The Rivers CofE Academy Box Car Rally 2024 was a day filled with excitement and creativity, eagerly anticipated by pupils and staff alike. Even the youngest children in Reception have watched the rally with wide-eyed wonder, eagerly awaiting their turn to participate in this special event.

 

Year 6 pupils from across the trust showcased their design and technology skills in a spectacular display. Each team came up with a unique theme, designed and built their boxcars, created team costumes, and prepared delicious food for their team lunch. The children were judged on various aspects, including the structure and mechanism of their boxcars, as well as their food and textile creations.

 

Award Winners

• Structure Award: Summerhill Primary Academy
• Textiles Award: Cherry Orchard Primary School
• Food Award: Great Witley CE Primary School
• Mechanism Award: St Clement’s CofE Primary School

 

Overall winners

• 1st place: Cherry Orchard Primary School
• Joint 2nd place: Summerhill Primary Academy and Great Witley CE Primary School
• 3rd place: St Clement’s CofE Primary School

 

The hard work and dedication of all the children in preparing for this event is truly remarkable. We are incredibly proud of their efforts, showcasing fantastic design skills, imagination, and creativity.

 

Acknowledgements

A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors and supporters who made this event possible:

• Shelsey Walsh Hill Climb: For allowing us to use the oldest motorsport venue in the world as our race track.
• Judges: Lorraine and Emma from Dolce Catering, George and Charlie from Worcester Bosch, Helen from Penguin Books and Elena from Worcester University.
• Hayfisher Productions: For capturing the event beautifully.
• Penguin Books: For donating book prizes.

 

Thanks also go to Andy Calvert for MCing on the day, Brian and Paige Moran for the loan of cars, East Lodge Farm for providing straw bales, John Trevilian for providing First Aid, and Black Pear Apparel.

 

Building Future Skills

The Box Car Rally is more than just a fun event; it is an opportunity for primary pupils to develop essential skills such as curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. These skills are crucial for success in future learning and professional life. The rally connects curriculum topics of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM), culminating in a final project that mirrors real-life problem-solving by addressing everyday challenges. Pupils learn to think critically, analyse, and apply practical knowledge.

 

As Year 6 children prepare to leave primary school and transition to the next stage of their educational journey, the Box Car Rally provides a memorable and enjoyable experience that helps prepare them for the complex situations they will encounter in the future.