The Starfish Story
From the cheery greetings I receive daily to doors being opened and litter being picked up, I am always thrilled by the innately caring atmosphere we have here at St Leonards. The variety of ways in which our children care and respect each other, the staff, our environment and the community never fails to impress me.
Our Eco Team members have single handedly made their mark on the Wellbeing Trail. I overheard one of their discussions this week, explaining that the popularity of their cause means that a rota of helpers will be required, such is the enthusiasm of their fellow pupils to get involved. How glorious!
Pupil inspired and led, the Wellbeing Trail is certainly living up to its name. We cannot wait to support their plant drive by wearing green to school next Friday and bringing a donation to purchase suitable plants. A positive and sustainable way to show the flourishing nature of school and the pupils within. A living symbol of what we stand for.
Sticking with the environmental theme, when driving the minibus back from the Botanic Garden, our Year 2 children were filled with passion about how we must take responsibility for the environment. They urged me not to cut my grass (No Mow May!) and which insects I particularly need to take care of. Their knowledge, concern and determination was simply thrilling. Free from the rigours of daily concerns, our children are able to follow their inner drive to care for one another and the wider world. It is us who should be learning from them in this regard.
Our Peer Listeners, too, take enormous pride in their role, supporting their friends and those throughout the Junior School. Members of our Gardening and Nature Clubs demonstrate such passion for the environment around them, tending to their plants and learning more about the world outdoors. In Ad Vitam sessions, children solve social dilemmas - both real and imagined.
Big and small, old and young, Junior or Senior, we are all working hard, together and in our own ways, to cultivate the caring atmosphere which ultimately supersedes any academic prowess. This fills me with such pride, every single day.
Claire Boissiere on behalf of the PYP Leadership Team
Island of the Week
Congratulations to Harris, this week’s Island of the Week this week. Island leaders, Caitlin and Robby raised the flag in the beautiful sunshine on behalf of all in Harris!
Coronation Celebrations
To celebrate the King’s Coronation, pupils and staff sported red, white and blue or dressed as kings and queens on Monday to raise money for the North East Fife Community Hub and The Neurodiversity Umbrella Project as part of The Big Help Out initiative. We are delighted to share that the pupils' efforts raised just over £185 for the charities!
To add to the occasion, the pupils tucked into a delicious lunchtime meal of King Charles’ favourite quiche and the classic dish, coronation chicken. This was followed by coronation cupcakes in the afternoon for all to enjoy!
Soft Start Sessions
It was an absolute pleasure to be able to welcome parents into Years 1 and 2 on Thursday morning for our second soft start ‘stay and play’ session of the year. The children were eager to show and share their work as well as to have a little play. The sun was shining outside but it was the faces of parents and children alike that lit up the classrooms. Thanks to all of those who were able to attend.
Brilliant Beach School
Years 4, 5 and 6 skipped off down to the East Sands on Monday to create some fabulous crowns, continuing the day’s coronation celebrations. Year 1 also made it down to the beach to have some fun with friends. We have had such wonderful weather for outdoor learning this week - long may it last!
Year 1
Royal Visitor
As part of the Coronation celebrations, Year 1 were joined by a very special guest sporting a traditional Scottish kilt. Year 1 would also like to say a big thank you to Darren and his team for the delicious coronation cakes, eaten in the presence of His Majesty! The class also enjoyed an afternoon tea by way of celebration, making scones and sandwiches with Mrs Barclay.
Broad Bean Lifecycle
As part of their current Unit of Inquiry, 1C have started to explore the lifecycle of a broad bean. To begin, the pupils planted their beans in a plastic cup caught between a damp paper towel to help start its germination. The children will maintain their beans, ensuring the towels remain moist and have plenty of light. Once roots start to grow, they will be sent home to be planted in soil!
Terrific Tadpoles
Year 1 have continued watching their class tadpoles grow - some are now gaining their legs! Inspired by their tadpoles, the children have been doing some fantastic writing about the life cycle of a frog, making a booklet all about it.
