High jinks at High Borrans
IN 2017, SOME PUPILS FROM YEAR 5 AND 6 from Mowbray Primary, set off on a residential trip to High Borrans which is a huge house located in the Windermere area of the Lake District. During the visit, the pupils had numerous adventures and challenges, such as ghil-scrambling, orienteering and canoeing; everyone had an amazing time.
One night, we journeyed into the woods (part of the site) and drank hot chocolate with marshmallows, followed by free time to play and explore. This gigantic house really felt like home. It had: a gift shop open in the evenings, a lounge for socialising and even a small quiet room with a piano and guitars overlooking the garden, surrounded by woodland (perfect for Hide and Seek). I can certainly recommend this trip to any school. MOWBRAY HAS A LONG-AWAITED brand new library which is being used and loved by everyone in school. It has comfy curved seats and shelves, little doughnut cushions for younger children and colourful tables and chairs for those who like to read or do work with a friend.
The books are organised using the Dewey System, with clearly labelled shelves to help pupils find the books they want. There is something for everyone. There’s a huge tree with leaves showing how people feel when they are there, inspiring and eye-catching ‘Wordle’ words and phrases linked to reading on the walls and even a yellow brick road . Amelia (Y5) says: “I love all the bright colours .” Compared to the old library, which was, “very bare, uninviting, too small, and too tall,” said Grace (Y5), this new room is THE place to go. Each class, including Nursery, has a weekly timetabled slot to browse and borrow books and there are plans to hold sessions for Parents and Toddlers to come and listen to stories and borrow books.
Mrs Beattie who organised and planned the library said: “The whole process from start to completion took a whole academic year. I visited other schools in the area, which had recently invested in their school library, met with several designers and had numerous meetings with our Headteacher and Governing Body. However, the biggest part of the planning was to find out from our children what they wanted for their new library.”
Mowbray Primary is lucky enough to welcome the famous children’s author Vivian French on March 19th, when she will be delivering a Reading and Writing Workshop for Y5 & 6 pupils. This will be followed by the cutting of the ribbon for the official opening of our new library.