​This week, children from across the school took part in an assembly and follow up activities to mark World Autism Acceptance Week.  The key message was that everyone is different. We learnt that people with autism are not ill but instead see the world in a unique way. We explored ways in which we can be a good classmate to people with autism - we discussed a number of scenarios and how we could support and help one another in these situations. 

For tips on how to talk about autism at home with younger children visit: www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/joinin/pablo-talking-to-your-child-about-autism 
For more information on autism visit: www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism

​The Snowy Owls had the opportunity to share their home learning with their peers. There was an array of information presented in creative ways such as models and posters.  The children were able to speak confidently about their project and had clearly enjoyed continuing their learning at home.  Thank you to parents for supporting your child's learning journey. 

What fantastic homework the Tawny Owls shared this half term! It was lovely to see the wonderful home learning. Thank you to all parents/carers for supporting your children to complete these activities. 

​In English, the Snowy Owls were inspired by the text ‘Until I Met Dudley’ written by Roger McGough. The class wrote their own imaginary explanations about how things in space came to be such as how the planets got their colour, how planets orbit the sun and how the sun gets it heat. They used their imagination to explain how these things happen before researching and writing the real the explanation! 

We were treated to a visit from a medal-winning athlete this week, as Maddi Tarrant, Team GB Double Mini Trampoline gymnast arrived at Bridestowe.
In an inspirational assembly, Maddi told us about her journey from starting gymnastics lessons at an early age (in an attempt to outdo her brother) to becoming a European champion in her sport. Maddi showed us videos of her training and successes, as well as some occasions when her jumps and twirls had not gone to plan. Sadly, Maddi could not give a live demonstration as she is nursing a back injury, which she is hoping to recover from in time for her next competitions in May.
All of the children took part in some challenging activities which Maddi led and demonstrated. Many congratulations to the children at Bridestowe for their impressive athletic work, and thankyou for the wonderful fund-raising by so many of you.

The children were fabulous in the Easter service. All the classes shared a variety of poems, songs and acting to show us the meaning of Easter and Spring. As a whole school they performed two songs with great confidence. It was lovely to see the church full.

It was lovely to see so many relatives in the class this week, sharing the children's learning from this half term. They are always so proud to show you all what they have achieved!

The Tawny Owls have planted seeds this week to grow flowers and vegetables for the sensory area. This is linked to their PSHE lessons, where they have spoken about how to care for their environment. The children have set up monitors and rotas to look after the plants. They are all looking forward to watching them grow!

Snowy Owls had a visit from South West Water today as the end of their Geography topic Weather, Water and Climate. The children added to their knowledge of the water cycle and learnt ways how to save water, what should go in our drains and how water is filtrated. The children were amazed to learnt that 2,700 litres of water is used to make 1 cotton t-shirt. They also experimented what happens to toilet roll and a wet wipe when put down the toilet and flushed.

In the Tawny Owls, the children designed smoothies this half term. As you can see from the photos, they got to make them this week and had great fun using lots of healthy ingredients.

In Barn Owls, we continued to learn about light and how we see. Yesterday, using protractors, mirrors and torches, we worked to prove the law of reflection (please ask your Y5/6 pupil(s) if they can tell you what this is - clues in the following photos).
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The Tawny Owls continued learning their musical vocabulary unit today and explored pitch by creating upward and downward glissandos on the glockenspiels. These represented a diver swimming into and out of the ocean. They then created a variety of rhythms using an instrument with a contrasting sound (timbre) which symbolised the diver taking underwater photographs. These were then put together to create a melody.  

To support the learning of habitats. The Tawny Owls had an online workshop from the Seal Life Trust today. It was an interesting and engaging talk which discussed the ocean habitat, food chains, pollution and much more. The children showed great understanding of the importance of protecting our oceans and asked many thought provoking questions. 

As Barn Owls are learning about energy and sustainability in Geography and Science this term, we were delighted to have the chance to see first-hand what happens to the rubbish we throw away.
In a joint trip with MTB School, we travelled to Devonport Dockyard, where the incinerator is located, and found out how the waste is managed so that none of it goes to landfill. It also happened to be Comic Relief Day, so you may spot some crazy hair styling.

We learned that hundreds of bin lorries travel to the site each year to deposit their rubbish from Plymouth, Cornwall and West Devon. The waste goes into an incinerator, producing vast heat. This helps to heat the neighbouring Dockyard, and is used to create electricity, some of which also goes to the Dockyard.
Although the site is German-owned, it will become an enterprise owned locally in a few years, so that any profits are returned to the local community.

Children had the chance to learn more about events in the run-up to Easter in the Open the Book Assembly on the 10th of March. We heard about Palm Sunday, and re-enacted Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, using palm fronds 

On the 7th March, our team of swimmers, including some Lydford pupils, took part in the postponed Swimming Gala at Meadowlands, Tavistock.
The Bridestowe/Lydford team showed impressive skills and teamwork, each member taking part in events that may have been very challenging for them, and came away as Small School Winners.

We were visited by the Dogs' Trust, which Elin and Tommy are familiar with through their strong family links. All of us enjoyed an assembly, and then a workshop in each class, where we learned more about how to approach and keep safe around dogs.

Over the past few weeks, Barn Owls have continued to work on their racquet, positioning and striking skills. We've also started to extend our strategies for serving.

On Tuesday we all celebrated World Down Syndrome Day by taking part in 'Rock Your Socks' challenge - there was a array of different odd socks. The Barn Owls also lead an assembly to the rest of the school explaining what Down Syndrome is - it was very informative.

Ranger Rob's theme for Forest School this week was 'Spring'. The Year 4s were tasked with producing something from clay. with only using tools from nature, that reminded them of Spring. It wasn't the most pleasant of days so, of course, the campfire was lit and marshmallows toasted before the children enjoyed a game of 'hunt the clay Easter egg' at the end of the session.

The Owlets welcomed Mums and Nannies into their classroom for an afternoon tea party on Wednesday this week. The children made biscuits, cards and bouquets throughout the week to present to their families. During the afternoon the Owlets sang the song 'You're the Best Mum to Me'.
 
All the visiting Mums and Nannies loved it and said that it was wonderful to share time with other parents and children in a relaxed atmosphere.

The children showed their support to Comic Relief by coming to school with crazy hair! In assembly, we learnt how the money raised is used by the charity to support a wide range of projects. 

The Tawny Owls celebrated Comic Relief in style with their wonderful, wacky hair!

The Tawny Owls ventured outside of the classroom to explore natural habitats. The children worked in small groups to find minibeasts in their microhabitats. They found woodlice, worms, snails and slugs and spoke about why their microhabitat was important for them and how it helped them to survive.