Pupils at Mattishall Primary School recently spent a week 'down-under' when the teachers decided to dedicate a week of fun learning and activities to Australia.

Pupils at Mattishall Primary School recently spent a week 'down-under' when the teachers decided to dedicate a week of fun learning and activities to Australia.

The curriculum for the week incorporated learning about Australian history including the Aboriginals and first early settlers, the geography and climate which varies from the beautiful tropical rainforest in Queensland to the dry arid centre. They studied the animals and birds indigenous to Australia like the Koala and Kangaroo and also the fish and other creatures that inhabit the Great Barrier Reef.

The children learnt about the Aboriginal dreamtime stories and enjoyed having a go at painting their own. They were also taught to sing an Aboriginal song as well as verses from the Rolf Harris classic, Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport!

They studied the art of throwing the boomerang and had the chance to put this into practice on the school field. They also tried out making some traditional Australian fare including Anzac cookies and sweet potatoes.

Steve Arbor spent two days in school teaching the children about Aboriginal culture as well as how to play the didgeridoo. The Friends Association bought the children a simple didgeridoo each which they all played together in an assembly where the children also shared their experiences from the week and showed their work.