4 Abingdon Prep • April 2025 James Pritchett from Greencore Homes gave a talk to the Senior Section on sustainable housing, detailing how they build their homes to ensure that they have minimal energy loss and can therefore have a low impact on the environment. Pupils from 8R then took part in a workshop where they designed their own homes to be ‘eco friendly’ taking ideas from the presentation and adding many of their own, including wind turbines and bee hives. James was as equally impressed with their ideas as they had been by his presentation. A super way to compliment Year 8’s topic on energy. IN SCHOOL Y2 shake up paper and water. SCIENCE WEEK Each spring, schools all over the UK celebrate Science Week, an annual event of STEM activities promoted by the British Science Association (BSA). At Abingdon Prep all year groups took part in fun activities and workshops, and many made posters and models following this year’s theme of ‘change and adaptation’. Year 8R and Pre-Prep teamed up to work together. Reception made box animals, adding features to match different habitats. Year 2 investigated the disintegration properties of paper towels and toilet roll. Year 1 hunted for camoflaged caterpillars. 8R thoroughly enjoyed working with the younger children. Charlotte from Oxford University’s Earth Sciences Outreach Team gave Years 3 to 5 a workshop on volcanoes. The children identified different rocks, learned about volcano types with fun demonstrations, and tried to predict when the party popper volcano would blow. Year 5 - Who’s in the heatproof suit? Year 6 explored the properties of dry ice with Nitro-Jen from Bright Sparks. Eco Talk from BBOWT A large group of pupils crowded into the library for our Eco Talk this term by Lisa Lane from Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT). Lisa explained all about the work BBOWT has been doing at Chimney Meadows reserve, including rewilding the arable land into a wetland meadow, and initiatives to enhance accessibility for fish at Duxford and Shifford weir. Lisa’s talk included so many fascinating pictures of the progress they are making and highlighted the numerous features that are considered when planning such a project. Phoenix House has chosen BBOWT as their House Charity this year and it was a super opportunity for them to see how their fundraising was used to support our local area. YR adapted animals to habitats Sustainable Housing Talk Y4 identify rocks Also we welcomed back John Bates, retired forensic scientist, to run his workshop for Years 7 and 8 in which they became CSIs and forensic scientists, solving a crime and taking it to trial. Artist’s Impressions Forensic evidence on trial The real CSIs?? Year 6: We dare you to pop the CO2 bubble
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