The 8th May 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of VE day when the guns fell silent at the end of the war in Europe. It will be a different shared moment of celebration that was previously planned; however, the anniversary provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifice, courage and determination of those involved that helped the nation at this time.

With schools using Purple Mash for remote learning we thought we would ask a few schools how they were using the platform, what was working for them and any top tips that they might have for other schools that may help or give some ideas.

There are many ways that our Professional Development team can support you in making the most of Purple Mash to support remote and home learning. Our CPD is a great way to kickstart effective use of technology across the whole curriculum – and it can even be taken during lockdown!

International Dance Day is celebrated every year on 29th April to promote Art and Culture and to raise awareness among public regarding the art of dance. The day was founded in 1982 by the Dance Committee of The International Theatre Institute (ITI), the performing arts partner of Unesco. It falls each year on the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre, the founder of modern ballet who died in 1810. The aim of the day is to promote dance as an art form – and to act as a ‘wake-up-call for governments, politicians and institutions which have not yet recognised its value to the people and to the individual [or] realised its potential for economic growth’.

We are pleased to announce our latest title for Serial Mash, ‘Our Big Kitchen’ inspired by the OBK community kitchen project in the heart of Bondi, Sydney Australia, founded by Rabbi Dr David Slavin in 2005. The project inspires individuals to come together to help people in need. The team of volunteers make and distribute meals to disadvantaged Australians and are at the heart of the project, enabling its big acts of kindness to happen.