Latest News
News and Updates from the CU team
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March News
Wed 01 Mar 2023March in London is as busy as ever – and, as always, it’s a great place for a family day out. With Mother’s Day and a host of other festivals and events, there’s a lot happening in the capital. March is a lovely time of year being the first month of spring, a time when we will start to see all of the plants growing and things coming to life within our community and the wider world, which is why we think it’s a brilliant time to be celebrating our green spaces.
We are pleased to be planning to be working with Queens Park community Council this month on a community little pic.so if you’re interested in coming down with your school and doing some community service and making our area a better place for everyone, please get in touch with us and we will book in your slot so you can come and join in and help us contribute to the conditions in our local environment and taking action to make it a better place for us all.
If getting out into the open is something you’re interested in, there are lots of exciting opportunities coming up this spring. We are very near Kensington Gardens, being just a 36 bus ride away from us, on Friday the 17th of March from 12 am to 1:30 pm. You can go on a guided tour of the gardens walking around the venue, discovering its hidden stories and statues and learning about its history, you can book tickets for this on the royal parks website at £12 each.
Visiting Kensington Gardens and playing in the beautiful Diana Memorial playground is completely free as is taking in culture at the Serpentine Gallery, or making friends with the ducks and swans. So, make sure you take a chance to get down there if you can, and celebrate the beginning of the growth period for UK plants and creatures during this, the first month of spring this year.
Since we’re talking about being outdoors and enjoying the beginning of the spring, how about booking yourself a visit to the Sky garden visits are free and you can visit between 10 am and 6 pm during the week and 11 am and 9 pm on weekends. The venue offers amazing views of across London and the there is plenty to see and do.
On the 22nd to the 23rd of this month, we will all be going to celebrate the beauty and educational value of film with over 1000 of us going to into film festival showings this year. We will be going twice as usual and in March we will be watching Matilda, Raya and the Dragon and Fireball in different venues across London. Going to the cinema is a great way of experiencing new learning and exploring new topics together while getting out and about in London so we are really excited and thankful for into film for allowing us to take part.
The deadline for the Puss-in-Boots competition is the 3rd of March and the children from Queens Park and Hallfield School have taken part in this. So, by the end of March, we will be closer to knowing what the winning entrants look like (as the winner will be chosen on the 3rd of March); they will recite receive a whole list of amazing prizes which will be delivered directly to their school.
If you get to go with your class to one of the amazing screenings, You can write a review for the review 500 competition where you could also win prizes here, you would write a 500 word or less review of the film you have watched and submit it to your children’s university coordinator and they can upload it and enter it online for you (or send it to me and I will do it for you). It’s a great way to practice your analytical writing skills and to share your opinions.
The 31st of March is another competition deadline as it is the Poetry by Heart deadline. All through March, will be encouraging schools to get active and engaged with the art of performance poetry. There’s a great selection of poetry for you to pick from on the website. So get on board and take a pick from the great selection of poems to choose from that are suggesting for this year’s competition. Then, all you have to do is practice the poem, learn it by heart and bring it to life with your acting skills. The lucky winners, who are picked by the judges after submitting their videos, will get a chance to perform on the great stage at the Globe, which will be an amazing experience for anyone who is interested in literature and acting. We can’t wait to see everyone’s performances.
We are really pleased to announce that we have another therapy dog with us now at WCU, who may be visiting your schools with their friend and owner Goo who will be visiting and running wellbeing sessions in schools and nurseries near you.
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February News
Mon 20 Feb 2023Robotics teacher training
VEX now offers free, online training that helps educators at all different ability levels. Experience fun and engaging lessons while supporting students as they become proficient with the VEX Robotics system.
By the end of the VEX Certified Educator program, you will be fully prepared to implement VEX Robotics and become a leader in technology and innovation within your school and community.
https://certifications.vex.com/get-started-now
Vex STEM Labs to remotely Acess
STEM Labs function as "plugin" lessons that can fit into your existing curriculum. Multiple labs can be utilized in sequential order to create a unique, extended learning experience. STEM Labs promote collaboration and exploratory learning.
Students enjoy hands-on-learning activities that allow them to apply technology, science, math, and engineering skills as they enjoy a 21st-century learning experience.
STEM Labs have something to offer for everyone.
The Great Exhibition 2023 continues
Have Great Exhibition fun at home online, discover some of the team’s favourite family-friendly events for you to enjoy on demand. https://www.greatexhibitionroadfestival.co.uk/explore/families/
Create a superhero with special powers to fight off all the baddies in the hospital at this fun drawing workshop for all the family.
Led by a professional illustrator and scientists from Imperial College London, we’ll be creating awesome hospital superheroes where you get to imagine and draw their special powers, like germ-zapping and healing super-strength.
All you will need to take part is something to draw with (coloured pens, pencils, biros felt tips) and something to draw on (paper, notebook, card). Plus our worksheet, which you can either print out or have on screen for the event.
https://www.greatexhibitionroadfestival.co.uk/explore/families/superhero-drawing-workshop/
Create and play with colour with chemical engineering student Emily Xu, and chemical biology researcher Helena Dodd. Like many scientists and artists they are fascinated by the chemistry that puts colour into the world around us, from our clothes to our food. And they have a story to share about a Victorian chemist who found fame with a colourful invention he created by accident!
https://www.greatexhibitionroadfestival.co.uk/explore/families/chemistry-colour/
Explore the night sky and the impacts of light pollution with this simple family-friendly star gazing experiment you can do in your garden or out of your window.
