World Cup runneth over into classroom
The beautiful game is leading to more educated minds as the pupils choose a country to support, then research its culture, traditions and football team and decorate their classroom appropriately, ready to be judged by the headteacher Julia Mortimore.
Year 7 to 10 pupils also set up themed food stalls, with money raised going towards St Bart’s partner school in Ghana, Kyiase Junior School.
Ms Mortimore said: “The students have really engaged with this project; it has provided so many educational benefits and enhanced their team-working and independent research skills.
"The food stalls were very popular and the sweet and savoury dishes on offer included Argentinian biscuits, smoothies from Ecuador, French pastries, Greek savouries, Swiss chocolate and Spanish paella.”
Strengthening the links with the school’s Ghanaian partner, each tutor group has also been assigned a player on the Ghana team to research and support.
Class 8E2, who drew Croatia, have also made heart-shaped biscuits from honey dough.
Known as licitars, they are a favourite Christmas decoration in Croatian homes.
Pupils dressed in their team’s national colours on Tuesday, with sixth-formers wearing the red, yellow and green of Ghana.
The prize for the winning tutor group will be chosen by the pupils from a range of options, such as an afternoon game of rounders, or pizzas at lunch time.
Ms Mortimore adds: “We will soon be announcing the winning tutor group... and the result will have no bearing on the World Cup football scores.”