What precisely has Mr Eldridge got against the Duke's Middle School?

He wasn't anywhere near the premises on that particular day, so what qualifies him to opine over something he simply does not have enough information to form an opinion on.

I was at the Duke's school on that day as part of a volunteer team that took part on the very same Egyptian Day Mr Eldridge refers to and I can relate to you what I witnessed.

I saw an awful lot of effort being put into organising a day when the children could not just learn some of the little we really know about life in the past (we weren't there, data and information can be distorted by various factors), give wings to their imagination and fly with it.

It was all done with great discipline and respect for those around them. The photographer for the Gazette arrived, a group of children were selected to take part of the photograph and, as they were organising themselves to pose for it, it was actually the photographer who proposed the so very offending pose.

I assume that, with so much going on, the teacher in question obviously saw no harm in it or didn't account for the likes of Mr Eldridge and the picture was taken.

Harmless, I thought – a bit of fun and not by all means a true narration of everything that went on.

There were smiles on pupils' faces, variations of voice tones as they demonstrated what they were feeling inside, a mixture of ecstasy and fear as the various activities took place throughout the day; the children baked 'Egyptian' bread (I am sure Mr Eldridge would have something to say about this as well) and they enacted some Egyptian stories, among many other things.

How do you actually motivate nine and 10-year-olds to live through such experience and behave in such willing, orderly and respectful a fashion? The atmosphere at school was absolutely fantastic.

Having put two children through the Duke's Middle School (now at the Duchess's Community High School), having another child at the Duke's Middle School at present and having myself being taught under a fascist regime, I can assure you that I was in awe of what I was witnessing and continue to demonstrate my utmost support for all at the Duke's Middle School.

It was a splendid day for all who took part and is not very nice to have this memory taken apart and such hard work dismissed on a whim.

Just as well that the children are far too young to take in such serious nonsense.

As far as the teachers are concerned, I think an apology is in order, Mr Eldridge.

Just an opinion!
Maria Orange,
Morwick Road, Warkworth