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RAPS IN THE NEWS

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  • Ieuan Edwards Visit

    Published 12/11/21

    Creative children at Ramsgate Arts Primary are being inspired by Broadstairs artist Ieuan Edwards.

    He passed on some top tips and techniques when he explained his creative process for lino cut printing to pupils.

    Hannah Dannell, who is the Head of Arts at RAPS, said: “The children were fascinated by the process he uses and were in awe of his work.

    “It was fantastic to have a real-life artist to come and talk to us about their work and I'm sure the children were inspired.”

    Ieuan uses many layers to create depth to his images before rolling ink across his carvings. Finally, he uses a press to print his art and create a finished product. He is inspired by many things including explorations, old industrial structures and his family.

    His art has appeared in galleries such as the Turner Contemporary at Margate as well as more unusual places such as the sails of a boat.

    On his website he explains: “I produce hand-carved, hand-printed illustrations and limited edition prints using the deceptively simple medium of linocut.

    “​I usually cut from a single block of lino, printing the lightest colour first, then cutting into the same block for the next colour and so on until the final darkest colour. This means that a cut can never be repeated, making the small editions of prints collectable.

    “My heritage, and chief inspiration for initially picking up a lino-cutting tool, lies in the (ex) coal mining communities of the Rhondda Valleys, South Wales.

    “As well as industry, my other areas of interest are tradition (the stranger, the better), eccentricity, tribalism, exploration, folklore and palaeontology.  Living on the Kent coast – with its heady mix of seaside towns, folk festivals, history and colourful characters – provides me with a plentiful supply of subject matter. “

    Head of School Nick Budge said: “The children were captivated by what Ieuan creates and how he makes brilliant images appear from his intricate lino cuts.

    “I am sure having an established creative explain his work processes to them will inform a lot of the work they do in the coming weeks.

    “Describing his techniques and inspirations first hand is a great way for our children to really embrace the subject – and it shows them what can be achieved if they follow their creative dream.”

    Ieuan’s work is currently on show at Turner Contemporary, Margate, until February 20; and at Lino Print 2022, Horsebridge Arts Centre, Whitstable, from January 22-February 13.

    Find out more about his work online at www.blackgoldpress.co.uk

    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

     

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  • RAPS Eco Awareness Summit Has High Hopes

    Published 10/11/21

    While world leaders are planning the protection of the planet at the high profile UN COP26 climate change summit, a quieter eco revolution is under way at Ramsgate Arts Primary.

    In recent years children and staff have pledged to do all they can to improve the sustainability of their environment while embracing the need for change on a global basis.

    And RAPS held its own Eco summit with a day-long awareness initiative for children to be further informed and understand more about what they can do to environmentally safeguard the future.

    The school’s elected Eco Guardians – children of all age groups who will help spearhead awareness in school – have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and world leaders with a simple plea to make sure all the plans discussed at COP26 take effect as soon as possible.

    In the open message written on behalf of the school, they say: “We are watching all of the news from the COP26 meetings and we are discussing what you all say you will do to help our planet and its people, the creatures, our oceans and our lands, and our climate change problems.

    “We are proud to tell the world leaders that we are doing our best every day and we held our own special Eco Day summit. The idea is to improve on the important lessons we have had for many years about caring for our planet and our community such as recycling, litter clearing, reducing the use of plastic in our school, using electricity wisely in school, and protecting our wildlife.

    Listening to the progress and promises you are all making gives us hope for the future – for our families, our friends and for generations to come.”

    The range of educational initiatives during eco day included a sculpture competition for class groups with the winners receiving a weather station from Cummins Power Generation at Ramsgate; the arts team working with children and parents to draw a forest with eco tape on the main hall walls to illustrate how trees make a positive change to our lives; an initiative with the nationwide EcoKids Project to collect around 250 bags of quality unwanted clothing instead of it going to landfill  in exchange for money for outdoor learning resources; and an information assembly with Thanet council about how to tackle litter problems locally.

