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This week began with a whole school assembly for Children's Mental Health Week, led by our Wellbeing Champion, Mrs Cooper, who encouraged the children to think about how we all grow, both physically and emotionally.  The children were then asked to draw a support balloon and fill it with the names of everyone who supports them and add to it throughout the week. The children were also encouraged to see every knock back or failure as a learning opportunity, on which to build and improve until they eventually succeed.  These disciplines are already very familiar to our children, who have been working under the Building Learning Power Model for several years, in which Resilience, Relationships, Reflectiveness and Resourcefulness are taught in all disciplines.

Children’s Mental Health week ended with a ‘Dress to Express’ day, where the children could wear whatever they liked to express their unique personalities.  There was a huge array of different colours and themes on display.  Mrs Cooper even came to school dressed as a unicorn! 

This morning we enjoyed Year 3’s Class Assembly and were able to welcome in all their parents, which made it particularly special. The assembly was based around Valentine’s Day, with the children teaching us how to say “I love you” in many different languages. The children also talked about what it is they love about St Ives and the memories they’ve already made. They finished the assembly by giving their parents a rose!

Last week our U9 girls took part in a Hockey tournament with Highfield and Brookham School, Farleigh School and Edgeborough School.

Playing on astro, the team worked so hard to match the ability of their competitors, but couldn’t quite finish off their scoring opportunities. In spite of three losses, the team did themselves proud and Mrs Woodward was over the moon with their performances. They worked hard, learnt so much and had a fantastic time.

Last week, Year 6 put together all the forensic skills they’ve been learning in STEM this year to work out a crime scene. Someone had been murdered in the Science Lab at St Ives and it was down to the Year 6 pupils to find out who dunnit!

The children were split into 4 groups, each group working together to gather as much evidence as they could from the scene, including fingerprints, fibre traces, hair and even blood for blood group testing (thankfully, synthetic!), as well as a rogue earring! Each group was given 5 minutes to examine the crime scene before they headed out to interview key suspects. Many of the staff were questioned – it was most disconcerting! When the children had finished their enquiries, the groups regathered to consult each other and the Chief of Police, Miss Smith, before making their arrest. Two of the groups were convinced Mrs Owen had committed the crime, but the other two groups believed it was Senora Clutterbuck. On consultation and guidance from the Chief of Police, the evidence was conclusive that the perpetrator was Senora Clutterbuck. Needless to say, she spent the weekend in the St Ives County jail and was back teaching Spanish as usual at the start of this week!

A huge well done to all the children in Years 2-6 who performed so well in their Speech and Drama Showcase. They were so confident and entertaining. Thank you to Katie Nicholls, our inspiring teacher who works so hard to get the best out of every pupil!

On Monday a small team from Years 3 and 4, travelled to St Edmund's for a swimming gala, the first of the year for our U9s. After a chilly 'warm up' the team were raring to go. There were some close races but with excellent diving and strong finishes, St Ives dominated from the start. The end result was a win for St Ives. Well done team.

This month in Forest School, we are thinking about the birds who live in our forest ahead of the RSPB Birdwatch at the end of January. Last week the children made bird feeders and placed them around the forest so our birds have something to eat in the colder weather. Year 3 made fat balls and hung them in the top forest. Reception made cheerio bird feeders and tied them onto the trees in the middle forest. Year 1 and Year 2 made bird feeders by scooping out oranges and filling them with bird seed and then placed them in the top forest. We're expecting to have some very happy birds with full tummies!

Last Friday marked the start of St Ives' first Rugby Club. Pre-Prep headed out first and learnt how to carry the ball and score a try. Thanks Mr Woodward for a brilliant first week. Thanks also to FOSI for the new Rugby balls and tag belts.

There was some unusual behaviour at lunchtime today as we celebrated the French festival La Fête des Rois, celebrating Epiphany. The children sampled a real ‘Galette des Rois’ with each cake having a hidden porcelain charm inside it. There was great excitement as the youngest child on each table went underneath it and called out who should have each slice so that they could not see who would receive the special charm. The lucky recipient was awarded the crown and became honorary king or queen for the day. They chose their accompanying king or queen and then everyone tucked in to the delicious galette!

Year 6 had a fantastic afternoon at Chichester Theatre enjoying Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World. So lovely to be enjoying live theatre & such an uplifting & inspiring show!