Our very own Helen Wilson was declared National Teacher of the Year for Primary Latin 2022 at the Classics for All National Teacher of the Year Awards! It is a worthy recognition of all the hard work she has put into the subject this year. Hillcrest will receive £300 to put towards Latin-related materials.

 

Bene, bene, bene, bene! Next stop the world!

 

Her approach to teaching Latin at Hillcrest has been featured on the Bristol Classics Hub website, too!

 

A transcript from the Classics for All award ceremony...

 

"Helen Wilson, from Hillcrest Primary, has proven to be one of the most enthusiastic and dedicated Latin trainees we’ve had the pleasure to train. She’s totally committed to introducing Latin on curriculum time. She’s worked tirelessly from scratch to grow her knowledge of Latin, to provide the best teaching that she can.  It’s wonderful to see such energy and enthusiasm, which is doubtless paying off in lessons. The pupils of Hillcrest have struck gold with Miss. Wilson as their Latin teacher. Well done to Hillcrest Primary School."

 

Miss Wilson:  "Thank you. It’s an absolute honour and a surprise to be nominated for this award, especially as this time last year, I couldn’t even speak Latin. I’d never studied it, never mind teach it!  

 

But the Classics for All team and especially Mike Beer have made it really easy to pick up the Maximum course and to run with it. It’s a joy to see the children get excited about etymology and their links between Latin, English and other languages….and even in a recent OfSted visit, the inspector commented that it was good to see references to Latin in other curriculum areas such as History and Geography.

 

So, I’m enjoying seeing an increasing improvement in the children’s grammar and their spelling too... and not only is Latin a great foundation from which to learn many other languages, it is also for building English skills. So we say in our classroom, “If you know your SPaG, You’ll get yourLatin in the bag!”

 

Thanks again for the nomination."

Beatrix Potter class brought in the most tombola prizes for the Summer Fair. Their reward was to choose a forfeit for Mr Mac to perform.

 

Today saw him sitting in a bath of ice, singing Ice Ice Baby!

 

What a good sport!

 

 

Get ready for Gadgeteers, arriving in Libraries and online this summer!

 

Libraries are teaming up with the Science Museum Group for a very special science-themed Challenge, to show children that science is all around us every day and inspire them to unleash their curiosity and creativity!

 

The Challenge takes place in a fictional summer holiday club where our young innovators – the Gadgeteers - use creative thinking & teamwork to come up with cool inventions for the summer party!

 

Children will be introduced to many aspects of science engagement, including food, fashion, music, and sport – something for everyone to enjoy!

 

Gadgeteers will feature amazing books, awesome rewards, and plenty of creative fun science!

 

The challenge begins in libraries from Saturday 9 July. Children can also take part online!

 

How to take part

Children can join at the library and pick up a Gadgeteers folder or do the digital challenge online or do both!

 

To take part in the library, simply pick up a free folder, collect stickers and then read at least 6 books. At the end the reward is a brilliant Summer Reading Challenge medal!

 

To take part online go to summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/ where children create their own profile with the assistance of an adult. They set their own reading goals, and can read any books they choose! Children are encouraged to read library books, digital eBooks and listen to eAudio books. Each time they finish a book; they add it to their profile and write a review.

 

Rewards and Incentives

Children are rewarded with stickers and a medal if they take part in the library.

 

Online, the rewards are fun digital activities and incentives along the way, with online badges and games. When they complete the challenge online, they receive a downloadable certificate.

 

Benefits of the Summer Reading Challenge

Children who take part maintain reading confidence levels over the summer and are more enthusiastic about books and reading.

 

It keeps children actively reading over the summer, supporting the transition between year groups and stages.

 

The programme offers something fun & FREE to do together for  children, families and communities.

 

Accessing Books and Joining the Library

All of our libraries are now OPEN – Please check here for more details: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/libraries-archives

 

We also offer e books and e audio books for free with your library membership card! If you're not already a library member, joining is easy and free, just click here to join the library.   

 

 

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