    Head of School Nick Budge said: “These are vitally important lessons for life that our children are learning every day, and they will make a difference by embracing the crucial need for environmental sustainability and integrating it into their lives.

    “Our Eco Day was a focus point to assess how far we have progressed in recent years with the school’s eco strategy. It heralds the start of even greater efforts by children and staff at school, at home and in the community.

    “Our children are enthusiastic and determined to safeguard the precious world that we share through collective responsibility.

    “At RAPS our message is simple - caring for the environment never stops.

    Recent RAPS initiatives have included litter clear ups in Ramsgate town as well as in their own school environment; and becoming a Plastic Clever School under the national Kids Against Plastic campaign to reduce their use of single-use plastic polluters - cups and lids, straws, bottles and bags, cutlery and crockery.

    They have also embraced ‘no technology’ days across the whole school (unless children have specific writing needs) to reduce the consumption of electricity and for pupils and staff to consider the amount of screen time they could potentially be exposed to.”

    Another environment friendly idea is the national Walk on Wednesday scheme, where children are encouraged to walk to school or be dropped off and walk some of the way.

    Meanwhile the environmental theme continues to run throughout the school’s curriculum and the books children read and art projects often support the green awareness campaign, such as the successful Ocean Challenge awareness project that highlighted the damage that dumped rubbish causes to marine life.

    Throughout their time at RAPS, pupils have the opportunity to learn about the environment in each year group ranging from recycling and litter, through the impact of humans on the environment, deforestation, climate change, pollution conservations, fair trade and renewable and non-renewable energy.

    Deputy Head of School Hanna Beech explained: “Our teaching of environmental issues is cohesive and progressive. When our pupils leave us in Year 6 they have developed the knowledge and awareness they need to make informed choices about how they might contribute towards a thriving community.”

    Diversity, ecology and the environment has also been ongoing themes from collaborative community projects by RAPS with The National Gallery, Turner Contemporary Gallery, Dreamland Margate, plus visiting artists and arts leaders in music, drama and dance.

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

    *For more information, contact Mr Budge on 01843 582847

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  • Spooky News-Screamtastic Day of Fun and Learning

    Published 02/11/21

    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.

    Youngsters dressed in their favourite spooky costumes and the colourful array included witches, vampires, ghosts, zombies, skeletons and even a few fairies and unicorns.

    Fun learning activities in the specially decorated Halloween classrooms and on the outdoor play area included pumpkin carving, creating spooky recipes such as worm pie or spider cakes, games and activities.

    Early Years Foundation Studies lead Sophie Spurrier explained: “The children were immersed in lots of different art activities across all areas of learning. These used lots of different techniques such as printing, painting, making and decorating.

    “In our outdoor play area there were lots of sensory activities such as pumpkin carving, finding the eyes in the foam and picking out the spiders from the worms (pasta). Cobwebs and gunge added to the fun. There were also opportunities for children to enjoy role play and try their luck at the obstacle course.

    “Our Halloween day gave our girls and boys a chance to really engage with all types of creativity with a specific theme - they really enjoyed all the tasks and opportunities and worked well together.”

    Head of School Nick Budge added: “Our Early Years team once again worked with so much imagination and enthusiasm to create an exciting, vibrant and memorable learning experience.

    “Creativity is a central part of life at RAPS and having a full day with so many different learning experiences is brilliant – these little ones have only been with us for a few weeks but they are really engaged with all of the different types of learning that our specialist arts primary can offer.”

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

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  • ‘Amazing’ Global Response to RAPS Learning

    Published 18/10/21

    Early years children and staff at Ramsgate Arts Primary were the stars of a worldwide online educational show.

    The school was invited to host the ‘take over Tuesday’ slot on the popular Instagram service run by international early year’s consultant and author Alistair Bryce-Clegg.

    With 40,000 followers on Instagram and a further 58,000 on Facebook, the chance to star on ABC Does EYFS was a golden opportunity to spread the word about the Early Years provision at RAPS and how it successfully it engages young children and encourages and supports their educational pathways.