Created by Imperial Material scientist Ahli, Huda and her colleagues at UAE STEM in the UK, I spy celebrates the Nobel Prize winner Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar and his ground-breaking discoveries around how stars form and how they explode.
https://www.greatexhibitionroadfestival.co.uk/explore/families/i-spy/
Apple Garage Band Sessions
Whether students have played music before or not, it time to learn how to start a song in GarageBand using Live Loops in this 30-minute session. You’ll get hands-on with pre-recorded music patterns on iPad to find your groove. Bring your iPad or we’ll provide one. Recommended for beginners.
Apple video coaching at the Piazza
Capture your best video with iPhone. Learn simple techniques like how to control exposure or set focus, and explore new ways to record video. Get hands-on with the latest iPhone or bring your own. Recommended for all skill levels.
The Smart School Council-Overview-Paid Program
We are launching The Smart School Council at WCU
The Smart School Council Involves ALL pupils in developing skills and we love the idea of everyone in every class being involved
Directly addresses Ofsted requirements on British Values/SMSC & Prevent
Tracks data on involvement
Is easier to run than the current school council
Is different to a traditional school council.
Three clear elements
Class meetings: Short, regular, structured and pupil-led meetings in every class across the school.
Action teams: Any pupil can set up an action team based on an idea or issue that they have.
Communication team: Brings the whole model together, facilitates wide involvement and tracks it.
What impact does it have?
More pupils are involved:
It increases the average percentage of all pupils directly involved in developing skills and learning as part of their school council and Encourages quieter pupils to get involved
To find out more for yourselves check out https://home.smartschoolcouncils.org.uk/
MineCraft London Design Challenge
Just before Christmas the Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills invited teachers to attend a webinar to find out more about the Design Future London design challenge. At the webinar you they found out more about what to expect from the challenge, how to get free Minecraft licences and also have the opportunity to ask any questions about delivering to classes.
We are holding 2 sessions Wednesday 11 January 2023 at 4pm and Monday 16 January 2023 at 4pm. Colleagues from Minecraft Education will be at the session on the 16 January, so do come along! They are looking forward to hearing what you have to say and answer any questions you may have if you didn’t attend you can Sign up here!
Building your designs in 3D
They are also providing model making kits to state funded schools and further education colleges where students have registered to enter the challenge. Please take a look at this page to find out more. To register your interest in receiving a kit, please email designchallenge@london.gov.uk and provide your school name, school address, teacher contact details including name, email address and contact number (for help with deliveries) and the number of students and their names so that we can cross check against our database of registered entrants.
Launch of Minecraft: Education Edition
This is in just two weeks times. You will be able to sign up for a free licence for your students. This gives one more way that your students can create and build their entry. They will email registered schools nearer the time.
Face to Face events in Croydon Town Centre
Don’t forget to sign up your students on one of the events with local artists. It will be an engaging 2.5 hour session for your students. 1.5 hours with local artists working through ideas around the built environment and then a one hour self-guided tour of Croydon to get a feel of the town centre and the opportunities to design around.
Wednesday 18th January 2023
9.30am
1pm
Thursday 19th January 2023
9.30am
1pm
Thursday 26th January 2023
9.30am
1pm
Thursday 2nd February 2023
9.30am
1pm
Thursday 9th February 2023
9.30am
1pm
Thursday 23rd February 2023
9.30am
1pm
Dream Arts
Dream arts Experiment is a great program where our students can learn weekly from leading professionals, create their own work and develop your dance, acting and singing skills.
Every weekend Dream Arts Creative Labs enable 7-19 year olds to explore and unleash their talents. Our skilled professionals encourage members to devise their own work – from new musicals to short films and radio plays and we attend every session at WCU.
We also fund spaces for interested WCU students and fund additional programs..
If you are interested in taking part in one of these creative and fun sessions you can get involved by attending one of the sessions below
Dream Arts Experiment on Saturdays from 8 October 2022
The Abbey Centre, 34 Great Smith St, SW1P 3BU, 10am-1:30pm
Ages 7 - 12 devising and performing their own original musicals
Dream Arts Experiment on Sundays from 9 October 2022
City of Westminster College, Paddington Green, W2 1NB, 10:30am-2:30pm
Ages 7 - 12 devising and performing their own original musicals
Dream Arts Performance Company Immersive Theatre Project
City of Westminster College, Paddington Green, W2 1NB, 1pm-4pm
Find out more at https://www.dreamarts.org.uk/projects/experiment/
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January News and Offers and a Happy New Year from W.C.U
Wed 04 Jan 2023January 2023 Update and Offer
Happy 2023 everyone!
Happy New Year Everyone!
Warmest wishes and greetings from Westminster Children's University.
Welcome to the New Year and we have lots of great stuff ready for you here at WCU. If you would like to have a relaunch assembly or any of our January offer please email me to book
If you would like any activity or hours added -Especially trial schools please email me the list the activities you'd like added to whole groups and individuals (in individual named lists if this helps by taking a class survey) and we will take care of the rest
If you took part in Finastra/First Aid as our colleagues in Soho Parish/Hallfield did we hope you had fun and let us know if you'd like to do more?
