both current generations and consequently future generations. Future generations will have to deal with our incompetence and procrastination in order to tackle a problem which we ourselves have created. With them inheriting a planet with an increased frequency of extreme and unpredictable weather events, this will lead to an imminent threat to the biodiversity and ecological stability of the planet, and this will lead to a dramatic decline in the standard of living and lead to families living in poverty with limited access to clean water and food which can also cause an exponential increase in developing immune-resistant diseases.
However, you’ve seen the headlines and heard the stats. The question is where do we go from here? Well, we may still be able to shield future generations from this catastrophe heading their way by us taking action, either small or big and by working together – it is not an unreachable or unreasonable goal. One course of action may be by increasing the planting of more trees as they are our allies and act as carbon sinks (locking up the carbon), fight flooding, support wildlife and keep us cooler. Another course of action may be increasing the promotion and usage of solar photovoltaics, a form of renewable electricity.
Generation KLIMACT has given me the possibility of seeing my vision come true. As I am now currently a senior at TLC Private School and will soon become a working member of the community, young people like me can take charge. Climate change is affecting us all in a multitude of ways. Together as students, we are taking the initiative and demanding that our voices are heard and actions taken and taken now! We demand that the generations who hold the reins of political, economic and intellectual power, listen to our young voices demanding change as the urgent matter of climate crisis that has been ignored for far too long has got out of hand. Our hope for survival and advancement in this world will be demolished if nothing is done soon and unless we are willing to take the appropriate courses of action in order to make a change.
Havana Achilleos – Ambassador for Generation KLIMACT
How do you believe the climate crisis will affect your future and what is needed to reverse the negative impacts it will bring?
We are all already starting to see the negative effects that climate change is having on our society such as violent storms, wildfires, rising temperatures, droughts and so on. If we, as a community, do not do anything to reverse climate change, then the wildfires and storms we are experiencing will just become far more regular and worse. Additionally, farming will become more problematic as the weather will be unpredictable, leaving many farmers without jobs and many citizens without food. Something we can do as a community is to speak up. We cannot really do anything to make a major change except to speak up and encourage others to listen to us and as a world, commit to changing our behaviours.
What is your vision for Generation KLIMACT in realising the future you want?
I believe that the Generation KLIMACT movement can make a real change in Cyprus and hopefully in more countries and communities. Although it will not come without a lot of hard work. We need to raise awareness with the organisations that do not believe that climate change is a serious matter. We need to help them realise that our futures are in jeopardy.
Spyros Mavromichalos – Ambassador of Generation KLIMACT
How do you believe the climate crisis will affect your future and what is needed to reverse the negative impacts it will bring?
As an 18-year-old girl, my life is only just beginning. I’m about to start university in a different country, leaving my island behind. However, when I’m older, I will return to Cyprus, rejoining my family and starting a family of my own here.
But my hope for this dream coming true is declining more every year. With Cyprus being located in a climate hotspot, the effects of the climate crisis are exacerbated and are becoming more visible year on year. How can I dream of a life in my home country like my parents and grandparents, when I can’t be sure that it will be habitable? With temperatures rising rapidly and sea levels rising at an alarming rate, this country I call my home is under threat. It may even cease to exist. As a young girl, this crushing hope is too difficult to accept.
This is why we must start acting to reverse or at the very least slow down the effects of climate change. We are lucky to be living in Cyprus, where there are many ways to reduce our carbon footprint. With an average of 320 sunny days a year, we can invest in generating renewable energy through solar panels and wind turbines. Through utilising government incentives, households can sell back the electricity generated through the solar panels and in time, save money. This is both an eco-friendly and efficient way of generating renewable energy. This is just one solution to the problem we are facing. However, we, the people of Cyprus, can only have a limited impact. The real solution to the broader problem of climate change has to start with the government. Helping them realise the threat we face and encouraging them to create a plan of action is where the public can help the most. Through organisations like Generation KLIMACT, we can make our voices heard beyond the streets of our neighbourhoods and into the offices of the people running our country, the people in charge of our future. That is what is really needed, policy change, so that people like us can have our hopes realised rather than dashed.
