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TEGIC PL
STRATEGIC PLANS - LEARNING
STRA
ANS - LEARNING

THE BATTLE TO BRING

HISTORY TO LIFE

Historical studies of ancient civilizations are an also walked through the strategy from the Battle of
important part of the school curriculum, Marathon, with a realisation that brains often
but working out ways to engage students – triumphed over brawn (or sheer numbers).
boys who live in such a modern world Historians suggest that Ancient Greece
– can be difficult.
was the birthplace of western theatre, with
This was the challenge faced by the every Greek city including a theatre; a place
Year 7 teachers. Two ideas sprang to for the community to come together for
mind: one, an immersion activity to entertainment and a shared experience.
kick start the Ancient Greek topic; and The opportunity to stand on stage and feel
the second, a link between curriculum the adrenaline buzz of performing for an
subjects that led to some impressive audience was something that we wanted all
stage performances from all in the Year 7 the Year 7 boys to experience. With a desire to
cohort. make learning connect across subjects, as the
boys worked on Ancient Greece in History classes,
For the immersion activity, the boys were they also explored Greek plays in Drama classes. The
encouraged to dress up or wear helmets for a special plays – Eureka! (the story of Archimedes), The Olympics (the
Greek occasion. Little did they know that their Year 7 teachers story of how the Olympics began), Prometheus and the Fire (a
had a surprise performance for them. The Pastoral Care creation story) and Damon and Pythias (a Pythagorean story of
Leaders were all dressed up as Spartans and Athenians as they friendship) – showed the cohort working together to achieve
acted out an introductory historical sketch.
their goals.
From the auditorium, the boys then all headed out onto Craig These rich learning opportunities were engaging, fun ways to
Oval to learn about the experience of Greek warfare. With access the History curriculum and, hopefully, provided the boys
shields and spears in hand, the group screamed their war cry with positive experiences that instill in them a love of learning.
as they charged across the grass, feeling the adrenaline of
the charge and the passion and noise of the chant. They then Jackie Hunt, Head of Year 7

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