God at work

This week we have been exploring the theme of creation, consider just how amazing God's handiwork is and how we have a responsibility to look after it and to sustain it.

I love the part in Genesis were God gives Adam the task of naming all the animals. What a challenge to be creative that was and how challenging it must have been to come up with so many different names. Equally challenging was the responsibility to care for the world that God had created, not just in terms of the environment and all the living creatures, but also in terms of the way that God intended the world to be lived in.

As we have been exploring this amazing concept of creation and how mind blowing it is in terms of the detail, variety and the complexity of even just the smallest insect. I  was also drawn to think about the human aspect of the world that God created.

Last term we explored the theme of being a peacekeeper and how each of us every day in our lives can do something that can enable peace. Peace is a strange word and when I use to teach year 6, I would challenge the children to think about what it meant in our day to day lives. One thing I would get them to do, was to think of what the opposite of peace looked like. This certainly focused their minds on how important peace was and how it is an essential part of God's call to live in the world that He created. 

One of my favourite songs is still 'Make me a channel of your peace'. I am not sure if I can separate the emotional context of the song for me from the power of its words. Sitting around campfires in my teenage years with my friends singing it remains something quite special to me. Mind you so does a song about a meatball sat on top of spaghetti that rolled on to the floor - but that is another story!

But the power of the words of that song still resonate with me. I have used it as a prayer many times and as we look afresh at our world again as we come to the time of harvest celebration. We need to be reminded that peace between us is an essential aspect of the way God intended His world to be enjoyed.

Year 2 enjoy the sealife centre

Yesterday our year 2 classes enjoyed visiting the Sealife centre in Birmingham. It was a day packed with great discoveries - the opportunity to see shark eggs for the first time, listening to the penguins feed and learning how they keep warm as well as coming up close to a wonderful variety of sealife. Certainly a trip to remember for both the children and all the adults involved.

Many thanks to Mrs Brewin for her planning and co-ordination of the visit, to all the teachers and all the parent helpers. We couldn't do any of this with out you.

Autumn Fayre 2017

On Saturday we were once again fortunate with the weather for our Autumn Fayre. Great to see so many families, members of the local community and church as well as ex pupils enjoying the atmosphere and contributing to school funds.

The day was organised bu our amazing PTFA who once again worked incredibly hard to bring all the different activities and events to fruition. This included four spectacular gungings - a definite highlight of the day.

Many thanks to everyone who supported us and made the day the great success that it was.

Kingswood part 2 PM

Day 2 pm

Activity 5 - Zip Wire

We have had the safety talk, however the girls were a tad side tracked by the other group doing the leap of faith. One asked what happens if you leap and miss the bar? I responded with ‘you would fall with a splat’. ‘Would you hurt yourself with the splat?’

As the group filter down the wire one by one the common exclamation was ‘that was sick!’ I think that this is good, though we have just had lunch and we have seen form on this one!!

Again, some video footage to come on this one, including a genius who decided to salute when he stepped off the brink….I wonder who that was????

Activity 6 - Aeroball

You may not think that this looks like an activity that involves basketball and trampolining, and you would be correct. This was the warm up exercise called Elephant Football which looked great fun and one that I will be using again.

Aeroball was next and the stakes were high, three boys teams, three girls teams and one mixed. At the time of writing before we have seen any action my money is on the ‘Can we be Team 4?’team. They are made up of Jack R and Noah.

Their first match ended in a 1-0 defeat, maybe my initial judgement was wrong but I still think there is a huge potential to be revealed.

Meanwhile after the first round of fixtures there is a clear leader, or actually leaders - the The Nasties and Can we be Team 4? Eh? How does that work, they lost but are winning - I see another Christian talk coming on, but apparently in this context bonus points are given for supporting other teams when they are playing. My protégés are excellent at this and may win the tournament by supporting others. This is a version of sport that I have not seen yet but I think the Olympics could learn something!! For those of you who are wondering, the Nasties are Jimmy and Liam!!

The final winners are……drum roll……the Wonderful Winners (Alicia and Marlene) and………Can we be Team 4!!  Yesssss, if only I have put a tenner on it at the beginning!

