East Kent Primary Times September 2021 by Alison Watson

What’s On Where East Kent

ST GEORGE’S CHURCH OF ENGLAND FOUNDATION SCHOOL HOPE FORGIVENESS COMPASSION FRIENDSHIP WISDOM

FAMILY DAYS OUT

CHOOSING YOUR NEW SCHOOL

DAILY DIARY OF WHAT’S ON

SEPTEMBER BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 1 SEPTEMBER - 10 OCTOBER 2021 ISSUE 127

with

G N I M M I SW S LESSOplN us FIRMMEIENG

TODAY!

with

S C I T S A N GYM LESSONS Both available to book at: Sheppey Leisure Complex Off the Broadway, Sheerness, Kent ME12 1HH Tel: 01795 668061 SheppeyLeisureComplex

Swallows Leisure Centre Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 4NT Tel: 01795 420420 SwallowsLeisure

swaleleisure.com * T’s & C’s apply.

Dear Readers Primary Times in East Kent 7 Southbrook Mews London SE12 8LG Tel: 01622 522116 Email: office@primarytimes.biz Website: www.primarytimes.co.uk Twitter: @PT_Kent Instagram: @primarytimesse Publishing Editor: Peter Watson Sales: Ty Smith, Andrew Langridge, My Yen Doyle & Catherine Dillon Listings: Claire Wood, Hayley Hughes Production: Alison Watson Office Manager: Chris Blower Administrator: Claire Wood Social Media: Rachel Benson Primary Times is independently published and distributed free in infant and primary schools throughout Kent. 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 based 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. The opinions expressed in either the editorial or advertisements within this publication are not necessarily those held by the editor or publisher. While we take great care with the compilation of information within this magazine, neither the editor nor publisher will accept any liability for the accuracy of the editorial or advertising contained within the publication. We welcome listings being sent to us for inclusion in our What’s On section. Free listings are dependent on available space and we cannot guarantee to print all the listings we are sent. Please send them to listings@primarytimes.biz. Primary Times would like to thank all the schools in Kent for their assistance in distributing the magazine and for 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. No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may be reproduced, in part or in whole, without the express written permission of the Publishing Editor. Primary Times is currently publishing over 2.5 million copies per issue under franchise licences throughout England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Primary Times East Kent is operated under franchise licence.

I’m writing this letter in the middle of the school summer holiday and can’t believe that we’re about to start a new school year. I hope you all had a good summer and are refreshed and ready to start the new term. For all our new readers in Reception who haven’t seen us before, we are the FREE What’s On, Where to Go, Things to Do magazine that comes home in the Book Bag two weeks before any school holiday plus a Back to School issue in September. We are full of ideas on how to spend the school break. Lots of the events are free to attend so do read through our listings pages and mark what you fancy doing. Whilst we’re still in a period of uncertainty do make sure that you confirm that the details in our listings are correct. We plan our listings a long time in advance and with so much change at the moment it is worth checking. We also list local theatre, educational news, competitions, puzzle pages and lots more that’s relevant to families of primary aged children. If you do use anything you found in the magazine please do let our advertisers know. Tell them you read about them in Primary Times!

Contents

inside this issue.... Latest News..............................4 What’s On.................................6 Meet Author Emma Carroll...... 7 Family Theatre................................8 Choosing your New School.........9 Katie Clown’s Activity Page.....17 Competitions........................... 19 All Your Own Work!................. 21

Our listings pages are free, space permitting, so if your school has a fund raising event or you know of something relevant for us to list then please let us know. Please send them to us early - we go to press about 3 weeks before the magazine is published. Please send your listings to listings@primarytimes.biz Our next edition will appear in schools the week beginning Monday 11 October, just in time for the October Half Term.

Peter and the Primary Times team

Support children’s GROWTH and DEVELOPMENT

The TASTY, EASY way to get vitamins into little people Follow us on Twitter - @PT_Kent

Helping Kids Shine

1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

Local News 4

Going Back to School By Wendy Robinson, Service Head at Childline School is a huge part of children’s lives so it’s really important they’re happy there and feel comfortable – for their well-being and to maximise their potential. Children have had a lot to get to grips with over the last 18 months. Covid; virtual lessons; isolation; the list seems endless. It’s only natural if they feel a little apprehensive about going back to school. It’s common to worry about what the new school year will bring, bullying, or keeping up with homework and exam stress, for example. If you think something is bothering them but they’re struggling to talk about it, there are some signs you can look out for: • becoming withdrawn or depressed; • missing school or making excuses so they don’t have to go in; • changes in their eating habits. If you’re concerned about your child, talk about it – keep calm and listen carefully. If you’re not sure how to start the conversation you can find tips on the NSPCC website, www.nspcc.org.uk. Talk to your child about how they’re feeling and what they want to happen next. Speak to the school and your child’s teachers. This will help build a greater support network for them. Make sure they know who to ask for help. Help your child take time out – if they’re being bullied it may make them feel low so try and find ways to build their confidence but don’t leave them to cope alone. Talk to the school about how this situation is being addressed. If they’re worried about the next day, help them to prepare for it. Remind them to take things step by step and that you’re there for them at the end of the day, whether it’s a good day or a bad day. If they’re struggling to make friends, help them find children they have something in common with by joining a club for example. If they’re a bit shy, explore the Childline website together where you can find advice on how to start conversations. The number of friends they have isn’t important. What matters is having friends they’re close to and who are supportive. If they’ve fallen out with friends, it’s likely they will soon make up again. Let them know they can talk to you about what’s happened without fear of being judged. If their friend has upset them, encourage them to be assertive and talk to them about how they feel. There’s plenty of advice on the Childline website – children can read more about how to make new friends, how to keep up with their homework and what to do if they’re being bullied. If your child doesn’t feel they can talk to you, encourage them to call Childline on 0800 1111, or visit www.childline.org.uk for advice or to speak to a counsellor online. Photo credit: Tom Hull

1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

Protect Your Crew Against Flu Cathie Burton, Lead for the Kent and Medway Immunisation Team tells Primary Times, “Protect your crew against flu, make sure your child gets their vaccination at school. It’s so easy to do with a quick, painless squirt up the nose.” She answers some of your questions here. Q. Why does my child need it? A. All parents know the misery of caring for a sick child. While children are often thought to be more resilient to illnesses like flu, they can suffer the same symptoms as adults including headaches, sore throat, muscle aches and shivers. The flu vaccine cannot guarantee a child won’t get the flu but if they do, it’s likely to be milder and they should recover quicker. Q. Why does vaccinating my child protect others? A. Vaccinating your child has benefits for everyone because it is harder for the virus to spread. You’ll be protecting those at greater risk of complications from flu including older people, pregnant women and those with other health problems. With the possibility of a flu and COVID-19 surge this winter, we need to do everything we can to support those people at risk of respiratory illness to protect the NHS. Q. How do I book my child for their vaccine? A. We have a simple online consent form at www.kentcht. nhs.uk/flu. It’s really important you fill this in when invited by your child’s school, to make sure they receive their vaccine. If you have any issues completing this form, phone 0300 123 5205 for more support. Please note: our photo was taken before Covid-19

The UK’s First-Ever Bison Rangers Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust have appointed the UK’s firstever bison rangers. The newly appointed pair have started work in one of the largest areas of ancient woodland in the country ahead of bison arriving into the area in 2022. The Bison Ranger role is part of a major conservation project, Wilder Blean. The initiative aims to restore the ecosystem of the area’s ancient woodlands through nature-based solutions by introducing a variety of animals including four bison, longhorn cattle, Iron-age pigs and six Exmoor ponies into a fenced area in West Blean Woods. To follow the progress, visit www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/wilderblean or www.wildwoodtrust.org/conservation/wilder-blean/ Photo credit: Tom Cawdron

The Heath Fritillary, one of the UK’s rarest butterflies which has been brought back from the brink of extinction thanks to conservation efforts in the last 20 years, has been discovered for the first time at the Woodland Trust’s Victory Wood in East Kent. The original ancient woodland on the Victory Wood site was felled and ploughed up between the 1950s and 1970s and later earmarked as a potential landfill site. It was saved by the Woodland Trust who have now restored this valuable element in a chain of woodlands, re-connecting it to surviving ancient woodland fragments to both the east and west. The extensive site overlooking the Thames Estuary is open to the public. The return of the Heath Fritillary to Victory Wood is the result of an intricate chain of actions that began when the Woodland Trust started their restoration project. The female Heath Fritillary needs to find the plant common cow-wheat to lay eggs for the next generation of caterpillars to feed upon. The cow-wheat is slow to spread, relying on wood ants to carry the seeds to new areas. In order for the cow-wheat to grow, it needs to take carbon and minerals from the roots of nearby oaks. This relationship between the ants, the trees, the flowers and the butterfly is a real wonder of nature.

Kent College, Canterbury Olympian Wins Bronze

Grace Balsdon, member of the Women’s GB Hockey team and former Kent College, Canterbury pupil is celebrating winning a Bronze Medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Grace (centre in our picture) joined Kent College, Canterbury in the Junior School and stayed all the way through to the Sixth Form. She was successful in achieving 3 A Levels in Physical Education, Chemistry and Spanish and went on to graduate from Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Maryland (Washington) with degrees in Physical Education and Sports Science and Education. Hockey has always been her first passion and whilst at Kent College Grace played for the Under 18s and 16s, helping them to national finals in both outdoor and indoor competitions and competed with the Canterbury Ladies first team for many years. She was encouraged to play hockey from an early age by her mother Claire Balsdon, who taught Sport at the school for over 20 years. Everyone at Kent College watched in delight as Grace scored the game winning goal against India for Great Britain to win the Bronze medal in the Women’s field hockey. Pupils and staff are really looking forward to welcoming Grace back to Kent College this autumn for one of her regular coaching visits and of course to take a look at that Olympic medal.

Local News

Rare Butterflies Found in Kent

Photo credit: Iain H Leach

Flu vaccines are here! The NHS is offering every school-aged child in Kent and Medway a flu vaccine this year. This is a quick, painless nasal spray. We need your consent, don't forget! Fill out the online form when you get the invite from your child’s school at: www.kentcht.nhs.uk/flu

Find out more about protecting your child this winter. Follow us on Twitter - @PT_Kent

1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

What’s On

What’s On Your family diary for September and October

Due to Covid 19 restrictions please do check with the venue that the listing is up to date before planning your visit.

