Blisland Primary Is Chess‑Crazy!

A Fantastic Term for Our Chess Club

Over the past six weeks, Blisland Primary Academy has been buzzing with excitement as more than 20 children from Year 2 through to Year 6 have taken part in our rapidly growing Chess Club. What began as a weekly after‑school activity has quickly turned into a whole‑school passion, with pupils discussing strategies in the playground and chess boards appearing across classrooms throughout the week.

One of the most impressive parts of this half‑term has been watching the children's skills develop so quickly. For many, these were their very first chess lessons, yet the improvement has been remarkable. Pupils have learned how to open games with confidence, exploring several well‑known opening ideas-including the incredibly popular London System, a favourite among beginners and experienced players alike for its solid structure and clear plan.

We also spent time studying some essential end‑game techniques. A highlight for many children was mastering the ladder checkmate, a satisfying and important pattern that teaches players how to coordinate their rooks effectively. Seeing pupils spot opportunities for this checkmate in their own games has been a proud moment for everyone involved.

Chess enthusiasm hasn't been limited to club time, either. The school has become truly chess crazy, with spontaneous games breaking out during lunchtimes, wet play sessions, and even outdoor breaktimes whenever a board is available. It has been wonderful to watch children of different year groups mixing together, teaching each other new ideas, and celebrating both their victories and their learning moments.

We would also like to extend a huge thank you to the parents and families who have kindly donated chess sets. Your generosity has allowed more pupils to join in the fun and has helped the club grow far beyond what we first imagined. Thanks to your support, we now have enough boards for 10 games at the same time.

As this term's sessions come to an end, we are thrilled with the progress, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship shown by all players. We will be picking up Chess Club again next year, and we cannot wait to see how our young strategists continue to develop.

Well done, everyone-and keep practising those openings and end‑games! ♟️

 Storytellers had a wonderful and memorable visit to a local dairy farm, where the children learned all about where milk comes from. They were fascinated as they watched the milking parlour in action, seeing the cows being gently cupped up while the milk flowed through the tubes.

 The children discovered how farmers care for their cows, learning about the special collars the cows wear that provide important information about their health and well-being. They even had the chance to look into the huge tank where the milk is stored before enjoying a taste of delicious milk themselves.

  Exploring further, the children visited the area where the cows sleep and were curious to smell the specially prepared food that keeps them healthy. A particular highlight was the colourful disco light in the barn, much to their amusement! They learned that it plays an important role in keeping starlings away.

 There was great excitement as the children climbed into a huge tractor, bringing big smiles and lots of chatter.

 This fantastic experience helped the children to better understand where our food comes from and truly brought their learning to life. A huge thank you to Archie's family for making this special visit possible.

At Storytellers, we have been busy preparing something very special to celebrate Mother's Day. The children carefully decorated their own plant pots, using bright colours and patterns to make each one unique. They took great pride in their creations and enjoyed talking about the special people they wanted to give their pots to.

 Once the pots were decorated, the children planted them with beautiful flowers. They carefully filled the pots with soil and gently planted the flowers, learning about how plants need water, sunlight and care to grow.

 The children were very excited to take their special flower pots home as gifts for their mums, and we hope they will enjoy watching their flowers grow together. It was a lovely activity that combined creativity, learning about plants and celebrating the people who care for us so much. 

Storytellers Nursery had a wonderful time celebrating St Piran's Day with a day full of Cornish-inspired activities. The children enjoyed making their own delicious scones, carefully mixing the ingredients and helping to prepare them ready for baking. There was great excitement as the scones came out of the oven, warm and smelling wonderful.

  We also spent time exploring the beautiful daffodils that are beginning to appear around us. The children looked closely at their shapes, petals and bright colours before creating their own artwork. Using watercolours, they painted delicate yellow daffodils, experimenting with colour and brush strokes to capture what they had observed.

 In the afternoon, we set up a very special afternoon tea, which the children absolutely loved. They carefully spread their scones with delicious Rodda's clotted cream, obviously Jam first, taking great pride in doing it themselves. There were lots of smiles as they enjoyed their tasty treats together around the table.

  The children also had great fun pouring their own tea, practising their careful pouring and developing independence. Sitting together, chatting with friends and enjoying their homemade scones made the afternoon feel very special and a lovely way to celebrate St Piran's Day.

Celebrating St Piran's Day at School

Today, the pupils of Kensa and Nessa Class have immersed themselves in a joyful celebration of St Piran's Day, embracing the rich traditions, stories, and creativity that make Cornwall such a special place to call home. The classrooms have been filled with delicious smells, splashes of colour, and the sound of proud Cornish voices as the children explored their heritage in a range of hands on activities.

One of the highlights of the day has been pasty making, with pupils learning about the historic importance of this iconic Cornish food. Working together, they mixed, shaped, crimped, and filled their own traditional pasties, enjoying both the process and the chance to share something that has been part of Cornish identity for generations. Many pupils commented on how making pasties helped them feel connected to the families and communities who have carried on this tradition for hundreds of years.

