RPPS PARKLIFE Autumn Building Communities

PARKLIFE Autumn. Building communities
We’ve got rhythm!
Our Theme Week began with energetic and traditional
Latin American rhythms. The whole school were
greeted into the week’s opening assembly, in which
we discussed tolerance, respect and kindness. Years
One, Two, Five and Six came together to form class
samba bands and created traditional samba rhythms
by playing several different instruments at once. In an
exciting finale, each class then performed to the whole
school at the end of the day.
Dance Workshop
During this highly energetic workshop, children were fully immersed in the
experience as they learned some of the traditional African dance moves
native to this wonderfully vibrant and diverse continent. This workshop most
definitely left our children with a lasting impression and a spring in their
step, as they were able to gain a broader understanding of African culture.

Music Workshop
The children grabbed their
passports and journeyed
with Ms Curran around the
world during a lively singing
workshop. Inspired by the
songs the teaching staff at
RPPS grew up learning, the
children learnt and performed
a number of melodies from
different parts of the world.
The Fresh Water Theatre
Early Years children were immersed into an
extraordinary theatrical storytelling performance
designed to support Black History Month. The
journey of stories began in England in Amazing
Grace, then onto Kenya in Handa's Surprise, and
finally to the Caribbean in Island Counting. It was
evident in the way the children interacted with the
stories, activities, and props that they found the
workshop meaningful and gained the foundations
for understanding the importance of celebrating
Black History.
Enriching diversity
Aboriginal and Australian sounds and objects
With over twenty-five years of playing experience, Jonathan Cope
mesmerised the whole school with a Digeridoo demonstration.
Reception listened to creation myth stories from Aboriginal culture and
dreamt up some of their own. Years One and Two had a hands-on
workshop in which they explored a collection of real, Aboriginal objects
to support their discussions on Australian and Aboriginal culture and
history.
To further enrich the week, our specialist teachers designed several engaging lessons that
further celebrated and explored diversity. In History, the children looked at moments in
British Black History, from Windrush to Notting Hill Carnival, alongside studying the history
of the Women’s Rights Movement. Many lively discussions took place; in Science, the
children compared Shamanism with modern medicine; in Geography, the children discussed
the potential consequences of stereotyping; and in PSHEE, the children developed their
understanding of family units. In addition, the children bettered their understanding of the
French culture, learnt about the Hindu Festival of Holi and, in Computing, Upper School,
inspired by the experiences of Jean-Dominique Bauby, considered how technology can
be used to support and provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Lower School
thought about if and how robots can show emotion.

Identity and Fashion in Year 5
Jasmine Duncan, a fashion design student
at Central Saint Martins, talked about how
identity informs fashion. She also demystified
the journey one might take when studying
fashion design. The children learnt how
Jasmine’s creative ideas are informed by her
Serbian-Caribbean heritage. Year 5 were
asked to follow suit in designing a garment that
represents one of the children in their assigned
group. The teams responded well to the thirty
minutes design challenge, and celebrated their
outcomes on the catwalk.
Rethinking art institutions
The art room was transformed into the
Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Art,
whose aim was to rethink art institutions.
Children took on a job at the institute –
educators, curators, directors, designers and
communication managers. They wrote policy,
designed with inclusion in mind, curated
diverse exhibitions considering a balanced
representation, and planned art activities
aimed at children with different needs.
Black History Celebration
Upper School children were led into the hall for an exciting
theatre performance in which they discovered more about
the abolition of slavery and the Windrush generation.
They were introduced to many unsung heroes from Black
History, such as Olaudah Equiano, a prolific figure who
fought for the abolition of slavery in Britain; Walter Tull, a
famous footballer who also fought in the First World War;
Sam King, from the Windrush generation; and Baroness
Scotland, British Barrister and jurist.

Express yourself
There was so much enthusiasm and excitement across the school as we celebrated selfexpression,
tolerance and diversity. The children were asked to dress up to express who they
are or what they feel is most important to them. It was wonderful to see so many unique and
quirky styles which set us all apart.
Whilst the children were dressed to express, they also took part in a colourful fun run, which
was a symbol of freedom and expression.
To top off the fun, all year groups participated in an ‘Express Yourself Disco’ where the
children were encouraged to dance and sing to express themselves and not worry about what
others think, something that we all need reminding of at times!
We hope that children have completed this week feeling kinder, more accepting, more
tolerant, and with a greater understanding of the diverse and multi-cultural community in
which we live.
Reopening our sporting communities
P.E.
As the restrictions begin to lift in many areas, we
are now able to host and participate in fixtures
and tournaments. It has been great to see the
children play in festivals and fixtures against
other schools. Some children have given up
their Saturday mornings to participate in a
number of tournaments. As you can see, with
some success. Keep your eyes on the school
calendar for upcoming fixtures and follow
@RPPS-Sports for regular updates.

@RPPS_Art
Chiswick High Rd
What impact can art have on our community?
Art & Design
Years One to Six took part in an art project that aims to
celebrate nature and the community through an initiative to
rehabilitate public spaces in Chiswick. The children painted
wood flowers and butterflies with tender love and care. Each
class approached the brief in a manner that allowed them to
explore skills learnt as part of their termly Art & Design project.
The final installation was unveiled by Abundance London on
3rd October at the Chiswick Flower Market. You can admire
here just a few of the three hundred and twenty works of art
that RPPS has contributed with.

