Swansea PSE News

RHS Get Your Grown-ups Growing

noreply@blogger.com (Swansea Public Health Team: Administration Team) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:33:00 +0000

Get your grown-ups growing with the RHS

As part of the Campaign for School Gardening, supported by Waitrose, the RHS have launched an exciting new project called Get Your Grown-ups Growing (GYGG). Whether you already have a school garden or are keen to establish some form of gardening opportunity within your school, the RHS are only too aware of the amount of work that is involved. They are however also aware of the huge amount of resources available to you through your local community that you may not be utilizing. The GYGG project provides an opportunity for schools to tap into these resources by holding an event in school in October. Once you have signed up to take part at www.rhs.org.uk/gygg you will receive everything you need to host your event including event ideas, invites, posters, a CD Rom and even free seeds. With a little help from your community you can achieve great things for your school.

'Puberty - What's going on?' A guide to the amazing changes that happen as you grow up!

noreply@blogger.com (Swansea Public Health Team: Administration Team) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:35:00 +0000

Schools should use this resource in the class room and as a reference for children to take home following an age appropriate progressive sex and relationships education programme. It is designed to make them aware of what is happening and what will happen to them, to make things less daunting, to encourage self-awareness and promote personal well-being, for now and the future.

"Puberty - what's going on?" is available FREE from Swansea Public Health Team, please contact 01792 7848548 or email: sphtadmin@wales.nhs.uk stating your school, quantity and whether you require english or welsh copies.

FREE Bones4Life Resource Pack for Teachers

noreply@blogger.com (Swansea Public Health Team: Administration Team) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:43:00 +0000

Resource Pack
Our free Resource Pack is bursting with information, activities and lesson plans for a themed day or week all about bone-health.

Request a Resource Pack
Our free Resource Pack will help teachers build a Healthy School. Request one today! Themed lesson plans, activities and assembly ideas put bone health in the context of healthy living. Our free DVD, dance steps and groovy song will get children moving as they boogie for their bones.

You can request a hard copy of the Resource Pack using the link below. The Resource Pack will be delivered in the post within 2 weeks.

http://www.nos.org.uk/forms/pack

Download a Resource Pack
The full Resource Pack is only available by post but some elements can be downloaded below, if you prefer.

http://www.bones4life.org/144.aspx

Poster Competition - win £500 to enhance your health education resources!

Find out more about our brand new competition!

http://www.bones4life.org/263.aspx

Bone Factor Tour Resources
Find out more about the Bone Factor Tour!

http://www.bones4life.org/201.aspx

SunSmart: the national skin cancer prevention campaign

noreply@blogger.com (Swansea Public Health Team: Administration Team) — Thu, 27 May 2010 08:54:00 +0000

This year the SunSmart campaign will focus on young people and avoiding sunburn.

Sunburn or intense sun exposure in childhood increases the risk of skin cancer later in life and the majority of our lifetime sun exposure happens before the age of 20. A recent study highlighted that there is a different perception of “risk” at home than on holiday and children are less protected whilst playing in the garden than when they are on the beach.

Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and small behavioural changes such as avoiding the strongest sun, appropriate use of sun cream and wearing of hats and long clothes can lead to a considerable decrease in personal risk.

In 2003 the World Health Organisation recommended that no one under the age of 18 should use a sun bed. New legislation which will come into force next year (in England and Wales) will prevent the use of sun beds by under 18’s and include a ban on unmanned coin operated salons.

For further information on how to enjoy the sun safely, sun beds, guidance on developing a school sun protection policy and free downloadable teaching resources visit http://www.sunsmart.org.uk/

Guidance on sex and relationships education

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:46:00 +0000

The Welsh Assembly Government would like to invite you to provide feedback on the guidance Sex and relationships education in schools that has been developed for use in schools in Wales.

From September 2010, this document will replace the current guidance circular, Sex and relationships education in schools National Assembly for Wales Circular No 11/02.