In art, the children have been inspired by the dramatic Cornish landscape and its deep links to mining heritage. Pupils worked in mixed age groups to create beautiful watercolour paintings, helping one another with techniques and sharing ideas along the way. From engine houses silhouetted against stormy skies to rolling moorland and rugged coastlines, their work reflects both creativity and a shared pride in the place they live. The collaborative nature of the activity encouraged teamwork and showed just how much younger and older pupils can learn from one another.

Music also played a special role in the celebrations. The classes came together to sing the modern Cornish classic "Cornwall My Home", filling the hall with voices full of heartfelt enthusiasm. For many children, singing the song was a moment to reflect on what Cornwall means to them: its beauty, its history, and its strong sense of community.

To deepen the children's understanding of St Piran himself, Mrs Elliot led an engaging whole school assembly exploring the story of the patron saint of Cornwall. Pupils shared their thoughts about what it means to be Cornish and how traditions like St Piran's Day help keep their heritage alive. Many spoke with pride about their families, their local history, and the importance of celebrating who they are.

Our nursery children have been busy celebrating St Piran's Day with a delicious Cornish treat! To mark this special occasion, the children helped make their own scones, carefully mixing the ingredients and proudly watching their dough rise. Once the scones were baked, everyone enjoyed a cosy afternoon tea together, complete with jam, cream and lots of smiles. The activity was a wonderful way to explore Cornish traditions, develop early cooking skills and share a sense of community. It was a joyful celebration, and the children loved every moment of creating - and tasting - their homemade scones!

It has been a wonderful day of connection, creativity, and community-one that truly captured the spirit of Kernow.

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At Storytellers, we have been loving diving into this term's topic, "Food Glorious Food", and what a fantastic way to explore it by celebrating the Chinese New Year!

 We spent the week learning how the Chinese New Year is celebrated around the world and discovered that red is considered a lucky colour, symbolising happiness and good fortune. The children were fascinated to learn that this is the Year of the Horse, and we talked about what that means.

We explored different Chinese prints and patterns before having a go at painting our own names in Chinese-style writing - the children were so proud of their creations! Our creative table was full of colour as we made beautiful, bright dragons and enjoyed dancing around the room with them, just like in traditional dragon dances.

The children also had great fun mastering chopsticks, showing real determination and developing their fine motor skills as they practised picking up different foods. There were lots of smiles (and a few giggles!) as they improved their skills.

To finish our celebrations, we prepared a special banquet to share with our friends. The children showed such bravery and curiosity, trying different foods and tasting some delicious desserts. It was a wonderful way to explore new flavours, cultures and traditions together. What a joyful, colourful week of learning, exploring and celebrating! 

As we begin a brand-new term at Storytellers, we've been reflecting on the lovely way we ended last half term by focusing on wellbeing to mark Children's Mental Health Week.

Throughout that special week, we spent time talking about kindness, who we love, and how we can care for one another. The children thoroughly enjoyed making crispy heart cakes and were so excited to share them with their loved ones. It was a wonderful way to reinforce the importance of connection, thoughtfulness and showing others we care.

We also shared stories about the Colour Monsters, helping the children explore different emotions and understand how colours can represent how we feel. These discussions helped the children recognise and talk about their own feelings in a safe, nurturing environment.

We finished the term with a relaxing Health Spa Day. The children came dressed in comfortable pyjamas and took part in calming activities centred around self-care. They enjoyed nail painting, listening to soothing music, and warm hand and foot soaks, while chatting about why it's important to look after ourselves and each other.

It was a truly special day, enjoyed by both the children and the staff team. There were plenty of smiles, laughter and a beautifully calm atmosphere - the perfect way to end the term before starting this new one feeling refreshed and ready for more adventures together.

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Spring 1 

Nessa Class

This half term, Nessa Class has travelled back in time to one of the most fascinating civilisations in human history: Ancient Egypt. The pupils have embraced the topic with enthusiasm, curiosity, and plenty of creativity. In English, they have been crafting their very own tomb raider adventure stories, drawing inspiration from the mysteries of ancient tombs, hidden treasures, and mythical legends.

To enrich their narratives, pupils even invented their own Egyptian gods, each with unique powers, appearances and symbolic meanings. These imaginative creations have helped bring their stories to life and deepen their understanding of Egyptian mythology. In history lessons, the class has taken a broad look at Egyptian civilisation-exploring everything from the daily lives of ancient Egyptians to their remarkable achievements in architecture, writing, farming and religion. Pupils have been particularly enthusiastic about learning how the Egyptians built their iconic structures and developed hieroglyphic writing.

As part of our design and technology work, Nessa Class stepped into the shoes of engineers, building impressive cardboard pyramids, sphinxes, obelisks, and sarcophagi. These models showcased not only their creativity but also their understanding of how and why these structures were important in Egyptian society. Alongside their engineering, the children also had the delicious opportunity to make gingerbread pyramids, combining baking skills with historical knowledge-an activity that was as fun to smell and taste as it was to build!

To complete the topic, pupils explored Egyptian art, experimenting with patterns, colours and shapes inspired by artefacts and wall paintings discovered in tombs. Their artwork reflects the bold colours and symmetry typical of ancient Egyptian style, and the pride they have taken in the final results is clear. It has been a truly exciting half term filled with imagination, problem‑solving and hands‑on learning.

