BANQUETS, BOAT BUILDING AND BAKING
Banquets, boat building and baking bewitched Years 3 and 4 during their residential at Hooke Court last week. The children were treated to 3 days away from school in glorious winter sunshine to investigate life in Tudor England.
The trip started with an afternoon in the Tudor classroom. The boys received lessons in Latin, whilst the girls were prepared for their impending marriages. All the children had the opportunity to have a go at Tudor weaving, making a purse and writing with a quill.
Later that evening they all took part in the Hooke Court Murder Mystery, exploring the house to solve clues and find out who was responsible for the death of Sir Michael.
After a restful night the children were then taught how to dance like Tudors, paying due courtesy to their partners and leaping into the air. There was much giggling and hilarity as the children were partnered off and danced to a number of Tudor tunes. A filling lunch preceded an afternoon learning about trade and travel in Tudor times before the children had the opportunity to build their own boats.
The evening concluded with a trip highlight – the Tudor banquet. Six of the children were chosen to be servants and were expected to wait on their classmates and teachers. The teachers were honoured guests and, as such, the children had to stand whenever they did and laugh whenever the guests found anything funny. The servants showcased the special boar’s head, a potato which no-one had ever seen before and even placed a bowl of salt on the table for the honoured guests. One child failed to impress and his manners upset the honoured guests. Whilst he was sent for execution, thankfully his twin brother arrived just after from France so the class was once again complete.
Before returning to school the children had a morning of baking Tudor treats including jam tarts and ginger biscuits. The children all thoroughly enjoyed eating these for their lunch.
It was a delight to see the children excel outside of the classroom environment. Many showed the breadth of skills they have developed and all enjoyed the opportunity to be emerged in the life of a wealthy Tudor family.
Stephanie Sheppard, Head of Prep English