What a wonderful start we’ve had to the summer term at Burton Hathow – both in spirit and in the glorious rising temperatures! The first two weeks have been filled with energy, purpose, and plenty of outdoor learning. We’re thrilled to share just a few of the fantastic experiences our children have already enjoyed.
We began the term with a dedicated Outdoor Education Day, where both staff and pupils came together to nurture our school grounds. The children took great pride in becoming stewards of the forest and surrounding areas. Working collaboratively, they designed and replanted our flower beds, repainted the playhouse and benches, and built an impressive new bug hotel in the woodworking area. These hands-on activities supported not only their creativity and teamwork but also promoted environmental awareness and responsibility. In the afternoon, the whole school community came together in the forest for a range of shared experiences – including the ever-popular marshmallow toasting around the fire.
Another highlight of the term has been our Reception children’s visits to Tennyson Wharf Care Home. These intergenerational experiences are proving to be both heartwarming and educational. During their first visit, children and residents enjoyed playing ‘get to know you’ games in the sunshine – fostering empathy, communication, and social confidence.
This week, we were honoured to welcome the residents to our school for a very special VE Day event. They shared personal stories and reflections, enriching the children’s understanding of history through real-life experience. The warmth and respect shown by all pupils, particularly our Year 6s, who made our guests feel like part of the Burton Hathow family.
As part of our VE Day celebrations, we were delighted to welcome Mr Daly, who led an engaging assembly on the history and significance of the event. The morning ended with a delicious hog roast, traditional Victoria sponge, and wartime music.
In STEM news, our Engineering Team has been busy testing prototype wind turbines, laying the groundwork for their upcoming Summer Wind Turbine Challenge. This project is an exciting opportunity for pupils to apply their problem-solving and design skills to real-world environmental issues.
Meanwhile, in Lower School, our transport topic has taken flight – literally! As part of their study into the development of transport over the last 200 years, the children explored aerodynamics by designing and testing a range of paper aeroplane shapes. This activity not only sparked their curiosity but also developed key scientific and evaluative thinking skills.
As we look ahead, we can’t wait to see how these experiences continue to spark curiosity, build resilience, and develop lifelong skills in our pupils. It’s shaping up to be a term full of adventure, growth, and connection. We’re so glad to be on the journey together.