Pupils and staff at Beechwood Pak celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, turning the School red, white and blue as they engaged in a fun-filled day.
Pupils and staff alike enjoyed a wide range of activities, including a 1950s themed sports day, whole school art and music collaborations, and, of course, a fantastic picnic / barbecue provided by our wonderful Holroyd Howe Catering Team.
But the highlight of the day was undoubtedly the fantastic recreation of the Union Jack flag on the School’s front lawn.
Meticulously calculated and planned by Paul Reading, member of the Beechwood Maths Department, the flag was then marked out by our wonderful Estates Team. There were doubts that the area was going to be large enough to accommodate all 550 Beechwood pupils, from Woodlands Nursery up to Top Form (Year 8), and staff, but all fears were unfounded as pupils filed in, in colour order, accompanied by the school brass band who played a series of rousing tunes.
Head of Boarding and Geography Teacher Rob Humphreys was on hand with his drone to capture the flag from above – an iconic image that has now been widely shared across the School community.
Head of Beechwood, Ed Balfour, said “The day was a wonderful example of collaboration at Beechwood, and we all thoroughly enjoyed celebrating Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in typically creative and characterful Beechwood style. The highlight was undoubtedly our re-creation of the Union Jack on the Front Lawn – I hope Her Majesty would be proud of our efforts!”
The PE Department organised a 1950s style sports day, complete with tug of war, welly throwing, three-legged and wheelbarrow races, whilst our traditional fete included a coconut shy, pin the jewel on the crown and other activities.
The Art Department brought pupils together to creative a collaborative piece of jubilee art which now hangs proudly in the School’s Great Hall, and the Music Department taught children from Woodlands upwards a special celebratory jubilee song, before everyone enjoyed a barbecue picnic lunch on the lawn.
It was a special day which we hope will remain in our pupils’ memories for a lifetime!
