Dragon QUEST

With all the excitement and energy that the Dragon week brings, Mindful Dragons provides the opportunity to put yourself first and connect with your surroundings in a therapeutic way. Learning how to look after your physical and mental health is hugely important in order to get the best out of life. Through fun-filled activities, both on and off site, Dragons will discover how to connect with the natural world, themselves and others by being present in the moment.

From plastic to Prada, this creative new QUEST will explore fashion design, but with a difference. Bringing the worlds of fashion and sustainability together, promoting both the latest catwalk trends and waste reduction, Dragons will design unique wearable pieces made from used, disposable, found and repurposed elements. These will then be modelled on our Dragon runway!

Dragon Impact seeks to make a tangible difference to the local environment and community through meaningful social and environmental action. Those participating will be changemakers who care about the world that they are in and will be encouraged to be inventive and creative by using their skills to serve the wider community. If you are passionate about making the world a better place, come and get involved. “Be the change you wish to see in the world”.

How do you start an empire? Land, battles, leaders, government, religion, economy, heirs? How do you keep it running alongside others? Would you sign a treaty? Would you invade? Are you a fair ruler or would your people rebel?

In Age of Dragons we will be creating our own empires, step by step, reinterpreting maps and time periods. We will look historical empires such as the Persian, Byzantine and Holy Roman Empire, to analyse their strengths and weaknesses and appreciate their cultures. This QUEST is aimed at those who have or want to create or expand their own country/empire and are willing to challenge their political, religious and economic decisions alongside others.

Whether you’ve been inspired by the Euros win over the summer, or are just keen to try something different, Girls football is here. We have an external coach coming in who has worked with Oxford Brookes women’s teams as well as Oxford Utd and Chelsea talent pathways. Come learn some new skills and develop your footballing ability in this exciting new activity; it’s coming home.

Fingers on buzzers, this could be your starter for ten. Are you a keen quizzer, or just looking to boost your general knowledge? This is a great opportunity to pick up facts and have fun with Dragon’s answer to Jeremey Paxman and Anne Robinson!

Dramatic Dragons offers children the opportunity to experience specialised performance workshops in a range of different theatrical forms. Each session will teach children the fundamentals of acting and stage craft for a particular audience and purpose, including acting for screen, musical theatre, improvisation and pantomime. Children will enjoy collaborating to create a short performance at the end of each session, using both devised scripts and already established material. There will also be the chance to see how a production operates behind the scenes; from lighting and sound to the infamous Dragon Dungeon, Dramatic has everything for the budding thespian.

STEM Dragons will bring Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths all together so you can develop, create and think. Some of the most everyday items, such as the lowly paperclip, will have involved all the elements of STEM. Needing to answer questions such as, what material to use, how strong does it need to be, how should it look, can it be mass produced etc. This activity will help your thinking skills and get your creative juices flowing. If you are interested in making, designing and also the “How it works”, this is the quest for you.

Building on the phenomenon that is ‘School of Rock’, take part in band sessions coached by industry professionals. You’ll develop musical skills alongside friends to perform as a tight and dynamic group of musicians.

Zoom away with a Bit:Bot car! Our young programmers will construct a Bit:Bot car by hooking up sensors, coding the driver and linking with a remote control. Dragons will not only learn the basics of coding and robotics but will also create their own obstacle course for testing their driving skills and part of the challenge will be autonomous navigation. All equipment provided.

The best presents are the personal gifts that have had time and care put into their making. Crafty Dragons is an opportunity for children to show their ingenuity and enjoy engaging in some fun and creative craft activities, producing beautiful handcrafted gifts. From macramé to tiedye, these can be kept as wonderful souvenirs or, be presented to friends and family as thoughtful bespoke gifts.

Join the Manga revolution and dive into the world of animae with this unique QUEST! Manga (漫画)is the term given to Japanese comics books and cartoons, wonderfully illustrated in its own distinctive way. With focus on drawing and shading in Manga style, using online tutorials and step by step guides, Dragons can expand their artistic capabilities by discovering the Manga way.

