Flying icons from the Second World War were amongst the exhibits young visitors from West Norfolk were able to take a close look at when they saw planes of all types in the Duxford museum.

Children from Walpole Cross Keys, Clenchwarton and West Lynn primary schools even had the chance to try on uniforms at the former base in Cambridgeshire, now part of the Imperial War Museum.

Year 6 pupils at all three schools, members of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, have been studying the Second World War and the Battle of Britain Gallery at the museum ensured they could see a Spitfire and Hurricane close-up. There is also a crash-landed Messerschmitt as part of the exhibition.

“The children were really interested in finding out about the planes involved in the Battle of Britain and even some that featured in the Pearl Harbour attack. 

“We saw all the big-name planes and quite a few more modern ones, including Concorde. The children also enjoyed trying on some RAF uniforms and using the interactive devices to find out more about the exhibits and listening to information on the telephones on different stations,” said Billy Overton, Assistant Headteacher at Walpole Cross Keys.

The group visited a historic hangar, which houses the WWII exhibition, that was once home to the first operational Spitfires and the US 78th Fighter Group.

A kind-hearted pupil at our school is ready to lose her long curly locks to help children who are undergoing treatment for cancer.

Marnie-Rae Hornsby celebrated her sixth birthday today (20) and is having her hair cut later this year for the Little Princess charity.

Marnie is also raising money for the charity and had hit £375 this week via a page on the Just Giving website which was created for her by dad Shaun Hornsby.

Her proud mum Chelsea Owen said Marnie was inspired to help after her aunt lost her hair while receiving treatment for cancer before she died last year.  

“Marnie has been asking me for a while to cut her hair to her shoulders, and I’ve been putting it off as it’s so beautiful and long,  and not wanting her hair to go to waste and be thrown straight in the bin,” she said.

“She loves to have pretty hairstyles and I’m sure she still can with short hair. Marnie has a really kind nature and helps others.”

Marnie,  has been watching her list of sponsors increase on the web page and Chelsea said her daughter was ‘very grateful for every pound she has received.’

Her hair will be cut in June or July and donated to the Little Princess Trust which was established 20 years ago. It provides free, real hair wigs to children and young people aged up to 24 who lose their hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.

It also raises money to help fund childhood cancer research and for the last nine years has been funding scientists in the field of paediatric cancer. It has paid for 152 research projects in a bid to find a kinder and more effective treatment for childhood cancer.

Search ‘Marnies fundraiser for Little Princess Trust’ on justgiving.com to make a donation.

Literary debate was the order of the day when pupils from our school came together with others from across the West Norfolk Academies Trust to mark this year’s World Book Day.

The annual WNAT Primary Literary Event took place at the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange, where Year 5 children from the Trust’s six primary schools gave group presentations on book-related subjects.

“Teams of three pupils were asked to speak for five minutes,” explained event organiser Emma Hunt, Executive Deputy Headteacher at Heacham Infant and Junior Schools and Snettisham Primary.

“The first pupil introduced the speaker, to provide the audience with a little background; the main speaker then had approximately three minutes to deliver their views on the team’s chosen topic; the final team member then delivered the vote of thanks.”

Participating schools were: Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn; while subjects under discussion included the pros and cons of online learning, whether reading different genres contributes to social and emotional development, whether reading a book is better than watching a film, and whether characters influence the enjoyment of a book.

It was the fifth time that the event had taken place, and it was attended by an audience of pupils, staff members and trustees, as well as the CEO and Deputy CEO of WNAT.

All the speakers received certificates and goodie bags for taking part.

“The event provides an opportunity for pupils to develop their presentation skills, teaching them how to arrange and articulate their ideas and organise their thoughts, to deliver captivating presentations to an audience,” added Mrs Hunt.

“Utilising the skill to speak effectively at a young age, enables them to express their views in a balanced way, connecting with and motivating others. These skills are useful in formal situations, and will no doubt support future employment. They are also important in everyday life.”

A flooded venue did nothing to deter our young athletes who gathered at a West Norfolk school recently for a competition.

Pupils from all West Norfolk Academies Trust primary schools were able to have a go at a range of activities - from Hockey Dominoes to the Beanbag Challenge and Boccia - at the sport festival.

Originally, the KS1 (aged five to seven) festival meeting was arranged at Snettisham Primary, but a flooded field saw the action move to Heacham Junior where children from the school were joined by those from Gaywood, Walpole Cross Keys, West Lynn, Heacham Infants and Clenchwarton.

Heacham Junior’s PE lead James Agate said Sports Leaders from Heacham Junior School in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 helped to run the events and explained the rules to the younger children who took part. Members of the Year 4 Avocets class were also involved with the sport festival.

“I enjoyed running the sports as they were fun and engaging for the younger children,” said one of the leaders. 

Year One Gaywood Primary School pupil Ottilie Blackmore said the games had been great. 

“My favourite game was throwing a bean bag into a hoop. I liked getting it through the hoop at the back because it was worth 10 points. Gracie and I got 220 points together! We beat the world record.”

In a week starting with Holocaust Memorial Day, pupils at our school have been learning about Judaism.

Two young runners from our school made it to the finals of a prestigious cross country contest.