By Paulyn Lloyd
Chorlton Park Primary School are this week hosting seven days of fun filled festivities, including African drumming, smoothie making and football.
The festival, Family Learning Week, has been set up by Ian Depeiaza who is a Parent Support Advisor at the school and also runs a football club in Chorlton.
This is the second year Chorlton Park have held the week long festival which also coincides with Black History Month.
Mr Depeiaza said: “This has been a good opportunity to bring in various different activities and free workshops for parents and children to engage in and if they like it, they can then sign up to the activity. Everyone is welcome.
“It’s a celebration of diversity and a chance for parents to get to know what’s happening in the area.”
Local families are invited to join the activities which will be held everyday this week at the school. The event is free and refreshments will be provided.
Professionals from Sure Start and Gingerbread (who help and advise single parents) will have stalls where they will offer free advice about benefits and family tax credits, childcare, adult education and budgeting.
Mr Depeiaza will have also have a stall where parents can find out about up and coming half-term activities for children.
Serina Khan, a teacher at the school, said: “Family learning week is a fantastic opportunity to engage parents and welcome them into the school environment which for some maybe a daunting experience.
“It helps to break down barriers and most importantly provides opportunities to enjoy time together partaking in fun, exciting and purposeful activities.”
They began on Monday with a coffee morning and will continue until Sunday.
Mrs Khan said: “It really has been an enjoyable experience for all involved.”
Still to come this week is smoothie making and tasting, African drumming, football, and Caribbean aerobics, which is keeping fit to Soca music.
More than 40 schools across the city are involved in Family Learning week and the activities will run until 23rd October.
Councillor Sheila Newman, Manchester City Council’s executive member for children’s services said: “I would really encourage families to come along to the different events as they will have the chance to spend some quality time together, trying different activities that they might not have otherwise thought of.”
For more information contact Ian Depeiaza on 0161 881 1621.
