Official Opening of World Class Learning Academy New York by HRH Prince Michael of Kent

May 1 2012

Photo Album

HRH arrived at WANY just before 11.00 am on Tuesday May 1st 2012. He was greeted  by Fiona Miller and Alesha Jaswal who curtsied to him when he got out of the car. He was then escorted into school by Mr Taylor before being taken on a tour of the school.

His first stop was Miss Roberts' Year 1 and 2 classroom where technology was showcased. The children showed HRH how they used iPads, laptops and the SMARTboard to support their learning.

HRH then visited Mrs Macfarlane's Reception classroom where the children were learning Spanish with Senora Brown. The Reception children performed a song about for HRH.

The next part of the tour took place in Miss Cox's Nursery classroom where the children were involved in play-based learning and creative art projects. Oriana Spens and Eva Bent worked with their BSB friends to create an animal habitat using paint and tissue paper. HRH then proceeded to the Playroom where he witnessed more Nursery children being 'mechanics' and riding the bikes and scooters.

HRH was then escorted to the third floor where his first stop was the Music Room. In here, he heard Declan Velez, Sammy Ryden and Sophie Kirk playing Twinkle Twinkle with their violin teacher Crista Kende.

HRH was then led into the library before being taken into the dance studio where he was entertained by a ballet performance by Luca Faccenda and Chloe Rasteau. Jack Gaffigan composed apiece of music called 'Blast Off' which the ballerinas performed to.

The final part of the tour led HRH into 'The World in One Room', a gallery of home-made landmarks from around the world where competition winners Tyler Moore, Alesha Jaswal and Eesa Jaswal showed him their structures.

At 11.40 am, HRH walked downstairs to the Gymnasium where he was greeted by the brass group performing a fanfare, composed by Miss Roberts. The British School of Boston headteacher Paul Wiseman OBE, gave opening remarks followed by the BSB students who gave individual speeches. The WANY choir then performed two songs and were accompanied by Mr Taylor on the piano. To finish the assembly, every child was presented with a special jubilee coin to commemorate the Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth. At noon, the anthems were sung by Barry Banks which concluded the ceremony.

.... What a wonderful day!