News | Schools


downsmail.co.uk Pupils’ debate in council chamber


PUPILS from10 primary schoolsmet themayor for a ‘thought-provoking’ debate and a chance to see local government up close. Around40pupils, including stu-


dents from Mereworth, Larkfield andWestMalling, spent two hours thrashing out


the arguments


around topics as varied as recy- cling andtheuse ofmobilephones. They were also given an insight


into the workings of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council as they toured its offices inKingsHill on January 18. Themayor,Cllr PamBates, said:


“This is the second primary school debate I’ve held duringmy year as mayor and I’m pleased to say it was every bit as thought-provok- ing as the first. “Recycling is clearly very impor-


tant to the pupils I spoke to, and their enthusiasmandideas forper- suadingmore people to dispose of rubbish in a sustainable way were quite inspiring. “They also raised some excellent points regarding the benefits and


Prize writer


A PUPIL at The Holmesdale School in Snodland has won a writing competition staged in conjunction with global publish- ersAustinMacauley. Chloe Sparrow beat off com-


petitors from primary and sec- ondary schools in Kent. The judges said of her story


about The Perfect Christmas: “Chloe’s story is descriptive and full of wonderful imagery that creates a striking scene in the reader’s mind. Chloe has an im- pressive imagination and an ob- vious talent for storytelling.” One sentence from her story


reads: “Snowdances down, form- ing a soft, pure white blanket on the ground. In December, when the condensation took over, she drew snowmen and reindeer on thewindow.”


Phones ban


THE head teacher at the Malling School in East Malling has ex- plained why he has banned mo- bile phones. John Vennart, who took over


from Carl Roberts last year, told the school magazine: “We were worried about the impact they were having on lessons. “We were worried about how


socialmedia is affecting students’ mental health and we wanted a decrease in cyber-bullying.”


22 Malling February 2019


Pictured fromleft:Maddie Buss, Holly Boozer, Jade Schopman, ChelseyMulcahy, KamJones, Jamie Holder, AlexWood,Morgan Lawrence, EvieWebster, Eboni Gladdish, Ellie Jenner, Simon Finlay and Connor Kennedy


Apprentice Jade shares experiences


THE route intoacareer injournalism was the subject of a visit to The Malling School lastmonth. DownsMail trainee reporter Jade


Schopman told the school’s Jour- nalismClub that she had decided to takeonanapprenticeshipinsteadof a university place after her A levels. Pupils asked why Jade (19) had


decided to become part of an ap- prenticeship scheme rather than higher education, pay scale and the training timeframes. The former Rainham School for


Girls pupil said afterwards: “Itwas a bit nerve-wracking speaking in front of people for the first time, but I hope it helped the students think


about their options. “I have been in the job for four


months and I have learned and done somany different things.” Downs Mail editor Simon Finlay


spoke about the route from news journalisminto other areas, such as sportor crime.Healsogave students a lesson in shorthand.


Germany trip for history GCSE


THE Aylesford School’s history department is planning a trip to Germany to enhance students’ understanding of the country’s role in the 20th century. The school’s Facebook page


states: “There are anumber of rea- sonswhy takingpart in a trip like thiswouldbenefit your child,not least the positive impact itwould


have on their studies forGCSE. “The students would deepen


theirknowledge andunderstand- ing to support both theirWeimar andNaziGermany paper and the Superpower and Cold War rela- tions paper that they will be an- swering as part of theirGCSE. “It is important for students to broaden their horizons, to be


open-minded and curious to ac- quire tolerance needed in adult life.We feel this trip would be a fantasticway to develop this.” At the end of January, to coin-


cidewithInternationalHolocaust Remembrance day, year seven pupils reflected how the Jewish community viewedWorldWar II through art andwords.


drawbacks of owning a mobile phone, and I was very impressed by thematureway they listened to and discussed each other’s ideas.” Roz Outram, from Hildenbor-


ough Church of England Primary School, said: “Taking part in a real- life debate with the mayor in the council chamberwas very exciting


for all the students andwe are de- lighted to have had the chance to take part. “Iwas so proud of the confident


way theyput theirpoints across – it was the perfect opportunity for themto think about their views on recycling and the use of mobile phoneswhile learningmore about


local government. Pictured with the mayor are


pupils from More Park Roman Catholic School, West Malling, Hildenborough Church of Eng- land Primary School, and Mere- worth Primary School. Youngsters from Brookfield Junior School, Larkfield, also attended.


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