Children, families and officials celebrate Leaping Toads’ official opening afternoon
- Category: Новости
- Date: July 8, 2014
Children displayed their musical abilities on stage, by giving piano performances and singing in colourful costumes. The Leader of the Council of Barking and Dagenham, Councillor Darren Rodwell showed great enthusiasm and played games with children outside (including “ring a ring of roses” and “the birdie song” !)
Other outside activities and workshops included: art therapy, language games, folk dancing and a creative session with renowned children’s writer and illustrator, Ruta Baltakiene. To mark the beginning of Leaping Toads’ affordable martial arts classes, guests were also mesmerised by a martial arts performance and workshop by 6 to 16 year-old children.
Councillor Rodwell praised our school’s missions, saying: “To come up with this as an idea is exactly what we are looking for the vision of this borough …. Leaping Toads is how I see the vision of this Borough. I see you guys going forward and doing great things. Why? Because you understand your culture and you understand your heritage … and when you know where you come from, you know how to go out into the world and fight for it.”
Children were excited when Councillor Rodwell invited the entire school’s children to the Council for a small bite to eat and a drink to show them around how the political system functions, so that they can familiarise themselves with the British system.
The afternoon was also fully supported by Mrs Helen Jenner, Head of Education and Corporate Director of Children’s Services at Barking and Dagenham and Her Excellency the Ambassador of Lithuania, Mrs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė.
Mrs Helen Jenner said: “One of the real strengths of Barking and Dagenham is the mix of communities we have which is so enriching for our children. It’s so exciting to see children sharing their cultures, being proud of who they are but also being proud of being part of Barking and Dagenham.”
