Last Wednesday, the Head of Academic Enrichment, Robert Grant, made sure the boys had yet another unforgettable enrichment day. These days are filled with excitement for the boys with each year getting the opportunity to broaden their understanding of a subject through experience out in the wider world (or within the classroom).
Year 4: Lion King
Year 4 had a jam-packed day learning about the work involved behind the scenes of The Lion King. They spent the morning creating their own masks for the character Simba.
In the afternoon, they went with the Music Department to see The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre in Covent Garden. The boys were captivated from the moment the show began by the spectacular costumes, powerful music, and incredible stage design. This trip was a fantastic opportunity for them to experience live musical theatre. The students were particularly excited to hear the iconic songs performed live, and many left the theatre humming Circle of Life and Hakuna Matata. It was an inspiring afternoon that reinforced their enthusiasm for music and performance.
Year 5: Learning about Judaism
Year 5 focused on their recent studies of Judaism. In the morning, they visited St John’s Wood Synagogue, and in the afternoon, they created Purim gift bags for the residents of the Norwood charity homes.
The boys “could not have been more engaged during the visit,” as teachers described. They were exceedingly curious and asked insightful questions to the patient and welcoming Rabbi Cohen. Their enthusiasm to learn of Norwood’s work and contribute to the pleasure of its community members was also laudable.
Year 6: Annual Visit to Verulamium
This day was full and busy for Year 6 with plenty to explore at both sites. In the morning, they were based in the Verulamium Museum and were given the opportunity to examine the fruits of the excavations carried out on the ancient site just under 100 years ago. This was followed by an object handling session where they had the chance to see close-up many objects that were part of daily life 2000 years ago and learn exactly how they were used. Later, there was time to explore the museum’s gallery with a Classics Department treasure hunt leading the boys round the museum in search of particular objects.
In the afternoon, the boys had the opportunity to visit the remains of the ancient city’s walls while exploring Verulamium Park. The final stop in the park was to see the Roman Hypocaust system that is still in situ underneath an impressive mosaic floor where there was once a villa of a wealthy Roman citizens. Under the floor this ancient central heating system is clearly visible and still inspires modern architects today.
Year 7: Geography Trip to Queen Elizabeth Park
Over in Stratford, Year 7’s went to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The aim of the trip was to equip the boys with a range of fieldwork data collection techniques in preparation for their upcoming Swanage field trip in the Summer Term.
Boys collected primary data using various methods which included environmental quality assessment (EQA), pedestrian count, litter survey, land use mapping, photographs/field sketch plus questionnaires. Now, they are working on a mini report in which they will present and analyse their data as well as draw conclusions regarding their key findings.
Stratford also offered them the opportunity of consolidating their knowledge on the topic of ‘Population and Settlement’ which the boys studied in Year 6. In fact, the trip provided them with first-hand experience of the content they covered last year including urban regeneration and the features of sustainable settlements. The trip was a great success as all the boys worked well independently and collaboratively.
Year 8: Bletchley Park
Year 8 students had the opportunity to travel to Bletchley Park, the historic site of secret British codebreaking activities during World War II. They discovered the crucial role played in 1930s by three unknown Polish mathematicians – Marian Rejewski, Jerzy Rozycki and Henryk Zygalski – who laid the foundations for the vital work carried out by the codebreakers in the 1940s.
They learnt in depth about the brilliant work of Alan Turing as well as other prominent men and women whose clandestine activities helped defeat the Nazis. Students then did some codebreaking of their own and got their hands on an Enigma machine from that time. A film detailing the codebreakers’ role in the D-Day landings of June 1944 was also a highlight.
