In class we had been learning about how settlements have developed over time and how to identify the different features of a village. After learning about the history of Thames Town as a development, we started looking at what we might find in Thames Town itself.
There was a most exciting photographic scavenger hunt where we split into groups to find certain places around the town, including bronze statues of famous people. We found all sorts, from James Bond to Charles Darwin and when we found a red telephone box we thought we would test how many of us we could fit in!
As well as our photographic endeavours, we visited the Songjiang Urban Planning Exhibition where there is a large model of Thames Town (similar to the one of Shanghai at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition). Here we found out more about the history of Thames Town and how it has developed over time. Did you know that it was designed by Briton Tony Mackay and that when he first visited Songjiang in 2001, he discovered the area was farmland? It was sparsely populated, featuring more ducks than people!
We arrived back at school weary after a lot of walking, but very happy to have had a successful day.
- Beth Westwood, Head of Year 5