Families London SW Mar-April 2019 - News

News

Congratulations to children from Priory CofE School in Wimbledon who have been judges of the Blue Peter Book Awards 2019. Although adult judges chose the shortlist, the winners will be decided by children from 12 schools around the country. The winner will be announced on Blue Peter on 7th March on World Book Day.

Further to a £1.2 million award from Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund, our beloved Polka theatre is closed until the summer of 2020 to allow much needed rebuilding and refurbishing–excellent news to celebrate its 40th birthday year and make ready for the next 40 years. The development includes a new Adventure Theatre specially designed for young children up to age 5, a new

rehearsal and development studio, a creative learning studio designed with particular reference to children with sensory needs, as well as improved access facilities. Polka is one of the few theatres in the UK dedicated exclusively to children. A further £1 million approx is still needed to help complete this £7.5 million project. https://polkatheatre.com

Like to get involved with Families magazine?

Could you help us by distributing a batch of magazines in your school? Would you like to review shows and events and share your reviews? If so, why not join our team of ‘roving mums’! We want to involve you in the production of the magazine: share your passions, your favourite eateries and in exchange you will get a chance to win prizes, tickets to shows and to review products to keep. There will be a limited number of mums in the team. Email editor@familiesSW.co.uk or call 020 8696 9680.

About WIFI and Smart Meters

In our Jan/Feb issue we mentioned a piece published in ‘The Lancet’ about the potential health risks to humans associated with prolonged exposure to WIFI (mobile phones, computer routers, masts, baby monitors etc). If you haven’t read it yet, do, it is very important. One reader wanted his viewpoint expressed about smart meters (not about the potential risks of WIFI use). At Families we like our readers to make up their own minds, so please read the Lancet report here http://bit.ly/Lancetarticle, or find out more about smart meters here http://stopsmartmeters.org.uk/ and here’s what our reader has to say:

“New gas and electricity smart meters are being offered to every home across Great Britain at no extra cost. With an end to estimated bills and a portable inhome

display showing spending on energy in pounds and pence, smart meters equip families with the tools necessary to eliminate energy waste at home and reduce bills. By reducing energy use, we can cut the amount of carbon we produce as a country and help to tackle climate change. To reassure the public that smart meters are safe, Public Health England has conducted and published extensive peer-reviewed research. This research has found that while smart meters do use radio waves, they do so at a typical rate of a millionth of the minimum international guidelines and significantly lower than existing devices such as mobile telephones or WI-FI.”

To learn more about the benefits of smart meters and protections in place, visit www.smartenergygb.org

Enjoy British Science Week

Families can enjoy a wonderful time together during British Science Week 2019 which will take place from 8 to 17 March. Science Week is a celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths with fascinating, entertaining and engaging activities for all ages taking place across the UK. You

can also download a series of FREE activity packs at www.britishscienceweek.org filled with resources and ideas to try out at home or school, without the need for a science background or expensive equipment. To find an event close to you, visit www.sciencelive.net

4 Families South West • March/April 2019 familiesonline.co.uk

Knightsbridge School pupils become kindness detectives

In February pupils at Knightsbridge School took on the roles of kindness detectives to raise awareness for Children’s Mental Health Week. Each child in the school was given the name of someone in their class and embarked on a secret mission to do something kind for that person during the course of the week. Acts of kindness included helping their classmates tidy their lockers and carry their bags as well as sharing pencils and helping each other in class. The younger pupils in the school were also encouraged to play a

very thoughtful game of bingo. Much like the much-loved game, the children were given a sheet full of things to tick off, only instead of a list of numbers, the page was filled with a variety of kind deeds. These included sitting with someone who looked lonely, donating something they no longer needed to charity and holding the door open for someone. “We wanted to let them know that sometimes it is OK not to be OK.” www.knightsbridgeschool.com

Powerleague introduces new flagship site at Nine Elms

The original provider of small-sided football in the UK, Powerleague, is proud to showcase a brand new club in Nine Elms, Battersea. The new Club features five 5-a-side pitches, one 7-a-side pitch and wearable tech for players which tracks game performance and stats. The club features exciting digital advances including on-pitch cameras to replay and record game triumphs. Hit a red button on the

side of the pitch and upload goals to watch them back on the Powerleague website or upload to social media channels. Powerleague Nine Elms caters for all your football and league requirements, as well as corporate events and children’s parties with pitches for hire and additional games including Zorb Football, Nerf Parties and more. www.powerleague.co.uk

Commission a beautiful artist portrait

Mary-Maye Lorriman works to create beautiful bespoke portraits. She paints beloved family pets, children, adults, and even deceased loved ones. Commissioned all through the year for special occasions and anniversaries, her work creates lasting memories. Here’s the reaction of one recent

customer: "Such a fun surprise present for my husband, Mary- Maye has captured our wonderful dog perfectly and we are both over the moon with it." Contact Mary-May on 07825 511850, marymayelorriman@gmail.com @marymayelorriman

Two books we love this month:

The Montessori Toddler by Montessori teacher and parent Simone Davies (Workman, £14.99, 10 April) suggests how to bring the values of a Montessori classroom into your own home. Designed to be a practical guide on how to raise self-sufficient, curious and independent toddlers, the book also aims to help parents become more easy going and attentive.

WHY Do I Have To Sleep? by best-selling author Signe Rhode (Make Your Mark Global, £11.98) tells the story of a child who doesn’t want to go to bed but slowly opens up to wanting to sleep while his mother shares with him the importance of a good night’s rest. This book is truly one of its kind as it uses mindfulness and meditation tips to soothe the child to sleep.

familiesonline.co.ukMarch/April 2019 • Families South West 5

Polka Theatre closed for renovation