Page 124 - Bellfort Magazine 2025

Y8 Castles Project—The annual History Department castle making competition has become a
rite of passage for all budding Historians. This project is part of our unit on The Normans and
in particular the Normans in Ireland. The brief was to build an indestructible castle with a
design which encompassed all the strategies we have used to attack and defend Norman
Castles. Olivia McKenna (8L1) and Parker McFetridge (8L3) were our winners this year. I
comment, their creativity, artistic licence and application of knowledge. I’m sure you will
agree that we have some budding architects and designers in Dunclug College.

Year 9 Trench Warfare— In Term 1, our Y9 students study the causes and consequences of
WWI which includes a focus on the purpose of trench warfare and its effectiveness. To
enhance their understanding of trench warfare, Y9 re-enacted the four main stages of trench
warfare that were typically used in battles on the Western Front, such as the Battle of the
Somme. Our students were split into two armies, representing Germany and Britain. They
then had a set amount to make artillery for their army (balls of newspaper) which was
followed by a re-enaction of each of the stages of trench warfare.

First the British side sent a bombardment of artillery to destroy the enemy lines, these were
highly inaccurate, so students had to do it with their backs turn. All this was completed
whilst the Germany they hid in their dug-out. (under their tables) After a few moments, the
British side were order to stop and at the blow of a whistle the advancing army were then
order to walk slowly across no-man’s land. At the point, the German soldiers also heard the
British whistle. Knowing the repetitive routine of trench warfare, the Germany enemy came
out of their dugout and used their machine guns (lots of artillery) to attack the advancing
British. It’s safe to say the students thoroughly enjoyed the process!