News & views

Celebrate Roald Dahl Story Day

Every year, the life and works of one of the best children’s authors of all time is celebrated on his birthday, 13 September.

During his lifetime, Roald Dahl wrote twenty children’s books and published forty-eight books altogether. He created over five hundred new words and character names, and his books have sold more than two hundred and fifty million copies worldwide.

Join fans from all over the world to celebrate favourite Roald Dahl characters, stories and moments. Get dressed up as your favourite Roald Dahl character at a Dahlicious Dress Up Day event being held at school, by community groups and libraries, or host your own by downloading the Roald Dahl Story Day Party.

Visit the Roald Dahl Story Day hub at www.roalddahl.com/roald-dahl-storyday for resources to decorate your home or classroom.

More music education in schools

Tens of thousands of children will be given the chance to learn a new instrument as part of a new national plan for music education in the UK.

The plan sets out the government’s ambition to give ‘every child the opportunity to develop a love of music.’ Made in consultation with music teachers and young people in the music industry, it involves a raft of new investments and measures to support music education.

Twenty-five million pounds will be made available for schools to purchase musical instruments and equipment, including adapted instruments for children with special educations needs and disabilities.

According to the updated guidance, schools will be asked to offer at least one hour of music curriculum a week. Every school will be expected to have a designated music lead or head of department.

Students make music ‘Come Alive’ with charity single

Berkshire Maestros are delighted to announce the release of ‘Come Alive’, an original song created by young people, raising money to support vital local youth work.

For the first time, students from every corner of Berkshire have come together to write, perform and record the track, across a year-long programme of workshops. The song celebrates the very best of youth music making in Berkshire, bringing together musicians from Berkshire Youth Choir, Berkshire Youth Symphony Orchestra, Reading Soundstage, and more! With lyrical themes that reflect on the power of music to guide us all through difficult times, they hope to raise awareness and funds to support Berkshire Youth, an inspirational local charity that is supporting and empowering young people in the county.

Proceeds from the release will also support accessible and creative music activities at “The Music Lounge”, a new contemporary music centre based at The Waterside Centre in Newbury. This exciting partnership between Berkshire Maestros and Berkshire Youth aims to support disadvantaged young people in West Berkshire through regular music sessions based at this new space.

Please contact Bookings@berkshiremaestros.org.uk if you would like to make your music come alive.

Give the autumn term a confidence boost with Perform

A common struggle shared by many children as they start school or return after the summer break is a lack of confidence, and this can stop them reaching their full potential. Whether you’re looking for a confidence boost for your child or just a weekly dose of drama, dance and singing fun, Perform is back for the autumn term with two exciting productions for 4-7s and 7-12s.

“Perform is not a stage school” stresses Perform Principal, Lucy Quick. “Our classes teach life skills using fun confidence-boosting drama games which result in a celebratory end-of-term production. The primary aim of our classes is to develop what we call the 4Cs: Confidence, Concentration, Coordination and Communication.”

This term, Perform 4-7s will venture into The Magician’s Chamber for some confidence-building fun with Merlin the Wizard, whilst 7-12s will work on a funky festive performance of Ebenezer, based on the Charles Dicken’s classic, A Christmas Carol.

The term runs from September to December, and children are welcome to try a free class at any point. Venues are in Twyford, Newbury, Reading, Wokingham, Winnersh, Crowthorne, Goring and Henley. To book a free no-obligation trial class visit www.perform.org.uk/try

New app helps turn chores into a game

Fighting over household chores (as well as the avoidance of them) can be a significant source of conflict between parents and children, not to mention spouses.

A new app has just been launched which promises to revamp how families divvy up life’s daily responsibilities, turning tedium into a fun and competitive game that both parents and kids can enjoy and benefit from.

The app is essentially a motivational tool that creates some healthy competition with a points and rewards system for each the daily, weekly and monthly household contributions of each family member.