If you have any comments on this document, please send them by 31 May 2010 by email to personalandsocialeducationenquiries@wales.gsi.gov.uk.
Or by post to:

Adrienne Rees
Curriculum and Assessment Division

DCELLS

Welsh Assembly Government

Cathays Park

Cardiff

CF10 3NQ

The guidance can be found here:

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/curriculumassessment/arevisedcurriculumforwales/sexeducation/?lang=en

https://webmail.swansea.gov.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/curriculumassessment/arevisedcurriculumforwales/sexeducation/?skip=1%26lang=cy

UNICEF Rights respecting schools award

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:32:00 +0000

UNICEF UK is pioneering an initiative in UK schools called the Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA). The award scheme started in 2004 and is running in more than 1000 primary and secondary schools in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

One of the greatest challenges that schools face is to define a clear set of values – not just rules - that has been developed with the full involvement of the school community and is actively upheld by pupils. UNICEF UK’s RRSA initiative helps schools to use the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as the values framework that enables this to be achieved.

A values framework for schoolsThe RRSA provides a coherent values framework which enhances school leadership. It shapes the ethos of the school and unifies what can often be seen as a range of disparate educational initiatives and government priorities in all UK jurisdictions; the global dimension, SEAL (social and emotional aspects of learning), sustainable development, and community cohesion. Pupils develop a stronger sense of the need to act for global justice. The universality of the UNCRC provides a clear link between building up their rights respecting school and the need for children’s rights to be realised everywhere.

What are the benefits?

Evidence gathered from schools participating in the RRSA suggests that when the values of the UNCRC underpin the ethos and curriculum of a school, they have a significant, positive impact on important aspects of child well-being and school improvement. They also have a positive effect on the relationships, teaching approaches, attitudes and behaviour of everyone involved.

Teachers, children and parents have reported:
Improved pupil self-esteem
Pupils’ enhanced moral development
Improved behaviour and relationships(reductions in bullying, exclusions and improved attendance)
More positive attitudes towards diversity in society and the reduction of prejudice
Pupils’ development as global citizens
Overall school improvement (including learning environment and academic standards)
Enhanced job satisfaction for teachers

Sarah Hooke is the Welsh education officer you should contact if you would like to find out more information on how to register for the award. You can contact her on:

sarahhoo@unicef.org.uk

or alternativly contact myself on:

Stuart.whiffin@swansea.gov.uk

Many hundreds of English schools have acheived the award although only 3 Welsh schools have gone through the process- hopefully this can change over the comming months.

New WAG pupil voice website launched!

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:29:00 +0000

The Pupil Participation Project in the Welsh Assembly Government is here to help YOU! We want you to have the support you need to make pupil participation really effective in your school. On this site you will find useful information, resources and training materials, contact details, and links to related sites.

There are also fun things to do as well, because you’ve told us this is important to you.

If you would like to let us know what your school is doing to make sure that all pupils can play an active role in decision-making, send your case study to: RightsandEntitlementsBranch@Wales.gsi.gov.uk

Click here to visit the site

Show Racism the Red Card Competition

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:11:00 +0000

Show Racism the RED Card is an anti-racist charity, which specialises in producing educational resources. These include videos, a DVD, magazines, posters and education packs. The aim of the campaign is to combat racism through the use of footballers and rugby players as anti-racist role models and we are fortunate to have the backing of many top managers and players.

This is the tenth successive year that they have run an anti-racist schools competition and they have found them to be an extremely useful way of encouraging young peoples' interest in anti-racism.

The deadline for registering for this competition is 29th February 2010.

Find more information on 'Show racism the red card' here and here

Ultimate Dodgeball with the British Heart Foundation

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:05:00 +0000

The British Heart Foundation is running an Ultimate Dodgeball event for schools.

"As the nation's heart charity, we rely on events like Ultimate Dodgeball to help fund pioneering research that saves and improves the lives of children and adults. Our research has already identified some of the key causes of heart disease – and some solutions."

