A Pride of Lions will Adorn the New King’s School
A pride of lions will adorn the new King’s School, thanks to the young willow sculptors of their Junior department. The woven willow sculptures were part of King’s Infant & Junior Division ‘Well-Being Week’, which aimed to give pupils the time to emerge themselves in all things creative, and with a positive impact of their health, safety and well-being.
Among many topics, the innovative enrichment exercise saw experts give master classes on first aid, laughing yoga, healthy diet, the mental approach to happiness, creativity and willow weaving courtesy of former pupil and renowned Northern sculptor Juliette Hamilton.
Juliette, who sources her willow from the Somerset levels, built a frame for a huge male lion taken from the King’s School’s 500-year-old badge, and then supervised as pupils wove round the structure to build their own lion sculpture. Juliette said: “It’s an incredibly therapeutic exercise in which the children relax, focus and concentrate and have the satisfaction of creating something tangible and lasting.”
As well as the male lion, Juliette will build a female partner and two cubs to make a pride of lions that will sit near the entrance to the Infant & Junior Division when the school relocates to its new campus in Prestbury.
Erica Merriman, PSHE Lead at King’s Junior Division, who organised the week, said: “The health and well-being of our pupils is paramount at King’s and we very much believe in the value of a healthy mind and healthy body. For our Enrichment Week, we planned a huge range of classes and themes to give the children practical lifestyle advice allied to the mental tools to aid relaxation and tranquility.”
Erica added: “Juliette tells us the lion sculptures will last an average of five years, but that’s no worry. It’s simple when they are getting tired we will ask another generation of pupils to build something new to leave their mark.”
