News

• Voyage of Discovery

  Mon 23 Oct 2023 Mr L

  On the last day of the half-term, Trailblazers, under the pennant of Captain Northam (and with her trusty bo’sun and coxswain, Miss B and Mr L respectively, on board) launched themselves on a voyage of discovery to the National Maritime Museum at Falmouth. The museum, which overlooks Falmouth harbour (the third deepest natural harbour in the world), occupies land that was once covered with boat builders’ sheds.

  After we arrived, the time until lunch was employed in exploring the museum, which occupies five floors. Our exploration began in the Main Hall, in which is exhibited the National Small Boat Collection, originally curated at the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich. There was a stunning flotilla of craft (small vessels propelled by muscle, wind or engine) on display, many of which were floating, somewhat surreally, not in their natural element but in air. Next, we descended to the Tidal Zone.

  In the Tidal Zone, we went underwater. However, it wasn’t necessary to don diving suits. We were able to glimpse the harbour’s underwater world through two windows. As we looked out through the reassuringly thick glass, sleek silver fish languidly swam by, seemingly oblivious of being observed. From the ‘underwater’ floor of the museum, we climbed the spiral staircase to the top of the tower to the Look Out, from which there are breath-taking views of the harbour, docks and estuary. Giddily descending the spiral staircase, we navigated our way to the Pirates exhibition.

  Dashing, daring and adventurous or bloodthirsty, immoral and greedy: pirates of the eighteenth century are regarded by some as heroes of the age, while others view them as no more than cold-hearted cut-throats. It was fascinating to discover how, over the generations, pirates have been portrayed in popular fiction and film as symbols of freedom and adventure, and to discover the dark reality of the Caribbean pirates. In the afternoon, we took part in a workshop about the Vikings, who we are investigating as part of our history topic (Raiders and Traders) this term.

  Perhaps the first image of a Viking that springs to mind is that of a bloodthirsty invader. But from first being unwelcome and uninvited visitors to Britain, they turned to trading with the Anglo-Saxons rather than stealing from them, eventually settling in Britain; indeed, even after their defeat in 878CE, there would be four Viking kings in the eleventh century. As traders, the Vikings, who were skilled boat builders, daring seafarers and courageous explorers, reached as far as Newfoundland, the Middle East and the coast of North Africa.

  Belying their reputation as formidable warriors, the Vikings were also accomplished artists and artisans, trading furs, amber, horn (oh, by the way, the Vikings didn’t wear horned helmets!), jewellery and items of metalwork such as (unsurprisingly, perhaps) axes and chainmail for fine quality glassware, exotic spices and precious metals. It was fascinating to find out that the Vikings were more than just warriors but were also sea-going traders and explorers.

  To end the workshop we had the opportunity to mint some replica coins using a method employing two dies, the lower die known as the anvil (impressing the reverse side of the coin) and the upper die the trussel (impressing the obverse side). Designs are engraved onto the faces of the dies and a thin metal blank (disc) placed between them. The trussel is struck with a hammer and the images are ‘stamped’ or impressed onto each side of the disc. And, voila! You have minted a coin – but we would advise you not to try this at home as a way of easing the cost of living crisis! You might find yourself attracting the attention of Warden of the Royal Mint!

   

  We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend a visit to Falmouth's National Maritime Museum. It was well worth the journey from the rugged northern coast of the county to the balmy southern coast to explore the lives of pirates and Vikings.

  

• Three Tors Challenge

  Mon 23 Oct 2023 Mr L

  This half-term, Trailblazers have been living up to their name.

  In our Wild Tribe sessions, we have been preparing for a serious challenge; a challenge that would test our physical abilities, test our emotional resilience and test our mental fortitude: we were going to climb three of the tors on Bodmin Moor - Showery Tor, Brown Willy and Rough Tor.

  During the weekly sessions leading up to the challenge, we have been preparing ourselves for the moorland trek under the guidance of Belinda Midwinter (Wild Tribe Specialist with the Arena Sports Partnership based at Callington Community College).

