What do we want? What do we really, really want to do?
This is what the children and young people told Extended Services during fun activities held throughout the schools of Seaton Valley, and also, where and who they want to do their activities with out of school hours.
Arts & Crafts came top of the list at 19% of the activities most likable with Sport, Computers and Games coming close behind .
First School children didn’t mind going to any of the schools or centers, but the Middle School young people did not want to go back into any of the First Schools after school hours to do their activities.
The young ones liked to do things with their families but the older ones preferred to be with their friends.
Family Fun Activities
FAMILY FUN DAYS
During School holidays we have run events at First Schools with our colleagues from Sure Start. Along with a wide variety of activities such as arts, crafts, sports we had visits from Fire, Rescue and Police Services and many information stalls on health, childcare, etc. These events are a great success with around 100 attending and we plan to run more in the future.
“The family fun day was excellent; it was great that it was at our school as I don’t drive. The kids loved every part of it.. “
FAMILY TRIPS
During the summer holidays we run coach trips to Morpeth, Gateshead and Chester-le-Street Parks, and a few families braved the poor weather and enjoyed getting to know staff and other families.
‘It was great. It is important that we encourage families to come together ‘
FAMILY HEALTH EVENTS
Healthy Family events have been held at Seaton Delaval and Seaton Sluice First Schools with lots of information on a balanced healthy diet, what to put in a packed lunch, smoothies, cooking demonstrations, Body MOT and much more.
‘We liked the team spirit, working together as a family. As a family, we learnt to listen to instructions and concentrate‘
‘‘I liked the fact that everyone seems to gel together and new friendships are made
FAMILY COURSES
Kickboxing, Yogabugs, Storysacks, ICT, Keeping up with the Children, and even a Big Cook -Little Cook for families, Cookery for men and children, Accredited First Aid for parents, are some of the many courses that have taken place throughout Seaton Valley that parents, grandparents, carers and children of all ages have enjoyed
‘I feel more capable of dealing with a stressful situation and help with First Aid. It was good getting together with other parents. The buffet was fantastic!
‘I liked the cooking. It was something I could do with my son and tasting some things I had not tasted before.’
‘It was nice to do something different with my daughter. We both enjoyed very much. It was our special time together.’
Fantastic to get children involved more with food, tasting, cooking and how important a healthy diet is.’
Parenting
Parent & Child Workshops
Over a four week period, 8 children from Seaton Delaval First Reception Class invited their parents and grandparents to come into their school and join in doing a variety of activities. When the children went back to their classrooms, after the first hour, the adults learned some new skills such as how to deal with challenging behaviour, discussed how to listen and talk to children more effectively and discovered the importance of play. Liliana had made up a booklet for all to take away with some useful tips on the fun we can all have laughing, learning and playing together. Visitors from Sure Start, Education Psychology, and Behaviour Support all gave their valued input to the sessions.
‘I have gained my life back. Gained strength and positive things. My daughters feel happy that they have me back. I feel confident to deal with family issues. I no longer suffer panic attacks. My life is back!’
Parents Training
First Aid, Computers for Fun, and Literacy & Numeracy, are a few of the many courses that are offered through Extended Services with support from our varied partner agencies such as Sure Start, Libraries, and funding received from Northumberland Family Learning. Watch out for notices on your school notice board for information of courses, events and other opportunities that
Positive Parenting
A fully attended course that took place at Seaton Valley Children’s Centre ended in June and brought together a group of parents and grandparents who were able to talk openly in non threatening and supportive sessions about issues that can, at times, be very stressful. They learned new skills and shared experiences on how to enjoy and appreciate the valuable time with their children.
‘I have realised that I can do a good job at parenting and not feel guilty when I fail at something.’
Children & Young Peoples Activities
Peer Tutors are here to help...
So what is a Peer Tutor? We have groups of students, from Seaton Sluice First, Seaton Sluice Middle and from Astley Community High who have trained as fellows of University of First Age. They had fun together during two days out of school learning how the brain works and how everyone has different learning styles.
These students are using their skills as active volunteers at the Family Fun Days we have organised and are also going into the other Schools to help with activities and breaking down barriers to learning. Many have demonstrated their new knowledge at assemblies and run support sessions during lunch times to other students along with being playground pals. Astley students held an open day
during the summer for new students and their families to find their way around their new ‘big’ school without the other 830 students around. They had fun taking part in a treasure hunt and ‘murder in the library’ where our local Police were doing fingerprinting.
Kickboxing
James Watling, World’s Number One Kickboxer, ran courses at Seaton Sluice and Whytrig Middle Schools for those and Astley students to learn the skills and enjoy fun and fitness with building on their confidence and respect amongst peers and working together.
Playing for Success
Throughout the Summer term, Mark Lillico took two groups of pupils from Year 5 and Year 7 at Whytrig Middle School and worked on a ten week "Playing for Success" scheme with Blyth Spartans Football Club. The scheme aims to raise the confidence of pupils when using numeracy and literacy skills, by using fun activities with a focus on football.
The final session was held at Croftpark, home of Blyth Spartans, with all attendees receiving a certificate and prizes for achievements.
Cooking’s Cool
In response to the massive requests for cooking sessions from the findings of ‘What do we want, what do we really, really want?’, David Malone of Real Food Works, came along to Seaton Valley with his van of microwaves. 25 children had fun in the ‘Ready Steady Soup Challenge’ along with learning safe, hygienic and healthy diet skills to make a variety of dishes such as stir fry, chilli and chocolate fruit and nut crunchies. Everyone enjoyed the sessions and here are some of their comments;
“If you try different foods you learn to
like them”
“I enjoyed making something tasty,
easy and quick”
“I liked being able to cook by myself”
“I now know how to combine healthy
ingredients to make nice things”
BEAN & TOMATO SOUP
Serves 6 Ingredients:
2 celery sticks, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
fresh thyme sprig
575 ml (1 pint) hot vegetable stock
400 g can of tomatoes
200 g can of baked beans in tomato sauce
Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper
chopped fresh parsley, to garnish
Instructions
Put the celery, onion and thyme and a tablespoon of stock of stock in a large microwavable bowl, cover and cook on HIGH for 2-3 minutes
Add the tomato and beans to the celery and onion; add the remaining stock, a few drops of Worcestershire sauce and seasoning to taste.
Remove the sprig of thyme. Heat on HIGH for 3 minutes and then on MEDIUM for 5 minutes.
Stand for 2 minutes
Puree until smooth, reheat for 1-2 minutes, if necessary, before serving.
