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RAPS IN THE NEWS

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  • Breathing Life into Greek History at RAPS

    Published 21/02/23

    The wonders of Ancient Greece unfolded as children experienced an inspirational day celebrating the civilisation’s history, heritage and culture.

    A special themed event to complement their learning in topic lessons saw the Year 5 group dress up as their favourite god, character from a Greek myth or in traditional Greek clothing.

    A busy programme of activities began with trying to solve the puzzle of putting a smashed Greek vase back together again before creating the iconic wreaths to wear on their heads.

    Pupil Lloyd explained more about the headwear. He said: “In Ancient Greek times, the winners of Olympic events were given wreaths instead of medals. We all thought they looked great.”

    Next up was taste-testing Greek foods and pupils tucked into a range of treats including olives, feta cheese, pitta bread, tzatziki, taramasalata and humus.

    In an Ancient Greek drama workshop children became Olympians preparing for their events, with the competitors discussing a variety of sports that would be contested.

    They also ventured to a Greek marketplace or ‘agora’ where they became buyers and sellers, haggling and discussing a variety of goods, as well assuming the roles of Hoplite soldiers.

    To complete the drama sessions the group delved into folklore and created freeze-frame cameos of well-known legends from Ancient Greece.

    The final activity was learning the Ancient Greek alphabet and learning how to write the names of the gods and goddesses.

    Assistant Head teacher Hannah Dannell said: “The day was a great success and we always strive to provide the children with an enriching curriculum that excites them about their learning. “

    Head of School Nick Budge agreed and added: “This was an important topic that offers a wealth of information and knowledge - our Year 5 were really engaged with such a strong and memorable creative learning experience.”

    Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School and Chilton Primary School.

    *For more information, contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847

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  • Snakes Alive – Mini Beasts Teach Us A Lesson!

    Published 21/02/23

    Exploring the differences and similarities between humans and other animals is a big exciting adventure for children as young as four and five years old.

    To help them on their voyage of discovery Reception classes at Ramsgate Arts Primary School met a whole range of creatures when Jaws and Claws visited.

    With the help of Ranger Phil the children came face to face with a range of magnificent mini beasts including giant cockroaches, amphibians, reptiles and snails, and they were able to touch, stroke and feel many of them.

    They learnt about the animals’ similarities and differences to humans, their habitat, their favourite foods, and their special features.

    RAPS Early Year's teacher Sally Small said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our children, and they learned a range of key facts about the creatures and how they differ to humans.

    “As part of our All Things Great and Small topic work we have been learning about mini beasts, and we discussed whether the creatures we met were mini beasts or not and why.

    “We loved getting up close to them and some of us were brave enough to touch them (or even wear them on our head!)

    “It was a great experience to encounter living things so closely, and we could use our learning to compare the different animals and their characteristics.”

    Head of School Nick Budge added: “It was fantastic to see so many of them pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones when facing some of the creatures - they came away with a wealth of knowledge and interesting facts as a result of the sessions.

    “Young children gain so much insight into what they are learning with educational workshops that bring to life what they are discovering in the classroom.”

    Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School and Chilton Primary School.

    For more information contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847.

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  • RAPS Young Explorers - From Prehistoric Man to Kent’s Bronze Age Boat

    Published 21/02/23

    Creating cave paintings, writing instructions on how to make bronze and making round houses out of clay are among activities that have taken Year 3 children at Ramsgate Arts Primary back millions of years to the dawn of human civilisation.

    As part of their history topic 'Stone to Iron' the year group has explored the important historical and social developments that spanned millennia from the Stone Age, through the Bronze Age and Iron Age leading up to the Roman invasion of Britain.

    They heard how archaeologists believe they may have uncovered the first evidence of Julius Caesar's invasion of Britain in 54BC. The discovery of a defensive ditch and weapons led them to identify Pegwell Bay in Thanet as the place they believe the Romans landed

    Activities have also included writing newspaper articles about Otzi the Iceman, the natural mummy of a man who lived between 3350 and 3105 BC. Otzi was discovered in September 1991 in the Otztal Alps (hence the nickname Otzi) at the border between Austria and Italy.

    Pupils have also found out Skara Brae in the Orkneys, one of Britain's most fascinating prehistoric villages that was built and occupied between 3000BCE and 2500BCE, during what's called the Neolithic era or New Stone Age.

    They have also been engaged in creating adverts publicising the monoliths at Stonehenge and writing diary entries by children from the Mesolithic era.

