News

Our community and the world around us

Despite technology giving us greater visibility to the wider world, it is easy to feel isolated with the UK in lockdown. As human beings, we need a sense of belonging, and the importance of our community has never been greater in these trying times. This week, Prep School pupils have been looking at communities living, working, supporting and celebrating together both in the UK and further afield. 

Starting at home, Year 4 pupils had been studying Queen Anne and how she united England, Wales and Scotland in their History lessons. In order to understand the significance and the change that the union of England, Wales and Scotland introduced during Queen Anne’s reign and to consider various cultural differences that need to be taken into account while designing a new national identity, the pupils were asked to imagine that they had just united 3 independent countries, creating their own country called Great Rubea and they needed to design its new flag and currency.

Year 3 have been learning about Islamic festivals and celebrations this week – from Eid-ul-Adah (The Day of Happiness) to Al Hijra (Islamic New Year) – and the great feasts, family gatherings, music, and street processions that characterise them. Pupils chose the Islamic festival they liked the most and created a poster explaining their reason for choosing that particular festival.

Year 3 have also been considering different jobs and whether there is a perceived gender bias in their PSHE sessions. Students were asked to draw a particular job that interested them. They were asked to think of the skills needed to be good at the job and consider if this was more suited for men or women. We found that although we all have a few preconceived ideas, almost all the jobs we thought of were suitable for both, with Tristan drawing a picture showing both male and female pilots.

And in Music this week Years 2, 3 and 4 are learning the lines and songs from the Hawaiian legend Maui Catches the Sun which they will perform next term. As an extra challenge they are learning a Maori song Tutira mai nga iwi – a song about staying united – with traditional hand actions.