Below are downloadable documents with information on how to receive your organiser's kit and how you can raise money for the BHF and for your school.

Find the Primary leaflet here

Secondary leaflet here

Calling all schools.....Sport Relief kicks off 19th March

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:38:00 +0000

Sport Relief kicks off on Friday 19th March and it’s the perfect way for your whole school to get active, have fun and raise cash to help change lives forever. As it’s fast approaching, it’s time to get moving!

There are loads of ways you can get involved and we’ve put together a special Schools Kit to help you get started.

From tried-and-tested top fundraising ideas to a DVD showcasing the difference your school can make – it’s all at your fingertips when you get your free Primary or Secondary School Sport Relief Kit.

So grab yours today and get ready for Sport Relief 2010!

find more info @ www.sportrelief.com/

FREE D2E ESDGC training March 23/24 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:35:00 +0000

Free 2-Day Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship (ESDGC) Training Course

ESDGC with ‘Hard-to-Reach’ Learners – Use of the Outdoors

What – Do you struggle to see how you can engage your learners in ESDGC?

Down to Earth Project have found that using the outdoors as a learning environment; eco/traditional building, along with experiential hands-on methods and innovative non-formal approaches, can succeed really well in inspiring and motivating ‘hard-to-reach’ learners to engage in ESDGC. We would like to share these with you over the 2 days.

The training course will involve practical taster sessions of the activities and approaches we use with our learner groups, as well as a more theoretical understanding of how these work. There will be both group and individual reflection on how to apply learning to specific work contexts.

Why – ESDGC is essential learning and all young people have a right to learn about, and take action on sustainable development and global citizenship issues. There are individuals and groups of young people who are currently excluded in terms of ESDGC provision. We would like to challenge this.

When –23^th and 24^th March 2010, 9.30am (start) till 4.00pm – a fine lunch is provided!

Where –Down to Earth Project’s 4 acre small-holding on Gower near Swansea

Who – For anyone who feels learners are ‘hard-to-reach’ when it comes to engaging in ESDGC, and would like to explore the use of experiential methods in the outdoors.

This training course will be delivered by Down to Earth Project trainers.

What else – This training course will offer optional level 2, credit value 3 OCN accreditation.

For more information - Contact Down to Earth Project on:

info@downtoearthproject.org.uk

01792 346 566

Application Deadline – We anticipate high take-up of this free training course.

Places will be offered on a first-to-book basis.

The RBS Personal Finance Education Awards for Schools 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:31:00 +0000

This academic year The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) in association with pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group) is looking for examples of excellence in personal finance education (PFE). We would like to ask you to help spread the word to the schools and teachers with which you work and encourage them to enter.

The scheme looks to discover and recognise the best efforts made by schools, teachers and students in PFE. It represents an ongoing commitment to building awareness of the importance of PFE and sharing best practice across the educational community.

Prizes will be awarded across a range of categories:

School award for best all-round approach to PFE
School award for most innovative approach to PFE
Student award
Teacher award

The student category is new for 2010 and allows teachers to nominate a student or group of students for their contribution to PFE. Students can then write their own entries. For more detail, visit www.pfe-awards.co.uk/site/the-awards/award-categories.

There will be great prizes, including up to £1,500 for winning schools, and laptops and iPod shuffles for individuals. Winners and runners up will be invited to a special ceremony in London in June 2010 where they will be presented with their prizes. Photos and from previous ceremonies can be seen at www.pfe-awards.co.uk/site/case-studies/award-ceremonies.

All schools teaching 11–18s in England, Wales and Scotland can enter. You may wish to reassure teachers that entering is straightforward using a simple online form, with the option to upload up to three supporting documents or media files. Details of how to enter are set out on the newly launched website www.pfe-awards.co.uk.

