The Greatest Show
Last week 9CE and 9WE1 combined in the Churchill Suite to play The Greatest Show, that they have been learning in lessons. The students were able to feel what it is like to be part of an orchestra, all relying on each other to play their role and to be part of something much bigger than an individual performance.
Visiting the British Library
Four students from the Grammar History class joined Mr Phillips at the British Library in London, to research articles to include in our planned school book, which will recognise both the sacrifice of local people during WW1 (with individual biographies and summarised background stories), but also what life was like at that time, for those left behind.
The intended outcome will document these, together with students thoughts on these subjects through small comments and opinions, making comparison with life today. In addition we have a number of student family accounts, with stories and photographs to include.
The opportunity to attend the reading rooms to research original 100 year old + newspapers is rarely allowed for those under 18 and the students had to register at the facility and go through a process to issue them with limited time passes. The students together with Mr Phillips, then took on a year each between 1914-1919 (1916 already having been done) and photographed news articles, adverts and accounts of the war, which included letters sent from the front back to the local Woking News and Mail at the time.
The students did find the activity hard going, having to be almost silent for 3 hours or so and it was a good test of their ability to select appropriate research material, with further presentation and publication in mind. Some guidance was given but their were generally left to select their own material. With any historical research this part is often the most challenging as it is bulk data collection for assessment and triangulation for accuracy at a later date. These skills and techniques will be demonstrated and practised by the students as the project progresses. It is, however, fair to say what started as a simple idea has grown significantly, particularly as all due respect and consideration is given to the subject.
There will now be a sorting process to select appropriate articles and then interview students for their opinions on them.
The school, particularly with links with the Churchill name, are keen to produce a lasting memory to recognise these brave role models of their time, with a slightly unique angle through the pupils at the school.
Stuart Phillips, Business Manager
Stuart Phillips, Business Manager
