Our Year R children took their easter bonnets to St Mary's Church, Portchester for a parade.

Year 3 welcomed a special guest, the Education Minister from St Mary's Church, Portchester. Together, they explored Easter as a significant festival in Christianity, discussing its traditions and celebrations.

They learned the origins of Pancake Day and the reason why pancakes are enjoyed on Shrove Tuesday, linking it to the practice of using up ingredients before Lent. Through storytelling and creative activities, the children brought the Easter story to life, capturing key moments through drawings and engaging in dramatic retellings.

Next, the children read the story of Passover, exploring its importance in the Jewish faith. The visit to Portsmouth and Southsea Synagogue provided invaluable insights into Jewish customs and practices, allowing the children to grasp the significance of self-control and commitment within the context of faith. The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the guided tour of the synagogue, where the children were able to witness firsthand everything they had learnt in class.

It was a memorable experience for Year 3, offering a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and religious tolerance. Opportunities like these not only enhance academic knowledge but also foster empathy and appreciation for different faiths.

The design of the Rangoli patterns by the Y1 children completed a unit of work where they took a close look at Christianity and Hinduism. The children focused on some of the celebrations within both religions and, in particular, the festival of Divali where they learnt that it is a five-day Festival of Light and marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year.  They heard the epic poem known as the Ramayana which tells the story of Rama, the Hindu god Vishnu in human form, and his wife, Sita, and explains how the festival began.  

Rangoli is an art form which includes decorative patterns using nature as inspiration.  Creating these patterns give Hindu families and communities a sense of collaboration, harmony and unity. In order to create their own Rangoli designs, our children learnt about pattern, line and symmetry, made close observational drawings using our spectacular grounds as inspiration, then applied this learning to their own patterns using a variety of mediums. 

Y6 spent the morning at St Mary’s graveyard exploring how stone and imagery are used as symbols in different faith traditions.

They were wonderfully respectful and attentive, taking rubbings from headstones and using their symbolism guides to uncover the meanings behind each design.

A highlight was meeting a local stonemason, who shared how natural stone is chosen and cared for, and the laws that protect its use in graveyards.

This learning forms part of our Hampshire HIAS RE curriculum, studying how stones act as symbols in both Christianity and Islam.