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We were invited some months ago by Professor Stephen Heppell to attend the BETT Show, specifically to share our knowledge and understanding of using ICT in school. Our role was to provide support to the Feature Stand on this years theme of Big Data.

Nine children were accompanied by ICT Leader, Claire Snailham and Head Teacher, Jonathan Furness.

The children were demonstrating their knowledge of programming in two languages, Scratch and Python. They also explored how a programmable robot (PiBot) can be operated using a Raspberry Pi controller and motor interface board.

We were very excited to be interviewed by none other than Rory Cellan-Jones who was interested in finding out what children are already doing with programming, but also how well schools across the UK are prepared for teaching Computing and Coding to schools from September.

A rather nice piece was edited and broadcast on the BBC six o'clock news. Here it is:

Oliver G demonstrated tremendous courage when he asked to present on the stand. He had worked on his presentation in his own time using his own robot as his inspiration, having bought it from a recent Raspberry (Pi) Jam event. Wow. I was completely taken aback.

I am so proud of our children. They have certainly earned their place at this event with their continued commitment and enthusiasm.

The children had a brilliant day and have come back to Epping buzzing with ideas for how we can develop ICT further in our school.

 

Take a look at some of the articles the children have produced on their blog site.

 

On Tuesday 19th December, all the children in year 6 walked to Wensley House Retirement Home to sing a selection of Christmas Carols for members of our community. The previous week they had done the same at Tree Tops and were in fine voice as they rattled through many of the classics, with solo and group performances thrown in for good measure. As we were leaving, one of the residents, with a huge smile upon her face, took great pleasure in telling me that we had made her Christmas. 

What a fantastic compliment for the children of our school, well done to all of our year 6s and a Merry Christmas to all.

Mr. Jones

Today, Year 3 and 4 children head into Epping Forest to explore the woodland and what it offers to local residents and visitors. Year 3 and 4 children have been studying the town of Epping and are planning to organise an Epping Information Centre for tourists to come and visit and fnd out more about their town.

Whilst the children were in the forest, they were involved in identifying trees, looking at leaves and carrying out bark rubbings. They also listened to Jacob's father talk about the history of the forest.

The video below provides a great insight into what happened during their Forest visit.

Video recorded, edited and produced by Tom Jenkins.

 

 

 

 

On Monday 18th November, the cross country team braved the cold wind and mud covered fields at Debden Park school, for the annual cross country race. Seven other local schools were taking part in what was to prove a challenging test of speed and endurance.

Our year 3 and 4 runners went off first, with both teams securing third place in their races, against around 60 runners in each race. All the girls finished in the top 31, with Dharia our highest placed finisher in 4th place. The boys results were remarkably similar, again all our runners finished in the top 31 places, this time with Theo finishing in 4th place!

The year 5s and 6s were the next to run, with the girls all finishing in the top 22 and our highest placed finisher being Eliza in 3rd place. The boys all came home in the top 27 places, with Henry finishing 1st.

Well one to all our super-star runners and for the parents for their help with transport and support.

The full results are listed below. With some approximate man-maths, I think we finished in second place overall.

 

Year 3 & 4 Girls

8^th           Theydon

7^th           High Beech

6^th           Hereward

5^th           Willingale

4^th           St. John Fisher

3^rd           Ivy Chimneys

2^nd          Buckhurst Hill

1^st           St John’s

 

Yr 3 & 4 Boys

8^th           Willingale

7^th           Theydon

6^th           Hereward

5^th           Buckhurst Hill

4^th           St John Fisher

3^rd           Ivy Chimneys

2^nd          High Beech

1^st           St John’s

 

Year 5 & 6 Girls

Joint 7^th  St John’s and St John Fisher

                (both schools had only 1 year 5 girl)

6^th           High Beech

5^th           Willingale

4^th           Hereward

3^rd           Theydon

2^nd          Ivy Chimneys

1^st           Buckhurst Hill

 

Year 5 & 6 Boys

8^th           Hereward

7^th           High Beech

6^th           Willingale

5^th           St. John Fisher

4^th           Ivy Chimneys

3^rd           St John’s

2^nd          Buckhurst Hill

1^st           Theydon

 

Larch Class perform in their class assembly. They have been learning about themselves and also the story 'We're Going On A Bear Hunt'.

Enjoy watching their performance.

 

For the first time in what seemed like weeks, the sun finally shone on the children of Ivy Chimneys as they travelled to High Ongar Primary School on Wednesday 13th November.

Following some great performances in the Inter House races earlier in the week, the team were picked and primed for their next challenge. Facing twelve other local schools, the athletes raced off for a lap of the school field, around muddy fields, under and over obstacles and then back for the sprint finish in the playground.

Performances were nothing short of amazing. The year 3/4 girls all finished in the top 21 places. the year 3/4 boys in the top 27. The girls in year 5/6 all finished under 30 with the year 5/6 boys all coming home in the top two thirds of the pack.

Every place counted towards the total scores for each school, the lowest being the best, and with a score of 169 we waited with eager anticipation for the final results. Dharia and Henry collected their individual medals for 2nd and 3rd places respectively and then came the big announcement. Ivy Chimneys were the winners, with the second placed school teaming 378 points.

Congratulations to every member of the team who helped with this fantastic achievement, and thanks to all those who helped with transport and much needed support and encouragement.

For those of a ceratin age, Wet, Wet, Wet, might mean something completely different, but for the children in key stage 2, it described the weather on Monday perfectly!

After a quick warm up, each group of children approached the start line and prepared for their laps of the school grounds. Every place would count towards their house score and the chance to lift the Inter House Cross Country trophy.

The year 3s and 4s ran together for the girls and then the boys, with the year 5s and 6s in the next two races.

Everyone took part, mostly enthusiastically, and despite the weather, mud and chilly conditions, ended with a smile on their now very rosy faces.

Well done to everyone who took part and to the parents and carers who were involved in the preparations and persuasions beforehand. The scores will now be calculated using some complicated spreadsheets, and the winners will be announced shortly... watch this space!

On Saturday 9th November, runners from Ivy took their places on the start line for the Orion Harriers Invitation Cross Country race. There were 250 boys and 170 girls taking part over the 1 mile course around an incredibly muddy Chingford Plains

All of the children did superbly well, with several top ten finishes among the team. Well done to everyone who took part and thanks as ever to the parents for their support. Full results should be avilable soon on the Orion Harriers website and on the PE notice board.

 

Thank you so much to everyone who came to represent Ivy Chimneys Primary School in the Remembrance Day Parade and wreath laying.

Our pupils were a credit to the school as they paraded in front of the community of Epping. There were many of our pupils who turned up representing other community organisations, such as the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Guides and Air Cadets. 

Lewis and Amy were chosen to lay the wreath at the War Memorial and did it with great respect and thoughtfulness for the soldiers who died for us.

A very poignant day which gave us all time for reflection.

 

 

 

Plane Class performed a wonderful assembly about their topic called "Epping Detectives".

The children demonstrated so much of what they have learnt throughout this term. Well done everyone.

Video recorded and edited by Tom Jenkins.