A Fantastic Medway Space Spectacular at Rainham School for Girls

Along with my colleague the Member of Parliament for Gillingham and Rainham Rehman Chishti we popped in to Rainham School for Girls this evening to enjoy the fantastic Medway Space Spectacular.

The event was run in conjunction with the Mid-Kent Astronomical Society (MKAS) 

The mission of MKAS is to make Astronomy and related sciences accessible to everyone, its aims are to promote and educate astronomy to the public and its members.

They certainly did that this evening with some great displays, and activities that were being enjoyed by members of the public both young and old. At one of the exciting stalls I was able to handle a piece of the moon , which proves that the moon is definitely not made of cheese!

We were able to use and handle some fantastic telescopic hardware by courtesy of f1telescopes.com from Sittingbourne.

The top photograph shows us with the Chairman of MKAS Ian Hargreaves, the Deputy Head of School  of RSG Mrs Hilary Burkett, and two colleagues who were supporting the Medway Japan Society Cllr Jane Etheridge and Sue Haydock.

Medway Space Spectacular at Rainham School for Girls tonight

Rainham School for Girls are hosting a Stargazing event on Saturday 28th March from 4pm – 9pm.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Celebrating an OUTSTANDING Ofsted at The Rowans in Chatham

Together with my colleague Councillor Kelly Tolhurst we visited The Rowans today to congratulate them on their recent OUTSTANDING Ofsted.

Greeted by the Head Teacher Caron Johnson we were given a tour of the School and had the opportunity of talking to both pupils and staff.

There are 52 pupils at the School all that we met with today were obviously learning and happy in their environment.

Congratulations to the Head Teacher and all of the Staff on this Outstanding achievement.

Photograph above shows us with the Head Teacher.

A Fantastic Celebration of Pupils’ Challengers Troop Success at Meadowfield School

I joined with the Swale Link Deputy Lieutenant of Kent Rosemary Dymond, the Mayor and Mayoress of Medway Cllr Barry Kemp and Mrs Joyce Kemp and  The Mayor and Mayoress of Swale Cllr George Bobbin and Mrs Brenda Bobbin at the Celebration Presentations of the latest graduates from the Challenger Troop last night.

(Photograph above includes pupils from Robert Napier in Gillingham)

I was given the honour of presenting the Bronze and Silver Merit Award Certificates to the successful pupils.

Participants from the following schools were in attendance

– Robert Napier
– Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey both East and West
– Holmesdale Technology College
– ISP Inspired Foster Care
– The Malling School
– Meadowfields School

Readers of my blog will know that I visited the students some six weeks ago and the transformation in them was quite remarkable and positive.

The celebrations were held at Meadowfield School in Sittingbourne and the School Hall was absolutely packed out with proud family members.

Congratulations to all concerned, the volunteers from the schools, the staff of the Challenger Troop and most importantly the pupils themselves.

You were all a credit to Kent and Medway.

I am pictured below with one of the new volunteer helpers Mark Wood and the Deputy Lieutenant Rosemary Dymond.

Celebrating a GOOD Ofsted with Temple Mill Surestart Children’s Centre in Strood

Together with my colleague Councillor Kelly Tolhurst we visited the Temple Mill Surestart Children’s Centre in Strood this afternoon to celebrate with the fantastic GOOD Ofsted that they received this week.

Following a rigorous inspection over three days by a team of inspectors, the Centre was graded as GOOD.

The children’s centre, which opened in 2008, works with families from across a large area of Strood North and Strood Rural wards, both from it’s base at Temple Mill Primary School and through a number of local satellite services in the community. It supports families from conception until starting school, encompassing almost 1500 children. The Centre is led by Andy Wilson, a local authority early years adviser who has been deployed as the Interim Head of Centre, and by Debbie Allcorn the Centre Manager.

The team provide Outreach services at Cliffe Memorial Hall, Wainscott Memorial Hall, Cliffe Woods Primary School, Chattenden and Hoo.

With some 1500 users of the service the team can be justifiably proud of their fantastic achievement.

Kelly and I are photographed with Debbie and the team proudly showing their GOOD Ofsted.

Well done to you all!

Another Fantastic First for Rainham School for Girls

Another First for Rainham School for Girls today when I was privileged to be invited to attend the launch of the Year 11 Business Club Junior Chamber.

Along with local Businesses the pupils networked with local Employers .

On hand were pupils from Year 10 who will be taking over the Junior Chapter next year in Year 11.

The girls’ had done all of the research and invitations themselves and the Academy had helped with funding.

