In Shamrocks class we have done lots of work in the past on sustainable energy and looking after the planet. We re-capped what we can do to help look after the environment.

• Reducing use of a material or energy is the most environmentally friendly action.
• If use cannot be reduced, re-use or recycling are the next most environmentally- friendly actions, with disposal being the least environmentally friendly approach.

​​

We talked in pairs and small groups about things we can reduce our use of to prevent waste.
​

We discussed the right to freedom of speech and what this meant to us.

We then thought about how in terms of rights, we also have the responsibility to make sure that we neither do nor say something that might restrict other peoples’ rights or prevent other people from enjoying their rights. For example:

• We must not behave in a way that prevents other children from learning.
• We must look after shared play equipment so we do not stop other people having their right to play with it.

This led us to think about how anything we say must also not offend others or put their rights in danger.
One person’s rights should not harm another person’s rights: making a comment about someone based on their age, race or gender goes against that person’s right to be treated fairly and equally.

​Finally we discussed how these responsibilities are not just through our spoken words but also anything we write, on paper or digitally online.

We discussed how the law affects the rules we have in school. 

E.g. We must attend school.
Rules about keeping us safe in school.
Rules about how the school is run and what teachers must teach.

We talked about how the majority of these rules are decided by parliament and enforced by a government.

We then talked about how some laws are referred to as crimes, which are generally serious involving violence, risk of injury or theft.  Other laws are called civil law and govern how people buy and sell things, do their work, carry out business and what rights and responsibilities they may have. For example, if you buy something and it breaks straight away because it is faulty, the civil law gives you rights to have your money back.

​We then discussed what happens when someone breaks the law and watched a video all about the criminal justice system and how trials are carried out. It was really interesting to find out about the roles and responsibilities of a jury.

This afternoon the children in Shamrocks have been using abstract images to create their own vocal compositions. They had to think carefully about the structure, timbre, pitch dynamics and tempo of their piece, and explain it to the class once they had performed it. 

This afternoon the children in Shamrocks have been building their knowledge of graphical score. The focus was on colours that create a visual representation of pieces of music. We listened carefully to some music and discussed four areas; features, section, instruments and dynamics. 

The children recapped their knowledge of Holi (the Hindu festival of colour). Then they used this knowledge to discuss colour and how some musicians use their senses to 'see' music. We listened to a range of music and discussed which colours the children first thought of when they listened carefully. Lyndon thought loud, low music sounded red like anger, Arti thought fast high notes sounded green or light colours. Alastair said the slow low music sounded blue. This was a lovely activity because there was no right or wrong answer, it was very personal to the individual. 

Shamrocks Class are feeling relaxed and rested after our Sleep Week activities! Each morning we began the day by working out how much sleep we'd managed to have the night before and discussing the quality of that sleep. We completed mindfulness colouring exercises and researched how much sleep children should have at different ages. We looked at tips for winding down before bed, making sure we exercise enough throughout the day (but not too close to bedtime), how long to leave between eating and sleeping and techniques to help us drift off into a peaceful sleep each night.

We were lucky to have an online lesson delivered by Aneeta from BEAM (emotional health and wellbeing team) giving us lots of practical suggestions and advice on dealing with worries - therefore helping us to get better nights sleep! The children discussed how they knew they were feeling worried or anxious, recognising what triggers that anxiety and lots of practical tips and advice on how to deal with this...from getting outdoors and exercising to sharing their worries with trusted peers and adults. The children discussed what works for them individually and we noticed how different things work for each of us. Aneeta finished by sharing some tips for successfully approaching exams like the SATs without becoming too worried or anxious. It was a really useful session!

Mrs Chapman led a Mindful Music Assembly where we sang lots of calming and peaceful songs and discussed how music can help us to relax and unwind.

To finish off Sleep Week we had a pyjama day where £87 was raised for Crane Counselling services. Shamrock's class were also treated to a fantastic sleep themed Drama Workshop led by Derwen College NarraTours Performing Arts Team which was the highlight of our week. The professional delivery of such a well planned and informative class was incredible and I was so proud of the effort and participation by each and every one of the children in Shamrocks! We participated in a warm up before being taught the lyrics and actions to a song which we then performed in a round. Next, we were introduced to a sleep themed song, written by the students, who taught us the chorus, so we were able to join in their final performance with them. The Derwen College students then entertained us with some performance art based on sleep myths and facts (we learnt lots of important sleep tips). Finally we were taught Makaton sleep word signs and symbols and participated in a mindfulness meditation to conclude. It was such an enjoyable and informative session!

Thank you so much to Mark Hignett from Oswestry Town Museum (https://oswestrytownmuseum.co.uk/) who visited Shamrock's class to talk to them all about Life in Oswestry during WW2.

We learnt about an inspirational German evacuee, Vera Buchthal, who was evacuated to Oswestry and petitioned to attend Maths lessons alongside the boys at the Oswestry Boy's High School. She  went on to create one of the first software startups in Britain, also inventing new flexible working methods like remote work and job shares, making employment easier for women with families.

Mark also talked to us about Park Hall Training Camp and the Prisoner of War Camp nearby. 

In addition to this he bought in lots of WW2 artefacts such as a fire helmet, gas attack warning rattle, gas mask, genuine letter written by a WW2 soldier and some naval gun shells.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative, hands-on visit. Mark also kindly left us lots of posters, postcards, information sheets and replica recipe books, identity cards and ration books to look through and display in school. We are very grateful for all of his time and knowledge!

Thank you so much to Jess who brought in some genuine WW2 Gas Masks which belonged to her Grandad and Great Gran; a child's and an adult's gas mask. We had an interesting lesson researching why Gas Masks were thought to be necessary and how they worked. 

Shamrocks class also did some great sketches of the masks!

Thank you to Charlie who brought in some of his Great Grandad's WW2 medals and to Harvey who brought in some coins which would have been used when WW2 was happening and a spring loaded pocket coin holder owned by his great, great grandfather who was also a soldier in WW2!

Sophie Johnston from the Mental Health Support Team visited Shamrocks class to lead a session on 'Coping with worries'. 

She talked to us about what to do when you have a worry, who you can talk to and most importantly about how everybody has worries - they are entirely natural!

We thought about who we would go to with our worries (both in and out of school). Sophie shared how she was also available to speak to in school and encouraged Shamrock's class to share any concerns with an adult in school who could contact her directly if needed.