Children’s TV legend and renowned mathematician, Johnny Ball, is joining the NSPCC’s call to schools and nurseries across Northern Ireland to take part in a maths-inspired fundraiser on Friday 2nd February.
Number Day is an annual event aimed at children in nurseries, and primary and secondary schools, with teachers and pupils raising vital funds for the NSPCC while having fun with maths.
This year’s event will see free curriculum-based activities available for schools across the country to download to help liven up their lessons while raising funds for the children’s charity.
Johnny Ball said: “I’m delighted to support the NSPCC’s annual Number Day once again. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get children excited about maths from a young age in a fun and engaging way.
“Maths can be a daunting subject for many, so it’s crucial that we foster a healthy understanding that maths is not just numeracy, but that it underpins everything we do in life including all our activities in the arts and sciences.
“Number Day also encourages youngsters to engage, as a whole school, with fundraising which is so vital for the NSPCC to continue its wonderful work.”
With around 90 per cent of the charity’s income coming from supporters, including schools, funds raised from Number Day could help support vital NSPCC services. These include Childline and the charity’s Speak Out Stay Safe (SOSS) programme, which sees the NSPCC visit primary schools and teach children how to recognise signs of abuse and neglect, and who to talk to if they are worried.
Karen Walker, Northern Ireland Schools Service Manager, said: “Learning should be fun and that is what Number Day is all about. Add fun and maths together and it totals Number Day!
“Whether you are from a school or a nursery, by taking part in this year’s Number Day, not only will you be inspiring children by making maths education fun, you’ll be helping to support the NSPCC as well.
“This year’s Number Day promises to be our best mega maths fundraiser yet, with ‘The Trophy Thief’ from Sums of Anarchy – a mathematics mystery adventure based in ‘Arithmetown’ where children need to solve the crime of the missing Golden Numeral trophy.
“Plus, there are new resources and activities from all the NSPCC’s partners including Maths Circle and Times Table Rock Stars, Maths on Toast, Oxford University Press, GoHenry and SchoolOnline.”
Registration for Number Day is free through the NSPCC website (www.nspcc.org.uk/numberday).
Once a school is registered, the NSPCC will provide resources that can be used in the classroom, including new games and activities, such as Dress up for Digits where children and staff can wear an item of clothing with a number on it and make a donation to the NSPCC.
Further information about Dress Up for Digits and ideas for costumes can also be found on the NSPCC’s website.
Please remember to share your Number Day posts and photos on social media and to include the hashtag #NumberDay.
