Parent Talk

7 May 1840 – birth of Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky

SarahHarmer — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:04:11 +0000

Pyotr (Peter) Tchaikovksy was a Russian composer. He had five brothers, one sister and a half sister from his father’s previous marriage. It was obvious from a young age that he was extremely musical and it didn’t take him long to overtake his music teachers. He was a particularly sensitive boy and was unsuited to life at the boarding school he was sent to, his parents believing that it would give him a good education and preparation for life as a civil servant. When his mother died from cholera, the young Tchaikovsky (aged 14) was dealt a crushing blow. It was something he could never really come to terms with and it influenced his composing.
Although he started a career in the Civil Service, Tchaikovsky longed for a career in music and after three years was able to make the switch, enrolling at the recently established St Petersburg Conservatory. His father didn’t approve but fortunately didn’t interfere with his son’s wishes. To begin with, his mentors and tutors disapproved of much of his earlier composing and told him to rewrite large parts of his works. It took a few years before his composing really took off.
On a personal level, he struggled emotionally and entered into a disastrous marriage which was to end less than 3 months later. At this time, he suffered a mental breakdown and needed considerable support from his family. Shortly afterwards, financial support for his composing came from a woman Nadejda von Meck who became his patron having heard some of his music. The two of them wrote regularly to each other but never met.
With this financial support Tchaikovsky was able to really focus on his composing and write more freely. He travelled extensively in Europe and his reputation grew rapidly although it took a while before his music was fully appreciated in his home country. In his final years he suffered constantly at an emotional level and died in 1893.

His extensive range of work includes symphonies, concertos, operas, ballet and chamber music.
Symphony – A musical composition for full orchestra, usually in four movements.
Opera – A dramatic work set to music for singers and instrumentalists
Ballet – Music written for a ballet
Chamber Music – Instrumental music played by a small group such as a string quartet

Swan Lake: First performed in 1877, Swan Lake was Tchaikovsky’s first
ballet score. The popular classical ballet tells the tale of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse.
The Sleeping Beauty: First performed in 1890, The Sleeping Beauty tells the story of the timeless fairy tale based on a deep sleep interrupted by the kiss of a prince.
The Nutcracker: First performed in 1892, The Nutcracker was Tchaikovsky’s final ballet. The Nutcracker tells the story of a fascinating Christmas dream of a young girl named Clara.

April 2012

SarahHarmer — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:25:40 +0000

Our easter issue has a whole range of activities listed to help with the boredom of the Easter break and we really love our front cover this month. With all the current news about the Titanic, take a look inside our Book Bag News for some interesting facts about the sinking of the unsinkable.

Open publication - Free publishing - More competitions

The Fine Colour of Rust

SarahHarmer — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:17:23 +0000

Let me introduce you to the loveable heroine Loretta Boskovic. Loretta is a single mother of two children, who whilst fighting irrational desires to ride off into the sunset (without her children!) is nonetheless a determined, moralistic and forthright lady determined to make the world a better place to live. Taking on the challenge of saving her children’s primary school, and opposing the corruption of the local council, Loretta armed with little more than a rusty car and some wonderful friends sets about proving that with determination, courage and a little chutzpah – almost anything can be achieved.
by P.A O’Reilly
Published by Blue Door

Welcome to Rosie Hopkins’ Sweetshop of Dreams

SarahHarmer — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:12:18 +0000

Oh! This is a really warm, syrupy escape of a book. The title alone is full of the kind of imagery which makes you hunger for a bag of sherbet lemons or cola cubes. When Rosie Hopkins leaves the metropolis of London to help out her aged aunt and her sweetshop, she imagines only dreariness and boredom. But somewhere, amidst the dusty rows of candy and glass jars filled with delights, Rosie’s aunt has a wealth of secrets and stories just waiting to be unwrapped….
By Jenny Colgan
Published by Sphere

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

SarahHarmer — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:07:50 +0000

This novel is a rare gem, which succeeds in being so much more than just a story. At turns quirky and unusual - it also is incredibly moving, funny and a relevant and touching commentary on the world in which we inhabit today. Without saying too much about the plotline - the wonderful charismatic Harold finds himself walking the length of Britain on a mission of mercy and compassion. As we follow Harold on his epic quest, we are invited to share the journey, learning much about Harold, and in the process a great deal about ourselves. Lovely.
By Rachel Joyce
Published by Doubleday

Oaties

SarahHarmer — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:01:59 +0000

Home from school and hungry, this is quick and easy and even the kids can help!

You will need

3oz plain flour

3oz rolled oats

3oz caster sugar

4oz butter/margarine

½ teaspoon vanilla essence

½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

Instructions

Cream butter/margarine and sugar. Add all the other ingredients. Roll out onto a floured surface and using a pastry cutter, cut mixture into circles. Place on a greased tray and bake at 200C/Gas Mark 6 for about 10 minutes

Tip: Make sure you leave a gap between each biscuit so they don’t run into each other when cooking.

