This term, Year 6 have explored the dramatic drawing and painting technique of chiaroscuro, learning how to use light and dark to create depth, form and impact in their artwork. In addition, the children enjoyed working with clay to create expressive sculptures that captured a wide range of emotions. Through symbolic imagery, they have also powerfully represented the impact and devastation associated with war. We are incredibly impressed with their creativity and effort and the children should feel very proud of their thoughtful and inspiring final pieces.

We had a fantastic week at Longtown Outdoor Learning Centre — the children packed it full of new adventures, learnt the value of perseverance in overcoming tricky challenges, developed resilience and discovered what it really means to work as part of a team. The week was a whirlwind of activity: between climbing, canoeing, team challenges, orienteering (and more).

They were busy from dawn till dusk, eating well, resting when they could and mixing with a wide group of their peers. Everyone took responsibility too — they took turns laying tables, keeping their rooms tidy, sorting out the drying rooms and generally pulling together to make the week run smoothly. The weather was mostly on our side (a few damp moments, but nothing enough to stop the joy) which made everything feel even more memorable. It was a really full-on week — the kind of week that tests you, challenges you, makes you grow — and the children certainly deserve a good rest!