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On Monday 21^st June Div VI arrived at school dressed as evacuee children during the Second World War. Everyone made a real effort and the costumes looked amazing.

The morning followed the normal timetable with lessons taking on a ‘WWII’ theme, some lessons being interrupted by air sirens where everyone had to jump under the desks!

In the afternoon the children prepared for a VE Day party and decorated Mr Gladstone’s History room with colourful bunting, flags and much more. Then it was outside for Drill and practicing party games of the time such as Oranges and Lemons and singing songs like ‘Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag’.

After a break we had the party. We ate party food made by Ms Hayes and Mr Gladstone that followed rationing recipes written by Marguerite Patten and played games and sang songs. Thanks to everyone for joining in so well and making the day one to remember.

On Thursday 10^th June Division V, accompanied by Mr Gladstone and Mrs Earnshaw, visited Oxburgh Hall for a day of Tudor activities. The day threatened rain but luckily stayed dry and we could carry on the activities outdoors.

The theme of the day was set at the time of the Spanish Armada in 1588, particularly relevant to the owners of Oxburgh Hall, the Bedingfeld family, who were catholic and keen to prove their loyalty to Queen Elizabeth.  We were the smallest of the three schools present which was lovely as we made up our own group and could get the most of the day.

In the morning this included visiting the King’s chamber where some children dressed as Henry VIII and his wives and Lady Bedingfeld told us all about her family. Next we went outside to meet the rather scary Tudor soldier who demonstrated some gruesome weapons, tried to chop off Mrs Earnshaw’s head and slit Betsy’s throat! Our third activity was very interesting as we met the musketeer. He was very knowledgeable and we learnt all about the musket, phrases such as ‘a flash in the pan’ and he even fired off a shot or two. Finally, before lunch we played a Tudor game with a servant girl. The game was called trap-ball, a game not unlike rounders, and needless to say we were all brilliant.

After lunch we met the musician of the house and learnt a Tudor dance and the boys learnt how to bow properly without their trousers falling down. Finally we met Amos, the scribe, who showed us how to make a quill and let us use one.

An extra bonus was an unarranged tour of the house where we saw, and climbed into, the wonderful priest hole and saw many of the treasures accumulated over 500 years. Everyone enjoyed the day and a special thanks to Mrs Earnshaw for coming with us.