The English Department’s spirits were almost as high as those of the 48 Gifted and Talented pupils, who arrived from 15 different primary schools in Wakefield on Wednesday 2nd July. English staff worked hard to create and host a full day of events for the Gifted and Talented ‘Smart Day’, including an exciting murder mystery organised by Miss Henderson and creative writing workshops by Miss Midgley and Miss Shaikh.
After an introduction to the day, any ‘ice’ was swiftly broken when the competitions began. The year 5 and 6 pupils soon exhibited their gifts and talents as they answered a succession of difficult riddles, such as: ‘I am weightless, but you can see me. Put me in a bucket and I’ll make it lighter, what am I?’ (Answer at the end!)
In addition to enhancing their ability to ‘think outside the box’, pupils developed their deductive and reasoning skills in the fabulous murder mystery event. Full costume donned by English staff, (including Miss Martland, Mrs Fennell, Miss Davies and Mrs Lindley), was complemented by the spooky music, elaborate props and ‘after theatre party’ setting in the murder mystery room. Star appearances were made by Mr O’Donnell and Mr Maltman. Pupils were presented with drama, an array of clues and medical evidence. They then had limited time to interview selected suspects and figure out ‘who dunnit’ in the Mimi La Rue murder case, before submitting their final answers.
Advanced poetic techniques, usually taught at GCSE level, and imaginative skills, were also heightened in the cross-curricular creative writing workshops – thank you to Ms Richards and Mrs Flanagan for their help in delivering these. Primary students left St. Wilfrid’s excited and eager to apply the skills and knowledge they had learnt to their future studies. A huge thank you to all staff involved, especially Miss Henderson for organising the murder mystery event. We hope to host this event for Gifted and Talented pupils again next year.
Miss Kate Midgley
Answer to riddle: a hole.
After an introduction to the day, any ‘ice’ was swiftly broken when the competitions began. The year 5 and 6 pupils soon exhibited their gifts and talents as they answered a succession of difficult riddles, such as: ‘I am weightless, but you can see me. Put me in a bucket and I’ll make it lighter, what am I?’ (Answer at the end!)
In addition to enhancing their ability to ‘think outside the box’, pupils developed their deductive and reasoning skills in the fabulous murder mystery event. Full costume donned by English staff, (including Miss Martland, Mrs Fennell, Miss Davies and Mrs Lindley), was complemented by the spooky music, elaborate props and ‘after theatre party’ setting in the murder mystery room. Star appearances were made by Mr O’Donnell and Mr Maltman. Pupils were presented with drama, an array of clues and medical evidence. They then had limited time to interview selected suspects and figure out ‘who dunnit’ in the Mimi La Rue murder case, before submitting their final answers.
Advanced poetic techniques, usually taught at GCSE level, and imaginative skills, were also heightened in the cross-curricular creative writing workshops – thank you to Ms Richards and Mrs Flanagan for their help in delivering these. Primary students left St. Wilfrid’s excited and eager to apply the skills and knowledge they had learnt to their future studies. A huge thank you to all staff involved, especially Miss Henderson for organising the murder mystery event. We hope to host this event for Gifted and Talented pupils again next year.
Miss Kate Midgley
Answer to riddle: a hole.
