Primary Schools 2008-2009 Overview

This year several hundred Primary pupils have visited Cirencester Deer Park School for sporting events, maths, drama, modern foreign languages, as well as for the Primary Challenge and Induction Days. On many of these occasions, Deer Park pupils have ably assisted them to understand the activities and help organise the events.

A group of Year 6 pupils from Powells and Stratton Schools had the opportunity to take part in a Sensory topic which involved examining artists' work and then creating clay heads and drawing, sometimes created while blindfolded. The results were exhibited for several weeks, along with the older children’s Design work.

In November, the whole of Year 6 from Powells explored their History topic, based on the World War 2, in greater depth and became 'evacuees' for a day. When they came to Deer Park for the day, they dressed up as evacuees and cooked appropriate food, as well taking part in other activities.

Last March, pupils from Rodmarton, Chesterton, Powells, Siddington and Stratton came to Deer Park to enjoy taking part in the Maths problem solving activity called Crystal Maze. The Crystal Maze maths game involved visiting 6 countries and playing mathematical games in each of them: Europe, China, India, Egypt, Africa and the UK. Each game involved a theme, based on the country in question, and the prize was a crystal, which would buy time in a balloon-filled paddling pool. Games varied from matching European flags with descriptions based on their symmetry, to an Egyptian-based game which involved putting a jigsaw together of Tutankhamen. At the end of these games, pupils needed to collect as many even numbers in a balloon-filled paddling pool as possible- not an easy task as there were fans blowing the balloons everywhere!

Drama was important again this year and many Year 10 pupils worked with KS2 pupils at Powells and Cirencester Juniors by interviewing and involving them in practical work to discover what they are interested in. This was followed by the Primary children having a chance to watch a show and take part in a workshop. The theme turned out to be a story about being lost in a dream world. Watermoor and Stratton have also experienced drama sessions in their schools, ably supported by Year 10 pupils from Deer Park.

In the Spring, the Year 9 Language Leaders worked with Miss Moss and helped to teach French to children at Rodmarton School. In June, the same Year 9 leaders helped Miss Moss when she ran the Primary Language Day. Pupils from Chesterton, Watermoor, Kemble, Siddington, Sapperton and Ashton Keynes started the day with a French breakfast, followed by workshops in five different languages based on craft, singing, geography, drama and ICT activities. At lunchtime they were ready to devour an Italian themed lunch.

On Primary Challenge Day in June, we welcomed 54 Year 6 pupils who would be joining us full time in September to come and solve the 'Mystery of Ms Henson’s Missing Lunchbox'. They had an exciting day exploring the school while trying to solve the clues, which involved a photofit, dressing up and working as part of a team. This was a very successful day and many new friendships were forged.

Two week later was Induction Day, when most of our 206 new pupils attended an action-packed day, giving the children the opportunity to renew friendships and make new ones.

As usual, Sport has played an important part in our school life. Many Deer Park pupils have worked with the Primary children, through coaching skills and umpiring Netball or Tag Rugby matches on cold winter Friday nights. In the Spring and Summer, over 200 Primary pupils visited Deer Park to take part in the Cross Country, District and Area Athletics events.

It has been a very busy and exciting year and I have plenty more organised for next year.

Mrs S Bond
Primary Specialist

Sensory topic

Evacuees project

Crystal Maze

Primary Languages Day

Primary Challenge Day