Avon February 2016

in Avon Issue 195 5 February23 March 2016

Also Joining the PTA Party planning Mother’s Day

Berth of a new era Download the new Primary Times app, free! Page 3

Become a Victorian passenger or join the crew of the ss Great Britain to discover how people travelled the oceans 170 years ago. Page 4.

Theatre • Arty Barty • Roundabout • Save money!

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19/01/2016 13:04:01

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR BOYS 7–18 FOUNDED 1590

at Redland High

Visiting Morning Friday 11 March Individual visits available by appointment CONTACT SARAH PATCH, ADMISSIONS SECRETARY, FOR MORE INFORMATION

Junior Open Mornings Friday 4 March 9.30–11.30am Saturday 5 March 10.00–12noon

Girls aged 3 – 18 Boys aged 3 – 7 (Redland High Infants with QEH) Scholarships and Bursaries available Breakfast Club, After School Care and Holiday Club on-site

Redland High School I N FA N T S

Contact Mrs Carolyn Matthews 0117 930 3068 www.qehbristol.co.uk 2

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FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016

JUNIOR

SENIOR

SIXTH FORM

Redland Court, Bristol BS6 7EF 0117 290 2905 | admissions@redlandhigh.com www.redlandhigh.com

PRIMARY TIMES

15/01/2016 12:19:41

The New Year’s resolutions have been severely tested, perhaps to breaking point, and the children are beginning to understand just how long and cold winter can be. But February Half Term offers an oasis of relief, a chance to chill (in a good way) or take the elements by the scruff of the neck and get out to one of the West’s abundance of activities or attractions (see Roundabout, P.13).

As ever, we have a wealth of ideas to keep you busy, from planning that party (P.21), and Mother’s Day (P.36), to celebrating the written word (P.24). For parents who feel their school needs a helping hand, there’s no better way to help than joining the PTA (P.6.). Get stuck in!

THEATRE P8 ROUNDABOUT P13 PINBOARD P27 ADVERTISING FEATURES P30 PUPILS’ PAGE P34 CLASSIFIEDS P37 UNITED WE STAND P6 Denise Vincent explores how PTA’s work and how parents can get involved.

IT’S PARTY TIME! P21 Great party things to do.

WRITES OF PASSAGE P24 the editor

Avon iin A 5 FebruaryIssue 195 2016 23 March

Eric Blair on World Book Day and The Bard.

Also PTA Joining the ing Party plann Mother’s Day

Berth era of a new Download the new Primary Times app, 3 free! Page

crew r or join the passenge ver how people Victorian 4.

Become aGreat Britain to disco s ago. Page of the ss the oceans 170 year travelled

Theatre

PRIMARY TIMES IS NOW AVAILABLE AS AN APP https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/primary-times/id674066003?mt=8

ey! ut • Save mon y • Roundabo • Arty Bart

Primary Times in Avon

Bristol News and Media, 1 Temple Way, Bristol, BS2 OBY. More information at www.primarytimes.net

Editor

Commercial director

Advertising

Distribution

Design Production Proof reader Main office

Mike Gartside mike.gartside@localworld.co.uk Abbie Grant abbie.grant@localworld.co.uk 0117 934 3626 Caroline Stretton caroline.stretton@localworld.co.uk 0117 934 3737 Meloney Rodney-Nguéma meloney.rodney@localworld.co.uk 0117 934 3076 Juliet Hobbs 01242 278053 juliet.hobbs@localworld.co.uk Cath Evans, Mike Gartside Emma Gorton, Ruth Wood Ellen White 0117 934 3000

Primary Times is independently published and distributed free in Primary, Junior, Infant and Middle Schools throughout the former Avon area, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. It is also available by subscription at £10 per year.

Its aims are to inform families and children of current educational issues, forthcoming events, courses and attractions, and to give teachers, pupils and parents the opportunity to participate in the magazine by adding to its contents or joining in the competitions which we run. It is NOT our intention to publish any racist, sexist or politically biased material whatsoever. We also undertake not to carry any advertising which we would consider to be offensive to young families or harmful to the best interests of young children.

While we make every effort to ensure information published is accurate, readers are encouraged to check details of all events in advance and neither Bristol News & Media nor its contributors are liable for the consequences of any errors.

Primary Times would like to thank all the schools in the counties for their assistance in distributing the magazine and their contributions to its contents. We would also like to thank all the advertisers who have supported this publication and therefore made it possible. Please support their endeavours when and where you can. The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising artwork produced by our studio remains with Bristol News & Media.

Primary Times currently publishes more than two million copies per issue under franchise.

PRIMARY TIMES

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Find these amazing offers this issue!

Swimstart - 10% off swimming lessons.

Noahs Ark - One child goes free Wildlife Photographer of the Year, M Shed - Under 16s go free The Detective Project - Free party bags with party booking Shutter & Flash - Free kids’ photography workshops Cattle Country - Save 20% when you book online Bristol Aquarium - Kids go free Jump - Birthday child goes free & 20% off if booked four months ahead.

Foyles - Free book voucher!

Cotswold Farm Park - Free child ticket FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016

3

19/01/2016 10:38:08

Step back in tim this h e alf-te rm!

Berth of a new era Brunel’s ss Great Britain has enjoyed over 170 years of adventure, travelled a million miles at sea and been around the world 32 times: it’s been an incredible journey and now it’s your turn!

T

his February Half Term, you and your family can step back in time and find out what life was like for the Victorian passengers and crew who worked, lived and travelled on board Brunel’s famous iron ship.

Explore the decks, dockside and down below the spectacular glass sea where you’ll be transported by authentic sights, sounds and even smells!

Rescued from rust and wreckage in 1970, Brunel’s ss Great Britain is now one of the UK’s best-loved, all-weather attractions and voted No.1 in Bristol on the travel website Tripadvisor.

There are great deals for families and grandparents and tickets last for a whole year, so you can return as often as you like, experiencing everything the ship has to offer.

Restored to how she looked when she was launched from the very same Dry Dock, the ship has been refurbished both above and below deck, giving you a sense of what it was like to be a Victorian on the high seas, travelling to Australia to start a new life. Not only is the ship alive with history, there are also characters you can meet plus great activities to get involved with. Here is your guide to a great Victorian day out: MEET MR. BRUNEL Find and meet the original Iron Man on and around the ship and get your photo taken with him.

Be sure to quiz him on the challenges he faced when designing and building the ss Great Britain and find out how he overcame them – he may be over 200 years old but he is still as sharp as ever so be sure to keep him on his toes!

4

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VICTORIAN CHARACTERS Mr. Brunel isn’t the only character you might meet whilst exploring the decks, cabins and corridors of the ss Great Britain. Chances are you might bump into one of the first class passengers on the Promenade Deck or a sailor by the rigging. Find out about the fashions of the day, how the passengers passed the time, what the food was like and what it took to work on board the largest, fastest and most experimental ship of its day.

PLAY DECK GAMES Challenge the Victorian characters you meet to traditional deck games, such as Quoits, or learn how to tie knots like a true sailor.

You can even help scrub the decks to keep the ss Great Britain looking shipshape and Bristol fashion.

STORYTELLING Go on a fun-filled journey of discovery with resident storyteller Sarah Mooney as she takes you on an adventure into the incredible imagination and magnificent mind of Brunel. As a great fan of art and culture, Brunel commissioned paintings for his house, which depicted scenes from the works of Shakespeare. Follow the hero engineer as he steps through one of his paintings and finds adventure on the other side. You then have the opportunity to see the real painting from the vault afterwards!

Brunel’s ss Great Britain E-newsletter.

With fancy frocks, gentlemanly waistcoats, tall stovepipe hats and frilly bonnets, get the Victorian look with real style.

EXPLORE THE VAULT The archive vault in the Brunel Institute, next to the ship itself, is full to the brim with amazing stories hidden in the diaries, letters and artefacts from the ship’s history. In family friendly sessions over half term, selected treasures will be on display for you to get upclose and personal with.

Brunel’s ss Great Britain is situated in the heart of Bristol’s his-

toric harbour, in the Great Western Dockyard. For more information, visit the website or sign up for the monthly e-newsletter at ssgreatbritain.org Brunel’s ss Great Britain Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol, BS1 6TY T: 0117 926 0680 W: www.ssgreatbritain.org Fb: /ssGreatBritain Tw: @ssGreatBritain

TAKE A VICTORIAN SELFIE Dress-up in traditional Victorian costumes for a catchy new profile picture and be sure to share it on social media for a chance to feature in the #TopPics section of the PRIMARY TIMES

19/01/2016 10:10:38

GLOUCESTERSHIRE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS 11 + EXAM 2016 GROUP TUITION - DOWNEND, BRISTOL COURSE TUTOR IS PUBLISHED AUTHOR PHILIP MCMAHON

• Year 4 and 5 small group courses (supported by 1 to 1 tuition) • Our own high quality resources for tuition and homework • Proven results • Programme of Mock Exams available To reserve your child's place please visit www.11plustutoringacademy.co.uk “11 Plus Tutoring Academy provides students with consistent and well-balanced approach to learning as well as equips them with good strategies to exercise and consolidate their knowledge through mock exams’’.

CEM STYLE TEST PAPERS FOR 2016 GLOUCESTERSHIRE GRAMMAR 11+ EXAM Order our new test papers in conjunction with Letts Letts, the expert in revision and 11+ Tutoring Academy, have teamed up to provide pupils with resources for CEM 11+ exams.

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PRIMARY TIMES

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FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016 5

15/01/2016 12:20:51

Joining a PTA is a rewarding way to make new friends and raise vital funds for your child’s school, Denise Vincent discovers.

Primary school play equipment paid for with funds raised by a PTA.

United we

F

rom barbecues and quiz nights to raffle tickets and Christmas trees, any parent of a child newly arrived at primary school soon becomes aware of their school parent teacher association (PTA). Parents can easily get involved in its activities, either by buying that ticket from the booklet waved in their face at the school gate, or by joining the association in full, organising fundraisers and even getting the chance to say how the money raised should be used. A good PTA is part of the fabric of school life and can seriously enhance the facilities available to your children and their fellow pupils.

According to Emma Williams, executive director at PTA UK, PTAs generate more than £120 million for their schools each year and provide a crucial social function in the community.

“School events offer an opportunity for parents, staff and pupils to get together,” she says. “They demonstrate to children the value of working collectively and setting an example of altruism and teamwork”. Seventy-nine percent of parents want to support their child’s school, according to PTA UK research, but often fear of the unknown or worries about time commitments stop parents from getting more involved.

So how much time does being a committee member take up?

Jenny Bhambri-Lyte, co-chair of Ashton Gate Primary School PTA, Bristol, says, “You can give as much or as little time to a PTA as you want. In our commit6

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A PTA-organised charity

stand

duck race

tee, we share roles. Each event is run by an individual, who usually makes that their sole contribution for the year. In the case of the twice-yearly quiz, a team of people make it part of the social calendar.”

She emphasises the social role of the PTA, saying her own social life has blossomed since joining, and points out that parents get a lot of fun from their involvement. “Our PTA quiz is famous within the school,” says Jenny.

“We are lucky to have quite a few PhDs among the parents. They get together at someone’s house one evening and put together the questions over a bottle of wine . . . allegedly.” Although it can be more difficult for those who have small children or fulltime work, Jenny says there’s a role for everyone on a PTA. “It’s

a microcosm of life; the more you put in, the more you get out.”

The fundraising role of the PTA, she says, is “More important than ever, with the squeeze on budgets. PTAs usually raise funds for all the nice extras.” She points out that, if you’re involved in the association, you’re also part of the decision making process when it comes to what the school spends the money on.

Different PTAs work in different ways. Ashton Gate holds three open meetings a year, attended by the head and other staff, with committee meetings scheduled on an “as needed” basis, often in a pub or bar.

A quick visit to parenting websites such as Mumsnet or Netmums, show that interested parents worry the PTA will prove a drain on their free time, requiring them to get involved

in activities they don’t know enough about. But Sue Willson, the head teacher at Ashton Gate, is reported to have given her PTA committee a clear message when they started: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”. So the school’s PTA maintains an established programme of tried and tested events and new committee members just have to replicate them.

These vary from barbecues to summer and Christmas fairs and events for the children, including discos and club nights.

Occasionally PTA committees are accused of being cliquey but Sarah Mountford, former chair of St Thomas a` Becket Primary School, Tilshead, Wiltshire, points out that the parents and teachers who work together invariably become friends, although a good chairperson will delegate effectively so lots of people can get involved, whatever their skills. Everyone has something they can offer, from designing flyers or event organisation to erecting gazebos, selling tea and coffee or baking cakes. If you’d like to get involved just turn up at the next open meeting, contact a committee member or speak to someone in your school office. They’ll welcome you with open arms. What have you got to lose?

PTA UK www.pta.org.uk UK Fundraising www.fundraising.co.uk Charity Commission www.gov. uk/government/organisations/ charity-commission Netmums www.netmums.com Mumsnet www.mumsnet.com PRIMARY TIMES

19/01/2016 10:11:55

St Bernadete Catholic Secondary School Gr

aith

All Welcome St Bernadete Catholic Secondary School is a vibrant, ambitous and successful school serving families in the South and East of Bristol.

• Academic • Strong Success Pastoral Care • High • Rich ExtraExpectatons curricular • Inclusive Ethos Program • Good Behaviour • Student Leadership • Traditonal Values Opportunites We welcome all those seeking a quality educaton within a caring Christan environment.

Fossedale Avenue, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 9LS

Tel: 0117 377 2050 www.stberns.bristol.sch.uk

©LW

Determined l

Day school for girls aged 7-11 l

l l

Main entry point Year 3

Before and after school provision

Excellent facilities and pastoral care l

Direct student minibuses

Assessment days by appointment To book a visit, call Mrs Lynn McCabe on 0117 962 9451 juniors@redmaids.bristol.sch.uk or go to redmaids.co.uk Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 4DP

PRIMARY TIMES

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FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016 7

15/01/2016 12:31:27

FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SHOWS ★ BRISTOL, BATH, N. SOMERSET & SOUTH GLOS

Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales, Thu 10-Sat 12 Mar, Bristol Old Vic. Photo: Steve Ullathorne

BATH THEATRE ROYAL Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET. 01225 448844, www.theatreroyal.org.uk The Gruffalo’s Child Tue 8-Sun 13 Mar, see website for times (10.30am-1.30pm), all tickets £13/ schools £10.50 • Following the huge success of Julia Donaldson’s ‘The Gruffalo’, comes an adaptation of ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’. Just how brave is she? Come and see for yourself as she tiptoes out one night into the snow. The big bad mouse can’t be real – or can he?

THE EGG Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET. 01225 448844, www. theatreroyal.org.uk The Ruff Guide to Shakespeare Sat 13-Sun 14 Feb, 11.30am/3pm, adult £8.50/child £7.50 • The life, the times and every single play – all in one hour! Expect silly sketches, toe-tapping songs, daft dance routines and extracts from all the famous and some of the less well-known plays.

Romeo and Juliet Mon 15-Tue 16 Feb, 11.30am/3pm, adult £8.50/ child £7.50 • Let’s All Dance’s high energy, hip-hop interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic love story.

A modern update for the internet generation recommended for ages 9+.

Dinkies Dream Thu 18 & Thu 25 Feb, 10am/11am, all tickets £2.50 • A mini magical version of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ from Dinkies story time hosts Jackie and Pooja. Join them as they awake in a magical forest full of fairies where nothing is as it 8 FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016

16 Avon Theatre Feb Half Term 2016.indd 8

seems. Everything is topsy turvy and there’s a lot of magic in the air – what is going on? Suitable for 18 months-4 years.

