Page 16 - link magazine

16 Have you seen the new look www.swindonlink.com ?

Brook Field prepare a banquet ! Keeping the continuity going
fit f^r a king Last month Emma Kimber reported the retirement of Roger Nicholas.
her first headteacher at Brook Field Primary School. Here she meets her
Henry VIII's mouth would have watered at the sight of a feast made Year 3 teacher, who has taken over the headship.
of clay prepared by Year 3 pupils at Brook Field Primary School, who During her 17 years at Brook Field, Melanie Sancto has worked her
were inspired by a trip into yesteryear. •„ „ fr.,,,, a NI—ATI.T f„a1;f;Pd TParher with the nuidance and
mentoring of Roger Nicholas, to her new and exciting role as head
Taking time out of the busy last
day of term, she chatted about her
career so far.
She arrived in 1990 as Roger
Nicholas' first appointment and • It AP
was a full time class teacher until
2005 when she took on a part-time
advisory role with Swindon's edu-
Veritably, a comely collection of maidens from Brook Field cation department.
A visit to Hampton Court was under the supervision of Bradon Returning to a full time commit-
the starting point for a term of Forest School art teacher, Mr ment at Brook Field she plans a
work on Tudor history. All 60 chil- Martch-Harry . They didn't stop at training day at the beginning of
dren and staff members dressed in the food, and also produced table- term to discuss with staff and gov-
medieval court finery to immerse ware including plates, goblets and ernors her plans and vision for the 4 1 ssi; :.:
themselves in court life, with a tour candlesticks. Their work was fired future. No great changes are in the "I'd Iike to continue building the
of the palace including the famous in the kiln at Bradon and returned offing as she'll be building on the close links we have with Bradon
kitchens. for decoration. achievements of the school under Forest and Greendown so the chil-
Back at school, they learned The banquet was displayed for Roger Nicholas. dren can partake in more extra cur-
more about the food that Henry the whole school during a day of "It will be very important to ricular activities in order to pro-
VIII would have eaten from Tudor activities, which provided maintain the same high standard," vide the best extended education
Sainsbury's food advisor Pat another opportunity to dress the said Ms Sancto. "I want to pro- possible."
McDonald. Pat is more accustomed part, sing songs from the period mote even more creativity within "This is the beginning of a won-
to speaking to children about and work on craft projects. the school. We're currently quite derful new era at Brook Field."
healthy eating but is also an expert Teaching assistant Lisa Kinsey sports focused, which is great be- Dan Clarke from Wanborough
on Tudor cookery and gave a talk said the topic had captured every- cause pupils have a lot of talent and Primary School has been appointed
about the herbs and spices that body's imagination. "The boys are enthusiasm. But I'd like to draw the as deputy headteacher.
would have been used at the time. interested in Henry VIII and the attention to music a little more,com- • Brook Field footballers win the
The youngsters reproduced me- girls like the queens and the pretty ing from that background. triple again. See page 36
dieval food such as hogs heads dresses. They've been a really en-
and chicken drumsticks in clay, thusiastic year group."
Art with a nature theme to adorn

Orchid Vale
Working with professional artists, Orchid Vale Primary School pu-
pils have created a ceramic display and provided inspiration for an
outdoor sculpture.
Sculptor Tim
The Blackthorn School of Photography Norris spent three
Evening, day and weekend courses in our days in July work-
ing with the pupils
specialist teaching centre near Cricklade gathering ideas for « +* ." -
an art piece for the
school rounds'
which w ill be y v l
based on chil- 4
dren's wildlife ^ ^;
themed designs. y^ '
He absorbed
their ideas before
Booking now for cou rses starting Septem ber 2007 comingupwithhis
design which
looks like a burst
Evening, day and weekend courses: of spring leaves
shooting into the Tim Norris ,uith Orchid Vale youngsters
• Digital photography and Photoshop air. It will stand 2 holding a model of his giant oak leaf sculpture
metres high en-
• Traditional darkroom techniques
closed by a small seating area, an insect theme.
"I was inspired by the environ- Before beginning their work,
• Portraiture and landscape
mentaround the school," said Tim. they looked at insects with magni-
Courses for beginners, intermediate and "Most of the design is made of oak fying glasses and made sketches.
carved into willow leaves." There is a tile for each child in the
advanced photographers
The sculpture will stand on a school,includingthenurseryclass,
small grassy mound which can be which will make a spectacular dis-
www.photography-courses.com seen from all the classrooms and play.
should be complete by November. • Orchid Vale won a Swindon Coun-
Tel: 07920 116492 In a second project, run by art- cil Quality of Life Award in May to
ists Emma Boggs and Jo Veevers, develop its grounds into a haven
children created ceramic tiles with for wildlife.