All the latest from Kent's schools and colleges in April
EDUCATION NEWS FROM KENT'S SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES
Hadlow honoured
Hadlow College has been honoured by Ofsted in a celebratory event recognising outstanding colleges in England.
Paul Hannan, Principal of the land-based college near Tonbridge, attended the event at Gibson Hall, London which was hosted by Christine Gilbert, HM’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills, Ofsted.
She said: “I wholeheartedly congratulate Hadlow College on their success and hard work in delivering such high standards. Excellence does not happen by chance.”
Paul Hannan added: “Hadlow College is enormously proud to be honoured in this way – it means a great deal to all the staff and students to have official recognition of the standards achieved.”
Helping Haiti
Car washing, keeping silent and encouraging staff to come to school in fancy dress and are just some of the activities students from Cornwallis Academy and New Line Learning Academy have been taking part in to raise money for the Haiti earthquake appeal. In just one week, they raised a magnificent �3,000.
Eltham’s Evensong
Eltham College Chamber Choir enjoyed the privilege of singing with an internationally renowned choir when they were invited to Cambridge University to sing Evensong in the Chapel of Clare College.
The 25 members of the Chamber Choir were joined by eight choral scholars from Clare Choir, regarded as one of the leading university choral groups in England.
The service was conducted by Tim Brown, director of music at Clare College, one of the UK’s most prestigious choral directors. Tim led the Eltham Chamber Choir in a two-hour rehearsal before the service, and described the Eltham choir as “exemplary.”
Year of the tiger
The dance troupe of a leading Chinese high school touring the UK held its opening performance at Sydenham High School. RDFZ, which is affiliated to Renmin University in Beijing, will also perform at venues including Wellington College and Cambridge University during its stay.
The performances, featuring traditional Chinese dances and martial arts, were interspersed with singing of traditional English and Chinese songs. The dances were inspired by the folklore and lives of minority groups across China.
RDFZ presented headteacher Kathryn Pullen with a calligraphy scroll made by and the school presented each of the visitors with a copy of the school’s recent CD, Joyfully Sing, recorded by Sydenham High choir during its recent tour of Venice.
Rock on
Rock Choir, the Kent pop, gospel and Motown performance choir for adults, teenagers and children, has signed to the world’s largest record company Universal with a multi-album record deal.
The first album features the voices of 1,000 members, including those from Rock Choirs in Bromley, Orpington, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks. Launched by singer and performer, Caroline Redman Lusher, in 2005, Rock Choir was only introduced to the Kent area last year but word spread quickly.
The first album will be released later this year and will feature feel-good tracks such as Can’t Hurry Love, Dancing in the Street and Anytime You need a Friend.
To find a local Rock Choir to join, visit www.rockchoir.com
