Education

Over 600 students to attended EBP South’s Get Inspired Test Valley at the end March

EBP South returned to the Army Flying Museum, Stockbridge, for their Get Inspired Test Valley event on the 24th March 2022. Get Inspired gives young people a chance to meet businesses from their local area and learn about the different career options available to them by taking part interactive activities which capture their imagination and give them a chance to develop their skills. Jen Laidlaw, Project Manager at EBP South said, "This event provides an exciting opportunity for students to gain an experience of what it could be like to work in different industries. It gives young people the chance to speak directly to business professionals and gain a real insight into the career options in their area.” Over 600 Year 8 to 11 students from secondary schools across the Test Valley area attended the event which aims to inspire young people about opportunities available working with local companies. The event, which was sponsored by Test Valley Borough Council, featured 13 businesses providing activities which offer a hands on way for young people to develop an understanding of the different career options in the Test Valley area. Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, said: “We’re were really pleased to support this event, and it’s fantastic to see it return after the pandemic. Events such as these are invaluable in inspiring young people into areas of employment that can be evolving, interesting and fast-paced. These events help to support our local economy, reach our communities and support the growth and employment in Test Valley, which is why we’re proud to be a sponsor.” Young people are often not fully aware of the different job roles and career paths available to them. The event allows businesses to connect with pupils in their local area and educate them about the careers that are on their doorstep. At 2021 Get Inspired Test Valley (which was held virtually) 100% of businesses who attended said that they were given an opportunity to inform young people about their area of work and promote the opportunities within their organisation.

Godolphin School Students Step-Up to Fashion Project

Salisbury is not normally associated with luxury fashion, but some young students from Salisbury are challenging this. Godolphin’s art students designed bespoke boots, after being inspired by an art project. Godolphin is passionate about bringing education to life. Most people struggle to learn effectively, when forced to study abstract concepts within a classroom setting. Therefore, Godolphin looks for every opportunity for students to apply their learning in real-world situations. With this in mind, Sharon Duggan, Deputy Head of Department and lead in textiles, was determined to make last year’s art project as interactive as possible. Mrs Duggan first took students on a trip to Salisbury Museum, where they made sketches of historical textile items. This was followed by a trip to the Wallace Collection in London, to experience the “An Enquiring mind” exhibition, produced by the international shoe designer, Manolo Blahnik. The 10 rooms, each with a particular theme in relation to the designer’s work, proved inspirational.

When the students returned to the classroom, Mrs Duggan tasked students to design an item for a contemporary fashion line and they unanimously chose to create boots. The girls then spent many hours developing concepts, producing larger pieces of fabric and making design choices. The result was the class produced an incredible range of boots, which combined classic techniques with contemporary tastes. One student, Olivia, used inlay felting techniques and machine embroidery to capture the quality of the vintage artifacts on display at the museum fusing them with more modern influences, by using vibrant colours. Another student, Lexie, took a different approach. Lexie was inspired by the delicate lacework on the costumes at Salisbury Museum. Using heat transfer techniques, lace and dissolvable fabric to impose them on her materials. Their teacher, Mrs Duggan, said: “When I’m teaching, I want it to be exciting. I want to push the boundaries all the time and challenge the girls to keep them on their toes – inspiring them to go that step further, to hunt ideas out themselves and to want to know more. “When I’m with my GCSE or A-level students, I teach them in exactly the same way I have taught first, second or third year degree students in the past. Because only then can they show their true potential and immerse themselves in a world of design and textiles and beauty. If you challenge and inspire your pupils in equal measures, I believe the sky’s the limit!”

For more information on Godolphin School visit: www.godolphin.org

Sleep for Early Years: Routine, reassurance, soothe

A good sleeping routine enables the development of young minds and has a direct effect on happiness, alertness, and attention, says Kate Rodgers, Embley’s School Counsellor. Lack of sleep in children has been linked to issues with immune system, anxiety and depression. The recommended amount of sleep, including naps, for children up to age 5 is: • Age 4 to 12 months: 12–16 hours of sleep • Age 1 to 2 years: 11–14 hours • Age 3 to 5 years: 10–13 hours Children often voice their worries before bed, as this is a time when they are in thought and with the person they trust, and it is important that parents know the best ways to help when their child is struggling at bedtime. Kate has put together these tips to help. Routine A night-time routine is a must. Between 1-2 hours before bed, make sure that you create a winding down system such as bath time, milky drink and snuggle time. Follow this with a calming 30 minutes in their bedroom to settle them. Having this routine establishes comfort and the awareness that it is time to settle each day. Reassurance In the 30 minutes before bed, your child may have lots of questions, especially around the ages of Reception to Year 1. Use this time to reassure them that it is normal to have worries and remind them that they are safe at home in their room, far away from harm. Soothe Children that are left for too long to cry can develop attachment issues, and during periods of change they may need a little more soothing than they did previously. It is ok to hold, cuddle and snuggle with them if they are asking for it – make the most of it, before you know it, they’ll be older and won’t want to anymore! Other tips • Keep a regular bedtime • Use blackout blinds if seasonal changes affect sleep • Keep the bedroom quiet or use white noise to mask sounds We hope these tips were useful and remember, a well slept child is a happier, more settled one. Embley is an independent day and boarding school for girls and boys up the age of 18. Embley’s Nursery is open from 08:00-18:00, 48 weeks a year, and is based in the school’s self-contained Early Years Department, with the Prep School next door. For further information, please visit www.embley.org.uk

