On Monday 19th June, Year 5 students from Rupert House School in Henley-on-Thames enjoyed a creative morning at Leighton Park School. Divided into two groups, the students were introduced to new skills whilst taking part in a choice of hands-on workshops: Wax Batik and Sustainable Cookery.
In the Wax Batik Workshop, students learned the art of batik, a textile technique where wax is used to create outlines and patterns on fabric, which are then filled in with dye. Under the expert guidance of Leighton Park’s Textiles teacher, Deborah Ince, the students had the opportunity to experiment with drawing designs using a tjanting tool and learning how to handle molten wax. Many students were discovering the technique for the first time. Olivia (Year 5 student at Rupert House) took part in the Batik Workshop and said “I loved it so so much and I want to come again”.
Meanwhile, in the Sustainable Cookery Workshop, the students explored sustainability, a key value at Leighton Park, and the importance of using seasonal ingredients in cooking. They made a delicious berry crumble, using frozen berries that had been picked in season to preserve their freshness. The students learned not only about the joy of cooking but also about sustainability in food choices, including the environmental benefits of reducing food miles and minimising waste. Simultaneously, they also picked up essential kitchen skills, such as the ‘Bridge and Claw’ method for safe food preparation. Thomas (Year 5 student at Rupert House) commented: “It was so good! We had a really nice teacher, Karrie. My favourite part of the workshop was using my fingers to mix the crumble topping.”
Alice Fletcher, Deputy Head at Rupert House reflected that “the super enrichment opportunities provided by batik and food tech” had sparked a greater interest in creativity and sustainability: “It was lovely to learn a bit more about the LP values. Lots of fun had by all!”
Though the students had to leave shortly after their workshops, they still had the chance to sample Leighton Park’s delicious snacks courtesy of our Oakview team. Next time, we hope they’ll stay longer and enjoy an infamous LP lunch!
You can read more about our Values-led Education and approach to STEAM here. And you can see more photos from the workshops here.
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