School News Group (SNG) Thanet May 2016

A platform allowing schools to broadcast all their hard work and achievements

May Half Term Edition 2016 | Thanet | Issue 33

SCHOOL NEWS

School News Round-Up

How to.....survive exams

2 School News | Thanet | Issue 33 | May 2016

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contentsKing Ethelberts 4

Northbourne Park 6-7

St Lawrence College 8-9

St Peters-in-Thanet 10

Upton 11

Hartsdown 12

Royal Harbour Academy 14

Newington 15

St Georges C of E 16

Canterbury Festival 17

School News Links 18

How to...Survive your exams 20-21

Business Insight 22

Editor’s Letter

Welcome to the latest edition of School News. We have had some great experiences out in the community recently, with Young Enterprise, the Atlantic Lions and Keep it in Kent.

As always please let us know your thoughts and opinions on the magazines , don’t forget to follow us on our social media outlet and check out our website.

Enjoy your half term and good luck to all those sitting exams. Claire x

With Thanks to Northbourne Park for the photo used on our front page, turn to page 6 to read the story to go with the picture.

School News Group is a product brought to you by

Shout Spark & Go Ltd

School News is put together in co-operation with the schools and we have been given permission to use all stories and photos. All editorial is free with the exception to the business insight. All editorial must have a link to schools, children and education. School News is completely funded by the advertisers so please do consider using their services and mention School News when enquiring. Many thanks - John and Claire

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Marlowe TheatrePerforming in A Midsummer Night’s Dream

THE ROYAL Shakespeare Company are bringing A Midsummer Night’s Dream to The Marlowe Theatre,

The national tour marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death and visits every region and nation of the UK. In each area, the 18-strong professional company will joined by local amateur companies who will play the Mechanicals, and schoolchildren who will form part of Titania’s fairy train. At The Marlowe, members of the Canterbury Players will take to the stage, joined by pupils from King Ethelbert School, Birchington.This magical new production of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies is set on a midsummer night when four loves find themselves wrapped in the mischievous arms of an enchanted forest where sprites lurk and fairies rule. Leading the professional cast is Ayesha Dharker, who takes on the celebrated role of Titania, Queen of the Fairies. Last year, Ayesha played the role of Emilia in the RSC’s critically-acclaimed production of Othello.

Read the full story on our website www.schoolnewsgroup.co.uk

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Northbourne ParkWhere very busy during the last few weeks

On Saturday 23rd April, the woods at Northbourne Park School echoed with happy, excited and multilingual

children.

Pupils from Northbourne Park’s Section Française, and budding linguists from the school’s English section, had the pleasure of welcoming young bilingual children from Petite Ecole de Canterbury; a Saturday morning mini-school aimed at local bilingual children. Both Senior and Intermediate pupils from Northbourne Park had the opportunity to demonstrate and pass on their woodland skills, such as the intricate technique of den

building and the fine art of marshmallow roasting. All of this, of course, in French!Marie Hutchinson, Head of Languages at Northbourne Park said: “All creatures, great and small, enjoyed a lovely morning of Entente Cordiale. Bravo les enfants!”

On Sunday 24th April, Pupils from Northbourne Park school enjoyed their annual 14.7 mile Pilgrimage to

Canterbury Cathedral.The Pilgrimage started with a blessing at the school chapel, St Mary the Virgin, Betteshanger, from School Chaplain, Revd Nigel Hale after which, stocked up with plenty of water, the children set off across the beautiful Kent countryside.The Pilgrimage is a special event in the school calendar. It is a time when our senior pupils have the opportunity to reflect on their past

years at Northbourne Park, and a time to plan and look forward to the future.

The Pilgrimage takes the children along the original pilgrims’ path to Canterbury, visiting six local churches along the way, and it concluded at Canterbury Cathedral with a private blessing from Canon Claire Edwards.Priscilla Smith, Head of Outdoor Education said “Congratulations to all the children and staff who completed the Pilgrimage. It was lovely to see such a fine display of great determination both mentally and physically.”

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On Saturday 7th May, Northbourne Park School welcomed back over 400 former pupils, parents and staff to join current families to celebrate the school’s

80th Anniversary and 25 years of the French programme, the Section Francaise Bilingue.

