Thursday 2 July 2015

The Longest Reigning Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II

September 9 marks a historical landmark for our nation. It is the day on which Elizabeth II becomes the longest-reigning monarch in British history, the day on which she breaks the record held for more than a century by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria. 

September 9 is the day that casts in a new light the National Anthem’s prayer about a Queen who is “long to reign over us”. Victoria’s reign of 23,226 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes – 63 years and seven months – defined an era and a people.

Victoria set her record on September 23 1896. “Today is the day I have reigned longer, by a day, than any English sovereign,” she recorded in her journal. Like her great-great-grandmother before her, Elizabeth II has requested there be no celebrations on September 9. Her attitude is shaped by respect for her formidable predecessor. The Queen is said to hope that, if the event is marked at all, it is done so reverently, with no spirit of triumphalism.

However our pupils wanted to commemorate this incredible achievement. They have been completing a range of activities:
  • reflecting on what the Queen means to them
  • finding out about her greatest achievements
  • painting portraits 
  • researching what it is that she actually does in her role as Queen
Here are some of their thoughts about Queen Elizabeth II and what she means to them:

Mulberry - Year 1
Leah Joyce: She's posh so I wonder what cake she had for her birthday. She's too posh to eat donuts.
Evie Crispin: She spends all her money on crowns and dogs.

Paige McGeoghan: For fun the Queen likes to go out in her carriage and wave at people.

Palm - Year 6
Archie Smith - She's a great queen because during World War 2 she drove a truck. Also she doesn't have a passport.
 
Daniel Oluokun - She's been a good queen because she was the first monarch to visit Germany after WWI.
 
Kulsoom - She's a good queen because she's travelled more miles than any other monarch, perfomring her duties.
 
Emma Groom and Sharna Dodge - On her 21st birthday, she pledged that she would devote her life to Britain.
 
Elisa Rina - She made her first broadcast for children in 1940.
 
Sophie Hann - She thanks her people for their support by holding a garden party each year.
 
Hakeem Bakreen - During her reign she has visited 116 countries to help bring peace around the world.
 
Alex - At 89 years she still attends over 400 functions per year and supports over 600 charities. A very busy lady!

Maple - Year 5
Lewis Godfrey: I think the best thing our queen has done is bring us peace.  


Drew Burkett: She helped us to get new homes and helped a lot of soldiers


Samson Wright: She has ruled over us and made sure our country is safe. 


Oliver Cummings: She is the best queen because she is kind and that's why she's ruled the longest. 


Endurance Obazee- She is a good Queen because she's a grandmother and she helped to build houses for poor people


Daniel Joy - She has ruled for a long time because she has helped build houses for poor people and helped to make Britain a better place. She has helped her kingdom and the people because she topped rationing. 

Birch & Willow - Year 4
Below are a few things the children from Birch and Willow have said about the Queen.
 
she is a good leader 
she helps others 
she is very supportive 
she is a good role model 
she supports many charities 
she is special 
she is somone who leads our country 
many people look up to her because of the generosity and kindness
Leo's quote was, "Lots of people like to see the Queen because she is a good role model, she is a good leader and she is kind and special. She is also very pretty for an older lady."

Cherry - Year 2
"When we have war the Queen orders her troops to defend us"  Ramone  
"She cooks and cleans all day" Finley Redmond
"She's a gong farmer like the olden days. That what you would do if you lived in a castle"  Zac Borland 
"She can just go to the shop and get something then just leave because she's the Queen and she has loads of money" Godswill

The children were then asked..  Who is her boss then if that's her job?

"Her dad even though his dead the king would tell her what to do"   Finley

"David Cameron"    Sky 

"She doesn't have a boss she does what she wants, she's on the money" Haliya 


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