The Big Day In Sun 14 Feb, 11am4pm, free • A free family fun day as part of the Shakespeare Unplugged festival. Bard-related activities all day, including a treasure hunt, a Valentine’s Day masque ball, the chance to make a love potion inspired by ‘Romeo & Juliet’, plus performances from the Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School, other live entertainment and refreshments.

Pocket Dream Fri 19-Sat 20 Feb, 3pm/7pm (Fri) & 11.30am/3pm (Sat), adult £8.50/child £7.50 • Fast-moving and visually stunning, this all-male Shakespeare company presents a version of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ especially tailored to younger audiences. Expect poetry, humour and a lot of physicality with some magic thrown in along the way.

Romeo and Juliet Fri 26-Sun 28 Feb, 10am/11.30am/1pm (Fri only)/3pm, adult £8.50/child £7.50 • An explosive one-hour production of Shakespeare’s classic love story especially for younger audiences. Expect a stylised format for this exciting, accessible production for ages 5 and upwards.

Shakespeare Project Thu 3-Sat 5 Mar, 7pm/2pm (Sat only), adult £8.50/child £7.50 • A playful, comic and bold look exploring the untold stories of Shakespeare’s hidden and imaginary characters.

Recommended for ages 8+.

A Shakespearean Cabaret Thu 10-Sat 12 Mar, 7pm/2pm (Sat only), adult £8.50/child £7.50 •The completely incomplete works of Shakespeare performed as a cabaret. It’s the Bard’s work as you’ve never seen before!

Tadpoles Sat 19-Sun 20 Mar, 11.30am/3pm, adult £8.50/child £7.50 • Follow Captain Clever, good at codebreaking and problem-solving, and Captain Conker, super-fast and not scared of anything, as a tadpole-catching competition challenges this duo to overcome their differences and harness their strengths. A highly visual and energetic play about rivalry, strengths, weaknesses and superheroes.

The Remarkable Tale of Oliver Twist Thu 24-Sun 27 Mar, see website for times (10am-3pm), adult £8.50/child £7.50 • Red Earth’s adaptation of the Charles Dickens masterpiece recreates a colourful cast of larger-than-life characters for a modern audience. Presented in Victorian music hall style, expect speciality acts, variety entertainment and great humour for all ages.

Kite Sat 2-Mon 4 Apr, 11.30am/3pm, adult £8.50/child £7.50 • A lonely girl is taken to live in her grandma’s flat where the windows are always shut tight. One night a handmade kite comes to life, signalling the start of new adventures and reclaiming what was once lost. A play without words, but with plenty of music, dance and puppetry.

THE RONDO THEATRE St. Saviours Road, Bath BA1 6RT. 01225 463362, www.rondotheatre.co.uk The Homeless Panda Thu 24-Sun 27 Mar, 7pm, £5-£10 • Xióngmao (pronounced ‘Sha-Mow’) the Giant Panda has lost his home – where will he go? Exploring the Min Mountains of China for a new home, Xióngmao encounters monkeys, snakes and more – but not all of them are willing to open their doors to our lumbering hero. It’s up to Xióngmao and a couple of new friends to convince the world that every panda needs a home.

The Card Ninja Wed 6 Apr, adult £14/child & conc £12 • ‘Card Ninja’ Javier Jarquin brings his awardwinning show to Bath, promising extraordinary skill, sleight of hand and card tricks like you’ve never seen before. A one-man comedy show featuring impressive stunts, humour and audience participation. Family friendly, recommended for ages 12+.

BRISTOL ARMSTRONG HALL Chapel St, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 2BJ. 01454 412103, www. armstronghallthornbury.org Aladdin Wed 10-Sat 13 Feb, 7.30pm/2.30pm (Fri & Sat), adult £12/conc £10 • Thornbury Musical Theatre Group present the famous story of Aladdin as he seeks his fortune, meets the genie of the lamp and races to

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Review

Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs The Bristol Hippodrome

A

lthough we’re deep into the New Year, The Hippodrome panto is still inspiring chuckles among many a West Country family. This production boasted a winning range of TV personalities, from CBeebies’ goofy, yet cool Andy Day of ‘Dinosaur Adventure’ fame to Warwick Davis (pictured), whose extraordinary career trajectory from ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Harry Potter’ to ‘Life’s Too Short’ lends him appeal with kids, teenagers and parents alike. The title role, Snow White, was adeptly carried off by Francesca Lara Gordon, who swooned, cowered and bubbled in all the right places. The unsung stars were the cast of kids from Bristol School of Performing and Bristol School of Dancing, who, in or out of rabbit costumes, added real heart to this show.

We were slightly nervous following last year’s production when regular Hippodrome funny man Andy Ford appeared to run riot with the script, with overly bawdy results. But this year, Ford was on his best (i.e. cheekiest) behaviour, the dialogue was tight, the choreography slick and the slapstick impeccable. One favourite scene was the cosy love song, initially sung between Muddles (Day)

and Snow White, both perched on a wall, until Herman (Ford) muscled in and a right rollocking rumble ensued.

Meanwhile Kim Ismay as the wicked Queen Morgiana was in splendid voice and appropriately terrifying throughout.

And, the crowning glory was the performance of the dwarfs, led by a versatile, almost majestic Davis as Prof, who ably proved the point he himself has made publicly many times, that pantomime offers vital employment for small people during the festive period, and magical entertainment for everyone else. (Mike Gartside)

PRIMARY TIMES

19/01/2016 10:26:48

�li�on High School co�e�uc��on�l nursery school to sixth form

Nursery School and Reception Open Morning: Thursday 21st April 2016

realising individual brilliance 0117 933 9087 | www.cliftonhigh.bristol.sch.uk

OUTD�R FUN

FOR ACTIVE KIDS

Get outdoors, get active and have a blast! Our instructors are experienced, fully qualified and DBS checked, and are there to ensure your child gains confidence and enjoys every experience to the maximum.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Children’s parties Sch�l educational progra�es Holiday clubs Sports clubs Scouting, guiding, youth club activities

Look out for our exciting away days including mountain biking, canoeing, mountaineering, surfing and raft building!

What is your next adventure?

■ Military assault course ■ Low ropes course

■ Field gun and commando challenges

■ Cryptic treasure hunt

■ Big foot challenge

■ 7.3m climbing wall

■ Team games (softball, dodgeball, volleyball…)

■ New high ropes ■ Orienteering ■ Tunnel maze ■ Archery For more information visit www.mojoactive.co.uk Mojo Active, Over Court Farm, Over Lane, Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4DF T 01454 660075 M 07770 925022 E info@mojoactive.co.uk www.mojoactive.co.uk

PRIMARY TIMES

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■ Woodland activities

fantastic summer “My daughter had a Mojo. I’d like to because of her days at o made every wh thank all your team her. So much for g itin day fun and exc holiday club she better than any other Jo Adams has been to before”

FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016 9

15/01/2016 12:32:46

PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL . . . AND TELL THEM YOU SAW THE EVENT IN PRIMARY TIMES!

»

win the princess’s hand in marriage. Expect jokes galore, audience participation, slapstick, singing and dancing.

BRISTOL OLD VIC King Street, Bristol BS1 4ED. 0117 987 7877, www.bristololdvic.org. uk An Elephant in the Garden Fri 12-Sat 13 Feb, 3pm/7pm (Fri only), adult £12/child & conc £8 • Based on Michael Morpurgo’s magical tale. Follow Lizzie, her mother and an elephant from the zoo as they flee Germany during the Second World War and meet a downed RAF officer, a children’s school choir on the run from the Nazis and more. Recommended for ages 9+.

Albee Vector the Sound Collector Fri 12 Feb, 2pm, £10/child & conc £7 • An epic retelling of Homer’s ‘Odyssey’, featuring love, adventure and a sound-hoover called Mustard. Albee must travel to the ends of the earth to seek the most beautiful sound in the world.

Picking up a motley crew of friends along the way, Albee fights a Cyclops and learns the true meaning of the sound he seeks. Prepare to join in with some sounds of your own too. Suitable for 3+.

Tiddler and other Terrific Tales Thu 10-Sat 12 Mar, 10.30am/1.30pm (Thu & Sat) & 1.30pm/4.30pm (Fri), £12/family £45 • Based on the bestselling tales from ‘Gruffalo’ author Julia Donaldson. Travel under the sea, out on the farm and into the jungle with a vibrant mix of puppetry, live music and colourful characters. Perfect for children 3+.

PLAYHOUSE THEATRE High Street, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset BS23 1HP. 01934 645544, www.parkwoodtheatres. co.uk.

Dance to the Top Sun 28 Feb, 6pm, adult £12/under-12 & conc £8 • A variety of ballet, jazz, tap, modern and contemporary dance styles performed by all ages from two to adult. An all-singing, all-dancing showcase not to be missed.

Moscow State Circus Sun 6 Mar, 4pm/7pm, tickets £13-£25 • The acclaimed Moscow State Circus returns to the UK with a new show based on Russian folklore tale ‘The Flower With Seven Colours’. Join Professor Wacko and his sidekick Anatolia on a journey through a mysterious enchanted garden full of astounding performers, from jugglers to wire walkers, clowns and roller skaters.

Dance Their Socks Off Tue 15-Wed 16 Mar, 6.30pm, £9/£7 • Churchill Academy present the eighth annual ‘Dance Their Socks Off’, performed by children from local primary schools. Inspired by magical moments, spectacular spells and enchanting ideas, this year’s theme is ‘Once Upon a Fairy Tale’.

BLAKEHAY THEATRE Wadham Street, Weston-superMare BS23 1JZ. 01934 645493, www.blakehaytheatre.ticketsource. co.uk The 39 Steps POSTPONED Wed 10-Sat 13 Feb, 7.30pm/2.30pm (Sat 10 FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016

16 Avon Theatre Feb Half Term 2016.indd 10

only), adult £12/conc £10/child £8 • Sunshine Productions have postponed this production of John Buchan’s fast-paced thriller until a future date.

Snow White Sat 12 Mar, 3pm/7pm, adults £10/child £8 • Chelis Theatre Company present a pantomime for all the family full of songs, dancing and audience participation. The wicked Queen hatches a plot to rid herself of the girl who has become “the fairest in the land” to gain back her crown.

Allowed to escape by the kindly huntsman, Snow White is rescued by seven little men. This contemporary version of the original tale ends as always with the kiss of a handsome Prince and they “all live happily ever after”.

REDGRAVE THEATRE Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE. 0117 315 7000. The Redgrave has no permanent box office so please book directly with the visiting companies listed below.

The Tempest Thu 18-Sat 27 Feb, box office 0117 9733955, 7.30pm/2.30pm (Thu 25 & Sat 27 only), £15/conc £10 • Prospero, the duke of Milan, usurped and exiled by his own brother, holds sway over an enchanted island. When he raises a storm to wreck his brother and his confederates, his long contemplated revenge at last seems within reach. Shakespeare’s classic tale blends themes of the supernatural, forgiveness and enlightenment.

ST. GEORGE’S BRISTOL Great George Street, Bristol BS1 5RR. 0117 925 3333, www. stgeorgesbristol.co.uk Blundell’s School Chamber Music Concert Wed 23 Mar, 7pm, £8/conc £7/student £5 • Talented soloists and ensemble musicians from Blundell’s and The Downs’ schools perform works by Mozart, Puccini, Piazzolla and many more.

TOBACCO FACTORY THEATRE Raleigh Road, Bristol BS3 1TF. 0117 902 0060, www.tobaccofactory. com The Amazing Bubble Man Sun 10 Apr, 11.30am/1.30pm/3.30pm, all tickets £9 • The international hit show is back, featuring bubble art, magic, science and lots of fun.

‘Bubble Man’ Louis Pearl combines comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep all ages mesmerised.

THE WARDROBE THEATRE The Old Market Assembly, 25 West Street, Old Market, Bristol BS2 0DF. www.thewardrobetheatre.com The Star Seekers Fri 12-Sun 14 Feb, 11am/2pm, all tickets £7 • Have you ever dreamt of flying to the moon? Meeting an alien? Becoming an astronaut? Join star seekers Alph, Betty and Gammo on a space adventure where you take the wheel. A unique, interactive show exploring galaxies, planets and the solar system through songs, silliness and anti-gravity antics. Perfect for ages 3-8.

Much Ado About Puffin Tue 29 Mar-Sat 2 Apr, 11am/2pm, all tick-

Peppa Pig’s Surprise, Sat 19-Sun 20 Mar, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

ets £7 • Join Open Attic as they traverse stormy seas and reckless tides to bring you this funny tale about a man all alone, a friendly puffin and a whole lot of fuss over nothing. Using skilful puppetry, beautiful music, and good oldfashioned storytelling, ‘Much Ado About Puffin’ is about old habits, new friendships and stepping out into the unknown!

FURTHER AFIELD CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QA. 0844 576 2210, www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk Tweedy’s House of Fun Mon 28 Mar, 2.30pm, all tickets £12.50 • Popular clown Tweedy has just moved into a new house, but if he’s going to be allowed to stay he needs to impress the grumpy landlord.

Fortunately for Tweedy, living next door is the ever helpful, friendly and mischievous Theo the Mouse and Wendy. Packed full of fun and laughter, this new show from some of Gloucestershire’s top family entertainers is a perfect Easter matinee for families of all ages.

EVERYMAN THEATRE Regent Street, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573, www.everymantheatre.org.uk We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Mon 14-Wed 16 Mar, see website for times, all tickets £12 • Michael Rosen’s award-winning book ‘We’re Going On A Bear Hunt’ is brought vividly and noisily to the stage in director Sally Cookson’s fun-filled adaptation. Join our intrepid adventurers as they wade through the gigantic swishy swashy grass, the splishy splashy river and the thick oozy, squelchy mud on their quest to find a bear. Expect catchy songs, interactive scenes and plenty of hands-on adventure – plus a few surprises.

ROSES THEATRE The Roses, Sun Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5NX. 01684 295074, www. rosestheatre.org Swan Lake Wed 2 Mar, 7.30pm, £13.75-£21.75 • Arguably one of the most popular and recognized ballets featuring stunning scenery and lavish costumes set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. Performed by the Vienna Festival Ballet.

Pop Factor Mon 4 Apr, 2.30pm, £13.75-£15.75 • A high-energy celebration of some of the biggest current pop stars and chart hits.

Featuring songs by everybody from Taylor Swift to Justin Bieber, ‘Pop Factor’ is an all-singing, all-dancing show that challenges you to sit still.

SALISBURY PLAYHOUSE Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA. 01722 320333, www.salisburyplayhouse.com The Remarkable Tale of Oliver Twist Mon 15 Feb, 11am/2pm, £13.50/under-25 £9 • Red Earth’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale recreates a colourful cast of larger-than-life characters especially for the stage.

Rumpelstiltskin Tue 16 Feb, 11am/2pm, all tickets £9 • Auntie spins as hard as she can to make the wool for the King’s special festive jumper. But the royals are out of cash. A strange character steps in. Who is he, where does he come from and can they guess his real name before he gets them all in a spin? Ages 3 to 8.

Windibops Wed 17 Feb, 11am/2pm, all tickets £9 • A new rib-tickling dance piece for ages 0-100 and everyone in between. Combining science, dance, humour, strange sounds and smells and amusing characters, it creates an interactive, colourful world and offers the chance to learn whether flatulence impacts on global warming (yes, they mean farts!)

