Break the Bias
“I want every girl on this planet to have the same opportunities that I’ve had.” Michelle Obama
At St Leonards, we are committed to helping to create a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination, where difference is valued and celebrated. This week, our school community marked International Women’s Day, a celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and a dedicated day to champion further steps towards gender equality and a world where all women and girls can live safe, fearless and free.
In assemblies and lessons, the children have been thinking about trailblazing female role models and the extraordinary women who have shaped and influenced their lives – everyone from Min Jin Lee to Marie Curie. In addition to these well-known figures from different spheres, geographical places and time periods, it was heartwarming to see a sea of hands stretched up to name their own mothers and grandmothers as inspiring and influential role models. We hope that the stories of female civil rights activists, scientists, politicians, artists, sports players, chief executive officers, writers, healthcare professionals and actresses will ignite a spark in our pupils and empower them to confidently and unreservedly pursue their goals and dreams, but also to be agents of change and to shape the future of our society and world.
Whilst huge advances have been made in recent years, there is still work to be done to create a society where all genders are equally valued, represented and celebrated – a recent survey of teenagers in the UK found that more than one million girls who thought of themselves as ‘sporty’ at primary school lost interest in physical activity as they hit adolescence because of deep-rooted stereotypes surrounding body image, and a significant gender gap persists in the uptake of STEM subjects in higher education to name just two examples.
Gender stereotypes become entrenched at a young age, and it is for this reason that we seek to ‘break the bias’, use inclusive language, and celebrate the achievements of historical and contemporary women from all walks of life with our PYP learners. For example, our bee colonies are named after pioneering female figures: the civil rights activist Rosa Parks; the Greek philosopher, mathematician and astronomer Hypatia; the author, illustrator and conservationist Beatrix Potter; and the aviatrix Amelia Earheart. In addition, our Units of Inquiry and Learner Profile attribute suggested reading lists include a diverse range of female figures and protagonists, whether that be the four African American women who helped win the space race or Mary Queen of Scots.
So, as we take inspiration and courage from the inspirational women in our lives, let’s ensure that International Women’s Day is just the starting point for conversations surrounding stereotypes and bias and together strive for a world where all have equal rights and opportunities.
Duncan Barrable, Head of Years 4-6
Year 1
Scottish Country Dancing
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING | This week, Years 1 and 2 discovered the traditional art of Scottish Country Dancing with Mrs Beebee in St Katharines Hall. The children mastered some of the basic steps, and are excited to build their repertoire in the coming weeks, months and years. We hope that you enjoy a snapshot of their learning below!
Year 2
Scottish Stories
SCOTTISH STORIES | The Year 2 pupils have continued their inquiry into traditional stories this week, and have started to read some traditional Scottish fairy tales. The children have spent time discussing characters, debating the motivations underlying their behaviours, and considering whether they align with their own morals or values. They also enjoyed delving into the magical elements of the tales, and considering the lessons that these stories can teach us. Last, but by no means least, the children have honed their comparison skills, and discussed the similarities and differences between the German tale Rumpelstiltskin and its Scottish counterpart Whuppity Stoorie.
Inspired by the warriors, giants and battles that featured in the fairy tales that they have read this week, the children asked if they could set up a warrior workshop in the classroom. Our aspiring heroes have forged axes, spears, bows and arrows and clubs!
Stories in the Sunshine
STORIES IN THE SUNSHINE | Year 2 enjoyed writing and illustrating stories in the sunshine. It's clear that we have some accomplished authors in our midst!
Later in the week, the children read the Scottish fairy tale The Wee Bannock and compared it to its American counterpart, The Gingerbread Man. They linked their findings to Maths using Venn diagrams to display the similarities and differences, before making Shetland Bannocks in the outdoor classroom. The children enjoyed these delicious treats with lashings of butter and jam, and then wrote a set of instructions so that they could remember how to make the bannocks at home using sequencing words and pictures to clearly explain the steps.
Year 3
Wildlife Workshop
WILDLIFE WORKSHOP | To help them tune into their new Unit of Inquiry which is centred on the idea that the survival of living things is affected by human and environmental factors, Year 3 enjoyed a wonderful workshop at Camperdown Park, Dundee. Building upon their prior knowledge, the pupils learned more about how animals have adapted to their habitats and how this is related to climate change. For example, they explored how shells develop and learned that the specific shell shapes are linked to their environment, and discovered that owl feathers have adapted over millions of years to be silent to enable the birds to hunt and work in the dark whereas eagles use sight and speed to pursue their prey meaning that their feathers are noisier!
Below are some of their reflections from a very fruitful week of learning.
"Check your food because if it travels on planes, trains and cars it will put carbon dioxide into the planet, make more heat and melt the ice. Then there will be no polar bears or penguins." Teddy
"There are only 50 Bali starlings in the wild. People catch them as pets." Agnes
The children are looking forward to delving deeper into their unit in the following weeks!
