Once schools reopened to P1-3 pupils after the Christmas lockdown, I was able to restart and review my enquiry project.

I returned to the classroom in late February and began a global storyline with 2 P1s and used connecting classrooms resources for 2 other infant classes. The P1 classes are learning about life in a farming community and issues such as Fairtrade and land grabbing. The 2 other infant classes picked a global goal they were interested in, and I have been using and modifying resources from British Council Connecting Classrooms website, to make these age appropriate for the learners.

Throughout lockdown and whilst the upper primary school children remained learning at home, we continued to celebrate our different cultures and community. We had a virtual Chinese New Year celebration, celebrated International Women’s Day, discussed our traditions for Shrove Tuesday and recognised the many different languages spoken within our school community on Mother Tongue Day.

Our p5 classes are part of a Connecting Classrooms cluster and our school has been paired with a school in Bethlehem. With the class teachers in both schools, myself and my Palestinian counterpart met virtually to discuss a community project. Our learners are also taking part in a penpal exchange and with have a buddy in each country. We are at the very beginning of this journey and are excited to see where it will go.