Autumn Den Building

Den building is one of our favourite outdoor enrichment activities. Not only is it a great way to get children outside, but it also encourages imagination, creativity, teamwork, physical activity, problem solving and so much more.

During two separate enrichment sessions, Year 2 and Year 4 recently enjoyed some excellent den building at Wandlebury and Anglesey Abbey, respectively. Working together, the children were able to successfully construct some sturdy, cosy structures that any child would love to hang out in.

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Infants and Juniors Recite Poetry

There was standing room only in Panton Hall last Monday morning  as parents, pupils and teachers gathered together for the first Infant and Juniors poetry recitation assembly of the school year. At Heritage, classes in Lower Prep through Year 6 learn a poem to perform at the end of each half-term; over time, the pupils will commit more than 40 poems to memory.

For this half-term, pupils recited the following poems. 

Each of the classes showed that they had put plenty of hard work into learning their poems, and we hope that the verses will stay with them for many years to come.

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Year 3 Forest School

This term, Year 3  have been enjoying a turn at Forest School, heading to Clare Wood each week to learn new outdoor skills and techniques. So far, the pupils have experienced shelter building, fire lighting techniques, knots and rope work, how to use cutting tools, wilderness cooking, natural art and crafts and more. 

Forest Schools is a highlight of our Enrichment programme, with our Infants and Juniors experiencing a term in rotation each year. Along with regular Nature Walks and annual school camps, we hope that it will help instill in children a delight and an enjoyment of nature, together with a new set of skills and a growing sense of responsibility for the great outdoors.

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Year 5 Assembly: Determination and Perseverance

During Monday’s class assembly, Year 5 reflected on the qualities of determination and perseverance. Disproving the idea that famous figures are all ‘super geniuses or really talented’ people who don’t have to work hard for success, the class shared the following inspirational stories of individuals who worked hard and overcame hardship to achieve great things:

  • Archimedes worked day and night to solve King Hiero’s ‘Crown Problem’, not even pausing to get dressed after the bath where he finally had his ‘eureka’ moment.
  • A true trailblazer, Katherine Johnson was handpicked as one of three black students to integrate in West Virginia’s graduate schools, and went on to become a NASA mathematician and an important figure in the Space Race.
  • Surfer Bethany Hamilton did not stop pursuing her dreams after losing her arm in a shark attack, winning her first national surfing title just two years later.
  • Despite the dyslexia that led to struggles and bullying in school, Steven Spielberg went on to become one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, even though it to takes him twice as long to read the books and scripts on which his films are based.

Well done to Year 5 for their own hard work in preparing for and delivering this encouraging message to their fellow Infants and Juniors.

Year 7 Visit the Tower of London

This term, Year 7 are learning about the Norman King William the Conqueror and how he gained control of England. Last week, the class visited the Tower of London, a grand castle whose first structures were built in 1066 to help William secure his position against the opposing Saxons. 

During their visit, the pupils learned about prisoners taken to the Tower during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. They heard the story of Jesuit priest John Gerard, who was held captive and tortured, and were able to see the cell in which he was imprisoned (complete with his graffiti marks). Gerard miraculously escaped the Tower and wrote an autobiography describing his ordeal. 

The class also were treated to some quality time with the Yeoman warders, who have been guarding the tower since Tudor times. Asking plenty of good questions, the pupils enjoyed a lengthy conversation with one warder in particular, who shared many amusing anecdotes.

Trips like these are not only fun and memorable, but help history lessons come to life in a new way.

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