Whittling, Wattling, Mud and Magic at Salisbury Cathedral School

More than 150 children and their families attended Salisbury Cathedral School’s free community outdoor event behind the lake in the school grounds on Saturday 12 March 2022. Attendees participated in arts and crafts, trialled whittling and wattling, and practised survival and bushcraft skills. Younger visitors made ‘cakes’ in the mud kitchen and wands out of sticks, feathers and wool, and everyone had a turn at cooking over the campfire and creating clay faces to decorate the school’s trees. ‘It was so uplifting to see so many new faces enjoying oldfashioned outdoor fun in our school grounds. What’s better than a mud kitchen and a (well supervised) campfire for children aged between 3 and 11?’ said Clive Marriott, Head Master, Salisbury Cathedral School. ‘After all the restrictions of the pandemic, we are delighted to be able to share our hidden natural haven with so many visitors once again’. The day was divided into two events. Younger children, aged between 3 and 7 years, attended in the morning for a Woodland Adventure. After lunch it was the turn of 6-10 year olds for survival and bushcraft skills. Camps were created, hot dogs cooked over an open fire and a whole new fence built by the ancient method of wattling. Hosted by school staff and Wiltshire Wildlife, the day was welcoming, informative and fun. ‘It is so important for children to spend time outside in nature. They love to learn new things and if that can happen in the fresh air then so much the better!’ commented Will Frost, Head of Outdoor Learning, Salisbury Cathedral School. The activities took place in ‘Conservation Corner’, an area of the school grounds behind the lake which the school is pro-actively wilding to boost biodiversity. So far the pupils have planted more than 2,500 spring bulbs and a new orchard to support wilding. Grass in this area is only mown annually and next term will see the installation of new habitat boxes to encourage more wildlife to make a home at the school. Salisbury Cathedral School Community events are free to attend and advertised on social media: Facebook @salisburycathedralschool Instagram @salisburycathedralschool Twitter @salisburycathsc For more information please contact Jojo Orange, orange.j@ salisburycathedralschool.com

The ‘Bus of Many Things’.

For the past 8 years Test Valley Arts Foundation has been the proud owner of a vintage ex-Wiltshire county council mobile library bus. It was bought at the request of artists and community groups across the Test Valley to use as a venue for mobile workshops and as a focus at outdoor events. It’s unique history, look and style drew the public to it, for them to be presented with artistic wonders and excitement from within! Over the years the bus has spent time at festivals and events as well as towns and villages all over the Test Valley and beyond. Most recently it has been an important venue for Chapel Arts Studios who used it on many occasions as key part of their operation in getting communities involved in creativity and the arts. As the years went on we held our breath when each MOT crept up only to find that this ancient beast kept going. Sadly, and for obvious reasons, the last two years has seen the beast remain stationary in a car park and its latest annual inspection revealed costs that made it prohibitive for TVAF to keep it on the road. So very sadly, we have had to let it go. No doubt you may see it on the road in future years all lively and restored and being used in a new way, but for now, we celebrate and reflect on its successes at bringing art to the communities of the Test Valley.

Public art to celebrate the platinum jubilee

Artists are being encouraged to apply for Test Valley Borough Council’s platinum jubilee public art commissions ahead of the deadline next week. As part of the celebrations marking the 70 years’ service of Her Majesty The Queen, TVBC, along with partner organisations, is running a number of events up and down the borough throughout the year, leading up the jubilee weekend in June. As well as the celebrations, the authority has launched commissions for public artwork in public locations, yet to be determined, in both Andover and Romsey. The closure for applications is fast approaching, with a deadline of March 30. The artworks will celebrate the theme of seventy years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth and the Queen’s connections to the Test Valley. “I'm very keen to encourage anyone who is interested to apply for these commissions. These new public artworks will form an important part of our jubilee celebrations here in Test Valley. They will serve as a clear and present reminder of what Her Majesty has accomplished throughout her decades of service to the Nation. “These public artworks will feature in central locations in both towns, and are a real opportunity to pay gratitude to one of the most remarkable and longest serving monarchs in our history.” Interested artists should send their applications in to the Arts Officer no later than the 30 March. Full details of the requirements and how to apply can be found in the artist brief which can be found on the council website, or by contacting the arts officer Faye Perkins fperkins@testvalley.gov.uk.

Andover Choral Society

Andover Choral Society welcomes you once more to an evening of glorious music. This time, we're singing Mendelssohn's verse to one of history's greatest characters, Saint Paul. Rarely performed, and with a huge spectrum of choral challenge, ACS will provide you with an evening of pure joy at St Mary's Church, Andover, on Saturday 7th May from 7.30pm.

Our Musical Director, Peter Ford, has adapted an otherwise lengthy and imposing work into one more suited to everyday enjoyment. With a specially commissioned orchestra, Westminster Chamber Orchestra, and professional soloists, this reduced adaptation will encourage other, particularly smaller, choirs to bring Mendelssohn's fabulous oratorio into their scope.

The performance combines operatic drama with romantic idealism, at the same time revering past masters such as Bach and Handel. This Oratorio of Saint Paul is so well renowned it has been described as utter perfection and how music, drama and art can all come together to create a perfect balance of intrigue and beauty. ACS will provide you with precisely that. We welcome new members to join us rehearsing at Rookwood School on Wednesdays from 7.30 to 9.30pm and aim to produce two concerts annually.

Check out our website: www.andoverchoralsociety.org.uk or contact our chairman, Frances Lynn, on lynncf35@gmail.com.

Hampshire Poet

Poems for Today, a collection of poetry by Locks Heath poet TA Saunders has just received a 5 star rating on amazon after receiving a glowing review. "I am thrilled," says Tim. "It has made my day. The reader from Hampshire bought a copy and took it with him to Saudi Arabia where by all accounts he has thoroughly enjoyed reading it." Poems for Today was published earlier in the year and has already sold in America, India and the UK.

Now, Tim is busy compiling an anthology of poetry and short stories, scheduled for publication later this year.