Ongoing Every Thurs-Mon Open Days, Buttercup Sanctuary for Goats, Maidstone, ME17 4JW

11am-4pm. Entrance to all open days is by donation (suggested £4 per person) with hot and cold drinks, snacks, souvenirs and of course goat food available! The goats like to be spoilt, so why not purchase a bag or two of treats to feed them? For more information see www.buttercups. org.uk.

Every Sun

Junior Parkrun, Strand Leisure Park, Gillingham, ME7 1TT 9.30am. This is a 2K event for juniors only (4 to 14 year olds). It’s free to join but register before your first visit. The aim is to have fun and join in whatever your pace. For more information visit www.parkrun.org. uk/medway-juniors.

Betteshanger Junior Parkrun, CT14 0BF

9am. Enjoy a free 2K run suitable for ages 4-14. Registration is essential. Then from 10am-11.30am join the weekly cycle club for young mountain bikers. Learn skills and take part in exciting games from British Cycling qualified coaches. Ages 8-14. To book visit www.betteshanger-park.co.uk

Until 4 Sep

May the Toys Be With You, Maidstone Museum, ME14 1LH

Go along and see one of the UK’s finest collections of vintage Star Wars toys, original cinema posters and set props. Take a selfie next to Jabba the Hutt’s ‘favourite decoration’ of Han Solo trapped in carbonite, complete with Stormtrooper guards! Visit https://museum.maidstone.gov.uk.

Until 5 Sept

Summer Fun, Broadditch Farm, Southfleet, DA13 9PU

Go back to nature and keep busy with the scavenger hunt challenges and activities as you navigate around the woods. There is also a Maize Experience but with no dead-ends so you can’t get lost! Charges apply. For more information visit www. broadditch.co.uk.

Borealis, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, SE10 9NN Go and see this immersive installation inspired by the Northern Lights which will light up the night skies above the Old Royal Naval

1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

College with music to enhance the atmosphere. For more information and to book tickets visit www.ornc. org.

Stanhill Farm Maize Maze, Dartford, DA2 7HD

The theme this year is Summer Fun and you’ll find a giant sunflower shaped maze surrounded by a boarder of beautiful sunflowers. Ideal for the kids to run around and lose themselves in for a couple of hours. For more information visit www. stanhillfarm.co.uk.

Until 30 Sept

The Field of Cloth of Gold: A Meeting of Kings, Leeds Castle, Maidstone, ME17 1PL

A series of displays inside the Castle tell the story of the great events that took place in 1520. The purpose, the players, the politics and the extravagance. Find out about the role Leeds Castle played and what the Castle was like during the reign of Henry VIII. To book tickets visit www. leeds-castle.com

Until 31 Oct

500 Years of Mischief and Misadventure in Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9NN

Discover Nick Ellwood’s charming illustrations in this exhibition inspired by the history of the Old Royal Naval College and The Painted Hall. For more information and to book tickets visit www.ornc.org

Call the Midwife Official Location Tours, Historic Dockyard Chatham, ME4 4TZ

If you’re a fan of the hit series, a trip to see where Call the Midwife is filmed should be top of your bucket list. Walk in the footsteps of Nurse Trixie Franklin, Sister Julienne and Dr Turner and explore where the real drama happens. For more information visit thedockyard.co.uk

“

September

I saw your event in Primary Times.... Please mention you saw the event listed in Primary Times

”

Gillingham Pow! Arts Trail, Gillingham High Street

Along with other local artists, everyone will get a chance to fill the High Street with art on the theme of local legends and heroes and everything that makes Gillingham special to the people that live, work, study and visit there.Visit www.medway. gov.uk for more information.

Mission Explore: Climb the Ranks, Historic Dockyard Chatham, ME4 4TZ

Join the crew as a cadet on your first visit and climb the ranks’ by completing fun challenges to earn your stripes. Unlock new missions and update your membership card on each visit. For further details visit www. thedockyard.co.uk.

Until 7 Nov

Seal and Wildlife Watching Trips, The Kiosk Pier Yard, Ramsgate, CT11 8LS (Selected dates during Sep, Oct and Nov) Take a trip to an active seal colony inside a National Nature Reserve which also has the benefits of a wide range of birds. Ideal for all the family and brilliant for photographs. Book early by visiting www.visitthanet. co.uk/events/seal-and-wildlifewatching-trips.

Until 17 Dec 2022 Our listings are prepared a long time in advance. To make sure you have the latest details do contact the event nearer the time to make sure they haven’t changed

Pants! Maidstone Museum, ME14 1LH

Why do we wear underwear? What does your underwear say about you? Take a journey by the seat of your pants to discover everything you didn’t know about underwear! Under 5’s free. For more information visit https://museum.maidstone. gov.uk

Fri 3- Sun 5 Sep

Elmer’s Farewell Weekend, Lockmeadow, Maidstone, ME16 8SF

If you missed any Elmers out on the trail and want to see all the sculptures under one roof in an accessible location, then this is your chance! Use the Parade app to unlock each Elmer and reveal some exclusive exciting rewards. To book tickets visit www. elmermaidstone.co.uk.

Sat 4 Sep

Let’s Rock Kent, Mote Park, Maidstone, ME15 7SU

10.30am-10.30pm. This one day retro festival comes to Maidstone’s Mote Park with performers including Wet Wet Wet, ABC, Howard Jones, Sister Sledge and many more. Take along a picnic or buy from a large variety of food stalls. To book tickets go to www.visitmaidstone.com.

Pawfest, Betteshanger Country Park, Deal, CT14 0BF

Go along to the first event of this kind at Betteshanger Park. Activities include a family fun dog show, dog trainers and behaviourists, trade stands, lake swimming, doggy cinema, live music and street food vendors. For more information, visit www. betteshanger-park.co.uk.

Dragon Boat Festival, Bewl Water, Lamberhurst, TN3 8JH

Go along to this annual event which enables charities and other good causes to raise funds whilst having great fun at the same time. For more information or to book visit www. dragonboatevents.com/contact.

Triennial Family Workshop, Creative Folkestone, CT20 1JR 12noon-4pm. How can we create a space to play and make? Join artists Leap Then Look to create a playful ever-changing installation which will grow and evolve over the course of the day. For more information visit www.creativefolkestone.org.uk.

The Leeds Castle Concert, Maidstone, ME17 1RG

Car parks open 1pm. Prepare to be enthralled by world-class music and famous performers, then be amazed by the spectacular Spitfire fly-over and watch in awe at the fireworks finale at 10pm. To book tickets visit www.leeds-castle.com

For lots more What’s On ideas see page 16... Follow us on Instagram - @primarytimesse

Meet Emma Carroll

author of The Week at World’s End Primary Times were lucky enough to speak to Emma Carroll, once a secondary school teacher, now a multiple award-winning writer. Our interviewer, Rachel Benson, found her charismatic, energetic, and incredibly welcoming. Her latest release, The Week at World’s End, is based in 1962. Runaway, Anna, befriends Stevie and Ray as she hides from people who are trying to poison her. As tensions rise between America and Russia, and with the threat of war, Stevie wonders if Anna has been sent with a special message just for her. We were lucky enough to speak to Emma one Monday morning, typically, by Zoom. A little ice breaker - you used to pick avocados do you hate them or eat them by the dozen like us? I eat a lot of avocados, I love them! It was in Israel that I was picking them. Because it was quite hot we used to go picking them around dawn, and the chap who took us down there always carried a gun, because there were wolves, wild dogs and jackals that you could sometimes come across in the orchard. Luckily, we didn’t! What originally inspired you to become a writer? Well, I’ve always loved English. Even as a primary school student, English was always my favourite subject, it was the thing that made sense. Sort of in the opposite way to Maths really! But when I got to secondary school I had the most amazing English teacher, called Mrs Bailey, and she just got me. I loved her for that. She gave me that confidence. I’ve never forgotten that teacher who really made a difference to me. With lots of creative professionals there’s that one teacher who really inspires them, isn’t there? It’s that one person who sees in you the thing that you haven’t quite yet seen in yourself but you know it’s there somewhere. When someone else can see it too it justifies it to you. A lot of your books are based on historical events, with The Week at World’s End set around the Cuban Missile Crisis. Why have you chosen to do that? First of all because I really like reading books like that. The very first book I wrote, Frost Hollow Hall, isn’t based around a historical event, that’s just a Victorian ghost story. It was only when I got to write my second book, The Girl Who Walked On Air, Follow us on Twitter - @PT_Kent

that I really began to think about historical events that might trigger the story. That’s actually quite a helpful way of writing historical fiction because you’ve got an event to hang your story on. The Week at World’s End was inspired by my parents. They were teenagers during the Cuban Missile Crisis. When I talked to my Mum and Dad about living through this week when the world was on the brink, it sounded absolutely terrifying. That would be a really interesting thing to write about. When you look at 1962, Kennedy was President of the US, Martin Luther King was giving a lot of speeches, the space race was going on and the Beatles had their first song out. So there were so many things happening, I thought ‘let’s do it!’ What’s your favourite thing about this book? I think the fact that they live in this little close and it really reminds me of my childhood. It’s a real book of the heart. On your website you talk about needing lots of cups of tea when writing (which we love!) What else do you need/do when writing? I really like this space (Emma gestures to the room she’s talking to me from). It’s only a tiny little room at the back of my house but it is my favourite place to write. It’s having the quiet space where I know that I am clicking into that creative mode. What else? I like to have a dog in here with me. I do like that. Emma turns her screen round to show me her view - the rolling Somerset hills out of the window and in front, a dog bed complete with resting dog. That’s Bert. It’s normally my other dog but he got here first today. Tea. I like nice notebooks. That’s sort of it really - tea, dogs, quiet space. Do you have any tips for any budding writers? The most important thing that any writer can tell you is to read. It’s where we get a lot of our ideas from.You also learn about your own tastes. It’s really important to choose a type of story to write that you yourself would want to read. Also, experiment. Don’t necessarily go down one route. Try writing poetry. I’ve heard of a lot of writers saying that a story they have written has started as a poem. Emma Carroll’s latest release promises to be an adventurous, nostalgic and historical treat for readers of all ages. The Week at World’s End, published by Faber, is released at the beginning of September and is available from all good book shops. 1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

Family Theatre

The best shows around... Alexander Centre Faversham

Box Office: 01795 591 691 3 Oct

Dustbin Doris

A dustbin, a homeless lady and an extra-ordinary tale of courage. Dustbin Doris is waste-deep in theatrical play, puppetry, mask, dance, song and lots of laughter for all the family. Age 5+.

