Whitchurch Combined School Growing Today, Ready for Tomorrow
Summer Term
Year 3 Ancient Maya Day - Summer 2
Ancient Maya Day – A Journey Back in Time
On Thursday 18th June, Year 5 stepped back through history and immersed themselves in the fascinating world of the Ancient Maya. The morning was filled with creativity as the children designed their own Maya headdresses, complete with colourful feathers. They learned that the bigger the feathers, the more important the person, and they certainly embraced that idea with pride.
They also explored Ancient Maya writing, crafting their own messages using traditional glyphs. Each child discovered their spirit animal, created an Ancient Maya calendar, and even tried their hand at the energetic and exciting game of Pok‑ta‑Pok, which quickly became a favourite.
In the afternoon, the focus turned to food. The children learned about traditional Maya cuisine and had the chance to taste a delicious selection of tortillas topped with chilli, refried beans, avocado, pineapple and tomatoes. To complete the experience, they enjoyed a cup of special hot chocolate, just as the Maya would have made it.
It was a day full of learning, creativity and hands‑on discovery, and Year 5 embraced every moment.
Bikeability - KS2 - Summer 2
Bikeability Success for Years 3–6
Earlier this term, our Year 5 and 6 pupils successfully completed their two‑day Level 2 Bikeability course, while Years 3 and 4 took part in the Level 1 training. Both groups showed fantastic enthusiasm and made brilliant progress in their cycling skills.
Tom and Annabelle in Year 6 told us that they learned how to turn safely into and out of junctions, a key skill for confident road cycling. To help everyone practise, Becky, our instructor, even created a roundabout on the playground using cones so pupils could learn how to navigate it safely.
The children also enjoyed some fun cycling games, including a version of musical chairs where Becky moved the cones around. When she called “stop”, everyone had to find a space between two cones — and if you couldn’t find one, you were out. It was a great way to build quick thinking and bike control.
After mastering the basics on the playground, the Year 5 and 6 group headed out onto the local roads around Ashgrove Gardens, and on the second day they cycled all the way to Oving. There, they put their new skills into practice by safely entering and exiting junctions and learning the difference between riding on minor and major roads.
The Bikeability programme is a brilliant example of how our pupils are “Growing today, ready for tomorrow.” By learning essential road‑safety skills, building confidence, and developing independence, our children are preparing themselves for the challenges and responsibilities they’ll face as they grow.
Everyone agreed that the sessions were great fun and incredibly useful. The children finished the course feeling more confident, more aware, and much safer on the road.
Well done to all our young cyclists!
James and Jack Manders Drumming Assembly
Rocking Drumming Assembly!
Earlier this term, the whole school was treated to an exciting drumming assembly led by James and Jack Manders.
The children were amazed by a fantastic performance of Human Nature by Michael Jackson, showcasing Jack's incredible drumming skills alongside James's guitar playing. The assembly was both entertaining and educational, with Mr Manders teaching the children about the different parts of a drum kit, including the cymbals, which he described as looking like giant Pringles!
The children also learned about Jack's inspiring musical journey and how perseverance and resilience have helped him become such an accomplished drummer. Jack has performed in Japan and at festivals in America and was voted Young Drummer of the Year 2025 – a remarkable achievement.
The assembly continued with a lively rendition of Johnny B. Goode, which had everyone tapping their feet and enjoying the music.
As the assembly came to an end, Will from Year 5 was given the opportunity to ‘jam’ alongside James and Jack on the drums. Together, they played Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes, giving Will a memorable experience and the chance to showcase his enthusiasm for music. Well done, Will!
If your child would be interested in drum lessons through Drums in Schools, run by James Manders, please contact the school office for further information.
A huge thank you to James and Jack for delivering such an amazing and inspiring assembly. It was a memorable experience that the children will be talking about for a long time!
Year 5 French Cafe and Maypole Performance - Summer 2
Year 5 French Café and Maypole Celebration
Our Year 5 pupils put on an extravaganza of an afternoon for their parents and the rest of the school.
Earlier this term, families gathered in the hall where the children impressed everyone with their French conversational skills. Acting as hosts and waiters in their very own French café, they confidently welcomed their guests and served delicious croissants and juice.
Once the café service had ended, the children delighted the audience with beautiful performances of Shosholoza, A Million Dreams and Somewhere Only We Know by Lily Allen, showcasing their enthusiasm and musical talent.
The celebrations then moved outdoors for the annual Maypole performance. The children expertly performed a range of traditional dances, including The Barber's Pole, The Plait, The Twister and The Spider's Web. Adding a modern twist this year, the children danced The Spider's Web to Golden from KPop Demon Hunters, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The children performed all four dances beautifully, demonstrating impressive athleticism, rhythm, communication, coordination and excellent maypole ribbon control throughout. Their hard work and dedication were evident in every performance.
A huge thank you goes to Mrs Evans for her expert teaching of the Maypole dances and to Mrs Atkinson for helping the children prepare and deliver their wonderful French Café. We are incredibly proud of all our Year 5 pupils for putting on such a memorable afternoon.