Former pupils and their parents toured the school reminiscing their school days, while current pupils took part in the legendary Burton Race and Maypole Dancing.During the day, the school choir, joined by former pupils, gave a wonderful rendition of Locus Iste and the school orchestra performed in style. There was a Spitfire on-site and RAF re-enactment to celebrate VE Day and the 80th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire.There were speeches from a past headmaster, the head boys and head girls, and the current headmaster set out the vision for the future of the school.A wonderful day for all.

Headmaster, Sebastian Rees said: “We could not have asked for a better day to showcase just what a special school this is. Our former pupils clearly have very fond memories of Northbourne Park and we look forward to the next generation of children to enjoy everything that this school has to offer”


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St Lawrence College ‘CAPITAL’ Young Enterprise SE Winners

I had the opportunity to meet with the young Ladies and Gentlemen of the winning team a few days after the finals.

I say, Ladies and Gentlemen because I could very easily have been at any one of my business meetings, these professional young people looked and sounded every bit the deserving winners they were.

They are all studying Business studies A level at St Lawrence College, Ramsgate. Clearly shocked to be winners, they enthused about their love of the independence of the Young Enterprise competition. “It is not teacher-led; if we don’t succeed it’s our fault, a bit like the real world”Their journey was not all success and ease, to begin with it was difficult for them to agree on a project, a name, a logo, it took a good few months to finally get going. This, unfortunately, meant they missed the vast opportunity available during the Christmas period. They finally decided a hierarchy was needed in order to make this opportunity work , authority and business roles were brought into play and as the saying goes, everything started to fall into place and the belief in themselves became clear, “We can actually do this and be successful”

Respect was brought into the business, respect for the roles, the respect for each other and respect as a working group, they matured together working hard to prove themselves. They Initially thought that selling a product was the best way to go, however, they came to the conclusion that providing a positive experience for members of the school

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School News

Round-up

community would be preferable. They decided a disco type event for younger members of the school would be fantastic. The costs of putting on such an event proved to be so high, that they need to find a product that could be sold to source the capital to finance such an event. After extensive market research within the school, it was decided that hoodies would be the way to go with the consumers having the opportunity to personalise them. Overall they were very happy with the performance of their company and described it as gratifying. Their financial yield was much higher than expected, the response from their customers was fantastic with a number of compliments on the services they supplied and the fact that any problems encountered were quickly rectified.They made sure to comment on the substantial support they received from their parents, the majority of whom have their own successful businesses. The young budding professionals have picked up helpful hints and ideas to support their company to be more businesslike and professional.Immense thanks go to the school from the team for their complete backing in supporting them in taking up this challenge. The

leadership team having a business background were able to share knowledge and offer support.According to the Principal of St Lawrence College, Antony Spencer: “Young Enterprise is about more than just encouraging the next generation of business leaders; it helps to foster a culture of suitable risk-taking in an increasingly risk averse society, and fosters the development of soft skills that we know are the key to success in the future.”What next for these entrepreneurs? Maybe another event? More hoodies, I don’t know about you but I would love one, especially as there is a little place for your phone in the pocket, Fantastic! Whatever the future holds for these guys, one thing can be sure the business world would benefit from their enthusiasm, professionalism, ideas, and entrepreneurship.


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St peter’s-in-thanetWelcome The Kampala Children’s Choir

Last Friday children at St Peter-in-Thanet welcomed Kampala Children’s Centre’s Destiny Choir to their school.

Kampala Children’s Centre, which is founded on Christian values, is located in the stable region of Wakiso, just outside Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Founded in 2005 they provide a safe and loving family home for some of the country’s most desperate and vulnerable children. The foundational values of the centre are to ‘give the best to the least’ and restoring the lives of abandoned and forgotten children. Some children at K.C.C have had very traumatic pasts and so counselling is available to help in their recovery. As well as receiving an education the children are encouraged to be active and take part in performing arts and sports programmes which promote healthy lifestyles, positive attitudes and creativity. The choir provides the children with opportunities to express their stories in a creative way; a valuable part of the healing process. St Peter’s pupils enjoyed singing, dancing and drum workshops with every child throughout the day and later performed alongside them

at a special evening concert at St Andrew’s Church, Broadstairs. The school, alongside fantastic support from parents, raised over £2,000 for the Children’s Centre in Kampala to help them continue their valuable work.Headteacher, Tim Hunter-Whitehouse, said, “Experiences such as this enrich the lives of children at St Peter’s, raises awareness of other cultures, as well as providing an opportunity to raise needed money in a highly enjoyable way”.

