Educating Essex: Great day for Harlow as Education Secretary visits Passmores and Holy Cross School

Education Secretary Michael Gove today officially opened the new Passmores Academy. He also visited Holy Cross School, where he planted a tree to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Before addressing the entire school from the atrium gallery and cutting a ribbon draped across to the centre of the space, Mr Gove was given of a tour of the new Passmores facilities by head teacher Vic Goddard and spoke to students in maths, English and science classes.

Mr Gove said: “Passmores is a brilliant school and it’s wonderful to see that the new building is helping it go from strength to strength.

“Robert (Halfon) is an amazing MP, he’s a wonderful champion for Harlow and he’s been telling me almost since he was elected that I have to come to this school, and I’m delighted to be here.”

He added: “It’s wonderful that we have great buildings to complement the great teaching that already exists. Schools thrive on having the best possible people teaching in the best possible facilities.”

This is a very special day for Harlow, we have some incredible secondary schools and Passmores is a great example.

We have a new building which is one of the most beautiful new buildings that you could possibly have. It’s incredibly impressive which is also how I would describe the school’s teachers and students. Passmores has some great young people.

Head teacher Vic Goddard said: “Today is the start of the official life of the new building. The impact of the new building on the children has been great. We can’t get them out of the building at the end of the day!”

He added: “It’s been transformational. That word is used a lot in education but it truly has been for the school.” 

Among those also attending the official opening were Harlow Council chairman Mike Garnett, Essex County Council Chairman Elect Kay Twitchen and county council education boss Cllr Stephen Castle.

At Holy Cross School, Mr Gove and myself – accompanied by Harlow Council chairman Mike Garnett – were welcomed by head teacher Sue McGuiggan who introduced Mr Gove to staff and gave the guests a tour of the school.

The party spoke with children in their class and met the School Council before going out into the school garden to plant the jubilee tree.



Holy Cross is an outstanding school and one of the first primary academies in Harlow.

I invited Michael Gove to visit the school becaise I wanted him to see all that the school has achieved in the space of a few years. He toured the classrooms and was amazed by the high standards that are being achieved.

I congratulate the head, the staff, the students and parents for all they have done. You can see a slideshow of pictures from today's visits here

No Dinner tonight

Not after attending the packed Harlow Cross School International Food Festival. Fantastic Food prepared by parents and students- from delicious Greek Moussaka to African spicy food - was in abundance. I am very full!

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Harlow Community Update

A really good few days of community visits: On Thursday, after a day in Parliament, I went to Burnt Mill School to meet Pact Harlow and the Karate Club. They are preparing for the Triathlon in London on 30 July.

Friday saw me at The Sowerby Group, a brand new advertising business in the Greenway Centre. This forward looking company looks after blue chip clients like The Daily Express and Daily Telegraph. They also give state of the art social media advice too.

Saturday saw me at Prentice Place for an open MPs surgery - with local Councillor Clive Souter, and caseworker John Steer - in which residents could come and see me without appointment. After, it was straight to Church Langley Tesco for the local Councillors' monthly Surgery, and a chance to chat with shoppers. I was pleased to also offer support for Help for Heroes who were busy raising thousands for our armed forces.

Sunday meant a trip to Holy Cross School Fete. This has become an annual visit and it was good to chat to Headmistress, Sue Mcguigan. Holy Cross is soon to become an Academy - not surprising given its excellent academic results.

Then a short food-stop to Old Harlow Barbecue, organised by local Conservatives and after to the amazing Heart 4 Harlow, Praise in the Park.

Many of the Town's churches, charities and Christians had gathered in the Town Park for fun, song and prayer. It was an inspiration.

Harlow Community Update

Here is my latest update of the community organisations I have visited over recent days:

Harlow College.  It was back to the College again - this time for a visit by Lord Baker.  I had asked the former Education Secretary to visit the College in order to see the College Apprentice Scheme.   Lord Baker has been tasked with rolling out pre-apprenticeships for young people across the UK.

Harlow Rotary Club.  To the Rotary members lunch.  I had been asked to give a speech and set out my work as MP.  I talked about apprenticeships and other areas I am working on, including my fight for an extra junction on the M11.  The lunch - held at the Canons Brook Golf Club was excellent too, and I could not have been made to feel more welcome.

Any Questions.  It was good to participate in a Question Time type panel to discuss health reforms with east of England NHS Managers.  Questions ranged wide :  from GP Commissioning to the existence of G-D.

Princess Alexandra Hospital.  I was asked by PAH to support their campaign for more careful use of Accident and Emergency Services.  The Hospital is trying to persuade people to use A&E mainly for emergency and GPs for more routine problems.  You can read more details HERE.

Dobbs Weir Residents.  I held a surgery for local residents of Dobbs Weir and also met with the residents association.  This was to discuss a range of issues including the future of the DW Village Hall, environmental and noise issues.  DW have a really active residents group and do much to support DW village and campaign for residents concerns.  I am advocating for some issues on their behalf.

George Cook MBE.  As you have read on previous blogs, I am strong supportive of strengthening Special Constables.  For this reason, It was good to meet Britain's oldest Special Constable, Mr George Cook and discuss with ideas for policing,   Mr Cook is also President of the Special Constable Association.

Harlow Tennis Club.  I have been a long support of the club and met with officials to get an update of club activities and discuss anti-social behaviour problems with some vandalism of the fences.  I will be doing what I can to help on this, through contacting the relevant authorities.

Holy Cross School Roast Dinner Day.  One  lovely visit was to have a Roast dinner at Holy Cross School.  Many parents came too for this special day.  

