Staff and pupils at the Bury St Edmunds school dressed in Roman costumes to learn all about the ancient civilisation.

An actor playing the part of a Roman talked to pupils about the way life was, before youngsters sat down to a Roman-themed lunch.

In the afternoon, the school took part in a gladiator-style battle.

Assistant headteacher Madeline Earnshaw said: "We try to do something special with the Key Stage 3 pupils every term - something engaging and a bit special. Last term we went to the London Eye and to the pantomime, this term we're having the Roman day."

- SCHOOLS across the region have been doing their bit to raise funds following the earthquake in Haiti last month.

Uniforms were ditched for the day at Risby Primary School as part of its fund-raising effort. The school, which has 150 pupils, managed to raise £506 for the appeal, which headteacher Anna Berridge said was a 'fantastic amount'.

Youngsters at County Upper School, in Bury St Edmunds, are also planning a non-uniform day to raise funds for Haiti.

The school's charity team said students wanted to 'do something' for the DEC Haiti appeal. 'Normal' clothes will be worn for the day on February 12.

Two days of cake stalls meant more than £470 will be winging its way to the earthquake appeal.

Children at Sebert Wood Primary School, in Bury, have been learning about the consequences of the quake in assembly and helped to do their bit for the cause by buying cakes.

At Riverside Middle School, in Mildenhall, pupils have been challenged by acting headteacher Paul Tams to raise £500 to buy a shelter box, to help the victims of the earthquake. A fully-equipped package can support a group of 10 people with shelter, clean water and a means of cooking.

Meanwhile, Year 8 youngsters performed their production of Romeo and Juliet on Tuesday. And the winner of an Antartica competition, staged during one of the snow days at the start of term, was named as Year 5 pupil Anna Norton, who won a certificate and a Penguin chocolate bar for her picture comparing snowy Suffolk with Antartica.

- A PUPIL from Finborough School, in Great Finborough, has won a coveted place on the John Innes work experience scheme.

Olivia Moore is one of eight selected from hundreds of applicants for the scheme, where she will spend a week at the John Innes Centre research complex, near Norwich.

Olivia will gain valuable experience working with scientists in a bio-research environment. Sarah Tolland, work experience co-ordinator for John Innes, said Olivia's application was 'outstanding' and she was immediately chosen by the selection panel as a first choice.

- AT NEEDHAM Market Middle School, youngsters are preparing for the next cookery club meeting.