This term our Year 4 students journeyed through time as they embarked on an informative and interactive visit to the HMS Belfast.

Right on the River Thames, the warship gave pupils a glimpse of what life aboard would be like at the time of war.

They visited a number of decks in the ship from the upper deck, where the Commanding Officers operated, to the lower decks containing engine rooms, sleeping areas, kitchens, and provision stowage space.

The contrast between the living areas of the officers and the ordinary crewmen stood out most on this tour and showed the on-duty differences onboard a ship.

One thrill for each of them was entering rooms containing ammunition and weapons. The children marveled at the magnitude of the missiles and defense systems surrounding them.

They saw so many rooms and secret spaces to discover, even actual bullets and ammunition rooms far inside the ship. The children better understood the risks and liabilities of Naval life.

This trip was not simply a tour of a warship, it was an experiential learning experience, which resonated highly with our school's three core values of Aspiration, Integrity, and Community.

They learned that sailors must work hard and maintain high standards, even in trying circumstances, truly embodying Aspiration.

They also learned about the importance of Integrity because crew members must be truthful, courageous, and be accountable for keeping fellow crew members safe.

Although, the overall experience mostly demonstrated how important an understanding Community is because each member of the crew relied on each other in order to survive and thrive just like children do in school.