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News & Views
News & Views Fly Over the Rainbow
Fly over the rainbow with this exciting adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s classic ‘The Wizard of Oz’ coming to The Maltings, Ely on the 7th & 8th April 2022. Join Dorothy as she goes on a magical adventure to the Land of Oz. Along the way she makes new friends with the Scarecrow who longs for a brain, the Tin Man who really wants a heart and the very cowardly Lion who is desperate to be brave and have some courage. Dorothy needs to find her way home, but it’s not going to be easy with the Wicked Witch of the West keeping a close eye on her! Will the Great and Powerful Oz be able to help?
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This spectacular, pantomimic, colourful story is packed with hilarious jokes, dazzling dance routines, glittering scenery and plenty more for all the family, plus at the end of the show you will have a chance to meet the larger-than-life characters!
Tickets are available online www.kdtheatre.co.uk or by calling 01353 725 025
Bigger veg portions encourage kids to eat more
A new study by US researchers found that adding more veggies to their plates resulted in children consuming more vegetables at a meal.
The researchers found that when they doubled the amount of corn and broccoli served at a meal the children ate 68% more of the veggies. Serving fruit and vegetable side dishes alongside a meal was found to be slightly less effective.
Co-author Barbara Rolls says the findings offer parents and schools an easy strategy for encouraging healthy eating and stresses that half of the food on a child’s plate should be fruit and vegetables.
If you find this method increases waste, just replace some of the more filling food on the place with even more vegetable produce, she suggests. More at www.sciencedaily.com/releases
Don’t forget Mothering Sunday 27th March
Become a Host Family
EF host families play a key role in fulfilling EF’s mission of breaking down the barriers of culture, language and geography that divide us. Become a host family for international students today and be part of this great cultural exchange.
Why host with EF? Experience the world
Few experiences can spark interest in the world like opening up your home and becoming a host family for an international student. Being a host family with EF is a unique, rewarding, fun and educational experience for all members of the family and an opportunity to create long-lasting relationships. Hosting with EF is a great way of sharing and learning differences in languages and cultures.
Exchange cultures
With EF you’ll welcome an international student into your home. You will experience true cultural exchange and demonstrate your community to the world. As a host family you become a vital part of our students’ time abroad and their experiences, helping them to gain a deeper insight into your local culture, pick up expressions with much greater ease and return home with a more authentic accent.
Showcase your hometown
By becoming a host family you give students a chance to experience maximum cultural immersion by living as locals – with locals. EF host families become the students’ home away from home, and provide a safe and comfortable environment for students to ensure they get the best experience abroad as possible.
PRESSURISING PICKY EATERS DOESN’T WORK
While picky eating is part of the norm for developing toddlers, when it extends into the school years, it takes a toll on all involved.
New research from Australian universities has found that a range of factors contributed to a child’s likelihood of being a fussy eater.
The study found that pressuring a child to eat, offering rewards for eating and very strict parenting all negatively influenced fussy eaters. Whereas a more relaxed parenting style, eating together as a family and involving a child in the preparation of food all reduced the likelihood of fussy eating.
Lead researcher Laine Chilman said ‘Eating together as a family, with siblings and having a single meal at a regular time all helped reduce food fussiness. As did getting the fussy child involved in the meal, either by helping to choose the menu, or helping to prepare the meal.’ More at www.sciencedaily.com/releases
HIP HIP MORAY!
SEA LIFE Hunstanton adds four new moray eels to its underwater family and names them after iconic celebrities including Elvis, Neil Young and…Ian Beale
SEA LIFE Hunstanton has introduced four brand new zebra moray eels to its waters and named them after influential celebrities in true SEA LIFE fashion.
Zebra moray eels are a fascinating species most notable for their remarkable two sets of jaws. The breed is also known for being able to tie themselves in a knot to ensure they get a good grip on their food.
The new eels who are now on display at SEA LIFE Hunstanton were originally born at SEA LIFE Adventure in Southend. One of the new additions is Elvis Presley, the king of rock is now the king of the rockpool, as the new member of the team ‘can’t help falling in love’ with their new surroundings, as they make the aquarium its very own Graceland.
Also introducing Eel Beale, Andy Moray and Eel Young who is the fourth zebra moray eel joining the SEA LIFE clan. To visit the new eels at SEA LIFE Hunstanton, book online via the website here:
www.visitsealife.com/hunstanton/
Participate in British Science Week
British Science Week is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths which takes place from 11th to 20th March.
People from all over the UK take part in events and activities to develop their skills in these areas at a wide range of venues, such as community groups, cultural centres and museums.
A range of FREE activity packs and other resources suitable for all age groups can also be downloaded for fun family activities in the home. To find a local event, visit
www.britishscienceweek.org
Red Nose Day 2022 will return on Friday 18th March and will feature a collection of the “wildest bunch” of character noses yet.