Astor Deal

Box Office: 01304 370 220 24 Oct

Embrace the Impossible

Tom Brace loved his childhood. Roald Dahl, Cluedo and one film in particular from 1985… Join him for a hilarious evening of magic as he showcases his unique, incredible and totally pointless abilities in a new show inspired by his past! Age 8+.

Gulbenkian Canterbury

Strode Park Herne Bay

Spirit Untamed (U)

Rubber Biscuit

Quarterhouse Folkestone

Hullabaloo

Box Office: 01227 769 075 12 Sep

Box Office: 01227 373 292 11 Sep

(Also 19 Sep) An epic adventure Kent’s biggest, and some say about a headstrong girl longing best, rhythm and blues and for a place to belong, who soul band has been performing discovers a kindred spirit to packed venues at when her life intersects home and abroad Enjoy with a wild horse. since 1992. the show! Spirit Untamed is Playing the very And don’t the next chapter in best of Atlantic forget to say the beloved story R&B, Motown, you saw it in from DreamWorks Soul and much Animation. more. Outdoor Primary performance. Times!

17 Sep

Box Office: 01303 760 750 15 Oct

Mrs H & the Singalong Band

Bringing together elements of folk, soul, afro, latin, dub, comedy and theatre the Singalong band have been wooing audiences across the land. Bring your voices, silly dances, a sprinkling of mischief and don’t hold back from joining in the fun!

A highly talented, popular four-piece band bring their own blend of jazz, jive, rock ‘n’ roll, swing and an original twist on pop, Hullabaloo are an ideal band for any occasion. Made up of double bass, saxophone, guitar, and drums, their versatility allows them to adapt a vast array of songs. Outdoor performance.

Story Seekers The Unicorn Theatre and the National Theatre are launching Story Seekers, a new creative literacy project for primary schools across the UK. Pupils aged 8-11 are invited to join in a nationwide mission to find, tell and share exciting stories from across the globe. Pupils will be led through the quest as they undertake the Story Seekers’ Training Programme guided by filmed theatre performances. There will also be workshops and performances by leading professional storytellers. The mission will end with pupils creating their own filmed storytelling performances to share with their school community, other participating schools across the UK and beyond. Through the challenge, children will explore the rich oral storytelling tradition from the UK and around the world. Available free to UK state schools, this project is designed to take place over six weeks and sit alongside the school curriculum. Continuing professional development (CPD) sessions and curriculumlinked resources developed in partnership with the Centre

1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) are provided to support teachers to lead the project. To sign up your school to take part, visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/ storyseekers Story Seekers will be offered on a termly basis. Applications to take part during the autumn term are open until 17 September.

A Pull Out Choosing your New School and Keep with The complete Feature

guide to open days for that all important decision.

Choosing your New School

Choosing your Child’s Secondary School

Choosing a secondary school may at first appear to be a daunting and complicated decision faced by parents. However it doesn’t need to be. It’s an important decision but, with so many schools to choose from and so many variables and specialisations, it can be a bit overwhelming. There are ways to make the process of finding the best school for your child easier. We have lots of ideas in this supplement as well as a table of local school websites to help you. Slick brochures and grand claims can be misleading and it is the people within a school that will have the most important impact on your child’s future. So, look beyond the website, visit, ask questions, get a sense of the school and what it stands for. Children enjoy facilities and activities but they are shaped by people and by values. The road ahead will have ups and downs and you will want to share them with people who believe in your child, who have high expectations for them and who genuinely care. Children succeed when they feel like they fit, when a school considers them as a person rather than a number or statistic and when they are allowed to reach for their individual potential. From the very first moment you set foot in the right school, you will get the feeling that they really want to get to know you and that they are just as excited about you joining their family as you are about joining them. Lots of schools will want to share their way, their philosophy, their vision, but the right ones will want to share yours. The best education is built around the child and not the other way round.

Mr Shaha’s Marvellous Machines This is a lovely book, written by South London science teacher, Alom Shaha, passing on the recycling message but also trying to inspire children and parents to be as excited as he is about making things. It’s illustrated beautifully by Emily Robertson. In Mr Shaha’s Marvellous Machines, he gives you simple instructions for building toys which fly, spin, whizz, and pop. To encourage recycling and re-use, everything in the book is made from household items you’ve probably got lying around. This book gives clear, stepby-step instructions for over 15 projects. Whether you’re a master engineer or a total beginner, it will spark inspiration for fun activities to engage young people in the marvels of machinery. And it’s not just a book.You’ll find it includes links to download activity sheets, watch instructional videos, and join Mr Shaha’s community of wondersmiths. At the heart of the book is the idea that we don’t have to be buying new stuff all the time, instead we can make our own stuff and learn about engineering and science at the same time. Discover the joy of making, and develop your creativity, scientific thinking, problem solving, and practical skills. Mr Shaha’s Marvellous Machines is published by Scribble at a recommended price of £12.99 and is available from high street and online bookshops. 10

1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

Talking about previous Ofsted reports with a school, especially neutral or negative ones, can provide a good indicator of how the school takes on criticism, actively listens and puts plans in place to strive for better. Think about how the size of the school will suit your child. Smaller schools may be able to provide continuous one-to-one support to a child, while bigger schools could have a better community spirit and group learning as well as more variety and options. Weigh up all the pros and cons and see what you think. Remember that you must return your application form to your local education authority by Sunday 31 October 2021. They may not accept late applications.

Kent College, Canterbury is going to Mars!

While Kent College has enjoyed a long history, the school is most well-known today for its innovative approach to education. They were the first school to introduce Macbooks for all students in the local area and to broaden their Sixth Form pathways by not only offering 21 A Levels and 5 BTEC courses but also by introducing the International Baccalaureate. For 11 years the college has regularly been in the top 10 IB Schools in the UK and the majority of the graduating students go on to Russell Group universities or world renowned international universities. We are all well aware that the skills students need when entering the workforce are changing and the curriculum needs to be designed to give students the skills they need to thrive in the unknown future. Recognising this, Kent College will launch an Innovation Class this September embracing different subjects from design to physics and geography to business studies and encompassing a variety of age ranges across the Junior School to the Senior School. It will be a problem-based learning course centred on a real-world problem - this year’s theme is ‘Mission to Mars’. In the interdisciplinary curriculum for Years 5 to 8, Innovation class teachers will lead students on the journey, weaving together knowledge that visiting teachers impart and helping to drive conversation and collaboration. Students will be challenged to consider how they can get to Mars, how they can live there sustainably and build a community, and what they need to accomplish for their mission to be a success. The innovation classes will encourage the skills the pupils will need in the future. Curiosity, creativity, self-confidence and risk taking will be encouraged while craftsmanship, commitment and collaboration will be required if the students are to successfully get to Mars! To find out more about the innovative teaching at Kent College, Canterbury, register for their Open Morning on 2 October by visiting www.kentcollege.com. For a bespoke tour of the School contact the Admissions team at admissions@kentcollege.co.uk or call 01227 813 906.

Diary Dates • You must apply for a secondary school place by 31 October.

• 1 March 2022 is National Offer

Day. Parents can log onto their local authority’s website to see their offer, after which letters will be posted out.

• You must apply for a place at a school, even if it’s linked to your child’s current primary school.

Choosing your New School Follow us on Twitter - @PT_Kent

1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

Choosing your New School

FIND YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL OPEN DAY INFORMATION

Ashford Name

Address

Tel

Website

Ashford School Highworth Grammar School Homewood School & 6th Form Ctr John Wallis C of E Academy, The North School, The Norton Knatchbull School, The Spring Grove School Towers School and 6th Form Ctr Wye School

East Hill, Ashford, TN24 8PB Maidstone Road, Ashford, TN24 8UD Ashford Road, Tenterden, TN30 6LT Millbank Road, Kingsnorth, TN23 3HG Essella Road, Ashford, TN24 8AL Hythe Road, Ashford, TN24 0QJ Harville Road, Wye, TN25 5EZ Faversham Road, Ashford, TN24 9AL Kempe Ctr, Olantigh Rd, Wye, TN25 5EJ

01233 625171 01233 624 910 01580 764 222 01233 623 465 01233 614 600 01233 620 045 01233 812 337 01233 634 171 01233 811 110

www.ashfordschool.co.uk www.highworth.kent.sch.uk www.homewood-school.co.uk www.thejohnwallisacademy.org www.thenorthschool.org.uk www.nks.kent.sch.uk www.springgroveschool.co.uk www.towers.kent.sch.uk www.wyeschool.org.uk

Address

Tel

Archbishop’s School, The Barton Court Grammar School Canterbury Academy, The Canterbury Cathedral Choir Herne Bay High School Junior King’s Canterbury Kent College Canterbury King’s School Canterbury, The Langton Grammar School for Boys, The Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School Spires Academy St Anselm’s Catholic School St Edmund’s School Canterbury Whitstable School, The

St Stephen’s Hill, Canterbury, CT2 7AP 01227 765 805 Longport, Canterbury CT1 1PH 01227 464 600 Knight Avenue, Canterbury, CT2 8QA 01227 463 971 Cathedral Hse, 11 The Precincts, Canterbury, CT1 2EH 01227 865 242 Bullockstone Road, Herne Bay, CT6 7NS 01227 361 221 Milner Court, Canterbury, CT2 0AY 01227 714 000 Whitstable Road, Canterbury, CT2 9DT 01227 763 231 25 The Precincts, Canterbury, CT1 2ES 01227 595 501 Nackington Road, Canterbury, CT4 7AS 01227 463 567 Old Dover Road, Canterbury, CT1 3EW 01227 463 711 Bredlands Lane, Sturry, CT2 0HD 01227 710 392 Old Dover Road, Canterbury, CT1 3EN 01227 826 200 St Thomas’ Hill, Canterbury, CT2 8HU 01227 475 600 Bellevue Road, Whitstable, CT5 1PX 01227 931 300