The pupils gave a fantastic presentation to the local Businesses attending and provided a super lunch as well.

This Junior Chamber, run in conjunction with the North Kent Chamber of Commerce in the shape of Richard Lavender is the first one in Medway and is designed to prepare pupils for life after school.

I met many aspiring Accountants, Bankers and Media Producers.

Congratulations to Richard Lavender and to Mrs N Barton for this fantastic initiative and of course the local Businesses who attended the launch.

Rainham School for Girls were also the first School in the Country to set up a Schools and Community Together (SACT).

I am pictured above and below with groups of pupils.

Copyright of the top one remains with Rainham School for Girls ( Mrs K Moon)

A Fantastic morning at the Kent Connects Choices4U at the Kent Showground

A fantastic morning at the Kent Showground for the  Kent Connects Choices 4U Exhibition.

Exhibitors from all across Kent and Medway  had stands exploring Job opportunities, Apprenticeships and Further Education.

Schools from Kent and Medway were invited and it was great to see contingents from the Will Adams PRU, Walderslade Girls’ School and Rainham School for Girls who attended amongst many others.

It was great to see both Medway University Technical College with Principal Dr Karon Buck there:

Also there were a team from our great Mid Kent College

And at the fantastic University of Creative Arts based here in Medway

I joined Graham Clewes Chief Excecutive of the Medway Youth Trust, The Chairman of KCC and other dignitaries on a tour of the exhibition where we were able to talk to both exhibitors and pupils.

Medway and Kent County Council have both joined forces on this venture and I look forward to encouraging even more schools to attend next year.

A fantastic way of preparing the young people of Kent and Medway for future careers and employment.

My congratulations to all concerned!

A Great time with the St Margaret’s Infant School School Council

I had a fantastic meeting with the School Council at St Margaret’s Infant School with whom I am pictured above.

I used to be a Governor at this school so it was a particular pleasure to be invited by the Head Teacher Mrs Paula Fewtrell.

The following is taken from the School website.

We are a three form infant school with an attached nursery. The school aims are the foundation of our work and all our activities support these aims.

Our overall aim is to:

Work together for excellence by providing the highest standard of education

We value:

the individual
the whole child
a happy, caring and stimulating environment
equality of opportunity
parental partnership in the child’s learning experiences

The pupils asked some engaging questions concerning local matters and Council affairs.

Thank you to all of you for a fantastic afternoon.

Golden girl Charlotte launches new outdoor gym

Medway Matters

It is a gym with a spectacular view, has no joining fee and is completely free to use whenever you want.

And Paralympic gold medallist Charlotte Evans launched Medway Council’s new outdoor gym at Rochester Riverside giving it her seal of approval.

With a great view across the River Medway, the gym has eleven pieces of equipment, including a cross trainer, hand bike, spinning bike, chest and leg presses and a treadmill.

It has been set up as part of the exciting Rochester Riverside plans where it is hoped building of new waterfront homes, cafes and bars could start in 2016.

The gym was developed by The Great Outdoor Gym Company and will eventually form part of a public park.

At present dog walkers, joggers, roller skaters and walkers all use the Riverside walk and it is hoped that more people will be encouraged to use the space now the gym is there.

Medway-born Charlotte, who picked up a gold medal along with partner Kelly Gallagher at Sochi last year, was also nominated for Sports Personality of the Year.

She said: “I think it’s essential people have the opportunity to exercise when they can and this new outdoor gym has some fantastic equipment which covers a wide range of training.

“Not only can you pop along and get exercise whenever you want but it’s totally free and in the great outdoors with a lovely view. I can’t wait to use it myself.”

For more information on Medway Council’s flagship Rochester Riverside regeneration plans visit medway.gov.uk and search for ‘Rochester Riverside’.

Top photograph shows me with Charlotte when she visited St James’s Palace with our Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award winners last year.

A warm welcome at the Rochester Grammar School

In the company of the Medway link Deputy Lieutenant of Kent Russell Race JP we visited Rochester Grammar School to present them with their copy of the History of the Lord Lieutenant’s Book “Unconquered”.

We are pictured above with members of the Academy Council.

After a warm welcome from the Principal Mr. G. Bassan BA (Hons) NPQH we met with the Academy Council and after a brief introduction from me , Russell gave a presentation on the history of the Lieutenancy before signing and presenting the book to the Academy.

 

We also answered interesting questions from the students, all of whom had thoroughly researched the Lieutenancy.

Our grateful thanks to the Principal and all at The Rochester Grammar School for such a warm welcome.

Copyright of the photographs belongs to The Rochester Grammar School.