Youngsters at Harenc School, Sidcup, have been learning about bridges and rivers, and enjoying the advantages of an interactive whiteboard in their classroom, thanks to a community grant from the Rochester Bridge Trust.
Year Six pupils have been discovering how engineers manage the stresses and strains of river bridges and are putting their own talents to the test following a talk from the Trust’s Bridge Clerk Sue Threader. Meanwhile, Year One pupils, aged five and six years, have been experiencing the wide range of multi-media opportunities offered by an interactive whiteboard which supports numerous activities from reading, writing and maths to music and drama.
Head teacher Susan Woodward said:
“The Bridge Trust grant we received last year boosted our programme of introducing interactive whiteboards across all our classes. “It has also enabled us to expand our river and bridges project for our older children and really bring it to life. Our programme has included a site visit to find out more about the Bailey Bridge at the Royal Engineers Museum and hands-on experience in a bridge-building workshop overcoming the many challenges that bridge engineers have faced over the centuries.”
Sue Threader, Bridge Clerk for the Trust, said:
“We were pleased to support the work being done at Harenc School and their bridges and engineering project.”
Rochester Bridge Trust has been responsible for providing bridges across the River Medway at Rochester at no cost to the public since the end of the 14th century. During the past 20 years, the Trust has also made capital grants worth more than £4,903,000 to Kent and Medway churches, schools, hospitals, universities and other community groups.
The Trust is currently requesting applications for its 2011 Community Grants programme from charitable organisations in historic Kent, including charities in the London Boroughs of Greenwich, Bromley, Bexley and Lewisham. These grants, of up to £4,000, will be awarded to projects associated with the use and history of the River Medway; local historic building conservation; education and research into the history of Kent; education in the field of engineering, and constructive and educational activities for children and young people who have severe disabilities or who live in deprived circumstances. The deadline for 2011 grant applications is 5pm on Thursday, March 31.
Notes to editors:
1. The Rochester Bridge Trust is a charitable trust that exists to maintain the old and new bridges at Rochester and serve the travelling public. It is the only surviving bridge trust still serving its original purpose, and it has served the people of Kent since 1399. The Trust also supports numerous community and education projects across historic Kent and Medway.
2. The Trust’s assets all derive from endowments of land and money in the 14th and 15th centuries and are carefully managed in order to provide an income to fund bridge maintenance and local charitable grants. The Trust receives no external funding and is regulated by the Charity Commission.
For more information:
The Rochester Bridge Trust
5 Esplanade
Rochester
Kent ME1 1QE
Tel: 01634 846706
Fax: 01634 840125