Pyjamas for the Planet
This week has been scorching hot and the children and staff have done well to navigate the challenge of warm weather and continuing to make lesson time count with active learning.
Our week at the Prep culminated with Pyjamas for the Planet Day. We chose today to raise awareness of the environmental actions we can all take because tomorrow is the summer solstice, a day (or couple of days) that has been marked by cultures in the Northern Hemisphere for a long time. Our relationship with the natural world far out stretches our relationship with the modern comforts we have become so reliant on. So we stayed in our pyjamas all day to conserve our own energy and we also thought of ways we can help the planet by using less of its energy and resources such as not switching on lights, walking to school and reusing products. By the end of the day we hope to have “woken up” to the ways we can all positively contribute to a healthy planet.
(It is also great fun to come to school in your pyjamas as you will see from our photographs – more available soon on Flickr!).
Earlier in the week, we held our annual EYFS and KS1 Summer Event which was as always well attended by parents and families cheering on the children. The afternoon included a number of races and performances. Keeping our traditions going through some beautifully choreographed May Pole dancing. The children did an excellent job of participating in a positive way, supporting each other and keeping cool in the shade of their gazebos. As always, a huge thank you to our staff who were not spared the heat as they ran around coordinating events and looking after the children.
This week, I have been able to give out several Head of Prep Awards which is always a highlight. The children were all nominated by staff for demonstrating admirable qualities. Max in Year 5 went above and beyond in his project on Sparta producing a visually stunning display in which you can look into the mirror within the Spartan helmet to imagine yourself as a soldier with your red cape flowing behind. Max varied his writing style in his display to demonstrate different persuasive techniques including an excellent use of humour. Well done Max for a fantastic effort.
I was also joined by a group of pupils who, whilst working independently on their solar system chalk art, had made a decision that together their work could be elevated to another level. Without any teacher prompt they discussed what could be gained by adding their art work together, agreed on how each of them could make their own art work connect to the others and then made it happen. A brilliant moment of realising that sometimes we can set aside our desire to be seen as special on our own and that we can be special together.
Well done to Rosie, Esme, Harry B and Harry H in Year 5 for showing us the spirit of collaboration.
It is set to be off the chart hot tomorrow, please do take care of yourselves (and the planet!).
Best wishes,
Alice Goodfellow