  In the sessions, we have been considering the logistics of participating in such a challenge; gaining knowledge of how to conduct ourselves responsibly in a wild place; learning how to navigate using a map and compass; developing skills in leadership and teamwork; planning a route for the day; and establishing Team Leaders, Deputy Leaders, Lead Navigators and their deputies. Also, we learnt to assess risks and how to remain safe (including what is appropriate clothing and sufficient, suitable rations) while pushing ourselves to the limits of our physical and psychological resources. By the end of the sessions, everyone was deemed to be ready to undertake the taxing physical and mental challenge, which for many of us would be our first such adventure. And so the day of the expedition arrived.

  Accompanied by Mr Mould, Mr Worthington and Mr L, we disembarked from the coach at Rough Tor car park, where Helen Blackburn (Wild Tribe Specialist), Olly Midwinter and Belinda were waiting for us. As well as Helen, Belinda and Olly, recruits Mr Orchard and Mr Bailey were also waiting going to join us on our expedition. After a safety briefing, our first task was to get into our small groups and for our navigators to set us on the right course for our first goal – the ascent of Showery Tor. The first of the three tors on our itinerary ticked off, the next stage of the trek was to the summit of Brown Willy, crossing the De Lank River using an ancient clapper bridge.

  As we ascended to the summit of Brown Willy, Helen set us a challenge within a challenge: we had to decrypt a coded message which gave us the location of a geocache, in this instance a plastic box containing a miscellany of objects. Seeking respite and shelter from the wind after a scramble to the top of the summit’s cairn, it was time for lunch. After lunch, we took a moment to reflect upon our surroundings and appreciate the landscape of the moor, and the landscape that extended beyond it for mile after mile, from our lofty, panoramic position at the highest point in Cornwall.

  Having retraced our steps back to the clapper bridge, we paused while the team chosen to lead us through the boulder field to the top of Rough Tor plotted a route. Although the energy levels of some were beginning to dip towards reserve, everyone eventually attained the summit of Rough Tor, the last one of our expedition. As we caught our breath, we admired the rock formations that looked as if they had been created, in a time long, long ago, by a race giants with artistic pretensions.

  The gradual descent from Rough Tor back to the car park, with moorland ponies on either side of the track, as if they were mute spectators encouraging us on the last leg of our trek, was marked by happy feelings of achievement and satisfaction. There may have been many pairs of tired legs, but our hearts were full of pride as we had accomplished our goal of completing the Three Tors Challenge.

  As we are the first school to complete the Three Tors Challenge organised by Arena, we are honoured to be the trailblazers.

  We have taken the opportunity of our walking-booted challenge to raise funds for the Children in Need Appeal through the Countryfile Ramble 2023. To date, with have received donations and pledges that amount to over £470, and with donations still to be received, we are optimistic of reaching our target of £500. We wish to give a very big thank-you to everyone who has generously contributed to our fundraising efforts. It’s made all those blisters and aching muscles worth it!

  

• Brass Necks & Pointed Ripostes

  Tue 17 Oct 2023 Mr L

  Recently, we have welcomed visitors to the school. The first was musical ensemble Back Chat Brass, closely followed by Emma and Andrew, who led us in some fencing taster sessions.

  Where there’s brass there’s music…

  Each year Sounds Waves South West organises professional workshops for schools in this part of the country. The groups introduce pupils to a wide range of music of different cultures and genres. Over the years, we have been entertained and inspired by string, woodwind and brass ensembles, and percussionists skilled in the playing of steel drums.

  Members of the ensemble – Emma, James, Matthew and Tom – are passionate about Back Chat Brass bringing music to people of any age, especially those who might not have access to live music. As they declared, they weren’t born brass-instrument-playing professionals: they had the benefit of access to music in its many forms as well as inspiring teachers. They demonstrated that they had learnt their lessons well, being entertaining, engaging and enthusiastic musicians. 

  Sound Waves is very grateful to the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust for its substantial contribution towards the workshops.

  En garde!

  We have many opportunities to sample and take part in various sporting activities, many of which are arranged by our friends at Budehaven School. However, our most recent experience of ‘having a go’ was, for us, a first: fencing.

  We were delighted to receive a visit from Becky and Andrew, who gave some instruction in the basics of sword fencing. By the end of the sessions, we were becoming familiar with the lunge, parry and riposte.

  All for one and one for all. Slightly more difficult, perhaps, when there are over eighty chivalrous musketeers?