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School News

Round-upUpton Fest 2 Getting Ready to Rock

Upton Fest is ready to rock and roll this summer following the success of last year’s first ever show.

The celebration of music, arts, crafts and family fun will once again be part of the school’s SOS campaign (Save Our School’s community pool. In all £93,000 has been raised and the festival team hope to raise a further £10,000 towards the project which is a similar sum to last summer’s festival contribution. Upton Fest 2 will feature a host of performers with a cross section styles to suit all tastes. These include the school’s rock band, Hobo and the Hippies, Charlie Don’t Surf, Brides of Rain, Tundra, Missouri Gutts, the Bradstow Singers, and Surf Dude Grandad.

Attractions include a barbecue and Pimms tent, kid-zone, vintage tea rooms, inflatables, ukulele and djembe workshops, face painting, market place, a veg and plant stall, strawberries and cream, and food from around the world.

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Hartsdown AcademyScience Project Is Out Of This World!

Students at Hartsdown Academy in Margate are over the moon at the chance to grow seeds that have been

into space.

They are preparing to become space biologists and embark on a voyage of discovery by

planting rocket seeds that were flown to the International Space Station on Soyuz 44S where they spent months in microgravity before returning to Earth in March.The seeds have been sent to Hartsdown as part of the Rocket Science initiative, an educational project launched by the Royal Horticultural Society Campaign for School Gardening and the UK Space Agency. Year 8 students will grow the seeds for seven weeks alongside those that have not been into space and will measure the differences. They won’t know which seed packet contains which seeds until all results have been collected by the RHS and analysed by professional

biostatisticians. The out-of-this-world, nationwide science experiment will enable the students to think more about how we could preserve human life on another planet in the future, what astronauts need to survive long-term missions in space, and the difficulties surrounding growing fresh food in challenging climates.Hartsdown’s Growing Together Project Officer Debbie Simmonds said: “We are very excited to be taking part in Rocket Science. This experiment is a fantastic way of teaching our students to think more scientifically and share their findings with the whole school. “The students worked very well and are going to be responsible for watering and turning the seed trays over the next weeks.”Rocket Science is just one educational project from a programme developed by the UK Space Agency to celebrate British ESA astronaut Tim Peake’s Principia mission to the ISS and inspire young people to look into careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects, including horticulture. *Follow the project on Twitter: @RHSSchools #RocketScience


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royal harbour academyShow Racism the Red Card

The Royal Harbour Academy entered this years’ national competition run by anti-racism charity ‘Show Racism the

Red Card’. Students had to design a piece of artwork that was judged by a panel based on the strength of its anti-racism message and the designs originality; there were over 20,000 entries across the whole competition.

The Royal Harbour Academy was proud to have entered over 30 pieces of work from across the year groups, Mr Shepperson who ran the competition in school commented on the quality stating “the standard of work produced by all students was of a very high standard and it was great to see so many unique designs”.

In the National competition the Royal Harbour Academy was excited to announce that in the artwork category for Year 7-9 students it was their very own Mia Laker in Year 7 who won 3rd place overall. She was invited along with family and teaching staff to have an all-expenses paid trip up to the Boleyn football ground, home of West Ham United, for the awards ceremony on 28th April where she was presented with her award along with a football shirt of her choice by a host of special guests. Mia said, “I felt privileged that I was chosen to go to the ceremony, the experience was really great and I hope that other students get to experience it in the future.”

