EDUCATION 077
Your local library – more than just books!
The benefi t of public libraries should not be underestimated! We are undoubtedly living in a digital age, but libraries are still at the heart of communities, representing accessible and safe spaces. A library transcends boundaries. Everyone is welcome – from the smallest to the oldest user. They provide a ‘destination’ for lonely people and, of course, allow access to huge resources of information and knowledge. Libraries have changed over the years and they
are no longer just about books. Many have cafes, all have digital equipment and most have computers to hire, DVDs, audio books, and even children’s entertainment and a host of public events. Our public libraries are facing a turning point and many villages, towns and cities have lost this valuable resource. Last year alone, local council funding for libraries was reduced by £66 million, which resulted in almost 900 people losing their jobs. Some communities have taken on the running of the library themselves, with around 500 UK libraries now being run by volunteers. Other areas have been lucky, seeing investment
in current libraries in order to bring them up-to- date. Hastings is one such town where the library re-opened earlier this year after completion of a multimillion-pound scheme. It now boasts 25,000 new items of stock, 35 public computer terminals, a dedicated Learning Suite and the most amazing frieze designed and donated by Sir Quentin Blake, the world-renowned illustrator, which depicts the town’s historic Stade and other local scenes. “I am deeply convinced of the importance of young people reading: they can be guided to valuable books, but it is also a way of their pursuing their own explanations, and creating their own education,” said Sir Quentin.
RECONNECTING CHILDREN WITH NATURE
A Kent-wide campaign has been launched to reconnect children with nature. Lost Words Kent aims to put a copy of the award-winning book, The Lost Words, into every Kent primary and special school
to help inspire students to see the beauty of the county in their learning. The Lost Words by nature writer, Robert Macfarlane and acclaimed
illustrator, Jackie Morris, was created after the Junior Oxford Dictionary excluded a variety of words relating to the natural environment. Words like adder and acorn, dandelion and kingfi sher were cut because they didn’t make the grade for the algorithm that calculates the most popular words in children’s daily language. The campaign, which runs until 15th November, aims to raise
£6,100 through crowd-funding to give a copy of The Lost Words and its teaching resources to each one of Kent’s 504 primary and special schools. For more information, visit
lostwordkent.wordpress.com
HILDEN OAKS CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
Founding Headmistress, Mrs Keith-Lucas (back left) with her assistant Miss Boldero and some of the fi rst children who attended The Hilden Oaks School
The founding headmistress, Mrs Alys Keith-Lucas, fi rst ‘unlocked the door’ of Hilden Oaks in May 1919 for three pupils, one of whom was her youngest son Bryan. The school quickly grew in numbers of pupils and established a reputation for educational excellence in a very caring and nurturing environment; helping children to reach their full potential. This is a reputation Hilden Oaks still enjoys today. The past 100 years have seen many boys and girls step over the threshold and go on to lead fulfi lling and successful lives. This academic year, Hilden
Oaks will be celebrating its centenary with a number of events, which will include a special tea party for ‘Old Hildenoakians’. In order to include as many alumni as possible in this event, the school is requesting past pupils from every era to get in touch. If you are still in touch with old school friends, please also pass this message onto them. • Email alumni@hildenoaks.
co.uk, call 01732 353941 or write to Mrs Sarah Earl, Hilden Oaks Preparatory School & Nursery, 38 Dry Hill Park Road, Tonbridge TN10 3BU, or visit
hildenoaks.co.uk/centenary
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