Children at Bedales Nursery and Pre-prep, Dunannie got into the spirit of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee when they marked the occasion with a series of celebrations, culminating in a tea party and Fun Run on 27 May.
The school’s celebrations began on 24 May, when children in Year 2 learnt about the Queen’s service and why the nation celebrates it. After reading There Once is a Queen by Michael Morpurgo about the Queen’s life, they discussed the Royal Family, asking thought-provoking questions about their role and the duties they carry out. They were surprised to learn that the Queen had rarely visited a supermarket, and considered how it might feel to have their photo taken whenever they went out in public.
On Friday, children in Dunannie’s Nursery started the day by making bunting, crowns, streamers, biscuits and sandwiches ready for a special Jubilee tea party. Unfortunately, the Queen was unable to attend but they had a great time anyway!
In the afternoon it was time for the Fun Run, an annual event which sees Dunannie children, staff and parents run laps of the track together, which this year took on a royal theme to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on the throne. Gathering by the Sam Banks Pavilion in their finest Jubilee inspired outfits, children set off on the run before heading back to tuck into picnics and enjoy a bake sale in aid of Amka, the polar bear sponsored by the school’s Eco Committee as part of their annual commitment to support an endangered species.
Head of Dunannie Fiona Read said: “The week of celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee was the perfect end to the first half of the Summer term, and the week ended on a real high when the Dunannie community came together for the Fun Run. From the Queen’s guards to Wonder Woman, it was amazing to see everyone involved in celebrating the Queen’s incredible service whilst raising money for a very worthwhile cause.”