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Young People
Arnold Hill School
rises from the ashes
Arnold Hill Comprehensive's lower school, which
was rebuilt due to a fire in September 2004, had its
official opening on Thursday 21 September 2006.
Nottinghamshire County Council's Chairman Coun
Peter Barnes and Vernon Coaker MP, unveiled the
plaque on the day.
The cost of the rebuild was £4.25 million, which
helped provide the school with portakabins during
the extensive rebuild of the lower school building
which has been remodelled with more open plan
classrooms. Over a fifth of the building was destroyed
by fire and a further 30% was heavily
smoke and water damaged.
Local Councillor Jen Cole, chair of the school governing
body, said: "The official opening of the lower
school has been achieved through a lot of hardwork
and dedication by teachers, pupils and their
families. The opening gives chance to thank all
those who were involved in rebuilding the school
from the devastation caused by the fire. Our pupils
and teachers have stayed motivated and have
worked very hard with Nottinghamshire County
Council through all the disruption."
Play Day 2006
Organisers believe it was the busiest Play Day
yet as thousands of childern and families
enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon
of play at this
summer's Play Day in
Arnold during August.
The day, which this year
had the theme of 'Playing
Together', saw children
from across the borough
taking advantage of arange of free activities
and events designed especially for children
aged four to 14.
In the beautiful setting of Arnold's Arnot Hill
Park, youngster enjoyed arts and crafts, music
workshops, sports taster activities and story
telling as part of a packed programme to keep
children entertained for the whole afternoon.
Children used recycled and junk materials in
their play, which helped to reinforce the three
Rs message of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
A skateboard and BMX display kept older
youngsters occupied, while the Pop Divas
dance troupe took budding dancers through
their latest routines. Ice hockey coaches from
the National Ice Centre gave instruction on ice
hockey technique and Paul Moran of Nottingham
Panthers was on hand to meet fans and
sign autographs. For the more energetic there
were space hoppers and outdoor games, and
those with an artistic flair were able to add their
mark to a giant piece of artwork.
The event, one of a series of similar events
across the county, was co-ordinated and part
funded
by the Nottinghamshire County Council
Play Team, and organised locally by the Play
Team, Gedling Borough Council and Gedling
Play Forum. Several local businesses and
organisations also supported the day.
It was wonderful to see so many children and
their families playing together and enjoying
themselves at this fantastic free event. By
taking part in the extensive range of inventive
and inspirational activities on offer they were
not only having fun but learning through play -
something that is extremely important for
youngsters of all ages.
Supporting Gedling's Youth
(Old Railway Station), Shearing Hill, Gedling.
Initially a flagship of excellence for the Notts Youth
Service when it opened in 1967, it functioned well for
nearly 40 years, but in 2003 had to close for renovation
and to be brought into line with new standards.
Re-opening in November 2004, the entrance fee is
50p and all young people from the age of 13 are
welcome. Activities include sports activities in the
form of badminton, bowling, basketball, football,
table tennis, pool, orienteering in Sherwood Forest,
and anti-bullying projects, art activities, use of computers,
discussions, quizzes, amongst other things.
Currently open on Monday evenings, from 6.45 pm,
it is hoped at some point to be open on further
evenings. Work has continued on the building and
facilities. If anyone is interested in helping on the
Gedling Youth & Community Centre Management
Committee they would be very welcome, and can
contact Councillor Gordon Tunnnicliffe (Chair) on
01 15 9876963, or if any young person wishes to join
the club, they should come along on a Monday!
NEW YOUTH CLUB IN DAYBROOK
Do you live in Daybrook? Are you aged between
10-14-years-old and have nothing to do on a
Saturday night? If the answer is yes, then you
might be interested to find out about a new
youth club opening in your area.
Organiser Pc 285 Louise Carbon, beat manager for
the Daybrook area has set up the club with some
financial start up help from the Arnold Local Area
Forum, but would like young people who live in
Daybrook to get involved by telling her what they
want from a youth club. Their input will help shape
the events or activities that take place.
Pc Carbon also feels that it’s important that a young
person’s first experience with the police is not when
they are in trouble. She said: “I want to provide a
place where they can meet their friends and have
fun. Often the calls we receive are about children,
and most of the time they aren’t actually committing
any crime but trying to play or socialise.”
Daybrook Youth Club opened on Sat 11 February
from 6pm - 8pm and is run fortnightly by Pc Carbon
and volunteers. Admission is 20p and it is held at St
Paul’s Church Hall on Church Drive, Daybrook.
“HAPPY CHILDREN”
AT COPPICE FARM
Following a recent, new style ‘short notice’
Ofsted inspection of Coppice Farm Primary in
Arnold, inspectors sent a letter to the children
stating “your parents are very happy with your
school and …you are very happy there as
well”. They also commented on the high quality
of care provided by the staff, the good
behaviour and attitudes of the children and the
consistently above average standards
achieved by the school.
The report states that:
The school prepares children effectively
for their future well-being
Children are safe at school and reassured
by the effective way staff deal with any
incidents
Children appreciate the many interesting
things they have to do that enrich their
learning
Aspects of some teachers’ work are outstanding,
especially regarding relationships
with pupils and the growing
development of practical and experimental
work
The only areas for development are to continue
to improve the provision for particularly
high or low attainers and to improve the leadership
provided by subject coordinators; both
areas had already been identified by the staff
and were already being worked on in the
school.