There will be eight characters to track down, including the colourful Cam the chameleon. All Noses will be 100% plastic-free, making them green as well as red.
Red Nose Day is a campaign created by Comic Relief to help raise awareness of and put an end to child poverty. So why not buy some red noses and help raise money to keep children safe, healthy and educated?
As well as making a donation, you can find tips on creating your own fundraiser or planning a school fundraising event at www.rednoseday.com The perfect activity for a family Easter afternoon, the Magic Carrot game from Janod offers hours of fun with an engaging and competitive game.
RRP £29.99
SCHOOL TESTS DON’T AFFECT WELLBEING
Primary school tests do not seem to have a significant effect on the wellbeing and happiness of children, a study has found.
Research conducted by University College London suggested that there was little difference in levels of wellbeing and happiness reported by children, regardless of whether they took Key Stage two tests or not.
Children in Year 6 in England who took SATs tests did not experience any significant change in how they felt about themselves, their family lives and their school in the weeks surrounding the tests, the study discovered.
Researchers say that there does not seem to be sufficient evidence to support getting rid of SATs tests ‘on wellbeing grounds,’ in spite of calls from both parents and teachers to scrap the compulsory assessments.
The research also found there was no evidence to show that pupils who were happier or more self-confident in the build-up to the tests achieved higher scores. More at www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events
Sibling bullying and mental health
Bullying by a brother or sister in childhood can have lasting effects, threatening mental health in the teen years, new research suggests. Researchers from University of York analysed data from around 17,000 youngsters in the UK from ages 11 to 17, looking at whether they had been picked on by a brother or sister. Bullying was defined as hurting a sibling on purpose emotionally or physically, such as fighting and name calling.
The study found children bullied between ages 11 and 14 were more likely to have mental health issues by age 17. Data showed they were almost twice as likely to be introverted, compared to children who had good relationships with their siblings.
It also found children who picked on their siblings were just as likely to suffer as their victims, which scientists said was ‘of particular note.’
More at www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events
St Mary’s School, Cambridge empowers young women to lead the next generation of STEM discoveries
The last two years have turned the global spotlight on the vital role that Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) professionals play in the world. Women at the forefront of the fight against COVID, such as Professor Sarah Gilbert, Catherine Green OBE, and Özlem Türeci, are showing a new generation that there are no limits to what women in STEM can achieve. St Mary’s School, Cambridge is drawing inspiration from these role models to empower young women to lead the next generation of STEM discoveries.
Dr Alves Martins, Head of Chemistry and Science, said: “At St Mary’s we are 100% behind the drive to get more women into STEM roles and recognise the part we, as educators, have to play. Single-sex education has been proven to challenge negative perceptions of the sciences and to boost uptake and performance in STEM subjects for girls.”
In our Junior School, we unpick assumptions about the sciences and start afresh, unlocking the satisfaction and creativity of STEM subjects. This is supported by our state-of-the-art facilities, including the Yingting Qian STEM Lab, which is set to open this year.
As students progress in their school careers, Cambridge’s thriving tech scene, museums and world-class higher education institutes provide positive STEM role models and unparalleled opportunities for our students, from work experience at ARM to attending inspiring science lectures at the University of Cambridge.
You can find out more about STEM at St Mary’s by booking a place at our STEM Taster Event from 9.30am-12.30pm on 12 March 2022.
Perform classes will build your child’s confidence
Perform puts children’s social development at the heart of their weekly sessions for 4-7s and 7-12s. Using performing arts-based games and inspiring activities, their classes are designed to boost confidence, build concentration, develop communication skills and hone coordination - and are brimming with fun and laughter too.
Run by professionally trained actors, dancers and singers, classes are kept small to ensure individual attention, with regular progress reports provided. Fantastic termly resources – such as free apps, music downloads and dance videos - support each theme, meaning the fun continues at home. But don’t just take Perform’s word for it, see what parents say by visiting www.perform.org.uk
The beaming smile you see when Annabelle finishes a class is so wonderful to see. She has grown in confidence and thoroughly enjoys it. – Katie Pashley
Children can join at any point during the term and will still take part in the end of term performance. Classes are for all abilities; children just need to arrive ready to have the best fun of the week! Book a no-obligation FREE trial class to get started at perform.org.uk/try. Families readers receive a £40 discount when booking before 31st March, just quote CAM310322. Contact: T: 020 7255 9120 / enquiries@perform.org.uk perform.org.uk/try
KD Theatre Productions Ltd present
JOIN US OVER THE RAINBOW
THIS SPRING!
KD Theatre Productions Ltd present
JOIN US OVER THE RAINBOW
THIS CHRISTMAS!
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A MAGICAL FAMILY PANTOMIME
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22 – 29 DECEMBER 2021
www.saffronhall.com | 0845 548 7650 (7p per minute plus access charge)A MAGICAL FAMILY PANTOMIME
7-8 APRIL 2022
www.kdtheatre.co.uk 01353 725 026
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