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On Monday 17th May we went to Caphouse Colliery (National Coal Mining Museum). All year 6 went to learn more about coal mining and how the miners used to live. Caphouse used to be a working mine in Victorian times where the miners used to dig coal, take it up to the surface for it to be transported to where it could be sold. As we arrived at the mining museum we saw lots of machines that helped dig the coal from the floor and walls of the mine. There were machines that also assisted bringing the coal from the pit. After several minutes it was our turn to go into the area to get our helmet and lights. We saw different pictures of different people who used to work in some of the mines in Yorkshire. We met our guide who would take us down in the lift to the mine his name was Mick Green and he was an ex- coal miner, he looked after the machines when he worked down there. He had plenty of injuries like having his leg crushed in the machine, his hand got broke and he cut his eye ball on one of the machines. We got in the lift that would take us down to the pit, it jerked at the start but then it went down quite smooth. As we went down, we saw water running down the walls and also dripping onto the top of the lift. It started to get slower towards the bottom of the pit. As it came to a steady halt we stepped out of the lift, even when we had our torches on it looked dark and gloomy. We walked through the first tunnel and we saw a first aid box on the wall. Our guide showed us where the safety equipment used to be. He also told us about how dangerous working in the mine was in Victorian times. As we came to the second tunnel we saw a model of hurriers and trappers. It was usually young children and women did the jobs of hurriers and trappers. Our guide told us to turn our lights off and see how dark it was for the trappers (young children) to sit outside the trap door. As we came to the end of our underground tour the tour guide said we could get some pieces of coal from the mine carts. After we came up from the mine we went to see the pit ponies and in their stables was three ponies, they were called Patch, Ernie, Eric and Finn but he was in the fields because he was too shy for us to look at him. There was also a pony called Colonel but he died in February 2010. After we saw the pit ponies we moved onto the pithead baths. The baths opened in 1983 with help from the miners, it was from welfare found. There were lots of rusty lockers and showers. The day was a great day out and we learnt a lot from it.  
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We have combined our French and Art week this year and the whole school have been involved in French activities and French art. Key Stage One were mixed into their big cats groups and spent the afternoon taking part in activities. They made French flags, ate French food, had a trip to Paris with Barnaby bear, learnt the colours and played French games. In Key stage two they played bingo, went to the French café, ate French food, designed and built the Eiffel Tower. 
As part of our topic on plants Year 1 have been on a leaf hunt to find different shaped leaves. Al of Year 1 completed the hunt and we then had to sort them into different groups. We had a wonderful time and will be continuing to complete work on plants so watch this space!!! 