The school’s staff were especially happy with
the many positive comments made by parents
to the inspectors, and with the recognition that
staff are working hard on the right areas to
keep the school improving.
Councillor Ged Clarke, Chair of Governors
said; “The governors are very pleased with this
report. The new head teacher, staff and governors
continue to work really hard to make this
a successful school and are committed to providing
excellent education for all into the future.”
Young people undertake Killisick "clean Up" initiative
Arnold Local Area Forum sponsored a community clean up operation at the end of may, off Killisick Road (Killisick Lane end).
The scrub area had become an eyesore for local tenant’s next to the Guinness Trust Housing Estate, and for local dog walkers and children using the adjacent open space.
the litter picking was carried out by around 15 members of the local church youth groups who came together under the ‘Alternative Worship Experience’(AWE) umbrella group. This group initiated the idea by approaching Arnold LAF in April after the Intergenerational conference by asking how they could help improve their local area. The project was sponsored by Arnold Local Area Forum who bought equipment such as gloves, litter pickers and hard hats. Additional protective equipment was gifted by Arnold’s Wilkinson store and will be kept by AWE for future use.
Gedling Borough Council’s Direct Services took away the waste at the end of the day. Volunteers used coloured bags to demonstrate how much of the litter should have been recycled. Over 30 bags of rubbish including about 20 bags and boxes of recyclable litter was collected, and in addition dumped goods such as sofas, mattresses and TVs were also disposed.
Local MP, Vernon Coaker turned out to show his support and chat to the volunteers over lunch, which was provided by the local ASDA. Local passers by showed their support and gratitude, offering words of thanks to the young volunteers, who hope that other youth groups might be encouraged to engage in community activities and care for their environment.
The project was a result of the Intergenerational conference held by the Local Area Forum in February, at which local stakeholders expressed a wish to see more projects encouraging ‘citizenship’ values amongst younger people. It coincides with ‘Year of the Volunteer’ may ‘Environment’ month and Celebrates Sustainability’s ‘Greenweek’ in Greater Nottingham.
Developments in youth activity are still evolving locally. A young persons task group has been established and Borough Councillor Viv McCrossen has been appointed as its Youth Champion.
What is happening locally?
The Youth Action Group is working towards promoting a more positive image and perception of younger people. A web-site is being developed to support and promote youth activities. Currently being pulled together is a mapping exercise to identify and publicise the various youth and sports groups within the locality, and it is hoped to shortly open a "one stop shop" in the Arnot Hill Park gatehouse to supply information on the range of available youth provision.
Moving on...
Meanwhile, the Forum sends best wishes to Blanche Steeples who has now taken up a full time post on the County Youth Engagement Team. Blanche was very involved in establishing the Gedling Youth Assembly and has been a key figure in the development of youth services across the Borough in recent years. We wish her well in her new role.
Arnold centre of county youth focus...
Youth people from across Nottinghamshire met at the end of June to discuss youth issues and their priorities for the year ahead at a meeting of the Nottinghamshire County Youth Assembl. The meeting took place at Arnold Civic Centre.
The last term saw the school interacting with the community in many exciting ways, with students taking every opportunity presented by our technology status…
Arnold in Bloom:
Last year pupils created the logo for this event. This year the entire publicity and advertising material was completed to a professional standard by a group of graphic design students under the tutorship of Mrs Kemp.
Teachers in the feeder schools:
Each feeder school is being visited in turn by our technology staff, who are introducing them to the delights of Computer Aided Design and Manufacture……Surprise to all……it’s not that difficult!
Crest Awards: Science
Arnold View is our partner school for this exciting innovation in science teaching. With a team of staff under the leadership of J. Maurice-Smith some thirty year six pupils will make bread and yoghurt and do scientific things to it on the way!
Technology Lecture:
May 18th saw our very first technology lecture presented to staff and parents. This year’s lecture was delivered by David Herbert from the Byron Society. Part of the evening was devoted to a showing of the acclaimed film ‘To Dream Tomorrow’ which charts the life of Ada Lovelace, the daughter of Lord Byron, and her contribution to the early development of the computer. It is hoped that the technology lecture will become an annual event.
Technology Challenge:
June saw young competitors from the feeder schools pit their wits against each other in this year’s Technology Challenge. Problem solving…ingenious outcomes and………fun!
Summer Concert: July 20th
Following the success of last year’s event, this year will be rounded off with an evening of performance from our own students as well as young people from many different groups in the community.
Evening Classes:
These have flourished this year and a new range of courses is being offered this September. If you would like to join any of the classes please come to the next enrolment evening on: Sept 8th from 5.00pm till 7.00pm.
Community project 2006:
Following the success of ‘Steel’ last year we will be organising another spectacular day of performance and science in 2006. This will take place at the Albert hall on the 1st April. Part of the evening will be devoted to a performance of the ‘Armed Man’ by Karl Jenkins. This very exciting and hugely popular choral work will require a big choir and recruitment for this will begin in September, particularly from the older pupils in the surrounding schools. If you are interested in getting involved in this project, please contact Jon Wakefield, email: jonwakefield@burlington.fsnet.co.uk
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