The Penpol Times

Class 9 are Making Music with GarageBand

20th June 2017 by Jacob Woolcock

Recently we’ve been looking at how we can use the computers to make music by using a program called GarageBand. The children have only had one lesson on this fantastic program so far, but already they’re starting to make some great songs. Class 9 had an exceptionally productive lesson in GarageBand and we’ve chosen a few of their songs for you to listen to below. We’ve definitely got some young DJ’s in the making!

Have a listen to some of their tracks:

“I really enjoyed GarageBand and I really liked how you could search for loads of different instruments and get loads of different beats!” – Autumn, Class 9

“I like my song because it’s got a good beat and I especially like the guitar” – Zara, Class 9

“I really like GarageBand because you can make lots of different songs from lots of different sounds. My song makes me want to dance!” – Max, Class 9

“My song is based on a summery pop jazz vibe which will chill you out, no matter how hot it is outside!” – Ethan, Class 9

Penpol’s Own Football Stars

17th May 2017 by Nic Stanlake

Many of the children at Penpol School take part in activities and clubs outside of school. Some of our talented footballers who play for Hayle park Under 10’s have enjoyed lots of success over the last two seasons. Most recently at an invitational tournament in Newquay. The round-robin tournament consisted of 15 of the best teams from within the county and was spread over 3 days. The boys performed excellently and managed to secure a second placed finish.

Not only were they awarded with a trophy each to keep but one member of the team scooped the Golden Boot- an accolade awarded to the top scorer within the competition.

Well done boys, really well deserved!

Under the Sea With Oshi.

10th May 2017 by Amanda Aspden

Class 1 had an inspirational experience of visiting the Falmouth Maritime museum. We learnt all about the different boats in the museum and how they are powered. We saw how the boats are made up of different parts and found out what the hull, keel, mast, and sails do. Next, we had the opportunity to make our own boats using the knowledge we had just learnt about what we would need to make our boats sail. We then had great fun racing our boats against each other on the boating pool. Amelie’s boat was the champion and she was delighted to be the overall winner of the boat races.

We saw flying boats, we made a boat we put it in some water, we did races with them – Hazel.

I saw a sail, it moves the boat along with the wind. My sail was a triangle, I had a straw as the mast to hold the sail up. The front of the boat is the bow. I liked seeing Oshi – Ada

We also met Oceana, a sea sprite from the Lost Land of Lyonesse. The children helped Oshi retell her story of how the Lost Land of Lyonesse, where Oshi used to live, was once part of Cornwall but a great storm blew up and the sea swept over Lyonesse. The city sank to the bottom of the sea and the magical Cornish sea sprites and mer people saved Oceana and many of her friends and family and they now live at the bottom of the sea. We used musical instruments to recreate this exciting story.

We made a story up with Oshi. In the story I have to do the rain. There was also thunder and wind. She showed us some treasure – Maisie

After the story we were excited to see what treasures she had in her treasure chest. She explained to the children that treasure wasn’t just sparkly jems and jewels, but anything that is special to them. She showed us some things that have been caught in fishing nets including a cannon ball, a port hole, part of an old ship, a killer whales tooth, a very old pot and part of an old leather boot.

She brought out some treasure. She showed us a rusty ball a cannon ball, we saw part of a pirate ship with nails in and we saw part of an old boot – James

We saw Oshi, she is a sea sprite. She lives in the sea water. She gave us a shell. When you hold the shell and sing the song on the beach she will come. Oshi Oshi of the sea please wake up and play with me – Alex

Through hands on discovery, imagination and role play, the experience at the museum empowered children with excitement confidence and skills to hopefully begin a life-long enjoyment of museums.

Announcing Music in the Marquee 2017

5th May 2017 by Jacob Woolcock

The last two years have seen sell out performances at our annual Music In The Marquee concerts from the brilliant Bradley Johnson and the fantastic Little Chix. I’m delighted to say that this July we’re going bigger and better than ever before, with an incredible four-piece band.

