St Anne's Catholic Primary School

Year 5 had an incredible time at Hooke Court this week, stepping into the boots of soldiers and civilians from the First World War. It was a busy few days filled with creativity, teamwork, and history brought to life! We began our adventure by designing and building our very own kites. After some careful crafting, we headed outside to test them out in the open fields—there were plenty of smiles (and a few tangled strings!) as our creations soared through the sky. Next, it was time to ‘sign up’! Each pupil enlisted as a World War One soldier, learning what it meant to join the army and preparing for the challenges ahead. Everyone rolled up their sleeves to make a traditional WW1 meal—potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and of course, a little Spam! It gave us a real taste (literally!) of what life might have been like for soldiers during the war. Once lunch was over, we practised marching drills before heading to the trenches. The children learned what it was like to live in cramped, muddy conditions and how soldiers kept their spirits up during hard times. The most exciting—and nerve-wracking—part was running through the trenches and braving ‘No Man’s Land’! Everyone showed bravery, teamwork, and determination. After learning about the importance of remembrance, pupils created their own paper poppies to honour those who served.

During our WW1 dinner, the children served the meal and ate together as a wartime family. They were perfectly behaved, sitting in silence and waiting respectfully for everyone to begin. The Hooke Court staff were so impressed, they brought others to see—our pupils truly made us proud!

We ended our time-travelling adventure with a blast! The children built and launched their own rockets, watching them shoot up into the sky—an exciting finish to an unforgettable trip.

What a week! We’re so proud of Year 5 for their enthusiasm, curiosity, and respect throughout the trip. They’ve come back with muddy boots, happy faces, and plenty of stories to tell!