Herald - Issue 397

29th October 2020 • The HERALD • Page 39 v THE HERALD - PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY v THE LEARNING ZONE Group Spanish Lessons for Beginners via Zoom Different Groups & Levels Spanish Private Tuition Contact us: www.spanishacademy.co.uk Email: spanishacademyuk@gmail.com F Spanish Academy New Forest I spanish_academy SPANISH LESSONS Children with vision impairment in the South East of England are set to bene t from LEGO® Braille Bricks toolkits thanks to the Royal National Institute of Blind (RNIB) People’s work with the LEGO Foundation. e toolkits have so far been distributed to Buckinghamshire Council, Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council, Medway Council, Brighton and Hove Council and Kent County Council. LEGO Braille Bricks introduce a new way to help children with vision impairment develop tactile skills and learn the braille system. e kits are made up of approximately 300 LEGO bricks that are specially moulded so that the studs on top re ect individual letters and numbers in the Braille alphabet. e bricks also feature printed letters, numbers and symbols so that they can be used simultaneously by sighted peers, classmates, and teachers in a collaborative and inclusive way. e kits are being brought to the UK by RNIB, which worked with the LEGO Foundation to develop and test the Braille Bricks and will distribute toolkits to schools and home-schooled children in the South East of England. RNIB Director of Services, David Clarke said: “We are excited to bring the LEGO Braille Brick toolkits to UK classrooms to help children learn how to read and write braille in a fun and engaging way. Braille is an important tool and these inclusive toolkits will make a real difference to children with vision impairment, allowing them to play and interact with their sighted classmates.” RNIB has also trained teachers and support sta working with children with vision impairment in the teaching concept. Although the toolkit is intended as a playful introduction to braille for younger children aged from four up, it has also proven to have learning opportunities and bene ts for children in secondary school. Senior Play & Health Specialist at the LEGO Foundation, Stine Storm, said: “We are thrilled to launch the first wave of the LEGO Braille Bricks programme and get the toolkits into the hands of children. With LEGO Braille Bricks, students and educators can tailor their activities in countless different ways to meet their needs and learning goals in a fun and inclusive manner. The possibilities for learning through play are endless, and we look forward to seeing how LEGO Braille Bricks can inspire children of all ages along their journey to learn braille.” e UK is one of several countries that LEGO Braille Bricks will launch in this year. e toolkits, or sets of bricks, are not on general sale and can only be ordered by heads of service from local sensory services. For more information visit www.rnib.org.uk/ legobraillebricks The WEST END comes to the Waterside! Moving to the local area, International and West End Performer and Director Paul Leno, wanted to bring his skills and open a new academy specialising in Musical eatre and Acting. He did just that and Perform Academy was born. Born and bred in Southampton, Paul ed to the bright lights of London at 18 years old to study Musical eatre and has since worked in shows from the West End to America. He is an experienced teacher as well as Performer and Director. Guest teachers from the West End will also host special classes, o ering students a wide range of opportunities. “You don’t have to be experienced to come and enjoy yourself” says Paul. “The wonderful thing about theatre is you can be someone else! No one judges anyone and it’s the best place to make great friends”. Classes are on Wednesdays and Saturdays for youngsters aged 6 to 18 years of age in Hythe and Butts Ash and last for 2 hours. For the rst term, all classes are just £7. Strict measures are in place to make sure all areas are Covid-Secure, so booking is essential. Whether you want to just have fun or wish to make a career on the stage and screen, they will make sure everyone has a great time! Classes will start in November. For more information and to book, please contact Paul on 07890 384825 or email performacademyso@gmail.com Paul Leno HEADTEACHER APPOINTED! Applemore College successfully appointed a new Headteacher a er an intensive and rigorous interview process. It is with great pride that the Governing Body announces that Mr Alan Chipping has been appointed to lead the College to even greater successes in the future. e previous Head Teacher, Mr Roland Marsh, retired a er 11 years at the helm leaving a strong and lasting legacy. Mr Chipping has worked at the College as the deputy Headteacher for over a decade, and with his local knowledge, passion and drive, he is committed to ensuring Applemore is the rst-choice secondary school for parents and students alike. Mr Chipping said “Applemore is an innovative, thriving and inclusive school. Building on past successes, I will work with our parents, students and community to ensure we are truly, Ambitious For All. ” evirtualOpenEvening,whichwasheldinSeptember, showcased the excellent facilities, expansive pastoral programme and engaging curriculum that the school has to o er. ese were followed by the ‘Applemore- Extra’ live events, which o ered Parents and potential students an opportunity to see the school in action. For more information about the school please visit www.applemore.hants.sch.uk Alan Chipping, new Headteacher of Applemore College RNIB & LEGOBraille Provide Toolkits for Kids in the South East LEGOBraille Bricks