South Tyneside Lego League Festival- Y3D

12th July 2024Catherine Dodds

This term, in computing, children have taken part in the MASTERPIECE  season of FIRST LEGO League. In teams the children imagined and innovated new ways to create and communicate art across the globe. The children use SPIKE Lego Education kits that encourage STEM learning through building and programming moving parts using coding in the app.

On Thursday 11th July, the children in year 3, visited The Word in South Shields to take part in the South Tyneside Lego League Festival where they had the opportunity to show off their moving Lego models and team posters. The children enjoyed making friends with children from other schools and see what they had been building in their school.

The children worked very hard on their models and team posters at school and the judges were impressed. They also answered the  judges questions very well and showed off their knowledge excellently. The teams won The team spirit award, The core values award,  The stick to it award and the Team poster award.

Girls’ Football

15th May 2023Catherine Dodds

Girls’ Football 

Some of our pupils took part in a football session to promote girls’ participation and enjoyment in the sport. Across the day, nearly 60 girls took part. For many, it gave them an introduction to the sport and a chance to learn some basic skills.

A New Adventure for Laygate Pupils with First Lego League!

By Catherine Dodds8th May 2023

In Autumn term, an amazing opportunity opened up for schools in South Tyneside. FIRST®
LEGO® League, The IET, Sage and ICT in Schools partnered up to enable
schools to deliver a full STEM educational programme for all pupils. Laygate School were excited to hear we had been chosen to be part of the project and participate in FIRST® LEGO® League.  We received all of the hardware, robot kits and Lego kits and we began our new, exciting journey at the beginning of summer term.

Our new journey has got off to a fantastic start and the children are already fully engaged in the project. They are looking forward to next academic year where teams will have the opportunity to participate in the South Tyneside regional competition and compete to win a place at the FIRST® LEGO® League England  and Wales National Final!

Year 3 beginning their exciting journey.

Watch the videos below of the year 3 children’s achievements.

Wind Turbine Model.

Sharing our successes.

What is FIRST® LEGO® League?

FIRST® LEGO® League is a worldwide competition that introduces pupils to hands-on robotics and programming. It is a fantastic opportunity for children to develop their STEM and computer science skills while also developing creative thinking, problem solving and team work skills.

Every year, FIRST® LEGO® League releases a new challenge based on a real-world, scientific theme. This year the theme is SUPERPOWERED where the children will learn about different types of energy sources, storage, distribution methods, and ways
in which energy is consumed.

FIRST® LEGO® League is split into three divisions; Discover, Explore and Challenge.

EYFS and Year 1 children use the Discover Kit, where they are introduced to STEM  (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) through building models using LEGO® DUPLO® bricks, and working together to solve fun challenges.

Year 2 and LKS2 children use the Explore Kit where they can put STEM into practice as they work in teams to design, build and program robots using the LEGO® Education SPIKE Essential and block coding.

UKS2 use the Challenge Kit and apply their STEM skills combined with critical thinking to work with a team, build a robot, and compete in an exciting, mission-based robotics game using block or text code.

We will keep you updated about our journey with FIRST® LEGO® League and are very excited to see where it takes us.

(more…)

King’s Coronation

6th May 2023Catherine Dodds

The children at Laygate School enjoyed celebrating the upcoming coronation of our new king; King Charles. We were excited and proud to celebrate this moment in history together. We took part in coronation-themed activities throughout the day and enjoyed a coronation themed lunch prepared by our lovely cooks.

What a great day!

 

 

Year 3 Art Sculpture Trip

26th March 2023Catherine Dodds

23.3.23

In art, Year 3 have been learning about sculpture. We visited South Shields beach to look at the ‘Conversation Piece’ sculpture that was created by the renowned Spanish artist Juan Muñoz in 1999. The children made observational sketches of the sculpture and then created sand sculptures of the bronze figures.
We had a great day and were very excited to see the sculpture up close.

 

STEM Week 6th-10th March 2023

By Catherine Dodds19th March 2023

STEM Week theme: To explore the connection between human actions and climate change.

What does STEM mean?

STEM stands for Science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

This week, the whole school were involved in STEM Week. The children from Reception to Year 6 took part in a variety of exciting and informative STEM activities throughout the week linked to the theme of climate change and human connections. The activities included:

 

  • STEM challenge (science / design technology).
  • A litter pick- doing our part to help the local area and community.
  • Coding using Lego WeDo 2.0- using modern technology to help combat climate change.
  • Professor Bubbleworks Workshop – science and connections.

 

Why is STEM important?

STEM-based education focused on hands-on learning with real-world applications and helps develop a variety of skill sets, including creativity and 21st-century skills. STEM Teaches Critical Thinking and Innovation and gives children the skills to tackle problems confidently.

 

Watch the video below to see a showcase of all the STEM activities the children have been involved in this week:

 

Year 3’s Visit to St. Jude’s Church

16th March 2023Catherine Dodds

15.3.23

In Religious Education, Year 3 have been learning about Christianity and the Church. Reverend Cameron welcomed the children into St. Jude’s Church to discuss the Christian Religion and beliefs and how they worship in a church.
The children looked around the church and found symbols of worship they had been learning about. They helped decorate the Church in in preparation for Easter, tried on the Reverend’s vestments and even had a go on the organ.

Year 3 we’re very respectful inside the church. They used quiet voices and really impressed Reverend Cameron with their questions and answers about Christianity.

Click here to listen to our organ playing

 

Show Racism the Red Card

21st October 2022Catherine Dodds

Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) is the UK’s leading anti-racism educational charity.

Every year, Laygate participate in Show Racism the Red Card’s annual Wear Red Day. The children donate £1 and in turn come to school wearing red to show their support to the cause.

Here are some photos from 2023: