We are famous!

Photographers and a camera crew came down to Stepney Park this morning to take publicity shots for our sponsored bike ride taking place on Wednesday 28 September.

We are doing the bike ride to raise money for UNICEF's work in Somalia! We were joined by Charlie Simpson who raised almost £250,000 for UNICEF’s work in Haiti. Charlie gave lots of advice to our children about preparing for the bike ride.

You can see a report on BBC Newsround here.

Support group for parents/carers for children with autism

We had the first meeting of the Stepney Partnership support group for parents/carers of children with autism this morning at Redlands. Around 12 parents from across the partnership schools attended which was a great start!

At the meeting Richie and Dani from National Autistic Society and Catherine McNerney from Phoenix outreach team talked about their work. Parents shared their views on what they wanted from the support group.

The next meeting is on Friday 30 September (9:30-11am) at Halley Primary School where Andru Kyle from Disabled Children’s Outreach Service will lead a discussion about how parents cope when their child is diagnosed with autism.

On Friday 4 October we will visit a Mindbuilders’ Parent Session led by Sibylle Janert – a psychologist with 16 years experience of working with families, young children and autism.

Fun at Hampstead Heath

18 of us went over to Hampstead Heath in blazing sunshine earlier today. We took the London Overground from Whitechapel to Gospel Oak (changing at Canonbury). The camera died, so there are no pictures to share! But we had an epic game of cricket, fun in the paddling pool and playground, and a quick game of twister.

UNICEF and Stepney Partnership

Earlier today, Somali families from across Stepney Partnership schools and representatives from OSCA (Ocean Somali Community Association), met with the fundraising team at UNICEF. We discussed ideas for how the Stepney community can raise funds for the crisis in Somalia. The children came up with amazing ideas including a sponsored bike ride or skip in Mile End Park and a toy sale in schools. Check the blog for more updates...

Families win awards at Houses of Parliament

Big congratulations to six Stepney Partnership families who won an important national award at the House or Lords last night. The families were:

Ben Jonson – Laila Ali - Liban, Sahra, Llyas
Cayley – Aysha Islam, Aadam, Safiyya, Aaliyah
Halley – Andrea Phillips, Jane, Jadie
Redlands – Mohammed Rasel, Rahina Begum, Eshetha, Norrien, Yunus
Smithy Street - Rukia Khanom, Haneefah
Stepney Green – Bodrul Ahmed, Mr. Ullah

The families received their award for the huge impact that parents/carers have had on their children’s learning and the wider community. The Youth Achievement Awards were organised by the Universal Peace Federation and included inspiring stories from young people across the UK.

We had a real adventure which started with a boat trip from Tower Bridge to Westminster. Families then received their awards from Lord King. Finally, and with huge exictement from the families, we had a special tour of the House of Commons from Rushanara Ali (MP for Bethnal Green and Bow). Rushanara was very proud of the families, and we are all very grateful for the time she spent talking to children and parents.

Dads at Parliamentary Reception

Seven dads and eleven children from Stepney Partnership schools went to the House of Lords yesterday for a Parliamentary Reception about Fatherhood.

Dads had a chance to talk to David Lammy MP who is chairing the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fatherhood, along with other MPs, Peers and Policy Makers. Children took part in reading and writing activities put on by Ladybird Books. We arrived in style! We took a boat from Tower Pier to Westminster.

The event kicks off Stepney Partnership's activities about Fathers taking place this week for Father's Story Week.

Stepney Partnership Dads go to Parliament!

Next Monday, seven Dads and their children from Stepney Partnership schools are going to the House of Commons to attend a celebration of fatherhood! There will be MPs, Peers and policy makers from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fatherhood and people from family charities and companies.

Ladybird Books will run a book corner with bunting, cushions, story telling etc for our little guests.

Full report to come...