If you would like access to these this year please let me know and we can arrange this
We have art award hourly sessions available and Textiles begins in St Marys this New Year, so again please get in touch for these
Please let us know if you'd like mind Up Insets, author visits in your school as this is also possible
If you are a colleague who is taking over or new ,I am happy to arrange a personal meeting to keep momentum going again, please email me to book We are so proud of all you achieved in 2022-155,000+ hours of adventure and fun and can’t wait to see what this year brings. For our January offer we have lots of creative, STEAM/STEM fun for you including clubs, challenges and visits.
Vex Club with Chelsea Foundation
VEX Robotics is educational robotics for everyone. VEX solutions span all levels of both formal and informal education with accessible, scalable, and affordable solutions. Beyond science and engineering principles, VEX encourages creativity, teamwork, leadership, and problem solving among groups. It allows educators of all types to engage and inspire the STEM problem solvers of tomorrow!
We are working with Tyrone at the Chelsea foundation to relaunch our VEX project and already have our resources ready to go so watch this space in January/February for updates and opportunities.
Ibrick Topsy Turvy-Paid Activity
We spent three great days with our friends at Topsy Turvy this December and look forward to taking part in their projects this year. If you haven’t checked them out you can visit individually at weekends or book a class session through your coordinators.
When you visit you will find a separate dedicated 3 and under play area. A main multi-tiered play frame for under 12s, full of excitement and adventure with a new one way system, all padded for your safety.
Parking is in Brent Cross Shopping Centre Multi-Story Car park level 3. Our building is located opposite of the car park but you can get there easily by multipole buses, 189 is our choice from Querx Road Kilburn.
Holiday Opening
They are open every day. Check their website with available play sessions https://www.topsyturvyworld.com/#
Pre-book 1.45 hour sessions online Saturday and Sunday (to guarantee entry)
Term Time
Mon-Tue 10-4 pm
Wed-Fri 10-6 pm
Sat-Sun, Half Term and Holidays
Mon-Sun 9.30-6pmKWC Lego Club
We all love to play! That’s the ethos behind the after school building brick programme. Young people can collaborate together to build brick models - making friends and developing skills all whilst having fun.
Run by trained facilitators, the programme offers children positive, meaningful social experiences in an understanding, playful and accepting environment. Brick Club (as it's known to children) supports its members to collaborate, communicate, problem-solve and share fun experiences all through collaborative building brick play.
We will be starting our club in January and if you would like one at your school we can help you to do that too, so remember to let your school coordinator know so that we can collaborate to get Building club in your school too.
Archimake Work Shops
Archimake workshops comprise of fun art, architecture, design and engineering courses in drawing and model making for children aged 7-16 to explore design and the built environment.
We are accredited to assess for national qualifications resulting in GCSE equivalent qualifications for young people. Participants have a 100% pass rate in passing Level 1 Certificate, which is a national qualification regulated by OfQual.
All the young people who passed their qualification were in year 7-9, so had not started GCSE at school but primary sessions and clubs are also available.
We have enjoyed a whole year of Archimake after school and would love you to join us remotely, if you would like to do this please contact your coordinators so we can set this up for you in your school from 4-5 pm on Mondays.
Excel for Schools
By learning Excel, you can develop strong analytical skills. Early Excel learners will be ahead of their peers and may be able to work faster, smarter, and better.
That's why we think you will find this Introduction to Excel page useful. The page is by Acuity Training and we think it could help students (and teachers) who want to flex their data handling muscles this New Year. Follow the lessons at the link below and let us know how you do.
We look forward to further collaboration with Acuity Training this year at Westminster Children’s University, who knows there may be zoom meets and lessons coming your way soon.
https://www.acuitytraining.co.uk/white-paper/introduction-to-excel/
You can enhance your math skills through use of the application's calculation feature. This encourages you to practice more math, and learn to correct their mistakes while using new to you, built-in error tools and help functions.
Perform for Schools
We are looking forward to our Anti-Bullying workshops with Perform for schools in January. Whether you’re looking for a fresh angle on a traditional topic, a fun weekly after school club or an inspiring INSET on using drama in the classroom, a visit from Perform for Schools could be the answer.
Every week, over 5000 children attend Perform after-school and weekend workshops at venues across London, the South East and South West. The classes focus on developing confidence and social skills in a fun and lively way via the performing arts. With over 15 years of experience, all our teachers are recruited, DBS and reference-checked, trained and employed directly by us. So, you can be confident that your pupils will be in the very best of hands.
Perform for Schools is the primary school division of Perform - the UK's leading provider of drama, dance and singing workshops for 4-12 year olds. The Perform4ALL project offers FREE drama workshops to primary schools across London, Nottingham and the South-East.
Last year, almost 350,000 KS1 children enjoyed these unique energetic and imaginative sessions at over 2,000 schools.
Facilitated by a DBS-checked trained professional actor, each workshop lasts 30 minutes and is designed for a class of up to 30 children in a large space such as the school hall. Teachers can book free introductory sessions which are always amazing so go over to the site to get yours book for the New Year.
https://www.perform.org.uk/perform-schools/perform4all-project/perform4all-project/about
FinEd/ FinTec
If you haven’t had the chance to book you’re your Fin Ed and Fintech sessions at Finastra, the New Year is a perfect time to learn new skills and develop better money habits. Sessions are available for all age groups and are free.
