Newsletter

You might be thinking the major episode of this week was obviously the more-than-anticipated amount of snow.  Well you’re wrong – a much bigger deal has been the disappearance of Mrs Cole’s precious perfectly perfumed palatable prized pink porcine pleasures. There have been various threads and activities in a terrific STEM week but the search for who stole Mrs Cole’s Percy Pigs has been at the forefront, all brilliantly introduced and hooked in via a wonderful film setting the scene in Monday’s assembly.  A fabulous week has ensued and there is a link to the film in the newsletter.

The snow came and then it went. In many ways this was the perfect amount/time of snow as there was something for everyone: a mix of natural beauty to enjoy, the thrill of massive flakes falling from the sky, a chance to make snowmen, lie in the snow and throw snow at each other, an excuse to wrap up with a hot chocolate and a book – but it only caused short term, minimal disruption so not too many adjustments to make. Will there be the odd smattering to follow up this weekend?

It did wipe out an afternoon of matches but fortunately it came at time that didn’t stop parents coming in for visits to classes in Pre-Prep, to the Year 4 parents’ evening, to the Friends of King’s Hall coffee morning or for the Year 8 Transition meeting.  There will be more parents in next week for the Year 5 parents’ evening, the Year 6 play performances (not limited to only Year 6 parents btw) plus we have our Open Day next Friday, and then in two weeks we have House Music.

Open Days are always such positive occasions and so if you have any friends wanting an insight for their children then do encourage them to sign up, come and join what is already a large number of people visiting.

Contrary to all these welcomes to the school site, it’s time to clear the school out for 48 hours and so I do hope you have a good, restful Long Weekend ahead.

It has been a STEM-tastic week in Pre-Prep!  Thank you to all parents (and grandparents) who joined us on Monday to launch the week in style.  We hope you enjoyed getting involved in the huge array of activities staff had set up in the classrooms and our celebration of all things STEM through song, dance and jokes at the subsequent assembly.

If you require day prep provision for your child next week please book them in using the link below. The booking form will close at 9.15 am on Monday; if you need to make a late booking or make any changes after this time please let us know by emailing SchoolOffice@kingshalltaunton.co.uk.   

If your child uses School transport and you need to make any changes next week please email Transport@kingshalltaunton.co.uk to let us know.

Hi Folks

Well, who would have expected snow this week? What a lovely surprise, I’m most definitely a lover of that fluffy white stuff. 

I know we British are renowned for talking about the weather, but we are no experts when it comes to snow.

It is a commonly known fact that Inuit people have 52 different words for snow. But it’s not just the Inuit people who are able to distinguish between the different types of snow. The Swedes also have approximately 50 different words for snow and Greenlanders claim to have about 70.

Here are some of my favourites from Sweden:

• Kramsnö – squeezy snow, perfect for making snowballs
• Julesnö – snow at Christmas
• Klabbsnö – wet, warm snow for building snowmen
• Kolsyresnö – frozen carbondioxide
• Kornsnö – small white snow breadcrumbs
• Majsnö – surprising and unwelcome snow in May
• Åsksnö – snow that pours down during a thunderstorm
• Spårsnö – snow that allows footprints to be formed
• Firn – liquid-like snow that can cause an avalanche
• Stöp – a mixture of snow and ice resembling porridge. 

Now for my most amazing fact about words for snow: There are an astonishing 421 Scottish words for describing the different types of snow (and they are all officially logged). Here are my top five: 

• Snow-smoor - Suffocation by snow
• Grudge - Watery snow.
• Slibber - That which causes slipperiness. 
• Slubber - Slush, half-melted.
• Snifter - A strong blast/flurry of driving snow.
• Tinda - Fleecy snow.

Well, did you know any of those? I didn’t but just for your information, the canine word for snow is, “woof” (hehe!) In fact, us dogs are the opposite to you humans. You have all these fancy words for one thing, but us hounds are able to communicate with our one word for all manner of things. There are variations in the tone, pitch, volume and tempo of the word “woof” but all the same, we can communicate perfectly. 