Dragon Scavengers involves all the fun of a scavenger hunt; finding clues and objects whilst also learning some of the skills of orienteering – how to recognise map symbols, read a map and use a compass. Children will race against others to find their way from clue to clue, sometimes following a map and sometimes using their skills of ingenuity. Their hunt will take them around the school site and to other local settings in the hopes that their final clue will lead them to the end of the rainbow!

First Aid is an invaluable life skill and Dragon Responders is an introduction to different scenarios where Dragons could assist with medical matters as one of the first helpers on the scene. During this module, qualified nurses from the Dragon Health Centre will look to inspire and excite our young Responders as they talk them through their line of work. Each session will have a different medical focus, including wound care, burns and scalds, bleeds and fainting. The experience will provide invaluable knowledge of basic medical care that the children can apply given the appropriate situation. This really is a QUEST that could make a difference!

Under the tuition of specialist instructors from Mini Professionals Dance Academy, Dancing Dragons explores the world of contemporary dance – a genre that encompasses many different styles including Hip-Hop, Street and Funk. Suitable for boys and girls of all abilities and levels, this QUEST focuses on connecting the mind and body to boost a child’s confidence, coordination, balance, and fitness, culminating in a choreographed routine that the children can present at the end of the module. Dancing Dragons guarantees a fun and energetic start to the day.

Much like the pupils at St. Trinian’s, Dragon boys and girls are rarely far from their hockey sticks. Now’s the time to put your hockey skills to the test as Dragon Sticks throws you into the world of mini hockey. Using different dimension pitches, smaller goals and a variety of balls, the boys and girls will get the chance to fine tune their technique, develop new skills and participate in weekly tournaments in one of Dragon’s favourite sports. It promises to be a ball. See you on the pitch!

This QUEST will take you out of this world! In a series of fascinating sessions, a team of astrophysicists from Oxford University will take you on a tour of the cosmos, from the stars in the night sky to the beginning of the entire Universe, discussing the development of astronomy as well as working on modern research questions. Astronomy is one of the oldest, most fascinating and mysterious areas of science. Using unique methods unlike those of other areas of study, for centuries astronomers have learnt the secrets of the cosmos. As well as Star Gazers teaching you lots of amazing science, you will discover all about the people and technology that make it possible to study our wonderful Universe.

With all the excitement and energy that the Dragon week brings, Mindful Dragons provides the opportunity to put yourself first and connect with your surroundings in a therapeutic way. Learning how to look after your physical and mental health is hugely important in order to get the best out of life. Through fun-filled activities, both on and off site, Dragons will discover how to connect with the natural world, themselves and others by being present in the moment.

Dragon Impact seeks to make a tangible difference to the local environment and community through meaningful social and environmental action. Those participating will be changemakers who care about the world that they are in and will be encouraged to be inventive and creative by using their skills to serve the wider community. If you are passionate about making the world a better place, come and get involved. “Be the change you wish to see in the world”.

Slot car racing, more commonly known as Scalextric, is making a comeback! It may be more familiar to parents, but its appeal is ageless. Plan and construct your own circuits, then race your friends in competition; how fast can you take those corners? Scaly Dragons  is sure to be a major a-track-tion!

This QUEST hopes to dunk on all the others by giving you the chance to become the next Lebron James. Basketball is a great game and this module you have a chance to learn from Mr Irvine. Many children in countries such as the USA, Spain, Argentina, Canada and Portugal grow up playing basketball. In the modern day, 5-a-side is the most exposed version of the game which you can see in the NBA, however, more popular forms of 3 v 3, street basketball and 1 v 1 are modern ways to play the fast-paced game. It is an Olympic sport, dominated by the USA, and can develop a range of different skills including pass, catch in a range of different and varying way as well as developing teamwork. It’s sure to improve your all round play and be a lot of fun at the same time. If you love Basketball already, or are keen to learn a new sport, this should be right up your Alley-oop.

