Thanks for expert help from HCGA, Active Planet and Tour Guides Ltd, and well done to both schools for getting into the Olympic spirit, and sharing and celebrating their work with an end of project school assembly. 

at The Lilla Huset 191 Talgarth Road W6 8BJ

There will be an exhibition of the work of Fulham Primary school and St. Cuthbert with St. Mathias Primary school on their Earls Court Project.

Hammersmith Bridge by Adrian Lewis

Come along and find out about the work we do with children and young people in the local area.

Refreshments will be served.

RSVP moya@hfusc.org.uk

 Both schools put forward 25 students each and Hannah and Sophie have been working with each group on a short workshop programme, exploring different sides of the topic and helping students develop new skills in speaking publically, researching in teams and writing effective presentations.

 Students from both teams stepped up to provide a brilliant heavy-weight debate, and worked hard to include some really impressive research to make both sides of the case.  Reference was made to a wide range of different reports and studies, and students also conducted their own surveys and interviews around school to get to grips this issue and really bring the subject to life.   Education Secretary Michael Gove was even contacted and asked about the government’s position, to be included in Henry Compton’s defence of ability setting.

 Prizes went to students from both teams for outstanding performance and contribution to the project, and although there was very tough competition with strong speeches and work on both sides, it was congratulations to Henry Compton, who were judged as overall winners of the debate, based on persuasive argument, presentation skills, and research contribution.

 We were really lucky to have teamed up with the Borough Youth Forum for this project.  Not only did Brenda Whinnett (who leads the forum) kindly come and chair today’s big debate, but Forum members were also involved in helping design the project, come up with the motion topic and in volunteering as part of the support team at the debating event and the pre-debate workshops.  Many thanks to all at BYF and we hope some of today’s students will be encouraged to find out more about what they do  in the borough and get involved themselves.

 Mrs Neoh from Henry Compton said “We all enjoyed the challenge and obviously are delighted with the result.  As an educational exercise it really demonstrated how the pupils can surprise us and themselves when expectations are high and there are unknown elements”.

A student poll conducted at the start of the project and at the end of the debate final speeches revealed a swing of opinion through doing the project work.  Numbers who agreed that ‘setting is better than mixed-ability for raising educational achievement in schools’ fell significantly from 69% to 51%, whilst those who disagreed almost doubled, from 21% to 41%. 

 A Fulham Cross student commented about the project, “I think it helped expand my knowledge and gave me a wider intake on the British schooling system.  I LOVED the debate and I hope it happens again”.

We crossed  Hammersmith Bridge and then walked towards Barnes Bridge, stopping at the Leg of Mutton Nature Reserve for some bird watching and photography. Year 5 from Greenside visited on monday and watched a Black backed gull devouring a large eel by the side of the Thames.We had great views of the pair of swans and 6 cygnets on the Leg of Mutton Lake- they seemed to be growing up fast. There were plenty of mallards and the grey herons were out in force. Greenside students took some great photos of speckled wood butterflies in addition to all the bird life, including a few good shots of one  the herons in flight. Lots of red admiral butterflies also. It was really hot and sunny and we were having such a good time that we had to rush back for lunch all the way to Shepherds Bush and were a bit late!

On wednesday Flora Gardens did really well for a Year 3 class as it was quite a long walk to the nature reserve and back for them. As it was not so sunny we did not see as many butterflies

We had a great close up view of a heron on the way back right on the edge of the river and a cormorant flew past while we were crossing the bridge- I think a few people saw it!

Councillor Greg Smith

Here are some pictures from Thursday 23rd June’s Healthy Living Event

See previous post!

Let’s do it again next year!

Lots of rowers out there despite the rainy weather! We took a detour off the towpath to Leg of Mutton Lake – a fantastic nature reserve, where we saw at least 3 herons,

one of which had a nest on one of the rafts. The herons in this area do this- it is unusual usually they nest in trees altogether in huge heronries. There were also families of swans, one with

6 cygnets. We saw plenty of coots, some male and female mallards- some sitting right next to a heron. A pied wagtail and plenty of swifts darting about, eating up the midges. We also saw a whole

flock of ring necked parakeets also. Just had to keep wiping the binoculars because of the rain.

We carried on along the towpath towards Barnes. We crossed Barnes Bridge and had a good look of the view of distant Hammersmith- it seemed to be in the wrong place but that was because of the bend in the river that distorts your sense of direction. Then we carried on back towards Chiswick Mall to view the beautiful houses and riverside gardens. Why is it that flowers seem to bloom all year round here? there must be a special microclimate- it is south facing also I think.

It was raining quite heavily by the time we got to the Dove for lunch!

Have a look at some of our wildlife snaps!