Wealden Times | WT263 | April 2024 | Garden Supplement inside

More documents

Recommendations

Info

READY FOR DISCOVERY The New Beacon Nursery co-ed from 3 years Independent Day and Boarding Prep School for Boys aged 3-13 FULLY PREPARED. newbeacon.org.uk 01732 452 131 Brittains Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2PB
Education Perfect Pitch Mike Piercy, education consultant and former Head of The New Beacon, sings the praises of music in education istockphoto.com/ monkeybusinessimages What exactly is it that drives parents to make huge sacrifices by sending their children to independent schools? Different families have different priorities and, of course, every child is an individual. For some it is academic ambition. For many it is small class sizes. There are those who argue class size is less important than good teaching. The latter, I would suggest, is a given, but it stands to reason smaller classes bring closer attention; academically and in personal development. For the majority I suspect it may be ‘breadth’. I studied Latin to ‘O Level’ and wondered at the time why it was necessary (‘First it killed the Romans…’). With hindsight, on becoming an English teacher, the benefits were quickly apparent. I have always questioned the term ‘Core Curriculum’. Yes, literacy and numeracy are essential. An understanding of science, how things work, the physical and natural world is important, as is the all-pervasive Computer Science. And we should not ignore the humanities or languages, essential in developing a better understanding of humankind. A more appropriate term, to my mind, is ‘Cross Curriculum’. Education should be seen as a whole, not just in ‘subjects’; one part of the brain feeding another. Sport, for example, incorporates science, diet, health, fitness, teamwork and social education. And what of music? I retired – far too young – from playing the double bass. I recall playing in an orchestra of 40+, a team infinitely bigger than one found on a rugby pitch. In those outer – but all-important – parts of an orchestra, counting was essential, where bass was not required for sometimes lengthy breaks, ‘42, 2, 3, 4; 43, 2, 3, 4…’ and so on, watching the conductor, hearing, feeling all the other parts. Music has possibly the greatest potential for crosscurricular teaching. I await clamorous indignation from teachers of other subjects. There is reading; not just lyrics (poetry?) but a musical score – another language in itself. There is history, with composers reflecting the times in which they lived. Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli composed specifically for St. Mark’s, Venice, with polyphonic choirs and instruments cast around the basilica’s vast interior. Science and maths – limitless: perception and cognition, physiology of singing, acoustics, technology, counting up notes (fractions: hemidemisemiquavers, 1/64th of a whole note). The creativity of composition is so much more exciting for young people using easily available software. Consider also the breadth of musicology. Cervantes wrote, ‘He who sings scares away his woes.’ So succinct – so right. Teaching a Year 5 class some years ago there was reference in our book to a paddle steamer. In describing and explaining I said quietly, ‘The wheels on the bus,’ then paused. Immediately the class chorused, ‘go round and round’ – to great, universal merriment. There is something powerful, joyful, uplifting, hearing a school singing. Yo-Yo Ma, the brilliant cellist, has said: “Music enhances the education of our children by helping them to make connections and broadening the depth with which they think and feel. If we are to hope for a society of culturally literate people, music must be a vital part of our children’s education.” Beautifully expressed. Again, so right. Orsino in Twelfth Night, ‘That strain again, it had a dying fall,’ encapsulates the emotion just one musical phrase can evoke. In seeking a school for your children, find one which celebrates not just its academic achievements but one which strives for excellence in breadth: body, mind and soul. ‘Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.’ Plato. Contact Mike with your education-related queries at mikepiercy@hotmail.com 123 priceless-magazines.com