What is your vision for Generation KLIMACT in realising the future you want?
My vision for Generation KLIMACT is for them to carry on the work they’re doing, keep believing in the people that wish to support the cause and encourage everyone to voice their opinions to those who make the rules. I wish for Genration KLIMACT to prosper and get more politicians involved to help them achieve their objectives of saving Cyprus, and, with it, our planet. By encouraging unity, setting a clear agenda that will bring about change and never losing hope for a better future, I wholeheartedly believe Generation KLIMACT will help us live the future we want.
Nikoletta Antoniou
17th Annual MEDIMUN Conference 2022 -Year 10 -Year 13
Over the last weekend of March 2022, after a rescheduling by the organisers, we finally made it to Nicosia! On the Friday evening, once checked into the Centrum Hotel, the group met in reception for a night out in Ledra’s tourist district. We did a short tour leading up to glimpse of no-mans-land by the border, and joined in the celebrations of Greek Independence Day by having dinner at a local tavern after which we returned to the hotel.
Saturday saw us up and early for breakfast at 07:00 and running off to get taxis. After arriving at the English School, we were given a tour around the campus by one of the English School students, although we did have a good idea of certain landmarks since we had a workshop there in November that helped us create our position papers. As our guide showed us around, she directed each of us to the four General Assembly rooms; where our respective debates were to be held.
Before the debating actually began, each General Assembly had different games for all the delegates to play as ice-breakers, including: karaoke, dancing, ‘Nerf-gun’ battles and “Never have I ever”! This led us to the Opening Ceremony, where the key note speakers consisted of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Ukrainian Ambassador to Cyprus. The rest of the day saw our debates begin.
That evening, we returned to the hotel and were given an hour of free time to enjoy our hotel and the views. We then split up for dinner, each group fancying something different (from authentic Italian right to McDonald’s!) We all got to buy candy that was imported from America and had ice-cream/fro-yo as a group.
Sunday saw a return to the English School for a continuation of the debates from 08:00-12:00 and the closing ceremony, thereafter returning to Peyia.
Having the chance to travel to another part of the island and interact with strangers and classmates alike was truly a wonderful experience, one that we all look back on with fond nostalgia.
Here’s what the TLC students who participated in this year’s MEDIMUN had to say:
“During the 17th annual Medimun conference in Nicosia I represented the Argentine Republic and I got the privilege of viewing topics as the Argentine delegate. I had to deny my natural instincts to form opinions and instead think as my country. We met people from all over Cyprus and even people from a school in Israel. It was a great experience and I definitely want to attend next year. I would also like to thank Mr Will for organising this event.”
-Spyro Mavromichalos
“The perception I had spiraling in my head moments prior to going to Medimun, completely contrasted with the reality and to what had occurred over the limited time we had – one and half days. An idea of intensity seemed justifiable and synonymous to the acronym given (MUN) yet, on the other hand it gave unity and teamwork a new meaning for me, and it is a moment I will never forget, with countless memories created.”
-Nicholas Freitas
“Medimun was not just an event where students can go to debate, it was an experience. I myself was lucky enough to witness this experience and loved it.”
-Liam O’Reily
“Medimun, in one word, was unforgettable. From nerfing our chairs to meeting individuals from different schools from around the island and working together to form alliances and build a resolution that would possibly go through a debate that would tear us into shreds…or pass. Stressful, but amazing!”
-Havana Achilleos
“Great success”
-Ofir Gwanter
“Medimun was overall a great experience and allowed me to meet many great and smart people, and taught me how to build upon others’ opinions on solutions to different conflicts the world faces today.”
-Victor Bielicki
“Despite how formal and intimidating the whole Medimun procedure appeared, my director, fellow classmates and the other delegates really helped remind me what the whole event was supposed to be about; just experiencing what everyone had to offer, without the burden of failure! Even though I discovered some of my own weaknesses while speaking publicly, my knack for teamwork really shone through, and I couldn’t ask for better people to work with; each one sweet, kind and understanding in their own way.”
