Year 3 Epping Forest Field Centre

In connection with their geography studies, children in Year 3 recently visited the Epping Forest Field Centre in High Beech to find out more about our local environment. Below are some of the comments our students made about their trip :-

On Friday 3 February my whole year went on a school trip to Epping Forest Field Study Centre in High Beech. We went so we could learn more about our local area for geography. We left school after assembly. It was a very cold day so we all wore warm clothes and boots. It took about 20 minutes to get there and it was very pretty because it was in the middle of the forest. MOLLIE MAY

It was cold and sunny, I had my thermals on so I was really HOT! We met two Sarahs and one Man called Peter. We saw Queen Elizabeth’s tree. Afterwards we went out in the forest with our compasses. We got back alive! OLIVER

The activity I enjoyed the most was the compass trail. We had to set the compass according to the clue and follow the direction of the needle to the destination. I learned how to use a compass properly and I really enjoyed the day. BEN

Years 5 & 6 Theatre Trip - 'The Firework Maker's Daughter'

Years 5 & 6 went to see 'The Firework Maker's Daughter' at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London in January.  The children thoroughly enjoyed the play and wrote their own reviews.

The following review with written by Emily

The play 'The Firework Maker's Daughter' was set up at the Bloomsbury Theatre, in London.  'It was a pleasure to watch', said the Sunday Times.  The actors, besides all of them being able to play instruments, all had amazing talents.  It was a very exciting performance.  The author, Philip Pullman obviously enjoyed writing this script as all the characters looked like they were having fun!

The story is set in a little town, where a father and a daughter work in a little corner with their firework stall.  But we all know that a firework maker is no job for a girl and the father is determined to keep his daughter away from the fireworks.  So Lila, (the daughter) set off on a journey through mountains and streams.  Meanwhile a white elephant that can talk is running out of time to save Lila.  Will Hamlet, the talking elephant save Lila?  What will happen to the father?  Watch and find out!

The scenery and music were brilliant, as you could actually see the instruments being played on stage by the actors/actresses.  The scenery was very clever to have the mountains and lakes everywhere.  Special effects were superb.

Early senior school (yr7-8) and years 5 & 6 are recommended as the age to see the show.  They should not be too young, otherwise they might not be able to understand the story."

Well done Emily for a very well written and informative review.

Year 6 at Crucial Crew

On Wednesday 15 June Year 6 children visited Crucial Crew in Gilwell Park, Chingford. There were ten different stages we had to complete. The first one was teaching us about moving vehicles and blind spots. The second was about road safety on bicycles. For the third stage we were inside learning about recycling and why not to throw rubbish on the floor. The fourth was about protective knife carrying and how to search suspects. For the fifth session we were in a classroom learning how to deal with bullies, after that we were shown how to deal with epilepsy and unconsciousness. Lesson seven was learning about why not to drink alcohol. In the eighth lesson the talk was about not putting your personal details onto online chat websites. The last lesson was about household dangers that could start a fire. At the end of the morning we all went into the hall to answer questions about it. We all enjoyed it very much.

by Alex and Polly, Year 6

French Day trip to St Omer

The French day trip to St Omer took place on Friday 10th June with children from Year 3 and Year 4. The poor weather we encountered during the day was not going to dampen our spirits. At the crack of dawn, 36 eager children, ten accompanying adults including teachers, assistant teacher and parents were raring to go. Despite awful weather most of the day, we still managed to have an action-packed experience of life in France. First stop was to the municipal hall kindly booked for us in order to take refuge from the rain and eat our packed lunch.

With their booklets at the ready, the children were able to complete information required in La Cathédrale Notre Dame. From here, we made our way to the High Street to purchase a few souvenirs, to buy a postcard and stamp, and find a little more information about the Town Hall. Alas, the skies opened up at this point. We took refuge in a café. Here, the children had the opportunity to order a drink in French. I had mentioned to the children prior to the trip a favourite of mine (on a hot day!) - ‘diabolo menthe’ mint cordial with lemonade. It was so amusing to see their reaction to this lively drink.

Having contacted the Musée Sandelin prior to the trip we were kindly offered a free visit with a general guide at the beginning. The children were interested in the ceramics, religious artefacts from the time of the first Abbey in St Omer and a room full of arms. The collection of clay pipes was also amusing for the children to see.
Just enough time to order an ice-cream! Would you believe it, at 5.00 o’clock, the sun came out just as they started to eat! Although a long journey, the children were wonderful participants singing along with French songs and raps. Funny how time passes when you’re enjoying yourself!! The children were wonderful ambassadors of Coopersale Hall abroad. Judging by their comments after the trip, I think they would like to return to take in some more of the sights on a warm summer’s day.

Our thanks to Mr. Goodman for arranging this wonderful trip for the children and thank you to all the staff and volunteers who helped make this trip so very enjoyable and memorable.

Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey

Children were evacuated to Waltham Abbey when they visited the Royal Gunpowder Mills to experience just what it was like for children to live during the Second World War.

They spent the day taking shelter, putting out fires, marching, identifying aircraft and writing postcards home to their families.

They were all pleased to return safely to school and could really imagine what it would have been like to be a child in World War 2.

Visit to Hatfield House

Children in Mrs. Lane’s class recently visited Hatfield House in connection with their studies of the Tudors. Henry wrote the following report :-

We met a minstrel who gave Henry VIII the gift of music wherever he went. We (my class) were practising a song for his Majesty and we sung it to the minstrel who said the King would enjoy it. Then we met Lady Brian who sent a letter to the King saying that Elizabeth was not getting treated the way she should. It was very risky. The King later told us that he would have to speak to Lady Brian privately for criticising him saying that he was not looking after his daughter well! But overall he said he knew he could trust her because she was willing to risk her life for Elizabeth.

Then we prepared to meet the King. I had to give Henry a bowl to wash his hands and George gave him food to eat. Lucy gave him Manchet Bread and Salt and Flora gave him mead, which is a sweet alcoholic drink.

We then sang to the King. He did enjoy it. We were told he was in a good humour and luckily they were correct, and we did not get yelled at….much!

After that we met an archer who played the drum and what looked like a recorder. He told us about how deathly the long bow is and how it helped William win the Battle of Hastings. He also told us that it took up to 20 years to build up the strength in your arm to fire it. He said he had heard about soldiers who had twisted spines from firing it.

I really enjoyed Hatfield House and would recommend it to anyone who wanted to go anywhere Tudor.

Well done to Henry for producing such a fine report. Our thanks also to Mrs. Jacoby, Miss Fielden and Tracy Cawley who accompanied the children on this trip. Michael commented that they were lucky to come away from it with their heads still attached!

Harlow Outdoor Pursuits

Coopersale Hall School went on a trip to Harlow Outdoor Pursuits. About 40 children went by coach and arrived at ten o’clock. They were all very excited and everybody wanted to start straight away.

Here is the opinion of Harrison “I thought it was really challenging but lots of fun too”. Year 6 started on the high ropes. The task was to climb a wire while holding on to a rope. Then they climbed up a pole across a log and jumped off. Everybody completed the first activity. While this was taking place, year 5 children were canoeing on the water of the canal. Nick was their coach for the second activity. Year 6 did kayaking which they thought was very hard as they were on their own in a boat.

The children played a kind of netball throwing the ball to each other in their kayak. While they were doing that, the year 5 pupils were abseiling down a tall tower. They were all very keen to do it.

It was a brilliant day for all the children.

by Harry, Year 6

Well done to Harry for writing such a very good and informative report.