Young Tribune

MUSTARD SEED PROJECT IT REALLY IS FINISHED!

We now have railings around the school and very happy children, staff and parents, although this has been a difficult time as all come to terms with covid restrictions within the school. We are desperate to get out to see it but I suspect that that may be next year.

Luckily there has been very little covid in Mombasa so our children will be returning to school after the holiday despite lockdown in other cities. And wonderful news announced recently was that all teachers and other workers within the school are to be vaccinated. Clearly, we do not want the children to become ill but as there is no such thing as a supply teacher in Kenya it would be disastrous if the teachers became sick for any length of time. Sadly, as I suspected, our KCPE results were not as good as the two previous years. The children missed two term’s work and then had to make up for that in one term. Teachers obviously worked very hard to bridge that gap but it was too difficult. The results were down by 1/3 of a grade from the previous two years with a mean score of C+ rather than B-. Still above average, but disappointing especially for one gifted boy. He ended up with a B+ rather than an A/A- which would have attracted sponsorship from a bank allowing him to go to a top school. Our next project is to find some land for a playground. This had not been desperately important before because there is a plot next to the school where the children had played. Now it appears that the owner has decided to build on it. Land prices have doubled since we bought ours so raising funds for this could take some time. Having said that, our greatest concern each year is raising the funds to feed our children. At just £6 per child, per month it sounds so cheap but we have 300 children. We have managed to raise £12,500 so far towards the feeding programme but we need another £5,500. Should you wish to make a donation towards this or would like to regularly feed a child/children please go to our website www. mustardseed.co.uk. Thank you all so much for your support. It is very much appreciated and you can see what a difference this has made.

Write Away

How beautiful is this Moth. Brenda Ellis Our Superman doing some sweeping in the garden this evening. Garden Lodge Care Home, Glinton

Another enjoyable morning in St Pega's churchyard tidying graves, creating wildlife habitats including a rock and cuttings piles and the 'Peakirk Hilton Bug-Hotel'. Avril Lumley Prior

Lawn Bowls

Would you like to try Lawn Bowls? Deepings Bowling Association -Bowls Open Day Spalding Road Deeping St James PE6 8SA Saturday 22 May. Come and try your hand - No cost, Equipment provided, no commitment For covid secure reasons attendance by appointment only - please call Neil on 01778 560103 to book or e-mail deeping.bowls.ass@outlook.com

Helpston Playhouse

Abbi Smith, Secretary to the Playhouse Committee

In the last issue of the Tribune we were very excited to announce that we're extending our provision to two year olds after Easter. Our wonderful, dedicated staff have been getting ready to welcome some new little members to our setting after the holidays and we can’t wait for them to start.

We do feel a little sad that because we have to remain COVID safe as they won’t get the full Playhouse experience (our soft furnishings and cuddly toys have been put away for now) but we’re sure all the sterilisable fun stuff and our fabulous outdoor space will keep them entertained and send them home exhausted but happy each day. Our children have had a fabulous time in Forest School in the runup to Easter. We’ve talked about birds and how they lay eggs and the children have built their own nests using sticks and leaves from the garden. The nests looked so cosy. The children also helped to build a wooden bird house, using hammers and nails. We talked about safety and how to use the tools and the children listened very carefully. They watched and listened to the birds singing around us and sang their own bird songs to them. In Out of School Club our older children made colourful Easter baskets, rabbit faces from egg cartons and delicious chocolate and cornflake nests. The KS2 children were challenged to make a moon lander and used chocolate eggs as test astronauts! We’d like to thank all the families that took part in and supported our Spring-time Fun competition. It was so difficult to choose winners in the colouring, egg decorating and photography competitions and we know

that every child that entered thoroughly deserved their Easter egg. An extra special thank you has to go to those members of the community who so generously donated eggs as prizes and everybody who supported our Easter trail. All proceeds will go towards something ‘egg-citing’ for the children who attend the Playhouse. In the weeks ahead our little children will be exploring life cycles and in Out of School Club we’ll have an explorers theme, as well as our usual crafts and games. And our Toddler Group will restart their regular meetings in the Village Hall very soon as well, with all necessary provision made for COVID safe fun for all. To find out more about the Playhouse do visit our website or email playhouse@helpstonplayhouse.com