Address

Tel

Website

Dover Christ Church Academy Dover College Duke of York’s Military School, The Goodwin Academy Sandwich Technology School Sir Roger Manwood’s School St Edmund’s Catholic School

Melbourne Avenue, Whitfield, CT16 2EG Effingham Crescent, Dover, CT17 9RH Dover, CT15 5EQ Hamilton Road, Deal, CT14 9BD Deal Road, Sandwich, CT13 0FA Manwood Road, Sandwich, CT13 9JX Old Charlton Road, Dover, CT16 2QB

01304 820 126 01304 205 969 01304 245 073 01304 403 103 01304 610 000 01304 610 200 01304 201 551

www.dccacademy.org.uk www.dovercollege.org.uk www.doyrms.com www.goodwinacademy.org.uk www.sandwich-tech.kent.sch.uk www.manwoods.co.uk www.st-edmunds.com

Address

Tel

Website

Brockhill Park Performing Arts College Folkestone Academy, The Folkestone School for Girls Harvey Grammar School, The Marsh Academy, The

Sandling Road, Hythe, CT21 4HL Academy Lane, Folkestone, CT19 5FP Coolinge Lane, Folkestone, CT20 3RB Cheriton Road, Folkestone, CT19 5JY Station Road, New Romney, TN28 8BB

01303 265 521 01303 842 400 01303 251 125 01303 252 131 01797 364 593

www.brockhill.kent.sch.uk www.folkestoneacademy.com www.folkestonegirls.kent.sch.uk www.harveygs.kent.sch.uk www.marshacademy.org.uk

Address

Tel

Website

Abbey School, The Borden Grammar School Fulston Manor School Highsted Grammar School Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School Sittingbourne School, The Westlands School

London Road, Faversham, ME13 8RZ Ave of Remembrance, Sittingbourne, ME10 4DB Brenchley Road, Sittingbourne, ME10 4EG Highsted Road, Sittingbourne, ME10 4PT East Campus, Minster Rd, Minster-on-Sea, ME12 3JQ Abbey Place, Faversham, ME13 7BQ Swanstree Avenue, Sittingbourne, ME10 4NL Westlands Avenue, Sittingbourne, ME10 1PF

01795 532633 01795 424 192 01795 475 228 01795 424 223 01795 873 591 01795 533 132 01795 472 449 01795 477 475

www.abbeyschoolfaversham.co.uk www.bordengrammar.kent.sch.uk www.fulstonmanor.kent.sch.uk www.highsted.kent.sch.uk www.oasisacademyisleofsheppey.org www.queenelizabeths.kent.sch.uk www.thesittingbourneschool.org.uk www.westlands.org.uk

Address

Tel

Website

Charles Dickens School, The Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School Dane Court Grammar School Hartsdown Academy King Ethelbert School Royal Harbour Academy, The St George’s C of E Foundation Sch St Lawrence College (Junior) St Lawrence College (Senior) Ursuline College Wellesley House School

Broadstairs Road, Broadstairs, CT10 2RL Chatham Street, Ramsgate, CT11 7PS Broadstairs Road, Broadstairs, CT10 2RT George V Avenue, Margate, CT9 5RE Canterbury Road, Birchington, CT7 9BL Newlands Lane, Ramsgate, CT12 6RH Westwood Road, Broadstairs, CT10 2LH College Road, Ramsgate, CT11 7AE College Road, Ramsgate, CT11 7AE Canterbury Road, Westgate-on-Sea, CT8 8LX Wellesley House, Broadstairs, CT10 2DG

01843 862 988 01843 591 075 01843 864 941 01843 227 957 01843 831 999 01843 572 500 01843 609 000 01843 808080 01843 808080 01843 834 431 01843 862991

www.cds.kent.sch.uk www.ccgrammarschool.co.uk www.danecourt.kent.sch.uk www.hartsdown.org www.kingethelbert.com www.rha.kent.sch.uk www.stgeorges-school.org.uk www.slcuk.com www.slcuk.com www.ursuline.kent.sch.uk www.wellesleyhouse.org

Canterbury Name

Dover Name

Shepway Name

Swale Name

Thanet Name

1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

Website www.archbishops-school.co.uk www.bartoncourt.org www.canterbury.kent.sch.uk www.canterbury-canterbury.org www.hernebayhigh.org www.junior-kings.co.uk www.kentcollege.com www.kings-school.co.uk www.thelangton.org.uk www.langton.kent.sch.uk www.spiresacademy.com www.stanselmscanterbury.org.uk www.stedmunds.org.uk www.thewhitstableschool.org

The Whitstable School’s ethos of ‘Learn Locally, Think Globally’ is at the core of all they do. As the local choice in Whitstable, they pride themselves on supporting pupils to achieve beyond expectation. Their number one priority is to improve outcomes for all their pupils whilst celebrating their talents. This year’s results continue their year-on-year trend of improving pass rates and securing the highest grades. Several KS4 pupils attained Grade 9s and Distinction Plus and they are delighted to say they will continue their academic journey into the sixth form. In KS5, 100% of students secured a pass rate and there were top grades in textiles, art, photography and traditional academic A Levels like mathematics. Headteacher, Ana Gibson is delighted. She said, “The students have worked incredibly hard despite challenging circumstances and their results are fantastic.” They are not only concerned with academic success but are passionate about delivering a pupil’s entitlement to a wealth of enriching experiences. They believe in the power of oracy and actively build pupils’ confidence. Core knowledge and skills enable pupils to become confident, resilient members of an ever-changing society. They recognise that curiosity, creativity and hard work form building blocks for pupil progress and deep learning. See their website for more details www.thewhitstableschool.org.uk

Schools - Don’t miss out on advertising your open days in our October Half Term issue

If you would like to advertise in them please contact: 01622 522116 or email ty@primarytimes.biz

Just One Tree Day

There is still time for schools to join hundreds of others and sign-up to the highly popular Just One Tree Day, taking place on Friday 15 October. Schools throughout the UK and around the globe have already committed to participating in this international non-uniform day that encourages children to bring in £1 to plant a tree and help reforest the planet - a tree is planted for every £1 raised. Over 150,000 children from eight countries have joined together since Just One Tree Day first launched in 2019. The day highlights to children and young people how their individual actions can make a difference in the fight against climate change and the biodiversity crises. The event is open to both primary and secondary schools - those taking part can access lesson resources that fit in with the national curriculum. As part of their fundraising activities, children learn about photosynthesis, the benefits of trees for both people and wildlife and the vital role they play in reducing the impacts of climate change. The money raised is used to plant the ‘right trees in the right place’, supporting reforestation projects in Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nepal and Zambia, including mangrove forests and kelp regeneration. To find out more, visit www.justonetree.life.

Choosing your New School

The Whitstable School

OPEN EVENING 2021 • OPEN MORNINGS 2021 Visit www.thewhitstableschool.org.uk for details

01227 931300 Follow us on Twitter - @PT_Kent

tws_admin@swale.at

www.thewhitstableschool.org.uk 1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

Choosing your New School

St George’s C of E Foundation School

At St George’s Church of England Foundation School they are very proud of their school community and the high standards of achievement by their pupils. St George’s is a traditional school in state of the art accommodation that bases everything it does on the strong Christian values that permeate all through the school. The school’s vision is based on the idea that ‘Every moment, every day, every individual counts’, and encourages all members of the school community to have tolerance and respect for each other, whatever their beliefs. They base their ethos on the Christian values of Compassion, Friendship, Hope, Forgiveness and Wisdom, which support the belief that every child can achieve and that disadvantage is not a barrier to destiny. At St George’s Church of England Foundation School pupils have the unique opportunity to develop learning from the age of four through to the Sixth Form with a staff who are committed to improving the life chances of children in their care. A traditional approach, modern facilities and a shared desire to make a difference to everyone in the school as well as their local community are what drive them. The team at St George’s believe that as a school they have a collective responsibility to provide the best opportunities they can in the classroom, through their pastoral system and in their local

You Are Not Alone

A group of school leaders has launched a book that shares their experiences of being Black, Asian and minority ethnic teachers and leaders, and the difficulties and barriers they have faced in education. ‘You Are Not Alone: Leaders for Race Equality’ is based on the personal experiences of fourteen leaders in education from Asian, African, Caribbean and multiple backgrounds. It includes personal and challenging stories of the discrimination faced as both leaders and individuals.

community. This does not mean that they always get it right, but it does mean that they are passionate about removing barriers and challenging what is possible. For more information about St George’s, please visit www.stgeorgesschool.org.uk.

Health and Wellbeing Week at Spring Grove

Spring Grove ended the summer term with a ‘Health and Wellbeing Week’, aimed at raising awareness across the whole school about how to look after your body and your mind. The week featured a wide variety of events including Q&A sessions with Olympic medallists, talks about nutrition and mental health, dance and aerobics workshops, a whole school walk, art and music sessions, and a swimathon. The Health and Wellbeing week also had another important focus - to raise money for the charity Histio UK and the children’s Padua Ward at Ashford’s William Harvey Hospital. Histio UK offers a lifeline of support to families affected by a rare disease called histiocytosis. About 50 children in the UK develop a form of histiocytosis every year, and one of those children now attends Spring Grove, so her story was very close to the heart of the SG community. As part of the fundraising undertaken by children, staff and parents, one outstanding individual effort saw a pupil from SG’s Reception class raise over £1,000 in a sponsored swim in the school pool. The combination of funds raised came to over £4,000, to be split equally between Histio UK and the Padua Ward. The picture shows the start of the 10k sponsored walk to school to raise money for Histio UK and the Padua Children’s Ward.

