Mayoral candidate visits ReachOut!

This week the ReachOut! Academy welcomed a visit from Siobhan Benita, who is running in the 2012 London Mayoral election. Siobhan’s visit comes as part of her efforts to get up close to the community action projects that are taking place all over London. Having visited some young women’s projects, she chose ReachOut! as an example of community projects aimed at young men.

Siobhan was shown around the project, which runs once a week in Hackney and offers young people, aged 11-16 after school academic mentoring, support and sports activities. After learning more about the aims of the project and the values of ReachOut!, Siobhan chatted to some of the boys during their English and maths mentoring session.

She said, ‘The staff, mentors and boys were all fantastic' and kindly wrote a news piece on her campaign site for us.

To find out more about the project go to www.reachoutuk.org.

Happy Valentine's Day!

ReachOut! kids have been using their artistic talents to design Valentine's Day Cards with their mentors. One card was chosen from each of the 5 ReachOut! Club projects that took part, with the winning entries being made into real cards!

The Queen Mary ReachOut! Fundraising Team and RAG have been out in the cold for several days now selling the cards, home made heart shaped cookies and red roses in Library Square on campus, all proceeds going to ReachOut!

Check out the winning entries below!

By Abida aged 10

By Gulizar aged 10


By Melis aged 10

By Naomi aged 11


By Nisat aged 10

Well done everyone who took part and thanks to the QMRO fundraisers!

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/QMRO

ReachOut! Academy is the new Rap City!

This week young people at the ReachOut! Academy have been learning about poetic language and writing their own raps with their mentors!

Here are a few from the ReachOut! Academy Y6/7 girls football group - check it out!

Teacher, Teacher

Teacher teacher I feel sick.

I think I ate my lunch too quick.

Please miss can I go to the loo this instant.

The pain in my belly is quite constant.

Teacher Teacher look at tom

He stole my éclair it isn’t fair

That’s my lunch

Thanks a bunch

Teacher Teacher I feel tired

I don’t think I have any energy required

Can I go to sleep over there?

I think I need my teddy bear.

Teacher Teacher look at tom

He stole my éclair it isn’t fair

Tom bust be a silly bean

Not to mention pretty mean.

Teacher Teacher I feel bored

I’m not interested in what’s on the board

Can we do something instead?

I’ve got P.E in my head.

Written By Tolu

My Cat Bluey

My cat likes to scratch

His aggression has no match

I see him at night

He wakes me and gives me a fright

Bluey is my cats name

I love him but he can be so lame

His fur is black and brown

His really famous around town

His hiss sounds like a snake

His noise keeps me awake

I tell him to shush

I usually get bitten then.

I love him with all my heart

But he has a terrible fart

This is the end of my rap

Come and meet my cat

his fur is black and brown

his really famous around town.

Written By Gokce

All About Me

My name is Chelsea

Short for chels

I come from mossbourne academy

I love school but that’s so sad of me

My friends are cool they all make me laugh

Miss Fran is my favourite staff

I’m from the east end

Part of the trend

Born in hackney

And that’s where it will never end.

Written By Chelsea

Christmas is here!

ReachOut! is full of the spirit of christmas after some wintery themed events this week.

The team welcomed over 100 volunteers and staff to the ReachOut! Christmas Party on 3rd December. It was a great chance for volunteers to meet other volunteers from across all the London projects, get to know the ReachOut! staff and for ReachOut! to say a massive thank you for all the hard work this year (and we love any excuse for a party)! Scoll to the end for photos...

The Queen Mary ReachOut! Fundraising Group braved the cold for a day of festive cake selling. QM students and staff treated themselves to giant muffins, gingerbread men and homemade cake all in aid of ReachOut! Great job guys - they look tasty!

From everyone at ReachOut! - Merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing you in the new year!!

ReachOut! Academy Volunteer of the Week - Joanna Deagle

Joanna Deagle

Jo has been coming to the project since September and has become a vital member of the Wednesday mentoring team! Working with a young man who is very difficult to engage, Jo has absolutely risen to the challenge. Charlie, the Project Co-Ordinator, commented on her mentee’s change in attitude - “he is now channelling his energy into the work rather than using that energy disrupting others.” Furthermore, Jo has offered to volunteer on more days, particularly impressive considering Jo works incredibly hard.

Thank you Jo!