In 2022, the Queen will become the first British monarch ever to celebrate a platinum jubilee. Celebrate with her by bringing your school community together for some right royal fun and games, says Sarah Everson.
Jubilee-themed summer fair
Tie your fair in with the official celebrations by giving it a platinum jubilee or royal theme. Include a fancy dress competition for knights and princesses, and adapt your favourite games – for example, hoopla with a toy crown or guess the weight of the jubilee cake. Set up a photo op with a royal-themed backdrop and union flag props.
Best in show
Invite the children to enter a ‘best in show’-style competition. Categories could include colouring, handcrafted crowns, junk model castles or celebration cakes. Charge an entry fee or ask for donations and award prizes, certificates or rosettes. Combine it with a bigger event or run as a stand-alone competition. Include categories for the grown-ups too if you think they can stand it.
Jubilee trail
Ask local businesses or householders to put up jubilee-themed displays and sell trail maps so participants can follow the route. Incorporate a Queen quiz or award prizes for completing the trail.
Crafternoon
As an after-school activity, run crafting sessions for the children on a jubilee theme. Search online for royal-related craft ideas such as union flags woven from wool, papercraft crowns, or Queen’s Guards made from cardboard tubes. Choose activities that can be run without the need for too many expensive supplies or volunteers.
Alternatively, invite a craft activity provider, such as a pottery painting studio, to run an activity with the help of PTA volunteers.
Sell tickets in advance so you know how many children are coming and you can plan equipment and materials accordingly.
Party on the playground
Break out the bunting and hold a street party-style celebration on the playground, either as a catered event or a community get-together with families donating buffet food. Double-check with your school about the need to avoid common allergens (for example, the school may be nut free) and set out a clear policy regarding the identification of ingredients and how to manage children with food sensitivities.
Pupil-designed products
Arrange for pupils to get creative in class, painting or drawing commemorative designs that can be transferred onto keepsake products such as reusable shopping bags, place mats or coasters. Custom gifts are popular with parents and extended families, and some suppliers have a minimum order of just one item. To find the right company for your PTA, check out the Fundraising-Printed Products category in our supplier directory.
Plant a tree for the jubilee
The Queen’s Green Canopy campaign is encouraging schools and other community groups to plant trees and play their part in enhancing the environment in honour of her Majesty’s platinum jubilee. Discover how your pupils can take part in this fantastic initiative.
NOTE In honour of the jubilee, the late May spring bank holiday moves to Thursday 2 June this year with an additional bank holiday on Friday 3 June. For many UK schools, the long weekend falls during the spring half-term, so keep your school’s dates in mind when you’re making plans.
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