With half term fast approaching, many parents and children
are asking themselves the question “what
should we do with the February mini-break?” Around the country during the half-term
break, there are plenty of activities put on, so inspiration can be found all
over. From late-night openings at the National History Museum to whizzing down
a zip-wire at Go Ape, there is plenty on. But because it is a week off school,
we thought it diplomatic to ask a selection of head teachers what they would
ideally like their children to be doing.
If you are studying over the week off, get organised, Ros
Kamaryc, headmistress of Queen’s Gate School in South Kensington, London says “It
is essential for those preparing for GCSEs and A-levels to use the February
half-term holidays wisely, whilst also finding some time for rest and
relaxation.”
Although many students may be pre-occupied thinking of the
exams after half-term, a week off at home provides both an opportunity to build
on work done so far and to step away from it to do other things.
Click on the link below and check out 10ticks Valentines page for lots of fun maths activities and worksheets.
The Telegraph, supported by education professionals, have created a list of things you can during the February break.
The great outdoors
Some pursuits are more old-fashioned than others. Catherine
Mawston, headmistress of Dodderhill School in Droitwich Spa, is all for a very
Enid-Blyton-style half-term. “Have a camp fire, toast some bread, go for a bike
ride or a walk in the woods,” she enthuses. “Just getting out in the fresh air
is the important thing; even though it’s cold, you can still have lots of fun.
This time of year is perfect for climbing trees — there are no leaves to get in
the way.”
Reading
“Reading” is Warwick School headmaster Gus Lock’s first
response to the question. “Ideally books that help [children] think beyond
their current place and time, but any books are better than none,” he says.
Over February half-term, Warwick School opens its doors to
pupils from all schools. From robotics, to squash, to kayaking, tag rugby,
table tennis and stop-motion animation, Warwick has ticked almost every box for
February half-term fun. “I hope that people who experience any aspect of
Warwick School enjoy it,” Lock says.
Fred de Falbe, of St Richard’s School in Herefordshire,
suggests a triple threat of reading for the week off: “The Hobbit is essential
February reading, as is The Thirty-Nine Steps and Frank Cottrell Boyce’s
Millions.”
Expanding the mind
Roedean’s Oliver Blond encourages pupils to find out
something new, for learning can happen both in and out of school hours. “They
should be looking for entirely unexplored land,” he explains.
“I would ask them to explore, research and read, delighting
in the process of uncovering more and more about this area, whatever it might
be. This is, itself, an exciting process.”
Sport
For some, the rugby sevens season is just around the corner.
“I will be setting up a two-day camp for local boys to hone their skills,”
Stephen Mulryne of Terrington Hall Preparatory School, near York, explains.
“This is an exciting time in their prep school lives, so we
will be encouraging those of a sporty disposition to take this opportunity.”
Skiing is a popular exploit for February half-term, and the
prices on travel company websites inevitably reflect this. “Many of our parents
take the option to have their annual trip to the Alps during [February
half-term],” Mulryne adds. “As skiing is such an active holiday, I have known
children to return to school more tired than when they left for their week
off!”
Bonkers fun
The supremely superior option of a traditionally bonkers
project also makes ideal February half-term material. “Dismantling a redundant
Hoover is a great plan,” de Falbe beams. “You don’t have to turn it back into a
robot, but a good glue gun will get this going wonderfully well.” Jolly good
fun, wouldn’t you say?
Blond has the final words of wisdom. “Although it is, no
doubt, something that every new generation feels, it does seem to be true that
life is busier for pupils these days than ever before.” That truth is the real
reason for February half-term: a break from busy, and some time for calm.
Enjoy.
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