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thank you to all schools, advertisers and parents for

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School News

Round-upNewington primaryFirst To Celebrate Royal Birthday

Pupils at Newington Community Primary School in Ramsgate were amongst the first to celebrate the Queen’s 90th

birthday.Although Her Majesty’s birthday is on April 21, children at the school were ahead of the rest of the UK.Head Teacher Cliff Stokes explained: “We have a really busy programme of activities as usual at Newington and on the Queen’s birthday some of our pupils will be out of school on trips.“So we decided to opt for Wednesday, April 20th, as this is a day when the whole school will be together and can celebrate in style.”As well as dressing up as Kings and Queens for the day, the children held their own special

party during the afternoon as their way of saying Happy Birthday Your Majesty – a day early.

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St. George’s Church of England Foundation School has achieved ‘OUTSTANDING’ in their recent

Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS). To award this judgement inspectors seek answers to four key questions.

• How well does the school, through its distinctive Christian character, meet the needs of all learners?

• What is the impact of collective worship on the school community?

• How effective is the Religious Education? (in VA schools and academies)

• How effective are the leadership and management of the school as a church school?

The Report included comments such as

“

The support for students and their families is exceptional”;

“Students say they are helped to “grow as people”; “Senior Leaders are acutely aware of student progress, and ensure that achievement continues to improve”; “Leaders have created a school, which is a safe and supportive environment”.

In response to the report the school received congratulations from the Diocesan Board of Education stating“The ‘Outstanding Report’ was an exceptional outcome under the new framework as it takes the input of the whole community to achieve this and is also testimony to the visionary, Christian leadership of the Principal and her leadership team at St George’s”.

Mrs Kim Stoner, Principal, stated “The report makes very evident how well integrated and inclusive the school is as well as the excellent teaching of Religious Education in the school. Our students, staff and governing body are very committed and work extremely hard to achieve such success and we are delighted to be judged as ‘Outstanding’ following our ‘Good’ Ofsted Report. We now look forward to our students continuing to progress and achieve and in particular we welcome the addition of our primary school in September 2016”.

St George’s CofE SchoolACHIEVE ‘OUTSTANDING’ In their Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS)


communityCanterbury FestivalLocal schools encouraged to Picture This...

The annual Canterbury Festival Schools’ Poetry Competition has launched once more in a yearly

search to uncover the best writing talent Kent has to offer.

Picture This is the theme for this year’s competition, using iconic pictures and candid snaps as inspiration for budding poets across the county in a bid to encourage everyone to give putting pen to paper a go.Winners in each of the four age categories, spanning 5-18, will be revealed in a performance and celebration event on 7 October, at Colyer-

Fergusson Hall where this year’s Festival anthology will also be launched, thanks to the support of the University of Kent’s School of English.Kent based poets James Cavalier and Gemma Jackson are judging this year’s poems and are offering workshops in schools across Kent, based on free teaching resources created and available to download from the Festival website.To find out more or to enter go to: www.canterburyfestival.co.uk with the deadline for all entries on Monday 25 July 2016. If you have any queries contact Niamh Lynam-Cotter, Programme and Participation Manager on 01227 452853.

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Out and About in the Community....

Along with Lizzie Ferrar, Founder of Proofreading London and James Wilford Owner and founder of YMS

Group of companies comparing of Your Music School, Theatre Trips Kent and YMS Travel, I had the pleasure of being invited to judge the North East Young Enterprise final at CATS college Canterbury.Four Young Enterprise companies had been entered from, CATS college Canterbury, The King’s School Canterbury and St Lawrence college Ramsgate. Each company brought to the final a creative, innovative idea that had been nurtured from a thought to a final product, that had then been marketed and sold in their respective schools, enabling each company to produce business and financial reports. As a group of Judges, we analysed the products, spoke to representatives from each company and watched inspiring presentations, Having the very difficult task of finally choosing the winners of each of the categories including Best Company Report, Best Trade Stand, Best Presentation, Most Innovative Product, Overall Winner – Company of the YearLizzie Ferrar, summed up the thoughts of all the judges, by saying; “It was really great to meet so many motivated and entrepreneurial young people. I was very impressed by the quality of all the entrants, which made the job of judging very challenging. I am sure that some of them will go on to run their own start-ups.”

I said about the overall company of the year ‘CAPITAL’ from St Lawrence College whatever the future holds for these guys, one thing can be sure the business world would benefit from their enthusiasm, professionalism, ideas, and entrepreneurship. A sentement that I attribute to all the pupils involved in the competition, congratulations to all involved for such a brilliant event.

