for schools · via activity sheets, ferdinand’s workshops are ... flamenco artists flamenco dance...

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller

Workshopsfor Schools

Clockwise from top-left: Ferdinand Koci, Richard O’Neill, Peter White and Carla Soto

“We need to create an inclusive learning environment for all children. All cultural backgrounds should be understood and respected. Children from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities should feel safe and cherished in school and therefore parents and pupils will be proud to identify themselves.” Lord Adonis 2008

The Gypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Service (GRTAS) are very pleased to offer these excellent workshops for schools. These will provide an exciting opportunity for schools to promote their equality, diversity and community cohesion agendas through the arts.

They will also contribute to achieving the Stephen Lawrence Education Standard, the Inclusion Chartermark, help celebrate different languages – Rromanes, Albanian, French, Italian, Polish, Czech, Spanish – and the rich contributions of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities to our society�

These one day workshops will provide stimulating, enjoyable learning experiences for the whole school�

They can stand alone or be integrated into a project over the term featuring the different artists and using them to help children create and enrich their own narratives or that of the many GRT folktales or stories (one school created their own book from the story ‘The Gypsy Woman and the Cave’ and further developed the narrative and created beautiful illustrations inspired by Ferdinand’s art workshops)�

These artists and performers offer skills and talents which have inspired many children and will have a major impact on your school� They offer a range of experiences from the Roma artist, Ferdinand Koci, the Romany Gypsy Storyteller, Richard O’Neill, the Flamenco dancer, Carla Soto to the Circus performer, Peter White�

This work can be an exciting introduction to the GRT communities and help the school plan how best to celebrate Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month in June each year�

It will also have a great impact on any GRT pupils in the school and their families who will value the celebration of their communities in school and will further promote good home school partnerships�

All of the artists and performers have had great reviews of their work from our schools and are all CRB checked� Schools will be sent a pack of information about the workshops when booking and schools can plan their day/s with the artists to focus on particular skills/themes�

Booking a workshopGet in touch directly with the artists and

performers using the email addresses below�

Richard O’Neill: [email protected]

Carla Soto: [email protected]

Ferdinand Koci: [email protected]

Peter White: [email protected]

For further information or help –

telephone us on: 0113 274 8050

email: [email protected]

or write to: GRTAS, Leeds, West Park Centre,

Spen Lane, Leeds LS16 5BE

Ferdinand is Roma and from Albania. He was the first Roma to attend the Art School in Tirana and has since studied in France and has exhibited widely across Europe.

Ferdinand has led successful and exciting workshops for all ages combining art appreciation with practical work�

Ferdinand can demonstrate, encourage and inspire� Whether talking about his art, viewing and discussing artworks or working via activity sheets, Ferdinand’s workshops are lively and enriching�

The workshops include learning about Gypsies, Roma and Travellers (GRT) and show work by GRT artists� This gives an insight into the GRT culture and contributes to the equality, diversity and community cohesion agenda�

He can provide the experience of visiting an art exhibition; one of the requirements

of the national curriculum� The workshop can contribute to the Stephen Lawrence Education Standard or the Gypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Programme�

He provides a range of art activities and workshops for children and young people that include:

Art exhibition for the whole school •with engaging activity sheetsDrawing classes – pencil, ink, charcoal, •gouache and pastelPortraiture demonstration to encourage •drawing and visual recordingPrinting – exploring different techniques•Collage – how to plan and effective use•Painting – exploring different techniques•

He will bring an exhibition of his work into schools and worksheets for pupils are provided including a list of the artworks for the school to duplicate� At lunch time he will do a portrait of one of the pupils so everyone in the school can see him working�

He is available on Wednesdays next term�

What the teachers say: “The children took hold of the storytelling skills that they had learnt and continued to develop them in their own way. The children’s awareness of the Traveller community was broadened in a very gentle and subtle way.”

“The storytelling earlier this week was just fantastic! The children in my class were totally captivated by Richard. When we got back to school, one boy reported that it was the most hilarious thing he’d ever seen in his life!”

“I really liked the way his very important message was got across in an amusing, light hearted way – it somehow made it more powerful for the children.”

Richard O’Neill is one of the UK’s best loved storytellers. Working across all key stages his authentic, interactive and unique stories provide entertainment and important subtle lessons to children and students.