    A fact-finding outing was made to Dover Museum to see the historic find of a Bronze Age boat that was unearthed in 1992 by construction workers building the A20 road link between Folkestone and Dover.

    Teachers Kiki Amin and Alice Mann said: “To enrich their learning experience, we took Year 3 to Dover Museum to see the Bronze Age boat in particular, but also to take part in two workshops.

    “One workshop saw the children channelling their creativity into making their own clay boats with museum creative Hannah which they can keep; the other was an interactive artefact investigation workshop led by Diana from the museum where they could explore various artefacts/replicas. This included handling tools that were many thousands of years old which amazed our pupils.

    “It was particularly rewarding for the Year 3 team to see how much knowledge, confidence and excitement the children demonstrated in each session when asking and answering questions and handling prehistoric artefacts.

    “They have absolutely loved this topic work, especially with its links to Caesar and our coastline, and because of the 'mysterious' origins and discoveries linked to Skara Brae, Otzi the Iceman and the druids.”

    Staff also praised the Southeastern rail staff at both Ramsgate and Dover Priory Stations. They added: “Big thanks go to them all, especially Warren who supported us with our return back to school amidst possible disruption. He was incredible and we were very grateful for his advice. “

    Ramsgate Arts Primary is a member of the Viking Academy Trust together with Upton Junior School, Broadstairs, and Chilton Primary.

    For more information contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847.

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  • RAPS – Helping Keep Children Safe Online

    Published 10/02/23

    A kinder and safer Internet experience is what children at Ramsgate Arts Primary School want to see developed.

    The youngsters explored a series of learning and discussion activities as part of the nationwide annual Safer Internet Day.

    All pupils from Reception to Year 6 took part in the whole-school event that focused on giving children a voice about how they want the Internet to be safer for them to use.

    Coordinated in this country by the UK Safer Internet Centre, the special day on February 7 saw thousands of organisations involved to promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people.

    RAPS response to the national event was co-ordinated by teacher Nancy Okai who is the school’s Computing Lead.

    She said: “It was an important opportunity to hear from our pupils about the things they enjoy doing online, as well as the improvements they would like to see to enable the space to feel kinder, more protected and inclusive."

    It reinforces RAPS existing stringent safeguards that include a charter for safe Internet use drawn up by children that is a simple and effective set of guidelines when using smartphones, tablets and computers to link into the World Wide Web.

    Head of School Nick Budge said: “Children’s safety is a priority and we continually build upon the secure practices and messages we have in place, particularly when it involves internet safety.

    “Technology plays a significant role in their young lives and it is vital they know how to act safely when using it, including how to identify and report a concern.”

    In recent years the school has contacted families appealing to them to support its stance on unrestricted use and to make sure that children do not go online to any site that is not age appropriate.

    RAPS regularly reminds parents and carers that social media is not advised for children below age 13, and age restrictions apply to social media accounts for good reason. 

    They are asked to reflect on the access their children have to social media and consider carefully monitoring the use of mobile phones, tablets and computers

    Mr Budge added: “There are very real concerns nationwide about the use of social media by under age children and the threat it can pose – for example, contact with strangers, social conflict, hacking of personal information and data, exposure to inappropriate content, and significant emotional risk.

    Further information about keeping children safe online is available via the school’s website and concerned families are invited into school for a chat about specific issues they face.

    * Safer Internet Day: Over the years, Safer Internet Day has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar. Starting as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 and taken up by the Insafe network as one of its earliest actions in 2005, Safer Internet Day has grown beyond its traditional geographic zone and is now celebrated in approximately 180 countries and territories worldwide.

    From cyberbullying to social networking to digital identity, each year Safer Internet Day aims to raise awareness of emerging online issues and current concerns. Find out more online from www.saferinternetday.org.

    Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School at Broadstairs and Chilton Primary School, Ramsgate.

    •For more information contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847.

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  • Breakfast Boost for Children

    Published 20/01/23

    Children at Ramsgate Arts primary and Chilton primary schools are enjoying a bigger breakfast to get the day off to an energised and healthy start.

    Tasty bagels and a wider range of cereals are now provided daily as part of the National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) which is funded by the Department for Education and delivered by Family Action.

    The initiative, which was launched by both schools just after the start of this term, aims to support schools in England to provide children with a healthy breakfast at the start of the school day.

    The food is available from 8.15am and the cost is heavily subsidised by the DfE at both schools who are both members of the Viking Academy Trust.