For our 2017 event I’d like to introduce you to the countries top Coldplay tribute band, YELLOW! Yellow are a four piece band from Portsmouth who formed ten years ago to celebrate and perform the music of Coldplay. The group all play their own intruments and manage to recreate the energetic and dynamic Coldplay sound whilst engaging audiences across the country. This July they’re making the trip down to Hayle especially for us. The band are a close group of friends and their friendship and passion for live music shines through on stage.

On Saturday 8th July the band will treat us to two sets of live music with the first offering a look at Coldplay’s recent dance-pop sound including hits such as ‘Adventure of a Lifetime’, ‘Something Just LIke This’ and of course, ‘Paradise’. Later on in the evening the band will return to the stage for a second time to treat us to a set of more classic coldplay songs including ‘Yellow’, ‘Sky Full of Stars’ and ‘Viva La Vida’. We’ll also have more music on the night with talented local support and plenty of chances to get the children dancing!

Just like in previous years the event will raise money for the Penpol Friends Association and will also feature a fully licensed bar, soft drinks, and food for everyone to enjoy. I hope you’ll agree that Music in the Marquee 2017 is already shaping up to be a phenomenal night of entertainment.

Tickets are on sale now from reception: £8 for adults and £5 for children.

See you there!

Penpol Pupils go on a Virtual Reality Expedition with Google!

26th April 2017 by Jacob Woolcock

On Tuesday Penpol School had a very special visit from Google who had some exciting new technology to show off to the children.

Google Expeditions is a new project designed to introduce primary school children to Virtual Reality in the classroom. Mark from Google bought 60 Google Cardboard headsets to Penpol along with 60 smart phones and tablets to get the system set up and running. Throughout the day every class, from Year 1 to Year 6, had the chance to get some hands on time with the technology by going on a virtual school trip!

Led by their class teacher, the children were transported virtually around the world to unusual and exciting destinations including the Amazon Rainforest, underwater deep sea diving, onto the vast icy planes of Antartica and even into outer space to see the Moon and Earth from a whole new perspective. The excitement amongst the children was electric, with loud gasps every time the teacher took them to a new location to explore.

Virtual Reality works by taking a 360 degree photo of a location and then using special software to make the viewer feel like they are in the middle of the action. With the Google Cardboard and attached smartphone the children can then explore their surroundings simply by moving their head. The classroom disappears and they are taken on an incredible school trip.

You can learn more about Google Expeditions here: https://edu.google.com/expeditions/

Throughout the day we took as many photos as possible to remember this amazing event, so please enjoy a selection of them below…

Terrific Tri-Service Station

25th April 2017 by Amanda Aspden

Class 1 visited the Tri Service Station in Hayle. Andy Hitchins the safety officer, showed the children around the station and told them how the station acts a fire station, ambulance and police station. We were lucky enough to see the fire engine, ambulance and police car during our visit. We learnt all about what to do if the smoke alarms at home goes off and how the Tri-Service Station helps us all in emergencies.

We had a look in the police car and even had the opportunity to sit in the driving seat or be locked in the back. The children loved playing with the loud police car siren and learnt all about why police cars, ambulances and fire engines have loud sirens.

I liked the police car because we heard the siren – Ethan.

Chris Wolstencroft (Lola from Class 7’s dad) showed the children the fire engine. We learnt all about the role of fire ladies and men and what they do to help us and animals in difficulty. We looked at all the different equipment on the fire engine – the different hose reels and jets for squirting water; the four ladders of different heights; the cutters for cutting vehicles; the breathing apparatus and protective clothing and the walkie talkies. The children had the opportunity to sit inside the fire engine and hear its siren.

The firemen wear masks so the smoke can’t go in your mouth – Ada

Finally, the children were given the opportunity to squirt the water from the hose and put out a pretend car and tree fire. The whole morning was great fun and really informative. We all had a great time!

I liked squirting the water from the hose – Amelie

If any parents have smoke alarms that don’t work Andy Hitchins said they will fit or replace them free of charge and to contact him at the Tri-Service Station to arrange a meeting.

I liked getting wet because I squirted the hose – Phoebe

Class 6’s Brilliant Moving Pictures

20th April 2017 by Elizabeth Nidds

Children in class 6 had a very busy Spring term in DT in their ‘moving pictures’ topic. Over the course of the term, each child designed and made many different types of moving pictures. These ranged from pop up Chinese new year cards, to making their own class flap book all about themselves, to Easter cards that could be ‘cracked’ open to reveal the message inside!

