Latest News | Hugh Sexey C of E Middle School

WW1 Battlefields Tour - Day 3

Tue 11 Jun 2019 Mrs Adair

Day 3 really is the most challenging day on the tour. The children progress from ‘learning about’ First World War to ‘learning from’ the First World War. For many, it’s a real development and advancement in their thinking and their perspective. We began our day at the Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont Hamel, a site of engagement on the first day of the Battle of the Somme of 1 July, 1916. The children followed the archaeological evidence of a preserved trench system and found themselves silhouetted on a ridge above German machine gun positions - totally exposed and vulnerable. They experienced what it might have felt like to try to move a large number of men through a narrow trench system, ultimately abandoning the safety of the trench and choosing to move over ground. Standing on the exposed ridge, the children were shocked to realise that of 801 Newfoundlanders who engaged on 1 July, only 68 were able to answer the roll call the next day! After leaving Newfoundland Park, we headed for Sunken Lane, the sight of the famous film capture of the explosion of the mine which created the Hawthorn crater. The children worked with photographic evidence to understand how and when the image was captured and more about the influence and significance of the topography in the failed attempt to capture objectives on the day. Standing in what is now a soybean crop field, the children began to really understand what went wrong on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, and how!

After lunch we travelled further south along the Somme front line and a further few months on in the battle. The children visited Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, where they really began to show how far their enquiry skills had come in just a few days. After being given an August/Sept 1916 trench map (overlaid with a modern satellite image) the children were asked; What happened here? What does this location show about how lessons have been learned for 1 July? What was so impressive was how they proposed many totally plausible and tactical suggestions that they would never have been able to come up with 2 short days ago. I also watched as many were clearly visualising in their minds-eye, the advance of British troops from Montauban as well of the subsequent tank advances that took place in front of the Bezentin Ridge.

After dinner, we finished the night with a round of bowling for all. Congratulations to Mr Albrow for his stellar performance – top score!!

WWI Battlefields Tour – Day 2

Mon 10 Jun 2019 Mrs Adair

After we’d all had our breakfast and the children had made their own lunches for the day, we headed out on the coach back into the centre of Ypres. Our first stop was the very famous Belgian chocolate shop. The children assured us that they were bringing you, the parents, lovely chocolates back as a token of their appreciation for your support of this trip; if they say they didn’t buy any, it means they ate your present on the way home – sorry!

Our first activity of the day was a session at the ‘In Flanders Fields Museum’ where the children had an opportunity to browse the museum gallery and participate in a workshop. The children were very captivated by the interacted media and animated model of how the battle for the Ypres Salient progressed.

We then travelled on towards Vimy Ridge, where the children had an opportunity to think about an often overlooked aspect of WWI warfare; the tunnel wars. The children went underground and learned how the soldiers used mines to capture forward positions. The view from the memorial at Vimy enabled the children to really understand the role topography played in battle tactics, and how advantageous it was to control high ground.

Our evening session back at the hotel had the children handling many artefacts connected to ‘an infantryman’s kit’. The children learned to question the evidence, not just about what the artefact was, but also to think about what that artefact(s) tells us about the nature of war and/or the development of war over time. A special thank you to Ben for being our model for the evening. He was most certainly weighed down by all the kit.

WWI Battlefields Tour – Day 1

Mon 10 Jun 2019 Mrs Adair

After setting off early and making great time to Folkstone, we were unfortunately delayed nearly 4 hours in crossing due to increased security checks at the French border. In some ways this was a blessing in disguise though, since by the time we arrived at Lijessenthoek Cemetery in Poperinge, Belgium, the foul weather had cleared, and we were greeted with a bright and sunny day. The children learned about the significance of the site by decoding the clues in the landscape. They discovered that what was once a large farm became the largest military hospital on the Ypres Salient, largely due to its location and distance behind the front line, and its access to a railway network which aided supply and casualty evacuation and repatriation. In the evening, we attended the Menin Gate ceremony, which has been held continuously at Menin gate since its opening in 1927 (except for the WW2 years when Ypres was occupied by German forces). The children stood in silence to listen to the playing of the last post by the bugler; 3 of our pupils, Scarlett, Emmanuel and Rachel walked across the gate and laid a wreath on behalf of HSMS fallen WW1 soldiers. It was a very moving ceremony.

