News & Views

Get hatty and help find a cure for brain tumours!

Wear A Hat Day is back for 2021! Taking place on Friday 26th March, this is one of the UK’s biggest and most important brain tumour research fundraising and awareness-raising days. Venture Studios, Brain Tumor Research have been

A sporting chance

Pangbourne College prides itself on adding breadth and depth to every individual through its impressive cocurriculum offering. The co-educational day and boarding school is particularly well-known for its sporting opportunities and professional coaching. In recent weeks, Year 11 pupil Connor Jacob qualified for The Junior European Open finals, which is considered the toughest test in junior golf across Europe. Meanwhile, Captain of the 1st XV rugby team, Calum Scott in Year 13, has been awarded England Academy Player status. Within the London Irish club, he is one of a small number with this status and it places him on the After a very challenging year dealing with a England Hockey recently showcased Pangbourne student, Megan Fergusson, in one of its ‘inspiring story’ Coronavirus pandemic and on the back of videos. Megan, who was born without her lower left arm, plays in Pangbourne’s 1st team as well as at their ongoing campaining and successful new county level for Basingstoke Ladies. Head coach, Dan Paynter, says: “She always gives 100 per cent in her petition, Wear A Hat Day 2021 is perfectly timed training sessions. The ambition she has to play at the top level is so impressive and I do believe that her to become a huge event, bringing hope and determination will get her there.” Megan adds: “I’ve never let my disability hold me back in life and in inspiring the nation like never before! Hockey. I’ve adapted and come through stronger as a result and I believe that I can achieve whatever those Thanks to the brilliant charity partnership with with two hands can achieve.” pathway towards professional rugby. Thames Vallgifted with inspirational and uplifting portraits of key worker families who, despite having ey East ‘We Are Tabono’ their own devastating brain tumour stories, are determined to show the joy and positivity that is supports businesses during being involved in Wear A Hat Day. pandemic and beyond T: 07867 514138 / 07753 414605 E: editor@familiestveast.co.uk Little People Media, 29 Furrow Way, Maidenhead SL6 3 NY Join thousands of families across the country and create entertaining hat-themed fundraising events in support of the Brain Tumour Research charity. Whether your event will take place virtually or in person, there are plenty of ideas, resources and a FREE digital fundraising pack available online. To take part, register at www. wearahatday.org We were lucky enough to be invited along to the female business support company; ‘We Are Tabono’ at the end of 2020. It was during the 2nd lockdown period and so was very refreshing to see how this supportive network helped at a challenging time for many businesses. Indeed the owners, Anna Verghese and Chloë Leibowitz remarked that their business community had Brain tumours kill more children and adults under ‘come into its own’ during the pandemic and that the age of 40 than any other cancer. Wear A business owners could share their experiences of Hat Day offers hope for patients as well as their families and friends. Slough foster operating in some of the toughest circumstances we have ever had to endure. We Are Tabono help Together we will find a cure. carers continue to with both business and personal support, which meant that members could diversify, take on www.etonend.org #WeAreEtonEnd support vulnerable challenges and look after themselves too. When we joined in the sessions were on zoom children (normally there are live sessions of course too). Chloë commented, “Actually the idea of having The lockdown has been challenging for many of both virtual and live meetings has been popular us. For children who’ve had little stability in their and something we’ll take forwards into 2021” lives, the situation can be worse. she continued, “In the virtual sessions, we all come together, share skills, share suppliers, get on Emily (not her real name) arrived at her new foster with work and chat when needed. We also have carer’s home soon after the lockdown began. break out sessions for specific issues, so virtual has Even though she was eight years old, she had not brought huge benefits as well as the live sessions.’ enjoyed many life experiences, at least not ones she could look back on fondly. Emily mentioned to her foster carers that she had never been on holiday, or been to a beach, so a trip to the seaside was arranged and she was in and out of the sea, loving every minute of it. “These are the joys of being a foster carer,” said Karen, a foster carer with Slough Children’s Services Trust. “Seeing that

Et I o am n End laugh that has never been seen.” Find out more about fostering through Slough ‘We Are Tabono’ is currently offering a

Co-educational Preparatory Day School Children’s Services Trust, and the support free trial month. www.wearetabono.com/ for children aged rising 3 - 11 and allowances you will receive, by visiting community-membership/35 Eton 01753 Road Da 541075 • chet Berkshire admin@etone SL3 9AX nd.org fosterforslough.com or text FOSTER to 60066. info@wearetabono.com

Boost Your Child’s Confidence in 2021 with a FREE Perform Class

After such a disrupted and unsettling year, Perform is looking forward to getting 2021 off to a brilliant start with weekly classes packed with high energy confidence-boosting fun. Classes are designed around developing the 4 Cs - confidence, communication, coordination and concentration - and use a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s potential. The curriculum ensures plenty of confidence building fun, with drama games, catchy songs and funky dances. All class materials are written by Perform, with apps, downloads and videos for the children to play at home. Their small class sizes - run by two professional actors – ensure plenty of individual attention, plus each child receives a progress report every 10 weeks. Classes are available for ages 4-7 and 7-12 with a new creative theme each term and are delivered in line with government Covid guidelines. Local Perform Classes

St. Peter’s Centre, 1 Thorney Lane North, Iver SL0 9JU 4-7s Tuesdays at 4pm; 7-12s Tuesdays at 5.05pm Boyne Hill Infant School, Rutland Rd, Maidenhead SL6 4HZ 4-7s Saturdays at 9.30am; 7-12s Saturdays at 11.15am Maidenhead Community Centre, 42 York Rd, Maidenhead SL6 1SH 4-7s Fridays at 4pm; 7-12s Fridays at 5.05pm All Saints Church Hall, The Causeway, Marlow SL7 2AA 4-7s Mondays at 4pm; 7-12s Mondays at 5.05pm New Windsor Community Centre, Hanover Way, Windsor SL4 5NW 4-7s Fridays at 4pm; 7-12s Fridays at 5.05pm

To book a no-obligation FREE trial at any of the above venues, visit www.perform.org.uk/try T: 020 7255 9120 / enquiries@perform.org.uk / www.perform.org.uk

Inspiring minds, creating bright futures

Claires Court An independent school An independent school n Maidenhead in Maidenhead or Nursery to Sixth Formfor Nursery to Sixth Form

Join our virtual open even Join our virtual open events ts to discover our academic, sporting and creative opportunities, meet our head teachers and pupils, ask questions, and hear all about life at Claires Court. Reception Boys 15 January Reception Girls 22 January Senior Girls 26 January Senior Boys 28 January Nursery, Junior Boys and Junior Girls 29 January

Book your visit today Book your visit today 01628 327723 01628 327723 www.clairescourt.comwww.clairescourt.com/events registrar@clairegistrar@clairescourt.comrescourt.com