The workshops are a great way to see money and tech professionals at work while learning and shaping new habits and skills so get in touch with your coordinators if this is something you would like for your school and we will assist you to book in at Finastra, Paddington Central with our wonderfully clever friends.
Tom Half Penny Guitar
We have funded guitar lessons again this year and there are spaces for afterschool students so if you can get to us at Queens Park School and can get to us after school, let your coordinator know to book your free lesson space and start your musical journey.
Guitar lessons are a great tool for keeping you motivated. This is one of the key factors in whether or not you'll succeed with learning to play the guitar. It's equally as important as learning the right techniques, correcting mistakes and practicing your scales so why not give it a try?
Apple Field Trips Regent Street and Covent Garden
Apple Field trips are a great way to learn about technology and develop new skills and understanding. We are so glad to be visiting Apple again and can’t wait to help you all organise your trips too, we are starting in early February with: Design Lab: Draw your own Astronaut Inspired by Snoopy in Space and Art Tour drawing from Observation
Learning about Agriculture with Farmvention
The Farmvention: Climate Superheroes challenge is all about the problems that climate change creates for British farmers and how they are fighting it to become Climate Superheroes.
Explore our themed inspiration hubs to get you thinking. Each one is full of investigations to complete at home or school, alongside some exciting tours of our climate superheroes’ farms to inspire you. Don’t forget to share your ideas with us using the social media links below. We’d love to see them!
The Challenge:
Create an invention, innovation or idea to help British farmers continue to care for the environment and become Climate Super Heroes. The Engineering Educates Farmvention Challenge, our brand-new campaign that inspires learners to think as engineers, is now live!
To support your learners with their challenge, from next week, Becca and Lizzie will be introducing them to a host of inspirational role models from the world of agriculture and engineering.
Join us live on Friday afternoons, ready with your learners’ questions about all things food, farming, engineering and environment!
Have your learners ever met a robot engineer? Or a champion shepherdess? Would they enjoy putting their questions to someone who worked on the world's fastest tractor? Sign them up today!
Book your class meetings with those who work in Agriculture on Eventbrite for free
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December Updates
Fri 16 Dec 2022November /December Update with January-February Opportunities
We have been really busy prepping for the new year and coordinating several large scale events for our young people at WCU in the last few months .October-December saw 136 of our young people going to the RAH future makers,200 to Forest School,1500> at into film and 80 at WRI activities and arts award projects . We are pleased to share our December/January Opportunities and news and First Aid training for 150 students in 3 schools all in the last two months. If you would like free training session at your school please contact Leila at l-french2@sky.com
Here we are nearing the end of December, I hope you all got to take part in this winter’s Into Film Festival we had 1500> students attending from EYFS-KS2 and it was amazing as ever. Don’t forget to submit student reviews for chances of publishing and further prizes and treats at https://www.intofilm.org/theme/95/about
For a chance to win £200 vouchers
To enter student feedback go to https://intofilm.tfaforms.net/f/IntoFilmFestival_YP_2022
To enter student feedback go to https://intofilm.tfaforms.net/f/IntoFilmFestival_Teacher_2022
Grow Schools Project Sign Up is now available, this is a great growing and learning opportunity for urban settings and ca include subsidized purchase of in-school growing towers as promoted by Let’s Localise. You can sign up and express interest at https://www.letslocalise.co.uk/for-school/green-skill-programe.
Get involved with funding and Projects through Lets Localise for free by signing your school up. You can run project funding pages from here and access great subsidies on new projects such as the Green Skill Program.
Join Let’s Localise for free at https://www.letslocalise.co.uk/for-school/green-skill-programe/grow-school
In the market place you can sell school merch and tickets etc. while seeing what is available to you locally at subsidy https://www.letslocalise.co.uk/for-school/marketplace
We are funding spaces at Dream Arts, a weekend drama project here in West London. You can see our Dream Arts Page at https://www.westminsterchildrensuniversity.co.uk/dream-arts-drama-club/
DreamArts transforms young lives through arts and therapy. Members express themselves on their own terms, explore their challenges and build their strengths so they can realise their potential.
You can sign up directly at https://www.dreamarts.org.uk/sign-up/ or contact me directly for a funded space.
We are having a Free Pantomime here at QPPS W104DQ at 1:30 on Friday 23rd December QPPS with the Seagull theatre Project
Free Forest School /RSPB Session 28-29 December 9-11 am BT ST John’s Forest School, we will meet at QPPS, Droop Street, W104DQ at 8:45.Contact me directly at swilson@queensparkschool.co.uk to book free spaces on both of these.
https://www.greatexhibitionroadfestival.co.uk/
We are excited to get going with the preparation of the Great Exhibition to take place in the science quarter next year. Imperial College London are sending mentors into schools to help students build prototypes for future solution inventions the best of which will be part of the show itself next year and visited and seen by 1000’s of visitors. You can sign up at greatexhibition@big-ideas.org and get into with the team to get involved.
You can go on a virtual Royal Parks Tour of the home of the Exhibition (Crystal Palace) at https://www.royalparks.org.uk/whats-on/the-great-exhibition-virtual-tour as part of your preparation for the event.