    Trust Executive Head Teacher Michaela Lewis said: “We ensure our pupils have a healthy and nutritious breakfast each morning to help them start their day in the right way. The additions from this new initiative supports our efforts and enhances that provision which is a great benefit.

    “Our meal provisions across the board tie in naturally with our general wellbeing programme for all our children that gives them every possible support to make their school days as positive, healthy and happy as possible.”

    Reaction to the tasty additions has been favourable. Mrs Lewis added: “Our new-look breakfasts are already proving popular at both schools with children and families.”

    The Department for Education states: “It is important for pupils to start the day with a nutritious breakfast. Evidence shows that providing a healthy school breakfast at the start of the school day can contribute to improved readiness to learn, increased concentration, and improved wellbeing and behaviour.

    “All participating schools will receive a 75% subsidy for the food and delivery costs of breakfast club provision until the end of July 2024. Schools will contribute 25% of costs. All pupils in participating schools are to be offered breakfast supplies at no cost to them or their parents.”

    Schools in disadvantaged areas are eligible for the programme if they have 50% or more pupils in bands A-F of the income deprivation affecting children index (IDACI). This includes state-funded primary, secondary, special schools and alternative provision.”

    The contract for the programme is delivered through Family Action, who source and deliver breakfast food products to participating schools. All breakfast products offered through the programme meet the school food standards. Schools are able to choose and order the food products and quantities they need for their pupils.

    The new menu is in addition to the Trust’s existing popular breakfast clubs.

    For more information about the initiative go online www.family-action.org.uk/what-we-do/children-families/breakfast/.

     

    *Contact Viking Academy Trust Executive Head Teacher Michaela Lewis on 01843 582847

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  • Under Sea Art Adventure for RAPS Artists

    Published 20/01/23

    Acclaimed artist Lily Mixe has teamed up with children at Ramsgate Arts Primary to create collaborative and inspirational work.

    During the workshops, they put together an illustration piece based on Lily’s intricate drawing techniques celebrating marine life.

    Pupils studied natural forms under a microscope and drew these in pencil and pen focusing on texture and form. The drawings were then transferred to an old table-top that was produced as the final piece, demonstrating the contrast between the drawings and the background.

    Children then took part in a camouflage workshop, painting a natural form and tried to blend this into their background.

    Art Teacher Kelly-Ann Smith said: “The children produced some outstanding work and Lily was very impressed with the standard and how engaged and interested the children were about the natural forms and her style of artwork.” 

    Originally from Paris, Lily now lives in Margate and focusses her art work on the unknown world of under the sea. She has recently had a solo exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London as well as creating one of the murals for the recent Rise Up residency in Margate that examines the plight of sea life in the face of marine pollution.

    Inspired by numerous diving expeditions, and hundreds of notebooks and studies of animals and plants, Lily states that her work “examines life under the surface, the incredible unseen, silent beings we take for granted. I want to give a visual voice to the natural world. I want to celebrate nature in the same way we value precious stones and rare artefacts. I place nature as the highest currency on planet earth.”

    Ramsgate Arts Primary is a member of the Viking Academy trust together with Upton Junior School in Broadstairs and Chilton Primary in Ramsgate.

    *For more information contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847

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  • Going Wild for Stone Age Learning Fun

    Published 17/01/23

    Young warriors have gone wild about their learning at Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

    The Year 3 group turned back time as they became fierce cave dwellers for the day for a lively start to their exploration of the Stone Age.

    Dressed in animal skins and brandishing clubs, they delved into history to find out amazing facts about the daily lives of their prehistoric ancestors.

    Among a range of activities they learnt about flint-knapping and how and how Stone Age people used this process to sharpen flint and create tools and weapons. To understand how the process worked and how tricky it was they tried their hand at knapping using bars of soap – it wasn’t easy.

    They also learned about one of the world’s greatest monuments – the Neolithic majesty of Stonehenge. They discovered what it looks like, its location and about its possible uses during the Stone Age.

    Then pupils were challenged to build it with their ‘talk partners’ using biscuits for the block work and icing to glue their structures together.

    The Stone Age day was completed with the team’s Art To Start initiative with parents and carers joining in to create cave paintings, featuring images of themselves. The completed works now adorn classroom walls.

    Year 3 teachers Kiki Amin and Alice Mann said: “What a lively way to begin our Stone Age topic. The children looked terrific in their outfits and were immediately enthusiastically engaged in learning different aspects of the subject.”

    Head of School Nick Budge agreed. He added: “So much effort went into creating the right platform to launch this topic – the children’s costumes looked great and our staff also dressed the part too. The range of activities were fascinating and were a perfect lead in for what will be a memorable learning adventure.”

