13 minute read
Children & Education
The Diary of a Local Mum
Making History
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Well, it’s been quite a trying time for kids and parents alike since I last wrote … yet more homeschooling – yay! I mean, are we homeschooling, office schooling, working from home, parenting at work... does anyone even know any more?
I’m hoping by the time you read this that the infection rates will have reduced sufficiently for schools to once again open safely and education will have been returned to the capable hands of the professionals (rather than the confused, distracted parents who are trying desperately to remember what a modal verb is whilst simultaneously replying to a work email, fixing the blummin’ printer – again – and making the 47th snack of the day for their seemingly hollowed-legged offspring).
It was during one of these homeschooling sessions, whilst helping my youngest with some history, when it dawned on me that one day many years from now school children would be studying this exact moment (possibly not the precise moment comprising the two of us, head in hands, trying to interpret an historical text, but more the ‘general situation’). Hopefully in a classroom and not on a laptop at the dining room table but you never know. They may be floating round in ‘learning pods’ by then (or, more than likely, a good few of them will still be in the ‘terrapin’ classrooms that have been temporary since I started school in the ‘80s!). Anyway, I digress (see, this is the level of distractedness my poor kids have had to contend with for the last half-term!)…where was I?!?
Ah, yes, it occurred to me that we’re living through history. That sounds obvious – all time becomes history when it has passed, but this era is pretty darn significant. Unprecedented, as they keep saying. What we’re experiencing now will be talked about, analysed, recounted and studied for many, many years to come. And that’s just COVID-19. Add Brexit into the mix as well and this has been quite a momentous period to be alive. It’s ironic really, considering it’s probably also been the most boring and uneventful for many of us on a personal, day-to-day level. I mean, talk about Groundhog Day... it feels like we’ve been stuck on repeat for months! But, momentous it is. And that’s something worth remembering. What we’re trying to stoically deal with, and – more specifically – what our kids are pretty admirably coping with, all things considered, is a truly unique situation.
When I mentioned this to my kids they initially looked a bit taken aback and then, a smile crept across their faces. The idea that, while they’re battling against boredom, going stir crazy and trying their hardest to learn from a screen, what they’re enduring is so significant that they’re ‘creating’ history for future children to study in years to come, made it feel that little bit easier. It may be pretty torturous to go through…but imagine having to study it! Those future students will be revising key terms before their exams such as ‘BBC Bitesize’, ‘Google Classroom’, ‘Zoom lessons’ and ‘keyworker school’. They’ll learn that, even at school, sports couldn’t be played, lunches were eaten in classrooms and everyone had to wear a mask in corridors. They’ll study the ‘great toilet roll shortage of 2020’ and analyse what lessons could be learnt from that (there are a lot of lessons to be taken from that, which many people could do with learning sooner rather than later…!) and a famous man called Captain Sir Tom Moore. They’ll learn about lockdowns around the world, daily walks, clapping for keyworkers, PE with Joe, the vaccination programme and, although for us it’s still in the future, they’ll then learn about how people were able to come back together, how families reunited, children once again learned to play and socialise together – not via screens – and, hopefully, how a better world emerged after the pandemic.
Stay strong everyone. Let’s hope the next bit of history we make is positive.
By Helen Young
Belper School
Pupils at Belper School were tasked with writing a letter to ‘Everyday Heroes’ or ‘Lockdown Legends’ – people who have done amazing things during the pandemic and deserve special recognition and thanks.
The following letters, both written by Year 9 pupils, have been selected for publication as they beautifully express the nation’s collective gratitude towards two wonderful people who have made a huge difference to many people’s lives during lockdown – Joe Wicks MBE and the late Captain Sir Tom Moore (addressed to his family).
Dear Family of Captain Sir Tom Moore,
I am writing a letter of dearest thanks for all of the contributions and efforts Captain Sir Tom Moore has attained during this pandemic. The work he has achieved is astounding and it is important his effort does not go unnoticed. He has truly been a lockdown legend.
Captain Tom started his fundraising campaign with a target of £1000. As he began walking the laps it was clear what was going to happen. The fundraiser skyrocketed, with donations coming in from everywhere. He continued to walk his 100 laps with millions of pounds and thousands of donors kindly contributing to a great cause. Not only was Tom sprightful, happy, and determined to finish his laps, but he chose possibly the best charity: The NHS. With thousands contracting COVID-19, there simply was no better time to help out. And not only did he help the NHS, he lifted the country’s spirit, with the lockdown gruelling even the best of us. Tom’s effort will forever be remembered by everyone as the biggest, happiest, most uplifting event of the lockdown. I will be eternally grateful.
