"Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve.

Middle age is when you're forced to!"

It's that time of year when we say a fond farewell to the old year and welcome in a new one.  Reflecting back over the past year, I shall remember 2009 as a rather strange, roller-coaster of a year.  But despite the occasional stomach-churning dips and peaks, my happy little family have come out of the other side in one piece.  During the year we have somehow adopted another kitten called Doris (who looks suspiciously like she's been cross-bred with a grey squirrel), and through trial and error I have learned how to manage my household bills, unblock a toilet, fix broken garden furniture and open the bonnet of my car to check the oil (although for the latter I confess that I put out an appeal for "Help" on Facebook!)  I'm also proud to report that I have taken the plunge and rather than hurtling down the side of a mountain on skis, I've decided to climb up it instead.  I have even purchased my first ever pair of seriously grown-up 'zip-off' trousers, mosquito repellent shirt and a pair of 'don't mess with me' sturdy boots!  Added to this, work is going well and I've made some lovely new friends both in my personal and working life.  Therefore wearing this positive New Year hat, I was a little stuck when it came to making my New Year's Resolution.  

"Making resolutions is a cleansing ritual of self-assessment and repentance that demands personal honesty and, ultimately, reinforces humility.

Breaking them is part of the cycle!"

Now I'm very aware that at some time or another, we've made that ridiculous promise to ourselves to sacrifice something we particularly enjoy as a New Year's Resolution - only to find that after two days of deprivation we end up on an orgy of whatever substance has been denied (chocolate anyone!?!)  So after a lot of thought, (and trying to think of an original New Year's Resolution List that I would DEFINITELY stick too)  here's my 2010 shortlist:

1.  I shall work with neglected children; preferably my own!

2.  I shall change my password to something a little more memorable than 'PASSWORD'

3.  I promise to be more patient and tolerant in 2010; so long as it doesn't take up any more of my time

4.  I promise to watch more television; I've read that it's very educational

5.  I vow to laugh more; and never to use the words 'LOL' when someone tells me a joke

6.  I vow that I shall always, always, check my skirt is not tucked into my pants before leaving the bathroom (it's a long story!)

7.  I promise that I shall not to enter into any debate about the Twilight saga with teenagers; it's a great book - its a great film - but Vampire vs Werewolf - well does it really matter kids?

8.  I promise to write myself a sticky note for my cupboard that reminds me: "Chocolate Orange does NOT count as one of your 'Five a Day'!

9.  ...and the same for the frozen lemon meringue pie, the half-eaten strawberry cheesecake (oops, it was a weak moment), the Cherry Garcia Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, and that large bottle of cider sat in my fridge

10.  Finally I promise to donate at least one item from my home to charity per month; and shall henceforth give away anything that sits around my house doing nothing (p.s. 'one teenager free to a good home'  ........no instructions included!)

Although it is not really a New Year's Resolution, I also promise that while I'm still here, and being paid to fulfil this role, then I shall also work my best on behalf of all of my CAPP partnership schools, with as much energy and enthusiasm as possible. 

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in.

A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves."

Which leads me to news of  two wonderful projects that I have been working on since my return from a very needed Christmas break. I hope they will go a small way towards narrowing the gap in achievement between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers (N.I. 102).  Firstly, you may have stumbled across some exciting recent press releases about the Home Access Computer Scheme?  If not, then please feel free to take a visit to the Guardian Newspaper link below:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/resource/home-access

The Home Access Programme is a government funded scheme to help bridge the learning gap which is growing between those children who have access to computers and the Internet in their homes, and those who do not.  Research has consistently shown that children attain higher grades than their peers if they have access to a computer and open Internet access in their own homes.

To apply for a Home Access Grant, the applicant must be a parent or guardian responsible for and living with a child who:

        ·        is in school years 3 to 9 (normally aged 7–14)

·        has never had a computer from Computers For Pupils or the Home Access programme

·        is eligible for Free School Meals, and

•    is named on the Child Benefit award letter

To read more about the research and the benefits of the scheme, then please take a quick look at the information contained in the press release on the Department for Children, Schools and Families web site at: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2010_0011

The Home Access scheme has made a big difference to us because it means we have got access to the internet when we need it, not just when we can get it at the library. I used to be worried about Evan getting left behind. It’s been a big change because I can just look up jobs or apply to different courses and just do lots of things that I wouldn’t have been able to do.
Rebecca, Parent, Oldham

It is terribly important that we do not miss any of our local families who may be be able to apply under this scheme to apply for their free computer package and Internet access.  I have asked schools in our area to kindly advertise the scheme through their newsletters and web sites.  If you have not already done so, please could I urge you to publish information about the Home Access Scheme at your school at the earliest convenience.  You may find it useful to send a letter to target parents by downloading a sample letter below:

