We marked Refugee Week by teaming up with volunteers from the local Refugee Support Group and Clayton Engineering to run an activity day on the theme of “Home.”

Children from across the whole school simulated the experience of some refugees.  Using donated and borrowed tents, poles, tarpaulins and groundsheets and lots of cardboard, the children separated into four nations and each made their home, as best they could.

Then two of the groups went in search of a better home and they began to travel the world. They helped each other through an obstacle course, before encountering the sea, a huge blue tarpaulin that they had to find a way to get their cuddly toy mascots across without falling in.  And would they be welcome?

Nick and Dave from Clayton Engineering joined us with two lifeboat launching tractors.  Clayton Engineering builds the machinery that launches all the RLNI Lifeboats all around the British coastline. RLNI volunteers rescue anyone in trouble at sea, including asylum seekers in the English Channel. Their cause is to save lives.

During the afternoon, children returned to their classes. 

Children in Reception and Year 1 looked at the story of Paddington and they thought carefully about the things that they would take with them if they had to leave their home.

Year 2 and 3 pupils were inspired by the work of Kate Daudy and they used a tent as their canvas for their ‘home’ inspired creations.

Pupils in Year 4  created artwork based on the work of artist Romero Britto on the theme of ‘hope’.

Pupils in Years 5 and 6 learnt more about the RLNI and created ideas for how they might raise funds for the RLNI.