The Razzamataz Hampstead, London Launch!!

So Friday 21st April is Taster Day! Come and try our classes for free..... Ok so we wouldn't start like that. We have to give it the Razz touch! (Laughs). So yesterday was our launch, and children and young people (4-18) could have Taster Sessions to see what the teachers, Luke* the Principal, the teaching assistants do and how Razzamataz works. Sally* our Head Office Manager was there and I was really nervous about her watching me work. So the Mini's session started at 4pm and finished at 5pm. This session was run by Lucy*. Lucy* done some dance first (which warmed up the children and got them energised) After this we did some singing in which we sung a song from Wicked. Then we played a game of getting things from the shop for Lucy* (which the children really liked doing). And then it was time to finish.

After which the Juniors, Interns and Seniors started their Taster Session at 5pm and finished at 6pm. (we had 20 minute sessions each for Acting, Singing and Dancing) so they all alternated with each teaching assistant. Dan* teaches Acting, Alexis* teaches Dancing and Lucy* teaches Singing. It's a great environment to be in, as I am learning a lot from my colleagues. I am the teaching assistant for the Juniors, and we started with Acting. With Dan* we got to know each other, chewed a big toffee (which was fun), and made the noise of a motorbike with our lips to warm up our voices. This gave the parents a chance to watch what we do (to ensure that their minds are at rest with the many questions they might have). Next was Singing with Lucy*. We sang a wonderful song from the musical Avenue Q. Now I know that you're thinking. "Are they mad? Allowing children to sing a song from a musical that has bad language in? It's absurd." Yes that theory is true but we sang the theme to Avenue Q. This has no bad language in it at all. Lucy* taught the juniors and I the first verse and the chorus of the Avenue Q theme. The children loved it. We had good fun! After this we had Dance with Alexis*. We warmed up, and done a little routine (which was a little tough for me I might add as I have two left feet.) We done the routine to "My Heart Skips A Beat" by Olly Murs. After this we did a quick cool down (which after the session finished Alexis* said to me "I have never done a cool down that quick before." I said "I agree, it can be dangerous.") But with Taster Sessions it's what you get to cram everything in 15 minutes.

A friend of mine signed up their child after the Taster Session (which was a big bonus for them). I think we signed up about 40-60 children yesterday. (which is a big bonus for the School). Tomorrow is the other London launch up in Barnet. I don't work for Razzamataz Barnet so I didn't have to attend. But I am sure they signed up a lot of children too.

Yeah Razzamataz.

More to come from Razzamataz on Friday.

Till then..

I'll get back to doing Uni tasks.

An Update

Today I had a meeting with Luke* (The Principal) to discuss things about our Taster Day for Razzamataz this Friday, and about the company etc. It is very exciting and I am loving the idea of working with the teachers.We have a lot coming up in the next few weeks, so I will be posting about my experiences. Obviously Names have to be changed for obvious reasons. I am working with children so privacy and data protection is key.

I will keep you all posted

X


*Name has been changed for privacy reasons. 

I'm back all!

So I'm back and raring to go. I am currently researching for my inquiry plan and putting in an hour or two to finish the tasks. Hopefully I will finish them by the 20th April. I just want to say thank-you to all of you that have been posting tasks and posting survey's for me to answer (as it has given me more thought on what I need to do).

I hope everyone is enjoying Easter!

L
X

Question Time!

You can post me your questions below in the comments section. Then I will post them to my Facebook & Twitter.

https://www.facebook.com/events/286213031456295/

I apologise I won't be commenting on blogs over the next few days. Or posting anything. I will be back raring to go on Saturday.


Happy Easter all!!

L
X

Something Interesting

I found this website by searching for 'Literature on Early Years Education' on Google.

The Early Years Foundation

I downloaded their Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. It has 3 key sections in it. These sections are:


Section 1 - The learning and development requirements
Section 2 - Assessment
Section 3 - The safeguarding and welfare requirements

I haven't read it fully yet, but I think it's a good start for my inquiry. I have listed the links above and below in case you wanted to take a read.


Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage


Have a good weekend all.

