Final week of our miniature playgrounds!

It’s been a busy and exciting  week in Year 5 Talland Class as we completed our miniature themed playgrounds! After weeks of planning, designing, and building, this week was all about finishing touches, problem-solving, and adapting our designs to bring our creative visions to life.  As we moved into the final stages, we quickly discovered that not everything goes exactly to plan when building! Some materials didn’t work the way we imagined, certain structures weren’t strong enough, and a few of our features needed resizing or rethinking. But this didn’t stop us! We showed brilliant resilience by adapting our designs: swapping our materials when parts weren’t sturdy enough;  reinforcing structures with card supports or extra glue;  changing the shape or size of slides, swings, or towers to fit better in our models; adding extra decorative touches that matched our themes, like miniature flags, signs, and benches.  This stage really showed our design and make skills in action. We learned that designers often have to tweak their ideas during the building process—and that’s okay!

best wishes, Mrs Swabey, Mr Parry and Mrs Walters.

We love our visits to St Anne's and we think they love having us too!

It can be hard to think of different activities to take but they always laugh when we take a bag of puzzles and all of the pieces fall out on our journey up!

Everyone works together to identify which piece belongs where and then we all have a go at putting the puzzles back together.

It really has been another busy week here at Brunel. From residentials to exciting learning opportunities and WOW starters to sports competitions, it has been a fantastic week for our children. Please enjoy reading through this week's Brunel Bulletin.

The Little Red Hen

Tregantle Class delighted parents and staff with an engaging school assembly centered around the classic tale of The Little Red Hen. The children showcased their learning through a variety of creative activities that brought the story to life. The assembly began with the children using a text map to re-tell the story of The Little Red Hen. This approach helped them recall key events and characters, enhancing their understanding and storytelling skills. By mapping out the narrative, they demonstrated their ability to sequence events and grasp the story's moral lessons. Adding a musical touch, the class performed a lively song about the Little Red Hen, capturing the essence of her industrious spirit. They also choreographed a dance that depicted the hen's journey, engaging the audience with their enthusiasm and coordination. Incorporating hands-on learning, the children shared photographs and videos from their bread-making activities. They demonstrated the process of kneading dough and baking bread, paralleling the hen's efforts in the story. This practical experience reinforced the themes of hard work and perseverance. The assembly also featured highlights from the class's trip to the theatre to watch a live performance of The Little Red Hen. The children shared their excitement and reflections on the experience, showcasing their their ability to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences. The event concluded with a heartfelt thank you to the parents who attended. Their presence and support were greatly appreciated, and the children were thrilled to share their hard work and creativity with their families. Tregantle Class's assembly was a testament to their dedication, creativity, and determination. It highlighted the importance of storytelling, music, hands-on learning, and community involvement in fostering a rich educational experience.

Lantic Update

It’s been another exciting week in Lantic class. Here are just some of the things we’ve been doing:

English: We’ve been writing some wonderful stories based on Where the Wild Things Are and they are amazing but more about that next week. We’ve had a lot of fun along the way because we set them in Saltash and we’ve focused on using some great descriptive language with interesting adjectives.

Maths: We’re coming to the end of our topic on fractions in Y2 and Y1 and next we’ll be looking at Position and Direction, so it’ll be all about movement and turns.

Science: Our Plant topic is proving to be a great success and we’ve worked hard to improve our outdoor space by making a beautiful flower and vegetable garden. This week we’ll be sending our sunflowers and cucumbers home for you to plant so that you may take part in our competition to see who can grow the tallest sunflower or the largest cucumber. We can plant them at school if you prefer – just let me know!

Geography: This half term’s theme is ‘What’s it like to live In Shanghai?’, so we’ve been thinking about what we’d like to find out. We’ll keep you posted.

PE: It’s Athletics now so we’re practising hard for Sports day.

Barnardos Visit: On Thursday, the Y2 children had a workshop all about ‘Healthy Relationships’ which was really thought-provoking.

Mayor’s Assembly: We were so lucky on Monday to have a visit from Saltash’s new Mayor – Councillor Rachel Bullock, who used to be a pupil at our school and told us all about the Mayor Choosing Ceremony this Friday 13^th (Guildhall 7.10pm). I’m hoping to see some of you there.

