Monday 12th of December was a very exciting day for Year 6 as they walked into a ‘Victorian’ classroom instead of their usual Haileybury one!
In the spirit of the event, the majority of our pupils dressed as queens, ladies, gentlemen, chimney sweeps, 19th century urchins and maids. Truly, it was a delight to see the effort the children made. After being lined up for a cleanliness inspection, one of their favourite activities was pretending to be ‘caned’ for insubordination, and we practically had the children begging to be frog-marched around the school, and, in dramatic fashion, role-play receiving a good hiding! The yelling was particularly effective! The children agreed to have the ‘Dunce’ cap, and once again, wanted to sit on the chair in the corner. Their least favourite activity was writing with chalk and slate – for the three Rs (reading, riting, rithmetic!)
For their daily break-time and exercise the children had to march around in circles, and in silence. They had deportment lessons, where they had to walk with straight backs, shoulders back, and ultimately, the British stiff upper lip! Children of the empire they became indeed! It made us all very proud. This was followed by elevenses, served at breakfast, which was particularly special as we had table cloths in the dining hall.
The boys then went for their Art lesson, while the girls had sewing class and instruction on how to be good young ladies, (wearing a corset and so on!). The sewing of traditional Victorian roses proved to be a very enjoyable activity, and some beautiful pieces were produced.
The children finished their special day with a lesson on how to dance the waltz! Indeed, it was the best way to find a good wife or husband, and so all Victorian children were taught how to waltz. It will be one of my fondest memories in my career, when I remember how the boys politely asked the girls to dance with them, and then the children bowed or curtsied respectively, to their partners.
Without a doubt, we have such delightful pupils in Year 6, and it is an absolute pleasure to organise fun events like this for them.
The Year 6 pupils of Haileybury certainly make our lives very special.
A special thank you to all the children who made the effort to make the day such an enjoyable event. Have a wonderful, and restful holiday.
Mr Roberts & Miss Watson
"Brilliantly organised" "Enormously impressed with what [Haileybury Almaty] has already achieved."
