A fantastic Medway Music Association and Dynamics Summer School

Medway Music Association ran their annual Music Summer School at St Margaret’s Junior School last week and I was privileged to attend to see some 100 young people from Medway Schools practicing over four days for a concert for their families and friends on the last day.

Also visiting was the Mayor and Mayoress of Medway Councillor Barry Kemp and Mrs Joyce Kemp.

It is wonderful to see the talent that exists for music, be it pop or classical, in our young people.

I was given the honour of conducting the orchestra and am pictured above under the watchful eye of the Mayor.

Below shows the new Medway Youth Orchestra preparing for their concert.

The Mayor also showed his professional prowess with the baton!

Wow, what a wonderful week!

Another wonderfully busy week so here is a digest to bring my blog up to date :

Monday

It was a visit to Fairview Community Primary School (above and below) with my colleague Ward Councillor Rodney Chambers to congratulate the Staff, Governors and Pupils on a GOOD Ofsted report.

In the afternoon it was back to Gun Wharf or the regular meeting of the Medway Children’s Action Network (MedwayCAN

Tuesday

On Tuesday morning it was off to The Rowans to join them for their Summer Fun Day.

It was a wonderful opportunity to meet Staff, Pupils and Parents.

I was also given the opportunity of trying my luck on the coconut shy and although I managed to hit one of the coconuts it remained firmly wedged in its holder !

I was also presented with some super paintings from the students and they now have pride of place in my office.

 

In the afternoon I enjoyed a visit to the Gordon School in Strood to meet the new Head Teacher Jenny McGuigan and Assistant Head’s, I also had the pleasure of meeting a group of positive and supportive parents and was able to join them for a cup of tea.

 

Wednesday

On Wednesday I had the honour of attending and addressing the Year 6 Leavers Assembly at Hempsted Junior School, it was wonderful to see such confident young people all looking forward to both their summer break and of course going off to their new Secondary Schools.

 

In the afternoon I visited Allhallows Primary Academy to congratulate the Staff, Governors and Pupils on their excellent recent GOOD Ofsted.

Pictured below with the Head Teacher Mrs Linda Stubbing, Chair of Governors Graham Cottle and the Principal of the Hundred of Hoo Academy Gary Vyce.

Thursday.

After a day of meetings at Gun Wharf I visited the Delce Academy in the evening for their Year 6 Leavers Assembly.

It was a pleasure to meet the brilliant “Can do” Head Karen White , fantastic staff and supportive parents, something that I have experienced at many Medway Schools this week.

Once again , a super evening and it was great to catch up with that other “Can do” Principal Kim Johnson of the Bradfields Academy.

Friday

I visited the residents of Longford Court in Rainham this morning and was able to observe their regular tenants meeting. I must also thank Lizzie Massey and the  Medway Messenger for their excellent coverage of our recent Medway Schools GOOD Ofsteds.

Later this afternoon I hope to join thousands of other local people taking part in the Annual Medway Mile (weather permitting) so hopefully I will see you there.

Tomorrow is the Summer Fun Day at Woodlands Youth Club so a great Saturday ahead as well.

To all our Teaching Staff , Governors, Pupils and Students,  not long to go now until we receive the GCSE and A Level results, have a super summer break.

 

Medway School walkers clock up the miles

More from Medway Matters

As part of ‘International Walk to School Month’ 19 Medway schools took part in the Hedgehog Hike and Social Netwalk Challenges.

The results are now in and the schools triumphed with impressive efforts and increased the level students walking.

The challenge saw school communities to come together and complete as many walks or cycle trips as possible.

This information was collected on a daily basis by each class. At the end of the month, schools calculated their overall average percentage of pupils walking to school each day.

Burnt Oak Primary School, Gillingham championed in first place with 92% of pupils walking during October 2014 and were declared the winners the Hedgehog Hike 2014.

English Martyrs RC Primary School, Frindsbury received a special commendation for most improved school when they saw 56% of pupils walking over the duration, an 19.9% increase compared to a previous walk to school result.

Greenacre Academy, Chatham achieved 76% of students walking on their school journey and achieving the highest percentage within the secondary school Social Netwalk challenge.