Lantic Class at Saltash Regatta

What a great effort from Lantic class at the Saltash Regatta parade on Saturday!
Despite the gloomy weather and the threat of heavy showers, our class were very well represented in the parade.


They turned up in the brightest colours to reflect this year's theme 'All Things Bright and beautiful, one of our Y1 girls even had a fabulous rainbow plait, which was greatly admired.


Waving our streamers and proudly carrying the Brunel Primary & Nursery Academy flag and banner, we paraded all the way down Fore Street and Lower Fore Street to Jubilee Green. We even managed to collect another member of Lantic class on the way.


I know that it takes a lot of organise to come to a school event on a weekend, particularly one with a dreadful weather forecast, so huge thanks to all the children and families who came.

w/e 6.6.25

As we conclude another vibrant week in our Year 3 and 4 classrooms, we're thrilled to share the exciting learning journeys your children have embarked upon.

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 English: Exploring Recounts

This week, our young writers delved into the world of recounts. They focused on:

• Fronted Adverbials of Time: Phrases like "Afterwards," and "Later that day," were used to sequence events effectively.
• Apostrophes for Contraction: Understanding how words like "did not" become "didn't" enhanced their grammatical skills.
• Identifying Key Features: Students examined various recount texts to pinpoint essential elements such as chronological order and personal reflections.

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Maths: Decimals and Fractions

Our mathematicians have been busy:

• Year 4: Continued their exploration of decimals, representing tenths and hundredths on number lines and bar models, and understanding their relationship with fractions .
• Year 3: Focused on fractions, using number lines and bar models to identify and represent equivalent fractions .

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 History: Investigating King Alfred the Great

In history, students became detectives, examining various sources about King Alfred the Great. They learned to:

• Identify Bias: Understanding that historical accounts can be influenced by the author's perspective.
• Evaluate Sources: Discussing the reliability and purpose of different historical documents .

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 Art: Observational Drawing

Our artists practiced seeing shapes within objects to enhance their observational drawing skills. This exercise helped them:

• Break Down Complex Images: By identifying basic shapes, students improved their ability to draw more accurately.
• Develop Attention to Detail: Focusing on subtle differences in shapes and proportions.

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 PE: Sprinting Skills

Physical education sessions emphasised:

• Sprinting Techniques: Proper posture, arm movement, and starting positions.
• Racing Practice: Applying techniques in friendly competitions to build speed and confidence .

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 Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check

Year 4 students have commenced the statutory Multiplication Tables Check, designed to assess fluency in times tables up to 12×12. We're proud of their positive attitude and dedication .

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 Upcoming Events

• Saturday – Saltash Regatta Parade: Please join us at Victoria Gardens at 9:45 AM for the 10:00 AM parade. Children should wear bright clothing to represent our school spirit.
• Monday – Deer Park Farm Trip: An exciting start to our new topic! Ensure your child arrives at school at the usual time, dressed appropriately for a farm visit, and brings a packed lunch, water bottle, and waterproof coat.

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Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to another week of learning and adventure!

A very warm welcome back to the final half term of the academic year. This week, we have had a visit from the Bridge School Improvement Team which was incredibly positive. They commented on the quality of the provision provided for our children and their developing oracy skills. We were delighted with the feedback and will continue to work on our next steps as we continually endeavor to improve our wonderful school.
Please enjoy looking through this week's edition of The Brunel Bulletin to catch up with all the latest news and events from our incredible school.

Designing and building our very own miniature playground.

Have you ever wanted to design and build your own playground? Well, that's exactly what Year 5 (Talland Class) did! We combined our creativity and teamwork skills to build a miniature playground using everyday craft materials. From slides and swings to tunnels and merry-go-rounds, we crafted our very own zoo-themed playground using lollipop sticks, matchsticks, straws, cocktail sticks, pipe cleaners, and other materials. And guess what? We even used tools like a mitre saw, scissors, and rulers to get everything just right!

