School News

We have enjoyed going out on the minibus on school trips. We enjoyed going to Staunton Farm and Country Park.
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We have enjoyed going out on the minibus on school trips. We enjoyed going to Staunton Farm and Country Park. Check out the pictures.

The last few weeks have been very busy ones for 6th form with our leavers going off to visit their new placements, preparations for the Prom and everybody working hard to complete their accreditation. We’ve also fitted in lots of interesting activities including a judo session, dressing in inflatable sumo suits to find out about Japanese sports, going out in taxis and on buses to practise using public transport and going ice skating. 
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Just before we broke up for the summer half term break KS 3 had their MFL day. The focus was on adventurous journeys and Discovery class went on a journey exploring different forms of transport. But we did it in French! Pupils recorded how many different forms of transport they could find using a tally chart with French labels and symbols. They visited the, hover port, level crossing, seafront and the bus station. The most popular destination was the level crossing where the barriers closed down just at...
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We have had a trial of wearing eastern costume as part of our unit about Religious Clothing and Music.  We loved the bright colours and different textures.  The fabrics felt and smelled different to our normal clothing.  We listened to and danced to some really rhythmic eastern music which made us smile. 
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This was our first experience of Rock Challenge! We really enjoyed rehersals and loved working with students from 6th form. Darren, William, Nathan and Zoe were all in the opening for our 'Aiming High' performance. Darren, William, Zoe, Nathan were in the Street Dance section. Marcel, Jordan, Carl, Richard, Cassandra were in the Ballet section. We really enjoyed getting dressed up in our costumes and having our hair and make up done too! We can't wait until next year to...
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During this term Twickenham Class had the exciting opportunity to visit Moors Valley Country Park in Dorset. We really enjoyed the bus journey there and when we arrived collected maps of the park from the information desk. We deceided to do the Play Trail to begin with and focussed on our map reading skills to get around the woodland walk! We really enjoyed the challenge of each of the bases on the map and worked hard with our friends to overcome various challenges like height and dark...
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For our KS4 PLTs Day we held a Highland Games Day. It was a fantastic day!! During the morning we all took part in different activities. We did some cooking and made Scottish Pancakes, Bridies and Shortbread. We also got the chance to learn the traditional dance the 'Gay Gordon' which was great fun! In the art sessions we created tartan flags. In the afternoon we had another go at dancing the 'Gay Gordon' and also tried Cabre Tossing and Wellie Whanging!! To finish the day we...
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Wimbledon class has really enjoyed Food Studies this term. We have been making things to have at a Street Party to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. We’ve made quiche, trifle, cheese straws, scones and a Victoria sponge cake. We’ve practised stirring, sieving and using the blender.  Our cooking is so good that it often doesn’t get home!!
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World Sports Week coincided with the Key stage 3 PLT day and we managed to combine the two occasions with a great day out in Southsea. Earlier on in the week the pupils had gathered all the original flag designs they'd made over the term, based on the union jack, and made great lengths of bunting. They even included some french flags they'd made for MFL. The whole key stage went along the promenade and made decisions about where they wanted the flags to be displayed. They then went to the lovely...
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On Tuesday and Wednesday Key Stage 3 had their MFL days. To accompany the fashion and music topic pupils looked at the work of French designers such as Louis Vuitton. They particularly enjoyed finding out about his amazing shoes and used his designs as a starting point in embellishing their own chosen shoe. Everyone’s was certainly different! We had our very own Marcel Marceau and the pupils were in awe of ‘his’ mimes. He even got told off by Tyton after miming peeling a banana and...
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Discovery class went on a trip to Chichester Harbour Marina on Hayling Island. We had to wear lots of clothes to keep warm, underneath our life jackets. The people were very kind and let us steer the boat using the rudders and winch the sails. They gave us a picnic lunch and some colouring books. Levi and James had a disco on their boat! The RNLI rescue boat came to see us all and went very fast. On the journey back to the marina we saw the Olympic boat made out of donated pieces of wood, including a...
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China has been KS2’s  second holiday destination this term. The students have performed Chinese dragon dances, tasted a variety of flavoured teas and even attended a Chinese feast, dipping prawn crackers into Soy Sauce, Plum Sauce and Sweet and Sour Sauce. Each class has created a range of souvenirs from oriental inspired fans, Chinese lanterns to modelling their very own tea cup made out of Mod Rock. Next Stop Australia!
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KS2 are exploring a variety of different Holiday destinations this term. First we travelled to Alaska.  We had lots of fun playing in the snow and fishing in VERY cold water. We sang songs around a camp fire and drank lots of hot chocolate. We even watched the Northern Lights. Seahorses, Sharks, Penguins and Dolphins designed and created a variety of Alaskan souvenirs from rugs to dream catches. Next stop China!
