Ancient Egypt Comes To Live At Waverley

Yesterday, Years 3 and 4 stepped back in time to enjoy a fantastic Ancient Egyptian Day thanks to a visit from Portals to the Past. Many of the children arrived dressed for the occasion, with Pharaohs, explorers and mummies all making an appearance on the day.

The immersive session began with an introduction to Ancient Egypt, where the children learnt about its geography, famous Pharaohs and what life was like thousands of years ago. They then put their detective skills to the test, taking part in a quiz, searching around the room for answers hidden on information boards.

Next, the children explored hieroglyphics. Working together in pairs, they deciphered the ancient symbols, which led them on to learn about Egyptian measurements. They discovered how the Ancient Egyptians used units based on body parts, such as fingers, palms and hands.

The children also learnt how to play a game called, 'Hounds and Jackals,' an ancient Egyptian race game similar to 'Snakes and Ladders.'

One of the key highlights of the day was the opportunity to investigate some genuine Ancient Egyptian artefacts. The children had the opportunity to handle and examine the artefacts, some of which were thousands of years old. They explored pieces of jewellery and scarab beetle amulets, gaining a real sense of connection to the past. A particularly special moment was the chance to look through a genuine eye piece from an ancient Egyptian death mask. Very few people have ever had the opportunity to hold and look through this remarkable artefact, making it an unforgettable experience for the children.

In the afternoon, the children learned about the fascinating process of mummification and how the Ancient Egyptians prepared their dead for the afterlife. Some brave volunteers even took part in a demonstration, helping to remove the body's organs and place them into canopic jars, just as the Egyptians would have done thousands of years ago.

Overall, it was a really enjoyable day packed with lots of hands-on activities. The children had a brilliant time bringing their history topic to life and learning more about the world of Ancient Egypt. A huge thank you to our wonderful WFA for funding this fantastic experience for the children!

See photos from the day below:

Ancient Egyptian Day 2026

Year 3 & 4