‘A great place to grow’ for children aged 2 to 11 years

Through school, university, interviews and promotion, the stories show how individuals have often had to prove themselves at every step on the way to leadership and have faced both overt and covert racism from others. It also, ultimately, expresses their messages of hope. he aim is not just to inform those who may not realise how racism is experienced today, but also to inspire those who might not consider school leadership if they do not see themselves represented. One head teacher told Primary Times, “One clear example of unconscious bias is the number of times I have turned up to greet a visitor in reception in a suit and tie, and they presume I’m a Teaching Assistant. This has happened to me on numerous occasions, in numerous leadership positions, in numerous schools, in numerous local authorities. I do not know of any white leaders in education who have ever been mistaken for a Teaching Assistant, but do you know how many non-white leaders of education I know who have had the same experience? You’ve guessed it… numerous.” Originating from school leaders’ union NAHT’s first equality network for Black, Asian and minority ethnic members, the book is a personal and authentic presentation of the discussions and experiences shared in the group. 14

1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

Open Morning Saturday 9 October 2021 register at www.springgroveschool.co.uk

Wye, near Ashford, Kent · call 01233 812337

As over 10 million children head back to school in September, new research, commissioned by youth charity, The Diana Award, has asked young people and their parents about their experiences of bullying and the impact the events of the last year has had on their lives and social development. The survey covers a broad range of topics including how many young people and parents have experienced bullying and the impact this has had on their lives and their concerns about returning to school, cultural movements and news stories in the last year, and how this might have influenced young people. For example, the rise in conversation and news coverage around inclusivity, diversity, racism and sexism; How Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdowns may have impacted social development in children and young people. A host of celebrities including children’s TV presenters, sports people, actors, models and many others have filmed videos discussing their personal experiences of being bullied at school aimed at supporting today’s pupils. All videos can be viewed at http://back2school. antibullyingpro.com. The second annual Big Anti-Bullying Assembly will be beamed into primary school classrooms and homes across the country on Monday 4 October. This celebrity packed virtual event aims to address the topic of bullying and arm students, teachers and guardians with the tools to address the issue if it arises. In 2020 over two million primary school children watched the assembly with ten thousand educators signing up. For further information on the campaign, to sign up for the assembly and to download free resource packs, visit www. thebigassembly.com.

HOLDFAST at Sandwich Technology School

Choosing your New School

Bullying Videos from The Diana Award

At Sandwich Technology School they provide a broad well-balanced curriculum which combines traditional and vocational options – catering for the needs and interests of all learners and facilitating entry to a variety of Higher Education courses or careers. Students are further supported by an extensive pastoral team – recognised as a real strength of the school by students and parents alike. The students know when they need support that their Form Tutor will not let them down. The school’s exam results are improving year on year. The old adage ‘success breeds success’ is born out at STS as the excellent GCSE students become brilliant A Level students who then go on to fulfil their dreams at University and beyond. In May 2019, Ofsted concluded that “Pupils are well prepared for life in the modern world”. Sandwich Technology School aims for all members of its community to be – Happy in a safe and caring environment Open-minded and ready to learn Literate, numerate and independent thinkers Determined to achieve the best they can Forward thinking and full of aspiration Active members of the community Self-confident and inspired to succeed Tolerant and respectful of diversity Why not visit to see STS at its daily best? Find out more at www.sandwich-tech.kent.sch.uk.

OPEN EVENTS

Visit our open events to view our fantastic facilities and meet the STS family. Hold fast that which is good

Open Evenings 6 pm to 8 pm Wednesday 15 th September ursday 14th October Open Mornings 10 am to 12 noon nursday 16 th September Friday 15 thOctober

No appointment necessary - everyone is welcome

“Teachers challenge pupils well to achieve more, to learn new skills, and to develop their knowledge.” Ofsted 2019

scan me for more info

Deal Road, Sandwich,CT13 0FA | www.sandwich-tech.kent.sch.uk | 01304 610000 Follow us on Twitter - @PT_Kent

1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

What’s On

More What’s On Your family diary for September and October

September Sat 4 - Sun 5 Sep

A Celebration of Hops, Kent and East Sussex Railway, Tenterden, TN30 6HE

Take your family and friends to a weekend of hopping fun. Children can also enjoy dressing up activities. For more information visit www.kesr. org.uk.

Art Rebels Workshop, Turner Contemporary, Margate, CT9 1HG

1-4pm. Go along to this free, creative workshop for families and young people inspired by the current exhibition on show. Create your very own Zines inspired by places both real and imaginary. For more information, visit www. turnercontemporary.org.

Open House, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, SE10 9NN

Take a peek into parts of the site not normally open to the public including Admiral’s House and the Jacobean Undercroft in the Queen Anne’s Building. There is plenty for families to do for free, kids activity trail booklet and an excellent multimedia guide. For more information, visit www.ornc.org.

Sun 5 Sep

Bus Rally Day, Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, Hythe Station, TN28 8PL Take a nostalgic journey by steam train to visit this annual vintage Bus Rally where you will find over 30 vintage buses, coaches and taxis in the car park area. Social bubbles can be seated together in combinations of up to 4 adults and 2 children. For more information visit www.rhdr. org.uk.

Herne Mill Open Day, CT6 7DR (Also 12, 19 and 26 Sep) 2-5pm. Visit Herne Mill, a Kentish smock windmill dating from 1789, on one of their open days. It is Grade I listed and is owned by Kent County Council and cared for by the Friends of Herne Mill. Under 16s go free. For more details, visit www.hernewindmill. co.uk.

Sun 5 Sep-Sun 3 Oct

Sculptures at the Castle: A Botanical Showcase, Leeds Castle, Maidstone, ME17 1RG

A new outdoor sculpture exhibition will be in bloom at Leeds Castle this autumn. See the beautiful estate transformed into a stunning outdoor gallery. Make music with

your little ones and take them on the ‘Children’s Musical Sculpture Trail’. For more information, visit www. leeds-castle.com.

Thurs 9–Sun 12 Sep Craft Fair, Hever Castle, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG

This event includes demonstrating artists and artisan food exhibitors alongside exhibiting craft makers. Children can also enjoy exploring three play areas including the Tudor Towers adventure playground. For more information, visit www. hevercastle.co.uk.

Fri 10 Sep

Medway Mile, Rochester Castle Gardens, ME1 1SW

5-8pm. Join thousands of other runners, joggers and walkers for this free mass participation family event. There will be children’s races for parents and toddlers through to 11 year olds in the Castle Garden, inflatables and other family fun. For more information, visit www. visitmedway.org.

Fri 10-Mon 13 Sep

The Great British September Clean, Swanley, BR8

Can you spare a couple of hours to make a difference by taking part in the Great British September Clean? Volunteers are needed to help litter pick in Swanley. If you are interested please contact Lilly on 01322 665 855 or email lhendrylewis@ swanleytowncouncil.gov.uk.

Sat 11 Sep

Walk this Way, Demelza Kent (ME9 8DZ) to Demelza Eltham (SE9 5AB)

Help raise money for Demelza by walking 65km from their Kent hospice to the Eltham hospice or choose a half distance of 35km and start in Gravesend. Registration costs £35 and minimum sponsorship targets apply.Visit the event page for more details at www.demelza.org.uk.

Our listings are prepared a long time in advance. To make sure you have the latest details do contact the event nearer the time to make sure they haven’t changed

“

I saw your event in Primary Times.... Please mention you saw the event listed in Primary Times

”

Boot & Autumn Fair, Lord Whisky Sanctuary, Canterbury, CT4 6AN Boots from 8am and entertainment from 11am including tombola, raffle and hot and cold refreshments. For more information, visit www. lordwhisky.co.uk or call 01303 862 622.

Heritage Open Day, Maidstone Museum, ME14 1LH 10.30am-12.30pm. Go and see a beautiful wall painting of a grand picnic, created during the reign of Elizabeth I, which is normally hidden from sight in what is today the museum’s herbarium. For more information and to book visit https:// museum.maidstone.gov.uk

Power Objects, Glassworks, Folkestone, CT20 1JR

Taking inspiration from Mariko Hori’s sculptures, Mellowing the Corners, make your own object of power in this family workshop with Katrin Albrecht. For more information, visit www.creativefolkestone.org.uk.

Discovery Day Session, Stagecoach Maidstone West, Coxheath Primary School, ME17 4PS

10am-1pm. Try mini class sessions at this Stagecoach taster morning and also meet the creative team and Principal Sarah. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. For more information, visit www. stagecoach.co.uk/maidstonewest.

Sat 11-Sun 12 Sep

We Will Meet Again, Betteshanger Country Park, Deal, CT14 0BF

This exciting new event has something for everyone, with reenactors and military vehicles, trade stalls, arts and crafts and 1940s fashion, music and song. Charges apply but under 13’s go free. For more information, visit www. betteshanger-park.co.uk.

The Belmont Woodfest and Country Fair, Belmont House and Garden, Faversham, ME13 0HH 10am. The main arena attractions run continuously throughout the day and will include Joe’s Bows Falconry Display, Gun Dog demonstrations, Ferret Racing, Terrier Racing, Fun Dog Show (Sunday only) and new for 2021, Alpaca Annie’s Display. To book tickets visit www.belmont-house.org.

Model Railway Weekend, Spa Valley Railway, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5QY

Go along to see a gathering of model railways in a variety of different scales, at Tunbridge Wells West, Groombridge & Eridge. Entry tickets can be purchased on the day or online at www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk.

Sun 12 Sep

Ellenor Glorious Garden, The Old Vicarage, Swanley Village, BR8 7PJ 2-5pm. Go along to this wonderful open garden day to get some inspiration for your own garden. Refreshments available, plants sales, bric-a-brac stall and entertainment from Recycles Jazz. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome. For more information, visit www.ellenor.org.

Eynsford Concert Band, Lullingstone Castle, DA4 0JA

3pm. One year on from the planned Battle of Britain concert, Eynsford Concert Band is delighted to be invited by local Lullingstone Castle to help celebrate us all returning to normal with a special Summer Garden Concert. Tickets available at tickets@eynsfordconcertband.co.uk.

Kent Classic Car Show, Aylesford Priory, ME20 7BX An opportunity for classic car enthusiasts to meet and display their cars. Under 16s admitted free. For more details visit www. kentsclassiccarshow.co.uk .

Maidstone Memory Walk, Mote Park, ME15 7SU

10am. Get together with friends and family and challenge yourself to raise as much as you can and make a real difference to people affected by dementia. Sign up for free and receive a brilliant fundraising pack plus a Memory Walk t-shirt. For more information, visit www. alzheimers.org.uk.

Sat 18 Sep

Nile Rodgers & Chic at Dreamland, Margate, CT9 1XJ

6-10pm. Go along for a day of seaside fun stuffed with classic theme park vibes and an epic list of disco tunes. All ages are welcome; under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. To book tickets visit www.dreamland. co.uk.