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“All school pupils in Portsmouth to be given their own library card - To encourage a love of books, reading and informal learning, Portsmouth Library Service will be issuing all school pupils with their own personalised library card.  Portsmouth libraries are free to join, they are located across the city, and there are no fines on books returned late by children 15 years and under. In order to issue all pupils with their own library card, the Library Service needs to hold...
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In January 2012 students in Key Stages 4 and 5 started to think about their 2012 Rock Challenge performance. They listened to a selection of CDs to choose their favourite music to represent the theme of “No Limits Allowed” The whole group discussed how they were going to use a kite throughout their performance. This would be moving up through the sky and into space to show how we all achieve our targets by aiming higher and higher. All students then took part in a “Dance...
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Mary Rose School in Portsmouth is one of only 100 schools in the country recently granted national teaching school status. The school has been selected to lead teacher training initiatives, school to school support and lead an alliance of schools throughout the city to help further raise standards. The award by the National College for School Leadership also entitles Mary Rose to lead training and professional development for staff. Schools chosen to become teaching schools must...
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This term in key stage 1, the topic focus is ‘Get Up and Grow’, with the term split into 3 key areas; plant growth, human growth and animal growth.  Activities will centre around: plant, human and animal lifecycles; what plants, humans and animals need to grow, how they stay healthy and how nutrition plays a vital part in all of this.  Last week, pupils in key stage 1 all participated in a fun and interactive introduction day to the topic with 3 overall activities focussing on each...
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KS2 ‘s Oscar Theme Day was the finale to a fantastic topic, On The Stage (Wizard of Oz). Seahorses, Sharks, Dolphins and Penguins each invited another class in the school to their Film Premiere. A film that each individual has been part of, documenting each child’s hard work and determination this term. Classes created a walk of fame leading to the Yellow Brick Road for their friends to follow to reach their Premiere.  Once everyone was seated friends of KS2 were offered popcorn...
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This term has been fantastic in Key Stage 4 and seems to have flown by! The pupils have really settled in well to the timetable and are enjoying the range of Options during afternoon sessions, for example, making pizza in Food Studies, going out into the community, Judo, Street Dance, learning about Festivals and experimenting with various mediums in art. Pupils have enjoyed joining up with different classes and look forward to our Key Stage 4 assembly every Monday afternoon in which we recognise...
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The focus for our tutor time this term has been the art of countries that are coming to the London Olympics. So far we have tried recreating Australian cave images by painting with sticks on sandpaper, made Rangoli patterns from India with dyed rice and lentils, made pictures and keepsake boxes in the style of Japanese lacquerware and used papier-mache to make African masks. We are also planning a visit to the D-Day Museum to view the Overlord Embroidery. We will then make our own embroidery using both...
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Widley have had another busy term. We have helped the school to raise money for children in Napal on “Purple Day” We all tried to wear something purple to school, we bought “Purple Cakes “and sold tickets for the “Purple Raffle” During our Tutor mornings we have looked at different countries that will be taking part in the London Olympics. We have researched information about their food, sports, art and traditions. When we studied the sports and traditions of...
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We had a great time working on the new Sensory Trail area behind the sensory garden with Ganesh and Elaine for a week in January.  We had a very busy week.  Fortunately the weather was kind to us; we did not have any photographs taken in the rain to show in assembly.  We wrapped up warm to keep out the chill. Discovery class helped to plant the edible hedge.  We are looking forward to it growing and being able to harvest sloes and hazelnuts and other tasty wild foods. Wembley...
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Wow! What an exciting day. The corridor was decorated with beautiful purple organza roses. The smell of baking filled the corridors and classrooms. Everywhere people were dressed in purple, bright and beautiful and smiling. Sounds of purple instruments being played in the music room filled our ears and the Purple Cake Day song – Never Give Up was inspiring to hear. Flags of Hope were being made all over the school and now help to make our school look fantastic. Purple lighting filled the hall...
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Key Stage 3 had a treat that we shared with the rest of the school. As part of our topic on fashion and music the vintage 1940s singing group ‘The Three Belles’ came to school. We danced to all the songs they sang like ‘In the mood’ and ‘Don’t sit under the apple tree’. They showed us old records, books and clothes. We loved the way they dressed and had their makeup. It was another great learning experience.
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In Key Stage 2 one of our topics for the autumn term was To start our project day topic we looked at the designer Liz Plummer for inspiration. After looking at our inspiration we began to explored scrap material, paper and card. In groups we had the opportunity to explore various scrap fabric which we would later use for our large display piece. We rolled squashed and pulled the materials to choose which ones we liked best. The colours we chose were blue, green, cream and red to represent the...
