Sophie Pitman summarises events and activities from Year 3’s first term in the Prep School.
What a term this has been for our new Year 3 children. They have immersed themselves fully into our 'Lest We Forget' topic based around the events in World War One. It seems a long time ago since Marcus Dilley from Creative Education presented us with his stunning WW1 workshop. This was a great day and the children were so well informed and inspired for all the work that followed.
Particular highlights have been our study of the book War Horse, learning about life in the trenches, the roles of women and animals in the war effort, and celebrating the end of the war. Memorable pieces of work were the children’s thoughtful letters from the trenches and their journalistic writing; where they wrote for the Otter Observer, The Owl Advertiser, The Tiger Times and The Panther Post, all trying to ensure their newspaper would sell the most copies. During half term the children were kept busy creating their own interpretation of a propaganda poster recruiting men to war.
After half term, Mrs Whincop shared with the Year 3s a painting by her husband Mr Richard Whincop, who is a local artist based in Lavant. The painting has a WW1 theme which created a lively discussion. The children recognised the munitions workers pictured and knew they were called canaries, which is symbolised in the painting by the yellow dresses. They also spotted the poppies and guessed correctly that the soldier was writing a letter home from the trenches. Mrs Whincop was very impressed with the knowledge and maturity of the questions.
The topic culminated in witnessing the bringing down of the steel poppy form the pillars. The poppy will have its final home at Blind Veteran’s UK (formerly St Dunstan’s) in Brighton. A very special junior Carol Service this year included a poignant dramatization of the 1914 Christmas Truce.
Congratulations to all the children on their wonderful Lest We Forget topic books. It was a proud moment when they shared this work with their families at our sharing afternoon.
