Inside Victoria Park

Primar y Academy

Autumn Edition 2014

THE BIG
ADVENTURE!

VPA BakeOf f 2014!

PLUS New V
PZine
Members, M
eet the
Governors an
d more

THE BIG ADVENTURE 2014!

It had arrived the day of our Big Adventure!

We were extremely excited as this wasnt the
normal type of Big Adventure.
Year 6 went to Edgmond Hall in Shropshire
on Monday 15th September. We had a BLAST!
We all enjoyed it tremendously. We took part
in three different activities, we were met by the
teachers from the centre and we were told that
we would be taking part in activities linked to
our NICER topic of WW2.
We were then separated into three groups,
some of 6A, some of 6F and a mixed group of
6A and 6F. My group looked at the animals
first, there were pigs, hens, rabbits and goats.
We looked at the Cuni Cuni pigs first, we were
allowed to feed them apples and gently stroke
them. We were also able to do the same with
the pigmy goats. Next we saw some rabbits,
guinea pigs and chickens; unfortunately we
werent able to stroke or feed the other animals,
we only got to look at them.
Our second activity was looking at what
farmers would grow and cultivate during WW2
we had a great time. We had to dig out all
the green leaves and weeds from inside the
flower bed; there was only supposed to be dirt
in the patch where we were working, but some
people found stingers and some old potatoes.
After a good half an hour of digging, we moved
along to the next activity
We pretended to be little school children

being evacuated during the blitz in WW2.

We were shown how to fill out our own WW2
Identity Cards. In the olden days people were
not allowed to go out without an Identity Card
as it was a criminal offense not to have one!
Even if you were young, you had to take care of
your own Identity Card. We wrote the Identity
Cards out with a feather pen and real ink! Then
we tried on a gas mask. Suddenly we heard a
horrific sound, it was that of a siren. We were
told to immediately make our way to the nearest
air raid shelter. We had to go into the cellar
of Edgmond Hall. It was extremely dark down
there. We were all sat (like sardines in a tin)
in a tiny room in the cellar. We were told that
in the war some people had to stay for hours
underground, they often didnt know when the
air raid would be over!
Once we got out of the air raid shelter, we
took part in some outdoor activities. First, we
flung pretend grenades without looking, we
had to run around some cones (these being
the enemy) then we had to dive underneath a
camouflaged canopy and we had to grab a
bean bag (which was the grenade) and throw it
without looking at the grenade target, this was
over a wall and we couldnt see where we were
throwing it! It truly was a day to remember on
this years Big Adventure!
By Jaskirat Kaur Class 6A

On Monday 15th September 2014 we

had our Big Adventure. This year we went to
Edgmond Hall in the heart of the Shropshire
countryside. The activities which we took part in
were all related to our topic of WW2.
After we arrived, our first activity was
military fitness training. We were put into
groups and took part in activities outside. My
groups first activity was to take part in an
obstacle course it was so much fun! Then
we took part in a grenade throw activity that
included crawling under a camouflage net,
picking up a bean bag and throwing it over a
wall to try and hit a target on the floor. Our
final military training activity was for each
person in our group to get on and lie down on

an old fashioned stretcher, the rest of the group

had to carry the casualty certain distances.
After lunch, we went to Dig for Victory,
here we partnered up and dug up weeds from
flower beds. After that, we went to see all of
the animals at Edgmond Hall. These included:
chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs goats and pigs.
We were able to go into pens to feed the goats
and pigs. My favourite animals that we were
able to see were the pigs because they were so
sweet. They were Cuni Cuni pigs and this was
by far my favourite part of the day!
Sadly, after a fantastic day, it was time to
go home. This was an amazing Big Adventure!
By Nicole Eccles Class 6F

On Tuesday 16th September, Years

4 and 5 made their way by coach to
an outward bound activity centre in
Shropshire; this exiting place is called
Edgmond Hall.
When we arrived we were shown into
a large classroom, the centre staff spoke
to us about the days activities and in no
time we were off exploring! First of all, we
made our way to the forest which looked
like a mysterious jungle. When we entered
the forest I saw lots of trees and at the base
of some of the trees you could see huge
spindly roots sticking up out of the ground
wow I thought to myself!