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The challenge was for each student to select a piece of cardio equipment and to stay on their equipment until the digital clock registered 2012, 20 minutes and 12 seconds. Eliza rode the exercise bike, Bradley the bike and the rower for a combined time, Daniel used the cross trainer, Robyn used the treadmill and Yasmin used the rowing machine. All of the students achieved the time and were awarded a certficiate by Dean, the gym instructor. Yasmin carried on until her rowing machine registered 3012!
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On Tuesday and Wednesday Key Stage 3 had their MFL days. To accompany the fashion and music topic pupils looked at the work of French designers such as Louis Vuitton. They particularly enjoyed finding out about his amazing shoes and used his designs as a starting point in embellishing their own chosen shoe. Everyone’s was certainly different! We had our very own Marcel Marceau and the pupils were in awe of ‘his’ mimes. He even got told off by Tyton after miming peeling a banana and...
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All the pupils in Key Stage 3 set off for the Royal Beach Hotel in Southsea. They all looked very smart in their party clothes ready for a tea dance. They had a warm welcome from the staff and Steve Kingsley, as well as his regular dancers. The pupils mixed well and learnt some moves from their new found partners. They enjoyed hearing the music and being on a real dance floor, with chandeliers lighting the room and are looking forward to another visit from Steve, when he visits school later in the year....
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Friday January 20th 2012 - ELECTIONS Students in Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 nominated and voted for students to represent them on the Mary Rose School Council (SHOUT) Thursday January 26th 2012  - TEAM BUILDING DAY The newly elected student representatives met in the school library for team building activities to launch SHOUT the student council for Mary Rose School. The group discussed some of the important skills they needed to practise and played circle games to practise looking and...
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The topic in Key Stage 1 this term is ‘Help!’ and pupils will be learning about the people who help them around school and also in their local community.  This will include locating the main people who help them around school, such as Alice the nurse and Lee the caretaker, and watching them in action!  Pupils will also have lots of opportunities to role play helping people in a variety of contexts.  We are also planning to visit our local fire station and take a trip to...
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Dear Friends, Parents and Carers, Happy New Year to you all. Firstly, thank you to everyone who was able to support our first Mary Rose Christmas Fair. There were a variety of stalls selling seasonal items, many of which were made by the pupils. Some pupils met Santa and had their photo taken with him, and we were also able to greet the motorcyclists when they arrived with their presents and money for the school. The Fair also made a profit of £306 – 46. Here are a few dates of...
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On Wednesday Key Stage 3 launched their new topic on fashion and music with a PLT day. Each class had a music session where they listened to music starting from the 1940s and moving up through the decades to the 1990s. They quite clearly expressed their preferences for the songs within each decade and joined in with the different rhythms. The pupils explored a whole host of fashion items reflecting trends throughout the decades and it appeared that the uniforms from the war were the most...
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On Tuesday Discovery class had the fantastic opportunity to go to the O2 Arena to see the international men’s artistic gymnastics Olympic qualifying event. The pupils were very excited and loved the whole experience. They were treated like royalty, being led to one of the executive boxes to view the spectacle. The pupils really rose to the occasion, supporting all the amazing gymnasts and soaking up the whole atmosphere of the event. They tried to keep count of how many turns and somersaults the...
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In Key Stage 2 our topic is ‘On the Stage’ and we have decided to focus on the story The Wizard of Oz. We launched our topic with a very special theatre themed day. All of Key Stage 2 met in our make believe theatre where the students travelled along the yellow brick road to their seat. Sharks class had to find the seat that matched their ticket number! During the interval we returned to our classrooms to prepare our interval treats. We baked microwavable popcorn, mixed cocoa...
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For Mary Rose Primary Department, seasonal celebrations started by performing at Portsmouth Music Service’s ‘Special Schools Christmas Celebration – Little Angel Gets Her Wings’.    Following 4 weeks of hard work rehearsing at school, pupils from Octopus, Dolphin and Penguin classes excitedly headed off to Portsmouth Cathedral – sparkling proudly in our school colours (with the help of gold and blue tinsel, of course!). With scripts and a huge assortment of props...
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On Friday 18th November, pupils at Mary Rose participated in lots of fun activities to help raise money for Children In Need.  As the theme for Children In Need this year was ‘Spots’, pupils and staff turned up to school in very spotty fancy dress costumes!  Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 had organised some extremely spotty activities to participate in during the day.  These included jumping on the spot trampete exercise, going on a spot hunt around school, playing ‘Pin...
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As part of our ‘Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ topic, Walrus class enjoyed a trip to Staunton Country Park. We had a lovely time meeting all the animals, feeling their different furs and fleeces, and helping to feed them. Our favourites were the geese and the sheep. We think that the sheep quite liked us too, as one of them tried to follow us home! In the adventure playground we were able to try different equipment and use our bodies in different ways. We shared the equipment really well by...
