This week in our Thoughtful Thursday crew session we focused on supporting each other to get on top of our academic work. Some students decided they wanted to work on revising for their test in History by studying the rise of Hitler, whilst others used this time to do additional work for Common Mission.
I was really impressed with Crew Earhart’s focus during this session. Well done to Bobby who also wrote a superb essay on how Hilter gained power in 1933.
Our X25 GCSE Spanish students embraced the challenge of a Guiding Question framed in another language, practising their speaking skills this morning as they began our brand new Media expedition. Here they are gaining some much-needed social interaction as they ask, answer and record the answers to a survey on computer usage. A fabulous start from our young linguists!
It is wonderful to welcome back our students in Year 8 and 9 today, they have certainly returned with renewed energy and enthusiasm!
Today, is all about Crew. Students have been spending their time today reflecting on the past few months, learning how to keep themselves safe whilst in school and most importantly reconnecting as a Crew.
I have had the pleasure of spending time in each of the Crew’s and it is great to see the students engaged, working collaboratively and happy!
What a way to start the year! #Comingbackstronger
Alfie in Year 9 has done this beautiful painting of a nightjar in flight, inspired by our learning expedition ‘Here comes the sun‘ and our nightjar expert Professor Lucy Mitchell.
Those moths have no chance!
Fantastic work Alfie.
Happy July! The month that will conclude what has been one of – if not THE – weirdest school year I’ve ever encountered (and my secondary school burnt down when I was in year 11!!!). Crew Macmillan have 2 weeks of year 9 left, and that blows my mind.
Crew have done themselves – and me – proud during this school year. They’ve worked so hard, and adapted to our ‘new normal’ better than anyone could’ve hoped for.
I thought it’d be quite fitting to take a look at the past year, in which i’ve had the privilege of being Crew Macmillan’s crew leader – big shoes to fill, after Mrs Waterhouse!!
Take a look at our year in action… and Crew, let me know what your favourite memory has been of this year!
Not long to go now – keep up the hard work for the last 2 weeks!
Over & Out – Miss C! x
Crew Macmillan have again impressed me this week. Most have been really consistent with academic work, and are hitting those deadlines.
A special mention to Archie, Alfie, Imogen, Joe, Heather, Harrison and Milo – who have a 100% hand in work rate this week! Great stuff, guys, i’m impressed!
This week also saw our first Crew Hangout with 100% attendance. 16 people in one hangout! Amazing stuff. Our check in this week was “did you have a teddy/blanket when you were a baby that you still have now?’ Most of crew were actually able to show us their baby items, which was adorable – my favourite had to be Milo’s shark, or Ricki’s build-a-bear that talks – a message that Ricki recorded when he was 4!!!
Some of crew have also received mentions this week for their work in HUMS. A shout out to Ricki, Imogen, Alfie and Finn!
Heather has also been busy this week, baking again! After lockdown, it wouldn’t surprise me if Heather changed her mind about a future career, or entered GBBO! Great work, Heather!
This week, after 1:1 academic check ins, I had a conversation with Alfie about how he’s been keeping himself busy. So without further ado, our guest blogger this week is Alfie. Here’s what he came up with:
“With the current pandemic sweeping the world and forcing us to stay at home, most of us have found ways to keep busy and entertain ourselves. I have taken this time to start painting – something I have wanted to do for a long time, but could never find the opportunity.
The main medium I work with is watercolour paint. I like using them as they allow more room for abstract subjects, and it allows me to paint without worrying about getting it picture-perfect. Watercolour is also more natural in my opinion, which is why I chose to paint wildlife with them.
I started off initially painting butterflies – I liked the symmetry and vibrant colours, which were easier to transfer to paint. I then expanded to other insects, such as moths and eventually hornets. I later experimented with other animals, mainly sea creatures such as the nautilus.
In future, I want to be able to paint flowers, and other animals such as lions or birds. Each type of animal needs the use of certain techniques to look realistic, for example I would have to practice painting feathers before I paint birds.
Painting is a very time consuming hobby, which, to be honest, is what makes it ideal for the current situation. However, it also teaches the importance of patience, and how taking your time when working on something can really pay off.
I hope I am able to continue this hobby – even when things get back to normal – and encourage you to give it a try. It’s immensely rewarding, and with practice, you’ll only get better and better!
Alfie Lockey”
How have you been keeping yourself busy during lockdown? Let us know – this may become a permanent blog feature!
Have a fantastic week, guys – keep working super hard!
