RAPS IN THE NEWS

Children from Ramsgate Arts Primary are on the right track when it comes to learning about railway safety.

Pupils from Year 5 took part in a series of workshops, fun learning and interactive activities on a visit to Margate Railway Station.

The message they learned was straightforward and simple – be safe and be vigilant at all times near the railway.

The first workshop took place in a purpose-built studio that used real tracks in a safe environment to educate the children about the dangers surrounding the railways, including the risks of trespassing.

They also watched an informative video which included some scary near-misses of people not being safe.

Interactive learning included being asked rail safety questions in which pupils had to run and quickly touch the correct answer on a display.

They also learnt about the different tools used for fixing the lines and were able to try and lift them to see just how heavy they are.

Assistant Head of School Hannah Dannell said: “We also walked around the station, learning how to buy a ticket, find out information and to stay behind the yellow safety line markers.

“However, perhaps the best part was when a train was approaching and we got the driver to honk the horn for us.

“The whole trip was really beneficial and the children learnt a great deal. The staff were brilliant and the workshops were engaging.

“It is really important for our pupils to learn about rail safety especially as they get older, and become more independent.

“It is a great educational resource that Network Rail and Southeastern are offering through these workshops that help prevent trespassing and keep children safe.” 

Ramsgate Arts Primary School is a member of the Viking Academy Trust together with Upton Junior School, Broadstairs, and Chilton Primary School, Ramsgate.

For more information contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847.

The work of acclaimed street artist Banksy and conceptual artist Barbara Kruger are inspiring creative children at Ramsgate Arts Primary.

Girls and boys have studied the way the pair use their style to convey messages and are devising ways to make their own important statements have a visual impact.

As part of their studies, pupils took part in the first in-school competition of this academic year to design images to convey issues they feel strongly about.

Art teacher Kelly-Ann Smith explained: “There was a very high standard of work from students relating to a whole range of themes including littering, looking after our planet and animal cruelty.  

“The two winners' work included an entry from Polly for Key Stage 1 who produced a fantastically illustrated drawing based on the theme of being kind and including everyone.

“Bea in Key Stage 2 produced a photography piece that conveys the message that we need to act to resolve global issues.”

Both pupils received art prizes, a certificate and house points.

Head of School Nick Budge was impressed at the diversity of entries for the competition. He said: “Using two prominent and focussed artists as a basis for their work certainly encouraged our children to produce a raft of thought-provoking images.

“Each term we focus on a particular artist to give our pupils of all ages the opportunity to experience the sheer diversity of work produced by the prominent and not so well-known artists of all styles and disciplines.

“The next termly competition has a festive theme that will no doubt provide colourful artwork to complement our festive displays around the school.”

Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust in partnership with Chilton Primary School and Upton Junior School.

For more information contact head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847.

Ghoulish games and creepy creativity gave young children a Halloween to remember at Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

Reception class pupils aged four and five enjoyed a screamtastic day packed full of fun activities and learning.

The youngsters dressed in their favourite spooky costumes and the colourful array included witches, vampires, ghosts, zombies and skeletons, with the odd superhero joining in as well. There were plenty of wild and colourful hairstyles with some including bats and spiders.

An array of fun learning activities in the specially decorated Halloween classrooms included making witch and skeleton cut outs, while dancing to Halloween songs was a big hit.

Early Years Foundation Studies Lead Sophie Spurrier explained: “All RAPS Reception children looked spookily splendid in their outfits – it was clear a lot of thought, time and effort had gone into many of the costumes, make-up and hair colouring and styling.

“The children were immersed in lots of different activities across all areas of learning while in the outdoor play area there were different kinds of sensory and art challenges. They also enjoyed role playing such as making gruesome food concoctions in the kitchen or making spells using the colourful mud in the mud kitchen.

“Special fun learning days with creativity at the heart are really important as they allow children to fully immerse themselves in art and performance and this becomes a starting point for other areas of learning.”

To book a tour of RAPS and see the arts learning in action, contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847.

Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School at Broadstairs and Chilton Primary School, Ramsgate.

Music plays a key note in learning at Ramsgate Arts Primary.

The latest in the Raps Live! series of regular concerts for children of all age groups featured singer songwriter Naomi Hammerton.

She performed to a packed hall of girls and boys from Year 2 to Year 6. She taught her young audience how to sing in harmony, performed one of her original numbers, and also a cover version of Tina Turner’s anthemic show-stopper Simply The Best.

The concerts are organised by Assistant Head of School Hannah Dannell who explained: “It is so important that we continue to expose children to live music to inspire them and prove that you can make a career in the profession. Our girls and boys were transfixed by the acoustic numbers - you could hear a pin drop.

“Watching someone perform live definitely inspires them and exposes them to different genres, instruments and teaches them how to be an audience. Hopefully it will encourage them to take up an instrument or singing.”

Naomi, who is a parent at the school, runs choirs across the country and has sung on film soundtracks including Trolls. It is hoped to invite an adult choir to perform at next term’s concert.

Head of School Nick Budge said: “This was a successful way to start our series of RAPS Live! for the coming school year.

“We offer our pupils a range of musical experiences including performing in our rock band, learning from visiting professionals, singing in our choir, performing musicals and in classroom activities.

“An inspirational live show is so different from watching someone play on television or in a DVD for example. Sitting just feet away from the performer they can see up close the artistry and work that goes into the show – they experience the response as part of an audience. It is energising learning and is a great part of our music learning.”

Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School and Chilton Primary School.

*For more information, contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847

Armed with litter pickers and rubbish sacks, a group of children from Ramsgate Arts primary have been clearing up their town.

The ongoing clean-up campaign fronted by town mayor Cllr Raushan Ara has inspired girls and boys from RAPS to once again reinforce their efforts to support their community.

The group from Years 5 and 6 tidied Montefiore Woodland off Dumpton Park Drive and then turned their attention to the Boundary Road park closer to the town centre.

Assistant Head of School Hannah Dannell said: “They did a great job and filled around 30 bin bags full of any litter they could find including bottles, cans, plastics, carrier bags and much more. They walked more than five miles and were really tired when they returned to school but were glad they had managed to lend a hand in cleaning up parts of their community. It was a terrific effort and they should feel very proud.”

RAPS also has its own group of children acting as Eco Guardians who monitor how the school cares for the planet, the community, and they look at issues including recycling, litter clearing, reducing the use of plastic and using electricity wisely in school, and protecting wildlife.

Head of School Nick Budge said: “Our core value at RAPS is that caring for the environment never stops.

“As they progress through our year groups our children become actively aware of how important it is to be responsible ranging from clearing rubbish and recycling through to the impact that humans have upon the environment, deforestation, climate change, pollution, fair trade, and renewable and non-renewable energy.”

Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School and Chilton Primary School.

*For more information, contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847

Heralding King Charles III and respectfully remembering The Queen’s long and distinguished reign has united hundreds of children at Thanet’s Viking Academy Trust.