Robins are currently learning about the coldest parts of our planet, the Arctic and the Antarctic. Therefore, last week’s weather was perfect for our topic.   A few days ago, we had a visit from ‘a famous person from history’, Sir Ernest Shackleton! He came to share his story about his attempt to cross the continent of Antarctica in his ship ‘The Endurance’. Sir Ernest explained very well how the ship became trapped in the ice and how with excellent leadership and teamwork the whole crew managed to survive living on the ice for nearly two years! He set several challenges and tasks for us whilst he was here, all of which were competently completed by the children.

The heavy snowfall after Shackleton’s visit was perfect for Robins, as it enabled us to re-enact more realistically the events of his famous expedition. We built ‘The Endurance’, pulled the sleds as Sir Ernest and his crew had done, made ‘Dogloos’ for the 69 dogs that were taken on the expedition and created Dogtown as Sir Ernest had ordered. We also used a very heavy rope and imagined that we were hauling one of the lifeboats across the ice, just as the 23 man crew had done. This didn’t quite go according to plan as we tipped Mrs Forbes out of the lifeboat!

The ideas and imagination that came from the children were amazing! This historic event has certainly been brought to life in Robins.