Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• BBC Gladiators Micro:bit Competition update

  Fri 28 Mar 2025

  In December, Year 6 entered the BBC Gladiators Micro:bit competition as part of their computing unit exploring the history of computing and how it has developed.

   

  For the competition, they needed to design an innovative gadget which uses the pocket-sized micro:bit computer to enhance the performance of the Gladiators and help them with their training.

   

  We are delighted to announce that the 'Box Beeper' designed by Annabel, Evelyn and Matthew was shortlisted to the final 50 entries and then their design was selected as one of the three runners-up from over 4,000 entries across the country!

   

  As part of the runners up prize, Year 6 were rewarded with an assembly, in which they received the runners-up trophy and discovered why they had been selected for one of the top prizes. They were also able to see their design brought to life by the BBC designers who used the initial drawings by the team and then created a finished representation of the Box Beeper which we will be receiving through the post very soon.

   

  Year 6 were then treated to a Micro:bit workshop led by David the Micro:bit Wizard. Their task was to create a code to bring the Micro:bit trophy to life using the LED lights, sounds and online Micro:bit software. There was also an opportunity to use giant foam fingers to vote in the Micro:bit quiz – a great time was had by all.

   

  As you can imagine Year 6 had a wonderful morning and we could not be more proud of them. Thanks to Mrs Featherston for providing this opportunity for the children to reach such an amazing achievement as part of the Computing curriculum.

  

• Year 3 experience Ancient Egypt

  Fri 28 Mar 2025

  Year 3 recently enjoyed ‘Portals From the Past’ coming to work with them as part of their project on Ancient Egypt, and they dressed for the occasion!

   

  They learnt about the coming together of Lower and Upper Egypt and how the Pharaohs ruled. The children completed a quiz before becoming Egyptian hunters, they cracked Hieroglyph codes and practised their measuring skills in cubits, palms and units. They enjoyed playing a game called Hounds and Jackals.

   

  The children learnt all about mummification, took on the role of an Ancient Egyptian soldier in an army drill and partook in chariot racing games. The session was finished with a captivating story told by Egypt expert Stuart.

   

  The children had a super day and were complimented on their behaviour, attitude and their engagement. Well done Year 3, what an amazing day.

  

• KS2 enjoy The Bluest of Blues during Book Week

  Fri 21 Mar 2025

  During World Book Week we enjoyed sharing the beautiful story The Bluest of Blues by Fiona Robinson. This amazing text is a gorgeous picture book biography of botanist and photographer Anna Atkins - the first person to ever publish a book of photography.

   

  After losing her mother very early in life, Anna Atkins (1799–1871) was raised by her loving father. He gave her a scientific education, which was highly unusual for women and girls in the early 19th century.

   

  Fascinated with the plant life around her, Anna became a botanist. She recorded all her findings in detailed illustrations and engravings, until the invention of cyanotype photography in 1842. Anna used this new technology in order to catalogue plant specimens―a true marriage of science and art.

   

  In 1843, Anna published the book Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions with handwritten text and cyanotype photographs. Weaving together histories of women, science, and art, The Bluest of Blues inspired KS2 pupils to embark on their own journeys of discovery and creativity, during the week we created lots of different writing including: Biographies of famous female scientists, Haikus, Imaginative poetry, Newspaper articles and Non-chronological reports.

   

  Each class took on a theme from the story and worked with Miss J to create and some amazing art work. We have pieced this together to create a collaborative display in the hall, for all to share. As you can see from the image, it looks absolutely stunning!

  

• Cross Country Championships (15th March 2025)

  Fri 21 Mar 2025

  36 of our children took part in the Aylesbury Vale Primary School Athletic Association Cross Country Championships. These were held in the stunning grounds of Ascott House, where the children completed a hilly and therefore demanding course.

   

  As a school we take part in the competition designed for smaller primary schools, meaning those with only one class per year group. There were 18 schools competing, which meant that the event was very busy, with children and their supporters everywhere! Everyone who took part should be very proud of their effort and achievement. Standing at the finish line, it was clearly evident that our runners had given their absolute best. The exhausted faces were soon replaced with smiles, once they had got their breath back. 

   

  Overall, our girls’ team came second and our boys’ team came fourth, which meant that as a school we finished third. These results are fantastic!

   

  Well done everyone involved! You helped us demonstrate that Swanbourne C of E school are a force to be reckoned with in the sporting arena.

• The Three Schools Show Racism the Red Card

  Fri 21 Mar 2025

  We had an unbelievable response to the recent Show Racism the Red Card competition, with over 100 entries from pupils across The Three Schools.

   

  The judging panel made up of Mr Thorp and Mr May were amazed with the high standard of entries and had a tricky time to choose the winners for each school.

