Well done Westbourne for not only making it through but excelling during the firebreak lockdown!
With autumnal celebrations throughout the lower years, from spooky events in our Halloween themed nursery through to Year 5 turning leaf detective in the woods, our Prep School has been bubbling over with energy! Over in the senior school this week we’ve seen Year 8 get to grips with United Nations style debating and lots of revision as students prepare for mock exams in the coming weeks.
A particular well done to our students from Year 9 upwards, supported via Westbourne Online this week due to temporary government restrictions, we have been once again overwhelmed by your commitment and enthusiasm for learning…that said, we simply can not wait to welcome you back into class on Monday!
There are few better ways of understanding international affairs and global politics than putting yourself ‘in the shoes of world leaders’ and that’s exactly what Year 8 did this week as part of their Model United Nations session.
A lively debate over the future of Antarctica saw difficult questions being discussed, such as “Is Antarctica to be preserved?” “Should it be opened up for tourism?” and “Should mineral extraction be allowed?”.
Following the same format as the United Nations, our enthusiastic participants represented their adopted country’s position, with some perhaps finding themselves arguing from a very unfamiliar perspective. An excellent way to develop knowledge, understanding and empathy and perfect preparation for the TOK element of the IB Diploma in future years. Well done Year 8!
A blend of on and offline PE sessions saw our students keep fit this week, with our students in Year 9+ enjoying Zoom sessions with Mrs Allen and those in school taking full advantage of the beautiful weather to practise their ball skills.
It was also time for the bleep test, a great test of aerobic capacity and way for students to track their fitness progress throughout the academic year.
A special mention to two of our Year 8 students, Evie and Alex, both keen members of the Vale Surf and Lifesaving Club, as they near the end of their 100km running challenge.
With a 17-day firebreak lockdown and exercise fully permitted, both students took on their club challenge of running 100 km within the 17 day restriction period. With over 80km already run by the time we went to press, we have no doubt they will complete the remainder before the end of the weekend.
Great effort both!
It was Year 5’s turn to enjoy Forest and Beach School this week, with a trip to the local woods followed by the opportunity to follow a stream down to the sea, all the while learning more about their natural environment.
Have you ever wondered what goes into slime?
This week our Reception pupils took on the challenge to make their very own, surprised that something so often purchased ready-made is in fact really easy to make from scratch.
The slime consisted of just three simple ingredients and gave our youngest pupils a lot of confidence in seeing they could make it themselves…as well as having a lot of fun.
Halloween provided the perfect excuse for some dressing up fun in Nursery, with some fabulous costumes on display…and a trophy to be won! Alongside a host of autumnal activities including pumpkin carving and apple bobbing to name just a few!
A huge congratulations to this week’s Prep School Stars of the Week
Reception: ⭐ Albon – for being brave with a brand new language!
Year 1: ⭐ – Isabela – for showing a good understanding with her number bonds to 10. Isabela is growing in confidence in mathematics. Well done!
Year 2: ⭐ Sidonie – For her brilliant determination and attitude towards her school work.
Year 3: ⭐ Beatrice – for her fantastic efforts with her writing this week. Bea gives all tasks 100% well done Bea!
Year 4: ⭐ ZJ – for being a kind and considerate member of the school community
Year 5:⭐ Zoe – for rounding miles to the nearest 100 when planning a trip around the world
It has been an exciting week for our new Sydney school, as formal approval was granted for our IB Diploma programme from the International Baccalaureate Organisation.
With applications having recently closed, having been three times oversubscribed, we very much look forward to welcoming our first Sydney cohort to the Westbourne community in January 2021.
