Education News June 2009
Building up ideas
Pupils from Gayhurst Primary had their eyes opened to architecture during a visit to the award-winning Hothouse building in Richmond Road, E8.
As part of Junior Open House 2009, Gayhurst children met Free Form artists, and Cany Ash from Sakula architects, which designed Hothouse. They toured the building and attended workshops to stir an interest in design.
Junior Open House aims to give children an understanding of the impact architecture can have on their lives, and give them the tools and language to talk about and appreciate design.
The workshops were part of Legacy Now! – a programme from artistic renewal and regeneration charity Free Form.
It offers opportunities for children and young people to explore their creativity towards and beyond London 2012.
Cany said: “Junior Open House is both a physical and mental work out; harnessing the collective energy of hosts and hosted, satisfying wayward curiousity and digging up new questions.”
One pupil said: “The windows were all funky and cool shapes – and the lift too. It felt like I was in the lift in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
More information
For educational and other events visit: www.openhouse.org.uk
£6m revamp set to go ahead
The Council has approved funding for a £6million remodel of Orchard Primary School in Holcroft Road, E9.
Pupils from Orchard have been involved in the consultation process and, together with architects Rivington Street Studio, discussed ideas and proposals.
Cllr Rita Krishna joined children and staff to celebrate the first part of Hackney’s Primary Capital Programme (PCP), which is a national initiative to transform primary schools.
She said: “The Council is committed to ensuring primary school pupils receive a quality modern education.
“Improving the physical environment at Orchard Primary is an example of this.
“It was wonderful to meet the pupils at the school and hear them talk so passionately about the plans to extend and rebuild the current building, and how they believe it will help them learn better.”
The PCP strategy in Hackney was agreed by Cabinet in June 2008, and by the Department of Children, Schools and Families in November 2008.
It is expected that work will start on site early in 2010.
Putting something back nets award
A professional basketball player and former Hackney Community College (HCC) student has picked up an Association of Colleges Gold award at the House of Commons.
The trophy recognises those who have studied at further education colleges and gone on to excel in their chosen field. As an alumnus of HCC’s Basketball Academy, Jeff Danchie received a scholarship to university and went on to play basketball professionally; he later returned to the college as a part-time sports co-ordinator determined to ‘put something back’.
On collecting his award, Jeff said: “I am so proud. And if in winning this award I have inspired just one more person to achieve, it has been worth it”.
Jeff was presented with a unique, handcrafted trophy, and current student Gabrielle Boateng – on behalf of HCC – collected a plaque congratulating the college for contributing to his success.
Stirring words
The Council is offering one young person in Hackney a unique opportunity to see their literary efforts on a tree plaque on Stoke Newington Common, to mark the abolition of the slave trade.
The unveiling of the plaque will coincide with the UN Day to Commemorate the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the UK, and the Council is looking for inspirational words to display.
Eight to 16-year-olds in the borough can enter the competition by writing a piece of prose or poetry of up to 100 words, on the theme Free to Grow. Submissions, which must be received by 5pm on 14 July, should include full name, age, school attended, a contact telephone number, and, for under-16s, a parent or guardian’s signature giving permission to enter. Email entries to: cultural.development@hackney.gov.uk; or hand them in at schools, libraries or Hackney Museum in Reading Lane, E8.
Teach for the stars
A Hackney headteacher has reached the final four in his category in the prestigious Teaching Awards 2009.
Kevin McDonnell of Stormont House, E5, will join a cluster of educational stars from schools across London on 23 June to find out if he has won one of 12 gongs up for grabs.
Baroness Shirley Williams, former Secretary of State for Education and current chair of the Teaching Awards UK panel, will lead a workshop for all finalists before the ceremony. The event will be hosted by BBC TV News anchor Riz Lateef.
Literary giant’s visit
Once upon a time there was a giant – a gentle giant, mind you – who visited a school to tell children about the joys of reading.
Author Philip Ardagh – who is 6ft 7in tall and has written more than 70 books, including a collaboration with Sir Paul McCartney, and the popular Eddie Dickens series – delighted a group of 200 primary school pupils with his anecdotes.
Children in years three and four, from Lauriston, Berger, London Fields and St John of Jerusalem primaries joined pupils at Orchard Primary, E9, for a morning of storytelling last month.
Mr Ardagh said: “It’s great to come to a school like this and connect with lots of different children from different schools.
“I’m not just here to talk about my books but to inspire children to love books in general – although if they like my stories, so much the better.
“One of the great things about writing is that we can draw our inspirations from all over the place and coming to schools and getting the children involved gives me inspiration.”
Organiser Jo De Guia, of Victoria Park Books, whose five-year-old daughter Matilda goes to Orchard Primary, said: “It went really, really well – it was a dream event. The children were totally involved and seemed to really enjoy it.”
Confucius gets a gong
Hackney Music Development Trust has been awarded the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Award for Education for its opera Confucius Says.
Thousands of pupils from nine schools in the borough spent a year working with professionals to stage the production at the Hackney Empire last summer, to tie in with the 2008 Beijing Olympic and ParalympicGames.
Children of all ages helped make sets, costumes and props.
This is the second time the Trust, which is supported by The Learning Trust, has won the award. The jury were were impressed and inspired by the range, quality and musical vision of this year’s nominations.
In particular, they added, there was a real sense of projects being embedded within their community and of innovative, often artistically challenging planning.
Representative verse
Four Hackney students selected to become Poet Laureates for their schools developed their talents under the guidance of writer Kayo Chingonvi.
The position is awarded across the country every two years to pupils who have demonstrated excellent poetry skills. Every Hackney secondary has its own laureate, who will all have the chance to perfect their skills at a series of workshops.
Sabrina, 15, of Hackney Free & Parochial School,E9, who is overall laureate for the borough, plus Niquelle, 15, from Cardinal Pole, E9, Galatia, 15, from Our Lady’s Convent High School, N16, and Shannique, 16, of Stormont House, E5, were critiqued on written exercises set by Kayo, who works with The Poetry Society.
The initiative is part of Linking Work with Learning, a partnership initiative between Team Hackney, the local strategic partnership, The Learning Trust, Linklaters and Inspire! The Education Business Partnership.
Celebrating partnership
Bridge Academy, E2, played host to the Lord Mayor of the City of London Ian Luder, for the official opening of the prestigious Lord Mayor’s Dragon awards.
The awards, now in their 22nd year, celebrate the achievements of London businesses and public bodies that actively involve and support local communities.
The school, which is sponsored by UBS Investment Bank, was presented with a Dragon Award community partner certificate for its ongoing partnership with UBS.
After the presentation entertainment included music from Bridge Academy students and a talk from a group of four older people about their experience of the Blitz.
Star of the screen
A student from Hackney Community College has been awarded a coveted place on a media course after impressing professionals with his music video.
Wayne Yeboah, 18, is studying for a BTEC national award in media. His film Conversations With A Cabbie earned him a position on the 2012 media summer school at Ravensbourne College, Kent. The 2012 media skills programme, organised by Creative Way, was set up to ensure that young people will benefit from the Media Centres being created in Hackney for the 2012 Games.
Wayne’s tutor Anna Johnson said: “Wayne should be so incredibly proud of his achievement. He produced a stunning music video, which has given him this wonderful opportunity.”
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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