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Secrets of the Spire: Year 2’s Interactive Cathedral Workshop
Secrets of the Spire: Year 2’s Interactive Cathedral Workshop
This week, Year 2 took a virtual trip back to 1666 through an online workshop run by St Paul's Cathedral. I caught up with William and Ollie, who were bursting with facts about the 'old' and 'new' cathedrals and the drama of the Great Fire of London.
The boys explained that even before the Great Fire reached Ludgate Hill, the medieval Old St Paul’s was in a dangerous state. At the time, the cathedral was undergoing major repairs and was covered in wooden scaffolding.
While the stone walls of the cathedral were strong, the massive amount of dry timber surrounding the building acted like kindling. When the sparks finally jumped onto the roof, the scaffolding helped the fire spread with terrifying speed, eventually melting the lead roof and destroying the building.
The workshop also introduced the children to the genius (and a bit of the cheekiness!) of the architect Sir Christopher Wren. William and Ollie learned that Wren had a very specific vision for the new cathedral, but it wasn't always what the King or the Church officials wanted. King Charles II originally approved a design that looked much more like a traditional church with a spire. But, Wren secretly moved away from the King's approved plan. He swapped the requested spire for the iconic giant dome we see today!
Some historians believe that if King Charles II had lived long enough to see the finished building, he might have been quite surprised (and perhaps a little annoyed) that his tall spire had been replaced by a dome!
A huge thank you to the education team at St Paul’s for bringing history to life for our Year 2 pupils. They certainly have a new appreciation for the London skyline!
Artistic Discoveries: Pankhurst Class Visit Turner’s House
Artistic Discoveries: Pankhurst Class Visit Turner’s House
This week, it was Pankhurst Class' turn to visit Turner’s House. It was a day filled with creativity and careful observation, and I caught up with Loa and Elliot to hear all about their local adventure.
Loa was particularly moved by the artwork on display. She learned that Turner was deeply inspired by the outdoors and would often immerse himself in nature to find his subjects. Loa discovered that Turner used his paintings to show exactly how he was feeling. This emotional connection made his work incredibly expressive and vibrant - though she noted that not every piece was colourful, as some captured the moodier, darker sides of the natural world.
Both children agreed that the hands-on activities were a major highlight of the day. The class turned into 'Museum Detectives' to help protect the historic collection. The children went on a hunt for 'pests' around the museum that could pose a threat to the delicate artworks and furniture.
To document their findings, the children put their classroom learning into practice by creating tallies, taking precise measurements, and sketching the items they found.
It was a brilliant way to see how history, art, and science all come together to preserve our local heritage. Well done to Pankhurst Class for their fantastic engagement!
Democracy in Action: Attenborough Class Visit Westminster!
Democracy in Action: Attenborough Class Visit Westminster!
Yesterday, Year 5 Attenborough Class traded their desks for the historic halls of the Houses of Parliament. It was an unforgettable day of discovery, and I had the pleasure of catching up with Otto and Tommy to hear what they learned about the heart of British democracy.
The boys gave a fantastic explanation of how laws are made. They learned about the relationship between the House of Commons (where the MPs sit) and the House of Lords. They discovered that a Bill often bounces back and forth between the two houses as they debate the details - just like a game of table tennis! The class spotted the distinct colour schemes - green for the Commons and red for the Lords.
One of the most dramatic stories the children brought back involves King Charles I. Did you know that the Monarch is strictly forbidden from entering the House of Commons? This tradition dates back to 1642, when Charles I marched into the chamber with armed soldiers to arrest five MPs for treason. He didn't find them - famously remarking, "I see all my birds have flown" - but his actions were seen as such a breach of privilege that no monarch has set foot in the Commons since! This is why, during the State Opening of Parliament, the door is still symbolically slammed in the face of the Monarch’s representative.
During a special workshop, the children explored bags of "artifacts" that represented key parts of Parliament:
Green Leather: A scrap of the iconic leather used on the Commons benches.
Red and Green Table Tennis Bats: To represent the 'Ping-Pong' stage of a Bill.
Chess Pawns: Representing the MPs as the essential 'players' in the system.
Q&A with Munera Wilson MP
Q&A with Munera Wilson MP
The highlight for many was a Q&A session with our local MP, Munera Wilson. The students didn't hold back with their investigative journalism, asking her everything from what her typical week looks like to exactly how much she gets paid! It was a brilliant opportunity to see that MPs are real people working hard for our community.
Well done to Year 5 for representing our school so well. It sounds like we might have some future politicians in our midst!
Sweet Success for a Great Cause!
Sweet Success for a Great Cause!
Our school playground was buzzing with excitement on Thursday afternoon. Henry, Year 5, fueled by a mission to support ADHD Embrace, organised a fantastic lemonade and bake sale that proved hugely popular.
The timing couldn't have been better; the sun was shining brightly, making it the perfect weather for a cold glass of lemonade. Henry wasn't alone in his efforts; joined by a dedicated group of friends, the team served up cups of refreshing homemade lemonade and a mouthwatering selection of home-baked cakes.
The response from students and parents was overwhelming, with the 'bar' frequently spotted with queues at least three deep! The atmosphere was great, and thanks to the generosity of our school community, the group managed to raise a significant amount for a charity that provides vital support to neurodiverse children and their families.
If you missed out on Thursday, don't worry - Henry’s entrepreneurial spirit is still going strong! The stall is moving indoors to quench the thirst of our performers and guests at tonight's Talent Show.
A massive well done to Henry and his friends for their hard work, kindness, and delicious baking. You are making a real difference for a fantastic cause!
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