The full table of results is:

	School name	Primary or secondary school	Percentage of total pupils that walked
1	Burnt Oak Primary	Primary	92%
2	St James CE Primary	Primary	82%
3	Oaklands Federation	Primary	81%
4	Walderslade Primary	Primary	80%
5	All Saints CE Primary	Primary	77%
6	Greenacre Academy	Secondary	76%
7	Bishop of Rochester Academy	Secondary	74%
8	St Mary’s RC Primary	Primary	71%
9	Napier Primary	Primary	71%
10	Bligh Infants	Primary	69%
11	Greenvale Infants	Primary	69%
12	St Nicholas CE Infants	Primary	68%
13	Maundene	Primary	67%
14	Balfour Infants	Primary	63%
15	English Martyrs RCP	Primary	56%
16	Wainscott Primary	Primary	55%
17	Hempstead Infants	Primary	53%
18	St Augustine of Canterbury	Primary	42%
19	St William Perth RCP	Primary	27%

 

The winning schools have each been visited by the Medway’s Principal Road Safety Officer and presented with a specaial certificate.

For further information about the Road Safety Team and services on offer please visit: www.medway.gov.uk/roadsafety  and like us on Facebook @saferjourneysinmedway or follow us on Twitter @MCRoadSafety.

 

Medway Schools receive the Platinum Pledge Award from the KM Walk to School Scheme.

Platinum Pledge schools rewarded

Photograph above shows me with Medway schools : Alex Giles [Bligh Schools, Strood] and Jane Harvey [Walderslade Primary]. Sarah Horne from Thamesview Primary in Rainham also attended the event which was held at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel in Maidstone.

Kent & Medway Schools committed to green travel schemes for three academic years are rewarded with Platinum Pledge certificates from KM Walk to School Scheme.

Seventeen schools across the county have earned Platinum Pledge certificates for their hard work in delivering and promoting the KM Walk to School schemes.

The certificates were presented during a ceremony staged at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel, Maidstone, as part of the successful annual KM Charity Team Forum.

Simon Dolby of the KM Charity Team said the presentation was an opportunity to reward the staff who make projects such as Walk On Wednesday (WOW) and Active Bug possible.

He added: “These schools have pledged to reduce school run car journeys, CO2 emissions and traffic congestion by taking part in our walk to school schemes for three academic years. They’re investing in their pupils’ health and wellbeing as well as caring for the environment and their local community.”

The schools were joined by representatives of Kent County Council and Medway Council, plus sponsors from the local business community including Leeds Castle, Mini Babybel, Specsavers, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Orbit South, Jelf Insurance Brokers and Independent Music Productions.

KM Walk to School is also supported by Ashford Borough Council, Canterbury City Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Thanet District Council, Golding Homes, Countrystyle, Chaucer Foundation, Eurostar, Southern Water and Whitefriars shopping area.

The KM Charity Forum highlighted green travel and literacy support for schools as well as funding opportunities on offer to charities such as Charity of the Year and Treasure Chest. Workshops were hosted by organisations including Jelf Insurance Brokers and the Forum’s leading sponsor Burgess Hodgson.

To keep up to date with KM Walk to School news and more, scroll down the page and sign up for monthly e-newsletter School Link (for schools) or KM Link (for families).

The full list of Platinum Pledge schools:

Maidstone: Thurnham CE Infant School and St Francis Catholic Primary School; Dartford and Gravesham: Stone St Mary’s CEP School, Riverview Junior School, Cecil Road Primary School , The Gateway Primary School and Wrotham Road Primary School; Tunbridge Wells: Benenden Primary School; Swale: Rose Street School, St Peter’s Catholic Primary School and West Minster Primary School; Ashford: Beaver Green Community Primary School; Folkestone: Christ Church Academy; Thanet: Dame Janet Primary Academy and St Joseph’s Catholic School; Medway: Bligh Infant School and Walderslade Primary School.

A great evening at the First Night of the 71st Medway Music Association Annual Festival

I have just had the privilege of a fantastic evening on the opening night of the 71st Medway Music Association Annual Festival at the Central Hall in Chatham. I am pictured above with the Director of MMA Derek Blease and the Deputy Director : Elizabeth Jenkins.