You can even take part in the fun from your classroom or home by signing up at https://www.big-ideas.org/join1851/
FinEd /FinTec these visits are available throughout the new year with our friends at Finastra, to book your experience days in 2023 and to access their online FinEd content please contact me directly at swilson@queensparkschool.co.uk to book free spaces on both of these projects.
Plus, two runners-up will be chosen. They’ll win:
If virtual tours are you kind of thing and you feel like going on some from class or at home adventures access our virtual tours for free at https://www.westminsterchildrensuniversity.co.uk/virtual-tours/
It's time for STAEDTLER's Big School Sketchathon
A 2022 report found that the screen time of children aged 6-10 has increased by an average of 1hr 24mins a day since the pandemic. In response to this, Staedtler designed the Big School Sketchathon — an unplugged, pencil-to-paper challenge to help your pupils' young minds rest and grow.
Designed to take place for one month from 08 November, pupils can take part in the Sketchathon during school hours or break times, at after school clubs, or at home — all to be in with a chance of winning an amazing stationery bundle for their school.
✅ £200 worth of stationery for their school
✅ An official runner up certificate
✅ A personal STAEDTLER goody bag. What's more, on behalf of the first 1,500 entrants, we will donate £1 to Place2Be — a children's mental health charity which offers practical support for the wellbeing of pupils and teachers in UK schools.
Join up for free and download resources at https://www.teachersclub.staedtler.co.uk/competitions/its-time-staedtlers-big-school-sketchathon/
Free Arts Award and Textile Projects with Hermione Wood for your school
We are already delivering Arts Award in Hallfield school with year 3 ,if you are local and would like in- person sessions or further away and would like to book 5 afternoon sessions via zoom and earn beginner and intermediate arts awards for yourselves, please book directly at swilson@queensparkschool.co.uk to schedule free slots on both of these start in January.
Non-Contact boxing and Sports Coaching at your venue with BoxTheNiks
So far over 160 students in 3 schools have enjoyed sessions with Lee and Hussain from BoxTheNiks if you would like a visit and sessions from them please contact Lee and Hussain at info@boxthenix.org or CONTACT Hussain directly on 07474473494
December Holiday Clubs
Join us for fun, food and adventures this winter December 19-23rd (9:00-3:45) Monday to Friday. If you are a F.S.M (Free-School-Meals) customer, come and join us this winter for a full week of free outings and activities in London including a pantomime, soft-play, art and boxing. To see past projects visit https://www.westminsterchildrensuniversity.co.uk/holiday-clubs/
Please book directly at swilson@queensparkschool.co.uk the booking form is available at https://www.westminsterchildrensuniversity.co.uk/holiday-clubs/
But remember verbal confirmation is needed to secure a place
We will be running a free forest school session on the 29th -30th from 9:00-11:00am so come along to see us at the new site for fun in the winter chill.
Book a space directly with me at swilson@queensparkschool.co.uk again, remember confirmation is needed to secure a place
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Mid November Update '22
Wed 16 Nov 2022December is approaching so don't forget to secure your free Free School Meal place at our upcoming December Club 2022 19th-23rd December.
We were so happy to spend two whole days of learning and fun with our friends at Topsy-Turvy Brent Cross in our autumn club and can’t wait to return this December during our winter holiday Club amoungother exciting activities.
Look out for even more skills and building opportunities in our January news.
A day at their brick education centre comprises of Fun, Interactive & Stimulating Lego education workshops inside a giant children’s soft play arena that’s been a staple of the community for over 20 years.
Children are immersed in our Ibrick Lego lessons, led by our expert engineers before having ample time to explore the huge soft play and jungle gym area the venue also has on offer.
Attendees touch on all areas of the school curriculum lead by trained facilitators, with sessions including the Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEAM) blueprint all whilst tailoring our lessons to match your needs and school requirements.
Find out more and book your own STEAM Adventure at https://brickeducation.co.uk/
London School’s Mini Marathon- Monday 26 September and Friday 21 October
All schools across the UK were part of the world’s biggest marathon by signing up to the 2022 TCS Mini London Marathon in schools. We are excited to take part and hope you will get involved too. We are doing ours at Paddington recreation ground after school in October, so get in touch to join in.
The challenge was for children to complete 2.6 miles by running, jogging, walking or wheeling in their school between Monday 26 September and Friday 21 October. Any school can take part and it’s suitable for all ages and abilities. There were lots of resources on the website and every finisher received a commemorative pin badge completely free of charge. If you took part don’t forget to submit us some diaries and pictures via your coordinator for us to all share and celebrate.
Road Safety Week (14 - 20 NOVEMBER 2022)
Road Safety Week is this week, its Brake’s biggest annual road safety campaign. Every year, thousands of schools, organisations and communities get involved to shout out for our right to make safe and healthy journeys every day. Getting involved can help your school to meet the HEYL Bronze criteria and to design a HEYL Silver/Gold project on this topic.
