As part of their Science work on habitats and food chains and to support the books studied in English which is set on the Norfolk Broads, our Year 4 pupils went on a day trip to How Hill.

Everyone enjoyed the trip and below are some of their comments:

“When we went minibeast hunting I found 4 centipedes, 6 millipedes and some slug eggs. I didn’t know that slug eggs were white. It was awesome when we saw a grass snake. We were lucky and saw 2 grass snakes and a chinese water deer, the other group didn’t! “  
 
“It was really fun when we went to How Hill. I enjoyed playing a food chain game called Hawks and Crows. ”
 
“I didn’t know that mud could be so deep. We had mud put on our cheeks to make us more beautiful.”
 
“Did you know that the female mallard duck is brown because when she has her babies she is camouflaged?”
 
“The marshman’s cottage was tiny, I couldn’t imagine 11 people living there.”

Taverham Hall School – Independent Schools Norfolk

On 12^th March Year 5 pupils from Taverham Hall School travelled to their annual pilgrimage to the beautiful Ely Cathedral where they acted out a day in the life of a novice monk.  The children took part in church services, acted out chapter meetings and ate the meals a monk would have tasted.

After an excellent picnic lunch, the children were given a guided tour of the Cathedral and were fascinated by the bible stories painted on the roof and the sheer scale of the octagon shape at its centre.  They were thrilled to visit the shrine of Etheldreda who was the Abbess of Ely (AD 636-679).

Pupils commented as follows:

“I loved learning the sign language that the monks used when they were meant to be silent.”

“I liked looking at the model of the Cathedral to see how the Octagon was supported.”  

“I liked being a monk because their food was so delicious.”

 Taverham Hall School – Independent Schools Norfolk

Year groups 3 through to 7 have this term been receiving visits during their PSHE lesson from Norfolk County Council’s Road Safety Instructor Peter Cornwell, to discuss their understanding of road safety in different capacities, covering walking, cycling and travelling in cars.

Peter provided us with the following write up:

“The sessions were designed to get the children thinking about the choices they make when they are out and about, choices that as adults we take for granted without having to think about.

For instance, one aspect, in looking at safely crossing roads, highlighted the point that most children think the Green man at a pedestrian crossing means it’s safe to cross.  The children discussed the fact that most of them have seen vehicles run a red traffic light at some point, and decided it was best to check first before crossing, and now understand only to cross if it is safe, having checked both ways first.  It is so important that children learn how vital it is to check properly before stepping on to the road.

As parents we can help our children develop these skills by asking them if or when it is safe to cross when we are out and about, children rely on us to keep them safe and over time learn from parents how to use the County’s road network safely, your children will inevitably do as you do.

If you let them get out of the car into the road, they will naturally do the same. Unfortunately they are unlikely to check it’s safe first.  If when out cycling you do not always wear a cycle helmet, your children are less likely to wear theirs. If you cross a road with a car coming, so will they.

The children also spent a session considering seat belt safety.  The younger years looked at the effects of not wearing a seat-belt with a toy car and dummy family (ask them what happened!), while years 5 to 7 were shown videos. It was astounding to see that around a quarter to a third of each class admitted they sometimes are not wearing a seat-belt.  Short journeys appeared to be the main reason given.  In fact over 50% of vehicle accidents occur on short journeys, perhaps when we are least attentive as we are on familiar roads.

If you wish to see an award wining video on seat-belts, Peter recommends “Embrace Life” made by Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, available on the internet.

Norfolk is a very safe county to live in, however children do get injured on the roads and many of these injuries could be avoided. Next time you are walking to school or out cycling ask your children some questions, Is it safe to cross? How can we be safer when on our bikes? and so on.

Taverham Hall will continue to work with the Road Safety team on these important matters but we can all help improve the safety and awareness of our children.”

Taverham Hall School – Independent Schools Norfolk

As part of our Year 4 children’s work on the Romans they have been studying Hadrian’s Wall.

Our Head of History, Mr Newton, offered to come and tell the children a story related to remains found at an archaeological dig at Housesteads. He captured their interest by describing how he used to play on Hadrian’s Wall as a child and then in dramatic style told a story about a possible murder. He used primary evidence (a skeleton with a broken sword through it) to imagine a scenario involving Roman soldiers on a night out being tricked in a game, leading them to murder a local innkeeper and his wife.

We all enjoyed his visit and as follow up, the children were challenged to draw a picture to go with the story, with a reward for the best. They also retold the story in their own words for prep. The results were very colourful and imaginative!

Taverham Hall School – Independent Schools Norfolk

As part of their topic ‘Ancient Egypt’ our Year 3 children took part in an Ancient Egyptian dance workshop. It was a wonderful experience which gave the children a deeper insight into the life and culture of the Ancient Egyptians and also proved to be a lot of fun!

Taverham Hall School – Independent Schools Norfolk