Buckholme pupils attend Commonwealth Day Observance at Westminster Abbey

Mar 26, 2015

Pupils from Buckholme Towers School and Nursery in Lower Parkstone, Poole were among nearly 1,000 young people from all corners of the UK in attendance at Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day Observance, Britain’s largest annual inter-faith gathering on Monday March 9.

The celebration was attended by Her Majesty The Queen and Their Royal Highnesses The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of Cambridge and The Duchess of Cambridge. This year’s Observance celebrated the 2015 Commonwealth theme ‘A Young Commonwealth’.

Speakers included international child rights’ activist and 2014 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Kailash Satyarthi; Queen’s Young Leader and community mobiliser, PJ Cole; and Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury MP, the first female Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh.

The multi award-winning South African a cappella group, The Soil performed and Indian poet, Sharanya Manivannan read a new poem, commissioned for Commonwealth Day.

Iain Robertson, headmaster at Buckholme Towers School and Nursery, said: “Eight lucky pupils were very excited to visit Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Observance. It was great for them to step inside the iconic building and to listen to the inspirational speeches.”

The children present in the Abbey – including those presenting posies to The Queen and The Duchesses – were from schools currently involved in Commonwealth projects.

Buckholme Towers School and Nursery on Commercial Road, Lower Parkstone, provides education for children from two years and nine months to 11 years old.

Celebrity vocal coach gives Buckholme pupils a star singing workshop

Feb 6, 2015

On Monday January 12, vocal coach to the stars Mark De-Lisser, gave pupils at Buckholme Towers School and Nursery a singing workshop fit for the likes of pop icons Nicole Scherzinger and Jessie J.

The students in the school’s singing club were treated to a two-hour session to develop their vocal skills and help nurture their love of music.

Iain Robertson, headmaster at Buckholme Towers School and Nursery, said: “As well as being vocal coach to the stars, he is well known for his community work and work with youngsters around the country. Our pupils found him to be inspirational and exciting to work with and the results were quickly heard.”

Mark’s impressive career started from a young age when he sang at his local church in Brixton, South London, and he also taught himself to play the piano. He then went on to study at the BRIT School and since then he has managed choirs, become a published choral arranger with a series of books, runs his own masterclasses with celebrities such as Nicole Scherzinger and Jessie J and has worked for numerous primetime television programmes including The Voice UK (BBC1), Last Choir Standing (BBC 1) and Stand Up 2 Cancer (Channel 4).

 Buckholme Towers School and Nursery on Commercial Road, Lower Parkstone, provides education for children from two years and nine months to 11 years old.

Buckholme pupils step into the mayor’s role

Feb 6, 2015

On Tuesday January 20, prefects at Buckholme Towers School and Nursery visited the Poole Council Chambers to find out what life is like as the Mayor of Poole.

The Year 6 pupils were invited to the Civic Centre to meet the Mayor of Poole, Cllr Peter Adams and were able to step into his shoes for the afternoon. The students were taught about the history of the town and the council, given a tour of the artefacts and shown how to wave from the civic balcony.

Iain Robertson, headmaster at Buckholme Towers School and Nursery, said: “The prefects thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon at the council chambers and they felt privileged to meet the mayor in person. They especially enjoyed taking it in turns to hold the ceremonial mace.”

Buckholme Towers School and Nursery on Commercial Road, Lower Parkstone, provides education for children from two years and nine months to 11 years old.

Pupils get top football coaching session at Elite Skills Arena

Feb 6, 2015

The Buckholme Towers School and Nursery pupils in the under 11s football squad were treated to a state-of-the-art coaching session by Poole Town FC’s Lewis Lindsay, at Elite Skills Arena on Tuesday January 13.

Elite Skills Arena is a 360 degree indoor football training arena, the first of its kind, which sharpens professional footballers’ skills. The circular dome-like structure incorporates competitive training drills and games by using LED reactive lighting acting as targets.

After an expert demonstration by Poole Town FC player Lewis Lindsay, the pupils’ skills were put to the test against the clock. The sessions tested their accuracy, speed, positioning, endurance and awareness.

Mr Graeme Caldwell, sports coordinator and Year 3 teacher at Buckholme Towers School and Nursery, said: “This was a fantastic session, something which the team has never experienced before. It really put their existing skills to the test and it is very addictive as each pupil tried to push themselves to score highly.”

Dean Mitchell, director at Elite Skills Arena, commented: “It was great to see promising young players take to the arena and to witness how a simple idea, with sophisticated technology can really improve a football player’s skill.”

When asked about their views on the Elite Skills Arena, pupils said: “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” “futuristic”, “awesome,” and “I want to do it again!”

One pupil scored 28 out of a possible 50. The children took part in a beginner session but the full version includes targets at different heights and speeds and tougher challenges. For more information please visit www.eliteskillsarena.com.

Buckholme Towers School and Nursery on Commercial Road, Lower Parkstone, provides education for children from two years and nine months to 11 years old.