March 2023

15 Buckden Roundabout March 2023 Pre - School & School BUCKDEN CHURCH OF ENG- LAND PRIMARY ACADEMY February 2023 February along with half term in the middle of it signifies we are already half way through the academic year, time is just fly- ing by!! The beginning of February so far has been dry and sunny if not a bit chilly at times but the children have been able to get out at playtimes, and we are starting to see the first signs of Spring coming. We were lucky enough at the beginning of February to have a visit from Anglian Water, they came to talk to our Year 4’ s about water sanitation and pollution. The children discovered lots of interesting facts such as that if we do not switch the tap off when brushing our teeth, we lose 10 litres of water down the drain, we should not throw oil down the sink as it causes blockages and that most sewage works in this area are based in the south east of the villages so that people cannot smell anything nasty. The children are now going to observe their homemade ‘ sewage ’ to see if we can make it clean again! Keeping on the water theme our Year 2’ s also had an amazing opportunity to learn more about Grafham Water. They were lucky enough to have a visit from the Park Manager from Grafham Water and they learnt about the importance of wa- ter, why we need to conserve it and wildlife in the area. They were excited to hear about the future plans to build pipes across the country to support the access to clean water for as many people as possible. One of our highlights involved using spaghetti to engineer a water pipeline! We are very pleased with the huge increase in plants around school. Research has proven that an increase in plants in the classroom has a positive effect to the learning environment, but to get the best benefits we need more. If you have any house plants you could split or that are getting a bit big for your space, please feel free to donate them to the school. We have plant monitors in each class to look after the plants and would love to give them a new home. We would like to say a huge thank you to one of our parents and their employer Westland Horticulture for their kind donation of 14 houseplant watering cans and plant feed. Tuesday 7 th February was Safer Internet Day and was recog- nised by the children with all classes taking part in lessons and activities suited to their year group. This year ’ s focus was ‘ Want to talk about it? ’ and taught children how and where to get advice if they encounter anything they don ’ t feel comforta- ble with when online. The whole school gathered together for an assembly at the end of the day for each class to share their learning. Have you been to St Mary ’ s church recently and noticed our children's art work on display? Each half term a wide range of artwork from a selection of year groups is framed and taken to church to be put on display. The artwork has been well re- ceived by the local church congregation, if you haven't seen the current display take a minute or two to pop in and have a look. We have been really fortunate to a have representative from Actious come into school to help with Collective Worship. We now have two prayer stops with different themes in both Low- er and Upper school that allows the children to have the chance to reflect on and contribute if they wish with a prayer. On Monday 6 th February our Young Voices school choir joined nearly 5000 other school children to sing at Wembley Arena to sing songs that they have been learning and practicing since the Autumn term. We are extremely proud of our children and over 70 parents from the school made the trip to London to watch the amazing show and were blown away by the chil- dren ’ s success. The PTA have quite a few events coming up over the next cou- ple of months so a lot more fundraising to be had. But a huge thank to our PTA so far who have raised funds for us to pur- chase two mobile cooking stations so that they can be used not just for Design Technology but across the whole curricu- lum. Following on from this we had a playground bake sale on Friday with delicious cakes and cookies donated by our Year 1 parents, it was a great success and raised £213 in order for us to purchase necessary utensils and equipment. have noticed a matter of that kind. ” He also included information which may or may not have been relevant: “ He perceived herein a presentment by the Jury of Offord Clu- ny, a place which is near the place in question, that the Bishop of Lincoln by his Bailiff hath stopt up the course of Water which was wont to run between the King and the Bishop and where a passage by Boats from Huntingdon to Bedford, by reason whereof the Boats afors pass by the Mills (or Mill for the con- traction may serve either word) and there pay Toll. Whether this entry may be of assistance or not Mr. Caley leaves for Con- sideration and Official Copy of it in Latin may be had if wished for. ” Ultimately though, those instructing Mr. Caley did not get a definitive opinion: “ It may now be observed in Conclusion that unless some of the above Particulars may be of use Mr Caley ’ s researches tho ’ made with all possible care and Diligence have not produced as to the liability of the Owners of the Water Mills any proofs up- on record. ” In fact, his only conclusion was that there was no evidence which showed the Bishop of Lincoln as being liable for the cost of repairs to the bridges. So presumably the order of the Coun- ty Magistrate stood and the public had to bear the cost. How that was raised I do not know. If you do know, please tell the Roundabout! John Thelwall (with thanks to Barry Jobling for his help.) (Continued from page 13)