The 2010 awards are now open for entries. Case studies from previous award winners can be found at www.pfe-awards.co.uk/site/case-studies/case-studies. We have also included a leaflet with this letter outlining the key information – this has been posted to all Heads of PSHE/PSE/PSD, Heads of Maths and Heads of Business Studies at eligible schools.

The deadline for entries is Friday 23^rd April 2010.

If you think a colleague may be interested to hear about the awards, please pass on this information to them. If you have any questions relating to the awards, please emailquestions@pfe-awards.co.uk.

Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship Training Opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:24:00 +0000

Tuesday February 23rd

“Southern Voices: Welsh Choices.”

Roundtable meeting, North Wales.

A one-day conference for Black and Minority Ethic organisations and Minority Faith groups working or with an interest in ESDGC.

@Quaker Meeting House, Bangor

Tuesday March 16th

Understanding and Applying Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship

A one-day introductory training course for individuals and organisations new to ESDGC.

@Colwyn Bay Youth Centre

Thursday March 18th

Understanding and Applying Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship

A one-day introductory training course for individuals and organisations new to ESDGC.

@ the Environment Centre, Swansea

April

“Southern Voices: Welsh Choices.” Climate Change Course.

A one-day training course for Black and Minority Ethic organisations and MinorityFaith groups working or with an interest in ESDGC focusing on Climate Change.

Date and venue to be confirmed

Tuesday 18th May

Cyfanfyd Annual Forum

Including guest speakers, networking opportunities and a review of Cyfanfyd’s programme in the fields of lifelong learning, global youth work and the formal sector.

Cardiff

22nd – 24th June

Training for Trainers in ESDGC

Three day residential training course for trainers from all sectors of education who want to develop their ESDGCpractice.

@Broneirion, Llandinam

For more details about any of the events featured here:

E-mail: info@cyfanfyd.org.uk

Tel: 02920 668999

Write to: Cyfanfyd, Temple of

Peace, Cathays Park,

Cardiff, CF10 3AP

Or visit: www.cyfanfyd.org.uk

Haiti Earthquake awareness

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:16:00 +0000

Catastrophe in Haiti

Hundreds of thousands of people, nearly half of them children, are struggling to survive in the aftermath of the massive earthquake that destroyed buildings in Port au Prince and surrounding areas of the island of Haiti. The humanitarian relief effort to the extremely poor country has faced major problems, ranging from blocked roads, an inaccessible port and disrupted communications to the vast scale of the suffering. Thousands of bodies lay in the streets as rescue teams searched for survivors. Hospitals caring for the injured coped without basic medicines and equipment and reported being overwhelmed by the casualties. Infections from open wounds are likely to cause many more deaths. Many people fled the city. Others stayed, some literally fighting to survive, with reports of violence as hungry and thirsty people searched for food and water.

Discussion ideas...

Aid agencies' appeals for donations received a massive public response. Why were people so moved? What struck students personally about what they saw and heard? How difficult did they find it to watch television news coverage? Discuss the help being provided. Can students say which they would tackle first - rescuing survivors, burying bodies, treating the injured, providing food and water, finding shelter for the homeless, bringing in equipment to open the airport, bringing in support for aid workers (trucks, generators, communication kit)? Talk about the practical problems, such as distributing food and water where it is most needed without adding to the chaos. The UN has called for more peacekeeping troops. Ask students to say what they might be doing.

Discuss the impact of poverty on people's ability to cope in the aftermath of a disaster. Think about the resources that people in a wealthy country would have - fridges full of food, store cupboards, shops and transport. Invite students to contrast that with the circumstances of most Haitian people, who live on less than $2 a day, shop daily for food and are used to missing meals. Some charities and church groups have offered to find homes for Haitian orphans in the USA. Do students think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Discuss the long-term recovery. What might happen in Haiti after the world's news media have left?