1. Measuring and Marking We used rulers to measure out our pieces of materials. This was super important because it made sure that everything fit together just right. If we wanted our slide to be tall enough, we had to measure the correct length for the lollipop sticks. Using a pencil, we marked where we needed to cut and assemble the pieces. The more careful we were with our measurements, the better our playground would turn out!

2. Cutting with Tools Here’s where things got a little tricky but exciting. We used scissors for cutting some of the softer materials, like straws and pipe cleaners. However, for tougher materials like the lollipop sticks and matchsticks, we used a mitre saw (don’t worry, it’s safe for us with a teacher around!). The mitre saw helped us make sure our cuts were straight and precise, which is super important for building sturdy structures.

Finally Our themed playgrounds project was a huge success for Talland Class! Not only did we learn how to use tools like rulers, scissors, and a mitre saw, but we also developed skills in teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. Building our own playground gave us a sense of achievement and pride, and we can’t wait for our next big project. So, if you’re ever looking to build something amazing, grab some craft materials, measure carefully, and start designing your own playground today. Who knows? You could even create a zoo or a space adventure—anything your imagination can dream up!

best wishes, Mrs Swabey, Mr Parry and Mrs Walters.

w/e 23.5.25

As we approach the half-term break, we're excited to share the enriching activities and learning experiences your children have engaged in this week.

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English: Crafting Imaginary Worlds

This week, our English lessons transported students into the realm of creative writing. They crafted stories set in imaginative worlds, employing figurative language and expanded noun phrases to bring their narratives to life. This exercise not only enhanced their descriptive writing skills but also encouraged them to explore the depths of their imagination.

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Mathematics: Exploring Fractions and Decimals

In Year 3, students focused on comparing unit fractions and fractions with identical denominators. They learned that among unit fractions, the larger the denominator, the smaller the fraction, and practiced ordering them accordingly.

Year 4 students delved into the world of decimals. They connected hundredths to tenths and place value, extending their understanding of the number line to link fractions, numbers, and measure.

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Geography: The Spread of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon Britain

Our geography lessons explored the historical spread of Christianity during the Anglo-Saxon era. Students learned about key figures like St. Augustine, who began converting influential Anglo-Saxon leaders such as King Ethelbert of Kent around 595 AD, leading to significant cultural and religious transformations in Britain. 

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PSHE: Understanding and Addressing Bullying

In PSHE, the focus was on recognising bullying and understanding appropriate responses. Students discussed various scenarios, learning strategies to address and prevent bullying, fostering a supportive and respectful school environment.

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Design and Technology: Castle Construction Day

A highlight of the week was our Design and Technology day, where students designed and built model castles. They incorporated features such as turrets, towers, flags, and drawbridges, using materials like cardboard and recycled items. This hands-on activity allowed them to apply their knowledge of 2D and 3D shapes creatively. 

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Special Events:

Excitement filled the air with the opening of the new KS1 playground. Each child received a lunchbox and water bottle to celebrate this occasion. 

Additionally, students enjoyed sharing reading sessions with Tregantle class outdoors, taking advantage of the sunny weather.

We also hosted an online author workshop with Neill Cameron, known for "Donut Squad." Students enthusiastically participated, designing their own characters and gaining insights into the creative process of comic book creation. 

We also enjoyed a Dance for Dementia alongside Archie! 

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We look forward to welcoming the students back after the break, refreshed and ready for more learning adventures.

This week, Seaton class enjoyed using the microbits in their computing lesson. They showed off their coding skills by making different sounds and light patterns. 

Today Seaton class enjoyed their reading with Daymer class. It was wonderful to see them sharing books and enjoying the wonderful grounds we have. 

Nail painting!

Today was break the rules day so we ended it by painting our nails. Everyone joined in and I enjoyed seeing the different colours. A fun end to the half term!

Great Gardeners! 