Olly Murs at The Hop Farm, Tonbridge, TN12 6PY

2.30-10pm. With much of 2020 coming to a standstill due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this show aims to put a smile back on the face of the country where Olly will perform his biggest hits, including tracks from his triple platinum album ‘Never Been Better’. For more information, visit www.thehopfarm.co.uk.

For lots more What’s On ideas see page 18...

Due to Covid 19 restrictions please do check with the venue that the listing is up to date before planning your visit. 16

1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

Answers Spot the Difference In Picture B the ladybird has a dot missing. The ladybird’s wings have changed colour.The bee has an extra stripe. The ant has an extra section. The crocus is missing in the bottom left of the photo. There is an extra spider and an extra leaf. One of the white flowers has changed colour

K atie

lown’s Luscious Leaves Spot the 8 Differences

Word Search E F O G G Y D R O P

E T H Z N E D L O G

G N AM A R U N T H U J M L N F CM B B

I A V T R Q A F E X

L P E B H E P V T P

T L S R L Y B E S F

S E T I T F B I C H

U Y S S N L R N H J

Can you find all these words in the word search? Autumn, Foggy, Harvest, Drop, Earthy, Hibernate, Maple, Ant, Golden, Leaf, Rustling, Brisk, Crisp, Stem, Vein, Twig Why did the scarecrow win a medal? He was outstanding in his field!

R C P K A C G I W T

Why do birds fly south for winter? Because it’s too far for them to walk

How does an elephant get out of a tree? It sits on a leaf and waits for Autumn

Can you draw a picture or write a poem about anything to do with leaves, trees or the park? Make it as bright and colourful as you can! Send it to us to have a chance of winning a Primary Times Tee Shirt AND seeing your prize winning entry published in the next Primary Times! Categories: ages 4-7 and 8-11 Name: Age: Address:

Postcode: School:

Send your entry together with this completed form to:

Annie's Competition, Primary Times, 7 Southbrook Mews, London, SE12 8LG or scan them both and email them to:

competitions@primarytimes.biz 24 September 2021. Good Luck!

Closing date

What is a ’s scarecrow it? u r f e favourit rries Straw-be

What did one leaf say to another? I’m falling for you!

How do you fix a flat pumpkin? With a pumpkin patch!

Colouring in Corner

What’s On

More What’s On Your family diary for September and October

September Great British Beach Clean, Plum Pudding, Birchington, CT7 9QP

10.30am (2hrs) Meet at Minnis Bay Brasserie. The beach clean will involve a 10-15 minute walk to the western end of the bay, and the start of the Northern Sea Wall (flood defence) beaches. Litter sticks, hoops and bags are provided. For more information, visit www. thanetcoast.org.uk.

Great British Beach Clean, Pegwell Bay, Cliffsend, CT12 5HY

4.30pm. Meet on the beach - just below bottom of former hoverport access road. The event will take place on the beach close to the White Cliffs within the Sandwich & Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve. Litter sticks, hoops and bags are provided. For more information, visit www.thanetcoast. org.uk.

London to Brighton Electric Vehicle Rally

This new event is being held to demonstrate and celebrate the rapid development of electric vehicles and renewable energy. Starting on the banks of the River Thames and finishing on Brighton Beach. For more information, or to enter visit www. londontobrightonelectricvehiclerally. com.

MSVR Club Car Championships, Brands Hatch Circuit, Longfield, DA3 8NG MotorSport Vision Racing hosts the racing at Brands Hatch with a club event on the Indy circuit. Many of the categories from Sunday’s Ford Power Live! event will be in attendance. Under 13s admitted free. For more information and to book visit www.brandshatch.co.uk

Heritage Open Day, The Beany House of Art and Knowledge, Canterbury, CT1 2RA 11am. Go along for a guided tour of the galleries. Get a chance to explore some of the key artefacts and artworks. The tour guide will take you around the museum to explore the collection and discuss some of the star objects. For more information, visit www. canterburymuseums.co.uk.

Paddington™ at Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, TN28 8PL

Go and meet Paddington at intervals throughout the day and don’t forget your camera! Pre-booked special train tickets guarantee a seat on a VIP departure from Hythe to New Romney Station to see Paddington™. For more details and to book visit www.rhdr.org.uk.

Triennial Family Workshop, Creative Folkestone, CT20 1JR

12-4pm. How can we create a space to play and make? Join artists Leap Then Look to create a playful everchanging installation which will grow and evolve over the course of the day. For more information visit www. creativefolkestone.org.uk.

Sat 18-Sun 19 Sep

Paws in the Park, The Kent Showground, Detling, ME14 3JF

From the high-jumping antics of agility dogs to the skill and patience of the popular Guide Dogs and Gun Dogs displays, you’ll be amazed, delighted and surprised by just what our canine companions can do! For more information and to book tickets visit www.pawsinthepark.net.

Festival of Chatham Reach, Sun Pier House, Chatham, ME4 4HF

10am-4pm. There will be historic vessels open to explore, free have-a-go stalls, history walks, and interactive activities to entertain and educate all ages. For more information visit www.medway.gov. uk/chathamreach.

Salute to the 40’s, Historic Dockyard Chatham, ME4 4TZ

Get ready for a party to end all parties! After missing out in 2020 there are 2 years of vintage festival to cram into one fun-packed weekend and under 5’s go free! To book tickets and for more information, visit www. thedockyard.co.uk.

“

I saw your event in Primary Times.... Please mention you saw the event listed in Primary Times

”

Sat 18 Sep-Sun 17 Oct Essex Bigger Weekend, CM1 1QH

Residents from Essex, Kent and East Sussex can enter a ballot until 6 Sep to be in with a chance of securing free tickets and vouchers for popular attractions during the Essex Bigger Weekend. Attractions include Colchester Zoo, Escape Live, to open-top bus tours of Clacton. To enter, see www.visitessex.com.

Sun 19 Sep

Ford Power Live, Brands Hatch Circuit, Longfield, DA3 8NG Track action will feature plenty of Ford-based entertainment, starring machinery from the marque’s American and British production lines. There will be races, demonstrations, track sessions and more. Under 13s admitted free. To book visit www.brandshatch.co.uk

Tom Jones at The Hop Farm, Tonbridge, TN12 6PY

3.30-10.30pmIt has been another busy year for Tom Jones, as he continued his role as a coach on the latest series of The Voice alongside Olly Murs, whilst also getting ready to release a brand new album. For more information about the concert and booking tickets visit www. thehopfarm.co.uk

Apple Sunday, Mount Ephraim Gardens, Faversham, ME13 9TX 11am-5pm. Go along and enjoy some apple tastings and orchard self-guided tours. There will also be a live falconry display, cider sales and live music on the tea room terrace from Cloud Nine Jazz. For more information visit www. mountephraimgardens.co.uk

Wed 22 Sep

Paint a Savannah, Born Free Foundation, Zoom Webinar

Our listings are prepared a long time in advance. To make sure you have the latest details do contact the event nearer the time to make sure they haven’t changed

Join artist John Dyer, for a free interactive art webinar. Ask John questions about his future art expedition to Africa and find out how he approaches painting the savannah, before painting along with him! Perfect for primary age children. To register go to www.bornfree.org.uk/ school-events.

Fri 24 Sep

MCS Annual Beach Clean, Garrison Point Beach, Sheerness, ME12

9-11am. This event will involve a 5-10 minute walk from Sheerness Train Station. Bring weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear (beach is predominately shingle) For full details visit www.mcsuk.org.

Fri 24-Sun 26 Sep

Royal Harbour of Ramsgate Anniversary Festival, CT11

To mark 200 years of holding the prestigious appointment of being the only Royal Harbour in the UK, September 2021 will see various activities to celebrate their Royal status. The aim is to promote the town to people from further afield. For more information, visit www. ramsgate2021.co.uk.

Fri 24 Sep – Sun 10 Oct TOGETHER, Chatham Riverside, ME4 4SL

10am-4pm. Visit this spectacular pavilion filled with video, light and sound in which audiences can feel part of an immersive, collaborative experience. There will also be live workshops, performances and events. To find out more, visit www.medway. gov.uk/together.

Sat 25 Sep

The Best in Us, Glassworks, Folkestone, CT20 1JR

11am. Create a Jason Wilsher-Mills inspired colourful character and bring it to life. Give your character that part of you that makes you brilliant, and share your work in a celebration of big, colourful personalities. For more information, visit www. creativefolkestone.org.uk.

Heritage Orchard Days, Brogdale Farm, Faversham, ME15 8XZ

(Also 26 Sep and 16-17 Oct) Go along for a fun family day out and delight in the wonderful orchards bursting with fruit, try some traditional juice pressing, sample homemade ciders and much more. For more information and to book tickets visit www.brogdalecollections. org.

Sat 25-Sun 26 Sep

Napoleonic Re-enactment Weekend, Hole Park, Cranbrook, TN17 4JA

The Napoleonic Re-enactment event will see Hole Park welcome the Napoleonic Association for a fun weekend of living history. Battle commences on Saturday with battles and skirmishes during the morning and afternoon. For more information visit www.holepark.com.

For lots more What’s On ideas see page 22...

Due to Covid 19 restrictions please do check with the venue that the listing is up to date before planning your visit. 18

1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

Win a box of books for your school

Primary Times are offering schools the chance to win a selection of great books for their library. We have a whole box full of titles from super stories to fun educational books. We have several boxes of books to give away and the titles in each may differ. To enter the competition send your name, address, phone number and the name of your school using the details below.

Win Mummies Unwrapped by Tom Froese

Competitions

Competitions Mummies are everybody’s favourite museum fascination. Mummies Unwrapped explores the ins and outs of the mummification process - from drying out a dead body and stuffing it with mud, to holding a grand funeral procession to send the mummy into the afterlife. Unwrap the mysteries of the fascinating world of ancient Egyptian mummies! Mummies Unwrapped is the perfect gruesome guide for children aged 7 and up, with wonderfully detailed illustrations from the author Tom Froese. Young readers will delve beyond the dazzling gold cover to uncover the secrets of the embalmers, tales of the tomb robbers and even what happened when pets were mummified! Mummies Unwrapped is published by Nosy Crow at a recommend price of £11.99. For your chance to win one of five copies of Mummies Unwrapped, tell us which ancient culture mummified their dead. See below for details of how to enter.