Year 4
Fascinating Facts
FASCINATING FACTS | As part of their new inquiry under the transdisciplinary theme of 'Where we are in Place and Time', the Year 4 pupils have been researching Mary Queen of Scots, and created mind maps with their findings. For example, did you know that she became queen when she was just six days old when she acceded to the throne? They are excited about visiting Falkland Place, where the monarch resided, next week, and to sharing their Living History Workshop with the St Leonards community in due course!
Gratitude Tree
GRATITUDE TREE | As part of their inquiry into staying healthy, the Year 4 pupils have been reflecting on their physical and mental health. They have been practising the discipline of mindfulness, stilling their minds and grounding themselves with deep breathing in the midst of a busy days at school. In light of the current events on the news, the pupils have been especially thankful for the peace that we enjoy in Fife. The pupils recorded their thankful thoughts in colourful leaves on their new gratitude tree.
Stick Skills
STICK SKILLS | This week, in PE, the Year 4 pupils enjoyed honing their stick skills in a series of competitive hockey games on Lower Field. A great time was had by all - thanks to Mr Parsons for leading such a great session!
Year 5
Making a Meaningful Difference
MAKING A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE | At St Leonards, we encourage our pupils to be caring and principled, and to seek to make a difference in their local and global communities. Having been moved by the plight of Ukrainian refugees, Harry E has decided to camp out in his garden for seven nights to raise money for the Disasters Emergency Committee to help those in need. He has even looked super smart for school each day! So far, Harry has raised over £300 - if you would like to donate to his appeal, please click the link below.
Super Scientists
SUPER SCIENTISTS | The Year 5 pupils have shown themselves to be super scientists this week. The classes have been investigating forces and energy this week, and they have enjoyed familiarising themselves with the topic terminology and using their inquiry skills to make hypotheses.
Year 5P experimented with a hair dryer to make a ping pong ball 'float'. They were able to identify the forces at work and that the forces were balanced. The pupils were also fascinated by Adam's ability to make an object hover using magnetic force, and thoroughly enjoyed watching Phoebe's experiment with Coca Cola and Mentos. Her experimented demonstrated the change in forms of energy.
Below are some of their reflections.
"Forces have direction and strength." Robby
"Force is measured in Newtons." Olivia
"Isaac Newton got the idea of gravity from an apple falling on his head." Findlay
"Nuclear energy is stored in the nucleus of atoms." William
"There are two main types of energy, kinetic and potential." Rodrigo
The pupils are looking delving deeper into forces next week!
Year 6
Flexibility and Focus
FLEXIBILITY AND FOCUS | The Year 6 pupils have shown great flexibility and focus in their learning this week. They have started their research into their Exhibition inquiries - it has been fantastic to see the wide range of topics selected, as well as the pupils' enthusiasm at this early stage of the process!
As part of their Exhibition inquiry into how we can use our passions to make a difference to the lives of others, the classes have also been learning about different poets from around the world, and poetic techniques such as alliteration, similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia. Next week, the pupils will build upon this foundation and write a poem linked to their own inquiry.
Last, but by no means least, the pupils have shown themselves to be focused mathematicians, and have consolidated their knowledge of fractions and exploring multi-step word problems. Fantastic work, Year 6!
Other News
Melodious Music
MELODIOUS MUSIC | Congratulations to Mia G, Cara L and Sophia Z who performed alongside Senior pupils in yesterday's Piano Concert. It was a wonderful evening of musical entertainment, with polished solos and duets from pupils in Years 6-13.
Wellbeing Trail Update
WELLBEING TRAIL UPDATE | This week, we have made further progress on the Wellbeing Trail. Once completed, the multi-sensory trail will be a peaceful space where pupils can take time out from the humdrum of school life. The children designed the trail, and are also taking ownership of its construction. Years 4-6 worked on the pathway and started to fill it with wood chips, whilst the Eco Team used their woodwork skills to fit stairs into the path. The next stage of the construction process will be to sow and plant seeds!
Play Away
PLAY AWAY | A group of budding young musicians from St Leonards enjoyed a fantastic day of music making with children from across Scotland last weekend at the Scottish Schools Orchestra Trust (SScOT) biannual 'Play Away' day, which was held at the University of St Andrews' state-of-the-art Laidlaw Music Centre. The children enjoyed participating in the string orchestra or windband for the first part of the day, and then came together to perform the Star Wars soundtrack as one big orchestra - an amazing experience for all. Last, but by no means least, there was a fun quiz, and some of the St Leonards pupils were part of the winning team! Huge congratulations to all the pupils who demonstrated their risk-taking and communication skills throughout the day.
