Islington's Education Week 2006 (26 June - 2 July) now in its sixth year, continues to be as much fun as ever and draws parents and children from right across the borough.
Once again the council worked with education partner CEA@islington to deliver a packed schedule.
This year, Education Week went 'Back to School' with high profile events successfully staged on secondary school premises.
The week's events showcased a variety of activities designed to entertain and inform children, parents and carers, to celebrate the breadth of talent in Islington's schools, and to look ahead to a bright future in brand new buildings.
Commenting on the week's events, Cllr Ursula Woolley, executive member for children and young people said:
"Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the huge achievements in education in Islington, from talented pupils to first class new facilities.
I know from attending these events just how popular they are both with parents and children. We've had thousands attending over the week.
A lot of parents of older primary school children have been able to visit an Islington secondary school for the first time this week and come away with a very positive impression.
The future's looking bright for education in Islington. We've got a solid base for academic improvement, excellent Ofsted reports coming in for schools and nurseries and adult learning centres helping more people back into work or education.
This week, we've also been able to longlist contractors for our school building programme which will ensure all our schools have a learning environment pupils can be proud of."
EVENT LISTING
OWARI COMPETITION - at Barnsbury Centre (Friday 23 June)
Islington pupils learned the game Owari as part of the Africa Links initiative and Winton School has organised a borough-wide competition
PURE VOICES - at Highbury Grove School (Monday 26 June, 5pm)
Highbury Grove's main hall was packed to capacity with over 800 people on Monday 26 June for the schools borough-wide musical event Pure Voices. 400 primary and secondary school students sang and performed. Each school gave a performance, with the opening and closing numbers being performed by the entire ensemble.
Particular highlights were the gospel performance of 'Still I Rise' by Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and classical performances from St Aloysius' students:
Dinel Upindo performed Mozart's Piano Sonata and the St Aloysius' Chamber group performed one movement from the Saint Saens Septet.
The diversity of ages and performance styles - from Jazz, to classical, to gospel, to numbers from popular musicals - provided an uplifting and highly enjoyable experience for both students and parents with numerous requests received for more events of a similar nature. The show proved so successful, and tickets were in such high demand, that next year's event is likely to be held over two evenings.
Schools involved:
Primary schools
Copenhagen school choir, Gillespie school choir, Grafton school choir, Hargrave Park school choir, Highbury Quadrant singing club, Rotherfield school choir, St Joseph's school choir, St Luke's school choir, St Mark's school choir, St Mary's school choir, Thornhill school junior choir, Yerbury school Year 5 choir
Secondary schools
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson school Year 9 and 10 choir
Highbury Grove school's vocal group
Mount Carmel school's vocal group
St Aloysius College's musicians
PLUS The Islington Youth Jazz Band and Kenan Esmanoglu
CARNIVAL OF COLOUR - Whittington Park (Wednesday 28 June, 11am)
Opened by the Mayor, Cllr Jyoti Vaja, the ever-popular Carnival of Colour returned to Whittington Park, N19.
An estimated 2,500 people enjoyed activities including:
silk-screen printing, tile painting, face painting, hat-making and clay-pot making
various theatre and music groups, clowns and performance artists including the excellent Chicken Shed Theatre Company, steel band and African drumming performed by local school children
storytelling
football skills coaching from Arsenal Football Club and their mascot, Gunnersaurus
information stalls and displays for parents
Cllr Ursula Woolley, executive member for children and families said:
"There was so much to enjoy and take part in. I know all the children - including my own - who attended the Carnival of Colour, had a great time."
UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE (Wednesday 28 June, 5.30pm)
Islington primary schools have been competing in a series of knock-out rounds to determine who will be the University Challenge champions.
The final was held on Wednesday 28 June at Islington Arts and Media School, with finalists Yerbury (defending champions) facing challengers Thornhill. Parents and supporters were on the edge of their seats during the closely fought contest. The Fast Show's Charlie Higson acted as quiz master. After two twenty minute rounds, the competition was so close that the contest was decided by the final question!
Thornhill just managed to snatch victory from Yerbury with a score of 250 points to 240 points.
BSF EVENT (Thursday 29 June)
Imagine... Schools for the Future
School students and their parents flocked to the Islington Museum on Thursday 29 June for the launch of a major exhibition of students' work.
Mayor Jyoti Vaja awarded medals to children who had submitted artwork for the competition, and twenty five of the best entrants won Borders vouchers of £25. Ashmount school scooped a £250 prize for the outstanding entry: a huge model of their imagined school with grounds, and individual models of specific classrooms. The project was a group effort by the school's art club, led by teacher Christopher Wilson.
Islington's secondary schools are about to undergo a transformation, with over £100 million being invested in new facilities and new buildings. The ideas and vision of the students who took part in the exhibition will form part of the consultation with the bidders for this contract.
The exhibition is on at the Islington Museum, Town Hall, Upper Street from now until Sunday 13th August
Schools with artwork on display include: Ashmount, Samuel Rhodes, New North Community School, Hanover, Hargrave Park and William Tyndale
ENDS
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008