Win an Amazing Gorilla Prize with Cindergorilla To celebrate the publication of Cindergorilla by well-known local author and entertainer, Gareth P. Jones, Primary Times and Farshore have a glorious gorilla competition! One lucky reader and a parent or guardian will win an exciting Cindergorilla experience day (complete with a trip to London Zoo and GoApe TreeTop Adventure). The winning reader will also receive a signed and illustrated copy of the book to celebrate publication!

Cindergorilla loves to dance. She longs to go to the Saturday Night Disco Ball, where the other gorillas strut their stuff, but her horrid aunt and cousins, Gertrude and Grace always say no. Instead Cindergorilla must stay home and do the housework! But all that changes when Cinder gets a visit from her Hairy Godmother…. Cindergorilla is the second book in Gareth’s Fairy Tales for the Fearless series, and is a fun-filled twist on the classic children’s fairy tale Cinderella. It celebrates resilience and is a fun disco-dancing adventure, combined with stunning illustrations by Loretta Schaeur. Cindergorilla is published in paperback by Farshore on 16 September at a recommended price of £6.99. To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous prize, all you need to do is complete and cut out the word search. Then fill out the form with your details and send them to the address below by the closing date. Or scan a copy of your completed form and email it to the email address below. Terms and Conditions: Fulfilment of prizes may be delayed by any future Government lockdowns but will be honoured when possible.

Find the following words • Cinder • Gorilla • Zoo • Grace • Dance • Ball • Hairy • GoApe • Gertrude • Disco

E H D I S C O X

P D S C V I X A

A A U Y K N Z L

O N L R W D O L

G C L I T E O I

G E A A B R L R

R B B H N L E O

T M P E C A R G

Name ..................................................................... Age ......................................................................... Address .................................................................. ................................................................................ ................................................................................ School.....................................................................

To enter any of the competitions send your answer along with your name, age, school, address and phone number to Primary Times, 7 Southbrook Mews, London, SE12 8LG. Don’t forget to include the name of the competition. Alternatively email your answer and details to competitions@primarytimes.biz with the competition name as the subject by Friday 24 September 2021. If you are entering more than one competition you can put all entries in the same envelope.

1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

Big Story Writing Challenge Winner

The Leeds Castle Big Story Writing Challenge was launched in 2019, to celebrate the Castle’s milestone 900th anniversary year and celebrate literacy in younger visitors with Primary Times as Media Partner. This year’s winner with a lovely story is Leyla-Maria Tezer who is aged 9. Our picture shows Leyla-Maria receiving her prize from Clare Balding.

One Golden Day Sweat dripping down his face, the Wizard was zooming everywhere making a potion to save the King’s life. As he was looking in his dusty, old spell book for how to make it, he saw an error in his potion. Whatever the King touched would turn to pure gold. “He won’t mind, I’ll just tell him when I get there” thought the wizard, “He won’t mind.” After the Wizard had poured the liquid potion into a diamond container, he set off. He walked quickly away from his dark, gloomy cave as the trees reached at him like witches’ fingers and the wind howled like a wolf. It was a treacherous journey, but after some time, he found a clearing in the woods and saw the castle ahead of him. It was made of tough stone and endless battlements with a large, murky moat surrounding it. The Wizard took one look at it and said to himself, “I have to get there in time, I can do this.” As soon as he got to the Castle, he used his magic to lift the heavy, iron portcullis and found his way along the winding corridors to the King’s bedroom. He opened the door, bowed, and said, “Your Majesty, I have bought what you need, the potion of immortality as you requested.” “Thank you, my dear boy,” trembled the King, “Now-w-w, give it here-e b-b-before I die.” So, the Wizard gave the potion to him, but before he did, he said, “Are you sure you want it? There is a little glitch. Everything you touch, even if you don’t want it to, will turn to gold.” “I don’t care, just give it here!” demanded the dying King. “OK your Majesty, your wish is my command…” and the Wizard gave the King the potion which he drank in one go. Gulp! After he drank the last drop, the King said gleefully, “Oh my goodness gracious me, bless my soul, I feel like a new man! It’s a miracle – it is as if I was never ill!” “I know,” replied the Wizard! That’s the point of the potion, you will now live forever!” Clearing his throat, the King announced, “I do believe I haven’t introduced myself, I’m King Henry VIII.You are?” “Alfred the Wizard. It is a pleasure to meet you King Henry. Right, I must be going, I need to make some more potions and whip up something for my supper. So, bye-bye!” Alfred said in a hurry. “Wait! I must repay you!” King Henry pleaded. “You must accompany me on our visit to France for the jamboree. It will be a lavish affair and with my new power and you by my side, I’m sure we will display riches beyond King Francis’ wildest dreams!

1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

“This will be a truly magnificent sight! One people will never forget!” As the King patted his chest, his clothes magically turned into the finest golden thread! His greedy eyes gleamed and he laughed a full belly laugh that echoed down the stone corridors. Alfred reluctantly gave a smile through gritted teeth and agreed to attend, though he was afraid that this may not end happily. The royal party set off to France with 5000 courtiers and with Alfred the Wizard choosing to fly by dragon (his favourite mode of transport.) When they arrived King Henry was very selective with what his magic fingers did. He used his golden touch to turn tents and pavilions into lavish gold, even the fountains turned into solid gold and overflowed with claret wine. Within the dazzling tents, they enjoyed feasts, dancing and games. Everyone was astounded by the riches that the King displayed around him. Certainly outdoing King Francis I of France! The only trouble was when King Henry VIII was challenged to some wrestling against King Francis I. “How can I touch him? Everyone will know about my powers when he turns to gold – I will be found out!” Alfred and King Henry agreed that King Henry should let King Francis win this match, just this once. “My golden display of wealth is worth its weight in gold!” boasted King Henry and they both chuckled. The event went on from the 7th June until the 24th June 1520. It was recorded in a beautiful tapestry and was forever to be known in history as The Field of the Cloth of Gold. Even Alfred’s dragon made an appearance onto the cloth! And what happened to Alfred and the King’s golden touch you ask? Well, once back at the castle in England, King Henry VIII thanked Alfred but in hugging the Wizard, a sad and unfortunate event occurred. Alfred himself turned to gold and all his powers were lost including the magical spell that had given King Henry VIII his golden touch and immortality. “The day I met this fine Wizard really was a golden day and now history will honour our secret in the Field of the Cloth of Gold.” Photo credit: Matthew Walker Photography

All your own work!

Musa Faisal aged 7

Kaz Whide aged 9

Beare, Darius Patel competitions in our July Bumper Summer issue. Will Congratulations to the following people who won etition schools. The Chessington World of Adventure comp and Asher Tomlinson won boxes of books for their to see Out Chichester competition. Zach Deboo is going was won by Emma Boyce. Zoe Lewis won the Flip s Vagg s winner was Noah Whitbread. Willow-Dixie the Jungle Book at Emmetts Garden. Our Mega Camp y Popp Paws in the Park tickets were won by Arthur Lyus, won a Swingball pro wth Millbrook Garden Centre. er u. Alexa Ling will be enjoying a week at the PQA Summ Moore, Ella Sinclair, Ben Gibson and Theo Christiano s at Luke Williams won tickets for The Three Musketeer School. Our Ropetackle winner was Yasmin Wilson. Monster-Saurus Summer was Prisha Garg. Musa Faisal BOAT. Our lucky winner of a tablet with Tiny Pop's all our older winner was Kaz Whide aged 9. Well done to aged 7 won our Annie's Drawing competition. Our artwork! competition winners on this page and enjoy all the If you would like to see your work displayed here then just send us a drawing, poem, riddles, jokes or short story and we'll do our very best to include it. Send it to: Good Work Page Primary Times 7 Southbrook Mews London SE12 8LG

Thank you to Tame Akin-Agboola, Munaver Murghal, Liyana Soobratty and Katharina Hopkins for their fun, imaginative and clever drawings and poems. We love seeing your work so do please keep sending it to us. We're happy to receive artwork from the whole class so do feel free to send us class entries.

What’s On

More What’s On Your family diary for September and October

September

October

Mexican Celebration Weekend, Lullingstone Castle, DA4 0JA

Fri 1 Oct

11am-5pm. Browse and buy from of over 20 plant stalls and for an extra element of fun there will be a Cactus auction. You can also enjoy the authentic tastes of Mexico with Ques idea Mexican Kitchen. Charges apply. Children under 16 go free. Visit www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk for more information.

Castle Race Series, Hever Castle, nr Edenbridge, TN8 7NG

A multisport event weekend for all ages and abilities. Featuring triathlon, duathlon, aquabike, aquathon, swim and run races. This junior event is suitable for 9-16 years. For more information visit www. castleraceseries.com.

Sun 26 Sep

Thanet 5K Colour Run, The Oval, Cliftonville, CT9 2GB

9-11am Registration. This familyfriendly event brings much fun and laughter as you run or walk through clouds of brightly coloured powder around the route, between 11.30am and 1.30pm. To book visit www. pilgrimshospices.org/event/thanet-5kcolour-run-2021

Wild about Capstone, Capstone Farm Country Park, ME7 3JG

12noon-3pm. Join the Kent Kite Flyers for an afternoon of fun for all the family. Full details to be confirmed in due course. Please visit their website nearer the time, www. kentkiteflyers.com

Herne Bay 3K Race for Life, Seafront Hampton Pier, Herne Bay, CT6 8EJ

From 12.30pm. This is a 3K run for everyone. Thousands of people uniting with one purpose – to raise valuable funds for life saving research. Charges apply. Under 6’s go free. To enter visit https://raceforlife. cancerresearchuk.org.

Thurs 30 Sep

Star Wars: A New Hope (U), Rochester Castle, ME1 1SW

Doors 6pm, film starts 7.30pm. Go along to the Luna Cinema to see this Star Wars classic under the stars. Food and drink will be available to purchase at the site or take along a picnic. For more details and to book visit www.thelunacinema.com

The Greatest Showman (PG), Rochester Castle, ME1 1SW

Doors 6pm, film starts 7.30pm. Go along to the Luna Cinema to see this classic musical under the stars. Food and drink will be available to purchase at the site or take along a picnic. For more details and to book visit www.thelunacinema.com

Fri 1– Sun 3 Oct

Broadstairs Food Festival, Victoria Gardens, CT10 1QS

This amazing festival is great for all the family! Try out new tastes, new flavours; meet the producers - then stock up with loads of lovely goodies. For more information, go to www. visitthanet.co.uk.