Handa’s Hen Thu 18 Feb, 11am/2pm, all tickets £9 • Handa and Akeyo look for Grandma’s black hen Mondi, A beautiful and engaging show based on the book by Eileen Browne, featuring 55 handmade puppets.

THE WYVERN THEATRE Theatre Square, Swindon SN1 1QN. 01793 524481, www.swindontheatres.co.uk The Great Jaydini Mon 15 Feb & Thu 31 Mar, 11am, £10 inc interval icecream and squash, adults go free • Enter the funny and magical world of The Great Jaydini, a talented and professional magician whose unique style pulls together comedy and magic suitable for ages 4+.

Peppa Pig’s Surprise Sat 19-Sun 20 Mar, 1pm/4pm (Sat) & 10am/1pm (Sun), adult £15-£17/child £13-£15 • It’s a lovely day and Peppa is playing outside with her friends. Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig have got a surprise for her and George – they can’t guess what it is, can you? Fun, games and surprises in this new show.

PRIMARY TIMES

19/01/2016 10:27:24

Looking for a ‘good’ local school?

Look no further as we celebrate a significant rise of 6% in overall results from last year!

Every day is an open day. Please contact us to book a tour: www.fairfield.bristol.sch.uk

REGISTER FOR YEAR 7 2016 TASTER DAYS ARE TAKING PLACE NOW Lower School places still available For further information visit www.colstons.org Email: admissions@colstons.org Telephone: 0117 965 5207

A dynamic, progressive school with fabulous teachers that are warm & genuine - Prospective parent In the top 15% nationally for Value Added www.fairfield.bristol.sch.uk

...good with outstanding features

OPEN DAYS Early Years

Saturday 27th February Junior School

Wednesday 2nd March Whole School

Saturday 12 th March Call us for more information and to book your place.

e: admissions@badmintonschool.co.uk

PRIMARY TIMES

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“Excellent” in every category ISI Inspection Report, May 2015

t: 0117 905 5271

badmintonschool.co.uk

FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016 11

15/01/2016 12:37:55

Have a fun-tastic ½ term at Farrington’s!

Healthy Food, Healthy Play.

Open every d from ay 9am!

For all enquiries:

01761 452266

A fun-tastic indoor adventure and family café for children of all ages. Climb, swing, slide, jump, eat and party!

ExPEriEncE... 3.9m Death-tastic Slide, Sky Walks, Ball Runs, Cannons, Tunnels and more! 120 seater Family Café. ideal for Parties.

Discover all that Farrington’s has to offer, visit

www.farringtons.co.uk

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©LW

PRIMARY TIMES

15/01/2016 14:16:33

ROUNDABOUT Your ultimate family diary of what’s on, where & when

Deadlines: List your school or community events in Primary Times for free. We work a half-term in advance so we’re now collecting information for late March, April and May: deadline for inclusion Wednesday 17 February. If your event is to raise funds for a school, a charity or your community, and is open to the public, please let the editor know at the address below. Please send all listings information and news/feature ideas to him at: mike.gartside@localworld.co.uk PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL While we make every effort to ensure these listings are accurate and up to date, event information can sometimes change after we’ve gone to press. Please check with the venue or organiser before you set off to an event to make sure it’s going ahead as planned . . . and tell them you saw it in Primary Times!

FEBRUARY UNTIL SUN 21 FEB SHERLOCK’S SUPER SLEUTH MYSTERY TRAIL Tyntesfield, Wraxall BS48 1NT. 01275 461900, www.nationaltrust. org.uk/tyntesfield, 10am-3.30pm, normal admission charges apply plus £2.50 (includes prize) • A mystery on the Tyntesfield estate?

Elementary my dear Watson ... follow in the footsteps of the great Victorian detective and his trusty associate to solve the mysteries around Tyntesfield.

UNTIL SUN 28 FEB WILD BIRD FEED Slimbridge Wetlands Centre, Bowditch, Gloucester GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org.uk/ wetland-centres/slimbridge, times vary – please check on the day, included in standard admission prices • Don’t miss this fantastic winter spectacle. From the comfort of the heated observatory hear the warden’s commentary as he feeds the thousands of wintering wild birds and hundreds of Bewick’s swans that have flown all the way from arctic Russia.

UNTIL MON 29 FEB WINTER KITCHEN At-Bristol, Anchor Rd, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5DB. 0117 915 1000, www.at-bristol.org.uk, drop-in sessions throughout the day, included in general admission

Mother’s D events liste ay d in pink! P.18 PRIMARY TIMES

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prices • Join the At-Bristol team in their seasonal kitchen as they unravel the chemistry behind warming winter feasts – from sweet treats to savoury delights.

UNTIL MON 29 FEB WINTER IN THE GREENHOUSE At-Bristol, Anchor Rd, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5DB. 0117 915 1000, www.at-bristol.org.uk, drop-in sessions throughout the day, included in general admission prices • Winter isn’t all about hibernation – learn how to keep your fingers green during the colder months.

UNTIL MON 29 FEB STICK MAN ACTIVITY TRAIL Westonbirt Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8QS. 01666 880220, www.forestry.gov.uk/ westonbirt, 9am-5pm, trail free, additional activity pack £3 • Join Stick Man on his quest to find the family tree.

UNTIL SUN 13 MAR INVENTION LAB At-Bristol, Anchor Rd, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5DB. 0117 915 1000, www.at-bristol.org.uk, drop-in sessions throughout the day, free with standard admission • Get creative and unleash your inner inventor. Join the Live Science Team in the Live Lab to design, make and modify your own creation.

UNTIL SUN 13 MAR DEATH: THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1RL. 0117 922 3571, www.bristolmuseums. org.uk/bristol-museum-and-artgallery, 10am-5pm (Mon-Fri), 10am-6pm (Sat-Sun), PWYT (pay what you think) • Major exhibition featuring many spectacular artefacts relating to the Mexican Day of the Dead, Victorian mourning rituals and mummification. See how other cultures deal with death via displays of coffins, mourning clothes, grave goods and symbols.

UNTIL THU 31 MAR DEER FEEDING Dyrham Park, Dyrham, South Gloucestershire SN14 8ER. 0117 937133, www.nationaltrust.org/ dyrham-park, 9-9.45am, adult £10/child £5 • A unique opportunity to feed the deer before the park is open. It’s a great chance to see the deer up-close in their winter coats – an experience not to be missed! Maximum two people (including children).

UNTIL SUN 10 APR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping

Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN. 0117 352 6600, www.bristolmuseums.org. uk/m-shed, 10am-5pm, £5/conc £4/under-16 free • The worldrenowned exhibition is back at M Shed with 100 images of wildlife from all over the globe. See animals from big cats to sealife and birds as you’ve never seen them before.

UNTIL SUN 10 APR FLAGGED UP TRAIL From Horfield Common to Stoke Park Estate, starts at Horfield Common, top of Wessex Ave, walking to Groundworks, Romney Ave, Bristol BS7 9TD. 0117 379 0115, free • Take a stroll through Horfield and Lockleaze and be inspired by community-made banners. Discover the green gems of Horfield Common and Stoke Park and find out what the local area has to offer.

Death: The Human Experience, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, until Sun 13 Mar. Plus Death Fair, Sat 5 Mar. Pic: Bristol Culture.

SAT 6 FEB CHEEKY MONKEY DAY Museum of East Asian Art, 12 Bennett St, Bath BA1 2QJ. 01225 464640, www.meaa.org.uk, 2-4pm, free with standard admission prices • It’s the Chinese Year of the Monkey – help out by making one of the 100 origami monkeys which will be going on display.

Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1RL. 0117 922 3571, www.bristolmuseums.org. uk/bristol-museum-and-art-gallery, 10am-6pm, PWYT (pay what you think) • Gather up the troops for some serious monkey business to celebrate the start of the Chinese Year of the Monkey. Try your hand at paper folding, see martial arts demonstrations, dances, tea tasting, calligraphy and much more.

SAT 6-SUN 7 FEB CHINESE NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES Bristol Museum & Art Gallery,

SAT 6-SUN 21 FEB MISSION EXPLORE The Wild Place Project, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol BS10 7TP. 0117 980 7175,

»

Review

The Nutcracker & The Snowman The Colston Hall, Bristol

F

ar from the stuffy concerts of my early years, when children were required to remain respectfully silent and stifle all appreciation bar polite clapping, the Colston Hall is abuzz tonight with slightly unruly families making all the noises associated with children having fun. But there’s also a natural curiosity as The Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera – with all its peculiar shapes and tuning up sounds – provide a source of wonder for children who’ve never seen such a thing before.

Tim Lihoreau of Classic FM introduces The Nutcracker in a fun, avuncular fashion as the orchestra launches into Tchaikovsky’s Christmas masterpiece and my five-year-old turns his natural fidgetiness into disco dancing in the aisles. In spite of the chatter and even a bit of crying from the back of the hall, the warmth and jollity of the music win through.

In the second part, the screen provides extra visual impact for

Raymond Briggs’ modern Christmas classic, ‘The Snowman’. Howard Blake’s accessible and frequently cheerful compositions are the perfect foil for the warm animation of Briggs’ characters. The excitement of Christmas, the joy of discovery and the sadness of loss are all themes in the story that the children engage with enthusiastically, while the presence of the orchestra offers a fullness and warmth of sound that even the best audio system can never reproduce. By the time the young yet accomplished soloist breaks into that much played hit, we’re all ‘Walking in the Air’.

(Mike Gartside)

FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016

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19/01/2016 14:33:09

TORWOOD

HOUSE SCHOOL

What a spectacular end to 2015 for Torwood House School! The School celebrated their 100th year birthday at Ashton Court Mansion in conjunction with the Ivy Arts Youth Theatre group. What made this event truly special was that the musical play was based on actual events from the school’s enriching history. The inspiring play re-told stories from and during the distressing times of the Second World War to more current times, illustrating the ease at which the children adjusted to the prevailing conditions.

The school was particularly honoured to have a very important guest amongst their midst, the previous owner’s daughter Sally March. Sally was overwhelmed by the production and at the accuracy of the retelling of the stories; tales about the charismatic school caretaker to the arguments amongst children about wearing their gas masks!

Sally is the daughter of the late Doris Green who purchased the school in 1942, at the time it was known as a ‘Dame School’ originally based in Howard Road; subsequently it was moved to Durdham Park to its current location. The school now in its 100th year continues to excel and flourish under the devoted leadership of Proprietor of Mrs Samantha Packer and the skilful headship of Mrs Dionne Seagrove. The pupils of Torwood House School and of Ivy Arts Youth Theatre group performed and sang with passion and vigour and ended the year in a perfect way, remembering their heritage whilst celebrating their successes to date.

Website: www.torwoodhouseschool.co.uk Contact number: 0117 973 6620 Email: hello@torwoodhouseschool.co.uk

100 YEARS

OF INSPIRING YOUNG MINDS

www.clearwellcaves.com

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su see al an our d e web xcit site ing for act mor ivit e de ies tail s

OPEN 10.00am-5.00pm Clearwell,Nr Coleford Telephone: 01594 832535

unu

Call: 0117 973 6620 Email: hello@torwoodhouseschool.co.uk

DO G N ETHI T! SOM IFFEREN D

We are an independent school for children aged 5 - 11 in Redland.

Contact us to arrange a personal tour.

PRIMARY TIMES

15/01/2016 12:40:36

ROUNDABOUT

PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL . . . AND TELL THEM YOU SAW THE EVENT IN PRIMARY TIMES! »

www.wildplace.org.uk, 10am-4pm, standard admission applies, special rates online • Lots of extra activities and fun for families this half term, with £5 child entry with every paying adult if booked online.

Learn to write like a medieval monk in The Bad Habits workshop, Yate Heritage Centre, Wed 10 Feb.

MON 8-FRI 12 FEB TINKERING LOUNGE At Bristol, Anchor Rd, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5DB, 0117 9151000, www.at-bristol.org. uk. Drop in throughout the day (10am-5pm), free with standard admission • Especially for half term, make things move, wobble and shake in the Tinkering lounge.

Expect lots of activities plus things to make and do throughout the day.

TUE 9 FEB HOLIDAY FAMILY FUN M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN. 0117 352 6600, www.bristolmuseums.org. uk/m-shed, 11am-3pm, pay what you think • Explore M Shed’s fantastic collections and exhibits through creative, hands-on activities for all ages.

TUE 9 FEB BRADFORD ON AVON PANCAKE RACE Town Bridge, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1FG. 01225 864240, please call for times, free • Join in the fun as the people of Bradford on Avon don silly outfits and race across the town bridge as they have done every Shrove Tuesday for as long as can be remembered.

TUE 9 FEB SLIMBRIDGE CYGNETS: TODDLER TOAD HALL TALK Slimbridge Wetlands Centre, Bowditch, Gloucester GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org. uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge, 10.30am for 11am start, £1.50 per child plus standard admission prices • Get up close to some amazing amphibians in this special Cygnets session, followed by crafts.

WED 10 FEB VICTORIAN VALENTINES Blaise Castle House Museum, Henbury Rd, Bristol BS10 7QS. 0117 903 9818, www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/blaise-castle-housemuseum, 10.30am-3.30pm, pay what you think • Paper lace and poems, flowers and cupids – get inspired by the beautiful early examples of Victorian Valentine cards in the museum collections and join this centuries-old tradition by making your own.

WED 10 FEB BAD HABITS WORKSHOP Yate & District Heritage Centre, Church Rd, Yate BS37 5BG. 01454 862200, www.yateheritage.co.uk, 10.30am & 1.30pm, free but booking essential • Learn to write like a medieval monk and discover the world of monastic life in medieval Gloucestershire with monk for the day John Putley.

THU 11 FEB FAMILY FUN DAY Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, PRIMARY TIMES

16 Avon Roundabout Feb Half Term 2016.indd 15

Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1RL. 0117 922 3571, www.bristolmuseums. org.uk/bristol-museum-and-artgallery, 11am-3pm, PWYT (pay what you think) • Explore the museum’s collections and exhibitions with creative, hands-on activities. Suitable for 3- to 10-year-olds and their families.

Expect a whole host of acts across local music venues including Colston Hall, Trinity, Motion and the O2 Academy. Acts announced so far include Tricky, Roni Size and Primal Scream. No age restrictions for day events but check booking information for others.

THU 11 FEB TEXTILE CRAFT WORKSHOPS Yate & District Heritage Centre, Church Rd, Yate BS37 5BG. 01454 862200, www.yateheritage.co.uk, 10.30am & 1.30pm, free but booking essential • Create your very own beautiful objects using traditional skills and different materials. Funded

by South Gloucestershire Council.

FRI 12-SUN 21 FEB PETAL POWER Bristol Zoo, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3HA. 0117 974 7300, www.bristolzoo.org. uk, 9am-5pm, standard admission prices apply, children £5 with any full-paying adult • The zoo is getting ready for spring with a burst of petal power. Lots of themed activities including a giant flower collage, flower pot decoration, petal power trail and face painting (small extra charge).

FRI 12 FEB FAMILY WOODLAND SURVIVAL DAY Leigh Woods, Bristol. 0844 2491895, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leighwoods, 10.30am-3pm, adult £14/child £12 • A fun-packed day of activities for all the family to enjoy in Leigh Woods, including fire lighting, cooking on an open fire and den building.

Suitable for ages 5-16.

FRI 12 FEB FILNORE COMMUNITY WOODLAND Baptist Church Hall, High St, Keynsham BS31 1DS. 01225 874259, www.avonwildlifetrustorg.uk, 7.309.30pm, adult £2.50/under-16 £1 • A fascinating talk about the woodland and its wildlife. Popular speaker Jerry Dicker returns to explore the diversity of the woods throughout the year.

