Year 6 winning art competition

Many congratulations to Abbas (Year 6) who came first in a city wide competition to design a poster for Holocaust Memorial Day, which took place on 27th January. The day marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau – the largest Nazi death camp. Abbas completed his design after visiting The Holocaust Center as part of our World War 2 topic last term.. The fantastic piece of work won him a certificate and 4 tickets to The Quad, Derby, which were presented to him at a special ceremony by the Mayor. His winning entry is now displayed as a part of an exhibition called Journeys is currently being held at Derby Cathedral.

Sculptor Teresa Wells in Year 4

On 23rd January Year 4 were very lucky to have a visit from a real sculptor to help with junk modelling as part of our Reduce Reuse Recycle topic. Teresa Wells, whose current exhibition, 'Do You Get The Message' is showing at The Brewhouse Arts Centre in Burton, came to speak to the children about her work. The children were all very interested to see an example of her sculpture, which aims to raise awareness about the complexity of communication in human interaction, as well as reusing and recycling items in her work. The children had brought in various items of recycling, which were then transformed into different 'rooms' containing people communicating in some way, just like Isobel and Cassy's. A selection of the children's sculptures will feature alongside Teresa's work at the Brewhouse exhibition, which runs until 15th February 2014.

Year 5 visit to Harry Potter Studios

On Thursday this week, 60 year 5 pupils and 12 members of staff adventured all the way down to Warner Brothers Studios in London, to support our ‘Lights Camera Action’ topic.

Arriving at school in the dark, for the very early time of 7.30, the children (and teachers!) were buzzing with excitement and anticipation for the day ahead. After a long bus journey and a brief stop off at a service station, we eventually arrived at Levesden Studios in London… and so the adventures began!

From riding on a broomstick through the streets of London using a green screen, to walking through the real Diagon Alley and Great Hall, the day was filled from start to finish with jaw dropping moments! Who would think that in a school visit we would get to see dragons, trolls and flying cars?! The children learned all about the process of script to film, and discovered for themselves how the magic is really made! For example, even though the weather was fabulous, when walking outside to eat dinner we found ourselves being snowed upon by the machines that they used to create the winter scenes!

The day really was amazing, and the children behaved superbly. It really was a trip to remember!

Code Club

The first term has drawn to an end at Silverhill's first ever Kode Club, and wow has it been busy! In only 6 weeks we have learned about the scratch programming language, sprites, logic, scripts and much much more, all whilst making our very own game! We now also have a mini projects page at www.scratch.mit.edu/silverhill, where you can see individual projects that the children have been completing at home, really showing off their new skills (and have a go yourself if you would like). Well done to all our keen coders for taking part, both in and out of school

Please continue to support them in their learning adventure, and find out more about what we do at www.kode-club.com. 

Changing Places Day at the Velodrome

On Wednesday 30th October 2013 two Silverhill pupils, Emily and Louisa went to an event at the site of the new Velodrome at Pride Park called 'Changing Places Day'. It's aim was to increase awareness and educate road users, particularly cyclists and HGV drivers, about the challenges faced by both when sharing the road.

The girls and their family had lots of things to do and see, including a demonstration on a 'Street Velodrome', lots of information from groups like Cycle Derby and other cycle related shops like Samways. There was a chance to sit in a HGV and see from the driver's perspective. They also had a tour of the Velodrome which is still under construction - we had to wear hard hats and hi-viz jackets!

The most exciting part of the day was meeting Sir Dave Brailsford, British Cycling Performance Director and Team Sky Principal. The girls got his autograph on a Cycle Derby map as they told him about their own local Sky Rides. At the end of the event they were given a goody bag.

If you would like to know more about Cycle Derby; events, routes, activities, training or the exciting new velodrome you can read about them here.

Happy New Year!

Welcome back to a new year and new term at Silverhill. It's going to be another really busy term with lots of exciting special events - check the Dates and Event page to see! Come back to the blog again soon to find out what's been happening. Remember if you have any news you would like to see published on the blog just email Mrs Mitchell (kim.mitchell@silverhill.derby.sch.uk) with a picture and your news!

Building part 10

Lots of new doors in school!

The new music / ppa meeting room, straight off the hall...

A new internal corridor, joining the school to FS2 and Year 1 (at last!) 

 Looking back down the new corridor towards the hall.

New double doors to the FS2 outdoor area.

 But some walls have disappeared - this one between FS2 and Year 1 will make the FS2 wing much bigger!

Mrs Cannon and Miss Nevin will soon have their own offices!

 From the back gate the building looks very different!

 As it does from the front gate! 

Not much left to do over the Christmas holidays!

Year 6 Competition winners!

Many congratulations to our Year 6 boys, Luke, Panos and Jed, for their winning entries in the Westfield writing competition


Westfield Derby encouraged youngsters across the region to put pen to paper in the run-up to Christmas and write an original short story using the theme "modern day Santa". Winning the eight-to-16 category, Luke took first prize and won a Kindle and voucher. Runners-up, Jed and Panos received their prizes of a kindle and Westfield voucher respectively! Well done boys, we are all very proud of you! 

A very special football!

Thank you very much to Rob Hunter, who on Monday 16th December came into school to speak to our Year 6 pupils and explain how staff at Loughborough have such an important job in the design of the World Cup footballs. Bringing in all the past designs, the children learned about the importance of the aerodynamics of each design and were lucky enough to be presented with this original and authentic World Cup 2014 ball! How fantastic!

Christmas Jumper day

Well done to all the staff and children who, on Friday 13th December sported their very festive Christmas jumpers for Save the Children's Philippines appeal. A fantastic £324.70p was raised on the day. That total combined with all donations given at the Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Christmas performances makes a whopping £789.54!!! Thank you everyone who dug deep and donated.

Choir Competition

Many congratulations to our wonderful choir who sang so beautifully once again in the finals of the Westfield school choir competition. No prizes this year, but the children made us all immensely proud. Special mention to Michael, who did such a brilliant job to perform so confidently when he stepped in to take on the 'Frosty the Snowman' role as Ben was taken ill!

Christmas Performances

After just one rehearsal and two long walks to and from the church, 240 Key Stage 2 children and 120 Key Stage 1 children performed magnificently to a packed out Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, leaving everyone involved feeling very festive! Thank you to all the parents, grandparents, family and friends who came to enjoy the wonderful singing. Thank you to all the children who sang so beautifully and walked so sensibly (and quickly!). Thank you to all the teacher and support staff who managed to put everything together, despite all the chaos of the building work! Finally, thank you to Our Lady of Lourdes, who so kindly let us take over your lovely church!

Foundation Stage Nativity

It can be very scary performing for the first time in front of a hall full of pupils, family and friends, but our youngest pupils have done it well! Showing us their wonderful acting and beautiful, clear singing our 60 Foundation Stage pupils did an amazing three performances! Well done children - not a dry  eye in the house!