Globaldimension.org.uk have recently provided information for and a selection of resources and website links that you may find useful in teaching about the recent earthquake in Haiti and the ongoing humanitarian response. Find the enewsletter here: http://newsletters.globaldimension.org.uk/v.aspx?n=166

Christian Aid have also developed an assembly and Powerpoint presentation that can be used in schools, this can be found at: http://learn.christianaid.org.uk/TeachersResources/primary/haiti-earthquake.aspx

Remember you can also donate through www.oxfam.org.uk, or directly thorugh the DEC or other charities of your choice.

SAVE THE DATE!! - SAFER INTERNET DAY 9TH FEB 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Swansea Public Health Team: Administration Team) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:39:00 +0000

With 3 weeks to go, the countdown to Safer Internet Day starts here!

We've launched our micro site www.thinkuknow.co.uk/saferinternetdayuk which can guide you through resources that are on offer for you to use, get inspired with a number of suggestions and ideas and a feedback area for you to tell us what you are up to.

So, what's new for Safer Internet Day 2010?

Think before you post competition

This is a competition that is open for 8-16 year olds to create a short film (1-3 minutes long) under the banner of Think Before You Post - what does it mean to them, how would they explain this sentiment to other young people and we are throwing down the gauntlet to young people to be as creative as they like to get the message across to their peers - and the opportunity to win some exciting prizes. Entries can be made by individuals, small groups of up to 5 people or as a whole class - a great end of term project perhaps!

For further details click here: www.thinkuknow.co.uk/saferinternetdayuk/competition

New Resources for Key Stage 1

CEOP have developed a new animation for children between 5-7 with activities for pre-school children to teach them about personal information, playing safely on the computer and behaving nicely to others online. You can download the free resources the end of January 2010.

Other resources available

A NEW cyber-bullying episode for Hector's World
Two assembly programmes for Primary and Secondary Schools
Online banners and SID badges to download for your website

Visit the Safer Internet Day micro-site at www.thinkuknow.co.uk/saferinternetdayuk to get more ideas and suggestions about how to raise the issue of online safety in your community.

Tackling child poverty and disadvantage in schools – January 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Campion) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:14:00 +0000

Estyn has just published the following report:

Tackling child poverty and disadvantage in schools – January 2010
'Mynd I'r afael â thlodi plant ac anfantais mewn ysgolion – Ionawr 2010

Estyn recommends that schools should:

* maintain a clearer focus on disadvantaged pupils in all aspects of their work and develop a strategy that directly tackles disadvantage;
* track the performance of disadvantaged pupils and intervene accordingly;
* improve pupils’ social and emotional skills;
* work more systematically with parents to support disadvantaged pupils; and
* give a senior leader managerial responsibility for improving the standards achieved by disadvantaged learners.

NO SMOKING DAY 2010 – AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR SCHOOL

noreply@blogger.com (Swansea Public Health Team: Administration Team) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:22:00 +0000

No Smoking Day is a long-established and very effective health awareness campaign which aims to help smokers who want to stop by providing an opportunity to do so in a supportive environment. The campaign emphasises the benefits of quitting and the help available, and we produce a range of posters, leaflets and promotional materials each year.

Many schools throughout Wales have taken part in the campaign since the first No Smoking Day in 1984. No Smoking Day on 10th March is an ideal time to remind pupils, staff and parents of the huge risks and disadvantages of smoking, and of the help available to stop. The 2010 theme “break free” underlines the addictive nature of smoking and encourages smokers to try for a smokefree future.

Our website http://www.nosmokingday.org.uk/ has all the information you need to plan activities, with lots of free resources to download including a guide to using the campaign in schools, sample lesson plans for KS2 and KS3, puzzles, quizzes and fact sheets. Downloads and lesson plans are available in Welsh and English.

All the promotional materials are in the online catalogue, and you can place an order using our easy electronic order form. Our display pack gives you five posters, ten balloons and 50 leaflets for only £9.50 including postage, and if you want great giveaways for kids we have pens and pencils, stickers, fuzzy bugs, tangle puzzles and lots more. Orders are despatched promptly from our distribution warehouse and can be sent with an invoice or paid for online.

