Centre of the Cell

An amazing turn out for today's trip to Centre of the Cell (in fact a few too many people turned up, so big thanks to the parents who waited patiently while their children went into the pod!).

Families learned so much today...apparently we have 10 000 taste buds and we produce a litre of saliva per day - urgh! And who would have thought when you eat a hot chilli your body temperature goes down, and when you eat a cool mint your body temperature increases? And finally we have about 70 trillion cells in our body - mind boggling stuff.

The trip was part of Stepney Partnership's programme of holiday activities. Why not check out Centre of the Cell by yourself. It is an amazing place to learn about science, it is free, and we are lucky enough to have it on our doorstep!

Thames Barrier Park

A lovely day next to the Thames Barrier. Over 90 parents and children across Stepney Partnership schools brought rugs, picnics and games for an old-fashioned day in the park. We took the DLR from Limehouse to Pontoon Dock. Football, cricket, rounders, frisbee and a kite that almost reached the aeroplanes taking off from nearby London City Airport!

The trip was part of Stepney Partnership's programme of holiday family activities.

Shadwell Basin

The bracing wind blowing off the Thames didn't stop over 25 families (70+ people) coming down to Shadwell Basin to take part in canoeing, kayaking, climbing and high ropes. A memorable day with the mainly Year 5 and Year 6 children proving what they can achieve with courage, grit and determination. Only a couple of people ended up in the Basin itself - including a Dad from Halley and a child from Ben Jonson!

Big thanks to Jan and Will and the rest of the team at Shadwell Basin for making it such a great day. The trip was part of Stepney Partnership's programme of holiday family activities.

Rip Fold Scrunch @ Half Moon Theatre

Families went to see a fun play all about getting creative with paper at the Half Moon Young People's Theatre. The actors made kites, umbrellas and lots of other things. After the play, children came on stage and made their own things with paper. The trip to the theatre was part of Stepney Partnership's programme of family activities during the holidays.

Year 5 Family Taster Day

• “I enjoyed that I and my Mum were spending time together and seeing what I do” (Year 5 student)
• “I meet different people from schools and it will make me more confident to attend secondary school” (Year 5 student)
• “I am feeling very proud. I am confident that when my son comes to secondary school he will have no problem” (Parent)
• “Today has helped me understand and learn how secondary school works, the different kinds of lessons there are an how long each session is” (Parent)
  
  Families from Ben Jonson, Cayley, Halley, Redlands and Smithy Street had a great day at the Year 5 Family Taster Day at Stepney Green. There were 3 family lessons - English, Music and Science followed by the all-important lunch.
  

Next Family Homework

The theme for the next Stepney Partnership family homework is going to be 'The Environment'. The homework will be given out before the Easter Holidays. Get ready for recycling, nature walks and more! Teachers from Cayley Primary are creating the homework which will be distributed to families across the partnership.

Step Forward

I visited 'Step Forward' today in Bethnal Green. It is an excellent resource for young people aged 11+ including counselling, anti-bullying and holiday activities. Halley school are working with Step Forward to pilot a new transition programme for Year 6 families in the summer term.