I liked making the flap book about me because I liked writing all the information under the picture – Jasmine

I enjoyed making my Easter egg card as I liked decorating it how I wanted – Isla

I really liked the All About Me book because I could tell the reader about everything I like doing – Patrick

Their biggest project however, coincided with their History topic ‘the Titanic’. Each child was given the opportunity to design their own moving picture based on the skills and techniques they had used in previous weeks. The children came up with many unique and individual designs using cardboard flaps, lollipop sticks and even designed parts of the pictures that were to pop up. Once the design was finished, it was onto creating their masterpieces

I liked being able to make my own Titanic picture the way I wanted. I did much more on it than I thought I would when I designed it – Bella

Class 6 worked incredibly hard on their pictures and each child produced their own unique picture. They have all worked very hard on their moving pictures and are looking forward to designing and making puppets next term. Well done Class 6!

I enjoyed making my Titanic picture because I got to do lots of cutting and sticking and use lots of different colours – Tess

Penpol Pupils Celebrate New Infant Play Equipment

19th April 2017 by Penpol School

With the sun shining and summer well on the way, you really would think that things just could not get any better.

Well, at Penpol they certainly have!

That’s because the children have returned after the Easter holidays only to be greeted by a brand new, fantastic, three-tower, multi-activity climbing frame.

When I came to school I couldn’t believe my eyes. It’s the best day ever! The slide is amazing because it is super fast! – Dylan – Year 1

Part funded by the Penpol Friends Association (PFA), this amazing piece of equipment has a climbing wall, net ladder, super fast slide, fireman’s pole and many more challenging features. There are also three roll bars for the children to practise their tumble turns. To make things extra safe there is a rubber surface around the climbing frame.

I love playing on the new climbing frame because it’s such fun. My favourite bit is climbing up the ropes – Harvey – Reception

The reaction has been fantastic and the children have swarmed on to have a go. It has certainly livened up playtime activities for the children in the infant playground

I felt really excited because it looked such fun. I love playing on it on with my friends. – Lydia – Year 2

We are very grateful to the Penpol Friends Association for their fundraising and hard work. Without them none of this would be possible.

A big thank you to the PFA! – Everyone at Penpol School

Class 6 have been writing and following instructions

15th April 2017 by Linda Ruffell

Class 6 have been playing games in the English lessons.

Children in Class 6 have been learning all about instructions and how important it is to follow them in chronological order.

The children were asked to design their own board games, write out a set of instructions and then try out their games with a friend.

It was fun making up your own characters for a game – Corran

The children had great fun explaining their rules and then trying out their games. Children could be heard giving out instructions, counting and explaining what happens if you land on a certain picture.

I really liked playing Tess L game ‘Candy Land’ as she thought of some good obstacles to stop you winning’ – Finn

Finn explaining to Isabella and Reuben how to pay his game ‘Pokemon Crush’

Oliver and Brodie playing their inventions ‘Lego Game’ and ‘Pacman Adventures.’

I loved playing the games, especially rolling the dice and getting to move on two spaces – Tess

Sewing Club

14th May 201825th November 2016 by Penpol School

Every Monday after school this term, some of the Year 1 and 2 children have been learning how to sew with Miss Simpson.

They have learnt how to thread needles and tie knots. They have also looked at weaving and how to use different types of stitches. It’s not as easy as it sounds because it requires a lot of patience and concentration. However, the children have risen to the challenge and produced some very creative pieces.

To help them further develop their sewing skills, the children have even been given a piece of canvas, their own needle and some thread to practice at home.

The club has proved to be a great success and the children have really enjoyed the opportunity.

I have stopped watching TV and all the I do is my sewing now. – Elexa

The children are currently working towards making their own Christmas decorations. Keep a look out for their finished masterpieces.

Magic on the Mount

“Penpol pupils are curious, creative and courageous learners. Our school community believes in authenticity as the foundations of deep-rooted learning. Through our rich and relevant curriculum, we nurture community-minded, forward-facing international citizens of the future.”