Page 1 and 2:
PRICELESS APRIL 2024 263 APRIL 2024
Page 3 and 4:
jminteriorsuk.uk Please email or ca
Page 5 and 6:
5 Authorised and Regulated by The F
Page 7 and 8:
Contents April 2024 12 21 29 30 47
Page 9 and 10:
From the Editor No matter the seaso
Page 11 and 12:
istockphoto.com/ Maria Voronovich F
Page 13 and 14:
Tatlingbury Farm £POA The dream: T
Page 15 and 16:
Woodchurch£1,950,000 Grade II List
Page 17:
The Dutch Barn, Nr Tonbridge, Kent
Page 20 and 21:
M Y Y Y
Page 22 and 23:
CORE... LOOK AT THAT! Discover the
Page 24 and 25:
Wealden Times Midsummer Fa i r Gard
Page 26 and 27:
UNDERSTANDING STYLE AND PRACTICALIT
Page 28 and 29:
WIN a 9 night Cruise with Cruise &
Page 30 and 31:
Building Connections Words: Jo Arne
Page 32 and 33:
FIND YOUR KITCHEN spirit COME AND S
Page 34 and 35:
This page: The main wall colour thr
Page 36 and 37:
on prestige appliances; a sleek ind
Page 39 and 40:
This page: With stunning panoramic
Page 41 and 42:
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE One Couple -
Page 43 and 44:
Top: The interior mood changes as y
Page 45 and 46:
Top: Cedar cladding has been used o
Page 47 and 48:
Get the LOOK 1 Small round, Otoro r
Page 49 and 50:
Neil and Sharon Maidment’s reconf
Page 51 and 52:
Previous pages & this page: The gre
Page 53 and 54:
Tel: 01233 630000 www.mageegammon.c
Page 55 and 56:
This page, above: Kitchens Bespoke
Page 57 and 58:
Invite the natural beauty of stone
Page 59 and 60:
This page: The floating staircase,
Page 61 and 62:
Enhance Do you need your shelter ou
Page 63 and 64:
Get the LOOK 1 Aiden 3 light cluste
Page 65 and 66:
istockphoto.com/ Sebastian Herzberg
Page 67 and 68:
Veeva Papaya outdoor cushion, £14.
Page 69 and 70:
Into the Woods Jo Arnell leads us t
Page 71 and 72: for wheelchairs. I am amazed that a
Page 73 and 74: EXCLUSIVE LUXURY GARDEN FURNITURE H
Page 75 and 76: The Priceless Gardens Supplement Bu
Page 77 and 78: e-mail address, web address etc...
Page 79 and 80: The Priceless Gardens Supplement 2
Page 81 and 82: Groundcare & Garden Machinery Speci
Page 83 and 84: 5 Steps to get garden-dinnerparty-r
Page 85 and 86: The Priceless Gardens Supplement Gi
Page 87 and 88: The Priceless Gardens Supplement Sm
Page 89 and 90: Bespoke design & build treehouses,
Page 91 and 92: Bateman’s The Priceless Gardens S
Page 93 and 94: Social icon Circle Only use blue an
Page 95 and 96: Cockerel wind chime £15 National T
Page 97 and 98: Take me to... a UK Staycation We’
Page 99 and 100: Disconnect from the noise. Reconnec
Page 101 and 102: YOUR DESTINATION FOR OUTDOOR THRILL
Page 103 and 104: gold Fields of Embrace warm, hazy m
Page 105: JEREMY HOBBS FINE MENSWEAR Opening
Page 108 and 109: SILCOCKS FARM ORGANIC • SUSTAINAB
Page 110: Spring onion, walnut & sundried tom
Page 113 and 114: Yipee! Now is the time for walking,
Page 115 and 116: Beauty In love with... spring! Jose
Page 117 and 118: Don’t miss our Love Your Home Sup
Page 119 and 120: Brain power! Health Sarah Maxwell e
Page 121: istockphoto.com, miwa_in_oz , Magon
Page 125 and 126: RECEPTION PLACES AVAILABLE FOR 2024
Page 127 and 128: girls and boys aged 2.5-13 01732 35
Page 129 and 130: at your own pace and chat to expert
Page 131 and 132: AWARD WINNING, LUXURY SWIMMING POOL
show all

Wealden Times | WT263 | April 2024 | Garden Supplement inside

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?