Kingsland Residents.  Residents here have a real problem regarding parking.  On a previous visit, I had said i would bring an Essex Council Highways Official to visit them.  The second visit, with the official, was a useful one as he was able to explain how difficult any changes would be.  Unfortunately, there are no easy solutions to making the parking easier in this part of Harlow - as in so many others.

Dizzie Ducks.   This new nursery has opened up in Harlow Leisure zone.  I had to cut the ribbon for its opening day.   Well worth a visit if you have children.

I also went to Harlow Library Careers day, met with Harlow Creditsave, attended Ann Wafula Strike's autobigraphical book launch at WH Smith in Broadwalk and then attended the Playhouse to see the amazing Brenda Taylor dance school extravaganza.  I also held my regular constituency surgery.  A busy time!

Tomorrow it will be back to the Commons, as Parliament returns from Recess.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Harlow Update: Supporting our Community

One of the best things about being MP is having the chance to support Harlow's community so I just thought I would update you with what I have been doing for the past few days.

Thursday evening saw me at an important SEYSHA (Harlow Youth and Sports Club)meeting with Essex Cllrs John Jowers and Guy Mitchinson. We were all at SEYSHA, to look at ways this great youth club can raise funds in order to complete the building of new sports facilities. Cllr. Jowers also presented SEYSHA with a £33,000 cheques from the Essex Council Community Chest Fund.

Friday morning saw a visit to Harlow College to hand out journalism awards to some star journalist students - many of whom had received distinctions in their exams. I then rushed to the unveiling of two new sculptures at Newhall, which add to our proud status as a sculpture town - and added to the beauty of the Newhall development.

It was then off to Holy Cross School to take part in their 50th Anniversaries and help start a balloon race (I was also pleased to visit the school's packed fete today). The school was packed with parents and children, all doing some of the most remarkable dance routines. After, it was a visit to Epping Council to meet with officers and Councillors to discuss issues relevant to both Epping and Harlow. The evening, was the most important part of my day, as I had a three hour surgery with local residents at the Rainbow Centre. It was a good place to have a surgery and all those who came welcomed the venue. After the surgery, I was delighted to open the flower festival at the St Mary's Church, Great Parndon - the flowers are quite beautiful and depict all kinds of biblical scenes.

Saturday meant a visit to the Harvey Centre to meet with the Co-operative Enterprise Hub and Cliff Moore. I was pleased to meat the new cleaning company Elbow Grease and Harlow Creditsave too. Elbow Grease in particular is a great initiative, as it is a new co-operative business, whose members might have some disabilities, but are ready and willing for this new enterprise. I am sure Elbow Grease will be a great success.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Christmas fun in Harlow

One of the best things about Christmas, is all the events that go on, before, during and after.

I have really enjoyed visiting a host of Harlow Christmas activities in the past couple of weeks and they all have been great fun - but meaningful too.

I thought you might like to have a flavour of what I have been up to:

Last week I was at Holy Cross School for the annual Christingle service. It was a very moving occasion as candles in oranges were lit, bit by bit by the assembled children.

Today I have been at Pets Corner, where my good friend, Nick Churchill, doubles up as Father Christmas (he is a Councillor the rest of the year). His son Alex was serving hot drinks to the many people - who were watching the children's Nativity Play in the cold. Nick's passion - for Pets Corner, and his love for animals is such a joy, and I enjoy his email bulletins about what's occurring at this wonderful place.

I was also pleased to attend a party (and disco!), for young toddlers held by the Integration Support Services - which does so much to assist those who come from overseas. The ISS have received a grant recently, which will enable them to continue their work and extend their outreach work considerably. I am glad of this - especially since Director Mimoza is an inspiration. Her compassion and decency shine through.

Anyway, I hope you like the pictures, which show the Christingle Service, some Llamas and me with some of the staff at the ISS!

Holy Cross School Fete - I forgot about Jamie Oliver!!

Following my last posting about today's activities, I thought you
might like to see a picture of Vanda and I, at the Holy Cross School
Fete earlier today. We were at an amazing stall selling Jamie Oliver
food products. The stall was run by two business-women, Lindsey
Tappenden and Reshma Bassi. They sell the products through parties at
people's houses, and, from all accounts, it is a great success. I wish
them well.

Contact Lindsey.jme@hotmail.co.uk or reshma.jme@gmail.com for further

information.

Holy Cross School visit the House of Commons

Holy Cross School, is not only one of the best schools in Harlow - it is one of the best in England. The Head Teacher Susan McGuiggan, and her excellent team, have spent years working hard to ensure that the pupils have the very best standard of teaching. I was very pleased to visit the school - the moment you walk through the doors, you can see that Holy Cross, is a very special place of learning.

For this reason, I was very glad to help organise a Tour of Parliament for the school students, after being asked by Ms. McGuiggan. The Head is nothing but precise. She visited Parliament with me a few weeks ago, to check the line of route, and we managed to get tickets to watch a live performance of Prime Minister's Question Time - as dramatic as ever.

It was a great visit. The pupils went to the Lords and the Commons and were shown round by guides who explained the infinite and dramatic history of the building, including the grand Westminster Hall, which was originally built in 1097. The photo (kindly sent to me by Teacher Emma Beckwith), show myself, pupils and teachers, on the steps of the great Hall.

Westminster Hall has an amazing history: It has survived two great fires - in 1834 and 1941, and is used for important occasions. When the Queen Mother passed away in 2002, her coffin was put in Westminster Hall, to enable people to pay their respects. I myself walked passed and saw Prince Charles and the young Princes around the Coffin, standing in ceremony and with great dignity. You could stand or sit in Westminster Hall for hours, and never get bored, as you just feel the sense of history swirling around you.

P.S. The Ofsted results for the school, can be found HERE.

By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com