Last half term, Saturday mornings were a delightful blend of creativity, culinary adventures, energetic sports, and performing arts for Years 3 to 6. The Enrichment Programme has truly been a highlight of the week, offering pupils a chance to explore new skills and express their creativity in exciting ways.

Cooking Enrichment Programme

In the Cooking Enrichment Programme, pupils have donned their aprons and embarked on a culinary journey, creating a variety of delicious recipes. So far, they have mastered:

  • Apple Turnovers
  • Sausage Plait
  • Cornish Pasties
  • Bread Rolls
  • Pizza
  • Chelsea Buns

Through these recipes, pupils have developed essential skills in working with pastry and bread dough. They’ve learned to measure ingredients accurately, knead dough to perfection, peel and cut fruits and vegetables, shape and roll dough, and apply finishing touches like glazing and crimping. Each session has been a hands-on experience, filled with laughter and the delightful aroma of freshly baked goods.

Looking ahead, the excitement continues as the pupils will dive into festive baking after half term. They will be making:

  • Cranberry Orange Muffins
  • Mincemeat Shortbread Squares
  • Chocolate Tiffin

These Christmas recipes promise to bring a touch of holiday cheer to the kitchen classroom, and pupils are eagerly anticipating the chance to create and taste these seasonal treats.

Art Enrichment Programme

Meanwhile, in the Art Enrichment Programme, Year 5 and 6 pupils have been exploring the vibrant world of pop art. Inspired by the works of Jasper Johns and Andy Warhol, pupils have delved into how popular culture can be represented in art through signs, symbols, and everyday objects. This exploration has led to the creation of some truly imaginative pieces, including colourful alphabet paintings and stylised cupcake prints.

The process has been an eye-opener for many, as they considered the impact of everyday items in art and how they can be transformed into something extraordinary. The pupils’ artworks are a testament to their creativity and their ability to think outside the box.

Sports Enrichment Programme

The sports activities have also been a major hit this term. We have been very excited to welcome Stuart Dowden, a GB Pentathlon coach, to the programme. Stuart has extensive experience working with athletes of all abilities in Biathle and Laser Run. The morning is divided into two sessions. In the first session, most pupils participate in a carousel of activities designed to develop their invasion and movement skills, as well as their overall fitness. Concurrently, there is an advanced group focusing on tennis and biathle. After the break, all pupils transition to their main sport, which could be tennis, table tennis, cricket, or biathlon. During these sessions, pupils concentrate on honing their core skills through both training and match play.

Design Technology Enrichment Programme

In Design Technology, pupils have been getting hands-on with laser cutting and etching. During the latest sessions, they have been using 2D design software to create initial signs, resin filled door signs and Halloween treat boxes. They have enjoyed the process of designing using typography and then experimenting with different coloured resins to create a variety of swirl effects. The designing of the Halloween treat boxes involved the students designing the layout for their boxes and finding images to laser etch onto their boxes, resulting in some impressive and spooky creations. These activities have not only been fun and creative using a variety of different materials but have also introduced the children to new technology and design principles.

Performing Arts Enrichment Programme

The Performing Arts Programme has been a vibrant addition to the enrichment activities. Children have had a fantastic time developing their skills on stage through a combination of Dance, Music, and Drama. They have been learning to express themselves confidently, work as a team, and bring stories to life through their performances. The joy and excitement in these sessions have been palpable, with pupils eagerly participating and showcasing their talents.  We look forward to welcoming an audience to our Enrichment performance where the pupils will showcase their work, featuring a Jazz dance from Aladdin, excerpts from A Midsummer’s Night Dream and King Lear, and choral performances from well-loved musicals.

A Half Term to Remember

Overall, last half term’s Saturday Morning Enrichment has once again been a resounding success. The combination of cooking, art, sports, design technology, and performing arts has provided specialist experiences, allowing pupils to develop practical skills, unleash their creative potential, stay active, and shine on stage. As we look forward to this half term, there’s no doubt that the fun and learning will continue, making Saturday mornings a cherished part of the week for Years 3 to 6. If you are not yet a member of our Saturday Morning Enrichment activities and are interested in joining us, please contact us via: tpssaturdayenrichment@tauntonschool.co.uk for further information.