Building on the phenomenon that is ‘School of Rock’, Dragons can take part in band sessions and develop musical skills alongside their friends to perform as a tight and dynamic group of musicians. Coached by industry professionals, discovering how to perform classic hits as part of a band is a rock ‘n’ roll experience not to be missed.

Who wouldn’t want to be the protagonist in their own story? Dungeons and Dragons immerses children in a fantastic world of adventure and harnesses their imagination in this cooperative storytelling game. Children will choose a class – are they a brutish barbarian or a ruthless rogue? – before embarking on an epic quest where success can hinge on the throw of a dice. Working together, the adventurers will explore ancient ruins and deadly dungeons, battle monsters and beasts, and search for legendary treasures. No previous experience is required.

They say the pen is mightier than the sword and Dragon Quills is a chance for the children to let their pens do the talking through calligraphy design. Dragons will learn the skills and techniques for positioning and inscribing words to create beautiful designs that show off their creative flair. There is no need to worry about handwriting and presentation as you will learn the tricks to turn your hand to modern calligraphy whatever your skill set.

Everyone loves a little knitted treat and this activity will allow the children to be creative with wool, embroidery, threads and fabrics. The group will learn how to create simple toys and accessories; mastering the basics of knitting and stitching and using their imagination to create unique projects. Calm, mindful and social, knitting is back and very cool!

Dragons are at their best in the wild, mixing creative flair with innate adventure. Here, the children will learn the arts of bush craft, uncovering and exploring what nature has to offer right on their doorstep. From building dens and fires to identifying lesser known ’bush tucker’, Dragons in the Wild is sure to foster a curiosity of one’s surroundings.

Knowing how to be safe and being ready to help keep others safe around water is essential, and a scenario that will recur through life. The Rookie Lifeguard Programme is a fun and exciting lifesaving awards scheme for Dragons, who will develop self-rescue techniques, survival methods, rescue awareness, and lifesaving sport skills.

The Dragon sounds like a karate school and now, via QUEST, it is! Courtesy of Oxford Sport & Traditional Martial Arts (OSTMA) and through the delivery of fun filled, high energy karate classes, Dragons will develop confidence through self-defence and stranger awareness skills. With a focus on life and safety skill development, OSTMA training systems support children’s holistic growth through a positive and caring environment. With a fantastic reputation for children’s martial arts, smiling, sweating and learning are the key factors behind every OSTMA class

Many children in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Portugal and Spain grow up playing futsal – a small sided, quick paced game that originated in Uruguay in the early 1930s. The game itself is played on a small court with five players on each team (one goalkeeper and four outfield players) using a ball that is heavier than the normal football. Futsal can develop a range of different skills including basic ball control and manipulation skills, exposure to more one-to-one situations, improving accuracy and weight of pass as well as tactical awareness and teamwork. Many of the world’s top footballing stars credit their skills to the small-sided game of futsal, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Mr Stephens and many more. A QUEST for all abilities and ages, it’s sure to improve all round play and be a lot of fun at the same time.

With the introduction of specialist instructors from Mini Professionals Dance Academy, Dancing Dragons explores the world of contemporary dance – a genre that encompasses many different styles including; Jazz, Modern, Commercial, Hip-Hop, Ballet, Baby Ballet, Tap, Funk, Contemporary, Lyrical and Musical Theatre. Suitable for boys and girls of all abilities and levels, with a focus on connecting the mind and body to boost a child’s confidence, coordination, balance, and fitness, culminating in a choreographed routine, Dancing Dragons will guarantee a fun and energetic start to the day.

Whether Muggle or Wizard, everyone is welcome to have a go at the Dragon Quidditch. You don’t need to be incredibly sporty, knowledgeable about Harry Potter or even own a broomstick to enjoy this fast paced and endlessly entertaining game. Just bring an open mind, a sense of fun and a pair of trainers!

