Newark Academy holds communications-based activity day for primary school pupils

An engaging activity day based around communications was held for primary pupils.

Year sevens and eights at Newark Academy invited year four and five students from primary schools in the area for the event, which aimed to advance children’s teamwork and communication skills.

Part of the new curriculum, the older pupils organised the day and kept the younger ones busy with projects like karate and stage fighting, Lego building, and cookie making and crafts.

Children also got the chance to watch an episode of Tom and Jerry, which, without any dialogue, tested the pupils’ interpretation skills.

Harry Hughes, 9, of Barnby Road Academy, said the event was a good way to meet other children and learn new things.

Earlier in the week, Newark Academy invited residents of Red Roofs Residential Home, on Grange Road, to the school for entertainment and refreshments.

English teacher Harriet Cooper said: “We’d noticed the students were not able to communicate that well and were having a difficult time developing their social skills, especially having been through the coronavirus pandemic.

“We also wanted to connect our young students with older people from the care home and will be helping with the Newark Orchard School sports day too.”

Head of school Chris Fisher said: “This was about giving the students a chance to come out the class room and put into action everything they’ve been learning.

“It is developing the children’s confidence and I can see they are growing from it."