The Children's Parliament 2007


This is what we learnt by taking part in the Children's Parliament:

  • that our strong points got stronger as we were working as a team
  • that we worked well as a team and had good ideas towards what we were doing
  • that although it can be terrifying talking to an audience, it can also be great fun
  • different skills on the computer e.g. using a database
  • how to organise phrases and words in an effective way
  • how to photocopy OHP slides

For all four of us, the Children's Parliament was a once-in-a-lifetime experience which we shall never forget.

The day of the Parliament came so quickly, it was petrifying. The first in the afternoon to present our speech - on global warming and what everyone should do to reduce it - our nerves were kicking in!

Standing facing the audience and the judges, their eyes seemed to fix on us like glue to paper; it felt overwhelming. The five minutes passed by in the blink of an eye; it was a huge relief… but it was far from over. We had to wait over two hours for the final result.

As the judges announced their decision, suddenly, we heard the name "St. Aldhelm's"; speechless, we sat and stared at each other, until our teacher (Mrs Kaunhoven) spluttered to us that we had won. A wave of happiness swept over us - we had won!!!

Alice Webb, Rebecca Carver, Hayley Carver and Chloe Mott.

A message from Councillor Gloria Cawood, County Councillor for Mendip Central and East and Portfolio Holder for Education.

Dear Roger,

I am dropping you a line to tell you how proud I was of the team from St. Aldhelm's who won the trophy for their excellent presentation on global warming. They were so good, but I was afraid that the judges might have forgotten just how good by the time they had heard all the other presentations, since they had to go first! The standard was very high indeed, so Alice, Rebecca, Chloe and Hayley deserve the greatest praise.

Adding to this, I have now spoken to David Heath MP to ask if he would entertain the winners to tea at the House of Commons. David has said that he would be delighted to do. also feel personally that Mrs Kaunhoven deserves to go too, and I'm sure David would be happy for to include her in the team if it were possible.

It was a lovely day - and I as I said before, I was so proud of the school