This QUEST will take you out of this world! In a series of fascinating sessions, a team of astrophysicists from Oxford University will take you on a tour of the cosmos, from the stars in the night sky to the beginning of the entire Universe, discussing the development of astronomy as well as working on modern research questions. Astronomy is one of the oldest, most fascinating and mysterious areas of science. Using unique methods unlike those of other areas of study, for centuries astronomers have learnt the secrets of the cosmos. As well as Star Gazers teaching you lots of amazing science, you will discover all about the people and technology that make it possible to study our wonderful Universe.

Did you know that over 150,000 people in the UK use British Sign Language as their main form of communication, using gestures, facial expression and body language to converse with others? Here is a unique opportunity for Dragons to learn some of the basics of British Sign Language, developing a valuable and inclusive life skill. They will discover how to finger spell and lip read, become familiar with some common signs for describing family, favourite things and even do some sign-singing!

You may have heard of the Bay City Rollers, but Bardwell Road is where it’s really happening! Dragon Rollers brings you the opportunity to put on the skates and take on various challenges, races and maybe even a roller disco. Ma Crook’s favourite childhood pastime was rollerblading and she has no doubt you can upskill her in the world of inline skating, with your tricks and tekkers. Using the astros and playgrounds, there is the perfect terrain for all abilities to develop skills in a safe and fun environment. Move over Barbie and Ken, the Dragon Rollers are here!

Learn to write, perform and record your own songs in the Dragon Recording Studio, developing specialist musical tech skills. Dare to take an idea all the way from poem to finished pop product, and upload for all to enjoy.

Do you know which fuel is the best for rockets? Or what makes fireworks different colours? Or have you ever thought about what makes slime stretchy or bouncy balls bouncy? Dragons can find out the answers to questions like these, and many more in Big Bang Dragons, which will focus on practical, hands-on experiments, as well as having the chance to have a go at some Science-based escape rooms. Certainly a QUEST for the curious minded.

Under the expert guidance of Holroyd Howe’s cookery teacher, QUEST is delighted to introduce a double helping of Culinary Dragons giving a unique insight into the tricks of the catering trade. Not only will the children learn about the origins and versatility of various ingredients, they will also explore how different cultures around the world embrace food using their own unique dishes and customs, focusing on a different recipe each week; a real favourite on the QUEST menu.

Who wouldn’t want to be the protagonist in their own story? Dungeons and Dragons immerses children in a fantastic world of adventure and harnesses their imagination in this cooperative storytelling game. Children will choose a class – are they a brutish barbarian or a ruthless rogue? – before embarking on an epic quest where success can hinge on the throw of a dice. Working together, the adventurers will explore ancient ruins and deadly dungeons, battle monsters and beasts, and search for legendary treasures. No previous experience is required.

In this module, Dragon Artists will be exploring their creativity by investigating a variety of processes and materials, ranging from drawing and painting to printmaking and collage, all with a suitably seasonal theme. For artists of all levels, who want to discover the joys of expressing themselves through new inventive mediums.

In Dragon Pottery the pupils create individual clay pots and vessels based on a selection of themes and starting points for inspiration. We investigate a variety of clay making techniques including pinch pots, slab made pots and some modelling work to refine our skills. Once fully dried, the pieces are bisque fired (to 600 C ) and they then get painted with coloured glaze before a second and final glaze firing (to 1050 C) to complete the work. We also have the option to do try the ancient art of Raku firing, although this is weather dependent as we use a portable outdoor kiln to fire the pieces. The pupils really enjoy the making process and take delight in seeing their finished pieces as they emerge from the kiln room.

