Above: Cracking the code at Old St Paul's. Above right: Piecing together the clues
Photos: Heritage Connection, Te Unga Mai Trust
Exploring a Gothic Cathedral
Search the many different spaces within this historic building to crack the Old St Paul's code, and explore how the shape and use of this place has changed over time.
Links to NZ Curriculum Learning Areas
The Arts - Visual arts
Social Sciences - Social studies, History
Activity Plan
Activity Summary
Small teams of students use illustrations of the building to locate different spaces or rooms within it, and to find and collect pieces of woodcut. Once a woodcut is found, students take a rubbing which will leave an impression that forms part of the code. Once all pieces are collected, students solve the Old St Paul’s code and use the solution to locate a booklet containing information and activities that explore the building and its uses, historically and today, illustrating that not all of the building was constructed at the same time, and the reasons for changes and alterations.
Contribution to Programme Objectives
- To encourage exploration of Old St Paul's and introduce some of its stories
- To explore the changing uses and significance of Old St Paul's and its location
- To introduce the unique characteristics of the building, its architecture and construction.
Specific Objectives
- To introduce some of the different spaces within the building, their names and uses
- To show how the building has grown and changed over time.
Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Group size: 3-6 students per team.