abingdon.org.uk/prep 9 IN SCHOOL In our Big Think Day this term, each class came to explore the journey to Bethlehem taken by Mary and Joseph in an age appropriate way. Through discussion, writing, artwork and creative modelling, pupils thought about how exhausted they must have been to travel 80 miles by foot; what were the challenges of having a baby in a barn. Our older pupils related the story to more modern stories of homelessness and the life of refugees. THE BIG THINK FIREWORKS NIGHT! Our APS families all enjoyed the annual firework display on a wonderfully still evening. After Nick’s fireworks assembly, and flame tests in Science for Year 7, many could identify some of the metal salts used in the colours we saw in the sky. With street food and glow products before the display, it was another super event. Thank you to everyone who helped, both staff and JPA volunteers. Year 7 has been investigating the changes and continuity for life in England following the Battle of Hastings. They were given the challenge of making a motte and bailey castle and they definitely rose to the challenge. A wonderful range of castles appeared in the Library in recent weeks, fashioned from Lego to cardboard and earthworks to cake. What a very talented year group they are!! ARCHERY CLUB MOTTES AND BAILEYS GROWING MICROBES DARWIN’S FINCHES As part of our work on Natural Selection, Year 8 became Darwin’s finches. Using a range of implements such as chopsticks as their beaks, they battled to ‘eat’ selected food sources. Those with the best adaptations were able to select their favoured food while others were left hungry. A fun way to demonstrate one of the most important scientific concepts of all time. During Year 8’s topic on Microbes and Disease, pupils grew microbes on agar plates from all sorts of different sources. Many were able to show the growth of microbes from dirty finger prints and we also had a range of examples of microbial growth from around the school. It was a good reminder to always wash our hands! Many thanks to Abingdon School for organising the agar plates. Bienvenue à la glacerie (Year 4)
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