What happens after..? Reincarnation?

Year 6 have been delving into their own personal beliefs, and learning about those of other religions, when it comes to the presence of a soul, the possibility of an afterlife, and what’s the deal about karma? It has been truly fascinating discussing all the different things that might happen to us after we die, and the adults have been very impressed with how the children have handled these discussions with respect and curiosity. There are many religions, faiths, and personal beliefs represented in Year 6 and across our school. There have been many conversations about ‘what goes around comes around’, and big philosophical questions about why we should treat each other with respect and kindness throughout our lifetimes.

Today, we have talked about the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path, as well as the concept of Karma and reincarnation. We designed our own visual ‘Wheel of Life’ images, and thought about what we would choose as our areas for reincarnation and enlightenment.

Wheel of Life

Remembrance Assembly

Thank you to all those who joined us for Remembrance Assembly this morning. I think we can all agree that the Year 6’s presented themselves with the utmost respect and decorum for this special occasion. They have been working hard to learn their lines off by heart and deliver them to a huge audience with confidence and clarity. Year 3 pupils also created their own poppies and our school canteen kindly created special poppy cakes in recognition of remembrance day.

Well done Year 6 for bringing a tear to many an eye this morning! You should be very proud of yourselves.


In Flanders Fields, by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Year 6 Romeo and Juliet drama workshop!

Year 6 were fully immersed in the world of Shakespeare during their drama workshop with our expert visitor!

Children took part in a series of warm-up activities – including becoming Madame Tussauds waxwork models and terrifying monsters! They then developed Romeo and Juliet freeze frames in groups and asked each other insightful questions surrounding these still images.

Next, they used these skills as a way into both exploring the text and language whilst also considering how the Prologue and Act 1 Scene 1 are ‘delivered’.

Everyone was so enthusiastic and engaged – it was wonderful to see. We are very much looking forward to seeing how children get on with their newspaper reports this week. They will be reporting on the civil disturbance caused by the two warring households – the Montagues and the Capulets – causing bloodshed and pandemonium amongst fair Verona’s streets!

Year 6 Historians

As part of The City of Norwich Aviation Museum’s outreach, Year 6 were able to explore World War Two primary and secondary sources by handling some interesting artefacts today!

When you do research, you gather information from a variety of resources. These can be defined as primary and secondary sources.

Primary sources give you direct access to the subject that you’re researching or learning about. They can provide you with a first-hand account of an event or time-period, represent original thinking and give you new information.

Secondary sources provide second-hand information and often offer explanations for primary sources. They analyse, interpret and restate information from primary sources.

Children looked at gas masks, a warden’s steel helmet and even a German incendiary bomb!

Romeo & Juliet: A Prologue!

We have started studying Romeo & Juliet this half term. We watched a performance of the Prologue and dissected Shakespearean language and translated it into modern day English. We also looked at all the fun phrases we still use that come directly from Shakespeare; ever “worn your heart on your sleeve” or “been in a pickle”?

As part of the first week, we re-enacted parts of the prologue in small groups and created tableaux stills (“living pictures”). The children did amazingly at learning the lines and dramatising them for their peers. Watch this space for more theatrical fun!

Our First Workshare!

Today we hosted our very first whole-school workshare. Thank you to parents and carers for coming along and helping to celebrate all of our pupils’ amazing learning so far! We will be hosting a work-share towards the end of each half-term. We will keep everyone updated with future dates in our monthly school newsletter.

Black History Month Curriculum Day

Today in school we have had a curriculum day in honour of Norfolk Black History Month. Across the school, children have been learning about influential Black people; Chadwick Boseman, Kadeena Cox, Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, Mo Farah and John Boyega. They have looked into their achievements and contributions and why they have inspired people across the world with their work and their amazing approaches to life.

We were also treated to sessions of African dancing and drumming with the PanAfro Band. It was a joy to see everyone moving and enjoying themselves and experiencing this wonderful style of music and dance.

Throughout our school year, we are committed to celebrating diversity across our curriculum and in all of our learning and so this is just an opportunity to extend the already wonderfully diverse curriculum we have here at Queens Hill.

African Drumming and Dance workshop

Year 6 were treated this afternoon to a bespoke session of African dancing and drumming with the PanAfro Band in honour of Black History Month. Every single child had an incredible time learning the patterns and rhythms, and the smiles were so huge they lit up the room! It was a joy to see everyone moving and enjoying themselves and experiencing this wonderful style of music and dance. Feel free to look them up online to enjoy some more at home!

Perfect and the PanAfro Band

We also did research projects where we looked at influential Black people; Chadwick Boseman, Kadeena Cox, Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, Mo Farah and John Boyega. We looked into their achievements and contributions and why they have inspired people across the world with their work and their amazing approaches to life.

Throughout our school year, we are committed to celebrating diversity across our curriculum and in all of our learning and so this is just an opportunity to extend the already wonderfully diverse curriculum we have here at Queens Hill.