This week in schools, there has been a special focus on current news and the remarkable milestone of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. With Buckingham Palace unveiling the official line-up for celebrations, primary schools have taken the opportunity to discuss the Jubilee’s significance and how communities are coming together across the UK. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: A Historic Milestone In June 2022, Queen Elizabeth II will become the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking an extraordinary 70 years of service. This milestone will be commemorated with a special four-day Bank Holiday weekend from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June, filled with events such as street parties, a star-studded concert at Buckingham Palace, and vibrant parades. People all over the UK are preparing to join these celebrations, making it a nationwide event to remember. Understanding a Royal Jubilee A Jubilee is a significant celebration marking a monarch’s reign, observed at milestones such as 25 (Silver), 50 (Gold), 60 (Diamond), 65 (Sapphire), and 70 (Platinum) years. No other British monarch has ruled long enough to mark a Platinum Jubilee, making this year’s event especially unique. Previous Jubilees have been celebrated with grand processions, fireworks, feasts, and community festivities since the 1300s. Nationwide Celebrations and Community Events Communities have embraced the upcoming Jubilee with a rich variety of events. Notable highlights include: A live concert at Buckingham Palace featuring renowned entertainment stars. The Big Jubilee Lunch on 5th June, encouraging neighbours to connect through shared meals, street parties, BBQs, and tea parties. The ‘River of Hope’ parade in London, involving 200 silk flags decorated and displayed along The Mall. The ‘Queen’s Green Canopy’ initiative, inviting people to plant trees in honour of the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. Personal Stories: How Families and Schools Are Celebrating Across the country, children and families are getting creative in marking the Jubilee. Some schools are hosting pre-weekend parties, while communities organise free family events at local landmarks, complete with picnics, music, and entertainment. Villages are holding sports days, arts competitions, BBQs, and even presenting commemorative mugs to children. At home, families are decorating with Union Jack themes and arranging parties with friends. Others are engaging in themed weekends and parades, or simply sharing family meals to acknowledge this historic occasion. Duties, Responsibility, and the Queen’s Legacy The Queen’s message of lifelong service and duty is a central theme as schools discuss this anniversary. The concept of ‘duty’—a moral or legal responsibility—is explored with examples from everyday life and professional roles, including firefighters, playground buddies, and caring for pets. Students reflect on their personal duties at school and home, discussing the importance of honesty, kindness, respect, and law-abiding citizenship. Reflection and Discussion in the Classroom Assemblies and class discussions this week prompt students to think deeply about the meaning of commitment and service. Questions encourage children to consider how they would feel after dedicating 70 years to a role, the duties they hold, and the responsibilities that come with growing older. These conversations help young people understand the importance of fulfilling their obligations both within the community and beyond. Celebration Activities and Follow-Up Ideas Schools are seizing the Jubilee as an opportunity to engage in creative learning. Students can write letters to the Queen, design their own party games for the celebrations, and work collaboratively on practical maths problems using party food. These activities are designed to help children appreciate the value of traditions and the diversity of celebrations happening nationwide. Vocabulary Focus Devoted: Very loyal and committed. Duty: A moral or legal obligation; responsibility. Jubilee: A special anniversary of a significant event. Milestone: An important event or development in history. Monarch: A country’s king or queen. Unveiled: Shown or made known for the first time. Latest News Highlights Beyond the Jubilee, assemblies are introducing pupils to recent inventions like jet suits being trialled by paramedics for rescue missions, and cultural highlights such as Rose Ayling-Ellis’s storytelling in British Sign Language for CBeebies Bedtime Stories. Unique local stories, including a tuk-tuk garden in Delhi used to beat a heatwave, are also sparking discussions about innovation and what makes us different. Reflection: Our Roles and Choices Assemblies conclude with an important reminder: Everyone has duties and responsibilities that shape our lives. Some are shared by all, while others are unique to the choices we make. This celebration is a valuable chance to rest, relax, and connect through cultural and creative activities. As the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee shows, both tradition and individual responsibility are worthy of recognition and celebration. Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