Sign up for resources and challenges at https://www.brake.org.uk/
Dream Arts Trip to Lion King November 17th 2022
This Thursday the Dream Arts Club are going to the Lyceum Theatre to watch Lion King to complement their own drama studies and performances we will post pictures in the coordinators blog for all to enjoy,
WCU feedback Survey Open –Prize draw
Parents please tell us what you think at S https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NW6WPL8
Students let us know what you think at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/P2KV6XX
There is a chance to win a £50 voucher in each survey-just leave you full name after your comments
Get ready for a science winter with Santa’s Stem Workshop
Free teaching resources and classroom activities for students aged 5-11 years including lesson plans, handouts and film clips are waiting for the festive season at https://education.theiet.org/primary/There is tonnes to do and a wide range of projects to sign up for too.
Take part in Switch off Fortnight and make a difference!
Get involved in this year’s energy-saving campaign and bring STEM focused energy education to life for your students. Sign up for free at https://www.jointhepod.org/campaigns/sof21
Switch Off Fortnight 2022 (14-27 November) is an opportunity for your school* and young people to make small changes in their lives that save energy and help to protect the planet.
*The average energy saving reported by schools taking part in Switch Off Fortnight is 10%.
Switch Off Fortnight is a fun and rewarding campaign that can be led by students or teachers – it’s up to you – and we have everything you need to run a successful campaign.
There are new STEM resources – including infographics, posters, factsheets, a film and assembly – on top of our huge bank of existing curriculum-linked energy lesson plans, activities, assemblies and games ready for download.
For the first time, you can also now not only measure your Switch Off Fortnight energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions with the Pod Energy Saving Dashboard but throughout the school year.
The Primary Switch Off Fortnight campaign pack and the Secondary Switch Off Fortnight campaign pack can be downloaded now for free at https://www.jointhepod.org/campaigns/sof21 !
Switch Off Fortnight 2022 Teemill T-shirt Design Competition
This year Pod are teaming up with the brilliant team at Teemill to give primary and secondary students an opportunity to design the Switch Off Fortnight campaign t-shirt. Winners will receive 10 Teemill t-shirts with their own design and an optional visit to the Teemill factory to meet the team and see how the t-shirts are made.
These are no ordinary t-shirts. All Teemill products are made on demand, using natural materials and renewable energy. When items wear out, you can send them back to Teemill who turn them into new high-quality products. To date, Teemill has diverted 30,000kg of organic cotton from landfill, avoiding 1 million kg of CO2e emissions, and saving 586 million litres of water.
Competition posters and promotional slides in assemblies for students are included in this year’s Switch Off Fortnight digital campaign packs. Terms and conditions apply.
Don’t miss out – sign up today. For T&C go to https://www.jointhepod.org/legal#shirtcomp
Pod are teaming up with Wightlink this year.
Wightlink are kindly offering to give ferry crossings to the Isle of Wight, an official UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, for the winning students* and a teacher/ parent or carer to visit the Teemill factory to see how their t-shirts (that are good for the planet) are made.
Wightlink cares deeply about their environmental impact; every one of their sailings, every vehicle boarding their ferries and every activity at their ports. Their Green Solent Project is their initiative to protect the sea, land and air of their region
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October /November Highlights from our WCU News
Mon 31 Oct 2022
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November News
Mon 31 Oct 2022November News
Welcome back to school everyone, we hope you had a great break and got to rest and explore new hobbies and places while you were away.
Lurky re-sorted all of his toys and doggie mazes (his favourite pass-time) and practised ringing his doggie bell-we are still working on it! He also carved a splendid Halloween pumpkin helmet as his Halloween contribution to festivities-I think it looked smashing!
How about getting sustainable this winter season now that we are back?
There are some great projects you can get involved in this November and help the planet too. By visiting https://www.jointhepod.org/campaigns/recycle-to-read-2021 you can join the Pod for free. Here you can enter this November’s Competition to raise awareness about the benefits of recycling and set up a Recycle to Read project at your school. You can work together to collect recycling and then select free reading books from the Pod catalogue as a reward for your planet saving efforts.
You could try some of GLS’ great Eco School Ideas which are simple eco-school ideas for a lower carbon footprint
1. Encourage good habits
A green school starts with good daily habits. With so many young feet trudging round the school each day, their impact on your efforts to be more eco-friendly can be huge. Encourage everyone at your school to uphold the very best practices, and those attitudes can quickly become infectious.
Little reminders round the school, like posters reminding to quick up litter or recycle their waste, can go a long way to getting the ball rolling.
2. Start a school compost
If you’ve got a school garden, nothing is more eco-friendly than treating it with your own food waste. Start a school compost and not only will you reduce waste but you’ll also do wonders for the plants in your garden. If you don’t have use for it in school, you can donate to a local allotment instead.
If you’re in need of some composting advice, the RHS have an excellent guide for schools on this topic.
3. Use recycled paper
No doubt your school gets through tonnes of paper. On top of making sure you are recycling it as much as you can, you can go green and make sure you’re buying recycled in the first place.
There are plenty of options out there for recycled paper, as well as classroom items like notepads.
4. Buy eco-friendly
The buying green revolution doesn’t have to stop at paper either. Today, there are green options for countless everyday school items. Here are just a few:
Recycled sticky notes
Recycled pencils
Recycled card
Recycled clipboards
Recycled plastic wallets
Zero Plastic Sellotape
5. Cut down on single use plastics
Another easy win comes in the form of single use plastics. As an individual, you can buy yourself a reusable water bottle and lunchbox. Encourage staff and pupils members to do the same too.
