Kids’ creativity sets sail

Wickham Primary School students have used the First Fleet as inspiration for creating ships made entirely out of recycled materials, which are now on display in Wickham library.

Each Year 4 student built a model hulk ship from the time of Australian settlement, which they are studying in class, for the display.

Year 4 teacher Sheryl Hicks said making the models was a creative challenge as well as a way for children to get a better understanding of what life was like during the period.

“They could use any materials they wanted as long as they were recyclable materials,” she said.

“What I think is really special about it is there’s such a huge range. They were really creative in what they came up with.”

Student Charlotte Ball, 8, made her large model ship partly out of paper bark while other students used sticks, plastic bottles and even takeaway boxes.

Ms Hicks said Wickham Primary students rarely had their work displayed in the public library and it was a proud moment for them.

“There are so many good things that the kids are doing, and I think it’s really great to have the public able to see (that),” she said.

The models are on display in Wickham library for the rest of this month.