On Romans day, first we talked about Romans’ lives. Then we talked about Julius Caesar, Claudius and other famous Emperors.

Following this, we went outside to march. The Romans marched right foot then left foot. The names for right and left were: Right was Dex and left was Sin. We split into three groups: one group were using tiles to make Roman mosaics; the other group were trying out armour and looking at [holding] a shield while the third group were throwing fake spears and using catapults with fake golf balls. Then we swapped twice.

After break, we did some pretend gladiator fighting and they showed us some weapons that might have been used by gladiators in Roman times. We held fake gladiator fights against each other. We had to either be a Roman or an enemy.

In the afternoon, we were in our classrooms and we had a go at some Latin writing and some Roman cookery. It was a great day! by Tegan and Haydn, Year 4

Year 3 arrived safety at New Barn and have been enjoying a variety of activities. The group has split into two groups, one doing survival activities including creating a water collecting device and building shelters. While the other group has been learning about Celtic life, making various items including butter. Tonight they have enjoyed a BBQ and a story teller. 

 

The classes have mixed well, renewing old friendships and creating new ones. 

 

Apologises the photos won't upload at the moment. I'll keep trying.

Longfleet made two trips to Carter Community School for sessions delivered by Carter's Year 7-9 Sports Ambassadors. The children loved the festival, which included balance skills, speed and agility activities. They were thoroughly puffed out by the end of the hour session but would definitely come back again!

The Year Two children have had a very exciting end to the term with an inspiring visit to Portland Lighthouse. They spent the day completing various activities such as climbing to the top of the lighthouse (153 steps!), where we heard the unique sound of the horn, a quiz and the children produced some lovely artwork. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day. Thank you to all of the adults who gave up their time to help on the trip.

This week we have held three Easter services at St. Mary's Longfleet Church.  The Upper Key Stage Two service was a more traditional event with some beautiful singing from the pupils and choir.  Reception and Key Stage One was an 'uplifting' occasion with some lively songs for everyone to enjoy.  Lower Key Stage Two dramatically told the Easter Story with some superb acting and storytelling using both spoken word and songs.

 

Congratulations to everyone involved - the church was full for three days in a row with a feeling of joy and new life.

Some of the older pupils of our Running Club joined the Poole Teachers' Sports Relief run this morning.  One of our parents, who is also the headteacher of Sylvan Infant School, was running to each school in Poole to raise money.  We joined him (and his crew) for the Longfleet to Baden Powell leg. 

We held our Spring Term Home Learning Exhibition this week.  Congratulations must go to all the pupils who contributed their creative ideas.  All the children received a certificate for their efforts and a range of the work, from across the Year Groups, has been put on display in the Hub area of the school for visitors to appreciate.

Longfleet took 30 children to Branksome Heath Junior School to participate in a cross country competition for the termly "Howieson Cup". BHJS Sports Ambassadors kept the children entertained with some interesting activities if they weren't running. In the cross country event, a great course was designed to ensure the children kept on going and showed resilience to finish. 

 

Events to look out for in the Summer Term:

-KS1 Girls' Football Festival (at Longfleet)

-KS1 Howieson Cup Athletics (at Longfleet)

 

The orchestra performed brilliantly at the Music For Youth Regional Festival in Southampton today.

The feedback from the music mentors was superb!

We also got to listen to a soul band, a folk violin ensemble, a rock band and a 60 piece secondary school band.

Well done to all the orchestra pupils!

Last night, Thursday 8^th March, 126 children from Longfleet held a special evening concert at Saint Mary’s Longfleet. The concert featured 126 children performing on 11 different instruments including guitars, violins, cellos, cornets, trumpets, trombones, clarinets, recorders, keyboards, pianos and drum kit.

The young musicians had spent months practising at home and preparing with their peripatetic music teachers and Miss Wright. For many of the children it was their very first time performing in a concert but you never would have known it because they were so calm under pressure. Louis, one of our Year 6 drummers, summed up the feeling of nerves when he said “The hardest thing about it was just getting up there in front of all those people!” The largest single instrument group were the guitars – 36 children in total. The orchestra, made up of 47 children, opened the concert with Latin Lullaby and Dan The Man and closed it with a rousing performance of ‘Firework’. All the music was of a very high standard, the children were smartly dressed & beautifully behaved and the bows were full of pride.

We were so lucky to be able to hold the concert at the beautiful Saint Mary’s Longfleet with Matt Molyneux helping out with the sound and visual display, Justin there to look after us and the PTA providing tea and coffee in the interval. Our audience were wonderful: you could have heard a pin drop during the performances and the applause was rapturous. Mr Helm was a very entertaining compere and it turns out he has a new favourite word: ‘clarinettist’!

Each and every group of performers was outstanding so it would be impossible to list highlights but everyone will hold onto their own special memories of the night. Here are a few photographs that show the array of talent on display. There are many more photographs to upload and they will follow shortly. Thank you and congratulations to everyone involved in the event.