A wave of mythical gods, brave heroes, and bustling Agoras swept through our school this week as the children embarked on an incredible Ancient Greece-themed WOW Week! From crafting and debating to embracing their roles in this new Greek city, our children fully immersed themselves in a truly unforgettable historical adventure.

Our youngest learners in FS1 and FS2 delved into the wonders of ancient Greek culture. They were busy artists, using clay and finger paints to create their own Greek vases and crafting beautiful laurel garlands. A highlight for FS2 was the visit from a Spartan warrior, who captivated them with the myth of Perseus and Medusa. Later, they explored the tale of Persephone and the seasons, culminating in a vibrant tree collage. FS1 also navigated their own labyrinths, inspired by Greek mythology, and explored ancient herbs through scent and taste before attempting some joyful Greek dancing and creating mythical Greek Gods!

Year 1 children became Greek citizens, making their own passports for Heroes, Gods, and Goddesses before undergoing training to become true residents of the city of Polis the Wise! They dramatically retold the legend of Daedalus and Icarus through shadow puppets, drama, story maps, and model making, even experimenting with wax for their own wings! They also tried their hand at making coins and buying goods at their classroom Agora, and decorated their own clay vases with traditional Greek patterns.

In Year 2, each class adopted a role within their own Polis. Faced with the threat of invasion from Sparta, they held lively town council meetings to debate raising taxes for defence, redesigned buildings for strength, and considered which Gods might offer aid. They also embraced their artistic side, decorating their own Agora in preparation for the grand market day. Later, a possible cyclops sighting sparked discussions on how to calm residents and react to mythical threats!

The Grand Agora Market Day: All our children helped create and take part in a bustling market day experience! FS1 and FS2 proudly made delicious hummus to sell, while Year 1 and Year 2 children became the bustling stallholders and eager shoppers. It was a very realistic marketplace, complete with bartering (and even a mid-sale price increase from Year 2!) Year 1 also joined in the discussions about protecting their city from the potential cyclops, making posters advertising possible ways they could protect themselves and their city. It’s safe to say no cyclops was getting past year 1!

As WOW Week comes to a close, we round off the week with a Greek Festival featuring lots of dancing, singing and other traditional Greek festivities as well as our very own Ancient Greek Olympics. This Week has been an outstanding success, bringing history to life through hands-on activities, creative challenges, and immersive role-play. Our children demonstrated incredible enthusiasm, teamwork, and willingness to learn as they explored the rich tapestry of ancient Greek civilization. What a truly unforgettable journey through time!