-Jessica Evans
“Medimun was an amazing experience which led to good memories and moments. Would love to do it again next year as well”
-Gianmatteo Ricci-David
Special thanks to:
Mr. Will Wareham (Director)
Mr. Louis Lobanov (for training and preparations)
Mr & Mrs. Wells (Chaperones)
Maria Charalambous and her partner (Chaperones)
Mr William Wareham
Sports Day
For the first time in three years, TLC Private School students were able to come together in a celebration of sport at our Sports Day held on Friday 8th April.
Maintaining social distancing and their class bubbles, the students competed as a class, earning points to contribute towards their house totals. Encouraging participation from all, every single competitor could contribute to their house’s tally and, at the end of the day when the points were totalled, Akamas won Sports Day by a margin of only four points from Kolossi.
The main winner on the day was sport itself with our students supporting each other to do their very best in an atmosphere of fun and excitement.
All were very grateful for the support of the many parents who came to watch and cheer the competitors on.
We hope that the very successful Sports Day will be the first of many events now that the pandemic restrictions are easing.
Early Years -Sports Day
The Early Children had a wonderful day last Friday at our first Sports Day for years!
We started with team games around a parachute, then moved on to a carousel of different activities. Children completed an obstacle course where they needed to practise their balancing skills on beams and stilts. They developed their throwing skills by throwing beanbags into hoops, kicking footballs into the goal and developed their coordination by walking through a course whilst balancing apparatus on their heads.
After our snack break, the parents came down to join us for the races. We started with team relay races, the ball relay, egg and spoon race and the Teddy Bear race. As we had a little extra time we played under and over races with the teddy bears and we even had a teddy bear race with the mummies and daddies too!
The children had so much fun and made us proud with their excellent behaviour and sportsmanship.
Ms Toni
Akamas -Sports Day Winners
On Friday, the 8th April 2022 was our first Sports Day after three years. The day was a great success. We, as students had a lot of fun and we would like to thank everyone who helped organise this fantastic day. It was hectic as all four houses were competing against each other. All pupils shared a great team spirit and teamwork. And we, as Captains and Vice Captains are very proud of each and every pupil. However there had to be one winner, and fortunately for me, Akamas won.
As the captain of Akamas I feel pride and gratitude for being there on the day that Akamas won for the first time in years. I am truly proud of my team. Well done Akamas!
By Sergey Tsyptsyn, Year 13
Sports Day Photography by Chris McRae
We are extremely grateful to parent and photographer Chris McRae who joined us on the day and spent time taking these amazing photographs on the day. Thank you!
For security and privacy purposes, the photography will only be accessible once you have logged in to to your child’s school office365 account.
Sports Day by Millie Jones
This year Sports Day took place on Friday, 8 April at Peyia Municipal Stadium. It was an amazing turnout with students, teachers and even parents coming together to support the school and compete in their teams for the winner’s trophy. The four houses are: Troodos, Akamas, Kourion and Kolossi. Sports day commenced with the house captains and vice captains – and their corresponding houses – being presented, shortly followed by head girl Nikoletta Antoniou reading the Games Oath. Each house representative participated in the opening parade, proudly displaying the signs and posters they made for their teams.
Once the parade was finished, each year group moved on to their first Sports Day activity in the circuit. The activities included football throwing, wellie throwing, torpedo throwing, shot put and beanbag throwing where the aim was to get them into one of three hula-hoops on the floor. The hockey skills activity involved controlling the ball whilst weaving in and out of cones in as little time as possible, and the handball skills activity involved the same thing except this time the students dribbled a ball in a race against another student. The races included 100 metres, 50-metre relay and a hula-hoop relay race where the students had to step through and pull three hula-hoops over their heads. The ball and bucket balance obstacle course involved each team working together to carry and balance a football on top of a bucket and weave through an obstacle course in the shortest time possible. Finally, each team competed against each other in short games of tag rugby.