    Stone Age fact file: The Stone Age was a broad prehistoric period during which stone was widely used to make tools with an edge, a point, or a percussion surface. The period lasted for roughly 3.4 million years, and ended between 4,000 BC and 3,000 BC.

    Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust together with Upton Junior School, Broadstairs, and Chilton Primary School, Ramsgate.

    For more information contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847.

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  • RAPS Children See The Light

    Published 14/12/22

    The magical northern lights natural phenomenon lit the way for an inspiring exploration of light at Ramsgate Arts Primary.

    The Year 3 children created their own artwork inspired by the aurora borealis, the beautiful dancing waves of light that have captivated people for millennia.

    Their educational journey then led pupils to find out about the varying types of natural and artificial sources of light and the type of light rays produced by the sun including ultraviolet.

    They have also used torches to investigate which materials reflect light best and discovered how to reflect light using a mirror, as well as learning about what shadows are and how they are cast.

    Year group teachers Kiki Amin and Alice Mann said: “Year 3 particularly loved learning about bioluminescence and seeing pictures of the many creatures and plants that can produce their own light.

    “And they also tried their hand at learning in the dark without light which was very exciting for them.”

    Head of School Nick Budge added: “This is a fascinating topic – most of us live with light in our lives every day, whether it is natural or artificial. Year 3 have explored how we use light and how we react to it – including the importance of shading our bodies and eyes from the sun’s light when it is most powerful and hot. It has been a rewarding journey for them and has broadened their knowledge of an everyday occurrence that we all take for granted.”

    The aurora are atoms and molecules in our atmosphere colliding with particles from the Sun. The aurora's characteristic wavy patterns and multi-coloured 'curtains' of light are caused by the lines of force in the Earth’s magnetic field.

    Ramsgate Arts Primary is a member of the Viking Academy Trust together with Chilton primary School and Upton Junior School.

     

    For more information contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847

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  • A Happy and Elfy Christmas at RAPS

    Published 13/12/22

    Christmas celebrations got off to a happy and Elfy start for children at Ramsgate Arts Primary.

    A special visit to the popular production of Elf the Musical at the Hall by the Sea in Dreamland, Margate, by Regency Productions kicked off the festive fun in a big way.

    The energetic show got the RAPS revellers in fine form for a busy programme of activities and celebration.

    Elf follows the story of Buddy, who goes on a journey to New York trying to find his birth father, causing mischief along the way. Through hit songs and festive routines, the audience is invited to help Buddy and his gang of elves as he tries to save Christmas, by singing loud for all to hear.

    Continuing the music theme, the whole school community and parents gathered for a rousing carol concert that involved lively performances of a range of much-loved music and song.

    This included performances of Calypso Carol by Year 3, Once In Royal David’s City by Year 4, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Year 5 and 6, Marshmallow World and White Winter Hymnal by the RAPS Choir. Families and children joined together to sing Silent Night, Away In A Manger, and O Come All Ye Faithful.

    The RAPS tradition of a giant Christmas tree once again took centre stage, while pupils helped dress it with an array of colourful and sparkly decorations.

    In the main hall children showed their artistic skills by creating festive wreaths. Art teacher Kelly-Ann Smith said: “More than a hundred children and parents joined in our workshop. Families created rag wreaths from various donated soft fabrics and Christmas decorations.

    “There were some beautiful wreaths created and they are now hanging in the main school reception before our pupils take them to display in their own homes at the end of term.”

    Each year group enjoyed Christmas parties and also put on their own festive-style productions in the main hall. A tasty festive lunch was served up for the whole school to enjoy, while a Christmas jumper day saw pupils wearing an array of woolly winter warmers emblazoned with festive designs to school.

    Head of School Nick Budge said: “The visit to see Elf was a great start to our end of term activities and festivities. It was a cracking performance and really got our busy programme under way in style.

    “I was pleased to see our whole community and families gather for our big Christmas carol concert. In recent years it has been difficult to fully hold this particular celebration due to pandemic restrictions but this year we were able to hold a really memorable event that took place outdoors for the first time.

    “We have enjoyed a busy and successful year at RAPS and we wish all of our children, families and friends a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.”

    Ramsgate Arts Primary is a member of the Viking Academy Trust together with Upton Junior School in Broadstairs and Chilton Primary School in Ramsgate.

    For more information contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847.