This evening was the turn of the Medway Youth Recorder Consort under Conductor : Helen MacGregor,  Accompanist : Elizabeth Fisher and Percussionist: Matt Jenkins with Ensembles from the following schools:

Featherby Junior School

Napier Community Primary School

Hempstead Junior School

English Martyrs’ Roman Catholic Primary School

Hilltop Primary School

Barnsole Primary School

St Mary’s Island Church of England Primary School

and Mierscourt Primary School

150 youngsters playing their recorders with not a note out of place!

After the interval we were treated to a melody of tunes from the Medway Schools Wind Band under Conductor: Colin Palmer.

I am looking forward to attending on Wednesday when it is the turn of the School Choirs, I am really looking forward to that!

The following information is taken from the Medway Music Association website :

Medway Music Association has worked for 70 years to provide first class music opportunities for young people in the area. Since its creation, a strong partnership with Medway Council has seen rapid development in both range and quality of the provision we offer.

MMA provides and supports a range of events and music services to Medway Schools and pupils. For example, in December each year MMA runs the Primary School Carol Service in Rochester Cathedral. In 2011 over 1200 pupils and approaching forty schools were involved. In March each year the Key Stage 1 and 2 MMA Choral and Instrumental Festivals in the Central Theatre provide musical opportunities for a further 2500 pupils.

Other activities include supporting Instrumental tuition in schools, ‘Celebration Days’ at the Brook Theatre, Non-residential Holiday Courses, a Primary Prom event and Music Ensembles such as Medway Schools Wind Band and Medway Junior Youth Orchestra. MMA also supports the provision of Medway Continuing Professional Development courses, Music Centres and the Medway Music Helpline.

Medway’s 3 Year Music Education Plan

MMA is delighted that Medway Council has won their bid to become the Medway Hub Lead Organisation. The Council will be working with an experienced group of Hub Partners and the Arts Council to enhance existing provision to meet the needs of young people in Medway.
MMA looks forward to continuing our relationship with Medway Council as a Hub Partner.

The exciting and challenging Music Hub Plan includes:
• Extending Current provision of specialist music support to KS1 staff and pupils to provide entitlement provision to those attending Primary and Infant Schools across Medway
• Raise the profile of music education and performance across Medway, improving channels of communication, avoiding duplication and maximising the impact of available resources
• Enhancing opportunities for the development of ensembles, performance and participation within schools, consortia, across and beyond Medway and National Level
• Maximising the benefit of existing partnerships and building new partnerships which meet the needs within Medway
• Continually reassessing music provision to build on the strengths and address areas for further development
• Listening to and meeting the needs of young people and families
• Building on existing Medway wide performance ensembles, such as Medway Schools’ Wind Band and the recently launched Medway Junior Youth Orchestra, to enhance progression routes, celebrate achievement, inspire young musicians and raise the profile of music education
• Supporting the provision of a range of high quality CPD
• Developing the Medway Licensed Music Teacher Scheme

 

 

 

A New Year and a New Term for our Medway Young People

My very best wishes to all Medway Young People as you return to your studies in Schools, Children Centres, Colleges and Universities tomorrow.

Hopefully you have all had a wonderful and happy break and are returning with fresh vigour to achieve your full potential in the forthcoming term.

On my part, I look forward to working with you as Pupils, Teaching and Non Teaching Staff, Governors, Officers, Cabinet and other colleagues in ensuring that every Medway Young Person has the very best start in life and that we ensure that we have the very best Education system for our young people here in Medway.

Having spent the last six months visiting all of our Medway Schools to meet with Head Teachers, Principals and Staff , I now look forward to returning over the next six months to meet with as many School Councils and pupils as possible .

My pledge is to ensure that our young people are at the centre of everything that we do, in particular, our Medway Looked After Children.

No doubt there will be challenges ahead, there always will be, but together , I am confident that we can embrace and meet those challenges

I wish you all the very best in 2014, let us all strive to make it the best year ever.

An Inspirational afternoon at The Kent Try Angle 2013 Awards.

