“I am the Good Shepherd; I know my own and my own know me”. John 10:14"
Through Branch 1, Year 6 has explored the literary forms in the Genesis account, focusing on the symbolic messages within the Second Story of Creation and the Fall. They examined how these narratives, while not literal scientific descriptions, express beliefs about God, humanity, and our responsibility toward creation. This understanding aligns closely with Pope Francis’ call to environmental stewardship in his encyclical, Laudato Si’, emphasising our role in caring for the earth.
Pupils explored the concept of original sin, learning that the world’s disarray stems from humanity’s choices to act against God’s will, as depicted in the story of Adam and Eve. They discovered that through Jesus, God restored humanity's relationship with Him, offering reconciliation and grace. The Sacrament of Baptism was introduced as a means of forgiveness, uniting Christians with Christ’s death and resurrection and marking a new life in Christ. Pupils also learned that faith in God and scientific understanding, including the theory of evolution, are compatible, and examined the Nicene Creed as a common statement of faith that unites believers.
Through these lessons, Year 6 pupils deepened their understanding of how faith can harmoniously coexist with reason and science, and how foundational beliefs shape their faith and actions in the world.
Fr. Mark visited and led a discussion on Scripture, focusing on Bible passages, particularly the different creation accounts in Genesis. We explored the connections and contrasts between science and religion, followed by a question-and-answer session where we had the opportunity to ask any questions that we had.
We began Laudato Si Week with a Clean Air Champions workshop led by Urbanwise and our chosen theme for this week was 'Air Pollution'. We ventured out to different locations around our local area to collect data on air quality. Afterwards, we returned to school and analysed the data to see what we could learn about the air we breathe. We discovered that air pollution levels can change depending on where you are, even in the same area! It was interesting to see how traffic, parks, and buildings affected the air quality around us. What surprised us the most was how much pollution there is near busy roads compared to quieter areas or places with more trees. We didn’t realise how much of a difference it could make! As a result of our findings, we made pledges to walk or cycle more often instead of using the car, as part of our responsibility to care for God's creation and help reduce air pollution in our local area.
This term at Kite Studios, Year 6 has been delving into the life and works of William Morris, with a special emphasis on his intricate designs. They have had numerous opportunities to observe and draw natural objects, honing their skills in capturing the beauty of the world around them. As part of their learning, Auriol set a unique challenge: to spend time outdoors, appreciating and sketching the wonders of nature. This activity not only connected with Morris's love for nature-inspired art but also reinforced the importance of caring for God's creation.
Year 6 visited the William Morris Society in Hammersmith as part of the work they had been doing at Kite Studios with Auriol. The visit provided a wonderful opportunity for the children to engage more deeply with the Arts and Crafts movement, which complemented the creative work they had been exploring in class. Along the way, the children made several stops to complete observational drawings, further developing their artistic skills and enhancing their appreciation of the world God created around them. This experience also emphasised the importance of the message shared with us by Pope Francis in Laudato Si', encouraging us to care for our common home.
Today, Year 6 went on a nature walk around the school grounds to explore the amazing parts of God’s creation. They looked for things that caught their attention, like beautiful flowers, tall trees, and interesting clouds in the sky. They took their time to observe the beauty and the science behind these natural elements. They noticed how the plants grew, how trees provided shade, and how the clouds changed shape and colour. After their observations, they took photos of the things they found most interesting. Here are some of their results.