On Friday 4^th February, Homelands was privileged to welcome Mr Kevin Foster MP who visited the school to teach the children about his role in the Government and how Parliament functions. Mr Foster spent time answering numerous insightful questions from Year 5 and 6 as he spoke to all the children in KS2. We would like to thank Mr Foster for his time and thorough explanations which gave us all an insight into the inner workings of Parliament from where MPs hang their swords, to what it is like to work with the Prime Minister, and how members of different political parties work together more often than in necessarily portrayed in the news. Following the assembly, Mr Foster met our Members of School Parliament: Ronnie (Speaker of Homelands) and Tye (Press Secretary).

REMEMBRANCE DAY 

On Thursday 11th November, Year 6 attended a Remembrance Service at St Marychurch. We were honoured to be there alongside other schools and members of the public. During the service, we sang hymns and listened to a powerful speech. We were incredibly lucky to meet and talk to veterans who had served in the military and met one gentleman who had served in the Second World War.  

George bravely placed our wreath on the monument in front of a large gathering and bowed to show his respects.  

The veterans allowed us to take a few pictures with them.  

Kevin Foster MP Visit

On Friday 17th May, Kevin Foster visited Homelands to talk about his job as a Member of Parliament.  He spoke to the whole school in assembly and then spent some time in Year 3 and Year 4 answering the children’s questions.  The children found out that Members of Parliament still have a place to hang their swords up in Parliament (although they’re not allowed to take in a real sword!) and that Kevin was inspired to become an MP when he was a teenager.  The children enjoyed the opportunity to ask lots of questions (yes, they did ask him about Brexit!) and many of them thought they might like to be an MP when they are older.

Promoting Fundamental British Values.

In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is "right" and "wrong", all people living in England are subject to its law.

The Key Values are:

• democracy
• rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

A ‘multi-cultural extravaganza!’ awaited our children’s arrival back in school after half term.  

We explored how across different countries, ‘similarities unite and differences enrich’; a key theme within our school curriculum. The children participated in music, dance, festivals, food tasting and learnt about different traditions.
 
We had musicians, a dance tutor, a sound roadshow, speakers of different nationalities sharing their cultural heritage, which all added to the colour of the week.  

At the end of the week we had an afternoon where parents and other family members were invited to walk our corridors and share in our children’s learning.

Lest We Forget

Homelands celebrating a combined effort from pupils across the school in recognition of an important occasion.  Children of all ages contributed a range of beautiful poppies, with work from 'Year 6 Art Club forming a powerful and thought provoking  centre piece.

Visitors have been so impressed with our Remembrance display.  Here is a quote from one of them:

WOW!  What an impressive display.

The children's remembrance display is fantastic.  It is great to see they are not only taught the importance of remembrance but also that they've obviously taken it to heart.

Clive Hemsley - Emazdad