This activity looked at the important role of water in human culture. Between this meeting and the previous one, as part of their normal studies, schools studied the impact of water on the cultural development of their locality and country. The pupils studied its influences on all art forms, including literature, poetry, film, theatre, fine arts, architecture and music, and also traditions, food and customs. Before the meeting, pupils at each school looked at how water has influenced their cultural life and prepared a short presentation. This took the form of a small exhibition of artwork, written work, photos and models which were on display during the week. There was also a ten-minute presentation made to an audience of host school members as well as visitors.
During the meeting participants studied how water has exerted an influence on cultural development in our lives. The host school showed aspects of its local cultural development with a visit to the nearby city of Oxford, a world-renowned cultural centre which was founded where the River Thames meets the River Cherwell (known locally as the Isis). Whilst there, they visited the famous University which dates from the 12th Century and which has been at the forefront of developing ideas that have not only influenced the lives of people in this country but many more world-wide. They also visited the world’s first public museum, the Ashmolean, which houses a collection of art and artefacts from around the world.
On another day there was a visit to Stratford upon Avon to visit the home of William Shakespeare, whose cultural influence spreads far beyond the local area and who will be familiar to the participants from all countries.
At the school the pupils had workshops on aspects of film-making from developing an idea, to storyboarding and to filming. As a group, the visiting children and their hosts made a film using the neighbouring secondary school’s film and TV studio. They learnt about directing, acting, lighting, sound and production as well as exploring special effects such as green screen. These skills will be invaluable in the production of their final documentary for the project and will also serve them well in any presentational work they undertake in the future. As part of the workshops the pupils considered how water has inspired artists, authors and composers and explored their own interpretations of water. The conservation of water also came into these thoughts because the influence of water on our lives and cultures will continue into the future. These considerations will provide a basis for the subject matter when they begin their film-making.
Classes from the host school made a cultural presentation to the visitors, which included singing, dance and poetry. Visiting pupils also took part in some ordinary school lessons alongside pupils from the school. They learnt a little about ordinary English school life and later, at the homes of their hosts they participated in normal family life.
During the week the Mayor of Bicester hosted a meeting at the Town Council Chamber and talked to the children about the town and how it is run.
As well as their work, the pupils will discover some of the leisure related water activities that are part of British culture. This will include relaxing on the river in a boat or punt and taking a trip on the Oxford canal, once part of the national canal system used by working boats transporting goods around the country but now almost exclusively used for leisure.