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Starfish class went to visit Gosport Ice Rink and had a really wonderful time! The staff at the rink were very welcoming and helpful and took all the children around the ice in their buggies.  They were all laughing and smiling! It was a wonderful sensation to move at such speed and to feel the cold air on their faces. This was a new venture and so successful that we will be going back again soon. The parents who came along with us were amazed at the level of enjoyment show by the children and it was...
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A group of students in the 6th Form have been accessing community facilities as part of their PE in the Community module. In September the students had two lessons at the Portsmouth Golf Centre. Not only did they have a great tutor there but the Golf Centre also kindly subsidised the lessons. The students thoroughly enjoyed the lessons and showed real improvement over the two lessons. They continued to practise their skills in the local park for the rest of the half term. Since half term the group...
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As part of their topic on seasons and the weather, Starfish Class have visited the local parks to look for signs of Autumn! We enjoyed visiting both Milton Park and Bransbury Park and had fun playing with the leaves and we took some back to school with us and used them to create our wall display! We have shared stories about hedgehogs and then we all  helped to paint a big one. We stuck lots of spines on him and we hid him under the leaves, ready to go to sleep for the winter! Next week, we are...
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What a glorious week Discovery Class had at UKSA sailing on the Isle of Wight. We went on the last week of September and hit the Indian Summer. There were many activities pupils were able to participate in and they certainly all joined in fully. On our first day we went to the onsite pool and experienced wearing buoyancy aids for the first time, as well as building water confidence. After having a generous evening meal we played team building games, including rounders and monkey football. On Tuesday the...
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Last Friday was a very special day in Britannia Class.  It was the day of our sponsored walk in aid of raising money for children at the school to go on school holidays. We chose New Zealand as our country in the Rugby World Cup. Our parents and carers dressed us up as the New Zealand All-Blacks rugby team! Those of us who had protective helmets wore them as they looked like rugby helmets. Before we went on the walk we watched the rugby team doing the Hakka and then we watched a demonstration of the...
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Steve is the Fastest Blind Man in the World!! He came to Mary Rose School to tell us about his AMAZING achievements. He showed us films of him completing some World Records. Steve was the first blind man to: drive really fast in a car go really fast in a power boat fly around Great Britain in and aeroplane. He has also been the captain of Great Britain’s blind football team and has played cricket too. So, we thought we’d put him through his paces. Steve played football...
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This year Key Stage 2’s topic launch day was an introduction to our new topic ‘Our Environment’. The children in Sharks, Dolphins, Seahorses and Penguin class were introduced to an interactive, sensory story called Michael Recycle. Michael Recycle is a super hero who wanted to clean up Earth, he encouraged the characters to recycle and not be so wasteful.  All of Key Stage 2 became followers of Michael Recycle and helped to turn off a number of electrical devices from bubble...
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This term in Key Stage 4 we are focussing on ‘challenges’ and our Personal Learning Thinking Skill (PLTs) for this term is ‘Independent Enquirers’. For our PLTs day this term we had a carousel of three different, challenging activities in which our students took part. The three activities consisted of firstly a ‘mountaineering assault course’. This activity took part in the school hall and involved a variety of different challenges and problems solving elements for...
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We have had a busy first day back at school in Discovery class. We told each other what we got up to in tge summer holiday. After break we enjoyed having breakfast in assembly. In the afternoon we did some messy artwork with papier-mache and then played some team games with Twickenham class outside. The result was a draw! We will have to try and beat them next time!
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The new term started with lots of smiles and cheerful greetings in Purbrook as Karl Barker welcomed six new friends into the tutor group. Daniel, Yasmin, Cade, Matthew and Rhys joined from Wimbledon and Wembley classes, whilst Ella has come to Mary Rose School from Redwood Park. The students enjoyed a busy morning which started with a lively discussion about the things they had enjoyed in the summer holidays. Yasmin was very happy as she had celebrated her 17th birthday yesterday, and her mum had sent a...
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We have had a very busy day! We all had plenty of news for each other and everyone seemed to have a great holiday. Charlie enjoyed seeing and meeting Lee Evans the comedian in Bournemouth and visiting “Jacks Place”  Bradley loved Paultons Park and Hannah has celebrated a brilliant 18th birthday . After a relaxing break we started designing the covers for our own home/school books and then enjoyed a school assembly with everyone. Lunchtime was very busy with everyone in school and...
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Twickenham Class students have settled back into school life quickly and are really excited about joining Key Stage 4 and the new challenges ahead of them this year! In Twickenham Class this year Darren would like to improve his swimming Marcel is looking forward to trips and Friday Assemblies Jordan and Richard are looking forward to going on the minibuses Nathan, William and Zoe would like to do Rock Challenge Carl and Cassandra are happy to be back at school because they...
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