I had the privilege of attending the  Kent Try Angle 2013 Awards Ceremony in Ashford this afternoon.

Young people from both Kent and Medway were nominated for Awards and I was really proud to see so many young people from Medway receive their Awards. The inspirational young people that we had the privilege of sharing the afternoon with, were a credit to Kent and Medway in general, and their parents, carers and families in particular.

I was privileged to present the Music Award, recognising personal achievement in the arts, In any form.

So many inspirational, brave and dedicated young people of whom we should all be proud.

It was great to meet with Members of the Medway Youth Parliament , local Medway Schools and the School Council Chairman from Bradfields School in Chatham with whom I am photographed above.

High fives for Medway’s under fives

Mike being interviewed by James Snaith of KMFM News on this story today.

News from Medway Council website

Children aged five and under in Medway are little stars when it comes to early learning.

Figures just released show that Medway children in this age group have achieved development scores above the national average in their first full school year.

As a result, Medway Council is ranked 23rd in a national league table issued by the government – out of 151 local authorities supporting schools.

Children are assessed at the end of their reception year when they are aged five or under – before they move into key stage 1.

Of the 3,319 Medway early years children, 57% of them had a ‘good’ level of development when they were assessed in the summer. This compares with a 52% national average.

To reach this level, children have to achieve early learning goals in 12 specific development areas out of 17. They include reading, writing, mathematics, physical development, and understanding the world.

Cllr Mike O’Brien, Lead Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, said: “These results are very encouraging. They show that many of Medway’s youngest children have made a great start to their education and personal development.

“The results for Medway have been steadily improving over the last 10 years.

This is due in part to initiatives like the Sure Start children’s centres that the council has opened at the heart of local communities with the health service. It’s also down to the fact that we have expanded the number of Medway schools with nurseries or early years classes to more than half.

“It’s pleasing too for schools to know that they have children making a bright start as they come into the education system at this early stage.”

A busy Wednesday visiting Medway Schools in Chatham

I had a great day visiting Medway Schools in Chatham yesterday.

First stop was the Phoenix Junior Academy in Glencoe Road Chatham. A particularly interesting visit as Glencoe Road School, as it was then, was my first school as a youngster.

After discussing matters with the Head Teacher Alyson Smith I was taken on a tour of the school, sitting in on lessons and talking with pupils and Teachers.

Here is Alyson’s message to pupils (taken from their website)

Welcome to Phoenix Junior Academy

The Phoenix Junior Academy is committed to providing an exciting education for all pupils.  We aim for children to achieve the best and be the best they can.

The school team at Phoenix will work hard to ensure that your child enjoys their time at our school and leaves Phoenix Juniors ready to start a new chapter in their lives. While attending our school your child will be encouraged to be independent, to persevere, be honest and caring, whilst feeling safe and valued. If your child works hard they will be able to achieve their very best, becoming positive and successful learners who are ready to face the world equipped with skills they can use for the rest of their life.

I place a strong emphasis on building relationships with our children, parents and their families. At Phoenix there is a dedicated team whose job it is to support children and their families so that all children can attend school and receive an education.  We operate an open door policy at Phoenix and if there is anything we can do to support your child, or you have any concerns, please come into school for a chat with myself or one of my team.

Primary school days should be the most magical, fun filled days of a young person’s life. A time to make friends, to sing, dance, laugh, run, jump, play as well as learn. I hope every child that attends our school will leave with these positive happy memories

Alyson Smith
Headteacher

Visiting Medway Schools in Rainham

A really lovely way to finish the week with visits to two more local Medway Schools .

Firstly it was off to Parkwood Infant School, here I was given a warm welcome by the Head Teacher Mrs K Dadd before touring the school and joining pupils in their lessons.

It also gave me the opportunity of meeting Teachers and Teaching Staff.

Then it was off to St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Primary School where I was greeted by the Head Teacher Mrs K Sexton , and after discussing educational matters was taken on a tour of the school.

Once again, I was able to join in with lessons, talking to Pupils, Teachers and Teaching Staff.

I look forward to revisiting the school to talk to the School Council.

My next visit is to the Howard School for Boys where I will be meeting the School Council.