Here is the press release from Fairtrade Yorkshire:

Fair Leeds school scoops regional prize

 

A Leeds school has won a regional film competition and was presented with an award on Monday 28^th May by Greg Mulholland MP. The ‘Take a Step’ film competition was organised by Fairtrade Yorkshire and launched during this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight.

The challenge was to tell the story about the journey of a Fairtrade product. The winners are from Otley All Saints School, who created an informative and interesting film about the journey of cocoa, from grower to chocolate bar. Scarlet Hannan-Webber, one of the pupils involved in the film, said “It was so interesting because we got to learn more details about Fairtrade products. Our team was so co-operative and everyone really enjoyed being creative and thinking outside the box!”

Local MP and long time supporter of Fairtrade, Greg Mulholland MP, said: “I am delighted that Otley All Saints School have won the Fairtrade Yorkshire ‘Take a Step’ schools’ competition. It is a fantastic video that really gets the point across about the importance of supporting Fairtrade, so a big well done to all those that took part and congratulations to the winners!

“Fairtrade is making a real difference to the lives of millions of people in the developing world, by making sure that farmers are getting a fair deal for their produce, as well as receiving funding that they can put into projects in their communities. It is so important that we get behind the initiative.”

Yorkshire is aiming to become the first region in the UK to attain Fairtrade status and is working with schools, MPs, Fairtrade groups, Councils, shops and cafés to raise more awareness about Fairtrade. For more information and to see the winning film go to www.fairtradeyorkshire.org.uk

The awarding ceremony took place at 10.30am on Monday 28^th May at Otley All Saints School.

It was great to have Prosper with us on Thursday to tell us all about life in Africa and more specifically, Ghana.

We found out so much and really enjoyed hearing Prosper speak so passionately about his home.

Thanks Prosper!

For me, a sure sign of a successful survey is children observing wildlife at home. So well done all of you who have been spotting birds, bugs and wildflowers while you have been out and about!

In January, children in Year 5 carried out the Big Schools’ Bird Watch (RSPB) and last week we surveyed our grounds during The Great Plant Hunt (Kew Gardens).

In just one hour, one pair of children identified 19 different species of birds around the wildlife area at the rear of the school. The highest count of birds being in view at the same time for any one variety was easily the humble house sparrow with 12 birds being seen at one point.

During last week’s plant hunting, in addition to the lovely planted gardens and tubs, children identified 31 different types of wildflowers and native trees. Below you can see the children at work in the sunshine!

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By using our identification guides we managed to name all the plants that we found. Do you know the names of any of the plants in our photographs?

The nursery children had lots of fun riding their bikes and trikes aroundthe big playground today.

It was very hot so we all had a drink of juice in the shade afterwards.

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I walked into the classroom today when Mme Long from Prince Henry’s School was teaching the children French and was instantly transported to a pavement cafe on the banks of La Seine!

Here is a video to show you what I mean…

Year 2 braved the weather at Saltburn-by-Sea on Tuesday.  After a long coach journey through rain and hail, we arrived to explore the town.  Lunch had to be eaten on the coach to shelter from the wind, but then wrapped up warmly off we went to walk along the pier and watch the waves crashing in. Some wonderful yarn-bombing was decorating the pier, so we looked for our favourite Olympic sport.  Finally onto the beach to create some fantastic beach art and into the very cold sea to paddle.  Luckily the cliff lift was open for us to ride back up to the coach.

 

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This week on our allotments we concentrated our efforts on digging the soil. This was to make the soil soft and crumbly so that our plants have the best chance of putting down some strong roots and hopefully grow well. We made sure that we removed any rocks, stones and weeds and if we found any pieces of pottery we kept them on one side to display in the classroom.

Edwin said ” It was really hard work and very muddy but great fun.”

George commented ” I tried really hard to dig carefully and take out any stones. I also found a rusty key that we put in our Treasures Collection.”

“It was great fun doing the digging, I loved getting all muddy” said Kate.”

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Under the watchful guidance of Mr Robertson, year 6 have been communicating their thoughts live via twitter. Why not follow us? @otleyallsaints6

Today Year 6 had the challenge of upscaling a map of the British Isles from small to enormous! They had the additional challenge of not knowing what it was they were drawing (although some did guess!)

Here are some photos of the finished map:

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As part of their topic about the Great Fire of London, the Year 2 children created print blocks, wrote Powerpoints, designed and made model fire engines as well as finishing off by building model fire stations with lights that worked. Have a look at some of their work here.  Quite rightly, looking very proud to show it!

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