Latest News
Keep up to date with our latest news below.
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Year 6 French Trip 2018
Fri 22 Jun 2018Update: Friday 22nd June
We are all home safe and sound; exhausted but full of stories to tell and experiences to share. It has been such a memorable week and one that I will certainly cherish. To the Year 6 parents - your children were wonderful this week. They not only represented themselves, CSPA and English school children superbly well, but they were also great fun to be with. I'm so proud of you Year 6 - well done! My thanks go to the fantastic staff who joined me on the trip ensuring that all of the children were their number one priority and that they had the very best time. Thank you to Mrs Roffey, Ms Meek, Mrs Kwasnik, Mrs Weatherill, Miss Murray, Mr Briant, Mr Underwood, Mrs Finn, Mrs Sadler, Mr Leach and my greatest thanks go to the wonderful Mrs Downie! What a wonderful example of the CSPA family at its best!
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Year 6 French Trip 2018
Fri 22 Jun 2018Update: Thursday 21st June
Today the children thoroughly enjoyed spending their pocket money at the market at Saint Mere Eglise. It was wonderful to see the children independently and confidently do their shopping and chat to the market stall holders. We also learned about how Saint Mere Eglise was affected during the Battle of Normandy and about the famous parachutist John Steele.
Lunch was quickly devoured after a busy morning at a park nearby and it was followed by a lovely opportunity for some fun and games in the sunshine. We then returned to the town centre in order to visit the Airbourne Museum.
Our final visit of the day was to Bayeux Cemetery and a chance for the children to remember those who gave their lives for a brighter future. The children described the emotions they felt from this experience in a number of ways: "saddened and horrified", "peaceful and calm" and "determined to ensure that peace remains in our world".
We then made our way to Le Petit Normand for our final dinner in France before going to the port and the ferry home.
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Year 6 French Trip 2018
Wed 20 Jun 2018Update: Wednesday 20th June 2018 at 19:20
Wow! We've had another incredibly busy but hugely enjoyable day here in France. Today was all about Le Mont St Michel. After a fairly long journey, it was finally in sight and the challenge of climbing to the top was ahead of us.
We all enjoyed marvelling at the beautiful sights as we got closer and closer to the top; the view was spectacular! Upon reaching the top, our group of mature, thoughtful and respectful 82 children stepped into the abbey during a service. This was a special and memorable moment, and an important part of the tradition of our trip.
We then made our way to the biscuit factory to buy souvenirs for home. At the same time, the children continued with their watercolour paintings which are starting to look wonderful.
We are now enjoying dinner before making our way to the beach for some games. We'll sleep well again tonight!
Update at 22.20
The children enjoyed every moment of the games on the beach. Before that, we had a giant game of 'Heads Down Thumbs Up' - even the staff joined in!
We'll definitely sleep well tonight!
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Year 6 French Trip 2018
Tue 19 Jun 2018Update: Tuesday 19th June 2018 at 17.20
Today has been another fun-packed day full of learning, new experiences and great times. It started with a visit to Arromanches where we firstly learned more about Mulberry Harbour from Mr Leach using a landscape painting created by Mr Underwood to help illustrate how things would have looked in 1944.
We then made our way into the 360 cinema in order to watch the most fantastic film showing the events of D-Day and what followed. The children then had an opportunity to start spending some of their pocket money in the gift shop before taking a scenic walk into the town of Arromanches. We briefly visited St Peter's Church and then returned to the coaches for our journey to Honfleur.
At Honfleur, the children walked through this picturesque harbour town before settling in the park for their picnic lunch. The weather has been very kind to us so it was a perfect setting.
It was then time to make our way to our usual sketching and painting spot in order for the children to create their masterpieces! Some of the staff also had a go! Again the weather was wonderful and the children were also able to order and of course enjoy their delicious ice-creams!
Two special birthdays were also celebrated. Bon Anniversaire Hiya and Noah! Another wonderful day here in Normandy - well done CSPA! Here's to another one tomorrow!
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Year 6 French Trip 2018
Tue 19 Jun 2018Update: 19.6.18 8.30am
Good morning everyone! We are all just having our breakfast and preparing our lunch before our next day begins. The children have slept incredibly well! Next stop the 360 cinema and a trip to the stunning harbour town of Honfleur!
Apologies for the delay in photos and updates. The wifi is sporadic and rather slow. Will update again later today. All is well and we're having a fantastic time!
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Year 6 French Trip 2018
Mon 18 Jun 2018Update: Monday 18th June 06:19
Rise and shine! We have just woken up after a good nights sleep and we are currently enjoying our breakfast whilst waiting for the go ahead to make our way to our coaches. The children are being superb and we are all looking forward to our first stop at Pegasus Bridge. Further updates to follow along with some first photographs!
Update at 22:30
It's been a fantastic first day and the children have been, as expected, wonderful to be with. We've packed so much into today and the children are now settling into their beds for a well-deserved sleep.
Our day started at Pegasus Bridge which included a visit to our friends at Cafe Gondree and an opportunity to view the original bridge at Pegasus Museum. We were then back on the coach for the short journey to Bayeux and the first opportunity to see this lovely town and its beautiful cathedral in all its spectacular glory.
We had a delicious meal at Le Petit Normand and the children practised their French speaking with the lovely staff. We were now re-fuelled for the afternoon ahead which included a visit to the Bayeux Tapestry and the wonderful cathedral. We also took the opportunity to start our watercolour painting by capturing just a small aspect of the cathedral with the beautiful blue sky backdrop.
A favourite highlight of the day must be when the children met their French pen pals for the first time. It was delightful to see the children share languages, form friendships and enjoy common interests. The children from St Josephs also performed a dance for us to enjoy!
It has been a superb first day; memories are already being created and we can't wait for tomorrow to start!
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Year 6 French Trip 2018
Sun 17 Jun 2018Update: Sunday 17th June 22:50
We have just boarded the ferry and we are all getting ready to settle for the night. The coach journey was very good and the children are excited for the trip to begin! Further updates will follow in the morning. Sleep well everyone!
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Year 6 French breakfast
Fri 15 Jun 2018On Wednesday, Year 6 enjoyed a Petit Déjeuner Français in preparation for their trip to Normandy next week. Pain au chocolat, brioche and croissants were hungrily devoured by the children, who had the opportunity to practise their French before setting off on Sunday. Miam! Miam! C’était délicieux!
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Year 4 visit Chiltern Open Air Museum
Wed 13 Jun 2018Year 4 spent the day with costumed interpreters who really brought different aspects of the Anglo Saxon era to life. The children learnt how to build as an Anglo-Saxon as well as how Anglo Saxons governed their kingdoms. They enjoyed the opportunity to practice writing with a feather quill and ink as well writing in runes on a clay rune stone. Everyone proudly made a brooch based on real Anglo Saxon artefacts as found at Sutton Hoo.
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The Happy Puzzle Company
Wed 06 Jun 2018Yesterday we had the Happy Puzzle Company come to our school and we did a variety of baffling puzzles in our maths workshops. Everyone persevered and did very well dealing with the challenges. None of the puzzles were easy yet some weren't too hard. We got to learn new abilities that we hadn't used before. It was really fun and we wish we can do it again!
This is what some Year 6 children said:
"I felt proud that I solved the puzzle. It helped me think outside of the box."
"It was really fun because you had to work together as a team."
"It was tricky and sometimes frustrating."
"It was a good exercise for your mind."
"Teamwork is the key to success."
"If all fails - try again!"