Dragons are at their best in the wild, mixing creative flair with innate adventure. Here, the children will learn the arts of bush craft, uncovering and exploring what nature has to offer right on their doorstep. From building dens and fires to identifying lesser known ’bush tucker’, Dragons in the Wild is sure to foster a curiosity of one’s surroundings.

Dragons love to talk and have been known to share an opinion or two…so what better way to channel these traits than through the medium of debate? Debating can be a fantastic way to develop students’ analytical skills and confidence when speaking. Through formal debates over current and emotive topics, to balloon debates and presentations, this activity will help provide the platform for Dragons to practise and enhance their oratory skills, whilst understanding that listening attentively and respecting other points of view are just as important.

The Dragon sounds like a karate school and now, via QUEST, it is! Courtesy of Oxford Sport & Traditional Martial Arts (OSTMA) and through the delivery of fun filled, high energy karate classes, Dragons will develop confidence through self-defence and stranger awareness skills. With a focus on life and safety skill development, OSTMA training systems support children’s holistic growth through a positive and caring environment. With a fantastic reputation for children’s martial arts, smiling, sweating and learning are the key factors behind every OSTMA class

Radio and podcasts are a wonderful way to learn and keep abreast of the world around us, including for many children. QUEST is delighted to introduce Dragon FM, a platform for you to record your own podcasts, on topics of your choice, for your peers and friends to listen to in their own time. Using child friendly Yoto machines in the school library, radio can make a positive difference to children’s concentration and listening skills, broadening exposure to different vocabulary and content whilst empowering children with the power of language and the freedom to express their own ideas. Whether it be a weekly show, a probing quiz, news bulletin, interviews or radio plays or a shoutout to friends, the range of possibilities are endless and a lot of fun. Steve Wright and Zoe Ball had to start somewhere!

Many children in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Portugal and Spain grow up playing futsal – a small sided, quick paced game that originated in Uruguay in the early 1930s. The game itself is played on a small court with five players on each team (one goalkeeper and four outfield players) using a ball that is heavier than the normal football. Futsal can develop a range of different skills including basic ball control and manipulation skills, exposure to more one-to-one situations, improving accuracy and weight of pass as well as tactical awareness and teamwork. Many of the world’s top footballing stars credit their skills to the small-sided game of futsal, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Mr Stephens and many more. A QUEST for all abilities and ages, it’s sure to improve all round play and be a lot of fun at the same time.

Aquatic Dragons is an opportunity to develop water confidence and competence in the school’s 25m pool through a variety of activities and challenges. No two weeks are ever the same, apart from guaranteed fun and fitness. There will be challenges to test team work, technique and problem-solving capabilities as the Dragons work to conquer the water.

Have you ever yearned to be Robin Hood, or the famous Swiss folklore hero William Tell? If so, then Dragon Arrows is the QUEST activity for you. While you won’t necessarily be shooting apples off each other’s heads, you will be learning the basics of archery, participating in a variety of archery-related fitness games and developing skills designed to improve both your bow skills and your general fitness.

Classical Dragons will explore the Art and Architecture of Ancient Greece and Rome. Through their own guided research, Dragons will learn about the development of architecture, sculpture and pottery from the Bronze Age to the Roman Empire. The module will finish with a visit to the Cast Gallery at the Ashmolean Museum.

Have you ever wondered how films or theatrical productions are created? Over the course of this module, Dragons will work collaboratively, learning the process of planning and writing a short script, for either stage or screen. Some will then take the role of director or cinematographer, whilst others will become actors themselves and bring the script to life for an audience. This is an opportunity to go ‘behind the scenes’ and discover the artistic process of theatre and film production.

Fingers on buzzers, this could be your starter for ten. Are you a keen quizzer, or just looking to boost your general knowledge? This is a great opportunity to pick up facts and have fun with Dragon’s answer to Jeremey Paxman and Anne Robinson!

Whether you’ve been inspired by the Euros win over the summer, or are just keen to try something different, Girls football is here. We have an external coach coming in who has worked with Oxford Brookes women’s teams as well as Oxford Utd and Chelsea talent pathways. Come learn some new skills and develop your footballing ability in this exciting new activity; it’s coming home.