After each year group had finished their activities, fun 100-metre races took place. There was a teachers’ race first, followed by a surprise race where Mr. Ben ran against the Year 12 winners of the 100-metre races. Soon after this, many students, teachers and parents took turns racing against each other for fun until it was time to announce the winners of 2022 TLC Sports Day. The winners this year, after a lot of hard work and team effort were… drumroll please… Akamas! A parade of all the house members, led by Captain Sergey Tsyptsyn and Vice Captain Aliaksei Tsishkavets, took place where they proudly displayed their trophy to everyone in the stadium.
Thank you to the amazing staff who worked hard to make this day happen and spent the early morning setting up, any parents who took the time to come and watch their children and show their support for the school, and the students who worked together all day and tried their best in each activity. I should include a special mention of our Principal, Mr. Lewis, who could not make it due to Covid but who took the time to wish us luck and congratulate us over a call. Thank you everyone, Happy Easter!
Tree Planting
On Tuesday morning 12th April, our KS3 pupils were given the chance for fun outdoor learning – to plant some indigenous trees, shrubs and herbs which were donated from the Forestry Department. When students plant trees, they can see for themselves the structure of trees, learn what they need and how they grow. Our pupils had a great time planting the trees and coming together as a community.
On behalf of all the pupils of TLC we would like to thank Mr Ioannou for his kind donation.
Ms Valentina
Primary Music Lessons
This half term, the children in Early Years have been learning to sing songs all about plants and animals. They have learned how to clap and march in time to the beat of a piece of music. They have also had fun playing on boom whackers. Boom whackers are long tubed instruments of different pitches. Each child is allocated a particular colour (note) and must follow a simple graphic score. Working together as a team and playing their note at the right time creates a fantastic performance of the melody. Well done Early Years!
Reception + and Year 1 Music
Reception+ and Year 1 have learned to sing a variety of songs focusing on positivity and the welcome arrival of the spring weather. They have become familiar with a number of instrument names, sounds and families. The children have enjoyed improving their rhythm skills through performing “Body Percussion” activities.
Year 2
Year 2 have exercised their vocal chords by learning to sing a variety of songs in different styles. They have also been listening to traditional music from “Around the World”. They have listened to styles such as Mariachi from Mexico, Reggae from the Caribbean and Samba from Brazil. In the final week of term, they were invited to choose traditional music from a country of their own choice.
Year 3
Year 3’s Music has linked in with their recent History topic of “The Vikings”. They have followed the “BBC Teach” programme called “Viking Saga Songs”. Each week teaches a different song featuring various characters from Viking Mythology such as Loki the Joker, The Mighty Odin, Iduna and Thor. Alongside this they have listened to a variety of classical pieces of music with a link to Nordic history and Viking Mythology such as “En Saga” by Sibelius and “Das Rheingold” by Richard Wagner.
Year 4
Year 4 have learned about the Samba style of music from Brazil. They have been amazed at how many different types of percussion instruments there are in a Samba band. They have learned to sing songs from the popular music genres which have a “Latin American” feel to them such as “Bailamos” By Enrique Iglesias.
Year 5
Year 5 have been improving their rhythm performance and note reading skills, through body percussion activities. The students have realised that they must not only read and perform the rhythms accurately, but also listen to the music carefully to ensure that they stay in time. They have learned to sing a number of songs in a variety of styles. By far their favourite style was Reggae. The students learned facts and information about the famous Reggae singer Bob Marley and learned to sing his iconic song – “Three Little Birds” in two-part harmony. They also learned a brief history of the style and its country of origin Jamaica.
Year 6
Year 6 have continued to link their music lessons with their history topic of “World War 1”. They have listened to classical music written during this period such as “The Planets” By Gustav Holst, “The Lark Ascending” By Ralph Vaughan Williams and “The Warriors” By Percy Grainger. They were amazed by the fact that Maurice Ravel’s piano piece “Concerto for Left Hand” was especially written for the pianist Paul Wittgenstein, who unfortunately lost his right arm while serving during the war. He was determined for this not to have a negative effect on his musical career and commissioned Maurice Ravel to compose the piece for him. Year 6 have also taken an in-depth look at the world of orchestral instruments. They have learned detailed information about the sound, how the instrument is played and instrument family categorisation.