Richard uses the storytelling skills passed down to him by Romani families to promote their rich culture in all schools�

A workshop can be a mixture of traditional stories, assembly performance, storytelling skills, creative writing and perceptions�

Richard believes in the power of storytelling to educate, inform, build bridges and entertain� Storytelling helps with literacy and personal confidence� Days can be customised to schools requirements�

Ferdinand Koci: International Roma Artist

Art Workshops

Richard O’Neill: Gypsy Storyteller

Gypsy Storytelling Workshops

What the teachers say: “Excellent input. The children were mesmerized when Ferdinand was at work.”

“Fantastic! He encourages children to have a go and believe that they can draw and paint.”

“Very much in keeping with our enrichment programme – the results will go into a huge display for the new academic year.”

“The whole experience has been a lovely aspect of our inclusive school”

“Everyone – staff and children enjoyed the day and the quality of the work produced was excellent.”

Peter White is a professional performer and instructor. With his Suitcase Circus show and his circus skills workshops he has been entertaining and inspiring children and adults for over 15 years.

Pete’s Circus Workshops are great fun and a good form of exercise, developing concentration, hand-eye coordination, motivation and self discipline� By breaking skills down into simple steps, practicing them in a fun way, children participate, succeed and enjoy learning juggling, plate-spinning, diabolo and performance/presentation skills�

In April 2010 Pete will perform his Suitcase Circus to over 2000 children at the Royal Albert Hall in London for Camden Education Authority Music Festival for the 4th time� The show is also perfect for smaller audiences (up to 250) in the school hall�

Pete’s show and workshops are accessible to all and can be arranged to tie in with a particular part of the curriculum, as an end of term treat, as part of an Arts Festival, Fete or Fair�

Performances are easily staged in the school hall and can last up to 1 hour�

Single Workshops last 1 hour and are for up to 30 participants, while a Circus Workshop Day can cater for anything between 30 and 120 people� A Circus Week can culminate in a performance of the participants showing off their new skills�

Skills taught and performed include Juggling, Plate Spinning, Diabolo, Hula Hoops and Performance Skills�

What the teachers say: “Hi Peter, just to thank you again for a fantastic workshop, we have been talking to the children this week and they had the most marvellous time. You have a lovely manner with children. Hope to meet up with you again in 2010.”

Meg Ashbridge, Sheriff Hutton Drama Youthworks

“Every year I ask the children if they want Suitcase Circus again or something different, and they always enthusiastically insist on having you back.”

Paula Harmer, Head Teacher Thorpe Hesley Junior School, Rotherham.

Peter White: Circus Performer

Circus Workshops

Carla Soto and Mike Holland: Flamenco Artists

Flamenco Dance WorkshopsLearn how to dance the Flamenco! Discover and try out the Gypsy rhythms. Explore the use of the different parts of the body in Flamenco dance such as fingers, hands, head, hips, arms and feet. The objective is that all participants will have fun, learn about a different culture and dance some Flamenco steps.

Carla Soto, Venezuelan Flamenco dancer comes from a musical Cuban-Spanish family� She is a Spanish tutor, professional dancer, choreographer and dance teacher� In these workshops she encourages the utilization of the basis of movement, technique, body, space, coordination and rhythm� Carla is accompanied by Guitarist Mike Holland

Workshop participants will learn about the story of the Gypsies and how they influenced the art of Flamenco� By learning some basic steps and Flamenco dance elements (clapping, stamping, curling hands and clicking) they will develop and improve confidence, posture, body balance; hands, arms and hip technique as well as coordination, motor and rhythm skills� They will also learn about Spanish culture and pick up some Spanish words along the way�

After questioning the class about Spain, Flamenco and the Gypsies the class begins with a story recited by the guitarist about the Gypsies and how they were treated as an oppressed culture, while the story is illustrated with map, poster and artefacts� A demonstration of two Flamenco dances

follow� A sad dance that reflects the tragic life of the Gypsies and a joyful dance that shows the happy moments of life when Gypsies used to have fun at their celebrations in the caves�

After learning some basic steps the class will learn a choreographed dance and use their new skills�

Working in small groups the class will choose an animal of their preference, (without telling the others) and mime the animal without making any noise; improvising movements by using some of the steps and the Flamenco dance elements� Participants will then choreograph their own performance�

Carla will also teach how to play castanets and the drum�

All materials are provided by the artists� All that is required is a suitable floor for dancing, (such as wooden floor or a bouncing floor), to demonstrate Flamenco foot work�

The workshop is for a maximum of 30 from age 5+�

What the teachers say: “Excellent! Began with background information, history, culture then dancing. Highly physical and interactive – perfect for children.” Hillcrest Primary

“Brilliant history lesson – telling how Flamenco began … smiles, smiles and more smiles.” Hawksworth Wood Primary

“All children and staff enjoyed this activity. Some children inspired and continued to dance the next day.”

