Write on target! Primary pupils put pencil to paper in QE challenges
This week saw QE mark National Writing Day as girls and boys from five Barnet primary schools got to grips with literacy and numeracy challenges during an exciting morning at Queen’s Road.
The Year 5 children worked in teams in competitive taster sessions designed by QE teachers, with support and encouragement along the way from Year 8 boys.
The morning helped give the young visitors the tools they need to wax creative in their writing through a vocabulary challenge and a poetry exercise.
Headmaster Neil Enright, who presented certificates to the winning teams, said: “It was great to see the enthusiasm of all our young visitors, and I warmly congratulate the winners. My thanks go to the visiting primary school teachers and teaching assistants for helping to make the day a resounding success, not forgetting, of course, the contribution of QE teachers and of our Year 8 helpers.
“This was part of our long-running outreach programme with local partner primary schools. We are always delighted to welcome their children here and thus strengthen our community connections. The programme is very much in line with our historic identity as a Barnet school – which goes right back to our 1573 royal charter. Through involving our own Year 8, we also ensure it’s aligned with one of the priorities of our new Boundless School plan, namely to nurture our pupils in becoming ‘community-orientated’.”
The outreach programme is coordinated by Sarah Westcott, Assistant Head (Inclusion and Wellbeing). This year, visiting youngsters have already taken part in Art and forensic science sessions. Still to be run are taster sessions in History, Geography and Economics.
On this occasion, the Year 5 pupils from Foulds, Whitings Hill, St Catherine’s RC, Underhill and Northside primary schools worked in teams to tackle four rounds of English and Mathematics activities:
- Round 1 was a word definitions challenge, designed to broaden vocabulary, recognising that this is one of the building blocks of effective writing. It was led by English teacher Panayiota Menelaou. Winners: Foulds team 1;
- Round 2 involved number puzzles and was delivered by Maths teacher Nadeem Kydd. Winners: Whitings Hill team 1;
- Round 3 focused on poetry-writing and helped the children express themselves in this specific genre. Head of English Robert Hyland presided. Winners: St Catherine’s team 1;
- Round 4 was entitled Shuttling Maths and was led by Maths teacher Phillip Brady. Winners: Foulds team 2.
The overall winners of the day were team 2 from Foulds School.
The day was organised by the English and Mathematics Heads of Department.
It was, said Mr Hyland, a pleasure to host the young visitors: “Holding taster sessions like these is a great way for QE teachers to share the love of their subject with pupils in the local community.”
His Maths counterpart, Jessica Steer, said: “We were delighted to welcome such resilient, enthusiastic children to our School. The challenges they faced were demanding, but they approached each one with determination, teamwork, and positivity. Their schools should be incredibly proud of the way they supported one another, worked collaboratively, and represented their communities throughout the event.”
Mrs Menelaou added: “These taster sessions are a fun opportunity for Year 5 pupils to experience Maths and English in a secondary school setting, helping them become familiar with the next step in their educational journey while interacting with our Year 8 students.”
Alongside developing their problem-solving skills, pupils enjoyed making new friendships and experiencing life in a secondary school environment. Their day included a well-earned break in the playground.
The Year 8 helpers were: Aditya Bhandari, Aarush Mehta, Vidyut Naryan, Aman Morjaria, Kushal Pasupuleti, Yajat Vyas, Eashaan Saha, Maanush Shah, Kiyansh Gupta, Patheen Patel and Duc Ta.
- National Writing Day is an annual celebration of writing run by an independent charity, the National Literacy Trust.