    Sophie Spurrier, Early Years Foundation Studies lead at RAPS, explained: “We have received amazing feedback from practitioners all over the world.

    “Some have tried out our ideas and tagged us in it, others have alerted other practitioners to magpie our initiatives.

    “Lots of people have been asking questions about resources and Ramsgate Arts Primary - so much so that we have a school in Athens, Greece, now planning to visit us in February next year.”

    A wide range of RAPS Early Years programme was showcased throughout the day with pictures of children and an explanation of their work and activities posted regularly.

    Miss Spurrier added: “These activities included gross motor painting, construction play, water play, autumn art, gross motor powder painting and much more.

    “Each post had a blurb written by myself which outlined the context of the pictures and how the children responded to each activity.

    “I am astounded with the response it generated worldwide with some individual posts reaching nearly 1000 likes. It is so important to share Early Years practice and we have loved having this opportunity to feature on such an incredible EYFS platform.

    “I love looking at other settings on there so I was so pleased that we were able to contribute and support others as well.”

    Head of School Nick Budge agreed: “This is a fantastic initiative and our Early Years provision for our children certainly fired the imaginations of many educational professionals around the world.

    “The reaction was tremendous and it underlines the importance of sharing our developing skills for the benefit of pupils everywhere – I am very proud of what this ‘take over Tuesday’ idea has achieved.

    “It reinforces what we strive for – that our education and learning futures for all our children are of a very high standard from their first moment at RAPS, even from when they visit us before they join our school.”

    ABC Does EYFS says: “On Tuesdays we hand our account over to someone else in the field (teachers, home schoolers, parents, childminders, teaching assistants, playgroup leaders) in order for them to share what they’ve been getting up to. This can be activity ideas, special moments of discovery, interesting environments or children having great fun learning. Sometimes it’s just fascinating to see what early childhood education looks like in another part of the world. “

    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

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  • Viking Holiday Club - OCTOBER

    Published 14/10/21

    Click here to find out about our Viking Holiday Club and to book a place for this October half-term!

     

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  • On Patrol With Police Dog Ciara

    Published 08/10/21

    Police dog Ciara was put through her paces when she visited children at Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

    Along with her handler PC Barnes, she demonstrated how she uses her senses to help track down missing property or find lost people.

    It was all part of the Year 1 topic Me and My Place that encourages pupils to investigate their senses as well as how to stay safe and how people in their communities help them.

    After a chat with PC Barnes, the girls and boys watched him and Ciara give a demonstration at a safe distance in the school playground of how they work together.

    As well as showing how she understands commands, Ciara also used her nose to ‘find’ a volunteer adult hidden in a car and tracked down property including a wallet, phone, key and gloves.

    When she located the item Ciara either lay down beside it or barked at it. 

    The children said it was great treat to meet Ciara and PC Barnes. Pupil Miley Mai said: “I liked seeing Ciara finding someone in the car,” while Ollie-river was impressed how “Ciara sniffed around and then found a wallet.”

    The main message from PC Barnes to his young audience is to illustrate how police are friendly people who want to help the community, and for children to feel confident to ask for help if they were lost and saw a police officer. He also explained the type of work that Police Dog Ciara gets up to in her daily life.

    Head of School Nick Budge said: “This was real treat for our girls and boys. They learnt a great deal from their friendly chat with PC Barnes and were entranced at how he and Ciara worked so well together.

    “Visits into school such as this not only enhance curriculum topics but they also are vital as they help broaden life learning skills.”

    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

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  • Pawprints of Happiness

    Published 01/10/21

    Cats and dogs reigned when the pets became the stars of the show during a visit to children at Ramsgate Arts Primary.

    Cute kittens and playful puppies were an instant hit with girls and boys who were thrilled to welcome the cuddly creatures into their classrooms.

    Year 1 teacher Jess Barnes said: “The kittens were just a little treat for the children. One of the boys in class had them at home and they were about to go to their new homes so his mum brought them in.

