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Primary schools in Stevenage are being offered the chance to connect with nature by planting free trees with help from the Woodland Trust in partnership with the Government. Stephen McPartland MP is urging local schools to apply for their Tree Packs before the deadline of January 8th.

Stephen McPartland MP said, “We are lucky in Stevenage to have many green spaces, large and small, that we all enjoy. This free offer is a great opportunity to help schools enhance their local environment further and enable children to learn more about nature.

"Children, staff and parents can plant a copse or hedge, and there are on-line curriculum-linked resources to support teachers’ lesson plans."

The Government is supporting The Woodland Trust to offer an additional 45,000 British native trees to 7,000 state-funded primary schools in England.

Schools can apply for a free tree pack by visiting the Woodland Trust website at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/in-your-community/apply-for-a-school-tree-pack. The closing date for applications is 8th January 2016.

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A series of events have been held at Nobel School to allow teachers from other schools to learn more about the Shanghai approach to teaching and learning mathematics. Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, was invited along to a special session arranged for local primary school teachers.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "This is an a fantastic initiative by Nobel School and one of the many reasons why the school is going from strength to strength. Identifying how difficult many primary school children find the leap to secondary school is incredibly important. There will often be more children in the year group than in the whole of their previous school.

"Tackling these challenges through such innovative projects is really helping to make a difference to each child's education."

Headteacher, Martyn Henson, said, “We are absolutely delighted  to be part of such a prestigious project. It will benefit our young people enormously as at the heart of Shanghai maths teaching is that all students can be good at maths – we have a lot to learn.

"Nobel is one of the few school in Hertfordshire that teaches Mandarin Chinese.  We are therefore delighted that two of our teachers have had the opportunity to visit China and that Ms Peizhen Wang and Mr Xiaobao Wu have spent a really productive 4 weeks with us.  This has been really exciting and we will be developing our links with the two schools in China and expect to take our students to China next year.”

In addition to the sessions for teachers, the project has involved two teachers from Shanghai, Ms Peizhen Wang and Mr Xiaobao Wu, teaching groups of Nobel students throughout November, and two maths teachers from Nobel, Mrs Borcherds and Dr Tolchenova, visiting schools in Shanghai in September.

Nobel School is one of 34 schools across England taking part in the Department for Education and NCETM England - China exchange project.

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Local MP Stephen McPartland and local primary school children were taken back in time as they saw the Christmas story brought to life! The Christmas Journey is one of the projects run by Bridge Builders Christian Trust charity in Stevenage, in partnership with Stevenage Churches.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "It was a wonderful event and I know how much the school children love every moment of their experience. Reverend Dave Brown was the perfect host and gave us the complete freedom of St Nicholas Church, which really made the day special. Alex Horlock, the Christmas Journey project manager has done an amazing job leading such a committed team of volunteers to deliver a magical experience for our local children."

Several hundred 6-7 year old children had their craft passport's stamped by a centurion as they visited one of several churches in Stevenage during December. They met the main characters of the Christmas story, and heard the stories from the perspectives of the Wise Men, the Shepherds, Anna & Simeon and Mary and Joseph.

Alex Horlock, ExploRE Project Manager explained, "The Christmas Journey’s aim is that every child not only hears the Christmas story but also begins to understand some of the significance it has for Christians today. Our project supports schools with their teaching of Christianity within the RE curriculum and within corporate acts of worship.

"We have been overwhelmed with cards, pictures and fantastic feedback from the school staff and children who visited the Christmas Journey, and from the church community volunteers. Children told us that they really enjoyed meeting the characters and making the crafts. 'Thanks so much for making our morning so fun'  said one child."

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Stephen McPartland MP has formally asked Stevenage Borough Council to clarify what discussions it has had with North Hertfordshire District Council regarding the possibility of a new Garden City to resolve housing need.

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From mid-December, Great Northern will be providing a 7-day-a-week train service into Moorgate in the heart of the City making travel better for Stevenage's late-returning commuters and providing more options for weekend shoppers. The changes are in response to customer feedback and passengers will be able to travel to both King's Cross and Moorgate every day of the week as well as evenings.

Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland MP said, “It is fantastic that Great Northern have responded to customer feedback and are introducing the additional services into Moorgate of a weekend. There are lots of fantastic new changes coming up over the next few years that will open a massive array of destinations and I am delighted that Stevenage railway station will be at the heart of them.”

Great Northern Passenger Service Director Keith Jipps said, “Our new seven-day-a-week service will connect communities to the heart of the City at night-time and at weekends which will be better for late-returning commuters, partygoers travelling to the night spots of Old Street and nearby Shoreditch and weekend shoppers at Westfield. It’s what stakeholders said they wanted and we’re delighted to be able to deliver it.”

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@SMcPartlandMP Thank you for coming to support our concert tonight. pic.twitter.com/QYQ3aqfitl

— StevenageLadiesChoir (@stevladieschoir) December 6, 2015

Stephen McPartland MP commented, "Wonderful carol concert with Stevenage Ladies Choir last night. It was standing room only for an enjoyable performance."

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Patrolled until 3am with @HertsPolice in #Stevenage. Saw 1st hand how hard Police Officers work to keep our community safe during the night

— Stephen McPartland (@SMcPartlandMP) December 6, 2015

Stephen McPartland MP: Spending 20 days with different units of Hertfordshire Police and great to see the commitment of frontline officers to keep us safe

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Local Stephen McPartland MP visited Mercy Ships UK headquarters in Stevenage to launch their Giving Tuesday appeal.

Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, said, "Mercy Ships are headquartered here in Stevenage and I am proud of the amazing work they do. Providing vital surgical operations overseas to those who otherwise would not be able to obtain medical services.  I am delighted to support their work."

Mercy Ships provides a range of specialised surgeries, transforming lives for patients suffering long term conditions: repairing cleft lip; giving eye surgery; orthopaedic treatments, obstetric surgeries, straightening bowed legs and club feet; general and oral-maxillo-facial surgery. Operations are given free-of-charge on our hospital-ship, and dental treatments at clinics on land,  for those who have no medical services.

Giving Tuesday, following Black Friday retail shopping day, and Cyber Monday online shopping, encourages the public to give or volunteer for charity on Tuesday 1st December. We all love our NHS, and Mercy Ships is appealing to all who work in the NHS, or who have received NHS care, to give for those living in countries with no health services.

If you feel that you can help Mercy Ships with this appeal please text: GTMS15 £2 to 70070 or go online  to www.mercyships.org.uk/donate

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