   

  Huge congratulations to all who took part, it was fabulous to see children promoting such a positive anti-racism message – Well done!

   

  Here are the results of the competition;

  • Drayton Parslow Winner – Emily C

  • Mursley Winner – Anna A

  • Swanbourne Winner – Jessica O 

   

  • Three Schools’ Overall Winner – Jessica O

   

  All 3 winning designs have been sent off to the National Show Racism the Red Card Competition – Fingers crossed for our competition winners!

  

• Year 6 get to the ‘Heart’ of the matter in Science

  Thu 06 Mar 2025

  Year 6 have been learning about the human heart, exploring the different parts and how they work. To help with our understanding, we had a go dissecting and exploring some pigs' hearts, seeing if we could identify the different chambers and valves.

   

  We were lucky enough to be joined by Phillip Savage an experienced Radiologist who was able to discuss the key features and functions of the human heart by dissecting a pig’s heart as well as sharing his years of experience in working in hospital cardiology departments.

   

  The class found it fascinating - maybe we have some budding cardiologists in our midst!

  

• Contenders ready?

  Thu 06 Mar 2025

  In December, Year 6 entered the BBC Gladiators Micro:bit competition as part of their computing unit exploring the history of computing and how it has developed.

   

  For the competition, they needed to design an innovative gadget which uses the pocket-sized Micro:bit computer to enhance the performance of the Gladiators and help them with their training.

   

  We have just received news that one of our entries (the Box Beeper designed by Annabel, Evelyn and Matthew) has been shortlisted to the final 50 entries and will now move forward to Round 2 of the judging process, where a winner and three runners-up will be selected.

   

  Needless to say, just making it to the final 50 in the country is a fantastic achievement! Well done Year 6 for your hard work and congratulations to Annabel, Evelyn and Matthew.

  

• Gymnastics success for KS2

  Thu 06 Mar 2025

  In February pupils from Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 attended an interschool gymnastic competition at Stoke Mandeville Stadium.

   

  All pupils had worked really hard practising their routines and they were a real credit to the school with their team spirit and beautiful manners.

   

  They all had to perform their routine one by one in front of a panel of judges and they made us very proud. The standard was incredibly high across the whole day. A huge well done to our Year 5 & Year 6 team who came an amazing 3rd place out of 12 schools. Well done to everyone!

  

• Mental health awareness across The Three Schools

  Wed 05 Mar 2025

  In February the children across the Three Schools took part in Children's Mental Health Week. The theme this year was ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself’, with the aim to equip and empower children and young people across the UK to embrace self-awareness and explore what it means to them.

   

  EYFS pupils at Drayton Parslow focused on 'what makes us happy'. They met Gerald the Giraffe who had a dilemma he wanted the children to advise him on, they enjoyed stories and discussed what makes US happy and that it’s ok for that to be different to other people - uniqueness makes the world an interesting place!

   

  Meanwhile the children in Y1 at Mursley enjoyed a variety of activities during Children’s Mental Health week including ‘Motions for Emotions’, painting Emotions pictures and created some wonderful ‘Emotions hands’.

   

  Lots of interesting conversations and vibrant activities took place across the schools to celebrate this important initiative.

   

   

  
   

  

• Years 5 and 6 take part in knife crime workshop

  Fri 31 Jan 2025

  On Tuesday 28th January Year 5 and 6 pupils took part in a Knife Crime Intervention workshop.

   

  The Safety Centre Charity (Hazard Alley) have been awarded funding from The Heart of Bucks Community Foundation to provide fully funded workshops, teaching about Knife Crime Intervention to Year 5 or 6 classes across Buckinghamshire. We have been lucky enough to access these sessions as our school falls in the area set out in the funding.

   

  These workshops lasted 1 hour 15 minutes each and were delivered in an age-appropriate way by Jodie from the Hazard Alley Safety Centre.

  The children learnt about:

  • How choices have consequences that can affect us, our future, friends, family, and the wider community

  • The risks of carrying knives

  • The consequences of being involved in Knife Crime

  • The laws around knife crime

  • Where to get help and support

  The Year 5 pupils also went through a ‘story’ of how a young person becomes involved in carrying a knife and explored each choice the character makes, and how this affects his life and the people around him.

   

  The Year 6 session started with a quiz, which highlighted the key messages needed to move forward in the session, which included information on;

  • Decision making through practical activities

  • Discussion around scenarios involving knives to clarify any misconceptions

  • Exploring how and why peer pressure can affect decision making and outcomes

  • Strategies for staying safe

  • An introduction to ‘Joint enterprise’, exploring this theme through a film narrated by a young person who received a jail sentence for being a bystander in an incident involving a knife

  • Where to report or get help and support with knife crime

   

  A really important and informative workshop.