Who inspired Roald Dahl?
English Lower School
Year Two had the pleasure of visiting the Roald Dahl
Museum. The hands-on Crafting Characters workshop
helped the children to discover how Roald Dahl found
his ideas for creating characters from real life. The
children had the opportunity to explore the galleries,
dress up for inspiration, and created their own
characters in the interactive Story Centre. They also
went on a Roald Dahl trail, around Great Missenden,
to see how Roald Dahl drew inspiration from the town
around him.
What’s your favourite book?
What character are you?
It was incredible to see the streets he
walked on every day and how these have
changed since. The children also paid
their respects to the wonderful writer
at his grave. Back at school, Year Two
became the character of George, from
George’s Marvellous Medicine, and wrote
instructions to make their own marvellous
medicines!

How do artists and architects find their inspiration?
Art and Design
Year One discovered the story behind the beautiful building
that is now Pitzhanger and Manor Gallery. They experienced
first-hand Julian Opie’s work inspired by European towns and
villages. This led to them producing their own collaborative
landscapes in a workshop held at the gallery. The trip was
organised to support the autumn term’s art project – ‘Beyond
the Landscape’. Below are some examples of artwork
produced in the art room.
Katie Oscar Arianna
The children in Reception have
extended their learning by
focusing on their indoor and
outdoor surroundings as well as
using the environment outside the
school boundaries, to give them
the opportunity to learn from, and
be part of, their local community.
We visited the local café, garden
centre, and shops, as well as
welcoming people who help us in
our neighbourhood, into school.
Who helps you?
PSHEE

Are scientists mad?
Science
The Mad Science Company dropped us a visit to announce
our upcoming Science topic. In the morning, Helium Helen
and Jet Pack Jez filled the hall with wonder, excitement,
and laughter as they delivered an engaging science show
to all Key Stage Two children. Following this, the Year Four
and Six classes each participated in a Dry Ice Workshop
where they explored the ‘States of Matter’.
@RPPS_Science
How does music support communities?
Music
Year Six have been exploring the history of blues music and writing their
own songs in a twelve-bar blues style. Through exploring the history of
the blues, they have learned about the African American communities who
created the blues at the turn of the 20th Century as a way to express the
hardships they faced due to segregation, especially in the Southern states.
When writing their songs they have focused on the value of collaboration,
creating ‘blues bands’, where each child has their own individual role
to play within the group. Building on communication skills, listening and
performing together, the sense of community within each class has
blossomed.
@RPPS_Music

Are you an Eco Worrior?
@RPPS_Eco
We consider every child to be an Eco
Warrior. All our Eco Warriors’ hard work
paid off at the end of last term when RPPS
was awarded the prestigious Green Flag
Eco Award. Our diligent warriors helped to
implement many different environmental
initiatives, such as food waste, pen, battery,
ink cartridge (and now glue stick) recycling,
took part in Switch Off Fortnight, created an
Eco Club Garden, and installed a bug hotel
in the playground, to name but a few. One
Year Two class even received Blue Peter
Green Badges – A Climate Hero recognition
for their environmental work in school. This
term we have nominated new Eco Warrior
Representatives who will soon be meeting
to discuss eco ideas for this year. Watch this
space!
How do you show cooperation?
PSHEE
The children were thrilled to take part in the first live Values Celebration Ceremony this Half Term; a child-led assembly where each
class nominates one fellow student who they believe has demonstrated the focus value of cooperation the most. The parent, pupil
and staff body enjoyed a wide range of performances including songs, dances and poetry recitals dedicated to the individual. We very
much look forward to showing and celebrating ‘Kindness’ next Half Term, particularly throughout the festive season!

Head’s Message
Four terms after the dramatic announcement of national lockdown in March
2020, we have been able to welcome parents back into school without all the
restrictions, and it has made us realise how much we have missed having the
whole school community back together. The start of term drinks evenings were
well attended and very enjoyable; our new series of coffee mornings have been
an additional way for parents to reconnect with one another, and our Year Three
children have loved having their mums and dads in the audience for their class
assemblies. Playground zones and staggered arrival times are no more, and the
playground has been buzzing with energy and laughter; a helpful barometer of
the mood of the school community. Of course, community extends wider than
the perimeter of RPPS and, this year, we have additional events planned over
the next two terms in to link up with the children in Malawi that we have been
supporting through the Sparkle Foundation, including a collaboration for an item
in our Christmas Concert which we are looking forward to.
Carl Howes
Parents, can you help us?
@RPPS_Phonics
The RPPS parents were treated to their first
webinar of the year, Gin and Phonics! This
showcased the teaching practices of phonics in
Lower School, the basic principles of phonics, and
the terms we often use. This webinar provided
ideas and activities to support parents to build
their confidence in helping their child and also an
opportunity for parents to ask questions about this
subject.
How are laws made?
PSHEE

The Year 5 adventure
@RPPS_Trips

Issue 178 | Autumn Term | 2021 | The Newsletter of Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School
PARKLIFE reflects our school’s ethos. Therefore, it is a collaborative project in its entirety. We would like to say thank you to all
our teaching and non-teaching staff for the effort that they put in to write, edit, and deliver this project on time every half-term.
Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School
16 Ravenscourt Avenue
London
W6 0SL
W: www.rpps.co.uk E: office@rpps.co.uk T: 020 8846 9153
@RPPSlondon