Memorable moment “They even made the paddles, and it was a wonderful moment when they launched them on the water.” Schools news A school with a difference Ian Mikardo High School’s focused programme of education and intervention supports young people who have complex social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. jonathan carver, below Students build and float their own boats BY JESSICA ODUBAYO STUDENTS from a Bow school have been messing about in boats – which they built themselves. The 11 youngsters from Ian Mikardo School spent a day on a Hackney reservoir following a 15-week project that started in the school’s woodwork room with scale models. They put in hours of dedicated work, and the result was three brightly painted Mouse boats, following the design of the boat builder Gavin Atkin. Woodwork instructor Jake Hally-Milne said: “Completing the project by building boats they could use on the water was a massive achievement. “There were days when they found it hard to visualise getting on to the reservoir, and it’s to their great credit that they succeeded – and showed how skilful they are in getting boats to move around.” Jonathan Carver, the school’s boat building instructor, said: “Each boat uses one and a half sheets of plywood and is straightforward to make, and if you make something that’s practical, that’s a great way to boost self-esteem. “They even made the paddles, and it was a wonderful moment when they launched them on the water.” The students each had their own strengths on the water – while Harry “was a natural” in getting the boat to move around, Connor was seen to have an instinct for feeling the wind and using it to manoeuvre. Mr Carver added: “They showed what they can achieve when they concentrate and they got the reward they deserve in a fun day out.” Instructors gave each of the pupils a ride in one of the quickresponse rescue boats. Braden, who ended up jumping into the icy water, said: “The speed boats were the best fun. That was one of the best days of my life.” YOUTUBE star Humza Arshad, better known for his comedy sketches Diary of a Badman, visited Sir John Cass’ Foundation and Red Coat School in Stepney. The visit was part of a tour to promote a new video urging youngsters to avoid extremist Islamic views. Humza has teamed up with counter-terrorism police to create the video – Think for Yourself – which addresses some of the issues affecting young British Muslims. The comedian surprised students, appearing midway through the school assembly to talk about the film. One student said: “The video helps us understand the dangers of radicalisation and by someone who can relate to us.” Nadiyah Patel, marketing co-ordinator at the school, said the latest video made students laugh and got them thinking about how they can help prevent extremism among their peers. Engineering masterclass SCIENCE and Engineering Week last month provided a chance for students at Stepney Green Maths, Computing and Science College to learn about the work of a global engineering group. On a visit to the City offices of AMEC Foster Wheeler, they were given an insight into the company’s work, including one of their oil rig construction projects in the North Sea. The 18 students are all mentored by staff at the company as part of the business mentoring programme run by Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership (THEBP). The mentors put together a Pupils recreate Great Fire MODEL houses were burned in the playground at Elizabeth Selby Infants, Bethnal Green in a re-enactment of the Great Fire of London. The event was the culmination of a term’s work in which infants in year 2 studied the fire that destroyed huge swathes of the capital in 1666. programme of activities and the boys had the chance to put their design and construction skills to the test, making structures using children’s building blocks and spaghetti. Aslam Uddin, 14, whose team won the challenge, said: “The morning opened up my eyes to different types of engineering.” Head teacher Tej Stride was chief fire officer for the day and Thomas Farriner, whose bakery in Pudding Lane was the site of the start of the fire (played by a year 2 teacher), ‘visited’ the pupils. Teacher Shahi Ahmed said the activity showed the children how easily the fire spread. YEAR 9 history students at Bishop Challoner School travelled to Belgium to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in World War I. They visited Sanctuary Wood museum, which has a reserve trench preserved from the Great War. Groups visited Tyne Cot and Langemark cemeteries and laid wreaths in honour of soldiers who lost their lives. Molly Radford, one of the students, said: “Experiencing the trench from WWI gave us an insight into the conditions soldiers had to live in.” Jennifer Bier, also a Tower Hamlets Cadet, said: “It was a privilege to wear cadet uniform whilst laying a wreath at a German cemetery so we can mark the losses on both sides.” Ms Crummay, the history teacher who organised the trip, said: “It was an absolute honour to take a group of historically curious students to such an important area.” 6 NEWS FROM TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 6 – 12 APRIL 2015
East_End_Life_06Apr2015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above