Captain Tom’s service in the war was by no means easy. After being stationed in an outpost in Cornwall in May 1940 – just eight months after the beginning of World War II – Moore was later selected for officer training, and attended an OCTU (Officer Cadet Training Unit). He was then commissioned as a second lieutenant on the 28th of June, 1941. He also proceeded to serve in Bombay, Calcutta, Burma and India (Bombay is now known as Mumbai, Calcutta is now Kolkata, and Burma is now known as Myanmar). While not serving too much on the front line, the fact that Captain Tom not only made it through the Second World War, but then went on to raise £33 MILLION and live to the age of 100 is an incredibly impressive feat.
Alongside raising so much money for the NHS and fighting in WWII, Captain Tom received several accolades, which were well and truly deserved. Captain Tom went above and beyond for his country and these achievements, accolades and awards are just a glimpse of what Moore deserves. He received a 1939-1945 star, a Burma star, a Defence medal, a War medal 1939-1945, and a Knight bachelor. He also holds 2 Guinness records, and was personally knighted by the Queen. He was also greeted with a flypast by the RAF and the British Army for his 100th birthday.
Captain Sir Tom Moore truly was a hero. He will forever be remembered as a true legend, a brave fighter, and a valiant supporter of the NHS. His efforts will not be forgotten. Tomorrow will be a good day!
© captaintom.org
Yours faithfully,
Ewan Steel
Year 9, Belper School
I am writing today, on behalf of the nation, whose spirits you have raised and whose fitness you have improved. I speak for us all when I say, ‘Thank you’! Over the past 11 months we have been in and out of lockdowns, locked in our houses, which can be a difficult and confusing time for us all, including the younger generations. It’s easy to fall into unhealthy habits, and your generosity and warm heart encouraged us all to get up and get moving. You really are a lockdown legend!
I, along with my family, have participated in your workout videos, and they have now become a staple part of our daily routine. Your enthusiasm to help the younger generation to participate in physical activities is beyond inspirational. During these difficult times, children of all ages are missing out on their mandatory PE lessons, which you took on the challenge to provide them with. ‘PE with Joe’ is truly a worldwide sensation. Along with improving children’s physical fitness, you’ve improved children’s mental health; therefore, children have succeeded academically, and have entered the day with a positive attitude and mindset. Keeping yourself busy during lockdown is essential, and you’ve given the public, of all ages, a purpose to move and get fit.
A family friendly figure, you are encouraging, enthusiastic and eager, helping us all to keep motivated. The location and difficulty level of your workouts suit all abilities and ages. Working out within your comfort zone is rather easy, but you manage to make the videos varied, interesting and exciting. As a result of this, you feel more accomplished; doing something new and more challenging always boosts your confidence. Only 30 minutes of your day to feel better, feel fitter and feel accomplished; why wouldn’t you?
Younger children can find exercise boring: what 7-year-old wants to do press-ups every day? They don’t! So, incorporating fancy dress, games and activities into the workout was nothing short of a genius idea. Even though lockdown has hit us all multiple times, your resilience hasn’t gone unnoticed. Over the space of a year your following has grown massively, a herd of support following you, praising you for your efforts. 2.72 million subscribers! Did you ever think you would get here? No-one deserves the support more than you.
I’m sure the nation will join me in saying ‘thank you’. Thank you for being our pandemic hero!
© thebodycoach.com © thebodycoach.com
Yours faithfully,
Libby Clarke
Year 9, Belper School
Parenting: Helping Your Child to Get Their 5 a Day
Fruit + vegetables + kids isn’t always a match made in heaven. These tips might help to make meal times a bit less stressful.
Give them a choice
If you can, involve your child in shopping, and let them pick out some fruits and vegetables that they want to try. You could also help them to grow some of their own, even if it’s just strawberries on a windowsill. When it comes to meal times, try offering your child a choice of a few different vegetables sometimes, so they feel that they have some control. And when you have time, involve them in preparing dinner and then praise them for how tasty the food is.