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  • On Track With Rail Safety

    Published 01/12/22

    Children from Ramsgate Arts Primary are on the right track when it comes to learning about railway safety.

    Pupils from Year 5 took part in a series of workshops, fun learning and interactive activities on a visit to Margate Railway Station.

    The message they learned was straightforward and simple – be safe and be vigilant at all times near the railway.

    The first workshop took place in a purpose-built studio that used real tracks in a safe environment to educate the children about the dangers surrounding the railways, including the risks of trespassing.

    They also watched an informative video which included some scary near-misses of people not being safe.

    Interactive learning included being asked rail safety questions in which pupils had to run and quickly touch the correct answer on a display.

    They also learnt about the different tools used for fixing the lines and were able to try and lift them to see just how heavy they are.

    Assistant Head of School Hannah Dannell said: “We also walked around the station, learning how to buy a ticket, find out information and to stay behind the yellow safety line markers.

    “However, perhaps the best part was when a train was approaching and we got the driver to honk the horn for us.

    “The whole trip was really beneficial and the children learnt a great deal. The staff were brilliant and the workshops were engaging.

    “It is really important for our pupils to learn about rail safety especially as they get older, and become more independent.

    “It is a great educational resource that Network Rail and Southeastern are offering through these workshops that help prevent trespassing and keep children safe.” 

    Ramsgate Arts Primary School is a member of the Viking Academy Trust together with Upton Junior School, Broadstairs, and Chilton Primary School, Ramsgate.

    For more information contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847.

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  • RAPS Big Draw Celebrates Sea Life

    Published 16/11/22

    Children and families at Ramsgate Arts Primary have worked together to create a giant mural that celebrates sea life and the shoreline.

    The project was part of the Big Draw, a pioneering visual literacy charity that is dedicated to raising the profile of drawing as a tool for wellbeing, thought, creativity, social and cultural engagement.

    The theme for this year’s event is Come Back to Colour and art teacher Kelly-Ann Smith found inspiration for the RAPS work in and around Margate.

    She decided to celebrate the recent Rise Up Residency programme that created beautiful and thought-provoking murals around the town that depict issues around ocean biodiversity and plastic hazards.

    She said: “Our children and families came together to create a large-scale drawing based on sea flowers and marine life.  They then had the opportunity to use a variety of bold, bright colours to create a large scale art piece.

    “My aim for this event was to not only bring children and their families together creating art work but to also educate families on the issue of colour bleaching and the importance of looking after our seas and sea life. As a community, we are literally bringing sea animals and plants ‘Back To Colour’.

    “This was a wonderful opportunity for children to create a magnificent, collaborative art piece together as well as having relevant conversations about the purpose of the art work and why we were creating it.”

    Head of School Nick Budge described the Big Draw project as “an important event for our school community.” He added: “There was a lot of support from our families and it was great to see them working together. The mural is colourful, bright and bold and we hope to put it on display in the school to celebrate the success of our Big Draw initiative.”

    Ramsgate Arts Primary is part of the Viking Academy Trust with its partner schools Chilton Primary in Ramsgate and Upton Juniors in Broadstairs.

     

    Contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847

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  • The Art of Communication

    Published 14/11/22

    The work of acclaimed street artist Banksy and conceptual artist Barbara Kruger are inspiring creative children at Ramsgate Arts Primary.

    Girls and boys have studied the way the pair use their style to convey messages and are devising ways to make their own important statements have a visual impact.

    As part of their studies, pupils took part in the first in-school competition of this academic year to design images to convey issues they feel strongly about.

    Art teacher Kelly-Ann Smith explained: “There was a very high standard of work from students relating to a whole range of themes including littering, looking after our planet and animal cruelty.  

    “The two winners' work included an entry from Polly for Key Stage 1 who produced a fantastically illustrated drawing based on the theme of being kind and including everyone.

    “Bea in Key Stage 2 produced a photography piece that conveys the message that we need to act to resolve global issues.”

    Both pupils received art prizes, a certificate and house points.

    Head of School Nick Budge was impressed at the diversity of entries for the competition. He said: “Using two prominent and focussed artists as a basis for their work certainly encouraged our children to produce a raft of thought-provoking images.

    “Each term we focus on a particular artist to give our pupils of all ages the opportunity to experience the sheer diversity of work produced by the prominent and not so well-known artists of all styles and disciplines.

    “The next termly competition has a festive theme that will no doubt provide colourful artwork to complement our festive displays around the school.”

    Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust in partnership with Chilton Primary School and Upton Junior School.

    For more information contact head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847.

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