FRI 12 FEB & FRI 26 FEB MORNING & AFTERNOON TODDLEALONGS The Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney St, Bath BA2 4DB. 01225 388569, www.holburne.org, 10.30am-12noon & 1-2.30pm, £8 • Workshops in the cosy Gardener’s Lodge. Parents and pre-school children play and learn together through songs, stories, and creative activities inspired by the museum’s collection, exhibitions and location.

FRI 12-SUN 14 FEB BBC 6 MUSIC FESTIVAL 2016 Various venues, Bristol. www.bbc. co.uk, see website for tickets and times • Now in its third year, BBC 6 Music Festival is coming to Bristol.

FRI 12-SUN 21 FEB FAB FEB HALF-TERM FUN Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1NX. 01275 461900, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield, 10am-5pm, free with standard admission • Head to Tyntesfield for plenty of half-term fun. From mysterious trails and National Trust ‘50 things ...’ activities to welly-wanging, there’s loads to keep you busy.

SAT 13 FEB MEET THE AVON GORGE GOAT KEEPER In the Avon Gorge, meeting place given on booking. 0117 903 0609, www.avongorge.org.uk, 10.30am12noon, £4 • Search for the local herd of goats on this strenuous walk along the Gully and find out how they’re helping to make space for the Avon Gorge’s rare plants. Please be aware that there will be very steep slopes and uneven ground on this walk. Call to book in advance.

SAT 13, 20 & 27 FEB 50 THINGS BIRTHDAY PARTY Leigh Woods, Bristol. 0117 9731645, www.nationaltrust.org/leigh-woods, 10-11.30am or 12.30-2pm, £120 per group • Celebrate your birthday in style with a unique party at Leigh Woods. Choose one of the National Trust ’50 things ...’ birthday party themes and enjoy time in the woodlands led by an experienced and friendly guide. No need to worry about the unpredictable British weather, use of the indoor Roundhouse is included.

SAT 13-SUN 14 FEB THE GREAT WESTERN AUTOJUMBLE The Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN. 01507 529529, www.carsandevents.com/gwa1, 9.30am-4pm, adult £8/under-16 free • A paradise for car lovers as a huge variety of traders and autojumble sellers offer something for almost any make, model or era of classic vehicle. Also expect thousands of classic cars on display.

SAT 13-SUN 14 FEB REALLY WILD WEEKEND Slimbridge Wetlands Centre, Bowditch, Gloucester GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org. uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge, 9.30am-5pm, £3.50 for members or included in standard ticket prices for non-members • Meet meerkats, armadillos, young crocodiles, snakes and mini-beasts and face your fears along the way by getting hands on. The animals are visiting WWT Slimbridge from the Exotic Zoo, which is regularly featured on Blue Peter. Sessions last an hour and include a fun interactive talk in the cinema before you get to see species up close and ask further questions. Early booking advised.

SAT 13-SUN 21 FEB SPRING SAFARI Prior Park Landscape Garden, Ralph Allen Drive, Bath BA2 5AH. 01225 833422, www.nationaltrust. org.uk/prior-park-landscapegarden, 10am-4.30pm, included in standard admission price • Pick up a trail from reception and get exploring. There will be things to spot throughout the garden so keep your eyes open.

SAT 13-SUN 21 FEB PUDDLE JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS Slimbridge Wetlands Centre, Bowditch, Gloucester GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org. uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge, 9.30am-5pm, included in standard admission prices • This half term Slimbridge plays host to the South West’s Puddle Jumping Championships. Wrap up warm, grab your wellies and splash around for a chance to win prizes.

SUN 14 FEB YEAR OF THE MONKEY CELEBRATION Museum of East Asian Art, 12 Bennett St, Bath BA1 2QJ. 01225 464640, www.meaa.org.uk, 12-4pm, free but booking advised as space is limited • Join the museum for a fun-packed programme for all ages. Storytelling sessions, new year-related activities and workshops for adults as well. Storytelling sessions at 12.30, 1.30 and 2.30pm.

SUN 14 FEB VALENTINE’S DAY Puxton Park, Cowslip Lane, Hewish, North Somerset BS24 6AH. 01934 523500, www.puxton.co.uk, 9am-5pm, standard admission prices apply • Love is all around at the adventure park: FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016

» 15

19/01/2016 10:29:58

ROUNDABOUT there’s even a prize for the family who can take the best photo of their day.

PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL . . . AND TELL THEM YOU SAW THE EVENT IN PRIMARY TIMES!

Toddler Takeover: Super Senses at At-Bristol, Fri 26 Feb

MON 15-FRI 19 FEB MINERVA’S OWL Roman Baths, Stall St, Bath BA1 1LZ. 01225 477785, www.romanbaths. co.uk, drop-in throughout the day, included in standard admission price • Find out why the Romans associated an owl with the goddess Minerva and make an owl stick puppet to take home.

MON 15, MON 22 & MON 29 FEB PEA SHOOTS: FOREST SCHOOL PARENT/CARER & TODDLER GROUP Feed Bristol, Frenchay Park Rd, Bristol BS16 1HB. 0117 917 7270, www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk, 9.30-11am, £5 per session including drink & snack • All toddlers welcome for fun, seasonal activities including crafts, songs, cooking on fires and free play.

TUE 16 FEB FAMILY STORYTELLING Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA. 0117 917 2300, www. arnolfini.org.uk, 10.30-11.30am, free but booking essential • An interactive morning of stories inspired by the sea. Perfect for under-5s.

TUE 16-WED 17 FEB HALF-TERM PLAY IN TWO DAYS St George’s Church Hall, Court Hay, Easton in Gordano, Bristol BS20 0PY. 01275 373232, www. thestorycellar.co.uk, 10am-4pm, £45 per course • Go back in time to Ancient Greece for two days of games and drama activities based on myths, gods, monsters and labyrinth adventures. Gain confidence and hone your performance skills in a safe and friendly environment.

Open to all children aged 6-11.

WED 17 FEB THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF BREAD Yate Heritage Centre, Church Rd, Yate, Bristol BS37 5BG. 01454 862200, www.yateheritage.co.uk, 7.30-9pm, £3/free to YADAG archaeology group members • Jinks Newley discusses the archaeology of bread and the processes behind it in this fascinating talk.

WED 17 FEB ME & MY FAMILY Victoria Art Gallery, Bridge St, Bath, BA2 4AT. 01225 477244, www.victoriagal.org.uk, 10-11am & 11.30am-12.30pm, free with standard admission prices • Make a fun collage of you and your family to take home. Suitable for ages 3-6.

WED 17 FEB WILDLIFE DETECTIVES Meet in the Longwood Woodland Play Area, off Claverton Down Rd, Bath. 01225 833977, www. nationaltrust.org.uk/bath-skyline, 10.30am-12.30pm, free • Explore the woodland play area and become a detective for the morning. There will be tracks to follow and puzzles to ponder – will you be 16

FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016

16 Avon Roundabout Feb Half Term 2016.indd 16

per child, accompanying adults standard admission applies • Wrap up warm and build a cosy den followed by storytime curled up inside.

Please bring a torch.

WED 24 & SAT 27 FEB SNOWDROP FESTIVAL Lacock Abbey, High St, Lacock, Wiltshire SN15 2LG. 01249 730459, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacockabbey-fox-talbot-museum-andvillage, 10.30am-5.30pm, standard admission prices apply • Lacock opens its doors as part of the National Gardens Scheme’s first ever Snowdrop Festival, taking place in over 100 gardens across England and Wales. The perfect opportunity to see a beautiful carpet of snowdrops as winter melts into spring.

able to work out which animals live in Larch Wood?

THU 18-FRI 19 FEB HALF-TERM WORKSHOP AT THE ICIA Fine Art Studio, Dance Studio & Ensemble Room, The Edge, University of Bath, The Avenue, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY. 01225 386777, www.icia.org.uk, 10am-4pm, £35 per child per day • An action-packed day-long arts workshop where young people get the chance to work with two experienced practitioners to create art and movement. With dance artist Laura Street and visual artist Dorcas Casey, the workshop offers a chance to get creative in The Edge’s brand new facilities.

Booking essential; please bring a packed lunch.

FRI 19 FEB ME & MY WORLD Victoria Art Gallery, Bridge St, Bath BA2 4AT. 01225 477244, www.victoriagal.org.uk, 10-11am & 11.30am-12.30pm, free with standard admission prices • Be inspired by the gallery’s special exhibition and make a self-portrait silhouette. Suitable for ages 5-11.

FRI 19 FEB A NEW WAY OF SEEING Museum of East Asian Art, 12 Bennett St, Bath BA1 2QJ. 01225 464640, www.meaa.org.uk, 6-7pm, £6/friends & students £3 • A talk taking a closer look at the museum’s current exhibition ‘Reflections’. The paintings, which blend together eastern and western styles, explore the relationship between the two worlds. Talk by Dr Tian S Liang.

SAT 20 FEB SATURDAY MORNING COOKERY CLUB Meals for Squeals Cookery School, 219 Badminton Rd, Coalpit Heath, Bristol BS36 2QQ. 07977106259, www.mealsforsqueals.co.uk, 10.30-11.30am, £10 including all ingredients & equipment • Monthly cookery club for ages 8-14 showing you how to make a delicious, healthy meal from scratch. This month’s class will be making a Thai prawn curry with rice to take home.

SAT 20 FEB CREATE CLUB AT THE ICIA Fine Art Studio, The Edge, University of Bath, The Avenue, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY. 01225 386777, www.icia.org.uk, 10am-12.30pm, adult £3/child £5 • Get the whole family involved with a creative day of activities for all ages and abilities. Anything from sticking, collage and drawing to printmaking and using textiles plus some great ideas to inspire you back at home. All materials provided. There will also be a Create: Movement dance class from 10.30-11.30am and a Create: Music class from 11.45am12.45pm.

SUN 21 FEB SIGNS OF SPRING & PEREGRINES Meet at The Water Tower, Stoke Rd, Durdham Downs, Bristol BS9 1FG. 0117 909 9667, www.avonwildlfietrust.org.uk, 11am (please arrive 15 mins before), free • Take a walk on the wild side and see how many birds and flowers you can spot around Durdham Downs.

SUN 21 FEB BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS: WORLD CULTURES, AFRICA Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1RL. 0117 922 3571, www.bristolmuseums. org.uk/bristol-museum-and-artgallery, tours at 11.30am, 2 & 3pm, free (donations welcome) • Join the museum’s curators to find out more about the world cultures collection on a behind-the-scenes tour.

Suitable for ages 7+.

MON 22 & TUE 23 FEB MONDAY & TUESDAY YEARLINGS The Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney St, Bath BA2 4DB. 01225 388569, www.holburne.org, 10.30am-12noon, £8 • Celebrate the changing seasons with songs, sensory exploration and creative activities for both parents and children to enjoy. Suitable for 12-24 months.

TUE 23 FEB SLIMBRIDGE CYGNETS Slimbridge Wetlands Centre, Bowditch, Gloucester GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org. uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge, 10.30am for an 11am start, £1.50

FRI 26 FEB OTTERS ON MY DOORSTEP The Folk Hall, 95 High St, Portishead BS20 6PR. 01275 843160, www.avonwildlifetrust. org.uk, 7.30-9.30pm, £2 including hot drink • Leader of YACWAG Otter Group Gill Brown gives an illustrated talk about these fascinating creatures.

FRI 26 FEB TODDLER TAKEOVER: SUPER SENSES At-Bristol, Anchor Rd, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5DB. 0117 9151000, www.at-bristol.org.uk, 10am-4pm, reduced entry prices apply, under-3 free • Fun-filled days especially for under-5s. Themed activities around super senses including textures in the texture garden, fascinating noises in the SoundLab and Magical Forest storytime.

FRI 26 FEB-SUN 6 MAR BATH INDEPENDENT LITERATURE FESTIVAL Various venues, Bath. 01225 463362, www.bathfestivals.org. uk/literature, various prices & times, please see website • The Bath Literature Festival is back and celebrating its 21st year with a new theme ‘Forever Young’. Expect plenty of talks, comedy and workshops for all ages covering everything from history to news, current affairs, Shakespeare and more. See below for our pick of family-friendly events, marked Bath LitFest.

SAT 27 FEB SHAKESPEARE, RATTLE & ROLL (BATH LITFEST) Victoria Hall, Church St, Radstock BA3 3QG. 01225 463362, www. bathfestivals.org.uk/literature, 8-9.30pm, adult £5/conc £3 • Merging the Bard with The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Elvis and many more, Martin Dimery brings you Shakespeare as you’ve never heard him before.

SAT 27 FEB IDENTIFYING LICHENS WALK Durdham Down, Bristol, meeting point given on booking. 0117 903 0609, www.avongorge.org.uk, 10.30am-12.30pm, £5 • Explore fascinating lichens growing on local trees and learn how to identify them with expert guide Shelia Quin. » PRIMARY TIMES

19/01/2016 10:30:49

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Fees vary. Please refer to your local study centre.

FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016 17

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ROUNDABOUT »

SUN 28 FEB FLOWER COUNT DAY Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1NX. 01275 461900, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield, 10am-4pm, free with standard admission • The National Trust’s Big Flower Count surveys the number of flowers at special places across the country and you can help out with it at Tyntesfield. How many snowdrops, daffodils and primroses can you spot?

MON 29 FEB-TUE 1 MAR MONDAY & TUESDAY YEARLINGS The Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney St, Bath BA2 4DB. 01225 388569, www.holburne.org, 10.30am-12noon, £8 • Celebrate the changing seasons with songs, sensory exploration and creative activities for both parents and children to enjoy. Suitable for 12-24 months.

MARCH THU 3 MAR WORLD BOOK DAY Foyles Bookshop, Cabot Circus, Bristol BS1 3BH. www.foyles.co.uk, normal opening hours • Foyles celebrate World Book Day with storytelling sessions for local schools and the chance for children to spend their £1 WBD book tokens. See Feature.

THU 3 MAR LOST: YOUNG WRITERS LAB SHOWCASE (BATH LITFEST) Guildhall, High St, Bath BA1 5AW. 01225 463362, www.bathfestivals. org.uk/literature, 6.15-7.15pm, £3 • Where do you feel most lost? Join the Young Writers Lab as they showcase their new group novel and get lost in creative landscapes, from forests to fairgrounds, imaginary cities to the inner mind, SAT 5 MAR DEATH FAIR Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1RL. 0117 922 3571, www.bristolmuseums. org.uk/bristol-museum-and-artgallery, 10am-5pm, free (donations welcome) • A day of talks, activities and stalls offering a practical guide to dealing with death. Part of the ‘Death: The Human Experience’ programme of events.

SAT 5 MAR WORLD BOOK DAY STORYTIME Foyles Bookshop, Cabot Circus, Bristol BS1 3BH. www.foyles.co.uk, normal opening hours • Interactive storytelling sessions throughout the day – plus an appearance from a very special guest. See website for details and to book.

SAT 5 MAR PARENT & CHILD CUPCAKE CLASS 14 Fountain Buildings, Lansdown Rd, Bath BA1 5DX. 01225 446094, www. bathcakecompany.co.uk, 10-11.30am, £65 per parent & child • A special class for parents and children to learn icing techniques and decorate four yummy cupcakes to take home.

A great activity to enjoy with mum 18

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16 Avon Roundabout Feb Half Term 2016.indd 18

PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL . . . AND TELL THEM YOU SAW THE EVENT IN PRIMARY TIMES!

for Mother’s Day or to create something special to bring home as a gift.