Year 6 Librarians Reading in the Community - Summer 2
📚✨ Our Year 6 Librarians had a wonderful time visiting the local toddler group at the Methodist Church this week! 🧸👶
The children enjoyed sharing stories, reading books, and helping to bring characters to life through their enthusiastic storytelling. It was fantastic to see our librarians demonstrating confidence, kindness, and leadership while encouraging a love of reading in the younger children. 📖❤️
A big thank you to the toddler group for making us feel so welcome. We are incredibly proud of our Year 6 Librarians for being such positive role models in our community! 🌟
Year 6 Work Experience - Summer 1
Here are the children's work experiences as written by them and some photos of their week!
Whitchurch Methodist Church Playgroup
On Wednesday, Bella, Olive, Eliza, Jessie and Sienna visited the Methodist Church Playgroup in Whitchurch to help run a busy morning session for children aged 0–4.
At first, many of the little ones were shy and quiet, but after everyone shared a small snack, the girls began to make friends with the children and help them join in.
They then sang well‑known nursery rhymes, happily joining in with all the actions.
By 12pm, it was time to return to school, but Emma, the playgroup organiser, told them they were welcome back anytime.
The group agreed it was a wonderful and unforgettable experience.
Work Experience at Vass Tech Garage
On Tuesday, Otto, Lewis, Scott, Stanley, Oscar and Mollie spent the day at Vass Tech Garage in Whitchurch, learning what it’s like to work as a mechanic.
Mollie and Otto worked together to remove car wheels and replace them with new tyres, using a specialist machine to take the tyre off and fit a fresh one.
Meanwhile, Lewis and Oscar inspected the underside of a car and helped complete a full service, including checking that the brakes were working properly.
The highlight for many was taking the wheel off and putting it back on, as well as getting to press the machine buttons to make everything work.
Work Experience at The White Swan Pub
Henryk, Jared, Ethan, James and Lily spent Thursday at The White Swan, where they learned how much work goes into running a busy pub.
Their jobs included cleaning tables, setting out chairs, brushing leaves, and laying the tables ready for customers. They were given a full tour of the pub, and once their tasks were complete, they had the fun opportunity to create their own menu.
As a reward for their hard work, they enjoyed Pepsi and ice‑cream, and even met the pub’s friendly dog, Ted.
“My favourite bit was washing the tables. This was a great work experience.”
A morning with Hampden Equine Vets
On Thursday, Amelia, Lilly and Lily-Jayne visited Hampden Equine Vets for a fascinating insight into veterinary work.
They began with a tour of the practice, including the x‑ray room and surgery area. They then watched a horse have a scope, where they were shown the inside of its stomach and learned how the vets identified ulcers.
Next, they helped weigh the horse to calculate the correct medicine dosage. A vet nurse then trotted the horse up so the group could learn how vets check for lameness.
The horse was later sedated, allowing the vets to demonstrate how they examine and file down its teeth. To finish the day, the students completed passport drawings, sketching the horse and marking its features — a favourite activity.
“This was an amazing work experience.”
Visit to Creslow Farm
Max, Albie and Misha spent the day at Creslow Farm with Mr Lear and Mrs Evans.
They began by exploring the grass fields, learning that the grass is currently too moist to turn into hay bales, which makes feeding cows more expensive.
They then helped prepare milk mixture for a baby calf without a mother. The group even got to feed and gently stroke the calf, which was a real highlight.
Next, they visited the chickens, carefully picking them up to check for eggs. They were lucky enough to see a chicken laying an egg, which everyone thought was amazing.
Afterwards, they travelled to another part of the farm to see the tractors. Although they climbed onto one, they learned you must be 13 years old to drive it. They also saw fields of oil seed rape and barley.
“It was great fun and we learnt lots! Thanks Mr Lear!” – Max
Behind the Scenes of School IT
Noah, Tommi and Tom spent time with Mr King from the school’s IT support company, itechsupport.
They learned about different computer systems, how to recover deleted documents, and how security systems protect the school. Mr King also showed them the IT cabinet, where the server and WiFi system are stored.
The group helped update iPads and learned how to reset school phones so they connect to the new firewall.
Noah reflected that to work in IT, “you need to be patient because things go wrong, and one small mistake can cause big problems.”
They all enjoyed discovering the complex side of IT, beyond what they normally see in lessons.
A morning at J & S Scapes
Ottilie, Annabelle, Erin and Benny visited J & S Scapes with Jeremy and Mrs Evans.
They began with a tour of the site, office, and equipment, including the diggers and materials used for landscaping. They learned how to measure an area, calculate costs, and understand how area, perimeter, ratio, scale and design are used in real jobs.
The group then travelled to a project in Leighton Buzzard, where they helped lay pavers for a path, mixed concrete, and even drove a track dumper (a motorised wheelbarrow).
Everyone agreed it was fascinating to see how maths skills from school are used in real‑life work.
“We all had a really good time!” – Ottilie
Work Experience 2026