No Smoking Day always gets a huge amount of media coverage, so don’t forget to let your local newspaper or radio station know what you’re doing and get a good news story for your school! See our website for tips on press contacts and writing a press release. Then you could enter our “Organiser of the Year” awards – we have a special category for “Best education site activity” but you might also go for “Best homemade prop”, “Best activity on a small budget” or many others, with a chance to win £50-worth of free materials for 2011!
Our 2010 website is live now. Do get in touch at any time if you have any questions or comments – phone 020 7739 5110, fax 020 7739 8176 or email enquiries@nosmokingday.org.uk (if you email, please also provide a phone number as our emails often bounce back from schools!)

__________________________________________________________________

Dydd Mercher 10 Mawrth 2010

DIWRNOD DIM SMYGU 2010 – CYFLE I’CH YSGOL

Mae Diwrnod Dim Smygu wedi hen ennill ei blwyf fel ymgyrch effeithiol iawn i godi ymwybyddiaeth ynghylch iechyd, a’i nod yw rhoi help a chefnogaeth i smygwyr sydd eisiau rhoi’r gorau iddi. Mae’r ymgyrch yn pwysleisio manteision rhoi’r gorau i smygu, a’r cymorth sydd ar gael, ac rydym yn cynhyrchu amrywiaeth o bosteri, taflenni a deunyddiau hyrwyddo bob blwyddyn.

Mae llawer o ysgolion ledled Cymru wedi ymuno â’r ymgyrch ers y Diwrnod Dim Smygu cyntaf ym 1984. Mae’r Diwrnod Dim Smygu ar 10 Mawrth yn adeg ddelfrydol i atgoffa disgyblion, staff a rhieni o beryglon ac anfanteision enfawr smygu, ac o’r cymorth sydd ar gael i roi’r gorau iddi. Mae thema 2010, “Torri’n rhydd”, yn pwysleisio pa mor hawdd yw mynd yn ddibynnol ar nicotin ac mae’n annog smygwyr i roi cynnig ar fod yn ddi-fwg yn y dyfodol.

Mae’r holl wybodaeth fydd ei hangen arnoch ar ein gwefan http://www.nosmokingday.org.uk/ gan gynnwys help i gynllunio gweithgareddau. Hefyd mae nifer fawr o adnoddau y gallwch eu lawrlwytho am ddim ar gael gan gynnwys canllaw ar ddefnyddio’r ymgyrch mewn ysgolion, cynlluniau gwersi enghreifftiol ar gyfer CA2 a CA3, posau, cwisiau a thaflenni ffeithiau. Mae’r deunydd ar gyfer ei lawrlwytho a’r cynlluniau gwersi ar gael yn Gymraeg a Saesneg.

Mae’r holl ddeunyddiau hyrwyddo yn y catalog ar-lein, a gallwch rhoi archeb drwy ddefnyddio’n ffurflen electronig hawdd. Yn ein pecyn arddangos mae pum poster, deg balŵn a 50 taflen, am £9.50 yn unig, gan gynnwys cost ei bostio atoch. Os ydych chi eisiau nwyddau am ddim i’w rhoi i blant, mae gennym feiros a phensiliau, sticeri, bygiau blewog, posau cwlwm a llawer mwy. Caiff yr archebion eu dosbarthu’n brydlon o’n warws, a gellir eu hanfon atoch gydag anfoneb neu gallwch dalu amdanynt ar-lein.