Carmel Shortcake

SarahHarmer — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:55:51 +0000

These tasty caramel shortcakes will go down wonderfully with a lovely cup of tea.

You will need

4oz (115g) butter or margarine

2oz (56g) caster sugar

6oz (170g) plain flour

Cream the butter and sugar then work in the flour to make a firm pastry. Press into a small rectangular baking tin and bake at 180C/Gas Mark 4 for about 20 minutes or until light brown.

Toffee

4oz (115g) butter

4oz (115g) caster sugar

2 tablespoons golden syrup

4 tablespoons condensed milk

Instructions

Put all the ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to the boil and then simmer for about 5 minutes. Spread over cooked shortbread and allow to cool.

Cover with 6oz (170g) melted chocolate. Mark with a knife into squares. Remove from tin when cold.

Easy Peasy Birthday Cake

SarahHarmer — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:45:37 +0000

A deliciously easy chocolate cake to make that everyone will enjoy!

You will need:
¾ cup plain flour, ¼ cup cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons (softly rounded) baking powder, 4 eggs, ¾ cup granulated sugar, ¾ cup milk,

For the cake
Whisk eggs and sugar together until really thick and creamy.
Sift flour, cocoa powder and baking powder into the mixture.
Fold in very lightly.
Add milk and fold in.
Divide the mixture evenly between 2 round cake tins and bake for 10-15 minutes at 180°C/Gas Mark 4.
Turn cake onto wire tray to cool.

Chocolate icing
170g (6oz) butter
170g (6oz) icing sugar
50g (2oz) cocoa powder
1 packet of chocolate buttons
1 tube of smartees

Beat butter and icing sugar together until light and fluffy. Then beat in cocoa powder.

When the cake is completely cool, sandwich layers together with half of the icing. Spread the top with the remaining icing and swirl decoratively with a knife. Squeeze chocolate buttons into middle section so that they poke out around the edge. For the top, arrange the child’s age in smartees and add any remaining buttons, smartees around edge of the cake.
Easy Peasy Birthday Cake

Monkton Nursery & Pre-Prep – A foundation for the future

SarahHarmer — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:36:45 +0000

Monkton Pre-Prep and Nursery aims to give children the very best start in life. Situated in beautiful grounds in Combe Down, we help make the transition from home to school as gentle as possible. With over 120 children in Nursery, Kindergarten, Reception and Key Stage 1, Monkton Pre-Prep is a very exciting place to be.
A parent recently wrote:- “Monkton is different from other nurseries and schools for lots of reasons. The personal touch of the Headteacher, Mrs Morrell is shown in the way she seems to know your children as well as you do. The wonderful enthusiasm of Mrs Hodges who runs the Nursery is a talking point amongst the mums and dads who entrust their children into her care, as is the kindness and caring manner of all staff who create a perfect atmosphere for the children to learn. They always find time to share a moment to give you a glimpse into how your child’s day has been. It also is a huge comfort for parents to know their children are in such a safe and nurturing environment. The vast green grounds in which the children have space and beauty to play and learn is such a bonus and the swimming pool where they have their weekly lessons is a just fantastic. As parents we cannot fault Monkton.”
We are holding an open morning at our Nursery and Pre-Prep on Friday May 18th so if you would like to would like to consider Monkton for your child, - Nursery, Kindergarten or Reception please telephone Kathryn Morrell our Pre-Prep Head on 01225 833158 or email admin@monktonpreprep.org.uk to arrange a personal visit.

Keep their brain active over the summer with Kumon

SarahHarmer — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:31:37 +0000

Studies have shown that children who keep their brains active over the summer not only avoid boredom and a decline in skills but are higher achievers at school when the new term begins.
Daily Kumon study can help make all the difference when it comes to keeping ‘in shape’ between school terms and throughout the year. At your local study centre, Kumon can help your child to excel in maths and English by offering individualised study programmes which build their confidence and allow them to develop self-learning skills.
The Taunton Study Centre is open all year round, with the holidays providing the perfect time for children to settle into a new daily study routine. Your local Instructor, Jackie Priddy, offers a Free Assessment to all children before they enrol. This will determine where on the programmes your child will begin to maximise their progress, and ensures their study is individualised to their needs from the outset. Following the Free Assessment your child with then begin on their study programme, making steady progress from a strong foundation.
On Saturday 26 May, Jackie will host a Community Open Day at St Georges Roman Catholic Centre on The Mount. Parents with children of all ages are encouraged to pop in between 10am and 3pm to find out more about Kumon’s individualised study programmes.
To give your child a head start this summer, attend the Taunton Open Day or contact Jackie on 01278 662 007 or taunton@kumoncentre.co.uk.