As part of our Science topic, 3H have been investigating Rocks and Soils. We have tested some of the properties of rocks and found out which rocks were permeable and which rocks were not permeable. We found out that permeable means allowing liquids to soak through. We then carried out an investigation to find out which soil would be the most permeable and the best for a farmer to use for his crops. We worked really hard to carry out the investigation and ensure it was a fair test.

Cockton Hill Junior School were nominated for the Bishop Auckland Youth Awards and have been invited to attend the presentation evening on Monday 25th June from 6 30pm-8pm.  The Mini Police were nominated for “Team of the Year” Award for their hard work, dedication and interest in the wider community.  Three members of the Mini Police and their families will be attending the event.

The Mini Police will be leading on a Community litter picking event which links to the John Muir Award on the 3rd July.  The Town Council have provided the school with 2000 dog poop bags to distribute around the area of Cockton Hill.

Using i-pads, we practised our maths skills before working in teams to complete our maths challenge.  Some of the problems were very tricky, this made us work extra hard to solve them but showing great resilience, we did complete the tasks. Super work 5H!

As part of our PE topic, 3H have been using communication within group activities to help solve problems and complete challenges. We completed a treasure hunt around school using picture clues to find hidden locations. Once we found the hidden location we found a matching picture with a letter on the back. Our challenge was to find all five locations to figure out the secret word!

5C this week have visited Bishop Barrington to finish their last Science session. This week they looked at using a ray box to demonstrate refraction, reflection and dispersion of light. They worked in groups using a prism and mirror to produce rays of light and to colour in the direction of the light rays. They learnt lots of new Science terminology such as incident rays and reflected rays.

The weather was very kind to  5H and adult helpers when we travelled up to Cockfield Fell to find the source of the River Gaunless.  After walking up the fell and observing the different aspects of the area and how it was different to where we live, we boarded our bus and travelled  downstream to Butterknowle where some of us entered the River Gaunlesss to measure the width, depth and speed of the flowing water. At the same time some of us tested and recorded the river density,  ph levels and temperature to compare with our previous weeks results.  Our final stop was to see where the River Gaunless  flows into the River Wear. Even though we were all very tired we thoroughly enjoyed our day and learnt a lot of new interesting facts.

Our Willow sculpture is growing well and in recognition for the hard work parents and children put in to this we have been nominated for the Bishop Auckland and Coundon in Bloom competition. Judging takes place on July 9th. The sculpture will in summer months be used as an outdoor classroom for reading and writing stories.

Weardale Trips for Year 5’s – Children and parents have enjoyed excursions with the John Muir Award sponsored by Wear Rivers Trust. They have so far visited Auckland Castle where the children participated in water chemistry testing, looked at identifying trees and completed bark rubbing, the children and parents went on a plant hunt and assisted a botanist with clearing Himalayan Balsam.

On a trip to Butterknowle, Copley and Auckland Castle the children looked at the river source and took river measurements, they looked at the river corridor and investigated bankside vegetation, man-made features, types of deposition and natural features. Parents have enjoyed these trips along with the children.

This week Year 3 had a free choice of homework linking to one of our current topics. Lexie used our History learning all about the Ancient Egyptians to produce some artwork. She included the Egyptian flag, a pyramid, the River Nile and even an Ancient Egyptian mummy!

This week Year 3 have been using their skills in measuring to calculate the perimeter for 2D shapes. We found out that perimeter is the distance around the edge of a 2D shape and that we needed to add up all of the sides to calculate the perimeter. We found lots of 2D shapes on the table and began by measuring the sides. Once we had accurately measured all of the sides we worked with a partner to calculate the perimeter of each shape.

Enjoy the photographs from the latest John Muir award activities.  The children were looking at water chemistry and also identifying trees.  The children then participated in a plant hunt and assisted a botanist in removing Himalayan balsam.