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Issue 185, 17th March 2023
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Neurodiversity Celebration Week
We are proud to have participated in Neurodiversity Celebration Week, helping the boys to understand, value and celebrate the talents of neurodiverse minds. The week started with a coffee morning for parents to find out more about the support available here and to provide an opportunity to talk with members of our Learning Development Team.
Our Pre-Prep pupils listened to the story 'All Different' from the Mr Men & Little Miss Discover You series, which looks at diversity, resilience and self-esteem. Pupils from Years 3-8 have explored learning differences, including thoughtful discussions about what challenges and strengths we all have. They have explored what the word 'neurodiversity' means and it was wonderful hearing some of the pupils share their own stories about what it is like to have ADHD, dyslexia, autism, dyspraxia or a physical or sensory need.
We ended our sessions by watching a video clip of Lucy, a 13 year old blind girl with autism, who entered the Channel 4 competition 'The Piano' and went on to win it with her jaw-dropping performance. The boys were amazed at her talent and it made them realise that with perseverance, resilience and the right support, you really can go on to make your dreams come true!
We are pleased to be hosting a talk for parents, by Jannine Perryman, on Wednesday 17th May which is about how to support your child with ADHD and/or autism. Read more about it and book on the link below.
Read More » Click here
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STEM Week - Flight Themed
Our second instalment of STEM Week following last week's Acorn:
On Thursday, the day started with an energetic assembly from Professor Bubbleworks, introducing some of the science behind states of matter and energy. Some boys, and Mr Coston, were invited on stage to take part in experiments, with varying degrees of success. The Year 6 boys were then treated to a talk from Mark Chesney, a former pilot and safety consultant with the Civil Aviation Authority. It was reassuring to hear that a passenger would need to fly continuously for over 25,000 years before they would be in a dangerous accident. In the Pre-Prep, the boys made gyrocopters, lead by the Year 8 boys. By creating different sized wings, the boys were able to affect the amount of air resistance and thereby change the speed of their gyrocopters. In the afternoon, Year 5 visited Sevenoaks School for an interactive workshop on Robotics, putting their coding skills to the test with following robots and micro:bits.
Friday saw the STEM Fair come to Solefield in the morning. The Year 7 and 8 boys had been working incredibly hard in their lessons with Mr Bowden to put together a stall with a link to Flight. The whole school visited and were treated to explanations, demonstrations, experiments, challenges and competitions, all put on by the Senior boys. Highlights included a Marshmallow Cannon, Catapult firing, levitating a hot air balloon and innovative use of the VR headsets so the boys could travel on drones, fly like an eagle, go wind-suiting or see the inside of a plane cockpit. At lunchtime, the final event of STEM Week brought the Paper Plane Competition to a head. Qualifiers from each class launch their planes from the Art Room out onto the playground while the rest of the school and staff watched on below. The winning plane travelled half the distance of the playground – a great effort!
A busy and enjoyable week for all of the boys and the staff, with inspirational trips, visits, activities and workshops. The boys learnt so much and had a great time!
Read More » Click here
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African Drumming Workshop
Pre-Prep and Year 5 enjoyed a wonderful storytelling session and drumming workshops with the fantastic Alex and Ruky from the Iroko Theatre company. The workshops helped tie in all the boys' learning about Africa across Pre-Prep topics and Year 5 Geography.
Everyone had a great time and really impressed our visitors with their rhythm and drum playing skills.
Click on the video below to watch our drumming!
Read More » Click here
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Learning Assembly
Pre-Prep performed a wonderful Learning assembly. It took on the theme of superpowers and each of the boys described their own superpower. They explained the importance of realising what we are good at as well as seeing the amazing qualities in other people. A lovely reminder of how our differences make us even more special.
Well done also to Year 3 who were very engaging presenting their learning to parents during an assemly last week.
Read More » Click here
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Rugby Season
Here we see our Under 9A's. They finished off the season with a hard fought victory at their last match yesterday. It has been great to see all the boys' progression in rugby this season.