What a wonderful final week we’ve had in Tregantle Class before the half-term break! The children have been busy, creative, and full of enthusiasm as we've rounded off a brilliant few weeks of learning. To bring our storytelling to life, we’ve been exploring the magical tale of Jack and the Beanstalk. Inspired by Jack’s adventure, the children planted their very own beans! We discussed what plants need to grow and each child carefully potted a bean to take care of. We can’t wait to see which ones grow as tall as the beanstalk in our story! Our young writers also put their skills to the test, producing some fantastic sets of instructions on how to plant a bean. From neat handwriting to clear step-by-step guidance, we were so impressed by the effort and thought that went into their work. Budding authors in the making! In PE, we had tremendous fun playing 'popcorn' – a game using the parachute and lots of bouncing balls! It was brilliant to see such great teamwork, energy, and laughter as everyone took part and encouraged each other.  To top off the week, we were treated to a very special music session with our music specialist, Sally Butlin. The children had a brilliant time exploring rhythms and sounds, and their enthusiasm for making music was infectious. A huge thank you to Sally for such a joyful and engaging session. We’re so proud of all the children for their hard work and enthusiasm this half term.
Have a lovely break, and we look forward to seeing you all refreshed and ready for more adventures next half term! 

  Lights, Camel, Action!

This week, we’ve been putting on our reporter hats and learning how to create a news report—and the subject we covered was the desert biome. Desert biomes are fascinating places, and they have so much to teach us about how plants, animals, and even people survive in such an extreme environment. We learned how people use the desert in very unique ways, for instance, the military to fly supersonic fighter aircraft. Not only did we learn about the desert, but we also got to use video techniques to create our very own news reports. We used a range of techniques which included close-up, panning shot and long shot.

This week in French, we've been learning some super useful phrases that you can use every day, especially when you're talking about things around your home! Whether it's in the kitchen, the living room, or even the garden, these French phrases will help you talk about all the places and things you see in your house, for example: Les Phrases de la Maison (House Phrases) When you talk about your house in French, it’s really helpful to know a few key phrases to get started. Here are some that we’ve learned: Où est… ? (Where is…?) Voici ma maison. (Here is my house.) Ma chambre est… (My room is…) Il y a… (There is…) Je suis dans… (I’m in…)

Great job this week, Talland Class! You’ve learned some really useful skills in video camera usage, you understand how people make use of the barren land of the desert and are able to use some French phrases to talk about your home, and now you can practice using them to describe the rooms and things around you. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be able to talk about everything in French—right from your own house! Keep up the fantastic work, and remember: Pratiquez, pratiquez, pratiquez! (Practice, practice, practice!) À bientôt (See you soon - after half term)!

best wishes, Mrs Swabey, Mr Parry and Mrs Walters.

What a wonderful half term it has been at Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy. At 3:10pm today, we close our doors for the start of the half term break. Our school will reopen on Monday 2nd June for the second half of the Summer Term. We can't thank our whole community enough for your continued support. In the meantime, please enjoy this week's edition of the Brunel Bulletin. Have a wonderful half term break.

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Playground fun

This week, in DT, we designed and made our own play parks. In groups we looked at different structures and decided which ones we would like in our own parks. 

Once our decisions were made, we then gathered our materials. I was impressed by the imaginative ideas that different groups came up with. 

Using our wide range of skills and knowledge of structures and materials, we built the different parts. Some children made zip wires, whilst others made swings and climbing frames. They used glue guns and hacksaws with expertise. 

we just need a few finishing touches to the creations, then they will be ready to evaluate.

What a Week!

It's been one of the most exciting weeks for us all in Lantic class.

Firstly, we were so delighted when our brand new playground was opened by the Mayor of Saltash. We heard all about how she used to play on our playground when she was a little girl. We still can't believe that we won the competition to collect the most plastic, across the whole country. Everyone received a brand new lunch box and water bottle too, what a lovely surprise!



On Thursday morning, we ventured out for a spot of gardening, as it was Making a Difference Morning and Relax the Rules Day. We decided we wanted to improve our outside space, we're going to reveal as results after the half term holiday but huge thanks to Mrs Hooper and Mrs McNeil who started all the hard work by clearing the weeds. Also, thank you to the parent helpers who've been painting the fence. Then in the afternoon, it was time for a rest with a relaxing reading session with Talland class. All in all, a very busy week, so have a lovely holiday everyone, see you on Monday 2nd June.