SUN 6 MAR MOTHER’S DAY Prior Park Landscape Garden, Ralph Allen Drive, Bath BA2 5AH. 01225 833422, www.nationaltrust.org. uk/prior-park-landscape-garden, 11am-2pm, donation on the day • The garden team will be on hand to help you replant snowdrops and spread these spring flowers across the garden. You’ll also be able to take your own snowdrop home for mum for a £1 donation on the day. After your spot of gardening, treat mum to cake in the tea shed.

SUN 6 MAR MOTHER’S DAY AT PUXTON PARK Puxton Park, Cowslip Lane, Hewish, North Somerset, BS24 6AH. 01934 523500, www.puxton.co.uk, 9am5pm, lunch 12-3pm, standard admission prices apply – mums go free • Time to spoil Mum with free day entrance to the park and a special Mother’s Day menu in Meadows Restaurant.

SUN 6 MAR MOTHER’S DAY LUNCH Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, Frost Hill, Congresbury, Bristol BS49 5AD. 01934 839019, www.mpwrestaurants.co.uk, from 12.30pm, please call to reserve a time, £33/under-12 £16 • Celebratory lunch for Mother’s Day. All mums receive a gift.

SUN 6 MAR MOTHER’S DAY LUNCH Slimbridge Wetlands Centre, Bowditch, Gloucester GL2 7BT. 01453 891223, www.wwt.org.uk/ wetland-centres/slimbridge, call to book a table, £12.99/child £6.95 • Enjoy the beautiful sight of the flamingo flock as you enjoy a two-course Mother’s Day lunch at Slimbridge’s Water’s Edge Café. Nonmembers will have to pay standard entry prices.

SUN 6 MAR MY SCIENCE FAIR 2016 Wiltshire Music Centre, Ashley Rd, Winsley Rd, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1DZ. 01225 860100, www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk, 10am, free • Powered by the imagination and enthusiasm of local primary school children, this day-long community festival showcases children’s projects exploring the worlds of science, music and dance. Features hands-on workshops, fun games, demonstrations and a free family concert by the London Sinfonietta .

FROM TUE 8 MAR SPRING STARGAZING At Bristol, Anchor Rd, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5DB, 0117 9151000, www.at-bristol.org.uk. Regular daily shows, £3/£1.50 for members plus regular admission prices • Journey to distant stars and discover the wonder of space in 3D from the comfort of your seat. Take a look at what you can spot in your back gardens this spring using the latest technology, promising views like never before. Suitable for ages 6+.

Day Mother’s ed in t s events li ! pink

Mother’s Day at Puxton Park, Sun 6 Mar.

FRI 11 MAR BENNETT’S PATCH & WHITE’S PADDOCK Baptist Church Hall, High St, Keynsham BS31 1DS. 01225 874259, www.avonwildlifetrustorg.uk, 7.309.30pm, adult £2.50/under-16 £1 • An illustrated talk about Bennett’s Patch and White’s Paddock nature reserves with AWT community groups manager Julie Doherty.

FRI 11 MAR REDLAND HIGH VISITING MORNING Redland High School for Girls, Redland Court Rd, Bristol BS6 7EF. 0117 924 5796, www.redlandhigh. com, 9.30-11.30am, free • Visiting morning open to all years (junior to sixth form) at Redland High for Girls.

FRI 11-SUN 13 MAR BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL Various venues & times, Bristol. www.bristolfilmfestival.com • Activities and entertainment for all ages including guided studio tours, music performances, screenwriting workshops and a special screening of ‘Madagascar’ at Bristol Zoo. SAT 12 MAR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN. 0117 352 6600, www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/mshed, 11am-5pm, free • Celebrate local women’s achievements via workshops, activities, speakers, women’s trail, music and more.

SAT 12 MAR WILTSHIRE YOUNG MUSICIANS MASSED JUNIOR WINDS Wiltshire Music Centre, Ashley Rd, Winsley Rd, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1DZ. 01225 860100, www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk, 7.30pm, £6/under-18 £3 • The Wiltshire Young Musicians Massed Junior Winds in concert. Parents will receive a letter once tickets are on sale.

THU 17 MAR BUTTERFLIES OF THE COTSWOLDS The Jubilee Pavilion, Keedwell Hill, Long Ashton BS41 9DP. 01275 392690, www.avonwildlifetrust.org. uk, 7.30-9pm, please call for prices • Sue Dodd and Sue Smith give an insight into the butterflies living near their home in the Cotswolds.

FRI 18 MAR ESTATE WALK Stourhead, Stourton, Wiltshire BA12

6QF. 01747 841152, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead, 11am-1pm, free but booking essential • Say farewell to winter and join a volunteer guide on a guided tour of the ancient woodland.

SAT 20 MAR SATURDAY MORNING COOKERY CLUB Meals for Squeals Cookery School, 219 Badminton Rd, Coalpit Heath, Bristol BS36 2QQ. 07977106259, www.mealsforsqueals.co.uk, 10.3011.30am, £10 including all ingredients & equipment • Monthly cookery club for ages 8-14 showing you how to make a delicious, healthy meal from scratch. This month’s class will be making macaroni cheese.

FRI 25 MAR-SUN 17 APR VICTORIAN EXPLORERS Tyntesfield, nr Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1NT. 01275 461900, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield, 10am-4pm, free with standard admission prices • Come and discover the New World like a Victorian explorer this Easter.

Uncover ancient relics, mysterious creatures and fascinating geology plus Easter egg hunt, games and activities.

SAT 26-SUN 27 MAR TASTE CHOCOLATE FAIR Waterfront Square, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5LL. 07961 326187, www. tastechocolate.co.uk, 10am-4.30pm, £3/under-13 free • Chocoholics rejoice! Here’s an entire weekend dedicated to the stuff, with everything from cakes and fudge to hot chocolate and Easter eggs. Also a prosecco bar for adults, cooking demonstrations, a city-wide Easter egg hunt and children’s activities.

WED 30 MAR AN EGGSCELLENT EASTER HUNT Blaise Castle House Museum, Bristol BS10 7QT. www.bristolmuseums.org. uk/blaise-castle-house-museum, 10.30am-4pm, free (donations welcome) • Search the museum and gardens to find hidden clues. Will they be in the Victorian schoolroom or maybe in the greenhouse under a flowerpot? A chocolate prize for every child who completes the trail.

ROUNDABOUT AND THEATRE LISTINGS BY ELLEN WHITE

PRIMARY TIMES

19/01/2016 10:31:43

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FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016 19

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15/01/2016 12:50:17

Some gre at ways c e l e b ra t e t o !

It’s Party Time!

Make Jewellery!

Create your own beautiful bracelets and ne ck with Lilly in Lemon laces children’s parties , who run tailored to 5 to 7 year olds and 8 olds. The young on to 11 year es will love the story-telling with Lilly and choosing th eir charms and beads. The ol der children will enjoy planning th perfect piece of je eir own wellery.

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16 Avon Features Feb Half Term 2016.indd 7

Act up!

Stagecoach runs themed parties including knights and princesses, pe su rheroes, pop stars and musicals, as well as murder mystery investigations, purely for fun, of course!

W: www.stagecoach.co.uk

Jump about!

There’s lots of choi ce if you want a gr eat party including gy mnastics, trampo lining and the use of soft Kingswood Gymna play or inflatables. Both stics and Majestic Gymnastics have great faciliti es and party pack ages.

Kingswood Gym na W: www.kingswoostics T: 0117 947 6449 dgym OR Majestic Gym nastics.co.uk nastics T: 07956 W: www.majestic 749506 gymnastics.co.uk

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Strictly Aaargh!

Splice the main brace and dust off the eye patch! Why not become head of a pirate ship for a day, board the galleon and make off with a load of treasure, with plenty of cake, games and music thrown in?

T: 0117 939 4311 W: www.pirateattack.co.uk

Down on the farm!

What better way to en countryside, either discojoy a birthday than in the ve or charging about on fabring and feeding animals Cattle Country Adventu ulous play facilities? re Park gives party-goers free rein of its Animal Ex perience Centre, Little Calves Play Area and Be achbarn.

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It’s Party Time! again!!!

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Have a blast!

Boys toys parties for children aged 5+ offers a variety of games that involv e firing Velcro tipped foam dart s at opponents and targets with an exciting selection of Nerf blasters.

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Leap outdoors!

Be a GI Joe or Jane at Mojo Active’s outdoor adventure centre in Almondsbury, north of Bristol, with excitement aplenty, including themed party bags promising an extra surprise.

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Solve a crime!

Become a Holmes, a Ma rp follow the clues to solve le or a Morse as you a heinous murder or a mysterious theft. Crim e scene parties like tho se run by The Detective Pr oje to work their grey matte ct allow children r as the police or crime scene inv y dress up as estigators.

T: 0117 244 00 W: www.thedetectivep 53 roject.co.uk

Dance in timerti!es

lised dance pa Vibe Dance has personaild chooses his or ch ay thd bir where the p star to prince or her own theme, from po se the music and princess. They can choo oreographed ch a games and will learn er Kerry, leading to ch routine with dance tea at the end. a performance T: 07773 571420

Full of b ounce!

Finding a special crucial for that un place for your child’s party is forgettable expe rience. The Park Centre Kingswoo d has the perfect sp hour party includ ing the free use of ace for a two a bouncy castle.

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16 Avon Features Feb Half Term 2016.indd 8

lder! i w n e v e Go etahs, ome of che

ristol, h , from t in North B c je ro P thday treats ce ir la b f P o d e il g W n e Th a ra limbing parties to c murs, offers le st d re n a Fo s e e th lv wo ng” in ith parties. g and “hunti e Leap of Fa th h it den-buildin w re tu adven and full-on 7175 T: 0117 980 ce.org.uk la p d il .w W: www PRIMARY TIMES

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Family Fun at

All Aboard Howl’s Moving Castle this Half Term Mon 8 – Thu 11 Feb Journey to amazing new worlds aboard Howl’s Moving Castle, the animated masterpiece from Japanese animation great Hayao Miyazaki at Studio Ghibli. Set in a magical world of wizards and spells, it follows the adventures of a young girl trapped in an old woman’s body by an evil sorceress’s curse. Plus Japanese themed food in the Café/Bar! Tickets: £6.50 full (adult) / £4.50 child + concessions

Love all things Japanese?

From Mon 8 – Sat 20 Feb the Japan Foundation Tour is in town!

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PRIMARY TIMES

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19/01/2016 11:46:16

Writes of

passage At the egg, Bath (see

Theatre)

4

World Book Day and Shakespeare Week this March offer hundreds of fun ways for children to discover and deepen their love of reading. Eric Blair reports.

O

n Thursday 3 March schools across the country will see dozens of Cinderellas, Rapunzels, Harry Potters and Willy Wonkas pouring through their gates. As has been the case for nearly 20 years, the first Thursday in March is World Book Day (WBD) – a chance for children to dress up as their favourite character from fairy tales, stories and books.

This, of course, is all in the name of promoting literacy and of laying the foundations for a lifelong love of reading. As WBD organisers put it, it’s about “turning millions of kids into millions of readers” because “reading for just 10 minutes a day can make a huge difference to a child’s future”.

As well as encouraging some fun fancy dress, though, WBD also helps schools enthuse

24

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16 Avon Features Feb Half Term 2016.indd 10

pupils about reading by providing a whole range of book-related resources for different age groups, from pre-school and nursery upwards. Resources for primary schools include puzzles, games, videos, discussion guides and teaching notes. These can all be downloaded, along with a ‘teacher’s toolkit’ and ideas for activities used by other schools, from the WBD website.

As in previous years, too, World Book Day will see millions of schoolchildren receiving a £1 book token which can be exchanged for one of 10 specially priced £1 books (or used to get £1 off a fullpriced book). This year’s WBD titles include popular tales like Mick Inkpen’s ‘Kipper’s Visitor’ for pre-schoolers, Roald Dahl’s ‘The Great Mouse Plot’ for KS1 and David Baddiel’s ‘The Boy Who Could Do What He Liked’ for KS2.

Again you’ll find the full list and details of participating booksellers on the WBD website along with loads more information about the big day.

Only 10 days later the Bard himself takes the spotlight as Shakespeare Week (14-20 March) gets underway. Organised by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, this now annual celebration is aimed at all ages, but has a particular focus for primary-aged children, aiming to dispel the myth that Shakespeare is boring by offering schools the resources to come up with innovative and interactive ways of introducing the country’s greatest playwright to a new generation.

In all, Shakespeare Week provides schools with a choice of more than 100 cross-curricular ideas for everything from one-off

activities to term-long projects.

This year, for example, participating schools can receive copies of a ‘Passport to Shakespeare’, an activities booklet distributed to pupils to promote an interest in Shakespeare both in and out of the classroom. So far more than 8,000 schools across the country have signed up for this year’s Shakespeare Week – and it’s not

Events at

Foyles

Bristol’s branch of Foyles Bookshop holds several World Book Day events for children Thu 4 Feb Harry Potter Night Features a mini-wizard shop with wizarding money, Dobby’s sock decorating and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans guessing game.

Half term date TBC Roald Dahl 100th anniversary event See website for details.

Thu 3 Mar World Book Day Event Interactive story-telling and the chance to spend your £1 token.

Sat 5 Mar World Book Day Event Story time sessions through the day plus a “very special guest appearance”. See website for details.

Foyles Cabot Circus, Bristol W: www.foyles.co.uk Tw: @Foyles

just open to schools. Families can also register and make use of the event’s family-friendly resources.

Throughout the week schools play host to performances of Shakespeare’s plays in versions tailored to younger audiences.

This year, for example, the Young Shakespeare Company tours its interactive workshop performance of ‘The Tempest’ for 7- to 11-year-olds, while Konflux Theatre offers ‘play in a day’ workshops based on four of Shakespeare’s plays.

In Bath, meanwhile, the Theatre Royal’s egg theatre and Engage programme run the Shakespeare Unplugged festival – a five-week season of performances and events in the run-up to Shakespeare Week, many of which are suitable for very young children. This starts on Sat 13 Feb with Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s ‘Ruff Guide to Shakespeare’ – which promises a “very silly” lightning tour of the Bard’s life and works – and continues on Valentine’s Day with ‘The Big Day In’ (14 Feb), a free family fun day with a Shakespearean treasure hunt and the chance to make your own love potion inspired by ‘Romeo & Juliet’. You’ll find full details in the Theatre listings – and because this year marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, there will be plenty more Bard-related events to come.

World Book Day W: worldbookday.com Shakespeare Week W: shakespeareweek.org.uk Shakespeare Unplugged at Theatre Royal Bath W: www.theatreroyal.org.uk PRIMARY TIMES

19/01/2016 13:17:34

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FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016 25

15/01/2016 14:14:05

Turn off Turn off the Turn off the the

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For thousands of ideas on where where to to go go & & what what to to do do visit visit www.primarytimes.net www.primarytimes.net For thousands of ideas on where to go & what to do visit www.primarytimes.net

26

FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016

16 Avon Features Feb Half Term 2016.indd 12

PRIMARY TIMES

19/01/2016 10:21:30

ADVERTISING FEATURE

d r a o b n Pi Pirates on the attack Looking for lots of swashbuckling birthday fun your kids and their friends will love?

Then let Captain Rocky Cliff and his First Mate lead the entertainment at your child’s next party. Ideal for kids aged four-seven years, the Pirate Attack Experience is packed with games and activities they’ll love.

