Year 8 Students Delve into the Stories of Camelot
On February 25, Year 8 English students attended a special talk on The Stories of Camelot, presented by Christopher Bird, Deputy Head of Primary. Mr. Bird, who extensively studied Arthurian legends during his English Literature degree, aimed to deepen students' understanding of King Arthur and the legendary tales, highlighting their significance in both literature and history.
Year 8 student Hester shared her thoughts on the presentation:
"In our English classes this term, the exploration of Arthurian Legends has been an enlightening journey. Year 8 students have been delving into the timeless tales of King Arthur, examining the Hero's Journey and drawing valuable lessons on leadership, justice, and chivalry. The legendary stories of Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table have deepened our understanding of the enduring relevance of King Arthur and his knights, and the values they represent, such as loyalty, bravery, equality, and honor. We are also exploring how the virtues of chivalry can be applied in modern times.
One highlight of the unit so far was Mr. Bird's presentation on "The Stories of Camelot,". Mr. Bird, who studied Arthurian Legend extensively at university, imparted his wealth of wisdom on all things King Arthur. He captivated us with tales of places associated with King Arthur, such as Stonehenge, Camelot, and Glastonbury. What I found most fascinating was the revelation that many rituals and festivals honoring King Arthur still take place to this day, further evidence of King Arthur's enduring popularity.
This unit has provided students with a profound insight into Arthur's chivalrous and heroic deeds, reminding us of the values of love, good leadership, loyalty, and bravery—qualities we need more of in our modern world.”
Building upon their study of "The Stories of Camelot," the Year 8 English team has used the AISHK 30th Birthday celebrations as a springboard to teach the writing of evocative and visceral settings, along with other acquired writing skills in the unit. Students were asked to compose a text in which the Holy Grail reappears at the momentous AISHK 30th Birthday celebrations. While the task certainly exaggerates the events of February 7, 2025, it has been a wonderful opportunity to encourage learners to develop their creativity and imagination by reflecting on the sensory experiences of the joyous occasion.
An example is provided below:
The school was frenetic with activity, loud cheers erupting from the crowd as "Celebrate… Good Times C’mon" echoed around the field. The bright sun greeted the party guests as lines for the food wrapped around the field and weaved up and down continuously like an endless snake, the powerful odor of sizzled sausages waltzing across the entire school. The field was covered with millions of picnic blankets, the colorful confetti danced through the air creating a kaleidoscope of celebration. Ms. Dunstan made her way to the stage to make the final speech. "Thank you so much for making AISHK's 30th anniversary so special," she began, but suddenly, she looked up in the air and paused. Her eyes grew wide and her jaw dropped, the reflection in her eyes revealing the shining gold tinge of the Holy Grail. A little child named Aiden was rolling in the confetti, and as he looked up at the sky he screamed, "It’s a flying cup!" he exclaimed, the confetti orbiting the Holy Grail catching everyone's attention.
Miller, Rowina, Ty, Xavier – Year 8 students
As we continue our journey through the enchanting world of Camelot, we hope these legendary tales inspire our students to embrace the values of chivalry, bravery, and honor in their everyday lives. Remember, the magic of King Arthur's stories lives on in each of us.
Ms. Byrne and Mr. Cox
Year 8 English Teachers