To read more about the companies that entered the final and find out about Young Enterprise and how your child/school can get involved, please go to our website www.schoolnesgroup.co.uk

We had an absolutely fantastic and awe inspiring evening at Kent College when we went to listen to the Atlantic Lions tell their tales of their adventure. These boys spoke with such passion and devotion it was hard not to feel completely moved by them, I had goosebumps to prove it. Read more about their adventures on our website with an in-depth interview coming soon.....


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The stress levels in our house are at an all-time high, it’s GCSE time oh and SATs and end of year exams, not to mention all the other testing that our children go through. Apparently the build up to exams is more stressful for parents than the children. I can relate to that - I don’t know about you but I feel like my parenting skills are being tested too.I have read the parenting books, found out what to do, what not to do, what to say, what not to say. The most common advice was to keep the lines of communication open and to show an interest.

So I show interest in what my child is revising, I tell you I’m glad I’m not having to sit the exams. I asked my GCSE child what the best thing for me to do to help was,

“Trust me to revise, don’t make life all about the exams, I know how important they are but let me have a social life and play sport.”

Help and support and interest is what they need. That grumpy teenager, who has slammed their door and moaned about all the pressure, doesn’t really want to be


left alone. Take them a nice cup of tea and an indulgent bar of chocolate just remind them you are there for them without having to say anything. Cook them their favourite mean and have plenty of snacks in the house. The hardest advice I have recieved, forget about the rule on tidy bedrooms, :-( it’s not that important honestly!

Before your Exams

* Don’t panic* Stay Positive* Keep things in perspective* Rest and Relax* Use Revision Papers* Eat and Drink well* Study away from distractions* Prepare everything you need for the exams

Difficult as it is we have to believe they will be motivated to study because they will have a desire to achieve. Even in my house there are exam timetables stuck up all over the place and study guides everywhere.....see you on the other side!

During the Exams

* Take deep breaths* Read instructions and questions carefully* Stay in control

After the Exams

* Stay Positive* Plan your next steps.

GOOD LUCK.

Our Top Tips for Exam Stressed Teenagers!


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ht John Young mediaWorking closely with Schools

Do you worry about your children having all the right answers for their exams, but fumbling their timekeeping

in the exam hall? South East TV Newsreader and Reporter John Young now visits schools in Kent to help them work on their deadlines — with his very own exciting TV Newsroom Bootcamp classroom workshops!

You could call me Dr Deadline. After a long career as a BBC TV news reporter and occasional presenter of South East Today, a programme that goes out at 6.28pm (and not a moment later), I’m used to the ruthlessness of the clock. I’m now using that experience to put some fun into exam preparation. Fifty or so Year 10 and 11 pupils at Ramsgate’s Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School recently experienced my new Thirty Second Showdown workshop. I doubt they’ve forgotten it. It’s a simple idea. I give them a sheet of A4 typed densely with what we journalists call “news copy” — complex details about two breaking news stories, and a paragraph of meteorological information for the next day. Their task: sum up both news stories in words that take about twelve seconds to read, sum up the weather in words that take six seconds — and complete the task in eight minutes.

Just before the end, I play countdown music to focus their minds. A whistle tells them time’s up. And then, just as they’re relaxing because they think it’s all over, I look for volunteers to come to the front to read their news bulletin to my news camera … to test who has in fact written a bulletin that itself lasts just thirty seconds. Sounds unlikely? Three of Chatham & Clarendon’s pupils did it in 32 seconds — and one hit thirty seconds precisely. And if it sounds familiar — take a close look at that little local news bulletin that goes out on BBC1 just before Eastenders. It lasts thirty seconds. (Not 29 or 31.) With no warning, these pupils had become journalists. I ask pupils for feedback at the end of my workshops — several told me this had been “eye-opening”, “quick”, “inspirational”. I’m not advocating a journalist’s approach to every exam question — but judging by what the teachers told me, a little high speed focussing of the mind is no bad thing. You can find out more about John’s workshops at johnyoungmedia.co.uk or by calling him on 07850 188620. They’re suitable for Years 6 to 13 and beyond.


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