Parents have commented: “such a hit with the children and the parents”; “best party ever”; “couldn’t recommend them more highly”; “fantastic, professional and entertaining” and “great value for money”.

A highlight of the parties is the pirate pillory, where the children throw wet sponges at the naughty pirate. Other activities include pirate dodgeball, making pirate hats or spyglasses, walking the plank, skittles, quoits, sword-fighting, storytelling and a treasure hunt. Pirate Attack parties can take place in most halls in and around Bristol and Bath.

Ffi: Pirate Attack T: 0117 939 4311 W: www.pirateattack.co.uk

A party to treasure

If you are looking for a unique party experience for the little girl in your life then discover the magical world of Lilly in Lemon Jewellery Making Parties.

Girls have lots of fun��������������� choosing beautiful beads and charms from Lilly’s baskets. Then, with demonstration and help where needed, the girls create their patterns before threading their beads to make their own unique pieces of jewellery, all finished with a bow and presented in a gorgeous organza bag.

Lilly in Lemon provides parties for 5 to 11 year-old-girls, in your home or venue of your choice, for a small group of six up to as many as 15. The length of your party will depend on your requirements and the age of your guests, but parties usually take from one to oneand-a-half hours.

Ffi: Lilly in Lemon T: 07899 925218 E: karen.lillyinlemon@yahoo.co.uk W: www.lillyinlemon.co.uk

PRIMARY TIMES

16 Avon Pinboard Feb Half Term 2016.indd 23

Parents’ & teachers’

news, education & contacts

Go sea!

Set sail across the world’s oceans this February halfterm, seeking out legends and monsters of the deep. Bristol Aquarium is hosting ‘Monsters and Mermaids’ from 6-21 Feb: a chance to meet its resident mermaid, enjoy storytelling and hands-on activities and discover marine monsters living and breathing in the city’s biggest aquarium.

With eight themed zones, more than 40 naturally themed displays, giant open-top ocean exhibits and an underwater walk-through tunnel, you’ll come face to face with tropical sharks, stingrays, seahorses, piranhas and much more. Keep an eye out for Patrick the giant lobster and Bolt the electric eel too.

Bristol’s Aquarium is also the only aquarium in the UK to feature a giant botanical house showcasing exotic plant and tree species from around the world and including a walkthrough waterfall surrounded by orchids. The aquarium’s open daily with daily talks and feeds. Children under three go free.

Ffi: Bristol Aquarium T: 0117 929 8929 W: www.bristolaquarium.co.uk

Inspiring the next generation The Red Maids’ community extends into various walks of life and many alumnae return to share their stories with current students. One such pupil is former head girl Claire Bradshaw Red Maids’ (1995-2002) who alumni return. was guest of honour at the Bristol school’s senior prize giving.

Claire is a senior adviser at 10 Downing Street, working directly with the Prime Minister. She gave parents and students a warm and witty account of her career plus the heartfelt advice: “Red Maids’ is the first women’s network you will belong to. Make it your most powerful. Push each other to travel, take risks, try things you don’t think you can do and be there for each other when it doesn’t quite go to plan.”

Claire graduated from Durham with a first in history before joining the Ministry of Defence and gaining a master’s in global politics. In 2013 she became the project director of an international development programme in Somalia.

Ffi: Red Maids’ School W: www.redmaids.co.uk

Off to a good start Based in Clifton Village, Clifton High School teaches boys and girls from ages 3-18.

The nursery and reception classes are happy, vibrant and caring, with a welcoming feel that is friendly and reassuring for both parents and children. Class sizes are small and children are taught by specialist teachers and experienced, wellqualified teaching assistants.

The school is set in beautiful grounds. As well as a dedicated outdoor play space, nursery and reception children enjoy the wildflower meadow, a wildlife garden and a pond for supervised wildlife encounters. Indoors, both reception and nursery classes have recently been fully refurbished.

With a total of 500 pupils, Clifton High is known for its pastoral care and the emphasis it puts on getting to know each child.

The school is holding an open morning on Thursday 21 April and individual tours and taster days are available at any time during the school term.

Ffi: Clifton High School T: 0117 933 9087 E: admissions@cliftonhigh.bristol.sch.uk W: www.cliftonhigh.bristol.sch.uk and Facebook page.

Success at St Bernadette St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School is a vibrant learning community in Whitchurch, Bristol. Its motto is “Growing and learning in faith” and each of its 750 pupils is valued and makes a positive contribution to a friendly, caring school.

St Bernadette is committed to ensuring every child achieves their potential.

Pupils are expected to aim high and to be successful in their learning. Pupils of all abilities do well and the engaging curriculum, modern buildings and extra-curricular activities offer a variety of opportunities.

Positive relationships underpin life at St Bernadette. There are high expectations of pupils in all areas of school life.

Ofsted has said: “Students are proud of their school. They are polite and friendly, and behave well.”

St Bernadette welcomes applications from all those seeking a quality education within a caring, supportive environment. Contact the school for more information or to arrange a visit.

Ffi: St Bernadette School T: 0117 377 2050 W: www.stberns.bristol.sch.uk

FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016 27

19/01/2016 10:35:49

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Chocolate Crispies

This recipe was given to us by Miranda Gore Browne. Miranda is a Great British Bake off finalist and a Dream Tea ambassador.

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need paper cases (the size you want the crispies to be), a large pan, a teaspoon, a big stirring spoon and muffin tins.

Ingredients (Makes 24 bite-sized or 12 large ones) 110g unsalted butter 110g caster sugar 3 tbsp cocoa powder 1 tbsp syrup 1 tbsp milk 100g cornflakes

About Dream Tea

Dream Tea is Dreams Come Trueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national fundraising campaign. It asks people across the UK to gather together friends, family, colleagues, classmates, to enjoy a good cuppa, a chat and of course... cake! Dreams Come True is a national childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charity with a mission to make dreams come true for children with serious and life-limiting conditions.You can raise money for Dreams Come True by asking for donations for tea and cake, holding a fancy dress tea party or creating your very own bake-off. It can be as big and as elaborate as the host desires, from a full vintage-themed tea party, to five minutes out for a brew and a slice of cake. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that simple and all donations go directly towards making more childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dreams come true.

For more details visit www.dreamscometrue.uk.com

Method Put the butter, sugar, cocoa powder, syrup and milk in a large pan over a low heat and stir until completely melted. Do not let the mixture boil.

Mix in the cornflakes a little at a time using a wooden spoon. Make sure they are evenly coated before adding more.

Put paper cases into the muffin tins and use a teaspoon to fill each one with mixture. Chill overnight in the fridge.

Remove from the fridge just before eating. If there are any left over, store them in a sealed container in the fridge.

Enjoy!

This recipe was taken from â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Biscuitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Miranda Gore Browne â&#x20AC;&#x201C; available to buy online and in all good book shops.

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FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016

PRIMARY TIMES

19/01/2016 11:11:31

ADVERTISING FEATURE

d r a o b n Pi Eastern promise

Journey to amazing new worlds at Watershed this half term and climb aboard ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ (Fri 5-Sat 14 Feb - pictured), the animated masterpiece from Japanese animation great Hayao Miyazaki at Studio Ghibli.

Set in a magical world of wizards and spells, ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ follows the adventures of Sophie, a young girl trapped in an old woman’s body by an evil sorceress’s curse, and Howl, a powerful magician whose castle flies across the land. Magic!

Head to Watershed’s Café/Bar throughout the holidays for some tasty Japanese-inspired dishes (including a special kids’ menu) and even some free origami. Love all things Japanese? From Mon 8-Sat 20 Feb the Japan Foundation Tour is in town with more Japanese films for teens and adults. For more info visit Watershed’s website.

Ffi: Watershed Harbourside, Bristol W: watershed.co.uk

Parents’ & teachers’

news, education & contacts

High flyers Get outdoors this winter and get your family’s adrenaline pumping by taking on Mojo Active’s new high ropes course. Enjoy the adventure and challenge of swinging through the trees using rickety bridges, traverse nets, organ pipes, islands in the sky or zooming down the 100m zip wire. It’s conveniently located just off junction 17 on the M5 and is open most weekends and during school holidays.

And for more fun, Mojo Active’s February half-term holiday club is now taking bookings. The club runs from the 15-19 February and is very popular so it’s a good idea to book early to avoid disappointment.

Activities include archery, climbing wall, orienteering, tunnel maze, den building and team games, with marshmallows and hot chocolate to warm up. There are special away days offering even more adventure too. Visit the website for details.

Ffi: Mojo Active T: 01454 660075 W: www.mojoactive.co.uk

Weatherproof zoo!

You take the portrait

Although winter days don’t lend themselves to great weather, a visit to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Bristol doesn’t rely on it being warm and dry. With a host of animals indoors and out, including African elephants, white rhino, feisty big cats and a family of gentle giraffes, you’ll be amazed at the variety at the biggest zoo in the South West. Raining outside? No problem – enjoy seeing the big animals from the public viewing galleries in their heated houses, like Elephant Eden and the giraffe house.

During the cold spells you can also enjoy the large, warm, undercover play barns, now fully heated. Take the family along to Bristol’s award-winning “all day, all weather” attraction and explore 15 adventure play areas, an indoor animal village and covered animal show pens. More than 25,000 square feet of heated areas around the park now mean that your visit is enjoyable whatever the weather. Closed Sundays.

Capture on camera, print and learn with Shutter and Flash workshops for children.

Situated in the centre of Bristol, Shutter and Flash offer children the chance to learn about photography in interactive workshops that make use of real cameras and lighting equipment in a fully equipped studio.

Children’s workshops are just one of the services on offer. The company also hosts birthday parties where kids can dress up, paint with light, have their pictures taken and take pictures themselves, allowing children and parents to take precious memories of their experience away with them.

Shutter and Flash specialise in portrait and wedding photography, large format printing, 3D scanning and printing.

Ffi: Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm W: www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk

PRIMARY TIMES

16 Avon Pinboard Feb Half Term 2016.indd 25

Ffi: Shutter and Flash T: 0117 330 8999 E: contact@shutterandflash.com W: www.shutterandflash.com

Let’s dance!

Vibe Dance Parties offer a fun personalised birthday experience for children of all ages.

The theme and music for the dance workshop and entertainment on the big day are chosen specifically by the birthday child and includes a specially choreographed routine to make it a personal experience. With Vibe Dance, every birthday child gets to be the star of the show with a special performance at the end of the party. Choosing their own games and party dances for the entertainment also helps to make it a special party experience. Vibe Dance also offer an ‘All Star Pamper’, adding glitter and sparkle to hair, nails and face before the performance. Themes Vibe have choreographed include ‘Pom Cheer’, ‘Frozen’, ‘Cinderella’, ‘Little Mix’, ‘Ribbon Twirling’ and ‘One Direction’, to name a few. Contact Vibe Dance to find out how you can make your child’s birthday go with a swing.

Ffi: Vibe Dance Parties T: 07773 571420 W: www.facebook. com/vibedanceparties

Clinic seeks donors Until you are faced with the prospect of infertility, it is difficult to appreciate what a blow it can be for someone who is desperate to start their own family.

Some women may not be able to conceive using their own eggs and will rely on the help of someone who is willing to donate their own eggs to help.

The Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine supports patients throughout their fertility investigations, diagnosis and treatment, offering guidance and support at this time. It also provides a range of services, including IVF, ICSI, sperm and egg donation, treating both NHS and self-funded patients. In addition, the centre recruits its own egg donors. If you’re interested in becoming an egg donor, then the centre would be happy to discuss this with you. You can call them, leaving your name and number and they will get back to you.

Ffi: Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine T: 0117 414 6880 W: www.nbt.nhs.uk/bcrm

FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016

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19/01/2016 13:16:27

Adver tising Feature

Get the best start with Swimstart

• With dedicated, experienced and individualised tuition for your child, learning to swim will be a journey of discovery and a holistic experience for everyone. New this year, Swimstart offers individual parent-and-child swim support classes dedicated to self-help tuition for nervous parents.

The company also provides more dedicated and group sessions for children with MLD and SLD conditions. It specialises in helping those children and their families get the best out of the swimming experience and urges parents and carers to talk to them about their needs. Free consultations are available.

With a few remaining spaces in its programme Swimstart can offer 12 sessions for the price of 10 until the end of March. In addition, the company still gives its usual discounts on multiple bookings, friends and family referrals and loyalty bonuses.

Ffi: Swimstart T: Mark on 07776 292813

Adver tising Feature

High achievers 10th July - 6th August 2016

With over 600 courses available there’s Something for Everyone

01672 892388 | summerschool.co.uk 30 FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016

16 Avon advertising features Feb Half Term 2016.indd 26

• Redland High School is a caring and purposeful community that offers a fine academic education with a strong record of excellent examination results and a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities.

The school’s experienced teachers, led by headmistress Stephanie Ferro, inspire girls to think independently and discover their potential. They foster a sense of belonging that creates the security for girls to develop selfesteem and a strong work ethic rooted in high achievement. The main building is a beautiful Queen Anne house but, behind this historic façade, the outstanding academic achievement is supported with all the modern facilities one would expect in a school dedicated to educating girls for tomorrow’s world.

Sixth-form provision is very strong: students gain places at their chosen university to study a wide range of subjects, including medicine, engineering, law and modern languages.

But Redland has the experience to guide students wisely and this extends beyond university, with career networks set up by the alumni office to ensure it can continue to offer support and opportunities.

Started in September 2014, Redland High Infants with QEH has been a hugely successful initiative from the two schools, with some parents already signing their children up for 2018 to guarantee a place. The school accepts children from the age of three. As they reach the end of year two, girls naturally progress to Redland High Junior School and boys transfer seamlessly to QEH Junior School.

The school is holding a visiting morning on Friday 11 March.

Ffi: Redland High School T: 0117 924 5796 E: admissions@redlandhigh.com W: www.redlandhigh.com

PRIMARY TIMES

19/01/2016 11:13:40

Adver tising Feature

Fairfield High scoops garden award • Fairfield High School in Bristol has been awarded nearly £9,500 to set up a community garden. The plot will enable students and their parents – many of whom live in homes without gardens – to grow their own fruit and vegetables for the first time. As well as enabling families to work together in the open air, and thereby providing health and wellbeing benefits, the garden will unite people of diverse backgrounds and develop community cohesion.

Last term the school hosted regular parents’ teas on a Friday to bring the community to its Horfield site and many of the parents and carers who attended those events are keen to get involved with the Fairfield family garden through a weekly after-school club.

Students who already attend a well-supported extra-curricular nature club are also enthusiastic and have come up with many ideas for the organic vegetables, fruit and herbs they would like to grow. Families will also be invited to use the school’s cookery room to explore different ways to cook the produce.

The garden, on a little-used grassed area, will include Braille signage, wheelchair-friendly paths and installations for the hearing impaired, including particular plants to heighten the senses.

Science teacher Scott Mears says: “We are delighted to have won this Awards for All grant from the Big Lottery Fund and can’t wait to start work in earnest on our Fairfield family garden. We look forward to tasting the fruits of our labours next year.”

Ffi: Fairfield High School W: www.fairfield.bristol.sch.uk

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Adver tising Feature

Good sports • Children and young people are our future – and Team Bath believes they should have every opportunity to enjoy sport in a fun and safe environment. That is why it has developed Team Bath Tots and Tribe.

Trained coaches can introduce children to new sports and develop their existing skills.

Through these initiatives Team Bath caters for two-year-olds upwards with a range of after school and holiday sessions. It is based at the University of Bath’s Sports Training Village, which has some of the best sporting facilities in the country. It also works closely with schools to enhance their curriculum with tailored visits to the university campus.

