Tyne trip builds links between schools
Miillennium Bridge operator Tony Hauxwell showing the Staveley and Kirk Hammerton primary school parties round the Millenium Bridge (S)
Children from two Knaresborough primary schools have taken part in a landmark trip to look at “mega-structures” in and around Gateshead and Newcastle.
Pupils from Years 2 – 6 at Kirk Hammerton C of E and Staveley Community Primary Schools were blessed with stunning weather when the headed north on Wednesday, February 27.
Their educational experience which included visiting the Angel of the North, sketching bridges from the fifth floor of the Baltic Centre and a special tour of the workings of Gateshead’s Millennium Bridge.
Gateshead Metropolitan Council were also able to arrange a rare opening of the unique tilting bridge and four lucky children were chosen to control the mechanism and issue announcements to bridge pedestrians over the loudspeakers.
Teacher Joe Cooper said: “Our trip was designed to give pupils the chance to see large-scale structures of various kinds and that particular section of the Tyne has impressive buildings, bridges and monuments in abundance.
“The children produced some fantastic artwork both during and after our visit and learned some of the problems facing engineers and town planners.”
Kirk Hammerton Year 6 pupil Guy Jenkins loved learning about the bridge’s workings. He said: “I really enjoyed looking round the workings of the Millennium Bridge. Tony [bridge operator Tony Hauxwell] explained the mechanism in a way that was easy to understand and was also pretty funny.”
And Max Doswell, a Year 2 pupil from Staveley School, added: “I was a bit nervous pressing the button but it was OK in the end. It’s good to have extra kids from Kirk to go on trips with.”
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Weather for Harrogate
Tuesday 21 May 2013
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