This week Crew JNI have been working really hard to get lots of work done. I have seen lots of beautiful work from everyone and it’s made me proud to be your crew leader!
It’s been interesting reading the work you guys have been doing on your expedition on kindness, and I wanted to share a piece of work Reuben has done.
Without any kindness, the world would be gloomy, grey and depressing. In school the teachers would be mean and harsh and give you terrible scores on everything on purpose. School dinners would be raw uncooked chicken and cold thick gravy, and all of the students would nudge each others shoulders when they pass each other in the corridor. People would stick chewing gum under the desks and in each other’s hair.
At home my mum would be horrible and mean by giving me loads of extra chores. My sister would torment me and steal all my money. Also, my dog would bark at me and everyone else all the time, he would also poo in my favourite shoes.
When you walked outside, you would see dead grass. People would also be wearing horrible hand knitted sweaters that were made to feel horrible because they’re made of yarn filled with pollen that causes hay-fever. When you got on the bus there would be gum everywhere and the driver would be late every time on purpose. In shops and supermarkets there would be old chicken that they got out the bin covered in cold gravy.
If you met an old lady on the street she would hit you with her cane and torment me for being young…. And I would run away!!
Welcome to the final term of Y9!
This week saw the beginning of a new term – a fresh start, in week 11 of lockdown. I don’t know about anyone else, but i’m so fed up of not being in school now – I miss crew so much!
This week i’d like to give a special shout-out to a number of members of Crew Macmillan, who have gotten straight back into the swing of work. I’d like to start off with those who have completed all of their maths work this week! Great work Frankie, Harrison, Archie & Ricki!
Other members of crew have shone in other subjects – Well done to our HUMS superstar, Heather; and super work Vinnie, Alfie and Imogen in Science!
Keep up the good work – i want to see lots of green boxes on subject trackers, not red!
Crew should also be on with completing a First Aid course during common mission time, to boost their evidence for their Bronze DofE award. An extra special mention goes to Archie for this, as i am consistently receiving high quality work as evidence of completion. Well done Archie!
Check out Heather and Maddie’s cake, too – it’s lovely to see what Crew have been up to when they aren’t working hard on academic work! I’ve heard that Alfie has cracked Macarons, too – and even made his own pop tarts from scratch!!!
This week we had great attendance on our weekly crew hangout too. We discussed some important issues surrounding the protests and riots in America, and crew have pledged to spend some time at the weekend educating themselves more and doing some extra reading. We may never fully understand, but we can pledge to continue learning, and listening.
I’d like to end this week’s blog with something that I very rarely have to do in crew – by making a stand. I like to think that I support my crew (and all students) as much as I possibly can – so if this is the case, and you have asked for help, or we have organised a hangout – please have the courtesy to show up to the session. There have been a few instances this week where I’ve wasted a fair bit of time waiting for students who haven’t shown up, when i could have been supporting others elsewhere.
Have a great weekend – I’ll check in with you all next week – and i’ll see you again today at 2:45pm for STEAM Closing Circle!
Miss C x
We are back to school for a new term. Back to home learning and trying our best – having good days and bad days and just trying to get through and stay safe.
Crew EJN were ready for a break and a little time off last week. Luckily the weather was absolutely stunning!
This is what crew got up to:
Arthur went on lots of walks, met his grandad and took Dotty the dog for a walk and play. He had his first KFC in months (Its was delicious!) He went to Birkin fisheries for ice cream and a picnic and he saw lots and lots of ducklings. He also made a bug hotel for his garden by cutting lots of bamboo up and putting twigs around an old pop bottle in a plant pot. He also painted a pebble to say thankyou to the NHS.
Brandan went to Cleethorpes for the day (social distancing of course) and sat and played on the beach. He also went to his sisters for the day where they had a new pool and a 7ft dinosaur sprinkler called Dino.
Tammy built a bird table and found an old colouring book to colour in.
As well as being out in the sunshine, crew were still keeping busy with their home learning tasks.
Max has created some lovely artwork based on the artist Kandinsky
Crew EJN have also made a cracking start on their Visual Dairies for their new expedition called ‘Above all, compassion’. Here are their front covers
Im really proud of crew EJN and all their hard work. They have enjoyed their holiday and have got back to working hard with their home learning!
Well done crew!
Helen has been doing some great building work as part of our X24 STEAM expedition Here Comes The Sun with these brilliant bug hotel and bird boxes.
Sam from X23 has also been taking some wonderful shots of nature:
