Out of School Activities

April

Blackheath Easter Family Funfair, Blackheath Common, SE3 0UA The Easter Funfair has lots of exciting characters visiting this year, alongside the usual rides and stalls. For more information visit www.facebook.com/ events/497015734568028/ Sat 4 Apr Morning Stars, Royal Observatory Greenwich, Blackheath Avenue, SE10 8XJ 10am. Explore the night sky live in this show specifically for children with an Autistic Spectrum Condition. Find out from a Royal Observatory Astronomer what is visible on the night of your visit and the month ahead. For more information and to book visit www.rmg.co.uk Ship Shape, HMS Belfast, SE1 2JH (Also 11, 18 Apr). 11am-1pm, 1.30- 3.30pm. All hands on deck as you help keep this iconic warship in tiptop condition. Join a team of expert conservators as you help prevent damage, search for hungry insect pests and test packing techniques. Drop-in. Ages 7+. For more details visit www.iwm.org.uk Recycled Bird Feeders, Horniman Museum and Gardens, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ 1.30-2.15pm, 2.45-3.30pm. Celebrate World Recycling Day by turning an old juice carton into a fantastic bird feeder. Ages 3+. Charges apply, booking required. For more information and to book visit www. horniman.ac.uk Morning Stars, Royal Observatory Greenwich, Blackheath Avenue, SE10 8XJ (Also 13 Jun). 10.10am. Children with an Autism Spectrum Condition can enjoy the historic site and workshop access. The planetarium show is specially designed to create a calm and comfortable environment with low-level lighting and guests are free to exit and re-enter. For more details visit www.rmg.co.uk Grand Spring Fair, United Reformed Church, Geddes Place, Bexleyheath, DA6 7DJ 9.45am-1pm. Organised by the Association of Bexley Charities ’78, local charities will be selling CDs, DVDs, jewellery, cards, books, jams, cakes, pickles, toys, model railway accessories, collectables and children’s games. Refreshments available. For more details visit www.bexleych.wixsite.com/bexleycharities-78

Sat 4 – Sun 5 Apr Spies and Disguise, IWM London, SE1 6HZ 11am-4pm. Coinciding with the release of the latest Bond film, Spies and Disguise will put families through their paces in a crash course spy school inspired by real life spies from the Second World War to the present day. Drop-in. For more information visit www.iwm.org.uk Quilled Ships, Cutty Sark, Greenwich, SE10 9HT 11.30am-1.30pm, 2-4pm. Learn the art of paper rolling and make a beautiful ship to take home with you. For more information visit www. rmg.co.uk Sat 4 – Fri 10 Apr Easter Bunny Trail, Greenwich Market, SE10 8QY Join the Easter Bunny Trail, solve the puzzles and find the Easter Bunny in his nest. Certificates and chocolate for all. For more information visit www.greenwichmarketlondon.com Sat 4 – Sat 11 Apr Spring Extravaganza, The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, ME4 4TE Back by popular demand, Doc. Yard returns with a new ‘spring’ extravaganza. Explore the science behind forces and mechanics through fun activities and live demonstrations that will keep the whole family entertained. For more information visit thedockyard.co.uk Sat 4 – Sat 18 Apr Honey Bees and Easter Egg Hunt, Red House, Bexleyheath, DA6 8JF (Selected dates). Learn about the importance of honey bees and how you can look after them. Then follow the activity trail and use your new knowledge to solve a puzzle in order to win a chocolately prize. Charges apply. For more details visit www. nationaltrust.org.uk/red-house Sat 4 – Sun 19 Apr Mission Explore: Spring Fling, The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, ME4 4TE Step aboard HMS Gannet, wake the crew by ringing HMS Cavalier’s bell, descend into the depths of HM Submarine Ocelot or be shown the

Our listings are prepared a long time in advance. To make sure you have up to date details do contact the event nearer the time to make sure the information hasn’t changed.