They’ve also been learning the days of the week through the children’s classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Cress Heads
The children have planted cress into paper cups, which they have decorated with fancy faces. Now it’s time to wait for their “hair” to grow!
Year 2
King Charles
Year 2 were delighted to meet with His Majesty and take a group photograph to commemorate the King’s Coronation!
Mighty Beanstalks
The children in Year 2 are taking part in a Mighty Beanstalk Competition, which started with planting runner bean seeds into pots on Tuesday afternoon. The pupils plan to keep a close eye on their bean plants over the coming weeks, monitoring their growth and the number of leaves each plant produces. Watch this space!
Year 3
Climate Change
With their Unit of Inquiry on climate change nearing its conclusion, Year 3 have been writing both a non-fiction and fiction class book, bringing together all the fabulous facts they have discovered so far.
Based on John Burningham’s classic book, the children have adapted his ideas and woven our own tale. Now to decide what to call it!
Year 3 have also produced some brilliant videos this week - see below their interview about climate change and non-fiction vs fiction books. There's also a video to watch about their non-fiction book on endangered animals, made by the class!
Year 4
Mary Queen of Scots
The Year 4 children had a very special visitor on Tuesday afternoon. Mary Queen of Scots visited the children to speak about her life and use sources of information to decide whether or not Mary should have been executed or spared. Queen Mary's visit prompted much discussion. A very big thank you to Mr Kell (Head of History and Dad of Layla) for such a wonderfully entertaining and informative workshop.
French Focus
As part of their Unit of Inquiry, Scottish History, Year 4 have enjoyed a series of coronation-themed activities in their French class with Miss Bradley. They have looked at the key qualities of a king or queen in French, starting with the phrase: “Un Roi doit etre…”
The pupils then completed translations based on the transport used in the coronation celebrations on Saturday - their favourite was the quatre cheveux blancs used for the carriage of the King and Queen! Great work, Year 4!
Year 5
Wonderful Windmills
The Year 5 pupils made windmills in class this week, which are powered by kinetic energy. This was inspired by their recent Unit of Inquiry about energy. The class also learned about Alexander Calder and his brilliant kinetic sculptures!
Parachute Experiment
Year 5 have been busy experimenting with egg parachutes - you can see some videos of them enjoying this investigation below. Well done to the winners - Magnus and George, Dylan and Maryam!
Home Learning
We have thoroughly enjoyed seeing some of Year 5’s home learning this week. Amber and George brought in experiments showing the reaction of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar, whilst Ella told the class all about raisins dancing in fizzy water!
Bella also brought in a lovely cushion, which she had made using a sewing machine at home. Great work, Year 5. We love seeing what you get up to out of school to enhance your learning!
Measurement in Maths
New week, new topic. This week, Year 5 started learning about measurement in Maths. They did this by making paper aeroplanes and measuring the distance travelled, giving their answers in different formats.
Year 6
Tennis Triumphs
Congratulations to Findlay P and Cara L, who played in the Tayside Tennis Inter-district championship at Strathallan School last month. This was a superb team event featuring some amazing tennis, with Tayside winning the tournament overall!
Meanwhile, Year 7 and 8 tennis players were joined by Phoebe F in Year 6 for their first fixture of the season against the High School of Glasgow. All showed real potential on the court and there were plenty of smiles all round. There are two further stages to play, against Strathallan and Kinross!
LAMDA Exams
Congratulations to all those pupils who sat LAMDA examinations this week. Smiles all round as they completed their performances in front of the external examiner!
Beach Club
Pupils sported red, white and blue as they took to the beach after school for Beach Club. The children enjoyed making castles for the King as part of the days, Coronation Celebrations!
Eco Team
The Eco Team updated Years 1-6 during assembly on Tuesday, speaking about their ongoing work to make our school more sustainable. They have a fundraising event planned on Friday 19 May, when pupils are asked to wear green for the Eco Team. Donations welcome. All proceeds will go towards the Wellbeing Trail at St Leonards.
Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Rose M - we hope you have a wonderful day!