On Monday 15th September, Years 6

and 5 went on a visit to Edgmond Hall in
Shropshire. We linked the trip to Edgmond Hall
based on our NICER Curriculum challenges.
Year 6s activities had been planned around the
theme of WW2.
The first activity that we took part in was
military fitness training. First, we smudged
charcoal on our faces. Then, we split into
teams. There were different activities for us
to undertake; the first one being an obstacle
course. While we were making our way around
the course we were timed; all of the groups
were in a competition to see whose group
would be the quickest getting across. Sadly, my
group didnt win.
The next part of our military fitness training
was undercover target practise - we had to
run around a series of cones then dive under
a camouflage sheet, grab a bean bag and
throw it over a high wall making sure that the
bean bag landed on a target. Again, this was
to score points to see which group had got the
most!
The final part to our fitness training was to
carry a member of our group from one place
to another on a stretcher. This activity was a
lot of fun. We laughed a lot while carrying our
friends along on the stretcher. Some of our
class members were carried further than others.

After exploring the vast open space

of the forest area, we then took part in
some fun activities. There were a number
of games to take part in, my particular
favourite was one using pretend dynamite
sticks, you had to use a long pole without
handles on to get your dynamite into a
bucket if the bell rang then you would
lose a member of your team!
The day seemed to go so quickly at
Edgmond Hall, as there was so much to see
and do. Before long it was time to return to
school to tell all of our friends and family
about our wonderful great Big Adventure!
By Akash Salhan Class 5B

The second main activity we took part in

was to go into a WW2 evacuee classroom.
While we were in the classroom we filled out
our own WW2 identity cards, just as if we had
been children in the war. We had to write with
a feather pen using ink and blotting paper
so that our writing didnt smudge. Then, we
actually wrote all the information onto our
identity cards.
Later, we went to dig for victory in a
mud patch. We dug all of the weeds out from
some vegetable patches. We were shown what
vegetables were home grown during the war
and we were given tips on how to tend the
ground. While I was digging I found a potato!
After that, we all had some free time to
play in the grounds with our friends. After lunch
we were taken to look at some of the animals
which are kept at Edgmond Hall. First, we
looked at the chickens and we were told how
useful they are to farm owners and to people
who lived through the war. We learned what
they eat and how families used them for food.
We then went to see rabbits and guinea pigs
(which were very cute).
We had a great day and we learned a lot
as well as having loads of fun! It was then time
to make our journey home after a long tiring
day
By Sabrina Junejo Class 6F

THE GREAT VPA (

During the bake off week, children had

fun creating their yummy bread linking it
to their NICER topics. Our class (6A) had
decided to bake cheese swirls in a WW2
style. We decided to recreate a shape of a
cross to represent Remembrance Day. We
had a lot of fun creating it. This is how we did
it.
Firstly, we made a dough by mixing all of
our ingredients together. Then, we smothered
our dough in tomato puree. After that, we
rolled our circular dough shapes up into little
swirls and added mustard powder to add
some flavour. They were now ready to bake.
After all the baking, it was time to judge
all of the classes creations. We all gathered

in the hall for our bake off assembly the

air in the hall was filled with a wonderful
aroma of mixed spices and herbs and a
definite smell of bread! After the judges had
looked at the different bread and tasted them
all and scored them, Mrs Dhesi announced
third place as being 3S, second place was
awarded to 6F and the winning entry was
5E - AGAIN!
Class 5E cheered very loudly. I have to
say that I was slightly disappointed that we
didnt win because we had put so much effort
into our bake! Never the less it was a great
experience and our bread tasted scrummy!
By Rabia Akhtar Class 6A

On Friday 12th September we took part

in our second bake off. This year we baked
something different; we baked bread. Each
class put a tremendous amount of effort
into designing and making the different
mouthwatering, melt in your mouth bread.
All of the classes took part; all the
different varieties of bread displayed were
made by the children. They were all based
on the classes NICER Challenges.
We were given a brief before we
began to research our bread recipes we
had to make sure that all of the bread
had a particular spice of our choice in it.
After researching different types of bread,
designs and flavours; we came up with our
idea. Many classes were beginning to bake
their bread and while walking past certain
classrooms and down the main school

corridor all you could smell was freshly baked

bread.
Our class were in the process of learning
all about WW2. So our bread was WW2
inspired. Our class had decided to make
a huge, scrumptious cinnamon swirl bread
in the shape of a poppy. At the top of the
bread, in the centre we created a chocolate
chip WW2 airplane yummy
On the day of the bake off final, as we
entered the hall, we were able to see all of
the different bread recipes. They all looked
luscious and beautifully decorated. When the
judges had looked at, tasted and deliberated
over all of the entries a decision was made.
In third place was 3S, second place was
our class 6F and in first place was 5E Mr
English had done it again!
By Sara Saheed Class 6F

A (BREAD) BAKE OFF!

