​Ellie from MP Smarter Travel came to deliver interactive air quality workshops for Years 4, 5 and 6 on 22nd November 2022.  Our Year 5 Eco Warriors then took part in an idling action event after school where they spoke directly with parents to tackle idling outside the school gates.

Poor air quality particularly impacts the health and wellbeing of children, and younger children in particular are considered to be the most vulnerable as their lungs are still developing. 

The children enjoyed and were engaged in the session. It tied in seamlessly with our recycling/ environment friendly advocacy project.

First, we learned how to thread cotton through the eye of the needle, then we learnt how to do a running stitch and back stitch.
We looked at some photographs of old Viking shoes and realised that the were hand made out of leather and stitched together. Leather was used because it was hard-wearing and flexible. We also noticed that some shoes had buttons to fasten or straps to hold them together.
We then took part in a challenge to try to make a shoe in an hour using only a jay cloth, thread and buttons. We could use a marker pen to draw a template and scissors to cut out if we wanted.
It was lots of fun and some of us found it very challenging. After the hour was up, we had to go outside and see if we could run up and down the playground without out shoes breaking. 

We found out about Urnes Viking Art and learned how to create a collagraph print. We used string, tissue paper and cardboard to create our own designs. It was a lot of fun!

The children in Year 5 have chosen to promote recycling at St Mary's as their courageous advocacy project. They have ensured that each class have a recycling container and each week they collect all of the school's recycling and take it to the bins.

Amal the giant walking puppet walked all the way from the Syrian/Turkish border across 8000km and 8 countries and finally arrived in the UK. Year 5 were on Deptford High Street to give her a very warm and special welcome along with lots of other children from Lewisham schools! As Lewisham's first School of Sanctuary St. Mary's had a very special part to play and accompanied Amal with giant bunting down the high street to Giffin Square where a huge poster was hanging which had been created by Years 5 and 6.  Ayana then gave Amal a giant Paddington sticker. Remember Paddington Bear was also a refugee like Amal!

​Year 5 also spoke with the Mayor of Lewisham Damian Egan and Councillor Kevin Bonavia who has visited our school before. We even featured on BBC news that night! Year 5 were a real credit to the school and lots of people complimented them on their brilliant behaviour and good manners during what was a very busy celebration.

It was an amazing day and we are grateful to our governors and parents who accompanied us on the trip!

Year 5 enjoyed a visit to the Migration Museum in Lewisham Shopping Centre, supporting their Thematic Curriculum learning about Caribbean Islands.

Congratulations to our Year 5 pupils, who have demonstrated courage and determination to learn how to sail on the river Thames. Each child enjoyed two days of sailing in small boats, learning new skills and creating memories that will last a lifetime. They also enjoyed a trip to the London Eye and the Sealife Centre.

Year 5 enjoyed exploring healthy foods as they made these delicious fruit kebabs.