ropes by the Master Ropemaker. Easter trail and hands-on craft activities in No.1 Smithery (14–19 Apr). For more information visit https://thedockyard.co.uk Family Mission: D-Day Edition, HMS Belfast, SE1 2JH 10am-2pm. Pick up a kit bag and learn more about the crew who served on board HMS Belfast during Operation Neptune in 1944. Find hidden messages, predict the weather for sailing, discover ship life and crack Morse code. For more information visit www.iwm.org.uk Sun 5 – Tues 14 Apr Sea Legs, HMS Belfast, SE1 2JH 11am-3pm. This new interactive family activity will explore the science and ingenuity needed to keep HMS Belfast and her crew afloat. To earn your sea legs you must solve a series of nautical puzzles around the ship. For more information visit www.iwm.org.uk Mon 6 Apr Story Seekers, IWM London, SE1 6HZ (Also 8, 10-13, 15, 17, 19 Apr). Learn about the global impact of conflict, from the First World War and Second World War to today. Get hands-on with real artefacts and explore some of the most unusual and interested stories of conflict. Drop-in. For more information visit www.iwm.org.uk Messages from Space, Metropolitan Tabernacle Baptist Church, Elephant & Castle, SE1 6SD (Also 17-18 Apr). 10am-4pm. This free Deaf Children’s Holiday Bible Club is for children aged 8-16 and will include games, crafts, talks and a visit to Greenwich Planetarium. Deaf Sunday School runs every Sun 3-4pm. For more details and to book email tabernacledeaf@gmail.com or call 020 7735 7076. Mon 6 – Thurs 9 Apr Easter Family Activities, Hall Place and Gardens, Bexley, DA5 1PQ 10-11am. 1-2pm. Enjoy a hilarious story and craft family activity. Meet in the Visitor Centre. Charges apply, booking essential. For more information visit www.hallplace.org. uk Mon 6 – Fri 17 Apr Easter Holiday Activities, Cyclopark, Gravesend, DA11 7NP Over the holiday there will be lots to keep the children entertained. With Learn to Ride sessions, Novice BMX Session and a Children’s Entertainer ” “ I saw your event in Primary Times.... Please mention you saw the event listed in Primary Times

there’s plenty to choose from. Check website for dates of each individual sessions. For more information and to book visit www.cyclopark.com An Easter Eggs-pedition, Bank of England Museum, EC2R 8AH (Closed 10-13 Apr). 10am-4.30pm. Follow the Easter trail to find the brightly decorated eggs placed around the museum. Note the letter on each egg then unscramble them to find a hidden message. Also, enjoy Easter crafts. Drop-in, free. For more details visit www.bankofengland. co.uk/museum Tues 7 – Thurs 9 Apr Sailor Craft, Cutty Sark, Greenwich, SE10 9HT 11.30am-1.30pm, 2-4pm. Using traditional sailor skills and techniques, embroider your very own Cutty Sark souvenir merging your historical surroundings with contemporary maritime issues. For more information visit www.rmg.co.uk Tues 7 – Thurs 16 Apr Easter Holiday Activities, Horniman Museum and Gardens, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ Tues, Wed and Thurs only. Visit the Education Centre (10.30am12.30pm) to make some spring art and crafts as part of the bird-themed Easter holiday fun. Drop into the Hands on Base (11am-12.30pm, 2-3.30pm) to take part in fun challenges and touch amazing objects from the collections, themed around eggs. For more information visit www.horniman.ac.uk Wed 8 Apr We Were There: Meet Veterans and Eyewitnesses, HMS Belfast, SE1 2JH (Also 15 Apr). 11am-3pm. Meet those who have lived through periods of conflict and hear their experiences. These family-friendly sessions offer an insight into conflict that you won’t find in history books from those who witnessed it first-hand. Drop-in. For more information visit www.iwm. org.uk Easter Baskets, Woodlands Farm Trust, Welling, DA16 3RP 10am-12noon. Get ready for Easter at Woodlands Farm. Make and decorate your own Easter basket to take home. No booking required, just drop in. Charges apply. For more information visit www. thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org Easter holidays – Heroic Adventures!, Crofton Roman Villa, Orpington, BR6 8AF (Also 15 Apr). 10.30am. Listen to unbelievable stories of ancient heroes and their fantastic adventures. Take part in a quiz and make a fabulous heroic cartoon strip to take home. For up to 11 year olds. No booking needed. Children to be accompanied. For more details visit www.karu.org.uk

Out of School Activities West End to Broadway, Rock Legends to Superheroes An amazing opportunity awaits for children wishing to create their own characters within their very own devised musicals this Easter and Summer at the Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School, one of London’s leading independent stage schools.