Touch typing is such a useful skill these days. Why not take the opportunity to develop your touch-typing skills using typing.com and equip yourself with the tools that will benefit you in years to come? With exercises and games, you’ll become more proficient and increase your W.P.M.

What could be more exciting than programming Tello Edu drone in Python? Working in PyCharm, Dragons will develop their own drone behaviour and bespoke controls to fly, search for mission pads, stream video and take pictures, do stunt manoeuvres in the air and finally create and compete in an obstacle racing course. Tello Edu drones are children-safe indoor drones and every drone testing will be supervised. No previous experience with Python is necessary. All equipment provided.

In this module, Dragon Artists will be exploring their creativity by investigating a variety of processes and materials, ranging from drawing and painting to printmaking and collage, all with a suitably seasonal theme. For artists of all levels, who want to discover the joys of expressing themselves through new inventive mediums.

Perhaps the band life is not for everyone and a career as a recording artist is more appealing. Dragons can learn to write, perform and record their own songs in the Dragon Recording Studio, developing specialist musical tech skills. Here they can dare to take an idea all the way from poem to finished pop product, performing to the adoring fans at the end of the module. Imagine Dragons, that first record label could be just around the corner!

Do you know which fuel is the best for rockets? Or what makes fireworks different colours? Or have you ever thought about what makes slime stretchy or bouncy balls bouncy? Dragons can find out the answers to questions like these, and many more in Big Bang Dragons, which will focus on practical, hands-on experiments, as well as having the chance to have a go at some Science-based escape rooms. Certainly a QUEST for the curious minded.

Knotty Dragons brings you the chance to relax whilst getting creative during a therapeutic hour of practising the ancient technique of macramé. There are hundreds of different styles of macramé but during our sessions we will create macramé feathers that you can use to decorate your room or give as presents. This session is perfect for macramé novices to learn the basic knots and techniques.

Spend some time surrounded by the beauty of nature with Floral Dragons. Ma Coombs, a trained florist, will help you to create some beautiful floral themed jewellery, whilst learning to identify and care for some of the flowers used in your creations.  Dragons can let their creativity run wild, experimenting with all different types of seasonal floral decorations ranging from pressing and drying to dyeing and arranging.

The artist Banksy is known for his creative and often thought-provoking murals. In this QUEST, Dragons will get to emulate the enigmatic artist with the opportunity to design and create a piece of street art to grace and enhance an area of the school. Imagination and overalls a must, this is sure to be a popular choice for Dragons who love leaving their mark.

First Aid is an invaluable life skill and Dragon Responders is an introduction to different scenarios where Dragons could assist with medical matters as one of the first helpers on the scene. During this module, qualified nurses from the Dragon Health Centre will look to inspire and excite our young Responders as they talk them through their line of work. Each session will have a different medical focus, including wound care, burns and scalds, bleeds and fainting. The experience will provide invaluable knowledge of basic medical care that the children can apply given the appropriate situation. This really is a QUEST that could make a difference!

Much like the pupils at St. Trinian’s, Dragon boys and girls are rarely far from their hockey sticks. Now’s the time to put your hockey skills to the test as Dragon Sticks throws you into the world of mini hockey. Using different dimension pitches, smaller goals and a variety of balls, the boys and girls will get the chance to fine tune their technique, develop new skills and participate in weekly tournaments in one of Dragon’s favourite sports. It promises to be a ball. See you on the pitch!

Have you ever yearned to be Robin Hood, or the famous Swiss folklore hero William Tell? If so, then Dragon Arrows is the QUEST activity for you. While you won’t necessarily be shooting apples off each other’s heads, you will be learning the basics of archery, participating in a variety of archery-related fitness games and developing skills designed to improve both your bow skills and your general fitness.