Stepping back in time at the Abbey

We've spent a fascinating morning stepping back in time along the recreated Victorian streets of Leeds. It's been a magnificent visit- a must if you're ever in the area!

Look at the photos and spot all the different shops, buildings, artefacts and streets we've visited.




























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Good morning from Malham!

We had a tense night playing Risk and challenges!


















We're up and ready for off at the history trip day 2. Everyone slept- most slept well! We've had a delicious cooked breakfast and pain au chocolat, and we are on our way to our first visit of the day.





First up- Kirkstall Abbey Museum.


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Goodnight from Yorkshire

It's been a busy but fun day. We are all very tired- hoping we sleep well tonight!

We've had tea/supper at award winning fish and chip restaurant, Bizzie Lizzies, in Skipton.



We are heading back to the Youth Hostel for some star gazing, (it's a beautiful clear night!), some team challenges involving marsh mallows and spaghetti, and to watch the DVD of our gorge adventures today.

We haven't got phone or Internet signal at the Hostel (alas!), so till tomorrow- good night!:)


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Evacuees from WW2

Whilst the pupils were busy scrambling\ swimming in the gorge, Miss R got chatting to some visitors to the area. The couple own a caravan at a nearby site, but live in Otley just one street away from where Miss R grew up. The couple were evacuated during World War II to the Ripon area, (near How Stean) and loved it so much they moved here when they were older!

Every night at 9pm in Rippn, the horn blower blows his horn in the Market place to inform citizens that their safe keeping overnight is the charge of the Wakeman- a tradition from the 1500s. The Cathedral bell also sounds at 9pm, another tradition from Norman times instructing to cover their fires. The French word for this is 'couvre feu' meaning cover the fire. This is where we get our word 'curfew' from....

It's been an informative afternoon!

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More pictures from history trip day 1...

The award winning ice cream parlour where we stopped at lunchtime!



More from the gorge...




















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Italians and Highwaymen at our activity session History trip Day 1

The afternoon has had a historical flavour as we took on the challenges at How Stean Gorge.

First, we all experienced the dizzy heights of the Via Ferrata, meaning Iron Way. Soldiers in Italy during Woeld War II needed a speedy way to cross the Dolomites. The army came up with the method we used to cross the gorge this afternoon- iron staples and stakes. We have no photo evidence as Miss R and Leah took part too!


At the end of the Via Ferrata we crawled into Tom Taylor's cave- Named after the legendary Highwayman who used the cave to store his loot. We found the cavern with iron stake still attached where locals hung him after catching him in his hiding place. Another legend says the cave was used by Roman soldiers to store their treasure- but we prefer the Tom Taylor story!!

Next up was abseiling and gorge walking, where the group excelled at team work! David watched from part of the Via Ferrata as his broken toe excluded him from this part of the activity...





















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CPD maths

At the moment in Cedars school we are doing a lot of development work on our maths programmes and the transition point between primary and secondary years. Today our maths teacher, Mr Creighton gave us feedback on discussions from a national conference he recently attended. It was full of interesting examples of how maths is being innovatively taught in various places in the country. It gave us lots of food for thought and added much to our current discussions on moving forward with our maths and numeracy programmes.




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History trip 2011: day 1

We're on our way to Yorkshire for the S3 history trip. After a very early start in a drizzly Greenock, we're crossing the border in brilliant sunshine. Watch this blog for pictures and updates of our adventures!

Here are the esteemed history crew:







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Narnia Music

Below is the link to the church website to help you download midi files for the Narnia music. We really appreciate all the support of parents in choir and orchestra. For so few practices so far the choir us sounding really good!

The link is below:

http://struthers-church.org/wiki/index.php?title=Narnia_2011_Rehearsal_Music


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GarageBand on iPad

A first demo shot for some of the boys in s3 of the new version of GarageBand on iPad. We have used GarageBand for years on the desktop and laptop machines and to now have it on iPad is so exciting! Scott and Leo enjoyed being the first to get a chance to experiment with it.


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Narnia Weapons!

Today Scott's dad came back to us with the first instalment of props for our Narnia play. He has been helping us by making big scenery items such a the wardrobe, lamppost and even the witch's sleigh. Today however he delivered a shipment of arms, swords, shields and armour for many of the main characters an animal. We are so impressed. They look fantastic. Here is a sneak peek.























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Narnia rehearsals!

Rehearsals for our upcoming performance of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe are going well. Here you can see the Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy in their fur coats reading Maugrim's letter... (hand made by Zander!)

Glasgow University Research

This afternoon we had an initial meeting with three researchers from Glasgow University. They are in school over the next month to conduct research into the effect that having the iPad has had on the learning of our children. They will be looking at P6/7 and P4/5 to assess the overall effect of the iPad on learning in our classes. The research will be interesting and we look forward to having them in school.



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Mr Speirs Travels

Today Mr Speirs gave us some feedback from his recent trip to the States. Last week he was speaking at a big technology conference at Abilene University in Texas. The university was early in rolling out 1:1 technology in the form of iPhones, iPods and iPads.
Later in the week he was in two other schools in NYC who are of a similar mind to us in pushing ahead with technology for learning.
It was very interesting for us to hear how he got on and great to hear that we are connected to other schools across the world in pioneering teaching and learning using 1:1 technology.


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Narnia Choir

We have been delighted to welcome a good number of parents and friends to the choir for our forthcoming play 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'. A big welcome to all who have shown an interest. We now have parents and friends of the school making props, costumes, scenery, singing in the choir and performing in the orchestra. This is proving to be a great example of 'parents as partners!'
Many thanks to all who are showing such enthusiasm.A rehearsal schedule will be posted on the home blog shortly.

A. Jewell


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Responsible citizens!

S1 pupils were being responsible citizens last weeks by helping to display flyers and leaflets to find the owner of a lost cat - well done!

Orchestra Rehearsal Video

Here is a wee taster of last nights orchestra rehearsal. The orchestra is smaller than it will be but they are already sounding good.

Orchestra Begins

Today sees the second big rehearsal for the orchestra for the Narnia play. They are sounding great! Just like the choir the orchestra is made up of staff, parents and friends of the school from the church. Some of the music is quite challenging and the orchestra are doing really well already. By the play in June they will be more than ready.





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