All weekend, evening and holiday workshops are led by West End and industry professionals seeking to nurture talent, build confidence, and foster wellbeing in children aged 4-18. Weekly inspirational quotes help to motivate the students in all areas of their life. One parent told Primary Times, “The course and final production exceeded our expectations once again as we were left perplexed thinking how are they going to re-enact their own version of Bugsy in a week. He ended every day practising or telling us about something new he had learnt. Our son’s confidence has grown so much….” Out of School Activities This award-winning stage school has part-time branches in Hackney, Docklands, Greenwich and Camden. Many students have secured leading roles on TV, film and on the West End stage thanks to its agency. However, it is just as interested in those that wish to increase in confidence, self-esteem and life skills. To book into a Holiday School or a Taster Day at one of the parttime Saturday or evening schools, visit www.annafiorentini.com or call 020 7682 1403. For adults that also wish to have fun and learn new performing arts skills there is www.stageandthecity.com. A Confident Start with Jigsaw Performing Arts As the days grow longer and we hold out hope for the sun to reappear, there is some good news – Jigsaw is now open for booking for the Summer term. Jigsaw’s popular dance, singing and drama weekend classes for 3 to 18-year-olds develop children’s confidence, selfexpression, focus and social skills, while they have fun and make lots of new friends. Parents share in their children’s progress and excitement with regular presentations, shows and reports from Jigsaw’s team of highly experienced teachers. For more information or to book a two-week trial, search for your nearest school on their website, www.jigsaw-arts.co.uk.

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Out of School Activities Step Up Free Session Nathalie Richardson started Step Up 24 years ago whilst she was still at The Guildhall School of Music. Over the years the school has had a great deal of success, winning Comic Relief Does Glee on BBC1, appearing on Don’t Stop Believing on Channel 5, Pitch Battle on BBC1, Britain’s Got Talent, X Factor and The Voice. Through their agency, many students have appeared in West End shows such as The Lion King, Les Misérables and Matilda. Many students who attended Step Up have gone on to have careers in the performing arts The stage school has a very personal atmosphere as well as excellent tuition. They aim to give children a wide range of experiences, from end of term shows, West End shows and Trinity Guildhall exams for all students. Step Up also runs an annual talent contest that is adjudicated by an external judge. Classes start at two years old where pupils get 45 mins of performing arts. From four years upwards they get the option of a 90-minute session or a 3-hour session. All classes are small, and the main aim is for children to develop their skills and confidence in a warm and positive environment. You can go to a free session of Step Up any Saturday in term time. For more information visit www.stepupschool.co.uk, email stepup@btinternet.com or call 020 8293 5848.

Celebrations at All the Arts All the Arts Theatre School are celebrating after being named Theatre School business of the year at the Young Entertainment Academy Awards, which was recently held at The Churchill Theatre. Not only this, the school’s pupils swept the board winning trophies in almost all categories, including best actor, best singer, best dancer, best musical theatre performer and the much sought after Commitment to the Community Award.

School principal, Lucy Morgans told Primary Times, “We are so proud of these huge successes and it’s great to be recognised, but what is equally rewarding is that we are still making huge waves with our pupils 16 years after opening our doors. Many of our former pupils are now professional performers as well as qualified dance and drama teachers, but what really makes it all worthwhile is when a shy or nervous child starts our sessions and we help them blossom into a confident young person. Having the confidence to stand up and talk or interact well in social and school situations is immeasurable and benefits all aspects of life.” The school is enrolling again after Easter with limited spaces for ages 3 to 19 years available. They also offer their hugely popular Summer Course in August, which is based on the hit movie Descendants. You can book a trial session via the school’s website, www.allthearts. co.uk.