Boys' Cricket vs Wells Blue

Mon 10 Jun 2019 Mr McGrath

Well done to the Boys cricket team who won a good game away at Wells Blue. Alex and WIll worked very hard to organise a team as a number of our regular players were unavailable. After all avenues were explored debuts were given to a number of year 7 pupils and even two year 6s in Finley and Oliver. It wasn't a surprise that these boys settled in very well and hopefully this experience will help their cricket and sporting progress. Will and Alex both retired on the agreed 25 runs and Fin was settling into a nice rhythm at the end of the 12th over. With Wells Blue chasing 93 all of the boys were given the opportunity to bowl an over. Will was a vocal, dynamic and intense presence at wicket keeper and he was responsible for the dismissal of a number of their front line bats men. Thelonious and Alex both took excellent wickets and in the end Wells were restricted to 62.

Well done all of the boys involved and many thanks to Wells for a great game.

Sun shines on the Normans

Thu 06 Jun 2019 Mr McGrath

After a week of frantically checking the ever changing forecast, it was a great relief that the rain held off to allow the year 5s to participate in their first Hugh Sexey sports day.

With field and participation events in the morning and track events later in the school day all students were afforded the opportunity to represent their House. The sport leaders and year 5 team did a superb job of guiding and encouraging the students and it was a delight to see every one play a part. The events such as the tug of war, star relay and capture the flag were well attended and high scores were posted on the high jump, long jump and cricket ball throw. It was a day to remember for Freya who emerged as the winner of the 200m race after an extensive range of qualifying heats. Bonnie wasn't far behind and it was a busy day for Bonnie as she represented Normans in a number of events. Ronnie clocked a time of 32 seconds 92 on his way to victory in the 200m. He also secured first place in the 800m. Evie, Ruby, Lucy and Ronnie took part in a breath taking 800m race with the finish resembling a 80m sprint such was the closeness of it. Evie emerged the winner with a time of 3.09. Oscar put in an emphatic performance in the 1500m and was just seconds from breaking a school record. Josh took second place in that race and put in an excellent performance throughout the day. All of the students however should take great pride in their performance. Whilst it must be a fabulous feeling to be a House winner or take first place in an event it is even more pleasing to see everybody enjoying sport and exercise.

Well done and many thanks to all of the parents who supported the event.

Maddie's poster wins 2 prizes

Thu 06 Jun 2019 Mrs Le Hunte

Last year Maddie (6ILH) entered Western Power's Farm Safety Poster competition. She won the overall competition with her poster about empty houses - winning £400 for the school. This year she won her age group - winning tickets to the Bath and West Show as well as a cash prize

; she was presented with her certificate at the show.

Very well done Maddie!

A Clear Round for Nelly and Star.

Tue 04 Jun 2019 Mrs Beasley

In Half Term, Nelly, 6AF, represented the school at the National School Equestrian Association Eventers Challenge Finals held at Hickstead in West Sussex.

She competed as an individual on her pony Star and jumped a brilliant clear round to get an amazing 4th place in a very large class.

It was a huge accomplishment to qualify for this competion and coming 4th nationally is an impressive achievement. We are all very proud of her. Well done Nelly and Star!

Year 5 Victorian Day

Tue 04 Jun 2019 Mrs Trinick

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria, Year 5 enjoyed a day of themed activities. The staff and children (mainly the staff) thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to dress in period costume and abide by strict Victorian rules for the day! After a terrifying nail-inspection and hearty rendition of God Save the Queen, we practised a variety of physical and mental ‘gymnastics’ in our adapted classrooms. Later, we enjoyed miniature Victoria Sponges and parlour games without a dunce hat in sight!

Cricket - Wylie Shield

Mon 03 Jun 2019 Mr McGrath

Many congratulations to Wembdon school who progress to the next round of the Wylie Shield. We have retained the shield for the last three years so it is with a heavy heart that we pass it over. That being said, we lost to a very well prepared outfit who played some great cricket. The boys selected did the school proud but sadly it wasn't to be.
Best of luck in the next round.

Girls' Cricket vs Castle

Mon 03 Jun 2019 Mr McGrath

Well done to the girls' year 8 cricket team who put in a spirited performance against a very well prepared Castle side. In the end Castle were simply too strong but it was great to see the girls enjoy the competition and pleasing to see some new students represent the school. Congratulations to Castle on their win.