Beyond that, small changes like installing water foundations over vending machines (with single use plastic bottles in them) can instigate a change in habit across the school
6. Start an eco-club
Raise the next generation of eco-warriors by starting a new after school club all about the environment. There’s plenty of fun stuff you have to excite and embolden the imagination of your pupils and teach them an important message at the same time.
They could help you out with of the other suggestions in this post, or:
Help plant and grow seeds in the garden
Craft bird feeders
Take part in an eco-quiz
7. Bring in recycling bins
Recycling is one of the easiest and quickest wins any school can have when looking to cut their carbon footprint.
Make it as easy as possible for everyone in your school to comply by placing dedicated recycling bins around the school. Be sure to label them up or communicate to everyone exactly what you can and can’t put in them too.
8. …and make them more engaging
For younger kids, it might be worth decorating those recycling bins to make them more fun and engaging too. How about giving it some eyes and teeth to make a monster – they just love eating up all your unwanted plastics!
9. Bring the outdoors inside
Don’t let the outdoors be the only place for nice plants or other green spaces. Bring the outdoors inside and make for a much more pleasant environment.
This might not make a huge difference but making the place a little greener can help to add to the idea that school is a clean, environmentally friendly space. You’ll go some way to making the air cleaner too
10. Become an official Eco-School
For those wanted a framework or official accreditation for the efforts to go green in schools, there is a project out there for you.
Eco-schools is a global project to drive positive environmental change in schools. At the end of the seven-step journey, schools can be an official Green Flag Eco-School and take part in their annual awards. We are working on our next Green Flag and taking part is a great way of getting Eco-Action happening. Don’t forget your Eco Council can post their work and projects safely here on the WCU site.
We are launching the Primary Engineer Programme which will take the form of themed Projects that include physical resources for 2 classes, teacher training for up to 2 teachers, digital teaching resources, curriculum mapping, links to engineers and invitations to Celebration Events.
If you or your classmates would like to be involved, let us know and you can join in too.
We had a great time on the World Re-Imagined trail and Mr K has been creating interactive art with children from across the school to celebrate our participation. We are so excited to be getting ready for our gallery show in Willesden Library.
lBrick Education at Topsy-Turvy Brent Cross
We were so happy to spend two whole days of learning and fun with our friends at Topsy-Turvy, Brent Cross this Holiday and can’t wait to return before the year ends.
A day at their brick education centre comprises of Fun, Interactive & Stimulating Lego education workshops inside a giant children’s soft play arena that’s been a staple of the community for over 20 years.
Children are immersed in our Ibrick Lego lessons, led by our expert engineers before having ample time to explore the huge soft play and jungle gym area the venue also has on offer.
Attendees touch on all areas of the school curriculum lead by trained facilitators, with sessions including the Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEAM) blueprint all whilst tailoring our lessons to match your needs and school requirements.
Find out more and book your own STEAM Adventure at https://brickeducation.co.uk/
Road Safety week is even closer now Road Safety Week (14 - 20 NOVEMBER 2022)
Road Safety Week is Brake's biggest annual road safety campaign. Every year, thousands of schools, organisations and communities get involved to shout out for our right to make safe and healthy journeys every day. Getting involved can help your school to meet the HEYL Bronze criteria and to design a HEYL Silver/Gold project on this topic.
Sign up for resources and challenges at https://www.brake.org.uk/
This November there will be a chance to see fireworks locally for free Trend Micro Cyber-Academy
During the half term holidays some of our lucky club members got a chance to visit The Cyber Academy at Trend Micro. The Cyber Academy is exclusively designed for children aged 7-10 years old.
Each episode at the Cyber Academy targets specific cyber safety topics with key learning objectives. For more information visit https://www.trendmicro.com/internet-safety/for-kids/cyber-academy
The day will be action packed full of learning, fun, and meeting others.
On the day, we covered topics such as – passwords, 2 factor authentications, security, kindness online, time online, safety settings, camera safety and healthy habits.
A snippet of our great day can be seen below:
10 - 10:30 – Welcome the kids, introduce everyone and have an icebreaker game
10:30 -11:00 – First episode of their choice
11:00-11:30 – Tour of the office/ Have some hot chocolate and pastries
11:30-12:00 – Second episode of their choice
12:00 – 12:30 – Play an educational game such as Kahoot
12:30 – 1 Third episode of their choice
1-1:45 – Lunch Time
1:45- 2:15 – Fourth episode of their choice
2:15- 3 - Activity sheet with prizes.
If you’d like a chance for your school to get cyber trained, please let me know and we can liaise with our great friends at TrendMicro for you.
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Finastra's Black History Month Poetry Festival with WCU
Tue 18 Oct 2022
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September-October 2022
Mon 17 Oct 2022Finastra's Black History Month Project
We loved visiting our friends at Finastra last week where we took part n financial education and shared our spoken word work on diversity ,role models and equality. It was an amazing day with some really talented writers.
Green Week and Community
Saturday 24th September marked the first day of this year’s Great Big Green Week and we’re getting ready for a number of events across the ward.
On Tuesday 27th we had professionals from QPCC and Paddington working with Queen’s Park Primary school students, leading a letter writing activity where the young people were asked to detail their hopes for the future Thanks to Millie Kent OF QPCC. On Wednesday 28th there was a community carbon literacy training session at the Beethoven centre as part of the compulsory training for QPCC councillors from 6-8pm.
