During National Volunteers' Week, which ran from 1 June to 7 June 2011, Warwick Volunteers held two events.

Long Lawford Language Day

On Monday 6 June 2011 (Dragon Boat Day) Warwick Volunteers were invited to Long Lawford Primary School for a Language Day. Twelve volunteers participated in the day, planning and delivering fun, interactive sessions for the whole school from Nursery through to Year 6 – 280 pupils in total.

The day started with a whole school assembly where the volunteers were able to introduce themselves and tell the children where they live in China. This was followed by some traditional Chinese physical activity outside in the playground.

The volunteers then delivered several sessions including an introduction to the Dragon Boat Day festival and played a traditional game – similar to pass the parcel. They were shown how to write in Chinese and everyone came away with their name written in Chinese symbols. The children were also able to test their chopsticks skills by making and then tasting Chinese dumplings. Their knowledge of China was put to the test with a quiz and they were able to try their hand at some traditional origami. The pupils were also able to taste Zongzi, a special food that is eaten on Dragon Boat day, and drink some Chinese tea.

At the end of the day everybody gathered together in the hall to share their experiences and Mingxi, accompanied by all of the volunteers performed a traditional Chinese folk song. All of the volunteers were made very welcome by the staff and children at the school and were presented with gifts by the headteacher Mr Morrissey who invited them back next year.

Playground Mural

Twenty students celebrated national volunteers' week by designing and painting a new cultural themed playground mural at St John Church of England Primary School. Volunteers delivered an assembly for Key stage 2 to talk about culture, games and activities from around the world, and launched a competition for the children to create their own mural design. Eight winners were chosen, the children's designs were sketched into the mural and they had the opportunity to work alongside students to help paint the designs.