Tot activities (2-7 years) Team Bath Tots activities offer fun and energetic multi-skill movement sessions to encourage young children to play.

Activities include football, swimming and trampolining in the same world-class facilities used by Team Bath’s high-performing athletes. The aim is to provide a fun first experience of sport and inspire the next generation.

open all year

Little London, Longhope, Glos. GL17 0PH

FEBRUARY HALF TERM FUN Daily 10am - 5pm

• Great kids party venue FOREST OF DEAN - Tourist Attraction of the year!

Tribe activities (7-14 years) Team Bath offers regular weekly Tribe classes throughout the school term, providing participation and development courses in a safe and inspiring environment in sports such as badminton, judo, netball, football, tennis, swimming, athletics and trampolining.

ONE FREE ADULT valid until 1st March 2016

Ffi: Team Bath W: www.teambath.com

Tel: 01452 831000 www.dickwhittington.org

PRIMARY TIMES

16 Avon advertising features Feb Half Term 2016.indd 27

not to be used in conjunction with any other offer

Free entry for one adult per paying child

As seen on TV!

FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016 31

19/01/2016 11:16:01

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Riding Centre Lessons for children from 4 years Pony Parties Pony Days www.reinandshine.co.uk 01666 860068

Between Cirencester & Wootton Bassett

Home of the Hoof Club! A fun children’s riding Club

©LW

32 FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016

16 Avon advertising features Feb Half Term 2016.indd 28

Adver tising Feature

Monkeying around • Gather up your troop and head over to Bristol Museum & Art Gallery for some serious monkey business on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 February. The museum will be hosting the biggest Chinese New Year festivities in the city to welcome in A dragon dance at Bristol Museum the Year of the Gallery’s Chinese New Year festiv & Art itives. Pic credi t: John Seaman Monkey.

A whole host of activities will take place over the two days, including spectacular traditional and contemporary performances, stalls, workshops and activities for all the family. Try your hand at paper folding, watch amazing martial arts demonstrations and incredible dances, taste a special tea, learn about your zodiac sign and much more.

Around the museum there will be a trail with rooms of Chinese culture to explore, including mask making, tea tasting, calligraphy, paper folding, massage and tours of the museum’s magnificent eastern art collection.

Entry into the Chinese New Year weekend is free but donations are welcome. Some activities will be PWYT (pay what you think).

Chinese New Year at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is sponsored by Lebara and the University of Bristol.

Ffi: Bristol Museum & Art Gallery Queens Road, Bristol BS8 1RL T: 0117 922 3571 W: www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

Adver tising Feature

Taking the test • 11 Plus Tutoring Academy will be running its successful year five course for children applying for a place at one of Gloucestershire’s grammar schools. Courses run at Downend Folk House in Bristol on Monday evenings and there are limited places available. Courses are led by Philip McMahon, a professional tutor and author of CEM-style exams, and take place weekly until the exam in September.

11 Plus Tutoring Academy has had excellent feedback and testimonials on its professional approach to tuition and its wellstructured course. Parents also feel supported as they are guided through the whole process.

Online homework tests are sent weekly and instantly mark themselves, saving parents time and also providing instant results. There are also informative progress tests to see how your child is performing against other pupils also taking the Gloucestershire Grammar School Entrance Test in 2016.

Pupils also have the opportunity to sit a course of well-structured, nurturing CEM-style mock exams (with audio instructions) from April. These provide the opportunity for pupils to overcome their fears, manage their time and build confidence in the exam environment. These are available to book now and are always oversubscribed.

“I would recommend you wholeheartedly to anyone looking for a tuition company and I am delighted at how things have worked out,” said one parent last year. “My daughter has definitely enjoyed her tuition and feels a lot more confident about everything. The positive impact on her school work has been an added bonus.”

Ffi: 11 Plus Tutoring Academy W: www.11plustutoringacademy.co.uk

PRIMARY TIMES

19/01/2016 13:15:14

Adver tising Feature

New life for old clothes • Did you know that 100 tonnes of secondhand clothing are exported for re-use each week from Bristol? Founded in 1972, Bristol Textile Recyclers (BTR) is currently the only textile recycler in the west of England, working with schools and charities throughout the west, Gloucestershire, the Midlands, the M4 corridor and Hertfordshire.

BTR works closely with 300 charity shops, helping with the recycling of their unsellable clothing, shoes, bags, belts, bric-a-brac and books. This helps the charities to further fundraise for their core cause as well as keep their stockroom clear for new donations.

BTR also works with schools, PTAs, community groups and other third-sector, non-profit organisations, helping them to fundraise through recycling by organising clothes drives and placing recycling banks at their premises.

To organise your own clothes drive, you can simply give BTR a call and arrange a date for collection. BTR will then provide a personalised leaflet to share with your students, parents and teachers to promote the drive. A friendly driver will then come by and collect on the agreed date, weighing the clothes brought in by parents and teachers for recycling and leaving you with a receipt so you know exactly how much the school has raised. BTR’s office team will also confirm this by email within five working days and payment will be made by BACS the following month.

If you would like to learn more about BTR, visit the website or contact the team to arrange a factory tour. In the meantime, you can take a peek behind the scenes with BTR’s video: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=Kro-NdOP-1c Ffi: Bristol Textile Recyclers W: www.btr-ltd.co.uk

Adver tising Feature

Cheltenham cheer for local youngsters • Theatre arts pupils from Bristol and North Somerset showcased their singing skills when they took to the stage in Cheltenham Town Hall for a pre-Christmas concert.

Students from Stagecoach Theatre Arts School in Bristol and Portishead aged 7-15 were joined by pupils from schools across the country to perform ‘An Evening of Song’, an event packed with showstoppers including ‘In the Mood’, ‘Everybody Wants to Be a Cat’ and ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’.

The evening was a celebration of young voices and the pupils were joined by 198 others from around the country. The event was hosted by former student Gary Jerry.

Stagecoach Theatre Arts Bristol South West principal Heidi Hollis says: “We are so proud of our students and amazed by their stunning vocal ability. To hear their voices throughout Cheltenham Town Hall was spellbinding.

“Singing in a group offers the chance to boost morale and confidence, and that was clear to see from the performance, as the students captivated the audience with their harmonious voices.”

To kick start the Christmas holidays, all the students came together for ‘12 days of Christmas’ so as to get friends and family in the festive spirit. The well-known Christmas song certainly did the trick, with members of the audience singing along and celebrating the yuletide season.

Stagecoach Theatre Arts Bristol South West is part of a network of more than 600 part-time theatre arts schools worldwide. Early Stages classes are available for children aged 4-6 and Main Stages classes take place for 6- to 18-year-olds.

Ffi: Stagecoach Bristol South West T: 0117 953 2500 W: www.stagecoach.co.uk/bristolsouthwest

PRIMARY TIMES

16 Avon advertising features Feb Half Term 2016.indd 29

To re ac h t h o u s a n d s of f amil ie s in y o u r a r e a ...

.. . a d v e r t i s e i n t h e ne x t issue of P r i m a r y Ti m e s .

Contact Caroline on 0117 934 3737 caroline.stretton@localworld.co.uk

or Meloney on 0117 934 3076 meloney.rodney@localworld.co.uk FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016 33

19/01/2016 11:16:47

Hello Kids!

Thank you for the fantastic pictures you send me. With spring not far away I think I need to get active. So I thought, for next issue, you could send me paintings of my favourite sport.

The painters of the three best pictures will win a fabulous book from the editor’s book drawer. So get your crayons out, let your imaginations run wild and send me your pictures to: Arty Barty, Primary Times, B-N&M, Temple Way, Bristol, BS2 0BY, or email high resolution jpegs to my editor at: mike.gartside@localworld. co.uk Don’t forget to put your name, age, full home postal address (or we can’t send you your prize!) and school on the back. Deadline: Wednesday 17 February.

Have fun!

Arty NB. Please see T&Cs at primarytimes.net/avon/ home-intro/tcs

WINNER!

Lloyd Carosi, 10, AND Zach Carosi, 7, Sandford Primary School, North Somerset Another set of siblings, Zach and Lloyd, have focused on powerful images of individual animals.

Zach’s penguin is highly realistic, while you almost feel you’re in the room with Lloyd’s snow leopard, who’s peering into your eyes.

Arty Barty Whole families sat down to draw pictures of animals in winter last holidays, with amazing results. Well done to the winners who each get a family ticket to Bristol Zoo.

6, Elmlea Infant James Ruggles, Bristol School, nds out against This proud fox sta dscape. James lan ter win ite wh a essence of the has captured the ing the cold with animal while conveyimages of holly simple, effective w. and sno

WINNER!

Harikesh Rajanikanth, 5, Fieldcourt CofE Infant Academy, Gloucestershire.

Harikesh has drawn an intriguing selection of alpine animals, capturing the dramatic mountain scenery well.

A great feel for colour.

Elizabeth Slater, 9, AND Harriet Slater, 7, St Marys RC Primary School, Chippenham Lots of siblings have submitted pictures this month and each family has similar styles and themes. Elizabeth has drawn a beautiful robin in simple bold lines in a very mature style, while sister Harriet has created a lovely cat or tiger cub in equally striking lines.

Annabel Howlett, 7, St Patrick’s School, Corsham These bouncing bunny rabbits are simply brilliant, leaping around the countryside, having fun in the snow. I love the colours and the variety of rabbit poses, which create a highly believable scene.

WINNER!

Joshua Pembry, 7, Fishponds Academy, Bristol AND Samuel Pembry, 5, Fishponds Academy, Bristol These two brothers share an energetic style. Joshua has attempted a sophisticated composition, featuring a blackbird climbing with food in its mouth to feed its chicks.

The posture of the birds and the chicks is excellent. Samuel’s animals are full of energy and fun.

Chiharu ol, Bristol 10, Elmlea Junior Scho at Bristol to draw the animals Chiharu has chosen res on tu ea cr ge variety of Zoo, capturing the hu d varied atmosphere of an ures, show there. The busy cellently in both pict ex e the zoo is recreated th d se nfidently compo while Chiharu has co areas. picture’s different

34

FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016

16 Avon Books & Arty Barty Feb Half Term 2016.indd 34

PRIMARY TIMES

19/01/2016 10:41:29

s, t

ol

s,

Primary Times reviews the new releases.

Simply grand!

A

uthor J.C. Jeremy Hobson explores the cheeky premise - wonderfully articulated by comedian Gene Perret on the back cover - that “Granddads are there to help grandchildren get into mischief they haven’t thought of yet.” The role of adult carers other than the parents in a child’s life is often overlooked but this book explores perfectly how a family elder statesperson should interact with the latest generation.

If the book’s roots are firmly in the past, suggesting activities such as cart building, keeping chickens or making scarecrows, it embraces modern technology, incorporating geo-caching in its orienteering section, for example.

Although the tone of the book is highly masculine, there’s no reason why grandmothers, aunts or other matriarchs couldn’t engage with it, inspiring both boys and girls to explore the outdoors and get creative with age-old skills.

As most parents’ default child minders of choice, grandparents can be a major influence on their children’s children. Here, Jeremy Hobson shows them how to do it. (Mike Gartside) The Dangerous Book for Granddads J.C. Jeremy Hobson, £16.99, RHE Media, www.wordstothewise.co.uk

Why we’re going on a summer holiday

New York times

We are so obsessed with the idea of pop and rock gatherings these days that we forget the word “festival” also describes traditional cultural celebrations. Bristol author Tess Egerton has come up with a wonderfully accessible book for children, which explains why we celebrate the holidays we do. ‘Fab, Fun, Festival Facts’ does exactly what it says on the tin, explaining the origins and cultural significance of public days off. It is dotted with fun children’s stories set in the holiday they are describing, while pupils of the Northleaze Church of England Primary School have provided cheerful, colourful drawings.

Egerton describes how Halloween has been on a journey from the time of the ancient druids, replaced by the Romans, and readopted by the Christian church as the eve of All Hallows’ Day, achieving its modern prominence via enthusiastic celebration in the United States. Similar stories are told about May Day, St George’s Day and many more. This is a fun, flick-through tome which children will enjoy dipping into. (Mike Gartside)

Unicorn Louie has a dream. He’s going to be a star, and it isn’t going to happen in his hometown of Storyland. So he heads off to New York to enrol in the School of Performing Arts. It turns out life in the Big Apple isn’t all rainbows and fairy dust, but Louie always looks on the bright side as he meets a whole host of fantastic fantasy characters. A fish-out-of-water tale with a magical twist, Louie is lovably enthusiastic and engaging, with humour that younger children are sure to enjoy.

The mix of cartoon illustrations and reallife photographs of New York is appealing, and the chapters are short enough for children who are starting to read on their own. But, be warned, Louie’s sweet tooth and cupcake obsession may spark more than a few demands for cake among little ones. (Ellen White)

Fab, Fun Festival Facts Tess Egerton, £12.99, Dragon Web Publishing Ltd, www.dragonwebpublishing.com

Unicorn in New York: Louie Lets Loose! Rachel Hamilton, £5.99, Oxford University Press, www.oxfordchildrens.co.uk

Dream weaver Darcy experiences a culture shock when she is forced to move from the bustle of London to the wilds of Yellowstone National Park. Recovering from pneumonia in her parents’ log cabin she is bored, tired and painfully alone. That is, until she ventures into the woods hours before a heavy snowstorm, and finds herself face-to-face with a wounded grizzly bear. As she nurses her bear and a special bond begins to form, Darcy wonders if maybe it’s the bear that’s helping her.

Mimi Thebo has conjured up a hauntingly atmospheric tale of friendship, strength and self-discovery. The book is written from Darcy’s perspective yet cleverly weaves in story threads from the bear’s point of view so that the bond they share is reflected in the writing style. Thebo doesn’t shy away from poignant themes and there are some slightly adult subplots (love interest Tony Infante for example), so perhaps one for the older or more confident reader. But, overall, this is a poetic tale which focuses sensitively on how the seemingly impossible can become achievable. (Ellen White) Dreaming the Bear Mimi Thebo, £6.99, Oxford University Press, www. oxfordchildrens.co.uk

PRIMARY TIMES

16 Avon Books & Arty Barty Feb Half Term 2016.indd 35

Our friend electric There’s Batman, Spiderman, Ironman and now there’s Electrigirl - a superhero for the girls. Holly Sparkes was an ordinary 11-year-old girl before CyberSky came to her coastal town. The trouble started after she quarreled with her best friend Imogen and fled to her favourite spot to be alone - the hilltop over looking the sea. But a thunderstorm broke and lightning hits her on the rebound off a mobile phone tower, leaving her with an electric superpower.

Through a mix of comic strips and prose, peppered with fun fonts, we see Holly discover and tame her power with the help of her superhero mad brother. The scene is set by criticallyacclaimed author Jo Cotterill who paints a clear picture of the characters and plot, which skips along at a good pace. The technology theme runs through the book: electricity can be used to fight evil but there are gentle warnings about the overuse of gadgets and the dangers of social media.

Like all superheroes Holly has a social conscience and wants to harness her powers to make the world a better place. She starts off standing up to the school bully but soon has to confront the real villain, Professor Macavity, a technical genius bent on world domination. Sci-fi with relationships at the heart of the plot Electrigirl is an enjoyable read . I agree with Jo that girls “deserve a wider range of female superheroes to dress up as”. Now, where is that cape? (Sarah Trevelyan) Electrigirl Jo Cotterill (illustrated by Cathy Brett), £6.99, Oxford University Press, www.oxfordchildrens.co.uk

FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016

35

19/01/2016 10:42:15

She’s so

special

Calling all children and dads! Ellen White has a few ideas to show Mum how much you appreciate her this Mother’s Day.