Ms Maria
Reception + and Year 1 Plant Life
This half term in topic we have been looking at plants. We have investigated local plants and those which grow in different climates, and how plants are used in everyday life. We planted cress, sunflowers and beans in soil, and have seen some of them grow, and even planted some beans hydroponically which have grown really well!
Ms Louise and Ms Emma
Year 2 Our Wonderful World
In topic, the Year 2 students have been learning about our Wonderful World. We discovered the amazing world of plants, its climates and learned all about seed dispersal. The book we studied in literacy taught us the dangers of pollution and the need for us to reduce waste, the possibility to reuse items and for us to recycle waste correctly. Students then had to do their own research on endangered animals and had to share the gathered facts with their peers. Lastly they had to locate the endangered animals on a world map and they then finished this term’s topic with a clean-up in the local school area.
Thank you Year 2, you are all real eco-warriors!
Ms Miranda
Year 2 Art lesson with Ms. Debbie - Andy Goldsworthy leaf designs
Students in Year 2 enjoyed learning about Nature Assemblage artist Andy Goldsworthy and his art created in and from nature. Students created their own leaf designs of gradating coloured leaves into spirals. The leaves gradated in colours from yellow, orange, brown, red, green to blue. Effective and fun learning and resourceful using paper from trees and leaves cut and coloured.
Ms Debbie
Year 2 - 2D and 3D shapes
Year 3 Viking Raiders
This term, the children in Year 3 have been learning about the Viking Raiders from Scandinavia. We have read the story of the Viking hero Beowulf who defeated many monsters. The Vikings were brave warriors and they required weapons and armour to defeat their enemies. The children in Year 3 used paper mache to create an authentic Viking helmet without a single horn in sight!
Mr Sean
Year 4 - Geography Extreme Earth with Ms Debbie
As part of our Year 4 Geography topic: Extreme Earth; students constructed volcanoes out of large recycled water containers by cutting the top funnel part off the water container and covering it with papier-mache. After three layers of papier-mache and a few days of drying, the students then painted their volcanoes to create a realistic effect. Using bicarbonate of soda, vinegar and food colouring the students are now at the stage to mix these ingredients together in a small plastic bottle placed under the volcano and watched an eruption of red and orange lava The students have been learning about causes and effects of volcanoes around the world and the famous, ‘Ring of Fire’.
Ms Debbie
Year 2 - 2D and 3D shapes
Year 4 Computer IT lessons using software Excel
with Ms Debbie
Students in Year 4 have been studying the software program Excel with Ms. Debbie. They linked this topic in ICT with their History topic: Leisure and Entertainment. Students learnt about data collection and devised their own question/data survey about Film Movie choices. Students created a ‘Voting List of Films’, gathered the votes for 16 popular films from across the school: Years 1 to Year 6 and also the votes from teaching staff. Having gathered their data, they then created spreadsheets using Excel and have recently begun to analyse the data gathered by studying the information and identifying data patterns in their ICT lessons.
Ms Debbie
Year 5T Exciting Term
Another exciting term for Year 5T! The main highlight of this term was the annual Book Week. With actions and creativity, the class entertained the Year 1s with the reading of the famous children’s book: ‘Going on a Bear Hunt’. Book Week also included a day a dressing up as your favorite book character and putting our artistic skills in action by creating a book character using a potato.
This term, the science topic was Animals Including Humans. This covered the development of animals and humans from gestation to old age and the changes these bring. An engaging lesson was the development of the teenage brain and the different functions and changes these bring during this time. As a cross-curriculum activity, the class had to measure an average boy and girl from EY to Year 6 and track and analyse the data in height using their maths skills.
English focused on writing a report for a newspaper. The topic we chose was based on the Cluedo game which encouraged the students to become crime reporters; gathering facts, evidence and statements. Following on from this, poems by Roger McGough were discussed and analysed. The students are currently creating their own poems, based on the style of Roger McGough, using blackout art.
Reading and creating maps was covered in Geography this term and History was a continuation of crime and punishments over the ages.
Have a safe and enjoyable Easter break with your family and friends!