This years bake off was announced and
we were all told that we needed to make
a bread based recipe based on our NICER
topic. On the day we made our bread, the
whole class got together and took it in turns
to weigh out our ingredients and then to mix
them altogether. We mixed: flour, salt, yeast
and water into a dough. Then we had to
knead the dough until it had stopped being
sticky and had become pliable.
Then, we had to mould and shape the
dough into different shapes; our topic is The
Tudors so we made a Tudor axe, a dead
head and a sword. We couldnt fit the sword

in the oven, all in one go, because of how

long it was!
The Day of Judgment had finally arrived
and all of the classes sat in the hall and
waited patiently while the three judges made
their choices. It was exciting and nerveracking all at the same time! There were many
contenders and so many that deserved to win.
But Im pleased to say that the winner was 5E
Mr English, along with his class, had done
it again! We were thrilled to be a part of the
celebrations.
By Harpreet Mangat Class 5E

The bake off is an extremely exciting

activity which has taken place for the last two
years; sadly I wont be here to take part next
year. Last year was our cake bake off and this
year the theme was bread making. All classes
linked their bread making to their creative
topic 6F made a choc chip cinnamon swirl
poppy shaped bread, with a smooth, silky
chocolate topping; it was all very yummy!
We planned each stage of our bread
making including what flavours and
ingredients we would use. We researched
bread and types of bread and collaborated
with our friends to decide on a final idea.
With a tiny bit of help and support from our
teachers we felt that we had been successful
in choosing a winning design and recipe.
The day had finally arrived where we
gathered in the hall for our bake off final.
Everyone across the year groups came

together filled with excitement as the judging

began. The judging panel consisted of:
Mrs. Dhesi, Mr. Clitheroe and Mr. Randall.
The criteria being judged against was taste
and appearance, the judges seemed fair in
their approach (except for Mrs Dhesi giving
everyone a score of 5!) The bake off entries
looked splendid and were set out for us all
to see it was now time for the judges to
reveal their scores. We waited excitedly and
nervously at the same time. Then the moment
we were all waiting for had arrived
In third place it was 3S, 6F were runners
up in second place and guess what?
5E were the winners yes, they had done
it again! Although we did not win, it was fun
to take part and it was definitely a bake off to
remember!
By Armaan Ashfaq Class 6F

VP ZINE ART GALLERY

Bake Off Picture

Ar maan Ashfaq 6F

Bake Off
Sabrina Junejo

6F

Bake Off Art

at 5E
Har preet Mang

The Bake Off

Sara Saheed 6F

Bread Mascot
Sara Saheed 6F

Edgmond Hall
Rupinder Kaur
6A

Bake Off Picture

Akash Salhan 5B

Big Adventure
Artwork
Har preet Mang
at 5E

MEET THE NEW MEMBERS OF VPZINE...

I wanted to join VP Zine because
I thought it would be an interesting
and inspiring activity to take part in.
I am so pleased that I have finally
been given this opportunity, as I
have wanted to be a part of VP
Zine since being in Year 3. Although
I am already good at ICT, I know
that my skills in this area will greatly
improve. My literacy skills will also
be improved by attending VP Zine as
I will be writing articles for teachers,

The reasons why I want to be a

part of VP Zine are: I enjoy using
ICT and I want to see what it is
like to write an article and have
it produced for all of my friends,
family and classmates to read.
I would also like to improve my
existing ICT and literacy skills and I
believe working on and producing
articles for the different magazines
will help me to better these skills.

I would also like to interview

teachers and children about various
aspects of school life including
writing articles about all the crazy
and exciting things that happen in
our outstanding school! I enjoy art
and designing things and I hope
that some of my art work will be
displayed in the magazines.
By Harpreet Mangat Class 5E

I wanted to be involved in VP
Zine because I enjoy all aspects
of ICT and I am very interested in
writing for our school magazine. I
think it will be fun to write interesting
articles about what happens at
our school. Also, I have a flair
for writing and Im sure that I will

The reasons why I want to be a

part of VP Zine are: I enjoy using
ICT and I want to see what it is
like to write an article and have
it produced for all of my friends,
family and classmates to read.
I would also like to improve my
existing ICT and literacy skills and I
believe working on and producing
articles for the different magazines
will help me to better these skills.
I would also like to interview

children and parents to read.