Activity 7 - Bouldering

This activity involved many games requiring the children to traverse the wall, such as ‘cat and mouse’, or ‘islands’. Some were excellent whilst others struggled to keep their weight off the floor.

Persistence was the word of the day and all did this, managing to achieve more than when they had started.

Evening - Campfire

‘Peel banana, peel, peel banana’ was one of the many action and repeating songs that were sung around the campfire. Marshmallows roasted in the fire, and hot chocolate to warm the children in the slightly rain affected evening ended a scintillating day. Tired, damp and ready for bed the children made their way back to their dorms and in one case even turned their own lights off!! Job done the teachers smiled as they too headed for the sack, or in my case - to find a Wifi signal to sent this back to school!!

Kingswood 3

Kingswood 3

After a great nights sleep the boys have woken up in a productive mood. They have showered in some cases - actually Jayden S has been the star shower man, partaking in the deluge morning and evening!!  After getting themselves ready they have packed, stripped their beds, taken the linen to the laundry, tidied the rooms and taken their bags to the drop off area all before 8.15am and way ahead of the girls!! Mr Chivers and I have organised a well-drilled military precision year 6 boys TEAM, which has incorporated into it some cosmic communication and punctual precision and practical problem solving. We have learnt how to support each other like an ailing bird tending its nest!! Sorry, Mr Chivers has been assessing my writing and today I am going simile mad like Kante trying to make that tackle!

The girls, well, as slovenly as a sloth, who have just woken up from a three month snooze and have decided to sloven all day!! It is as if they had left their torches on all night and have woken to a dull, dim, yellow speck of nothingness!

Activity 8 - Go-Karts

The two drivers challenging for the title were Joel Hamilton and Arun Senna. Deep rooted win-at-all-cost attitudes and a complete aversion to danger has led these two racers to be competing for the title here today. Arun drove first and set a competitive time of just over 22 seconds. His arch rival Joel then entered the arena to a huge roar from the crowd. He settled into his seat and a wave of anticipation settled over the scene. Joel started up his motor and imagined his victory.  There he goes! Hamilton attacked the first corner at break-neck speed, like a year 6 being told that the shop is open, he broke at the entrance, checked his mirrors for clear passage then accelerated over the threshold into the wide open space beyond.

Four laps later and Joel was at full speed, sliding around the corners and deafening the crowd from the purr of his engine. The finish line came into view, the last vestiges of full pumped through the engine as he launched for the line…..and over. Mrs Orton checked his time, the crowd fell silent, all eyes fixated on the timekeeper. The scoreboard lit up with 21 seconds!! Joel had won. Quietly he made his way to the victory circle and reluctantly raised his arms to the delirious crowd.

‘Make way for the champion’ came the cry from behind them. The veteran Orton stepped into the arena, determined to show these young pups how it was done in the olden days. True enough, 17 seconds and the champ reigned victorious!! The smile will be there for some time I'm sure.

Activity 9 - Shelter Building

This does exactly what it says in the tin!! The group had to build a shelter to protect them from the elements.

Here is one Jo built - compact and bijoux, snug fit for one!

Meanwhile the girls have been very industrious - trying to make up for earlier I suppose. Quickly the beginnings of a ground floor accommodation arises from the floor. Martha even swept the floor clean - this one is going to be amazing. Ruby has collected the three piece suite and the en-suite is coming on nicely.

If I was ever stranded it would be the girls I would ask to build my shelter. Well done Emily, Martha, Ruby, Amy and Ruby.

This is the last part as I need to send it to school before the long journey home. Staff are looking forward to a nice quiet coach and a restful, uneventful passage to Leicester.

The children have been great, in the main, and thrown themselves into the activities. I don't think I have been with a group that was so willing to try everything no matter how afraid they were. We have definitely learnt about team work, problem solving and communication which we hope will transfer into every day life both at home and at school.

My thanks go to the amazing staff that have accompanied me on this adventure, Cheerful Chivers, Outstanding Orton, Perfection Personified Pallett and the indomitable Jovial Jo. Without them this trip would not have been as fun, educational or inspirational and I know that my reading fan base (you lot) will thank them personally (all 3 of you).

