More than 30 year five and six students from ten different primary schools descended upon Camborne Science and International Academy recently for a morning inspired by magic.

The Super Saturday workshop was organised by CSIA’s very own student music council and head of music, Steve Martin.

“On Saturday mornings, CSIA’s music department is normally quite still and quiet but not on this occasion,” said Steve. “A surge of magic brought the whole department to life seeing every student involved eagerly anticipating what was in store for them.”

Having taken over two months to prepare, the workshop entitled Harry Potter and the Increasingly Difficult Spells saw primary pupils sorted into one of the four Hogwarts houses. “Although the topic was intended to be fun and exciting, it was also critical that the students were challenged academically, given the opportunity to learn independently and introduced to Google Classroom which we use here at CSIA,” said Steve.

A specially prepared video introduced the students to their task before the four houses, each led by a member of the student music council, went their separate ways to begin the Wizard Card Hunt.

The total number of wizard cards that each house had managed to find were added up while the students were entertained by Callum Wilton (year eight) who “mesmerised” the group with magic tricks. Ravenclaw were announced as the wizard card hunt winners, led by Molly Clemens (year eight).

The second half of the morning involved students learning how to play on the keyboard the musical spells on the wizard cards, that they had found earlier in the day. After an hour of dedicated spell-learning, supported by several members of the student music council, the four house leaders assessed the students on their ability to perform their spells.

“It was such a successful morning and the feedback from students was exceptional,” said Steve. “Without a lot of support from the student music council, the day could not have gone ahead, and that 15 CSIA students chose to give up their Saturday morning for the music department is a testament to the amazing spirit and family atmosphere the department has.”

Participating primary schools included Connor Downs Academy, Weeth, St Meriadoc, Crowan, Roskear, Rosmellin, Kehelland, St Uny, Penpol, Pencoys and Penponds.

In contradiction to the real Harry Potter story, it was the Slytherin House who lifted the overall house cup at the end of the morning.

“Music is incredibly powerful and touches the lives of all young people. It helps to bind students into the wider life of the school, improves learning, builds confidence, self-discipline and creativity” said principal at CSIA, Ian Kenworthy. “We’re very proud of our student music council for organising such a fantastic event and for being such inspirational role models for the younger students.”