7 minute read
Education News
from SE21 December 2022
by SE Magazines
Getting Good at Science
Education News from Alleyn's | www.alleyns.org.uk
Brett Goldspink, Science teacher at Alleyn’s Junior School tells us how to enjoy doing science activities at home with our children.
Parents frequently ask me how they can help their child in science at home. First, if you don’t have a background in science, stay calm! We are no longer the gatekeepers of knowledge, but (with the aid of technology) the facilitators of knowledge. If we don’t know something, that is completely fine and we can respond with, ‘how can we find out?’ Metacognition is the art of finding out, how to find things out. With the plethora of resources at our fingertips it is easy to create an enjoyable, shared learning experience for everyone. The pandemic has facilitated an explosion of websites offering resources to support science education both on and offline and they are very often free.
Hitting The Sweet Spot
Some of the most rewarding science investigations can be done cheaply with the most basic of ingredients. Bicarbonate of soda and vinegar with washing up liquid is an exciting and instant reaction that can bring gasps of astonishment. Water and fizzy vitamin tablets in a film canister will explode with screams of delight. Ride your child’s wave of enthusiasm with an online clip or a printed explanation of what they have seen to fuel their passion of wanting to find out why. This is the sweet spot where learning occurs.
Technology Is Your Friend
Most parents don’t want an online resource but technology can enhance learning and that doesn’t need to be indoors. Download a stargazing app on your phone and go out and look to the skies at night! January is the perfect time to see Venus and Mars and the moons of Jupiter. Find the constellations of Orion and Taurus. With the most basic telescope (perhaps a Christmas present?) the Moon becomes a thing of wonder and if you check the International Space Station calculator, discover an incredible amount of detail about every star you see.
Throw A Science Party
TOP TIP: Get a set of water-based dyes for less than £10. These won’t stain and there is a huge range of colours. A few drops go a long way. When diluted, these solutions are perfect for playing mad scientists or making magic potions. Pinterest is a touchstone for planning a science party which is easy on the pocket. From charity shop shirts transformed into lab coats to kitchen cupboard chemistry ideas, it is certainly the place to start. A word of advice: try everything out first (because you will enjoy it as much as them!) and make jelly!
Watch TV!
Your TV is your friend, especially when it comes to science documentaries, because when your child watches documentaries on any subject they are still learning. Look out for Stargazing Live and any other scientific programmes. They could inspire your child in science, and in other subjects too.
Useful Links
• www.stem.org.uk/primary-science • www.pstt.org.uk/resources/curriculum-materials
Science-Fun-at-Home • www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/learn/gsc-at-home
Friday 9 December: Dulwich Charity Lunch
12:30pm – 4pm. The wonderful Dulwich Charity Lunch is now in its 21st year. The lunch run by SE Magazines will be hostedat the The Lordship Pub. It is also a great excuse to have lunch and a few drinks before Christmas. So, arrival is 12.30 pm and we plan to start eating at 1.15 pm. Only come if you have the time to enjoy the two courses on offer, we won’t be finished by 2 pm! Tickets are £35 for a twocourse lunch with wine. Remember £5 goes direct to Link Age Southwark. I will send out a menu nearer the time and you will be able to pre-book your choice. All dietary requirements will be catered for. Tickets can be purchased on
www.dulwichlunch.co.uk/bookings/
Saturday 10 December: Meet Julia Donaldson & Lydia Monks
11,30pm-12.30pm & 12.30pm -1.30pm. Julia and Lydia Monks will be at Village Books to sign copies of their new book What The LadyBird Heard At Christmas! The clever little ladybird is back to celebrate the festive season and to once again save the day! With a cast of wonderful friends, old and new, plenty of festive fun, and of course, a cunning plan to foil. Tickets: £12.99 – includes a copy of What The Ladybird Heard at Christmas. Terms & Conditions www.village-books.co.uk/events and tickets can be purchased at www.trybooking.com.
For listings contact: angela@semagazines.co.uk
Saturday 10 December: Vintage Christmas Card Printing
2:00pm -5:00pm. BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! This always sells-out fast and is a great way to kick-off the festive season. Start with a special tour of our vintage print studio by Simon Trewin of The Garage Press and then it is time to get printing - using gorgeous typefaces and festive blocks. Learn how to print lots of handmade pieces on one of historic vintage printing presses. All in all - spend a wonderful afternoon embracing traditional crafts and enjoy a mince pie or two. No experience required. The workshop cost is £50 per participant, all materials included. We have bursary tickets available, please email
info@bellhouse.co.uk
Tickets: www.bellhouse.co.uk/events Bell House Dulwich, 21 College Road, SE21 7BG.