L

Oh and PS. Thanks Paula for all your help in the last 48 hrs. :)

Task 4A Revisited

1. If I come up with an idea for a show, how do I propose the idea? Is there a process I have to follow?

2. What do I do in a situation where I see someone (one of the students I work with) (no where near school property) being bullied? Do I walk away or try to resolve the situation?

3. I fear of all my time being used again how can I be reassured?

4. What do you do if something in the class goes wrong and the teacher isn't there and you couldn't leave the class to get the principal?

5. With the ethics of both organisations what steps will I need to take to further my inquiry via research? Would I need to get the children involved?

6. How do I gain permission from both organisations to do this?
   A Contract?
   A Signed Agreement?
   Parental Permission?


I would really appreciate your thoughts on this as it can really help me with the basis of my inquiry. 

Task 4C Part 3

Interview with Marley* 23rd March 2012 2:34pm- 2:50pm

1.     What is it like to work for the Church?

It is good experience and a service to God. I enjoy it.

2.     What do you think the ethics of the Church are?

Anyone who wants to know about or believes in God can come to our church, without any obligations, and to not feel uncomfortable. We as leaders of the church do not pressurize new people into doing anything they don’t want to.

3.     What do you think are the rules and regulations of the Church are?

A: As a registered charity, our rules and regulations are part based on the laws in place by the government to enhance a safe and friendly environment to those present in the church and newcomers.

B: Those Legislations are respected by all leaders and elders by enhancing CRB checks and making sure the environment is safe for children, young people and adults. 

*Name has been changed to protect Identity

Task 4C Part 2

Interview with Sammie* 23rd March 2012 12:06pm-12:15pm

1.     What is it like to work for the Church?

It’s fun, I gain experience in Childcare looking after 0-4 year olds (Sunbeams) and 6-11 year olds (Flame)

2.     What do you think the ethics of the Church are?

We’re kind, loving people. We want to teach people about God.

3.     What do you think are the rules and regulations of the Church are?

A: After the meeting parents have to look after their children.

B: People working with children need to be CRB checked. 


*Name has been changed to protect Identity

Task 4C Part 1

Interview with Fran* 25th-26th March 2012 (via Facebook)

1.     What is it like to work for the Church?

I volunteer to work with my church singing with the worship band and helping to pack away the music equipment at the end of the morning, helping to lead the Sunday school sessions and welcoming people as they arrive. I do this because I see the church as a family and community and think it is important that people within the church contribute their gifts and skills to assist with the running of the church. I enjoy volunteering to help is this way as my faith is a big part of my life and my church community supports me in my faith. I like the fact that I can give something back to them.

2.  How does singing in the band compare to singing on stage?

Singing in the band at church is very different to singing on a stage or in any performance setting. As a worship band our job is to facilitate the worship for the rest of the church rather than to perform for them. So our role is not to entertain or perform as such but is more to lead the music so the rest of the congregation is able to join in and worship as a group.

3.  What do you think the Ethics of the church are?

The Ethics of the church are based on the moral principles written in the Bible. We are called to follow these principles and to try to live a life free of Sin. However we are not called to do this because failure to follow these 'rules' will result in eternal punishment but because God has told us that this is the way he intended us to live and that Sin is what separates us from him and the life he intended us to live which involves our complete health and happiness (and not just out own Sin but the Sin of the world and everything in it which is what makes it so complicated!). We all fall short of this life free from Sin at one point or another but God, in his mercy, sent his Son Jesus to die for our Sins that, in recognising this and our Sins, we might have forgiveness and will one day get to live for eternity in a place completely free from Sin. The moral principles in the Bible are quite detailed but the main one is to love God and to love our neighbour which should then lead us to live an unselfish life in which we put other's needs before our own.

4. What is your life like now you've done BAPP? Are you getting more teacher type work or performance work? Basically has it boosted your training?

I don't feel that my life has any major changes due to the course as of yet but I am now qualified should I want to go into teaching. I am currently looking into getting work as a teaching assistant and having a degree on my CV is useful! I do feel that the research project helped me analyse my outlook on my work and this helped me to become more positive in my approach to the different aspects of my job. So basically I would say that I am happy that I did the BAPP course as I can see that it was a positive thing to do, but that I have not noticed any real changes in my life because of it so far.

*Names have been changed to protect Identity