Learning can be fun at school. Sometimes children enjoy learning so much they don't even realise they are doing it. In the Spring term the whole of Key Stage Two, the children aged seven to eleven years, took part in the "Celebration of Schools' Music" at Snape Maltings Concert Hall. They worked for several weeks on a musical topic based around a project on Egypt which involved composition, playing a variety of instruments, dance, drama and song. They worked as a team, they were disciplined and they experienced performing in front of a large audience. The following week their lessons returned to normal and one child said in a surprised tone, "We haven't had music for ages!"
School life has changed considerably in the last twenty years, the most dramatic change being the innovation of computers. Pupils are taught Information and Communication Technologies from the earliest age both as a discrete subject and integrated into the curriculum. Computers bring an added resource to the classroom and can enhance teaching as well as enrich learning. At Earl Soham we have a small computer suite linked to the Internet and a further computer in each classroom. We aim shortly to set up our own Website which will keep people informed about our school and the many activities taking place.
Sporting activities have an important part to play at school. We have achieved some creditable results in matches between local schools in several sports and the children regularly enjoy swimming and gymnastics. Full use is made of funding for transport to nearby facilities as we have no hall for indoor sports and we enjoy our school meadow whenever the weather allows.
Another excellent bonus for the older children is the opportunity to learn French each week. These enjoyable sessions prepare them for High School where they will all study this language.
The youngest children held a tea party before Easter for all pre-school children in the area. They planned the party, made the invitations, baked biscuits and ably hosted the event to which nearly thirty children and their parents came. Afterwards the class evaluated the afternoon, deciding what worked well and how they might do things differently another year. They all agreed it was an excellent project and many links have been formed for the future.
Everyone is looking forward to the Summer Term, which promises to be just as busy, with trips of discovery and new topics to enjoy. We think learning can be fun.