Sample Home Access Scheme Letter

Park Lane Recreation Ground - January 2010

Fareham Extended Services L.E.A.P Advantage Subsidy

Which leads me nicely to another N.I 102 target project I have been working on since my return from the Christmas break (and the snow that stopped the south in its tracks).   I am extremely proud to finally release the details our Fareham L.E.A.P Advantage Subsidy, including our School Briefing Pack and promotion materials that are available for all of extended services partners.  Please note that to return to this page after viewing these preview documents, click the 'back' button on the top left hand side of your toolbar 

    School Briefing Pack  

    L.E.A.P Poster  

    L.E.A.P Presentation

If you look closely you may notice that there are a couple of blank areas in the documents (now amended March 2010). As the allocation of resources is calculated upon Free School Meal data, we are still awaiting notification from Hampshire County Council how much funding will be available to our schools in Fareham from April 2010.  Please be reassured that we shall keep all of our stakeholders updated on any news, and in turn I shall update the copies on this page.

In the meantime my main priority between January and April is to notify as many agencies who are working with school-age children about the L.E.A.P Advantage Subsidy, and to ask all of our schools in Fareham to please sign and return their School Agreement Document (Annex E - School Briefing Pack) to me as soon as possible.   Please, please contact me if you wish me to deliver a briefing session for your Governors, school staff or any of your school partners (using the materials above with the addition of a heart-warming DVD from the Hampshire Pilot Schemes) and I shall be happy to assist.  I will also be happy to answer any of your questions if you need clarification on any matter arising from the Fareham L.E.A.P Advantage Subsidy.

More support documentation from the tda that may be of interest can be found below:

Subsidy Impact Stories           Subsidy FAQs              Subsidy Scenarios

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However we give a warm welcome to Amy Preece, who has recently moved from her post at The Royal Armouries Tower of London and been appointed as our education officer at the Royal Armouries Fort Nelson.   I have often signposted activities for children and families at Fort Nelson on my News Page, but the coming years look set to be exciting with the introduction of a new education policy and new curriculum linked sessions for STEM topics and History across all key stages, as they undertake major changes due to a successful Heritage Lottery grant.  I shall be meeting with Amy very soon to see how we can join forces to deliver extended school activities.

Also please keep a close eye out for the new classes and workshops popping up at Ashcroft Arts Centre over the coming year; including recent additions such as 'Little Movers' dance sessions for toddlers on Monday mornings and 'The Vocal Stand Community Choir' on Wednesday evenings.  For full listings and prices for these sessions please see:

Ashcroft Arts Centre Workshops and Classes

I am also pleased to report further developments with the Cams Community Club.  This club has been established for senior citizens and retired residents in the local area and since its small beginnings back in October 2009, it has been going from strength to strength.  From February 2010 we will be offering Tai Chi classes (with 20 people already signed up and eager to start), Digital Photography Sessions and the Cams Community Singers.  All of these new sessions will be delivered by fully qualified teaching staff or instructors and the focus is very much upon socialising, staying active, preventing social isolation and learning for pure pleasure.  I hope to receive some new advertising materials shortly, in the meantime if you wish to take a quick look at the recent press release about the Cams Community Club please click below to view the School's Weekly News Bulletin:

Cams Hill News Bulletin Jan 2010 - Cams Community Club

Here is another interesting partner for our extended schools. At the tail end of 2009 I met a gentleman who introduced me to the educational benefits of fishing at a School Sports Partnership evening.  I'm sure there's a fish joke I could plaice on here at this point - but I'll not rise to the bait! Now I have to confess that my eyes tend to glaze over when anyone mentions the word fishing.  Especially as my dad only went fishing to escape his two noisy, and often VERY naughty daughters.  But like retro 80s electro-pop music and those dreadful MC Hammer harem trousers, fishing has found a re-growth in popularity with the younger generation. The courses can either be run with an accreditation at GCSE grade A-C level, or as an extended school activity.

Rather than going into lots of detail here, please take a look at the letter from Tim Rice and contact him directly for more information:

Fishing 4 Fun 

Please remember to occasionally check out the News Archive on this site for details of other possible extended school partners. 

In addition, the News Page is always chock-a-block with flyers and posters that can be downloaded, printed and added to your extended services notice boards (all of our CAPP schools should now have one) parent e-mail and school newsletters.  It is far easier to pop them on this site rather than sending large files via e-mail, so please remember to check the page before sending out any home communication to see if there is anything that would be of interest to your families.  I am always happy to receive items of news you wish to share with our partners.

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As I have built up a tradition over the past couple of years of finishing these monthly blogs on a humorous note, I shall try not disappoint in 2010.  Therefore I shall love you and leave this month with some new Year funnies:

A Senator in the USA was once asked about his attitude toward whisky.  "If you mean the demon drink that poisons the mind, pollutes the body, desecrates family life, and inflames sinners, then I'm against it.  But if you mean the elixir of a New Year toast, the shield against winter chill, the taxable potion that puts needed funds into public coffers to comfort little crippled children, then I'm for it.  This is my position, and I will not compromise."

Ode to January

Diet to Start the New Year