How cool it will be knowing that
everyone I know will be reading
my articles. This is one of the best
opportunities that Ive ever been
given in my school life so far. This
really is the best time to show what
I can do and I will be able to prove
to my class and my friends that I can
work hard and have fun at the same
time.
By Daanish Aziz Class 5B

be able to write interesting and

informative articles for the school.
In addition to this, writing for VP
Zine will help me develop my writing
ready for Year 6 SATs tests next
year.
By Nicole Eccles Class 6F

teachers and children about various

aspects of school life including
writing articles about all the crazy
and exciting things that happen in
our outstanding school! I enjoy art
and designing things and I hope
that some of my art work will be
displayed in the magazines.
By Akash Salhan Class 5B

THE
VP ZINE
TEAM!
Top from left to right
a Saheed Class 6F,
Nicole Eccles Class 6F, Sar
,
6W
ss
Arabia Akhtar Cla
irat Kaur Class 6A.
Sabrina Junejo Class 6F, Jask
Rupinder Kaur Class 6A,
Front row left to right
5B
ss 5E, Daanish Aziz Class
6F, Harpreet Mangat Cla
ss
Cla
faq
Ash
aan
Arm
Akash Salhan Class 5B,

ORS
N
R
E
V
O
G
MEET THE
Mr Wayne Dawkins
Parent Gover nor

nt governor
Q1) How long have you been a pare
at our school?
about 18
A1) I am not entirely sure but I think
months.
me a parent
Q2) What made you decide to beco
governor?
me about
A2) Mrs. Herbert and Mrs. Kaur told
e and
advic
their
with
but
first
at
it, I was unsure
a parent
encouragement I decided to become
governor.
a
Q3) What are your main duties of being
parent governor?
out the
A3) Challenging the school (to bring
orting
best results and decisions) and supp
that I
the children and the school in any way
nts
pare
other
to
listen
can. I think about and
to our
suggestions and bring them all back
regular governors meetings.

job?
Q4) What do you do for your main
l
A4) I work with the homeless as a hoste
mental,
manager. I work with people that have
and
alcohol and drug issues and help them
support them.
ol do
Q5) In your opinion what does the scho
well?
ren well
A5) The school supports all of the child
orting
supp
for
ork
netw
ort
supp
t
and has a grea
ol allows
children with special needs. The scho
gives
children to work independently and
well when
them the tools they need to operate
wider
they leave VPA and move out into the
.
community
es 6F

Inter view conducted by Nicole Eccl

and Akash Salhan 5B

MEET THE GOVERNORS

Mrs Lynn Richardson
Chair of Gover nors
u been the Chair of
Q1) How long have yo
ool?
Governors at our sch
and in
unity Governor in 2010
A1) I became a Comm
VPPA
for
s
or
rn
ve
me Chair of Go
September 2012 beca
Chair of
decide to become the
Q2) What made you
ool?
Governors for our sch
s if I would consider
a couple of Governor
by
d
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as
en
I could give
be
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A2) Ha
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nager for a Bank, where
Ma
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A4) I am
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am responsible for, wo
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Q5) In your opinion wh
really well is,
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A5) One thing in parti
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delivering learning to
e VP Zine Team
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Questions compiled

TEACHER INTERVIEW MISS FOWLER Class 6F

Miss Fowler works in 6F and joined the staff in September
2014. She was teaching Year 6 at her previous school. We
hope she will enjoy her time with us at VPA.
Q1. What is your favourite subject and why?
A1. My favourite subject is Literacy and reading because
I enjoy the opportunities which reading and the use of
language opens up. I also like art.
Q2. What inspired you to be a teacher?
A2. My Year 6 teacher and the way he taught me I still
remember him well.
Q3. What is your favourite food?
A3. Chocolate! If not, anything to do with chocolate!
Q4. Did you have any jobs before becoming a teacher?

A4. Yes, I was a Civil Servant and I was also a Human

Resources Monitor for Marks and Spencers.
Q5. If you hadnt have become a teacher, what would you
have liked to be?
A5. I wouldnt have minded working with animals. If not,
I would also like to have been involved with art in some
way; maybe in a shop making or baking things and being
arty!
Q6. Do you have a favourite country where you have
visited?
A6. Yes, I have visited St Lucia on a few occasions and that
is my favourite place to be!
Q7. What is your most embarrassing moment?
A7. My most embarrassing moment has to be when I was
referred to as a pupil (sadly).
Q8. What is your most memorable moment?
A8. My most memorable moment is when I got to perform
a Bugsy Malone dance at my old school; the teachers took
part as well as the children - we even got to squirt some
children with water.
Interview conducted by Armaan Ashfaq Class 6F
and Daanish Aziz Class 5B

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