Brentwood Preparatory School Incipe 2017-18

Languages It has been another busy and exciting year for languages in the Prep, with the themes of global awareness and respecting cultural differences underpinning much of what we have done. The display of international flags in the main hall representing the diverse backgrounds of our pupils has increased to over forty with the additions of Syria, Vietnam, Egypt and Moldova. The four Year Three children representing these nations were welcomed to bear their flags with pride at an assembly focusing on embracing the cultural differences between countries. This year we have worked with the school caterers to more than double the number of international themed lunches offered to pupils, with a range of dishes from across Africa, India and Eastern Europe being enjoyed for the first time at the Prep. Children who have tried dishes from the different parts of the world have been awarded stickers for their houses that are proudly displayed in the MFL room. All four houses accumulated lots of stickers, but the overall winner was Heseltine. Pupils at the Prep have the opportunity to study French, Spanish and Mandarin. Here is a taste of what has been going on in some of those lessons: French Year Three children have been building on their knowledge of spoken French this year by learning to read and write French words and phrases. We spent a lot of time pulling funny faces in lessons to make sure we we re able to replicate the correct sounds, and the children were so proud when they got their accents just right. Sometimes, if we closed our eyes, we really felt like we were in a French classroom, full of chatty French children! The children enjoyed learning about French traditions and customs and became very excited learning about Saint Nicolas, who visits during the night on 5th December, leaving treats in good children’s shoes. They were also intrigued to learn that some children wake up to find a little bunch of sticks instead. Why could this be? They were also fascinated by “la galette des rois”, the special French cake which is eaten on 6th January to celebrate Epiphany and the visit of the Three Kings. They loved learning about the little charms which are hidden inside and how you get to become King or Queen for the day. The highlight of the year for our Year Four linguists has been our pen friend exchange. The children worked very hard writing letters in French to children from École Guillaume Louis, a primary school in Brentwood’s twin town of Montbazon, and eagerly awaited their replies. Our children were amazed by their pen friends’ beautiful handwriting with its elegant , flowing style. Year Four have also been putting their spoken French to a very practical use by learning how to order snacks and ice creams and paying with toy euros. Hopefully some of them will be able to try this out for real on their long summer holidays and impress their families and friends! Spanish Year Five and Six children have been learning how to greet others and introduce themselves to strangers; how to talk about their immediate and extended families; they can ask for and follow directions in town; they can explain their ailments to a doctor; and, among other things, can describe themselves and others using a range of adjectives. In Spanish, we have enjoyed lessons on cultural and religious celebrations, such as Christmas, Easter and local carnivals such as the bull run in Pamplona, the fair in Seville, ‘Las Fallas’ in Valencia and the ‘Tomatina’ in Buñol. We have looked at the weather and geography across the Iberian Peninsula and compared the cities of Madrid and Barcelona. In Trinity term, Year Six had the opportunity to learn how to order food and discuss their food preferences during a topic which culminated in a tapas taster lesson where they were able to experience different Spanish food and drink. During the final half term, Year Five learned useful holiday phrases ahead of the summer break, and Year Six researched interesting facts about the 22 Spanish speaking countries in the world, and shared what they had discovered with their classes. Mandarin In our Chinese classes we not only learn the language but also focus on culture. During the Chinese New Year celebrations Year 5 children enjoyed making their own red lucky money envelopes. Although we did not put real money in we had delicious fortune cookies and chocolate coins! Year 6 children tasted different Chinese foods and Jasmine tea. It was great to see our children exploring different tastes. The children also had the opportunity to practise their Chinese calligraphy which is regarded as an art form in China. They found the way of holding the calligraphy brush, and how to move their hands to write, very different from our western conventions but they managed it so well. They were very proud of themselves. The Year 3 and Year 4 children learned about Chinese traditional paper-cutting during the Enrichment Week. They have beautifully produced different designs of paper-cutting work and learned about why some objects are so important in Chinese culture. Do you know why the Chinese people like fish so much? As we come to the end of the academic year, sadly, we will be saying au revoir to our much-loved Madame Corp, who will be fondly remembered by Prep and Senior school pupils alike for all the songs and rhymes, the games of boules, the Buches de Noel (Chocolate logs), the pen friend letters, the Euro Centre trips, the games and role plays, and so much more. The MFL department and all the children Madame Corp has taught wish her a fond adieu. The MFL department wish all our leavers the best of luck in the languages they study at secondary school, and hopes that, for some of them, the subject will become the lifelong passion that it is for the language teachers at Brentwood Prep. 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