    “The children got to hear a little bit about what they like to do and how to look after them. They gave them some treats and enjoyed lots of cuddles.”

    Teacher Alice Rees-Boughton from Year 3 said the puppy visit was “a great way to end a busy week for our pupils.”

    She added: “The children had lots of fun meeting them and enjoyed having a snuggle. We didn’t introduce the puppies to our school pet dog Marley though – he is a bit big for them at the moment.”

    The puppies are Cavapoo, a cross breed of a King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. They are from a litter belonging to the family pet of Head of School Nick Budge who took them in for an afternoon.

    He said: “It was lovely to see the children enjoy the company of our puppies and the kittens.

    “They were gentle and respectful and had a lovely time. As part of our overall learning we encourage our girls and boys to respect all animal life and discuss the importance of responsible pet ownership with them.

    “We believe that surprise visits like this are lovely reward treats for our pupils who were keen to find out lots about their furry visitors and asked lots of different questions about them.

    “The kittens and puppies left little pawprints of happiness with all the children they met.”

    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

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  • Caring for the Community Starts Young at RAPS

    Published 30/09/21

    Community spirit plays a large part in the educational development of young children at Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

    RAPS is highly-regarded for playing its part in Thanet community life whether it is contributing to public art projects such as supporting initiatives at the Turner Cotemporary gallery in Margate and at Ramsgate harbour; the Newington Copse Project; and the ‘big spring clean’ to tidy up the streets of its home town.

    Year 3 pupils are the latest to find out more about their role and to explore what it means to be part of a strong community.

    Year group teachers Alice Rees-Boughton and Kiki Amin explained: “As part of the children’s personal development learning their task was to understand what groups help our community and then to help their own school community.

    “They discussed local people who help our community such as bin men, road workers, charity workers, teachers, and many more; and then they researched how the school’s Parent Council helps with projects at RAPS.”

    The girls and boys each had to think of a project they could do in school to help their own community. Ideas included litter picking, making cards for the lonely, reading to younger children in the school, designing posters to ask for donations at food banks, bird feeding, and encouraging people to recycle. They planned their projects, and successfully completed them in their groups the following day.

    Head of School Nick Budge said: “This is a fine example of learning in action. We are very proud of the role our school plays in the wider community through a number of diverse projects and initiatives.

    “Our children are encouraged to embrace the importance of being responsible young citizens in school and out, and this also links in with our learning about diversity, ecology and our core value that caring for the environment never stops.”

    Throughout their time at RAPS, pupils have the opportunity to learn about the environment in each year group ranging from recycling and litter, through the impact of humans on the environment, deforestation, climate change, pollution conservations, 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

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  • Reception 2022 Starters Open Days

    Published 16/09/21

     

    Please call the School Office on (01843) 582847 to book onto one of the Tours. Please click here to download a copy of our upcoming Tour Dates for Reception children in 2022.

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  • Christ's Hospital Letter For Year 6 Parents & Carers From Mrs Lewis Executive Headteacher

    Published 10/09/21
    Please find letter attached.
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  • Tasty Healthy Food Served Up With A Smile

    Published 07/09/21

    Children at Ramsgate Arts Primary have been served up a tasty return to school.

    There is a new catering company providing delicious and healthy meals and the young diners are licking their lips at the prospect of trying out the nutritious menus in the weeks ahead.

    There is a wide choice of dinner and pudding to meet all dietary needs prepared fresh every day.

    One day’s options show the diversity of fare served up for the children. Chicken lasagne; spinach, sweet potato, lentil curry and rice; macaroni cheese; jacket potato with variety of fillings; fresh carrots and garden peas; wonky strawberries; homemade flavoured breads; fruity yogurts; cheese and biscuits.

    RAPS children are happy to give the new meals their seal of approval. Leo said: “The salad bar has great options, like olives and feta cheese or crunchy peppers,” while Grace added: “We have lots of main meals to choose from and there is freshly baked bread too.”

