MORE than 130 children at a Downend junior school have celebrated their ‘graduation’ from a special learning programme.
The children at Christ Church Junior School worked with Children’s University, a charity that works in partnership with schools to develop a love of learning by encouraging and celebrating participation in extracurricular activities, both in and outside of school.
Pupils took part in a variety of challenges and activities, including attending clubs, visiting attractions and completing tasks such as the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.
Deputy head teacher Alex Desmond said: “To graduate, children had to complete 30 hours of extra-curricular activities outside school, and the children really rose to the challenge!
“The school also provided opportunities for pupils to try new skills during the school day, by having a daily lunchtime club and special afternoons once a term, where they could choose to take part in a club run by a member of staff. Children have enjoyed a wide range of activities such as learning sign language, paper curling, song production, animation, boxing and much more.”
A ceremony was held for children to receive their certificates, complete with gowns and hats they made themselves, in front of parents and special guest Ian Boulton, the co-leader of South Gloucestershire Council.
Head teacher Pippa Osborne said: “We are incredibly proud of all the children who have taken part in Children’s University this year, and the children graduating today should treasure their achievement.
“It has been lovely to see such a varied range of new skills being learned, and the children have been inspired to pursue new interests.
“At Christ Church Juniors, we are committed to ensuring that all children have exciting, engaging and inclusive experiences, and this project has inspired the children to try something new and hopefully develop a lifelong passion along the way!”