THIS WEEK - 22-28 FEBRUARY 2014
Saturday
Thought for the day
Ten million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts celebrated World Thinking Day. The focus for this year’s fundraising and activities was “achieving universal primary education”. It’s not all campfires and marshmallows.
Sunday
Letter of the law
On this day in 1739, a man going by the name John Palmer was identified as notorious highwayman Dick Turpin by his former teacher. The schoolmaster recognised Turpin’s handwriting on a letter at the post office.
Monday
Teaching and earning
The Center for Universal Education in Washington, US, held a debate on how to pay for education around the world. Bigwigs pondered how research and policy can improve matters.
Tuesday
Hungary remembers
Schools in Hungary commemorated the annual Memorial Day for the Victims of the Communist Dictatorships. Around 600,000 Hungarians were deported to Soviet labour camps after the Second World War.
Wednesday
Worrying figures
As the number of overweight schoolchildren spirals in the UK, the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre was due to release its statistics on obesity, exercise and diet. Grim reading was expected.
Thursday
What are you drinking?
Should you feel guilty about your mid-morning coffee? Oxfam updated its Scorecard report on how big food and drink companies are improving their treatment of workers and their land and water use.
Friday
On your bike
Expect a Lycra explosion as more than 250,000 children from across the UK take part in The Big Pedal, a three-week cycle race. It’s organised to encourage more children to take up the sport.
NEXT WEEK - 1-7 MARCH 2014
Saturday
Cymru carousing
Dydd Dwyl Dewi hapus! Or, for those who don’t speak Welsh, happy St David’s Day. The patron saint’s day will be marked in Wales with parades and school concerts. Leeks and daffodils will surely abound.
Sunday
And the Oscar goes to ...
Tinseltown will take to the red carpet for the annual Academy Awards, celebrating the best in film achievement over the past year. Space drama Gravity and biopic 12 Years a Slave are hotly tipped for Oscars.
Monday
Pipe dreams
“I am now going to unblock Mrs Biggin’s U-bend #plumbingisfun.” During National Apprenticeship Week in England, trainees will use social media to paint a picture of their working days.
Tuesday
Bring on the batter
Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Pancake Day - whatever you call it, today’s the day to whip out your frying pan and show off your tossing skills. Expect your school to call a pancake race across the playing field.
Wednesday
What a dope
Today is the 26th anniversary of Olympic sprinter Ben Johnson’s ban from athletics. The Canadian set a world record for the 100m at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, but was stripped of his medal for drug use.
Thursday
Fancy dress to impress
Children in the UK will head into school dressed as their favourite literary characters, in celebration of the 17th annual World Book Day. Expect plenty of Harry Potters - maybe even a Voldemort.
Friday
Citizens of the world
We Day, a movement designed to encourage student participation in citizenship, will take place in Canada, the US and the UK. Activist Malala Yousafzai will be streamed live on TES Connect.