Ingram Road Primary

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c The First Traveller DVD ��£5�00

c A1 GRTHM Celebration Poster ��£4�00

c Set/s of 5 GRTHM A2 posters ��£3�00

c Set/s of 5 GRTHM postcards ��£1�00

c Early Years/Primary A2 Poster��£3�00

c Open Roads Open Minds ��£10�00

c Romanes Language Poster ��£3�00

c Set/s of Ferdinand Koci postcards ��£5�00

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Prices to cover postage and packaging only. Items are FREE. Official orders welcome. Make cheques payable to: Education Leeds GRTAS.Address your orders to: Free Resources, Gypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Service Leeds, West Park Centre, Spen Lane, Leeds LS16 5BE Contact: David Martin Telephone: 0113 274 8050 email: [email protected] website: www.grtleeds.co.uk

Gypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Service

Great Resources. Now FREE

Equality and Entitlement in LeedsGypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Service

Gypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Service Leeds

For a limited time we are offering our resources for FREE* to teachers, schools, youth groups and other learning establishments, who are celebrating Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month in June and who will include these materials in the curriculum for all children.

*You just need to cover the cost of the postage and packing� This offer only applies to UK addresses� Contact us for details if you live outside the UK�

Open Roads, Open MindsA DVD, Wall Poster, Storyteller & Artist Portraits all wrapped in one attractive package� “Open Roads, Open Minds” is a series of learning materials based on Travellers’ storytelling which can be used in the classroom�

This not only helps to celebrate Traveller culture among children, but also helps Traveller parents to feel that they are welcome and that their way of life is respected in school�

A Rromanes Language Map Poster that is part of the ‘Open Roads Open Minds’ Storytelling pack, is also available separately� This map traces the development of the Rromanes language during it’s thousand year journey from India to Western Europe and beyond�

The First Traveller DVDThe First Traveller is a poem by the late Johnny Collins and is recited alongside songs and stories by acclaimed GRT professionals such as Jess Smith, Richard O’Neill and Sheila Stewart MBE on this DVD� It also includes scenes from ‘Mobile’ the acclaimed play from Irish Traveller Michael Collins� An added bonus is rare footage of a phenomenal performance on Uilleann Pipes by Irish Travellers John and Larry Rooney� Completing the DVD is a slide show featuring the artwork of Ferdinand Koci and postcards with suggested lessons�

GRTHM ItemsFive posters were produced for GRTHM by professional GRT artists including Ferdinand Koci� The posters show a mixture of contemporary and historical GRT lifestyles and language that will stimulate the eye and provoke discussion and aid understanding� Lucy Mongan was the overall winner of the

GRTHM 2008 poster competition and her poster is also available� The GRTHM poster set is also available as postcards�

Ferdinand was also the artist of an image depicting the different GRT communities� It is a montage of images showing Circus and Fairground lives, horse fairs and traditional Gypsy wagons designed to promote discussion and aid the understanding of Early Years/Primary children� This poster is encapsulated to give excellent protection�

For GRTHM 2009 Ferdinand created an image “O Baro Dive“ for an A1 Poster� It makes a striking portrayal of GRT culture for raising cultural awareness and discussion�

Ferdinand Koci’s WorkAlso available from GRTAS Leeds is a set of 10 postcards of images from Ferdinand Koci’s first solo exhibition that took place at Leeds Art Gallery as part of GRTHM 2008� These A5 postcards are a great souvenir of Ferdinand’s work�

Many of Ferdinand’s images are available as limited edition high quality A3 archive prints signed by the artist� Contact GRTAS Leeds for more details of any of these items�

Order Form: Please Complete and Return to GRTAS LeedsPut the quantity you require in the box by each item�

for schools · via activity sheets, ferdinand’s workshops are ... flamenco artists flamenco dance...

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