KS4 English:Suspense Writing

 KS4 Have been working on imaginative writing in English this term with a focus on building suspense.

The boys were shown a clip from the first part of an animated film called "Francis Brandywine" and then had to complete the ending. The clip was stopped after the suspense was built and then they boys had to write an ending with their own version of events.

Here are some of the amazing finished stories that were produced:

Swimming KS3

It has been a fantastic term at Shirley Swimming Pool. The boys have been growing in confidence making progress, achieving ASA certificates and having lots of fun!

Well done for all your hard work and a big thank you to the staff at Shirley Pool for supporting, encouraging and always being so welcoming to our pupils! 

Excellent swimming growing in confidence each week!

Building confidence with a swimming aid before going for 25m!

Clocking up the lengths for distance badges 400m achieved! 

Non swimmer to 25m in 6 weeks! This is incredible congratulations!

800m Wow! Congratulations great effort!

After you have swam 1000m its time for some fun!

Great to see a KS4 pupil coaching KS3!

Congratulations for Swimming 1000m! 

This is a Polygon School record.

Congratulations 200m!

 Great to see you having fun in the pool!

 

Easter Cookies

This week in cookery lessons we have been making Easter Egg Cookies.

Below are a few pictures from the week.

Happy Easter to everyone!

Anti-Littering Poster for Eco Schools with 3HI

 Recently Mrs. Newman set the who school the challenge of creating an anti-littering poster. Loads of boys got involved with this and it really highlighted the importance of recycling and saving the planet.

Here are some pictures of 3HI creating their amazing posters:

Here are our finished posters:

And finally a huge congrats to Connor in 3HI for winning first place!

Year 7 Micro:bit

 

Year 7 Micro:bit

This half term the Year 7 pupils have been working with Micro:bits in ICT. This has included using coding to programme their Micro:bits to be light sensors, step counters and play games like teleporting ducks and rock, paper, scissors.

This week the pupils used code to produce music through their Micro:bits using the chips, crocodile clips and headphones.

We had some interesting sounds and all managed to make their Micro:bits sing. Well done boys.

Healthy High 5-MY BAR!

Last week in HH5 the boys went really hard on the fitness with Mr.T! 

Ivan even managed to do 15 lengths of "Farmers Walk"! (This is where he holds some very awkward shaped weights and carries them around-I know from experience this is very hard!)

The boys are working together to help each other complete task and realise their potential. Everyone is very supportive of each other and I just love hearing "MY BAR" every time they take hold of the weight! 

Wellbeing Wednesday in 3HI

 

On Wednesday at The Polygon we have a Wellbeing session after break. All classes take part in this and it is a time to enjoy activities that make us feel good-sometimes we do some exercises, drawing, watch YouTube, play games etc. but at the moment 3HI really enjoy doing Hama Beads and Diamond Art.

Miss Iflould and Miss Long love getting new diamond art stickers made for the classroom and their laptops! Thanks boys!

Avon Tyrrell Trip

Avon Tyrrell 

Avon Tyrrell is a leading outdoor learning venue dedicated to the continuous development of young people through the range of activities they offer. Our trip consisted of 2 nights and 3 days full of different activities which helped build vital teamworking skills and their individual personal development. We were lucky enough to receive funding for this residential from UK Youth, so a big thank you to them!

Settling In

Upon arrival the boys went straight to lunch then had time to settle into their lodges, they all had to make their own bed and did very well. For some this was an unknow task. 

 

Archery

The boys all loved archery and most felt very confident with how to hold the bow and shoot by the end of the session. Some even hit a bullseye!

Bushcraft

The boys really enjoyed their bushcraft activity as they learnt how to start a fire and all had ago. After collecting sticks for out fire they all got to enjoy a toasted marshmallow as a reward which went down very well. 

Climbing

Another favorite activity was the climbing some boys found it challenging due to the rainy conditions leaving the climbing wall slippery to climb up however they persevered. they were all very encouraging of each other and cheered their peers on. 

Challenge Course

The challenge course was a great chance for teamwork, the boys were all helping one another throughout the course, and got stuck right in despite it being a little muddy. This session took place in the rain and excellent resilience was shown by all. 

Tree Top Trail

The tree-top trail was a highlight for most of the boys they loved making their way through the course and some even went a second time. This was a lovely end to the trip and it gave some boys another chance at conquering their fear of heights.  

Problem Solving

The problem solving activities were a great chance for the boys to work together and build their teamwork skills, they all excelled at this and had a great sense of pride when they completed each task.

Zip Line

Most all of the boys loved the zip line experience, many concord their fear of heights! The view from the zip line going over the lake was very scenic. 

End of trip review

At the end of our trip all the boys were asked some questions on how they found the trip, such as what they most enjoyed and what they found difficult. This was a great chance for them to reflect on the trip and they all gave some great answers! By far the most challenging aspect of the trip for the boys was the weather but they all did a great job at persevering with the day despite the conditions. Another point raised a lot was how they were proud of themselves for going on a residential away; boys on this trip have never been on a residential with the school and all managed to settle into life away from home well despite some being anxious before the trip. 

A little bit of Polygon History

 

A little bit of Polygon history

History was made today when, for the 1st ever time, a tutor group won EVERY cup available in the weekly assembly.

Best Attendance

Most Improved Attendance

Readathon Champions

Additional Learning Champions

Congratulations to 4PR for this historic week.

World Book Day 2024

World Book day this year took place on March 7th. At Polygon we helped  continue to develop and celebrate a love for reading, over the course of two days. 

On Wednesday the 6th, the pupils in both KS3 and KS4  got the opportunity to walk down to Waterstones, Asda or The Works, to cash in their world book day vouchers and get their free book. The pupils enjoyed the experience of going book hunting and being able to pick something that they got to keep, as well as have meaningful conversations around a variety of books. 

On the Thursday, both pupils and staff took part in dressing up as characters from their favorite stories. There were some fantastic costumes worn and the pupils even wore theirs whilst doing activities throughout the day such as football and forest school.  

The KS3 pupils also spent some of their English lessons, working in the school Library (reading books and completing quizzes). 

Fantastic effort to everyone involved and we are looking forward to World Book day 2025.