Ms Wendy
Year 6 English
Year 6 pupils are designing pamphlets using persuasive language. We have also looked at different marketing techniques that are used to capture a target audience. It is wonderful to see how students have channelled their creativity and used effective persuasive techniques to support a cause.
Science: Year 6 class thoroughly enjoying dissecting a heart this term. We would like to extend our gratitude to Ms Kashouli who visited our primary school for this topic. Our Year 6 scientists displayed a thorough understanding of all four chambers and the vessels entering and going out of the heart.
Geography: Students have investigated the global trade system. We have explored where the products we buy come from and their supply chain. Pupils investigated the highest value exports of different countries and presented their findings to the class. We had interesting export items, such as blood, which sparked debates and discussions about ethics in trade.
Well done Year 6s!
Ms Evie
Year 7
History Research Project - The Black Plague Museum
Students are spending their History lesson every week over the next five weeks learning about and researching the Black Plague in Medieval England and Europe. At the end of the session, they will present their findings in the form of a proposal for a museum – explaining their choice of content and the style of presentation of their findings to be put in the museum.
Mr Will Wareham
Year 7-10 | Book Reviews
Our students have been learning the skills for writing to review this half-term. As part of their lessons, they were asked to write a book review for a book they have really enjoyed reading. Our Key Stage Three students were also asked to design an alternative front cover. It was wonderful to see young people writing passionately about literature and even better to see them sharing book recommendations with each other. A culture of reading is something we are eager to encourage in our English lessons, so hearing chatter about books students have loved or hated was delightful. Students created some excellent art work and reviews and we encourage you to take a look.
Ms Ally and Ms Valentina
Year 8- Reading Picnic
As part of our Book Week celebrations, our Year 8 English classes greatly enjoyed the spring sunshine in their recent reading picnic. Students brought extra snacks, a blanket and a favourite book; then nestled down to enjoy some quiet reading time. Frequent reading is one of the most beneficial things a student can do, not only to improve their English, but also their overall academic performance. Perhaps more importantly, reading is wonderful for their mental health. It was lovely to see them enjoying literature together and we hope that this experience encouraged some of them to develop a positive attitude towards books and reading.
Ms Ally and Ms Valentina
Year 8 Music Pluto the Planet
Year 8 have been studying the Planet Suite by Gustav Holst this term and were given the task of composing a movement to represent Pluto. Here are two groups’ compositions that show the range of musical styles and creativity we have amongst our pupils.
Ms Clare Hurell
Year 9 Art - Black Out Poetry
Black out poetry is a form of ‘found’ poetry often using a black marker to cover and remove words and reinvent a piece of writing. For International Book Day the students in Years 7, 8 and 9 revisited different texts from their English curriculum to create their own, original Black Out Poems during Art lessons. Some students chose to use a traditional black out or an abstract pattern, while others chose to draw or paint an image around the words illustrating the meaning of their poem. The students’ work is on display in the main hall at the Parklands site.
Ms Zoe
KS3 -Easter Egg Teacher Heads!
Secondary Art -Sketchbook Circle
A sketchbook is a special kind of book; usually kept private in contrast to finished artwork, a place to remember ideas, to play and to practise. Imagine then working in a shared sketchbook. The back and forth, the inspiration from somebody else’s ideas almost like a visual conversation going around in a creative circle.
Taking inspiration from the original Sketchbook Circle set up in the UK in 2013, a collaborative with the slogan ‘Make time for making’, Annie Lin, Jessica Evans and Ms Zoe organised a TLC Sketch Book Circle. The concept is simple; use any book that is handy, fits in a school bag or through a letterbox, draw, collage, paint, make notes, be creative and fill a page or two, then pass it on to the next person. It’s a yearlong collaboration starting in January, a monthly meeting to swap books and a happy way to stay in touch with students as they move on to university in the autumn.
Ms Zoe
Year 12 and 13 -Vocabulary building
The IELTS students in Years 12 and 13 practised on determining the meaning of a word, based on the context of a given sentence. This fun and interactive activity was applied afterwards to help them revise the taught vocabulary, by using Yes/No questions.
Ms Thekla Charalampide
