During this morning’s Poetry Recitation Assembly, Infants and Juniors recited the poems that they have been memorising over the past half-term. 

Here is a list of the poems that were recited by each class: 

• Lower Prep: ‘Rain’ by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Upper Prep: ‘Who has Seen the Wind?’ By Christina Rosetti
• Year 2: ‘Hurt No Living Thing’ by Christina Rosetti
• Year 3: ‘Autumn Fires’ by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Year 4: ‘The Eagle’ by Alfred Lord Tennyson
• Year 5: ‘Sea Fever’ by John Masefield
• Year 6: ‘This is the Night Mail’ by W.H. Auden

Memorising poetry has so many benefits for children, including stocking a child’s memory with a whole new set of language patterns, building vocabulary, and enhancing a child’s ability to comprehend difficult material. This article on the Mensa for Kids site has plenty of additional information about why memorising poems is good for children. 

Click below to watch one class’s poetry recitation. Bravo to all of the children for their terrific performances.

At assemblies last week Mr Fletcher encouraged all pupils to support the work of the Cambridge Food Bank by bringing non-perishable food and other household items to school. The Food Bank works to provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are in crisis. They are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK, and have seen a huge increase in demand during the pandemic. At least 90% of the food they distribute is donated.

Thank you to our families who encouraged their children to consider the needs of others and whose generous donations of the items that the Food Bank is most in need of at this time filled up 22 large bags. It is wonderful to see the outpouring of support from the Heritage community for this important work.