Schools join up to bring language to life for pupils

Pupils from six schools were invited to Portsmouth High Juniors to take a break from exams and instead learn about different cultures.

St Jude’s, Fernhurst, Court Lane, St Alban’s and Wimborne School all took part in the event called Our World, which focused on the environment.

The day gave pupils the chance to celebrate the multicultural nature of society with themed classes such as salsa dancing.

Beth Sparkes, 11, of Portsmouth High School said: ‘It was such an exciting day for all of us all.

‘We learned so much about the environment and even been taught about sanitation in ancient Greece.’

Languages Day is part of Portsmouth High’s effort to develop students cultural awareness by celebrating the multicultural nature of society.

Jane Arthers, a French teacher at Portsmouth High, said: ‘Being able to communicate with people in their native tongue is such an advantage and breaks down many barriers.’

Students at Portsmouth High are no strangers to learning new languages with French being taught from nursery through to Year 6, with Latin and even Mandarin introduced in Years 5 and 6.

Mrs Arthers said: ‘We recognise that we are living in an ever-shrinking world and many of our students will have the opportunity to work abroad.’

Activities included designing a French garden and learning numbers in Mandarin, before pupils performed songs in Spanish and Greek in front of parents in an assembly.

Catie Robertson, eight, of St Alban’s Primary, said: ‘I loved the Spanish singing and enjoyed learning to salsa too.’

Portsmouth High’s next themed day is on Saturday, June 11 when students get their detective hats on to solve a mystery at the school as part of the Forensic Science Trail.