Kensa Class

Kensa Class has journeyed much further back in time this half term, delving into the cold and captivating world of the Ice Age. Through this topic, pupils have gained an excellent understanding of the animals, environments and challenges of this prehistoric period. In English, the children have been working hard on their explanation texts, focusing on how Ice Age animals adapted to their environments. From thick fur and camouflage to migration and specialised diets, pupils explored a variety of fascinating adaptations and explained them using clear structure and technical vocabulary.

In art, the class has been learning the skill of weaving. Using different materials, colours and patterns, pupils produced beautiful woven pieces that required patience, resilience and fine‑motor precision. This practical craft offered a calming and rewarding contrast to the more scientific elements of their topic.

Geography lessons have centred on climate change, helping the children understand how climates have shifted over time and why changes are happening today. They learned about the impact of global warming, the importance of protecting natural environments, and simple actions we can take to care for our planet.

In maths, our Year 1 and Year 2 pupils have been working on multiplication, using arrays to help them visualise groups and repeated addition. By arranging objects into columns and rows, the children gained a stronger understanding of how multiplication works and built confidence in solving problems independently. It has been a thoughtful, creative and enriching half term for Kensa Class.

Storytellers Nursery

This half term at Storytellers Nursery has been full of exploration, imagination and meaningful learning experiences. Our theme began with space, which immediately captured the children's curiosity. Using paper mâche, they created their very own planets, carefully painting them once they had dried. This hands‑on creative work supported sensory development as well as early artistic skills. Alongside the practical activities, the children enjoyed learning the names of the planets and developing early maths skills by ordering them by size. This simple but effective task encouraged problem solving, comparison language and mathematical reasoning.

As the term progressed, we spent a week exploring emotions and feelings, using the beloved story The Colour Monster as our focus. The children learned to recognise and name different feelings, and to understand that all emotions are normal and can be talked about. Through discussion, play and creative activities, they strengthened their emotional literacy and began developing key skills that support wellbeing and communication.

To end the half term on a calm and nurturing note, the children enjoyed a special Spa Day. This included making and tasting a healthy fruit snack, taking part in relaxing and mindful activities, and spending moments of quiet interaction with staff. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to unwind, feel cared for and build strong relationships with familiar adults.

This week at Storytellers, the children have been learning more about space by exploring the Sun, Moon and Earth, and discussing how they differ in size, colour and shape. They also enjoyed looking closely at our wooden planet models, using them to name the planets, compare sizes, and discuss what they noticed.

 To bring their learning to life, the children created their own papier-mache models using balloons, paper and glue. They loved ripping, sticking and layering the paper, carefully covering their shapes to make the Sun, Moon and Earth. We talked about which were bigger and which were smaller, and the children enjoyed comparing them as they worked.

 Once dry, the children had great fun painting their creations - bright yellow for the Sun, blue and green for the Earth, and soft greys and whites for the Moon. They were so proud to see them come to life and loved talking about what they had made.

 This activity supported creativity, fine motor skills, teamwork and early science learning - all while having lots of messy fun! We can't wait to display them in our space area soon!

An Exciting Half-Term of Learning

This half term has been an incredibly busy and exciting one across Nessa and Kensa class, with both groups diving deep into fascinating topics and producing some truly impressive learning.

In Nessa Class, our theme has been Ancient Egypt, and the children have been fully immersed in discovering what life was like thousands of years ago along the River Nile. One of the highlights has certainly been our hands-on projects. The class worked brilliantly together to design and build their very own pyramids, exploring how these iconic structures were engineered and why they were so important in Egyptian culture. Even more impressively, the children created a large cardboard sarcophagus, complete with intricate designs and symbols inspired by the artefacts found inside real ancient tombs.

To bring history to life through creativity, the children also produced their own Egyptian-inspired artwork based on the vibrant and expressive style of contemporary Egyptian artist Hossam Dirar. Their pieces are full of colour, pattern, and personality, and we are incredibly proud of the artistic confidence they have shown.

Of course, no study of Ancient Egypt would be complete without a closer look at the hieroglyphic writing system, ancient burial traditions, and the vital role of the River Nile. The pupils have been intrigued by how people lived, farmed, travelled, and honoured their pharaohs. To add a delicious twist, we even spent time in the kitchen baking and constructing gingerbread pyramids, which brought plenty of excitement-and lovely smells-to the classroom.

Meanwhile, in Kensa Class, the focus has been on the Arctic, with the children exploring one of the most unique and extreme habitats on Earth. They have been researching Arctic animals and using what they have learned to create their own imaginative Arctic creatures. Their creative writing has been particularly impressive this term, with rich descriptions, adventurous plots and beautifully crafted ideas inspired by icy landscapes and wildlife.

Across the school, we have also continued running our popular Nintendo Switch Club, which has once again been a huge hit with pupils. The club offers a fun, social way to build teamwork, problem-solving and communication skills, and it has been wonderful to see so many children enjoying it each week. It has been a fantastic half term full of creativity, curiosity and enthusiasm-well done to everyone involved!