Try raw
Kids often prefer the taste or texture of raw vegetables over cooked. My children, for example, will happily munch on raw carrots and peppers, but loathe cooked ones. Some vegetables shouldn’t be eaten raw (like potatoes) but most can be, even ones you wouldn’t usually think of eating cold, like broccoli.
When you are cooking vegetables, it’s worth trying different methods. My daughter hates steamed kale, but loves crispy kale (chopped up, tossed in olive oil and roasted in the oven for 5-10 minutes).
Blend it up
Children often complain about ‘bits’, whether it’s the seeds in granary bread or pieces of mushroom in a pasta sauce. Blending soups and sauces until they’re smooth can work wonders.
Let them help themselves
Keep your fruit bowl within reach of children over three, so that they can help themselves when they want a snack. You could also keep a snack box of chopped up carrots, peppers, cucumbers etc. on a low shelf of the fridge.
Boost with multivitamins
Multivitamins don’t replace the need for a healthy diet, but they can provide a handy boost. Look for ones that include Vitamin D, as our bodies struggle to absorb enough of it during the months when we spend less time outdoors. Bassetts chewable multivitamins tend to be popular with kids. Another option is Kendakids Vita-Boost Shakes, which are fortified with twenty-three vitamins (including vitamin D). You mix the powder with warm water (it’s a bit like making up a bottle of baby formula). There are three flavours to choose from. The chocolate one is basically a healthier version of hot chocolate, but my son swears the strawberry is by far the best. See www.kendamil.com.
Don’t let dinner become a battle field
Studies have shown that putting pressure on kids to eat can actually lead to worse eating habits a couple of years down the line. Try to make sure you’re sitting down to eat as a family at least a few times a week and don’t let the tension build up until you’re all just focusing on how much (or how little) your child is eating.
Ultimately, you want your child to have a healthy long-term relationship with food. That’s going to be so much harder if they end up getting anxious about dinner time.
And remember that we all have food we hate, even as adults. So if they really despise something, move on.
Love learning locally Adult education courses and workshops in Derbyshire
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This groovy summer we are offering all of our Learning for Leisure courses to Derbyshire residents for FREE! To find out about what we have available or to book your place, visit
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25/02/2021 16:45:35
School Information
Ambergate Primary School Anthony Gell School 01773 852204 01629 825577
Belper Long Row Primary
01773 823319 Belper School 01773 825281 Breadsall CofE VE Primary School 01332 831328 Codnor Community Primary School 01773 742537 C of E Controlled Denby Free C of E Primary 01332 880416 Ecclesbourne School 01332 840645 Fritchley CE (Aided) Primary 01773 852216 Heage Primary School 01773 852188 Heanor Gate Science College 01773 716396 Herbert Strutt Primary 01773 822771 Holbrook C of E Primary 01332 880277 Horsley C of E Primary 01332 880782 Horsley Woodhouse Primary 01332 880403 John Flamsteed Community School 01332 880260 Kilburn Infant & Nursery School 01332 880449 Kilburn Junior 01332 880540 Langley Mill (CE) Controlled Infant School & Nursery 01773 713429 Little Eaton Primary 01332 831471 Mapperley CofE Primary School 0115 9325386 Meadows Primary 01332 840305 Milford Primary 01332 841316 Morley Primary 01332 831295 Pottery Primary 01773 823383 Richardson Endowed Primary School 01332 880317 Ripley Junior School 01773 742281 St Andrew’s C of E Primary School 0115 9324252 St Benedict 01332 557032 St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary 01773 822278 St John’s CE Primary, Belper 01773 822995 Stanley Common Primary School 0115 9322437 Street Lane Primary 01773 742717 Swanwick Hall School 01773 602106 Turnditch CE VA Primary 01773 550304 William Gilbert Primary 01332 840395
School Terms 2021/2022
All dates taken from www.derbyshire.gov.uk Term 4: Monday 22 February 2021 to Thursday 1 April 2021 Term 5: Monday 19 April 2021 to Friday 28 May 2021 Term 6: Monday 7 June 2021 to Thursday 22 July 2021 Term 1: Thursday 2 September 2021 to Friday 22 October 2021 Term 2: Monday 1 November 2021 to Thursday 23 December 2021 Term 3: Monday 10 January 2022 to Friday 18 February 2022
Make sure of what you wish for make a will
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Trust us to advise you on such important arrangements.
Make sure you have a Will in place - later may be sooner than you think.
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