See you in a few hours.

Mr Pibworth.

Kingswood part 2

Day 2

6.15am the first sound of quietened voices emanates from the boys room next to mine.

6.17am a word that I can make out - ‘snoring’

6.20am a sentence - ‘Mr Pibworth is totally awesome!’ - well at least I think that is what they said!!

6.21am a thud as someone jumps out of bed

6.23am a creak of the door

6.25am a flush of a toilet

6.26am lots of thuds, an iPod plays out some happening tunes, loud excitable voices and the boys are all up!!

8.00am all is quiet in the girls section, face makes still on, cucumbers undisturbed - TYPICAL!!

8.01am the remnants of midnight feasts are cleaned up.

Activity 2 - Archery

Robin Finn steps up, the crowd go silent. He carefully places the arrow into the drawstring, slots it into the holder and takes a deep breath. There's a tense atmosphere now amongst the gathered throng, anticipating Robin Finn to strike the gold and gain the fair Maid Marion’s PlayStation console. Deep breath over, Robin Finn slowly draws the bow back, slowly, slowly, come on Finn we getting bored now!! At last the bow is drawn back to its fullness and Robin is ready.

His pulse quickens, his biceps ripple under the strain of the tensed string, thoughts race through his head - ‘I would love the prize’, ‘I am the arrow, be the arrow’, ‘I wonder if Mum has cleaned my room’, no concentrate!! His fingers release the arrow and like a rocket out of Cape Canaveral it flies through the air. Time stops, the arrow twitches and twists on its way to the target. The crowd gasps, Robin Finn strains his eyes to see his score, is it gold, is it victory, has he overcome……Noooooo, its red!!!! Maybe Robin Hood will be better at Aeroball!!!

Hold on, we have a challenger! Cliff Scarlet steps up. The arrow is placed in the grip, the bow is pulled, oh no, calamity, the arrow drops to the floor. As cool as you like Cliff picks it up and places it correctly, lessons learnt well. He draws, no stalling with this competitor, straight to it. The draw, the release and it hits the……..blue, the crowd go wild, it may be less than Robin but as a novice his handicap counts double and Cliff wins the event. An amazing competition and the crowd goes home happy. That is all from the archery station.

Activity 3 - Fencing

This is a great opportunity to continue the medieval games theme but that would be too predictable so why not a Star Wars version?

Obiwan Browne entered the throne room of Queen Amidala Chatwin with a serious look in his eye. Standing next to the reigning monarch of Kingswoodtopia was Boba FettMalik, the bounty hunter from the Norfolk atmosphere. The tension heightened as Obiwan closed the gap on the waiting welcoming party, but how welcoming will they be he thought. He recognised FettMalik from a previous encounter and then began to wish he had brought his light sabre rather than the plastic foil he had attached to his waist, budget cuts he muttered to himself!!!!

‘What news did you bring of the war against the DfE’ Chatwin asked.

‘The Empire is fading’, Obiwan replied, ‘but one renegade is still at large…..Boba!’

‘You will never take me alive!’ FettMalik replied and in an instant his foil was in his hand and he was lunging towards Browne, ok - he ambled towards the line with a care free attitude - you can't get the actors these days!!

Using his Jedi powers Obiwan quickly realised his opponents weakness and lunged, - ok prodded, at FettMalik who just laughed at him, it did tickle a little. Browne prodded and prodded but to no avail.

Queen Chatwin said ‘This is ridiculous, Guard Bowyer, use your foil on me!’

Many, many moments later after a lot of en-guard, forward thrusts and bending foils the four of them sat down, exhausted but without a scratch on any of them.

‘How about we settle this with a leap of faith instead?’ The wise narrator suggested, and with that they all warp sped (sorry, mixing my sci-fi terminology) out of the gym and to a strange universe with grass, blue skies, sun and a strange looking pole with climbing supports.

Activity 4 - Leap of Faith

Welcome to the tower. This menacing test of skill, courage and faith challenges the best of men and women, boys and girls. In this arena actions speak louder than words so please check out the photos and videos.