Fri 1-Sun 31 Oct

Autumn Colour, Hever Castle, nr Edenbridge, TN8 7NG As the air turns crisp and a rich display of autumn colour envelopes the countryside, pack your wellies and head to Hever Castle to enjoy the crunch of leaves underfoot. To book tickets visit www.hevercastle. co.uk

Sat 2 Oct

Litterama Workshop, Chatham Library, ME4 4TX Living River volunteers and estuary experts will talk about the ecology and litter in the River Medway. Children will then be able to create their response through art and creative writing. Suitable for children aged 7-12. Booking essential. To book call 01634 337 799.

Medway Fun Palace, Pentagon Centre, Chatham, ME4 4HY

11am-4pm. Go along for a day of fun, exciting and chaotic activity that will showcase Medway at its best, including science shows, hands-on activities, stalls and stands,

Our listings are prepared a long time in advance. To make sure you have the latest details do contact the event nearer the time to make sure they haven’t changed

“

I saw your event in Primary Times.... Please mention you saw the event listed in Primary Times

”

art workshops, theatre, dance troops and much more. For more information, visit www. medway.gov.uk/funpalace.

Thurs 7 Oct

National Poetry Day, Nationwide

Join in the fun in this UK-wide celebration of poetry with thousands of amazing events across the UK in a variety of venues, all celebrating poetry’s power to bring people together. This year the theme is Choice. For more details and to sign up visit www.nationalpoetryday.co.uk

Glow in the Park, Kent Showground, Detling, ME14 3JF

The ultimate night time neon 5K fun run for families and friends. Dance, walk, jog and run on an epic voyage through 6 glow zones. Suitable for children ages 6-14 years only. Charges apply. To enter visit www. glowinthepark.co.uk.

Artisan Craft, Curios and Gift Market, Alexander Centre, Faversham, ME13 8NZ (Also 23 Oct) 10am-3pm. An opportunity to shop with small traders, offering a unique range of gift, curio, artisan and craft items for sale. For more information, visit www. thealexandercentre.com.

Sun 3 Oct

Glitter & Colour Run, Sports Pavilion, University of Kent, CT2 7SR

11am-1pm. Help raise funds for Kent MS Therapy Centre as you walk, jog or run the 5K route. This is a non-timed family event and is suitable for all ages. For more information visit www. kentmstc.org.uk/event/glittercolour-run-2021

Dogworks Live, Bewl Water, Lamberhurst, TN3 8JH

10am-4pm. Go along for a fun filled day of dog shows, fantastic arena displays, havea-go activities, loads of doggy shopping and much more. Under 5’s and NHS staff go free (NHS ID will be required upon arrival). For more information visit www. bewlwater.co.uK.

Tue 5-Thurs 7 Oct

Space Voyage, Rochester Cathedral, ME1 1SX

Sound and light art will be projected onto the stunning architectural features within the Cathedral and visitors are enveloped with bespoke music, as they view and experience a journey to the edge of the Universe and back. For more information and to book tickets visit www.visitmedway.org.

Fri 15 Oct

Just One Tree Day, Nationwide Schools throughout the UK and around the globe have already committed to this international nonuniform day that encourages children to bring in £1 to plant a tree and help reforest the planet. To sign up and for more information visit www. justonetree.life.

Astronomy Evening, Bore Place, Chiddingstone, TN8 7AR 6.30-8.30pm. Go along for an evening looking at the night sky in the farmyard. Suitable for interested children aged 11+. If your child is younger and would like to go, please call to discuss before booking. For more information, visit www. boreplace.org.

Sat 16-Sun 17 Oct

Commando Series, Hever Castle, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG

Pick your experience, from the toughest level ‘Treat me like a Commando’ to the more supportive ‘Just get me round’ and ‘We are Family.’ There are different level obstacles and the event is open to everyone from 8 years of age. For more information, visit www. hevercastle.co.uk.

Sat 16-Sat 30 Oct

Canterbury Festival, Various Locations

The 2021 programme offers unique experiences from the quirky to the sublime, aiming to bring together the people of Kent for a celebration of creativity. Pick up a copy of the brochure from the Festival Office, 8 Orange Street, Canterbury CT1 2JA, or visit www.canterburyfestival.co.uk. Our next copy deadline is

24 September 2021 If you have something you would like us to try and publicise (space permitting) please email it to

listings@ primarytimes.biz

Due to Covid 19 restrictions please do check with the venue that the listing is up to date before planning your visit. 22

1 Sept - 10 Oct ‘21

t ’ a s h N ew W Polar Gear Drinking Bottle

Children can head into the new school year with a bottle that’s going to stand out from the crowd – and certainly help it from getting mixed up with their peers. Every day is an ocean adventure with this Polar Gear Sticker Bottle. It’s ﬁtted with a handy ﬂip up drinking straw and a cool sticker sheet so kids can decorate their bottle exactly how they like.The Polar Gear Ocean Adventure Tritan Bottle 500ml costs £4.99 from high street favourite Ryman.

Stand4 Socks

Stand4 Socks make comfortable high quality socks in original and stylish designs.Their latest range are celebrity socks featuring Marcus Rashford, Emmeline Pankhurst, Elton John and David Attenborough to name but a few. But this isn’t all.With every pair of socks purchased, a thick, antibacterial pair of socks is donated to a homeless person in need. Socks are the number one requested item at homeless shelters. So far Stand4 Socks have donated over 150,000 pairs of socks to homeless and vulnerable people across the UK.They expect to reach over 250,000 socks donated by the end of this year. Find out more at www.stand4socks.com. Prices start at £9.99 a pair with discounts for bundles of 4, 6 or 10 pairs.

Mechanics Gravity Magnetic Track

The Mechanics Gravity Magnetic Track harnesses the invisible forces of magnetism and gravity through original and surprising means. The spheres inside the circuit are set in motion by an innovative magnetic cannon that uses the force of attraction of the accelerating magnet. The motion is provided by the invisible forces of gravity and magnetism, without using electricity or batteries. The play experience is based on these fundamental principles of physics. Mechanics Gravity is a STEM product that can truly stimulate curiosity and inspire a desire to learn more about science. The Geomag Mechanics Loops and Turns Construction Set is suitable for children aged 8+ to develop their imagination and curiosity through the science of magnetic construction. The 130 piece set costs £34.99 from The Entertainer.

Mummies Unwrapped

Mummies are everybody’s favourite museum fascination but how much do we really know about how they’re made? Mummies Unwrapped explores the ins and outs of the mummification process - from drying out a dead body and stuffing it with mud, to holding a grand funeral procession to send the mummy into the afterlife. Unwrap the mysteries of the fascinating world of ancient Egyptian mummies! Written with input with some of the world’s leading Egyptologists from the British Museum and filled with grisly detail, Mummies Unwrapped is the perfect gruesome guide for children aged 7 and up, with wonderfully detailed illustrations from the author Tom Froese.Young readers will delve beyond the dazzling gold cover to uncover the secrets of the embalmers, tales of the tomb robbers and even what happened when pets were mummified! Mummies Unwrapped is published by Nosy Crow at a recommend price of £11.99.

AirBrush Plush Unicorn

AirBrush Plush is an innovative new product from Arts and Crafts brand Canal Toys. Combining design ﬂair with fabulous art skills, it’s a unique toy that will let kids create a bespoke magical unicorn that is perfect for cuddles afterwards. Style your own super cute plushie however you want. Stick one of the 100+ stencils to your white unicorn plushie and then choose from four gorgeous coloured markers. Use the AirBrush tool to either spray directly onto the plushie fur or through a stencil to create wonderful patterns and designs. When you feel like a change, wash off your design using a damp cloth. Explore your creative imagination using swirls, whirls and stripes to design a new creature again and again.AirBrush Plush comes at a recommended price of £24.99.

Schleich Interactive Play Sets

Spark your little one’s inner storyteller with some amazing new interactive playsets from Schleich. Enter exciting worlds full of dinosaurs and erupting volcanoes, horse club tournaments or wildlife animals that hide from their ranger. Children’s imaginations can be inspired to run wild as they create their own wonderful stories. From the underside of paws to the colours of the dinosaur’s feathers, to ensuring seamlessly moving parts, models are realistically detailed and hand painted. An action-packed erupting volcano play set boasts a host of super cool interactive functions guaranteed to spark thrilling and imaginative dinosaur-based jungle adventures.The volcano erupts with stones being catapulted from the crater, with accompanying smoke and vibrations, along with threatening dinosaur and earthquake sound effects – kaboom! The volcano also boasts an exciting obstacle course, plus a marble run, hidden escape slide and a secret cave where the dinosaurs can hide! Schleich Volcano Expedition Base Camp is great for 4-12 year olds and can be picked up from www.schleich-s.com,The Entertainer or Smyths for £99.99.

Pug and Koala Backpacks

Skip Hop have added two new fun animal designs to its best-selling Zoo backpacks for kids – a Pug and a Koala - the perfect accessory for back to school. Easy to wear and with beautiful details, including cute stand out features, young learners will be happy to carry their own kit to school. Made from durable materials, the backpack features a roomy main compartment, ideal for pencil case, books and toys, a zip front pocket, an insulated pouch for snacks, a mesh drinks bottle side pocket, comfy padded adjustable straps that protect little shoulders and easy to clean lining. There is also a write-on name tag inside. Other animal characters in the best-selling backpack range include Dino, Flamingo, Fox, Monkey, Narwhal, Shark and Unicorn. The recommended price is £20.

EVERY MOMENT, EVERY DAY, EVERY INDIVIDUAL COUNTS

ST GEORGE’S CHURCH OF ENGLAND FOUNDATION SCHOOL

Telephone: 01843 609000 / 861696 Email: admin@st-georgescofe-thanet.kent.sch.uk Website: www.stgeorges-school.org.uk Primary School Site Address: Hope Way, Westwood Road, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 2FR Secondary School Site Address: Westwood Road, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 2LH