Alconbury Elementary School hosts British Tea Ceremony
Fourth and fifth grade students at Alconbury Elementary School (AES) last school year immersed themselves in the British custom of tea ceremonies as part of their Host Nation class. The culmination of their learning was a formal tea ceremony, attended by DoDEA educators, US and UK military personnel, and dignitaries representing His Royal Majesty.
Alconbury Elementary School students learned about the history and protocols of British tea ceremonies, dressing in their best outfits to enjoy tea, scones, jam, and cookies with distinguished guests. The event featured special invitees from US and UK military leadership and a representative of King Charles III.
The students, dressed in their finest clothes, conducted the tea ceremony with all the formalities. They were assigned service roles and carried them out with proper etiquette. His Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Daryl Brown MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire), expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you for inviting me. It’s an absolute pleasure to be here today to represent the King and to meet you all.”
Students shared their excitement about the event.
Abigail Brigance, a fifth grader, said, “It was a wonderful experience, and I would love to do it again. I love how we got to meet the king’s representative.”
Islan Arnold, another fifth grader, added, “It was fun because I got to talk with the head of the base while having tea.”
Whitten Steele, also in fifth grade, remarked, “I got to learn the history of Mr. Brown’s position and talk about his uniform.”
The Alconbury Elementary School Parent Teacher Association sponsored this event, providing tea pots, cups, and all the delicious tea and scones. The success of the tea ceremony has ensured it will become an annual tradition at Alconbury Elementary, allowing students to put their classroom learning into practice in a memorable and engaging way