Oh, I nearly forgot, we use a different word for ‘tree’- do you know what it is? 

Bark!! (haha) 

Have a great weekend, my friends, and see you next week. 

Best wishes from the school Floof

Snoops X

STEM Week with a Snowy Day 

It has truly been an extremely busy Lent term, however, every single child in 5G has given their all. They all have truly got a ‘Spring’ in their steps this term; whether it is in the classroom doing a MasterChef maths competition, showing their skills on the sports field, or performing their musical talents in the music concert and the upcoming House Music Competition. This week we began with STEM week, where we combine science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The children have the chance to complete experiments in science, design a robot using technology and engineering and in mathematics the children  experienced a variety of group activities, representing their Houses. During the middle of the week, we were fortunate to witness snow falling, creating extra excitement and happiness amongst the children. All of the children in 5G engaged extremely well in all of the STEM activities and can be proud of their efforts. We have all had an incredible week!

Year 7 pupil Teddy A made the most of a snow day this week by making an amazing Snow Sphinx! Very impressive Teddy it must have taken a long time!

We’ve had a very busy and successful week in science, with a STEM forensic science investigation taking place across all year groups. The children were treated to a video spoof, featuring many of the Prep staff (Who Stole Mrs Cole’s Percy Pigs?). The video set up various suspects and the children then spent their science lessons looking at samples of hair, pen ink chromatography, fingerprints, soil samples and chemical matches. They worked in House teams to eliminate the suspects and come up with the culprit and their motive. If you would like to find out who did it, then please ask your children! The winning House and culprit will be revealed in Monday’s assembly.

Year 3 kicked off this term’s book club sessions in style this week, amidst fairy-tale creeping vines and rose shaped cup-cakes. They animatedly discussed Creeping Beauty by award winning author and Children’s Laurette Joseph Coelho. An intriguing richly illustrated read with some lovely moral themes throughout which the children demonstrated they had really taken to heart. In the story, spells are cast for both selfish reasons and to change things for the better; Mrs Lowery was delighted with the children’s responses when she asked them to imagine if magic was real what purpose would they cast a spell for. They would stop the environment being destroyed, take back hurtful words, to help people forgive and be happy, to name but a few magical suggestions. Although this book was from the Fairy Tales Gone Bad series it certainly inspired a great deal of good.

Well done Year 3 – you were enchanting!  

The Pupil Council invite you to get involved on Thursday 23rd March for a suggested donation of £2 or more if you wish the children will be able to wear home clothes to school for the day in support of the amazing work the RSPCA provide. Make a difference to animals housed locally at West Hatch Animal Centre. Here are a few photos of some of the animals currently at the centre.

Please click below to see this week's sporting updates via our King's Hall Sport Twitter feed.

For children aged 8 - 15. This exciting new residential camp at King's College is designed to help players develop their skills and techniques in a broad range of sporting activities, whilst having fun and making new friends in a safe and supportive environment. Over three days, children will gain access to a team of experienced coaches and have the chance to explore some of our wonderful facilities, including the state-of-the-art Sports Performance & Cricket Centre, netball and tennis dome, as well as sprawling sports pitches. 

To register or find out more visit the website www.kings-taunton.co.uk/events or email or phone Admissions - 01823 328204

A leaflet containing more information is available by clicking the link below

For school years Reception to Year 6

Join workshops from the world famous Matilda film and stage show. The programme will include learning songs, dances, staging and acting for castings from Matilda, delivered by Walker Performing Arts Academy. Train with working industry professionals from TV, film and theatre, and take part in a fun Acting for Camera and Casting workshop with a professional cameraman from Clockwise Films. Learn new skills in dance, drama and singing whilst growing in confidence, having fun and being creative. No experience necessary, just the passion and focus to embrace Performing Arts.

The workshops will run for three days at £195 per child, or there is the option to book two days or less for £75 per day.

Payments need to be made online via BACS