Last Friday, Year 6 enjoyed a packed day of learning at the National Justice Museum, which boasts a Victorian courtroom, Georgian jail, and cells that date back hundreds of years.  This study visit links to the girls' Crime and Punishment topic, investigating how the legal system has changed over time and how justice is applied today.

      In a carefully-curated courtroom workshop, students recreated the case of Isabella Makin, an eleven year old girl who was on trial in Victorian Nottingham.  Year 6 took on the roles of judiciary, clerks, defence, prosecution and jury.  Judges Anais and Amelie kept order in their courtroom and in both trials the prosecution teams were successful, sentencing the unfortunate defendants (Susan and Anvitha) to long stretches in prison!

      The afternoon included a guided tour of the museum, meeting the Georgian jailer and Victorian matron to understand how punishment has evolved throughout British history, and examining primary sources of evidence such as hand cuffs and holding cells.  Well done, Year 6, for engaging so well in every activity and for demonstrating deep thinking skills in your questioning, ready to apply your learning back in the classroom!

      Bringing in sweets and cakes for birthday treats is becoming more difficult with food intolerances, allergies and our healthy eating agenda.

      Instead - and starting from 19 February for one year - we would love girls to donate a potted house plant to the school. These indoor plants will be labelled with birthday girls' names and cared for by their classes, whilst also making their classroom more environmentally friendly places.  Thank you in advance for supporting this initiative.

      On Thursday, girls from Year 4 to 6 were joined by pupils from our sister GDST school, Northampton High School, to enjoy a brand new theatre production from a cast of three young female actors at Squire Performing Arts Centre. PROTEST creatively told the story of three girls - Chloe, Jade and Alice - preparing to stand up for their beliefs, despite the injustices stacked against them. The play certainly explored what it takes to make a difference, the power of friendship, and the importance of believing in your own voice.

      As part of Children's Mental Health Week, girls across the GDST have been finding out how to use their voices and have them heard - and this learning opportunity enabled the entire audience to be inspired by three girls’ resilience and positivity.