Mae Diwrnod Dim Smygu bob amser yn cael sylw mawr yn y wasg¸ felly cofiwch ddweud wrth eich papur lleol neu’ch gorsaf radio beth rydych chi’n ei wneud, a sicrhau stori newyddion dda i’ch ysgol! Ewch i’n gwefan i gael cyngor ar gysylltu â'r wasg ac ar ysgrifennu datganiad i’r wasg. Wedyn, gallwch gystadlu am ein gwobrau “Trefnydd y Flwyddyn” - mae gennym gategori arbennig ar gyfer “Gweithgarwch gorau ar safle addysgol” ond gallech hefyd gystadlu am y “Prop cartref gorau”, “Gweithgarwch gorau ar gyllideb fach” neu am unrhyw un arall o’r llu o gategorïau. Fe allech chi ennill gwerth dros £50 o ddeunyddiau ar gyfer 2011!
Mae ein gwefan 2010 yn fyw nawr. Mae croeso i chi gysylltu â ni os oes gennych unrhyw gwestiwn neu sylw – ffoniwch 020 7739 5110, ffacsiwch 020 7739 8176 neu e-bostiwch enquiries@nosmokingday.org.uk (os ydych chi’n anfon e-bost, rhowch eich rhif ffôn hefyd, gan fod ein negeseuon e-bost o ysgolion yn aml yn bownsio’n ôl!)

LGBT History Month Conference 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:01:00 +0000

This year’s LGBT History Month Conference will be held at Cardiff City Hall on Monday, 22nd February. This event will be relevant to all education professionals who are involved in inclusion or in an advisory capacity to schools. It will also be of interest to anyone with a professional or personal interest in equality or anti discrimination.

Please feel free to book a space, upon which further details will be sent to you and/or forward this email to colleagues, who you think might be interested in attending.

Completed booking forms should be sent to Shaun Evans Pask at Cardiff Council,
For more information contact Shaun Evans– Pask on (029) 2087 2707 or email-ShEvansPask@cardiff.gov.uk

Introduction to Global School Partnerships

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:54:00 +0000

Is your school interested in developing a global dimension learning partnership with a school in Africa, Asia, Latin America or the Caribbean?
If you are we would like to invite you to the following day workshop…

Introduction to Global School Partnerships

Wednesday 20th January 2010
Llanidloes Community Centre 9.30 – 3.30
* Please note that this event will be delivered bilingually*

This is an introductory workshop covering the principles, educational benefits, practicalities and viability of global school partnerships. The workshop is for school staff who are interested in establishing, or who have just initiated, a global school partnership. The workshop explores:

· motives for partnerships
· partners’ perceptions of each other and how this affects learning
· a global dimension curriculum
· partner-finding
· preparation for partnership.

You will have the opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of global school partnerships and network with colleagues. This workshop has also been adapted as an online course (www.britishcouncil.org/globalschools-onlinecourse) for workshop participants wishing to explore themes in more depth and for staff unable to attend this face-to-face workshop session.

To Register: Please contact Jenny Ogden, jenny@pedec.org.uk, T: 01544 260460

Sex and Relationships training for Governors

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:49:00 +0000

Everybody's doing it!

Sex and relationships training for Governors

19th January 2010

Committee Room 1

Civic centre

6.30-8.30pm

covering :

* the law on sex education
* policy
* teaching & learning on sex & relationships education (SRE)
* staff professional development
* links with services

If any of your governors would like to attend please contact Mark campion or myself on stuart.whiffin@swansea.gov.uk

or call: 01792 572087

Wanted: Host homes for 18 young volunteers

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:03:00 +0000

A team of 18 volunteers (aged 18-25) – 9 from the UK and 9 from Zambia – will be working in pairs and spending 10 weeks engaged in voluntary work on local community projects from the last week of January until the first week of April 2010.

Would you like to host a pair of volunteers in your home?

· Do you live in or near Swansea?
· Do you have 1 spare room? 2 volunteers can share- 1 British and 1 Zambian.
· For anything between 2 and 11 weeks?
· Would you like to learn more about global citizenship from/ with the volunteers?

What do we provide?

