Pupils at Hymers benefit greatly from opportunities to learn alongside pupils in older and younger year groups. It is wonderful to see older pupils taking the lead, for example in Buddy Reading sessions, displaying empathy, leadership and kindness towards their younger charges.
Our Year 6 scientists were inspired and enthralled this term by Hymers Sixth Form Medical Society students in the Senior School Biology laboratory; the Year 12 students delivered outstanding dissection workshops to the Year 6s, opening the Junior School pupils’ eyes to future possibilities in their Science studies. Senior School students also volunteer their support in our co-curricular programme, an example being Art Club on Wednesday lunchtimes. The buzz, engagement and endeavour in these sessions is wonderful to witness and, again, Junior School pupils are inspired by the older pupils to expand their artistic expectations. Indeed, some of the artwork currently being produced by Year 6 pupils would not be out of place in a GCSE Art coursework portfolio (see page 6).
I hope you enjoy reading this edition of the Junior School Messenger.
Peter Doyle | Headteacher of Junior School
Junior School
U11 Girls Tigers Trust Win
This means that they will be going on
Buddy Reading
To further promote a love of reading, Form Periods are used for the children to take part in Buddy Reading. Year 3 and 5 children and Year 4 and 6 children join together to read in pairs or small group.
Our U11 Girls have successfully qualified as Hull Champions in the Tigers Trust competition
to represent Hull City in the next round against other Yorkshire schools. This is a tremendous achievement and we wish them all the best in the next round in February. Well done girls!
In the Art Room
Surface and colour is the focus this term.
Year 3 are exploring print, colour and collage. They have been introduced to the collages of Henri Matisse and Romare Beardon, working collaboratively to recreate Beardon’s famous collage The Block.
Through paint, Year 4 are exploring surface and texture. They have explored the work of Paul Cezanne and preparing to create their own contemporary still life collages.
Year 5 are exploring a range of media to create mixed media landscapes. They are drawing and painting ‘en plein air’ to
A number of children in years 4-6 are submitting artwork into the Young Artists’ Summer Show at the Royal Academy of Arts. Their artwork will be judged by a panel of artists and professionals, and if successful will be exhibited at the prestigious gallery in London.
build a landscape celebrating our school environment.
Year 6 are enjoying portraiture. They have explored the work of artists whose work celebrates their identity. By observing carefully, they have developed their drawings skills to draw features of the human face.
Year 3 visit to Ferens Art Gallery
Children in Year 3 enjoyed a visit to Ferens Art Gallery at the end of January. They evaluated and analysed paintings from the Ferens collection, developing their visual literacy skills by making suggestions about the narratives within them. They explored their favourite works by recording their observations in their sketchbooks so they can develop their ideas further in their art lessons.
Guinness World Record
Last October, the WHOLE of the Junior School took part in a Guinness World Record attempt for Largest Poetry Lesson (Multiple Venues). The event was organised by poet Laura Mucha and the theme of the poem was ‘Counting’. We are delighted to announce that…WE DID IT! The formal record is for 43,516 people (from around 500 schools), which is enough to fill a football stadium. What a fantastic achievement!
In the Science Room Science Room
Science Ambassadors visit the Science Triathlon in the Senior School
All the Year 5 and Year 6 Science Ambassadors were invited to the Science Triathlon which enriched their learning and give them a taste of what is to come in future years.
Congratulations to these boys and girls for becoming our latest Science Ambassadors. They have truly impressed their teachers with their inquisitive minds, zest for learning and an ability to inspire others.
Year 4 investigate the body...
In Year 4, the children have been making teeth models and using the VR headsets to travel through the digestive system.
...whilst Year 6 try dissection
MFL humour!
What do you call a French dog with a love of potatoes? A pomme de terrier!
Our Year 6 scientists have been learning the fundamentals of dissection and exploring a range of specimens under the microscope.
This course for novices focuses on methodology, teamwork, decision making, observations and safety in the laboratory, which are all vital skills and qualities to prepare them for Senior School Science.
How do you get a French bear on a bus?? Camembert!
Why do French people only have one egg for breakfast? Because one egg is ‘un oeuf’!
Year 6 spend time in the Biology laboratory
Children in Year 6 attended an afternoon in the Biology laboratories which was led by the Senior School’s Medical Society (Med-Soc).
They observed plant cells under the microscope and made comparisons with animal cells. The boys and girls all came away buzzing with excitement and the
Year 12 students were a credit to our school who were described as, “fun, cool and knowledgeable” by our pupils. A great experience that inspired many!
cool
Year 5 Sports Tour to Newcastle
On Tuesday 14 January, we took our Year 5 pupils on our annual Sports Tour to Newcastle. In times gone by, this had been the destination for our Year 6 residential, but when this was moved to Worcester, we were keen to maintain links with host school RGS Newcastle, as well as Dame Allan’s School so we began this trip as a full day.
After an early start, we arrived in Newcastle for our sports fixtures. The girls played netball against both schools, whilst the boys played football on RGS’s all-weather astro due to the frozen ground. Boys and girls competed very well and had plenty of fun. The RGS v Hymers “all-boys-and-staff” football game was a particular nail biter! After we had lunch at RGS, the children had a little time to play with the RGS children before we were back on the coach to head to Sunderland for Laser Quest and Minigolf, as well as some arcades. This was a super afternoon and the children had a super time, although the staff certainly felt the full force of the children’s keenness to ensure we spent most of the time “dead” in the laser arena…!
Once changed, it was back onto the coach to Durham where we enjoyed a lovely meal at Ask restaurant, before returning to Hymers. All the children were fantastic to bring away with us. I am sure there will have been some tired eyes the following day! My thanks to all the staff, associate schools and venues for making the trip such a good one.
Key Dates
February
Monday 24
Return to school
Tuesday 25 6J and 6O Parents’ Evening
Friday 28
March
Tuesday 4
Thursday 6
Tuesday 11
Wednesday 12
Thursday 13
Tuesday 18
Wednesday 26
Thursday 27
Friday 28
April
Tuesday 1
Friday 4
Cottingham Music Festival held at Hymers: Year 3/4, 5 and 6 Choirs, Gore, 1.30pm
Barnardo’s National Choral Competition Finals, Birmingham Symphony Hall (Year 6)
World Book Day
HMC U11 Girls Football Tournament
Author visit, Philippa Leathley, Year 5 and 6
Music For Youth, Year 5 and 6 Choirs, Albemarle Music Centre, 9.30am-1pm
U11 Rugby 7s Tournament
Girls U11 Hymers Invitational Football Tournament 9.30am
Year 5 Production of Peter Pan, 5.30pm, Judi Dench Theatre
Year 3/4 Choir at Hull Music Festival, Albemarle Music Centre, 1pm