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Royal Opera Create and Sing
Years 3 and 4 enjoyed an afternoon of music making with Mrs Sage and an introduction to the Create and Sing programme from the Royal Opera House. Children sang melodies from the opera with adapted words, introducing the characters and their roles in the opera. Children sang these in two parts with Mrs Sage and Mr Fenning helping them along the way.
After this it was time to add some drama to the mix, so in small groups, they chose a Papageno (the bird catcher), and improvised a short performance to demonstrate Papageno casting his nets, charming the birds from the trees and catching them. Some groups had some cheeky birds who managed to get away!
Read More » Click here
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Ducklings Billy & Bob
Our beautiful ducklings Billy and Bob have been having a wonderful time in Reception. They have met so many boys who have held them, giggled at them as they swam and splashed and watched them grow. We welcomed in some of our Reception 23/24 boys who loved holding the ducklings as much as the older boys. We will miss you Billy and Bob.
Read More » Click here
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Daniel wins Wildlife Photo Competition
Many congratulations to Daniel H, 5C who won the 2022 Suffolk Wildlife Photography Competition for his photograph of a reed warbler for the under 11's category as well as the Runner Up for his stonechat photograph!
On top of this great achievement he has also been selected by the panel of judges as the Young Person Overall Winner with his reed warbler photograph which he took in Carlton Marshes in Suffolk in June 2022, competing with youngsters between the age of 11 and 18 years old.
At the prize awarding ceremony in Suffolk, Daniel received some beautiful prizes including a lovely book entitled "The lost words" By Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris.
Click below to see his beautiful photographs.
Read more » Click here
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Year 4 Trip to St Nicholas Church
Year 4 had a very enjoyable trip to St Nicholas's Church, Sevenoaks on Thursday. This was part of the Year 4 Religious Studies curriculum this term, learning about the parables and miracles of Jesus as well as the Easter story. They were warmly welcomed by Hannah and Matt and the team at the Church.
The boys explored the church whilst doing an Easter story treasure hunt. Matt, one of the vicars, talked about Good Friday, explaining the Christian meaning and answered lots of questions about the church. Many thanks to the church!
Read more » Click here
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Open Morning Success
It was wonderful to welcome prospective families to our open morning last Saturday.
Thank you to our Year 8 prefects who spoke beautifully, sharing their experiences of Solefield School.
Visiting children even enjoyed an Easter egg hunt during the tours. Small school, big adventures!
Our next open morning is Saturday 22nd April, 9.30-11am. Thank you for continuing to share our open events with families and friends. Parents can book here.
Read More » Click here
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Easter Holiday Camps
Our upcoming Easter Camp will be running for two weeks Monday 27th to Friday 31st March and Tuesday 11th to Friday 14th April. Bookings are now open on the link below!
Cost: Full day camps are £50 per day (9am-4pm). Half day camps are £25 (9am-12pm or 1-4pm). There is no extra charge for the lunch hour 12-1pm for those parents that opt to do two half day camps.
Read more » Click here
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Suns Basketball Camp at Solefield
The Suns will be running another outdoor camp from 3rd April to Friday 7th April here at Solefield School. Solefield staff member and Suns coach, Mr Jankowski is running the camp. Places will be limited per session, so secure your spot by registering here.
Time and Age Groups:
9:45-11:00 - Reception to Year 2 - £10 per day
11:15-13:00 - Years 3 to 5 - £15 per day
13:15-15:00 - Years 6 to 8 - £15 per day
To register, click here.
More information on the camp is available on the Suns website here.
Read More » Click here
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SPA Diamond Ball
Established in 1948, Solefield School invites you to celebrate its 75th anniversary at the “Diamond Anniversary Ball” on Saturday 24th June 2023 from 7pm.
To commemorate the decade the school was founded, there will be a stunning marquee on the school playground, a jazz band with welcome drinks, a fabulous three course meal, hotly-contested auction, and a DJ until late on a full dance floor. Tickets are now on sale here with all proceeds to go towards the new wrapped minibus and further enriching life at Solefield or the boys.
Read more » Click here
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