Year 5

Year 5 have studied Shaun Tan's graphic novel The Arrival.

The children wrote diary entries in response to the text, detailing the protagonist's arrival.

Nancy - Imperial

Dear Diary,

On that bleak wintry morning, I painfully packed my precious possessions into my solemn suitcase. As I carefully wrapped my beloved picture, the sudden reality of what I’m doing washed over me. I have to leave everything I know and love.

I crept down the creaking staircase to meet my beloved wife. She placed her warm, soft and small hands on my aged, rough ones as a form of silent comfort. This was our last slice of privacy before our daughter woke. I would remember this moment forever. All too soon, it was time for a final farewell. As I went to embrace my little angel for the last time, I carefully slipped my origami bird into her small pocket. I’d hidden a message inside. This bird is a beacon of hope. Never give up hope. I stepped into my cabin on the shrieking ship. It was a simple, bare and dull place. I placed my precious picture on the grey plastic bedside table to make it feel a tiny bit closer to home.

Out on deck, what would’ve been the most fabulous sunset was obscured by the upcoming storm clouds. It was a perfect analogy for my mood. I had a sudden urge to hide away in my cabin and stay there in stowaway for the return journey, but it was time me for my departure.

Shoulders hunched and brow furrowed, I stepped off the vile vessel into the new and magical land. Off the boat, I was struck by the sudden sensory overload. The delicious scent of exotic cooking and tropical fruits wafted through the hot, sticky air. Stepping into this action-packed metropolis, was like repeatedly banging my head against a huge wall of sound. No wonder it was so noisy. There were so many people everywhere. I was washed away by the river of people.

The streets were lined with blooming vegetation that’s contained so many different colours, they made my eyes sting. There were violets and vermilions, canaries and crimsons, sapphires and scarlets and many, many more. Even some that I’ve never seen before. Mysteriously glowing birds shot through the dim and dusky sky like shooting stars. The real stars were unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Now I understood why this strange place didn’t have streetlamps; they aren’t necessary.

The once rushing, raging and rapid river died down to a gentle stream and dried river bed with occasional trickles of water. I trudged along the now deserted street until I finally reached my new home. I was relieved to arrive at the accommodation after the overwhelming hour-long trek through the big, bustling and busy metropolis. My room was drab, dreary and would leave anyone in a bad mood. It was cramped and provoked my claustrophobia.

Walking in, I dumped my suitcase down and slopped onto the creaking, uncomfortable bed and closed my eyes, trying to block out my sadness. It didn’t work. Instead, it consumed me: my isolation and my sadness. However, there was no time to waste. I had come here with a purpose and I shall fulfil it. So, I picked up the newspaper I had found in my new room and started scanning it for the word I learnt from my landlady to mean 'job'. Then I yawned a yawn so big it almost dislocated my jaw and I fell into a troubled doze. I dreamt of my family, my beloved family.

Viren - Birkbeck

With an aching heart, I gathered my humble belongings, including my precious photograph, and began to worry what would happen. As my depressed wife placed her pearl white hand on top of mine, tears filled her eyes. Once at the busy station, my family and I hugged helplessly as we forced smiles. With one last heart beating handshake and tight hug goodbye. I stepped on the rusty train.

As the deafening engines roared to signal the final departure, my new journey began. As soon as I arrived on to the ship and entetered my cramped room, I placed the important photo on the armrest. This way I could see my beloved family next to me all the time. Under the distraught sky, I listened as the shaking engines boomed and I realised my arrival was unstoppable...

All I only wanted to do was hide from the unknown but the boat teased me as my destination approached. The pale clouds immediately caught my eyes. It was a majestic painting of clouds in the sapphire sky. Clouds fluffy like giant cotton balls. I gazed at the shining birds that darted through the clear sky. Despite their beauty it was with a downcast face that I stumbled into the shimmering portal.

This place felt like another world. Each stream around me distorted me more and more. The unusual languages written on the roads, left me confused and frazzled. This world felt distraught as more tears filled my eyes. A large wave of despair washed over me.

My arrival at the hotel felt like a dream come true. Although it's dark surroundings could leave anyone with an anxious feeling. The caring landlord let me in with a soothing smile as she handed me the rusty keys. I suspect she knew I wanted some time with myself although I smiled to say I was feeling fine. Isolation and feelings of loneliness filled my innocent body. It felt like a monster was pushing me down to the floor before devouring me.

Pushing my worries aside, I thought of a better new life for my family and I. In the blink of an eye and one last tear shed, I searched the unknown newspaper for something that could resemble job as I got ready for the future ahead…

Louis - SOAS

Dear Diary,

Morning broke, I stuffed the rest of my priceless possessions in the brown stiff suitcase. My beautiful wife fell back into tears when she heard the terrible news. Lovely warm sunshine woke my daughter up and she hopped down the stairs joyfully. After she had heard the terrible news, all three of us walked miserably towards the train station.

We heard the loud roar of the train so we knew we were close. Time flew by and then we were at the train station. I took off my dusty red hat and took a sweet paper dove out of it to gift to my lovely daughter. I waved goodbye and said my departing words then the train set off. I arrived at the dock and boarded the majestic, enormous ship. As the colossal ship set sail my journey began.

I could barely believe my eyes as I saw a massive creature in the everlasting ocean. It had ten bumpy, peculiar tentacles reaching out of its round head. My heart was racing uncontrollably with raspy takes of breath but then the fearsome creature went back under the deep ocean and I sighed in relief.

Finally, arriving at my cold and creepy accommodation suprisingly calmed me down. My landlord welcomed me with a lovely smile. I should have faked one back but I did not have energy to do so. I was thankful that she left the freezing room because I needed to be alone.

I had zero time to waste so I quickly grabbed the newspaper that my landlord had placed for me on the much welcomed bed. I started scanning the newspaper even though I could not read its strange language. All I had to find was a word that meant job.