During their visit, pupils had the opportunity to meet several Town Councillors, including the Mayor of Newbury herself, who shared insights into the responsibilities of the role and how it has evolved over the centuries. They were particularly intrigued to discover that Newbury's first Mayor served during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I!

The Town Council team treated pupils to a guided tour of the historic building, introducing them to some of its traditions and explaining how local democratic decisions are made. There was even an opportunity to try on the ceremonial robes, giving pupils a rather memorable taste of mayoral life!

The visit also provided a valuable opportunity to explore the parallels between the work of Newbury's elected Councillors and our own School Councillors at St Gabriel's. From representing the views of others to discussing ideas and helping to shape decisions, pupils discovered how the principles of democracy are reflected in both settings.

Our thanks go to the Mayor, Councillors and everyone at Newbury Town Council for such a warm welcome and an engaging, informative visit.

It was a wonderful opportunity for Year 6 to connect their learning with the wider community and discover how they, too, can play a part in making a difference.