Display - Sadako and the Paper Cranes

Another fantastic display in the library is one about Sadako and the Paper Cranes.

 Science 4 & 5 classes have been learning about atoms this term, which has included learning about the Atomic Bomb. They also learnt about Sadako, a young Japanese girl, who suffered radiation poisoning at the age of 2,  when the atomic bomb was dropped at Hiroshima during World War 2.   It is because of this, she developed Leukaemia at the age of 12. 

Inspired by the Senbazaru legend, which says that if you can fold 1,000 paper cranes in a year, you may get the blessings of one special wish –  Sadako began folding paper cranes.  She completed 644, but sadly, was too ill to finish, and died that year.  Her family and her classmates completed the Senbazaru in her honour.  She is remembered today as a worldwide symbol of the innocent children impacted by war, and there is a Children’s Peace Monument in Hiroshima, which is often draped with garlands of paper cranes, particularly on 6th August, which is Hiroshima day.

The class has also put out paper and instructions for people to have a go at making their own cranes.  

If you leave them with us, we can add them to the display.

Interesting Fact:  Origami cranes are often strung together as a garland of 1,000, which is called a Senbazaru.  (‘Sen’ means ‘thousand’ in Japanese)  The crane is seen as a lucky creature in Japanese beliefs and is thought to live for 1,000 years – which is the reason for folding the amount that you do.

Year 10-12 HASS Ancient Civilisations Display

Ancient Civilisations Display

Check out the great display put up by the Year 10-12 History class on their learning about Ancient Civilisations. The artefacts have all been made by the class as well.