Kingfishers and Sparrows had a fantastic and inspiring day out visiting the National Railway Museum and Wonderlab, filled with excitement, curiosity and hands-on learning.
The children began their visit in the Great Hall, where they were amazed by the impressive trains on display. Many were particularly captivated by the model railway room, watching the miniature trains weave their way through detailed landscapes.
A real highlight of the day was an engaging and interactive talk from James, who taught the children all about Stephenson’s Rocket. The children listened carefully and asked thoughtful questions, and some were even lucky enough to dress up as the inventors and creators — Robert Stephenson, George Stephenson and Henry Booth — bringing history to life in a truly memorable way.
The afternoon was spent in Wonderlab, where the children explored science through play and investigation. They learned about aerodynamics, discovered different types of fuel, and tested their engineering skills through a range of exciting challenges. Stepping into the human wind tunnel, watching scarves fly through the air, and planning routes to send balls through the Great Machine were firm favourites. The children loved the freedom to explore, experiment and learn through hands-on activities.
“The children were completely engaged throughout the day. Seeing their excitement as they explored real engineering and scientific concepts was wonderful — it was learning at its very best,” said Miss Corrigan.
“Wonderlab was a real highlight. The children worked together brilliantly, showing curiosity, teamwork and resilience as they tested their ideas and learned through play,” added Miss Ward.
We would like to say a huge thank you to the wonderful volunteers who supported us throughout the trip and helped make the day run so smoothly. We are also incredibly grateful to FOSP (Friends of St Peter’s) for their generous funding, which made this valuable experience possible for our children.
This visit truly reflected our school vision of Love, Learn and Shine — nurturing curiosity, encouraging learning beyond the classroom, and helping every child shine through new experiences. It was a brilliant day that will be remembered for a long time to come.