Dynamos Cricket The ECB has launched Dynamos Cricket, a new programme to inspire children aged 8 to 11 to play cricket. Two programmes in May and July will allow up to 35,000 more children to enjoy cricket this season. Children will take part in Dynamos Cricket in their local centres at one of two 6 to 12-week courses, which will take place during the summer term, beginning mid-May, and over the school holidays, alongside The Hundred. Each week, participants will develop new cricketing skills including batting, bowling and fielding. They will have the chance to play a fast-paced and exciting game of countdown cricket – a new format that mirrors The Hundred. Parents can find out more about Dynamos Cricket and sign their kids up to take part at www.dynamoscricket.co.uk or for All Stars Cricket at www.allstarscricket.co.uk.

Your Egg-citing Easter Holiday Starts Here! Superkids holiday play scheme is bursting with fun activities from Easter bonnet making, chocolate party with alternative egg hunt and the Easter Bunny’s mystery challenge. During the second week, enjoy the Chocolate Burn-off fitness day, test your sense of direction with orienteering and be amazed by Easter egg-speriments! The fun is led by a team of qualified staff, who are DBS checked and first aid trained. Healthy breakfasts and snacks are included, and children have free choice of craft activities, sports, construction, outdoor play, role play and traditional games. Superkids is Ofsted registered for children aged 4 to 11 years. The clubs, all graded Good to Outstanding, are located in John Ball School, Blackheath, St. Marys School, Beckenham and St. James’ Church Hall, Elmers End. You can check out the full holiday programme and book online at www.superkidsclub.co.uk or contact 07732 305 454.

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Classes in street dance, drama and singing for children aged 2yrs to 16 yrs. Termly shows, yearly Trinity exams, Agency and small classes @ Colfes School every Saturday in term time www.stepupschool.co.uk 02082935848-stepup@btinternet.com

Easter Holiday Computer Coding Workshops in South London Did you know? Computer coding is one of the key digital life skills that will prepare your child for the future. As computers permeate every facet of our lives, it is a well-known fact that the digital skills gap has been increasing. In the UK alone, it’s thought that close to a million jobs will remain unfilled in 2020. Computer coding is a key digital life skill, and like spoken languages, the earlier you start, the more competent you will be. Spark4Kids are running allday holiday workshops that introduce children to computer coding through the medium of games. Courses are available on Minecraft Modding, Roblox Coding, Robotics, Games Design, MicroBit and Arduino coding, Unity/C#, Python, HTML/CSS and JavaScript in a fun, engaging environment. The courses are available for age groups 5-7, 8-12 and 13-16 years. The holiday workshops are taking place in Dulwich from Monday 6 April through to Thursday 9 April. Visit the Spark4Kids website at www. s4k.me/2020eastercoding or call 020 8090 1444 for more details. Photo credit: Martin Lea Photography

Descendants Ages 4-18 years - (split according to age) 3rd-7th August 2020 10am-2pm daily Musical Theatre Summer Course A week of professionally delivered drama, singing and dance based on the hit movie. Based on the affordable fee of just £5.00 per hour. ALMOST FULL. Book today www.allthearts.co.uk 020 8850 2384 Any type of performance requires teamwork to succeed. At Stagecoach, children learn that “It’s not just you on stage. You are responsible for a larger group that is counting on you to do your part, so they can do theirs.” At the end of the day, the transferable skills a child learns from performing may not be nearly as important as the experience of performing itself. Simply being part of the performance process, your child will be exposed to a new way of thinking and doing. That alone is a success to be proud of.

How the Performing Arts Benefit Children Children, who perform, gain skills that extend far beyond the standing ovation. Research shows that children who sing, dance, act and play tend to have enhanced cognitive, motor, and social development too. Stagecoach know that the act of performing on stage can enrich your child’s life in all sorts of surprising ways. Performance skills equip children with the ability to “think on their feet”, using their creativity and imagination. When the play goes wrong, children learn to come up with quick solutions to cover up

mistakes and work as a team. We all have moments when we feel nervous. Feeling nervous before performing is completely natural. Children learn to use nerves positively, which can put them at a huge advantage in big life moments. Hearing the audience clap at the end of the show is an incredible feeling. Yet it’s more than just the ego boost from the fans.

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