We are pleased to share with you a recap of our vibrant International Week: Around the World. Keep scrolling down for photos of Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School events with an international twist.
Head of Drama, Mr Cousens, led the whole school assembly, which launched the week. He invited up nine pupils, one from each year group from Reception to Year 8, who were from nine different countries: Portugal, South Korea, USA, Poland, Canada, South Africa, China, Spain and Ukraine. Each pupil found their country on the globe, clicked on it and, thanks to some brilliant magic (and Year 8 Ewen in the control box!), a short video about their country appeared on the giant screen for everyone to enjoy.
On Wednesday of International Week, school buzzed with the energy of collaboration, as different year groups joined forces for two heart-warming activities - Junior & Pre-Prep activity afternoon.
We hope this week sparked meaningful conversations about life experiences and broadened perspectives, both at home and within the boarding houses.
Pre-Prep's passport to adventure!
Reception's passports were stamped with tales from distant lands: Germany, Portugal, Bulgaria and more! Year 1's Hummingbirds jetted to South Africa, savouring food, art and even the "big five" animals. Swallows took flight to Brazil, unearthing rainforest wonders, carnival thrills, and football fever. Year 2's Herons landed in India, exploring landmarks, climate, festivals and crafting artwork inspired by vibrant Rangoli and Mehndi patterns. Following on from their Assembly, Kingfishers learnt more about China - the Great Wall, religion and temples. Read about Year 2's wonderful assemblies.
Thanks to Perform drama coach, Tara Rutter, who also led some Drama4All sessions on the ‘Wild, Wild, West’ for Pre-Prep pupils.
On Friday, each year group shared their discoveries across year groups in an Around the World morning.
The Pre-Prep is inviting families in to talk about their culture or somewhere they have lived, worked or are connected to, for a project called ‘Around the World in 80 Days’. Please get in touch with Mrs Oglethorpe if you are able to present a country over this or next term.
Nursery children enthused by India
Our Nursery children looked at India on the globe, made a collage of an India flag, used a pestle & mortar to grind delicious-smelling spices, made a curry, tried on traditional dress and danced to Indian music.
“Dressed in traditional Indian girls’ clothing, so kindly lent by one of our families, the children learnt about what happens at an Indian wedding before celebrating with dancing, drumming and shaking of bells to Indian music.”
Head of Nursery, Mrs Watson
A highlight was making the curry for a banquet! The children used their senses - sight, smell and taste - talking about the colour of the vegetables, scent of the spices and described what the curry tasted like. As well as grinding the spices, they chopped the vegetables. No banquet is complete without a tablecloth, so before sitting down to enjoy the curry and poppadoms (kindly made by the catering team) the children decorated the table cloth with lovely bright colours.
Activities fostering inclusivity and understanding
In Year 5 history lessons, pupils did internet research into inventions or events that were happening around the world during Victorian times. We found out that cars were invented and went into production in Germany in 1885, we learnt that women got the vote in New Zealand in 1893 and The Statue of Liberty was built in the USA in 1876. Year 5 worked together to find out more about their chosen event or invention and created fabulous posters.
In Year 6, they found out a little bit about the Aztecs and compared it to life in Tudor England. They made a timeline of the Tudors and the Aztecs and pupils were surprised that timelines overlapped; they had thought that the Aztecs' way of life was more similar to life in Ancient Egypt than the Tudors.
Year 3 met a volcanologist, who told them all about the eruption in Montserrat, from which they learnt lots of great geographical vocabulary like pyroclastic flow, lahars and lava and understood the devastation the eruption caused on Montserrat.
Learning4Life lessons focused on the importance of embracing diversity. Pupils and parents of Years 3 - 6 were greeted by a bustling tapestry of flags, a celebration of our community spirit and a reflection of the cultural diversity of our school community.
Mr Pitman hosted engaging breaktime movie sessions for older pupils, showcasing the beautiful multicultural tapestry that makes up Britain and prompting discussions about our shared responsibilities.
International Week in the Prep School culminated in a special "Getting to Know Each Other" form time. This provided a space for teachers and students alike to discover new things about each other, forging connections beyond the classroom and encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones, promoting valuable skills for life beyond school.