Thursday the 29th saw community gardening sessions led in Queen’s Park Gardens by HCGA from 10am-12noon.This was then followed by a free, community lunch from 1-3pm in St Jude’s Hall. At the event students presented their letters in person to the councillors present.
The rejuvenation of currently unused wasteland will provide a green community space for the use of local residents and school. By gating and fencing the space the project will be able to create and safe and manageable green space (100m2) for general community and education use.
The proposed community land is now repurposed thanks to the hard work of reverend David Ackerman, our kind sponsors Axis and the volunteer team from Finastra, having been currently untended and unused it is now a safe and welcoming space. Taking over management of the land and securing its perimeters has helped create and invaluable community resource through the development and maintaining of community partnerships the local residents will have access to safe and managed green space and a program of activities and outreach .In turn, the partnerships and cohesion achieved will generate awareness and understanding of local community, habitats and ecology and foster and promote ecological awareness ;embedding better future practises within the wider community. Thank you all so much.
By introducing new planting and zones within the land the space will contribute positively to local air quality and general community wellbeing; tending and rejuvenating the space will allow for community and physical activity again creating positive community outcomes while improving local access and spaces.
October will see the first sessions taking place on the land.
The space will serve the local community and 3 nursery schools while being a key resource for WCU, encouraging outdoor activity and social and ecological awareness.
Arts Projects
We took part in a national art project in February-July '22, The World Re-imagined this year and our globe is now part of a public trail of discovery in central London. This is a great way to get out and about and discover London. https://www.theworldreimagined.org/learning-globes/
We already have a second globe and are looking forward to getting even more WCU schools involved this academic year. October saw the restarting of Arts award in schools with Hallfield School already taking part. This year we hope to visit even more schools and help students begin their Art Award Journey. To celebrate we will be renting out a gallery space and publicly exhibiting students work thanks again to Axis.
Hermione Wood Wall Hangings Project
Hermione is working with us again and we are so pleased ,She is Finishing the Hallfield Quilt and will be available to deliver in WCU schools throughout ’22-’23.
We are off on our first Young Ambassadors trail this week and can't wait to share the experience.
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Welcome To The New Academic Year
Wed 28 Sep 2022We are Back!
With a whole new range of exciting opportunities and an amazing new partner.
Autumn is here and we are all beginning the new academic year together, full of promise and opportunity.
Hermione Wood, our brilliant textile artist is already visiting Hallfield School ,having finished the wall hanging with St Josephs and Leila is due to deliver this academic year’s first first-aid training to the students of Soho Parish.
Thanks to the kindness of Axis builders, we are launching a community football project in October and are excitedly anticipating the launch of our Forest School Community Project.
We are delighted to say that we are eagerly awaiting the training of another two dog mentors and to meeting new contacts at October’s TES event.
We have booked over 600 cinema tickets, thanks to into film, and have 360 nursery children and parents attending in November who are all booked in already.
Our incredible friends at the palaces are training community access guides in September and we have 3 colleagues attending, making access to palaces even easier for new guests.
The great team at Finastra have launched their poetry competition and we can’t wait to meet the winners in October.
Black History Month Poetry Competition
“Finspire 2022”
Finastra ESG invites kids at your school to a poetry competition to mark Black History Month 2022, celebrating inclusion and equity.
The competition, which will be moderated by poet Nelson Brooks, asks children in year 6 Primary Schools to write a poem on Black History Month. The Finspire Poetry Competition gives children the platform to build up confidence and showcase their talent and be inspired, challenged and empowered.
Entry Deadline: 5 October 2022
Finastra ESG is excited to announce the opening of our Black History Month Poetry Contest (Finspire). We want to hear kids’ original poems reflecting on black history, culture, experience and/or social justice issues such as racism, prejudice, unconscious bias or microaggressions.
Submit poems via our online form or email. Winning contestants will be invited to a spoken word poetry event on the 13th of October at our office in Paddington.
POETRY CONTEST RULES
All Year 6 primary school students are invited to join.
Poems must be original and must be submitted via the online formor email (including name, age, email address, name teacher, name school and poem)
Poems may be rhyming or non-rhyming (see notes below).
Poems should provide reflections on black history, culture, experience, and/or social justice issues.
English-language entries only, please.
Author grants Finastra permission to post the poems on our website and marketing materials.
Poems are judged on the basis of originality and uniqueness.
One entry allowed per youth.
All entries must be the original creation of the submitting author.
All rights to the entry remain the property of the author.
The author agrees to present their winning entry in a spoken word production on 13 October 2022 taking place at Finastra, 4 Kingdom Street, Paddington, London, W2 6BD. The event takes place from 9.30 – 15.00.
60 finalists will be contacted by 7 October 2022.
Prizes:
First prize: £100
Second prize: £50
Third prize: £25
Judges:
Nelson Brooks
Jay MukheyDorothe Blake
Our Mission: To inspire and embrace young people’s strengths and talents via a poetry competition, helping children of many backgrounds to find confidence and inspiration, and engaging them in extra-curricular and wider activities that help them aspire to satisfaction and fulfilment through their opportunities later in life.
Please contact me directly if you would like to get involved with any of the September and October schedule, we can’t wait to get started!
