We have arrived and all is going well. At the moment we are enjoying the sun. One group is learning how to survive, while the others are finding out about Celts. Everyone is well. 

Longfleet joined over 700 other children from the local area for a HIIT session with famous author and fitness "guru" Joe Wicks at Springdale Infant School. The children loved the different exercises and seeing Joe Wicks live, a couple of them may have even squeezed onto the BBC South Today footage later that evening. A huge thank you to Springdale Infant School for inviting us, the children (and adults!) had a fantastic time and for many it really was a "once in a lifetime" opportunity. 

On Friday after school, seven children in Years 1 and 2 travelled to Hamworthy for a Multiskills event, led brilliantly once again by the Carter Community School Sports Leaders, who demonstrated each activity and focussed the children expertly on each task. Although the event was not competitive, Longfleet did get an extra bonus point for the “most enthusiastic school”! 

AFC Bournemouth hosted a 5-a-side tournament at Pelham’s Park to find the best school in the Bournemouth and Poole area. The winner was to go on the a national finals day at Wolverhampton Wanderers Stadium, Molineux. The high standard of the competition shocked us initially, and we lost our first game 3-1. However, some resilience and skill brought us back into the frame for progressing to the semi- finals with a 1-0 win against Kinson (who eventually went through to top the group) and a 4-1 win against St Ives. We needed to win our last game to progress but sadly couldn’t manage it. George V finished as the top scorer in the group stage with 5 goals from 3 games. The boys enjoyed the high standard of football and the physicality of the matches.

Twenty four children travelled to the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth on Tuesday evening to watch a match between England Under 21s and Germany U21s. Receiving their free flags at the gate, the children were beyond excited to get into the stadium and sample the atmosphere, with the horn section and drums blasting out a variety of England fan favourites. Although the result didn't go our way (2-1 to Germany) the children had a fantastic time, especially those who had never watched a live match before. At the end of the evening, we made our way to the AFC Bournemouth Club Shop, where, suffice to say, they made a healthy evening's profit!

Ladybirds finally visited Oakdale Library, the trip having been postponed last half term due to the snow!  The children enjoyed a story and songs, then explored the books.  They each borrowed a book to take back to school.  Why not take a look at the fun activities on offer at the library over the Easter holidays?  

Longfleet travelled to Oakdale to participate in a Hi5 festival which included 8 teams. Longfleet brought two of those teams and showed excellent passing and, at times, shooting to score some great team goals. Both Longfleet teams played with great respect and were praised by other teachers for their determination. Notable performances came from Blossom, who scored 5 goals when playing in Goal Attack and Goal Shooter, and Daniel, who scored all 3 goals in the final match.

 

Longfleet’s “Team 1” won the competition and remained unbeaten, whilst “Team 2” came an admirable 7th. Well done to all the players involved.

Carter Community School hosted a marvellous event which included 7 other local schools. The emphasis was on participation and enjoyment and Longfleet's children certainly enjoyed themselves. Sporting skills including ball balancing, shuttle runs, "speed-bounce" and aiming amongst others, with the Carter Sports Ambassadors on-hand to show the children the ropes and add up the various scores. Although it wasn't deemed a competitive event, Longfleet came away with over 1000 points which was a fabulous effort.

 

This week the Keep Safe Council were invited back to Poole Hospital to officially open the new Children's Emergency Department.  Last November, the Keep Safe team were involved in contributing ideas to the emergency team about refurbishing this area to make it more child friendly.  The team came up with some excellent suggestions about colours, activities and strategies to support families and children that feel worried.  The Emergency Department incorporated many of the Keep Safe team's ideas in the refurbishment.  Excitingly, ITV Meridian News were also there filming and interviewing the children!  This should be aired any day so watch this space..

The Keep Safe team are now involved in helping to rewrite some literature for the hospital to make it more child friendly.  Well done team - you were amazing and did Longfleet proud!