    Isla agreed that the menu was “really great” and added:  “The puddings are the best because they are healthy but delicious as well.” She also loved her dinner too: “The lasagne was so tasty.”

    Helen Rolandsen is Mobile Manager for Independent Catering from Sevenoaks. She is working with the school kitchen team of Laura, Ange and Mandy for several weeks teaching them the way the company expects their meals to be prepared and presented.

     She explained: “I’m a bit of a foodie and I believe it is very important to give our children the best nutritionally balanced healthy range of meals to enjoy.

    “We prepare, cook and serve our meals ‘old school’ with all of our dishes prepared fresh each day from locally-sourced produce whenever possible.

    “We offer a range of four options on our daily menu for dinner and pudding and there is always a salad bar and fresh fruit too.

    “Special dietary needs, allergies, vegetarians and vegans are catered for and we are happy to chat with parents to decide what is best for their children. Our hygiene standards are first class and our kitchen and preparation areas are checked throughout our service to ensure a top level of cleanliness is maintained at all stages.

    “Our food choices are on a five-week cycle so there is always something different to taste each day, and we feature seasonal-flavoured menus as well as holding theme days celebrating all range of ideas from Roald Dhal to pirates.”

    The Independent Catering team is also providing meals for RAPS partner schools within the Viking Academy Trust – Upton Juniors at Broadstairs and Chilton Primary in Ramsgate.

     

    About Independent Catering: In 1996 Andrew Saunders founded the company with a vision of creating a service based on great food using locally sourced ingredients and suppliers. The company, still led by Andrew with a team of passionate skilled chefs, now provides a service to over 70 schools in Kent, Surrey and Sussex cooking tens of thousands of meals a day!

    It states: “We are proud of our environmental and sustainable approach to our menus and food standards which underpins our commitment to fresh, seasonal and locally grown produce. Our commitment to using the best food that Kent, Sussex and the UK can offer lies at the heart of our approach and always has done!

    “Our core values ensure pupils and school staff receive healthy and innovative menus, served with a smile by our wonderful dedicated team of catering staff.”

     

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

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  • Big Smiles and Lots of Fun for RAPS New Pupils

    Published 07/09/21

    Four year olds are already settling into life with a smile at Ramsgate Arts Primary School in Ramsgate.

    The new Reception group has already explored the specially-designed early years centre, played with games and toys, enjoyed a range of activities in the outdoor play area including dressing up and met their new classmates.

    Girls and boys are in two groups of 30 with one coming to into school in the mornings and the other during afternoons for the first three weeks to ease transition into full time learning.

    As well as familiarising themselves with the school, its environment and the RAPS way of life, the children’s voyage of discovery has already seen lots of interactive fun sessions including making flower soup in water trays, creating recipes using real life food in the mud kitchen, painting, messy foam play, drawing and making music on the stage.

    Circle time game sessions have been about learning names and collaboration, while each day is completed with singing nursery rhymes together and a story about starting school.

    Sophie Spurrier is Early Years Foundation Studies Lead. She said: “The children have settled so well into life at RAPS and they have only been here a short while.

    “Being in smaller groups and only part time to start with allows them to really get to know their new school environment, practice routines, get to know their teachers and make new friends on a more intimate level.

    “We have found from recent years that this helps the children to gain confidence and independence rapidly which has certainly been the case this year too. It is like they have always been here.

    “Starting school is such a big step for little ones and their families and having the stay and play sessions, parent meetings, home visits and picnics before the summer holidays had a hugely positive impact on how well the children have started their life at RAPS. We are all very excited for the year ahead of us.”

    Head of School Nick Budge said: “This is the beginning of an amazing educational journey for our little ones at RAPS - they clearly already feel comfortable and safe in their new surroundings, and they have settled in so well with their classmates, teachers and other staff.”

    Ramsgate Arts Primary School focusses on specialist teaching of arts subjects including dance, music, drama and art, in specially-designed studios, while also delivering a broad primary curriculum.

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

    *For more information, contact Mr Budge on 01843 582847

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