This year our Academy birthday fell during the Easter holidays. Therefore, we decided to combine our 3rd Academy birthday celebrations with our very special Everybody Write Day.

Tuesday 2nd June was chosen to be our very special celebration day – Around the World in 80 Days would be our theme. Each year group was given a continent to showcase to the children for the week. As an extra special treat for the children and for the ‘hook’ to the experience, a hot air balloon ride was booked for Tuesday and Wednesday 2nd and 3rd June (weather permitting).

All children would be given an opportunity to have a short balloon ride, whilst the balloon would be tethered to the school field. A whole school picnic was planned and teachers began planning and resourcing lots of exciting and interesting activities for the children to take part in.

Tuesday arrived and with it came high winds and yes, you’ve guessed it… rain! Unfortunately the fabulous anticipated arrival of the hot air balloon and rides had to be postponed. Not letting this news dampen our spirits or deter us, the children arrived at school to be welcomed by staff who were all dressed up in clothing depicting the themes of the continents of the different year groups. Reception staff were dressed up in the theme of Antarctica, there was even a visit from Elsa from Frozen. Year 1 staff rolled out the hospitality as French café waitresses as they focused on France in Europe. The staff in Year 2 were adorned in traditional Asian dress as they took us on a whistle stop tour of India, China, Afghanistan and Pakistan as part of the Asian continent. Year 3 transported us all to the hidden depths of the African jungle, while Year 4 inspired us on a journey to South America with a trip to colourful Brazil and the Amazon rainforest. As we visited Year 5, we found ourselves on the other side of the world as we were treated to a visit to Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and neighboring New Zealand. We finally ended up in North America as Year 6 staff took us to many American ball games, the Wild West and New York!

The children from these year groups were fully immersed in the cultures and lives of people living in these countries/continents. In some continents there was a selection of traditional food to taste. In all of the seven continents there were various activities to take part in and lots of information shared. The children were also treated to a guest appearance from a special visitor during our morning assembly – Phileas Fogg, who seemed to be missing his French Servant and companion Passepartout. This astute gentleman joined us introducing himself and holding seminars throughout the day; providing children with information about his amazing travels ‘Around the World in 80 Days!’  Our grand picnic took place at lunch time in the school hall, with children receiving themed packed lunches. The following day all classes embarked on their own journey Around the World in 80 Days. They visited each other’s classes to experience a flavour of life in each of the seven continents of the world. There was so much to see and do and it gave each child many opportunities to produce superb writing outcomes!

Just as the balloon experience was becoming a distant memory the Great British weather changed for the better – Finally the two days (Mon 15th and Tues 16th June) had arrived where we were all going to go ‘Up, Up and Away!’ The sun shone. Excitement could be felt in the air. There was a definite buzz around school! Each class, over the two days, made their way onto the field. Cries of joy, as the children turned onto the grassy area from the carpark, could be heard from inside the school building. The tension and pleasure was mounting! The hot air balloon was bigger than we could have ever imagined. The roar of the burner as it propelled heat up inside the envelope of the balloon, could be heard right across the field.

Three children at a time climbed into the huge wicker basket with a member of school staff and the pilot – Up, Up and Away – it was no time before we were airborne! Even the most apprehensive of flyers soon swapped their fear for wonder and delight at the tranquility and awe of travelling calmly up and up into the air by balloon.

Staff and children alike will NEVER forget this outstanding, once in a lifetime experience – Life at VPA is NEVER dull and indeed our learning experiences just keep getting bigger and better.

We now wonder what’s next on the horizon?

Victoria Park Primary Academy, would like to thank the staff from Wickers World Ltd, Staffordshire for supporting us on our adventure.