Issue 26

At the start of the Easter holidays, 31 children journeyed to Paris for their inaugural Chamber Choir tour! A happy crew of Years 4 to 6 checked into their Disney hotel and spent a sunny afternoon exploring the Disneyland Village before having an early bedtime after a 4am start. 

The next day in Paris began with a concert in the glorious L'eglise de la Madeleine on Place du Concorde. An audience of Parisiens and Chandlings parents were treated to exceptional solo piano and harp performances, heart-melting Agnus Dei solos accompanied by violins, and a beautiful and carefully rehearsed set of  holy-week repertoire sung in Latin and English. Then, an afternoon celebrating at The Eiffel Tower, on the River Seinne, and at Montparnasse Tower for a view of the city at dusk. 

Our final day started with a performance on the Videopolis stage in Disneyland itself! We passed Mickey Mouse backstage, and were treated to the VIP treatment of being a Disney star. What better way to finish off the tour by taking in the thrills of Disneyland and enjoying the rest of the time experiencing rides and shows. It truly was a trip to remember, and the performances had Miss Sharp in tears, they were so good! Every child was a brilliant ambassador for Chandlings and we are proud of every single one.

The children in Year 5 were tasked with making a model of an eye or a solar system for a house competition, in order to support and cement their understanding of their Science and Engineering topic, Light. They had to choose their materials, label the parts of their model, and include a description for each part.

There was a huge variety of fantastic models made out of a wide range of materials. The judging proved tricky due to the extremely high standard but we managed, after much deliberation, to decide upon the winners.

Boosting energy and smiles every Friday! Chandlings Prep's Feel Good Friday is a vibrant part of our Wellbeing programme. Each week, a different year group kicks off the morning with themed exercise classes held outdoors whenever the weather permits. From the calming stretches of yoga and pilates to the high-energy jumps of 80s-themed aerobics, these sessions are a fantastic way for students to get their bodies moving, have some fun, and start the day feeling happy and energized for learning! 

Year 1 has embarked on a fantastical adventure into the world of Willy Wonka for their topic this term, perfectly exemplifying Chandlings Prep’s' commitment to championing childhood and innovation!

Their journey began with a golden ticket invitation, whisking them away to a world of pure imagination. Dressed as their favourite characters, they dove headfirst into the story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. But this wasn't just a passive adventure. Aboard a special "chocolate train," they were transported to the heart of Willy Wonka's world: "The Inventing Room." Here, their creativity blossomed as they experimented with flavours and toppings, each child becoming a chocolatier for the day, crafting their very own unique chocolate bar.

While their creations solidified, the young inventors returned to the classroom, where their design skills came into play. Packaging became their canvas as they brainstormed names, considered costs, and weighed out imaginary ingredients. This delightful blend of storytelling, experimentation, and design playfully introduced them to marketing concepts.

Finally, lunchtime transformed into a Willy Wonka-inspired feast! Violet Beauregarde Blueberry muffins and sweet treats materialised for them to enjoy, all served on a whimsical table adorned with giant cupcakes, lollipops, and a plethora of sweets.

This immersive experience is a testament to how Chandlings Prep champions childhood and innovative teaching. By igniting their imaginations Year 1 is embarking on a delicious and educational journey that will leave a lasting impression.

At Chandlings Prep, fostering a strong sense of community across all year groups is core to our philosophy. Twice a term, our innovative "Class Pairs" programme brings the magic of connection to life, pairing older and younger children for enriching interactions.

Last Friday morning, our school buzzed with inter-year group activity! In preparation, Year 6 children had carefully selected books from the library they thought their Nursery schoolmates would love, eager to share the joy of reading. But the fun didn't stop there!

Across classrooms, vibrant scenes unfolded. Year 5 and Reception huddled together building bricks and playing games. Year 4 and Year 1 were lost in the world of colourful crayons, creating masterpieces side-by-side. In another corner, the quiet concentration of a chess game filled the air as Year 3 students patiently guided their Year 2 partners through strategic moves. The sound of laughter and the excitement of discovery echoed through the hallways as other pairs delved into captivating stories together.

These interactions enrich the lives of both age groups. The older children develop leadership skills and a sense of responsibility, while the younger children gain confidence and inspiration from their big buddies. Whether it's colouring a butterfly, mastering a chess move, or getting lost in a book together, "Class Pairs" beautifully exemplifies how Chandlings Prep fosters a supportive and inclusive learning environment where connections grow and all students feel valued and inspired.

Year 6 is diving headfirst into the exciting world of coding this term! Using Sphero Bolt robots in their digital learning lessons, they're not only developing valuable coding skills but also having a blast in the process. The challenge was to create block programs that sent their Spheros rolling in specific shapes across the floor. But the fun didn't stop there! They then upped the ante by programming the robots' matrix LEDs to display colourful animations, bringing their creations to life with vibrant light shows. This engaging approach to coding fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking - all essential building blocks for future academic success.

Year 3 ventured into a captivating world of learning as their outdoor lesson took them to the heart of the Chandlings' bluebell woods! This wasn't just a nature walk; it was a cross-curricular adventure that blended science exploration with nature orienteering.

The Year 3 explorers investigated the fascinating relationship between sunlight and plant growth. They observed how certain plants and trees leaned towards the sun. 

The nature orienteering challenge further enhanced their learning, as they used the location of moss and lichen on the trees to help them navigate through the trees, honing their problem-solving, survival skills and spatial awareness.

This immersive experience is a perfect example of how Chandlings Prep goes beyond the confines of the classroom to create engaging and innovative learning opportunities. By combining science concepts with the wonders of the natural world, Year 3's outdoor adventure not only fostered their academic progress but also gave them the opportunity for exploration and discovery.

Plato, Archimedes, Euler aren't they ancient history? These Greek mathematicians live on in their formulae and theories, Year 6 have been exploring the solids (3-D shapes) named after them. They've created truncated shapes with the corners 'cut off' and stellated 'star' versions of their favourite hedra. Can you spot the stellated icosadecahedron and the truncated tetrahedron? Why don't you explore a few more of these solids and learn some Greek language and history whilst you are at it!