A briefing for you before the volunteers arrive, and a chance to meet other host families.
A weekly allowance of £85 per pair of volunteers to cover food and any additional utility costs.
The support of two programme supervisors-
Dom from the UK and Henry from Zambia.
Enthusiastic volunteers who have undergone selection, training and CRB checks.
Optional opportunities to attend social and educational events organised by the volunteers

Even if you can’t provide a home for volunteers you can support a warm welcome to Swansea by inviting them to community events and social activities? All offers warmly received.

For more information pleas contact Dom Busher on: dominic.busher@vso.org.uk

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Campion) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:14:00 +0000

We look forward to working with you in 2010.

Fairtrade Fortnight 22nd Fed-7th March

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:45:00 +0000

Go mad for Fairtrade by holding your own Mad Hatter’s Tea party. The two themes this year are tea and cotton. You can get involved in the following ways:

· Resources: Order your free resource CD, with lesson plans, activities and assemblies; all on the theme of Fairtrade Cotton - schools@fairtradewales.com

· Tea Parties: Hold your own Fairtrade tea party – using Fairtrade cakes, tea & juice. The big day of action will be on the 5th March, schools up and down Wales will be holding their own Fairtrade tea parties. If you’d like to join in you can register your event with us at the email address below.

· Table Cloths: Contribute to Wales’ biggest table cloth for a tea party we’ll be holding with AMs and MPs! We’re attempting to break a record with the largest table cloth! We’d like schools to contribute with a patchwork. If you’re interested contact us below.

· Books: We have free Charlie and Lola Fairtrade books to give away. If your school wants to make world book day Fairtrade themed (using the Charlie and Lola books, or the Mad Hatter tea party idea) let us know and we’ll send some your way. World book day is during Fairtrade Fortnight (4th March)

· The big swap! If you want to do something big for Fairtrade this year, your school could join in with the big swap! By looking into swapping your school uniforms to Fairtrade cotton uniforms!

For more info contact:

schools@fairtradewales.com
Tel: 02920 803 293

'Urgent improvements needed in mental health' say the WAO

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:22:00 +0000

The WAO (Welsh Audit Office)has today released a summary of weaknesses and recommended improvements to mental health sevices for children and young people in Wales.

The report acknowledges the recent improvements that have been made.These include new funding streams to develop parenting and familyintervention services, expanding school based counselling and theintroduction of primary mental health workers who support professionals, suchas GPs and school nurses, working with children and young people.

However, it highlights the barriers that are currently preventing furtherimprovement – such as the way services are planned and provided, andissues around workforce development, staff training and performancemanagement. The report makes 16 recommendations to the AssemblyGovernment, health boards and local authorities in Wales.
The report highlights that there is too much variation across Wales in theavailability and quality services.
For example:

• Unlike other parts of the UK there are no specialist mental healthservices in the community for children under five;
• In parts of Wales some groups of young people do not have access tothe specialist mental health services that are in place ;
• Specialist community services, including services for young people witheating disorders are too variable;
• Transition arrangements for the transfer of young people to adultservices when they get older are not good enough;
• Services are often not child friendly and many children and youngpeople are not involved enough in planning their care;
• The access to care and support for young people varies substantiallyacross localities in Wales;
• A number of practices are putting children at risk including placingsignificant numbers of children inappropriately, on paediatric or adultmental health wards.

A copy of the summary can be found here: http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/CAMHS_press_release_eng.pdf

Healthy Schools Website now live!

noreply@blogger.com (Stuart Whiffin) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:08:00 +0000

The Healthy Schools Scheme is an exciting and long term Welsh Assembly Government Initiative, which aims to actively promote and protect Health. This includes all aspects of Health: physical, emotional, and mental and social, and the wellbeing of the whole school community.

In Swansea 85 Primary and 13 Secondary Schools are active members of the Healthy Schools Scheme. Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) strongly recommends that all schools are members by 2010. The scheme works in partnership with the LEA to support schools in initiating positive actions which focus on the following areas.

Take a look here - www.swansea.gov.uk/healthyschools