W

How to make a

picture frame

You will need: Medium thickness cardboard (an old cereal box is fine) Strong glue Scissors Ruler Decorations e.g. buttons, beads, flowers, glitter, shells.

1. Choose and measure the photo you want to frame.

2. Take a rectangular piece of cardboard a few inches wider and higher on each side than the photo you are using.

3. Cut out a rectangle from the centre of the cardboard, slightly smaller than the original photo (get help from Dad for this bit, if you need to).

4. Decorate the edges of the frame any way you like: draw pictures, stick on 3D beads, sequins, feathers or flowers. The possibilities are endless.

5. Cut out a new piece of card for the back, larger than the centre hole but smaller than the original frame.

6. Once dry, lay your frame face down and run glue along three sides of the smaller rectangle, sticking it to the back of your frame. Make sure you leave the top side unstuck so you can slide the photo inside. Finished!

36

FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016

16 Avon Features Feb Half Term 2016.indd 14

e all know life as a parent can be tough, in-between the school runs, activity clubs and day to day running of the household, it can feel like there’s never time for a break. Most families these days aim for as equal a balance as possible between career and child care for both parents, but it is often mum who picks up the slack when things get hectic.

With Mother’s Day just around the corner on Sunday 6 March, now’s the time for children (perhaps with a little help from Dad) to show a little extra appreciation for all her hard work. There are so many ways you can do this, perhaps by a special gift or treat, or by planning a wonderful day out.

Homemade cards are always something to treasure and most households will have blank card and paint already to hand.

Fingerprint pictures are a great option for little ones who may find drawing more difficult; try a whole hand print or flowers made from individual fingertips dipped in paint. A ‘memory jar’ is also quick and easy and can usually be made from items already around the house. Choose a theme such as a family holiday, mum’s favourite flowers, colours or hobbies and add items and photos to a plain glass jar to make a 3D card.

Perhaps take a family photo from last year’s beach holiday, add some sand, shells and handwritten notes of favourite memories from the day.

Something edible is always a winner, and there are lots of quick and easy recipes available which kids will love to get stuck into. Dad or another adult will need to help where any baking or kitchen equipment is involved (my own attempts as a 5 year old at using an electric mixer resulted in cake mix spraying all over the walls). But, once the cakes are baked, even tiny children can get involved with decorating. Try adding mum’s favourite sweets, food dye for fun coloured icing or even edible flowers.

For many mothers, extra help around the house is just as appreciated as a present itself.

Give her a night off cooking or breakfast in bed, for example, or

make an effort to ensure your bedroom is immaculately tidy.

Don’t worry if your cooking or craft skills leave something to be desired, or you simply don’t have time to make something at home.

There are plenty of local events available to help you celebrate, see our picks below.

EVENTS Wed 17 Feb Mother’s Day Bracelet Prema Arts Centre, Gloucestershire, www.prema. org.uk. Holiday workshop with jewellery designer Emily Loveday to make a unique gift in plenty of time for Mothering Sunday. Ages 7 to 10.

Sat 5 Mar Parent And Child Cupcake Class Bath Cake Company, Bath,www. bathcakecompany.co.uk. Learn icing techniques and decorate four yummy cupcakes to take home. A great activity to enjoy with mum for Mother’s day or to create something special to take home as a gift.

Sun 6 Mar Mother’s Day Prior Park Landscape Garden,Bath, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/priorpark-landscape-garden. Replant snowdrops and spread these spring flowers across the garden.

Treat mum to cake in the tea shed and/or take your very own snowdrop home for her.

Sun 6 Mar Mother’s Day At Puxton Park N. Somerset, www.puxton.co.uk. Spoil all mums, who get free day entrance to the park. Enjoy the Mother’s Day Menu in Meadows Restaurant.

PRIMARY TIMES

19/01/2016 10:24:45

Classifieds Party Ideas

Gymnastics

Tuition Vocal – Piano – Guitar Lessons

Music, Magic, Balloon modelling, Games The whole party package!

Rockys Magic Parties call for details

www.rockysmagicparties.com

©LW

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LEGO Parties 3 great LEGO activities

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for ages 6-11

07771 905157

www.awesome-engineers.com/parties

©LW

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Kingswood Foundation BS15 8DB

Call 07884453955 Web: www.kyrafrthmusicstudio.com Email: Kyrabernice@blueyonder.co.uk

Feb halF-term Fun, tuesday, thursday, Friday

©LW

Party Ideas

TO ADVERTISE CALL CAROLINE: 0117 934 3737 E: CAROLINE.STRETTON@LOCALWORLD.CO.UK OR MELONEY: 0117 934 3076 E: MELONEY.RODNEY@LOCALWORLD.CO.UK

10 - 3pm £12 per day (sibling discounts available) Gymnastics, Trampolining, Airtrack, Bouncy castle Parachute and Disco games.

Call to book a space or just come along on the day.

Phone 0117 947 6449 e-mail: admin@kingswoodgymnastics.co.uk Visit our new website at www.kingswoodgymnastics.co.uk ©LW

Gymnastics Facility Fabulous Jewellery Making Parties for Girls

Longwell Green, Bristol

“A tojewellery treasure” andparty your friends to tr for you treasure.

Making gorgeous

• Pre-school gymnastics • School holiday clubs • Birthday parties • Freestyle Gymnastics • Saturday morning fun sessions • After School classes

Crime scene investigation parties and workshops for children age 7+

and your friends to treasure.

tel 0117 244 0053 web www.thedetectiveproject.co.uk

Call Karen on 07899 925218

Visit us at www.lillyinlemon.co.uk or call Denise on 01202 463104 or

Fabulous Jewellery Making Parties for Girls QUALITY SWIMMING LESSONS FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES. SMALL CLASSES & STROKE TECHNIQUE A PRIORITY AT ST. MARY REDCLIFFE SCHOOL

(please quote Primary Times)

©LW

TelePhone: 07956749506 or 07794204446 info@majesticgymnastics.co.uk Unit 7, Aldermoore way,Longwell Green, Bristol, BS30 7DA

Tuition

EDUCATIONAL HEALTH AND CARE PLANS FOR YOUR CHILD?

CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL SUNDAY 9-11AM PRE-SCHOOL CLASSES: 2.5YRS SCHOOL AGE CLASSES: 4 YRS UPWARDS MINI SQUAD SESSIONS ADULT LESSONS • DUAL LESSONS INDIVIDUAL LESSONS: ALL AGES

nerf gun parties

©LW

OR CONTACT JENNY 01275 877428/ JACKIE 01275 790457 | CAROLINE 01275 865185

Independent Supporters provide free information & support.

• Tuition on Acoustic and Electric Guitar • Beginners to advanced (any age welcome!)

• Enhanced CRB/DBS clearance • Available to teach in school holidays • Discounts available for teaching small groups • Able to travel city wide

FULL DETAILS SEE WEB:

www.wavesswimschool.co.uk

07412 797900 www.boystoysparties.co.uk Making swimming lessons fun for all ages & abilites

Clifon: Saturday All Day: All abilites Monday/Friday pm: Non-Swimmers to Improvers Tuesday pm: Non-Swimmers to Advanced

Contact details 0117 9476111 or IS.SouthWest@kids.org.uk ©LW

JIM JOHNSTON

Tel: 0787 0887242 E-mail: jim@jimjohnstonmusic.com

Horse Riding

www.guitarlessonsbristol.com

Dial-a-Violin-lesson! on violin and recorder • Tuition offered for all ages (of any age) and more • Beginners advanced players are welcome.

• I will visit if this is more convenient.

Wapley Riding Stables

Riding Lessons for all ages and abilities • Patient and friendly tuition • Good selection of horses and ponies available • All aspects of riding, horse care and stable management • BHSAI Qualified and Experienced Instructors • Floodlit outdoor riding arenas • Gift vouchers available

Kate Cullin Portbury 01275 371056

Westbury-On-Trym: Book now for FREE bouncy castle hire

Tuesday pm: Advanced Lane classes Wednesday pm: Non swimmer to Improvers Sunday All Day: All Abilites

Limited period only

Special Educational Needs UNSURE ABOUT

EVERY WEEK DAY 4-6PM & SATURDAY 9AM ONWARDS

Unforgettable parties for ages 5+ at your local venue

HANHAM & DOWNEND TAEKWON-DO

Modern martial arts in a fun and friendly environment • Little Puma’s 4-6 yrs • Juniors 6-12 yrs • Cadets 12-16 yrs • Adults 16+ For information or to book TWO FREE trial classes contact instructor Ms Tiina Elise 07729 358691 or hdtkd@live.com

Swimming

www.lillyinlemon.co.uk

Martial Arts

New Junior Lifeguard Academy

PRIMARY TIMES

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*Pop Party *Movie Themed Party *PoM Cheer Party Call Kerry on 07773571420

Piano, Sax, Guitar, Drums, Cello individual lessons and group workshops for children from 3 to adults Studios in central and north Bristol BRISTOL MUSIC SCHOOL www.bristolmusicschool.com

©LW

Dance Parties Fun, personalised dance parties for kids of all ages

Ages 8 upwards - Sat 1.45pm and Tuesday 7.20pm Private individual/pairs lesson available in North Bristol Register online: www.splash-Happy.co.uk E-mail: hazel@splash-happy.co.uk Tel: 01454 228817 ©LW

enquiries@wapleystables.co.uk www.wapleystables.co.uk Wapley Hill, Westerleigh, Bristol. BS37 8RJ 01454 321583 or 07860530199 FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2016 37

19/01/2016 12:39:44

HAT’LL BE THE DAY

LEGO OFFERS NEW SCIENCE RESOURCE

L

ego Education has launched a new hands-on science and computing resource which combines software and Lego bricks with the aim of teaching KS1 and KS2 pupils essential skills in line with the national curriculum. Lego Education WeDo 2.0 lets children create and share their scientific discoveries as they build, programme and modify projects as part of a series of collaborative challenges. The resource includes more than 40 hours of curriculum-aligned lesson activities such as ‘Drop and Rescue’, a project which challenges pupils to design a device which will reduce the impact on humans and the environment of weather-related damage. All the activities aim to help teach creativity and problemsolving skills and so are not geared towards finding a single ‘right answer’.

“The combination of Lego

bricks and engaging activities means that children will enjoy the learning experience while developing computational thinking skills through building and play,” says Stuart Swann of the National Association for Primary Education. “The projects are grounded within the science curriculum, drawing on concepts required throughout key stage two. This means that teachers are able to cover the programming requirements of the computing curriculum within a contextualised science framework. Elements of geography and design and technology are also present and identified in the teaching materials.”

Lego Education WeDo 2.0 is currently available for iPad, Android, PC and Mac, with Chrome Books due to add the resource later this year.

Ffi: Lego Education W: www.LEGOeducation.com

I

f you want to get ahead, get a hat, they say, and Thursday 24 March is the day to put it to the test. That’s this year’s Wear A Hat Day – a chance to dig out your finest, most fabulous or most outrageous headgear and raise money for the charity Brain Tumour Research.

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, but only one per cent of the money spent on cancer research in the UK is allocated to this particular disease. Brain Tumour Research aims to both increase awareness of this form of cancer and raise money to support much-needed long-term research into its causes, treatment and cure.

Now in its sixth year, Wear A Hat Day is the culmination of the charity’s Brain Tumour Awareness

B T

IT’S BREAKFAST TIME

his year’s Great British Brekkie is taking place from 8-14 February. The annual event sees thousands of people around the country tucking in to a hearty breakfast and raising money for Winston’s Wish, a charity which supports children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling. To join in, all you have to do is host your own Great British Brekkie – at home, at work or at school – and ask your fellow breakfasters to donate what they can. The idea, too, is to make breakfast fun and Winston’s Wish has put together a list of ideas for ways to do this. For schools, the charity suggests holding events like a ‘Great British Breakfast Bake Off’, with pupils competing to bring in the best breakfast dish, or playing breakfast-related games, such as egg-and-spoon racing or pancake tossing. Other ideas include staff making break-

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fast for pupils or exploring the science of breakfast with simple experiments, such as turning an egg translucent by soaking it in vinegar overnight. You’ll find more ideas online at www.greatbritishbrekkie.org.uk Founded in 1992 and based in Cheltenham, Winston’s Wish is the leading charity for bereaved children and provides a range of services, including professional therapeutic help, a national helpline, interactive website and publications. It also offers training and consultancy to those whose work brings them into contact with children who have lost a family member. The Great British Brekkie is the charity’s key fundraising event and is supported by chefs and celebrities including Jamie Oliver, Heston Blumenthal and Judi Dench.

Ffi: Winston’s Wish W: www.winstonswish.org.uk

Month and will see people across the country donning beanies, boaters, top hats and trilbies to show their support. “Wearing a hat for the day is a simple and fun way of raising awareness and money,” says Sue Farrington Smith, chief executive of Brain Tumour Research. “It also sends a great message of hope, solidarity and support for patients and their families and those like me who have lost a loved one to this dreadful disease.”

There are full details of the event and how you can get involved on the Brain Tumour Research website, where you’ll also find an A-Z of hats and event ideas and a fundraising pack.

Ffi: Brain Tumour Research W: www.braintumourresearch. org/wearahatday

YEAR OF LEARNING LAUNCHED

ristol mayor George Ferguson has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the opportunities for learning for all ages across the city. Declaring 2016 to be Bristol’s Year of Learning, Ferguson also announced the Bristol Learns campaign, which will build on the work of the Learning City Partnership Board to create and promote learning opportunities for all communities and all ages.

One focus of the campaign will be the legacy of Bristol’s year as European Green Capital and the need to keep sustainability on the agenda. An environmental education programme has already been launched in schools with the aim of giving primary school teachers the tools to engage children with the concept of sustainability in the classroom. The Bristol programme was showcased at the UN’s global climate talks in Paris in December.

“I am determined to ensure that all Bristol citizens have the necessary learning opportunities to develop and reach their potential,” said Ferguson. “The power learning has to change peoples’ lives cannot be overestimated. It can develop new skills, open up routes into work, help us meet new people and encounter new ideas, and most importantly it is the principal driver for social mobility.”

The Bristol Learns campaign also aims to inspire others to commit to learning something new in 2016. People will be asked to tell others how they will do that and why through a range of online portals, pop-up booths in museums and screens in Millennium Square.

George Ferguson

Skanska comp winners

• Congratulations to the winners of the autumn competition run by construction company Skanska (Primary Times, Avon, Back to School 2015). Olaf Körner of Bath and Rehana Ahmed of Bradley Stoke both win a £25 Amazon voucher.

PRIMARY TIMES

19/01/2016 13:18:27

One free child per voucher. Voucher only valid when also purchasing an adult or senior ticket. One voucher per adult/ senior. Replicated versions will not be accepted. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. No cash alternative.

I would like to receive Cotswold Farm Park newsletters and offers, my email address is:

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Our new Performing Arts Centre will be opening in September 2016.

“...excellence in all it does within and beyond the classroom...”

ISI Inspection Report, October 2015

Whole School

Open Morning

re ntu e v Ad

Wednesday 16 March 2016 10.00am–12.00 noon Daily Visits and Taster Days

available on various dates during term-time.

Fr ie

To book your place or to request further information, please call Hollie Skerritt on 0117 933 9885 or e-mail recruitment@bgs.bristol.sch.uk.

ips h s nd

Learning

Infant and Junior S Prospectus

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