Saturday 10 December: The Illusioneer - Magic Mix
7:30pm - 10pm. Puzzlements, Curiosities, Parlor, Street and Cabaret Magic from The Illusioneer team and guests in a fun and relaxed setting: Bring your own liquid refreshments. We have the drinking vessels. Sorry no food allowed in the venue but there are a variety of eating places close by. Performers are from our resident team and guest artists; they will vary each show. All artists give their performances free, and profits are donated to our children’s charity 'Breathe'. Our special thanks to Fison Fitness Centre of Herne Hill for their support. 7.30pm Doors open to show you Puzzles and Curiosities. The show of two halves starts at 8pm with a short interval. Finish 10 to 10.15pm. Tickets £16-£19. Fison Fitness Centre, 280 Milkwood Road, Herne Hill Railway Arches, Herne Hill,, SE24 0EZ. Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk
Come along to Dulwich Village to celebrate some Christmas cheer! Meet Miss Christmas between 12pm - 3pm, listen to Popchoir Dulwich perform at 2pm, plus there will be a mystery stock hunt for children all day, and a whole lot more!
Sunday 11 December: The
Massive Violins (cellos actually)
5pm - 7pm. It’s coming on Christmas and the famous Massive Violins are coming to Dulwich, bringing music and joy and a massive dose of fun. They all sing, and they all play the cello and together they produce the most stunning sounds. Come and thrill to their fabulous arrangements of seasonal favourites and some not so well-known numbers such as Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer... Tickets from: www.massiveviolins.com. The MCT at Alleyn’s school, Townley Road, East Dulwich, SE22 8SU
Monday 12 December: Dulwich WI Monthly Meeting.
7.30pm-9.30pm. We meet on the second Monday of each month at Vits+Kicks, 57 North Cross Road, East Dulwich, SE22 9ET. https://dulwichwi.com
Wednesday 14 December: Christmas Wine Tasting: Champagne vs English Fizz
7:30pm – 8:30pm. Join wine writer Margaret Rand and Master of Wine Simon Field for a Christmas-themed wine tasting in celebration of Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book 2023. Put your palate to the test with two leading Champagnes and two leading English sparkling wines. Ticket price includes tasting of 4 wines and a copy of Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book 2023. Book & Ticket £35 (includes a copy of Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book 2023, RRP £14.99) A Village Books and Alleyn’s School Enterprises Event. Location: Junior School Hall at Alleyn’s School, Townley Road, London, UK. Tickets can be purchased at www.mct.alleyns.org.uk
Wednesday 14 December: East Dulwich WI December
7:30pm – 10pm. The December event is a Christmas party with games and a raffle. Guests are very welcome. Location: The Castle, 280 Crystal Palace Road, East Dulwich SE22 9JJ.
www.eastdulwichwi.co.uk
Friday 16 December: One Tree Hill Choir
I Bring You Good Tidings 7:30pm -9:30pm.
Come join in with Christmas singing at our friendly local choir Christmas Concert. We perform short pieces from across the ages and much-loved Christmas carols and songs. We invite the audience to sing along! Bar and Snacks. Pay in advance or on door. Cash/card reader. St Saviours Church, Brockley Rise, Honor Oak SE23 1JN. Tickets: www.onetreehillchoir.co.uk
Saturday 17 – Sunday 25 December: Christmas at St John’s
Saturday 17 - Carols by The Green from 11am with refreshments, crafts, music and singing. A great family free event. Sunday 18 – Christmas carol service in church from 6pm. Saturday 24 – Christingle services at 3pm and 4:30pm. Midnight Mass at 11:30pm. Saturday 25 – 10am Festival Sung Mass Any enquiries, please contact Denise Fulgoni:
office@stjohnseastdulich.org.
Thursday 22 December: Live
Band Karaoke Christmas Special
7:30pm – 11:30pm. Ho Ho ho ... it’s the Live Band Karaoke 2022 Christmas Special! Belt out pure classics, live on stage, backed by a stunning live band. In addition to the regular 350+ song list, you can expect festive bangers aplenty, from the likes of the Pogues, Mariah Carey, Wham... The bar will stock beer, spirits, mulled wine, and a range of food options will be available. AMP Studios, 897a Old Kent Road, SE15 1N. Tickets
