To the Moon and back
As our ‘major luna standstill’ year continues we have been treated to so many celestial appearances already including planetary alignments and the redness of Mars clearly visible. Sunday evening saw the return of our intrepid Year 5s following their adventure to Belgium and the European Space Centre. Here are some of their highlights courtesy of Mr Partridge’s daily blog to parents.
“We arrived at the P&J Chocolate Factory in Adinkerke, Belgium, where we were greeted by Jon, ready to kick off the sweet adventure. We suited up in stylish hair nets and aprons, then settled in to learn the art of chocolate making. The children were all ears, even though the tempting thought of making their own chocolate bars was just around the corner!
After a quick but essential lesson on how to use a shower curtain without flooding the bathroom, we headed off for breakfast. The spread was a hearty one—sausages, eggs, beans, toast, cereals, fruit juice, and hot chocolate—providing the perfect fuel for the day ahead. We then dived straight into the morning’s activities. Some started with the interactive space tour, while others braved the thrilling 5D cinema experience, simulating the excitement of liftoff. For the truly adventurous, the zero-gravity rotor was an exhilarating ride—not for the faint-hearted or those with a weak stomach! The morning continued with rocket-making workshops, free-fall slides, and a dizzying spin in the multi-axis chair, before we broke for lunch.
We got to walk on Mars and the moon, learn about the cosmic dances between the planets, and test our space knowledge with some fun interactive quizzes.
We set off for Bouillon Castle, just a short drive away. It was a bit of a challenge to keep tired eyes open on the way, but once we arrived, the majestic castle, perched above the sharp meander of the river, was worth every sleepy moment. The atmosphere was enhanced by burning torches (all safely risk-assessed, of course!), as the children learned about this historic site—where the Crusades famously began. It was the perfect end to a fantastic day, where every child had thrown themselves into each activity with enthusiasm and joy.”
You can click here to see more photos from the trip.
We have one more week before the half-term break and a well earned rest for pupils and staff. This week saw the beginnings of our activities related to Mental Health Week and next week that culminates in our Dare To Be Different day coordinated by our parent group, the Friends of Brentwood School. Supporting our pupils in developing the resilience and self-care required in our complex world is a huge part of the work schools undertake. I look forward to updating you on these activities next week.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Alice Goodfellow
