MKSolutions Blog

October 2011

Sitting on a large wicker chair on the veranda of Raffles Hotel in Singapore, Noel Coward (1931) recalled in his autobiography:

 “There was a thunderstorm brewing and the airless heat pressed

down on my head. I felt as though I was inside a hot cardboard

box which was growing rapidly smaller and smaller….”

Eighty years later Mr Ludlow sat in the same spot (September 2011), the fans in the ceiling whirled cooling the air around him, whilst he was sipping a Singapore Sling (that’s coloured juice and ice children! Wink, Wink!). The air was heavy and humid as he reflected on the week past.

As part of an International Project he was invited to visit Singapore with the Head teacher of Manor Secondary School. What a great opportunity to look at Global Education first hand. Global Education is a term used these days to encourage studies of different cultures and countries and the issues that face them, developing an understanding by children of the world we live in. The week was spent visiting Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Teacher Training Institutions. The purpose was to explore the aspects of education that work well and to consider the possibility of developing a school link. 

Robert Wilkinson VC Primary School already has a good working partnership with a school in Madrid, which has resulted in an annual pupil exchange. Developing a link with a school in Asia would be a great opportunity to expand children’s understanding of the world we live in further. Singapore has a successful education system on a scale that is very different to that in the UK. Most Primary Schools are of a similar size to their partner Secondary Schools. We have the exciting opportunity to partner up with a culturally diverse primary school of over 1000 pupils. Although English is the second language for most children, it is interesting that all children are taught in English and have their mother tongue lessons as a secondary subject. As part of the international link we hope to initiate a teacher exchange and to involve our children in developing communication links through the use of new technologies. This exciting global project will stimulate curiosity and develop skills and attitudes which enable children to view their own lives in terms of global citizens.

Well who knows, in another eighty years time someone else will be sitting in a wicker chair in the Raffles Hotel recounting the day Mr Ludlow visited and started the educational link between Singapore and Robert Wilkinson VC Primary School. Maybe they will be having a glass of something, a Singapore Sling or could it be a new cocktail, ‘The Lusty Ludlow’?

Mr Richard Ludlow (Headteacher)

Robert Wilkinson VC Primary School -Moving On!

 Another morning, the sun shining, Mr Ludlow surveying the playground as if he was Gandalf viewing the enchanted world of Middle-earth. (Here he goes again! What will he be on about this time?). He stands pondering in deep thought as another academic year passes. So many memories, like Mr Chips sitting in his armchair with pipe and slippers, his mind wonders back to the events of the year. A smile breaks through as he thinks about the Key Stage 1 staff and children dressed as super heroes, The Early Years team dressed as book characters from Cinderella. The many trips the children went on, RAF Linton, Eden Camp, the Castle Museum to name a few. He also remembers the excitement of welcoming our Spanish Exchange visitors again this year, our friends from Madrid. This was another year of sporting success, Yorkshire athletics finalists, swimming champions, National golf finalists. The music and arts have also been well represented culminating in a Community Orchestra concert and Creative Arts exhibition. So many happy events and memories, as Maurice Chevalier would say,  “Ah, yes, I remember them well”.

NEWS FLASH!!!

1982: Hollywood princess Grace of Monaco dies. British recapture the Falklands.

1986: Mike Tyson becomes the youngest heavy weight champion. The Challenger spacecraft explodes after lift off

1998: Northern Island Peace agreement reached. Lewinsky does something naughty with President Bill Clinton!

But what other significant events happened in these years? Well these were the years that Mrs Castle, Mrs Raine and Mrs Zillessen joined the illustrious staff of Robert Wilkinson VC Primary School. Mr Ludlow may be recalling events of this past year but collectively these members of our team, as they move into retirement, take with them so many other memories. They have lived through so many changes in education, the implementation of the National Curriculum, the National Primary Strategies for Literacy and Numarcy teaching. Oh! And they even remember when teachers used a piece of white stuff called chalk! But most of all they will remember the children.

We say a sad farewell to these three teachers who have dedicated their selves to the education of the young people of Strensall. Not only do we thank them for their work but also the seeds they have planted in the minds of the young people they have taught.

Thank you and good luck. Have a great summer everyone and we look forward to another interesting year when school starts again in September.

Mr Richard Ludlow (Headteacher)