Hey Jude! Class 2 Hearing Dog Visit

Class 2 were very fortunate this morning the receive a visit from Brian and Valarie Russell and their trainee hearing dog Jude. Jude is a Cocker Spanial  puppy who is 5 months old.

Hearing Dogs for the Deaf is a national charity and world leader in training hearing dogs to alert deaf people to everyday household sounds and danger signals in the home, work place and in public buildings. The charity celebrated its 30th Year in 2012.

Puppies are placed with a puppy socialiser between the age of 8 and 12 weeks old, and stay with them for a period of between 12 and 14 months. Jude is very inquisitive and full of beans! He is learning good manners and enjoying meeting new people and having new experiences.

After about a year Brian and Valarie must let Jude continue with his training with another trainer. They told us it was a bit like sending your child off the university to continue with their education. We all had the opportunity to ask lots of questions and of course to make friends with Jude. He was loving being the centre of attention. Rey brought some dog biscuits from home to give Jude as a treat. Good thinking Rey!

Brian and Valarie gave us some hearing dog stickers and some leaflets and information about the charity. We were able to give them a donation that class 2 had collected as a way of saying "thank you" which they really appreciated.

S'no Bother for Mr Madeley

On Tuesday afternoon Mr Madeley couldn't resist the smooth and featureless expanse of lovely snow outside the front of the school any longer. He enlisted the help of Class One, who excitedly joined him in his quest.

Everyone helped.

Finally, Bob, the snowman was created.

He now welcomes all our school visitors. Fantastic work!

Lego Crazy!

On Tuesday the whole school was treated to a visit from Master Model Builder Alex and his friend Berty from the Legoland Discovery Centre in Manchester.

Jennifer and Zoe from Harewood also accompanied the Lego team to tell us about a very special competition they are running for local schools.
First, there was an assembly so everyone could meet Alex and Berty. Alex explained how he bacame a Master Model Builder for Lego and told us about how he sets about making the fantastic creations, which are on display at the Discovery Centre where he works. He even made a Lego model of Harewood House, which was first displayed for the Play! event last year.

The children asked him some great questions and then everyone who wanted to had a cuddle or a high five with Berty.

After the assembly, Alex invited the Year 4, 5 and 6 children to take part in a Lego challenge. Following more instruction from Alex, the children then had just ten minutes to work independently, or with friends, to create their own Medieval themed model from the Lego he provided.

He was very impressed and after the winners were chosen we were able to keep their models.

Finally, Jennifer explained about the Medieval building competition Harewood Trust would like the children to take part in. The winning school will have their Medieval model built by Alex in his workshop before it is put on display next to the Lego Harewood House! It should be ready for this year's Play! event.

We'll let you know more  about he competition as soon as we hear the details from the Harewood Trust team.

Snow!

 Making a snowman

and

 having fun.

 .....and the other way of making a snowman!