• Issue 4 - December 2009

The NECIP E-Bulletin

This is the final bulletin of 2009! What a year it has been……..the response to the NECIP has been great, with children, young people and parents really getting involved in determining how extended services is delivered.

There are nearly 1,800 primary-aged children and just over 1,300 secondary-aged young people who attend schools in the NECIP area. 573 (32%) primary-aged children and 147 (12%) secondary-aged young people have attended at least 1 hour of after school, holiday or youth club activities co-ordinated by the NECIP during 2009. The total number of hours participation for primary-aged pupils is 7,286 and for secondary-aged pupils 2,497. That’s a staggering 407 days!!! This is quite remarkable given all the other activities that children engage in when they’re not at school.

The Christmas Family Craft activity has once again proved very popular. Due to an overwhelming demand I have increased the numbers by 100%, and look forward to seeing the 135 adults and children from 37 families during the morning. I will deserve a rest in the afternoon! For those of you who are attending, I hope you have an enjoyable family time.

180 children aged 3 – 15 enjoyed a range of activities during October half-term. In response to the summer evaluation I tried a longer day approach which was very successful. If your children have any ideas for February half-term, please let me know.

There are plans to offer more after school activities in the New Year – details will be published on the Calendar page. We will be offering activities run by Pompey Stars, the usual very popular dance and sports, along with yoga and some creative workshops in response to children’s interests. If you have any ideas for other activities, please let me know. Early publicity will be via the e-bulletin!

Highbury Youth Club is re-launching on Wednesday 6th January from 6.15 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. at Highbury Community Centre, Hawthorn Crescent, Cosham. There will be free pizza and free entry for all 9 to 14 year olds. The young people have been consulted about new equipment and have reached the second round of an application to ‘Young Money’. If successful, fingers crossed, the club will be able to choose some great new resources such as Wii, PS3, pool table, football table, DVDs, Sing Star, a new music system and equipment to make smoothies!!

You will see that our excellent website has been shortlisted in two Hantsweb Award categories. This is quite an achievement as each category was judged independently and there were over 120 websites entered in each. We wait, with excitement, to hear if we have made the final 3 in January. My thanks go to the website designer, Jonathan, who has created a wonderfully visual, distinctive and practical website that has received many compliments. If you know anyone who hasn’t signed up for the E-bulletin yet, please encourage them to do so. We would love to increase the website ‘traffic’ as it’s a brilliant way to communicate information. If there’s anything you would like to see included on the website, please do let the website designer know.

During the next term Cheryl (Parent Support Adviser) will be hosting some parenting courses in our area. There is a Parent Power course starting at Solent Infant School in January/February and if anyone is interested in taking part, please contact Cheryl to book a place for you.

There is also a range of Triple P courses on offer. This is an evidence based programme which has had great success. Triple P is a system of easy to implement proven parenting solutions that helps solve parenting problems and prevents future problems before they arise. These courses are group and one to one, with the addition of Teen Triple P courses available in the spring term.

A seminar or taster session is available, so if you would like some more information before signing up for a course please let me know what your preference is and I will arrange this as soon as possible.

Cheryl is also able to offer Speakeasy – a course on how to talk with your children about sex and relationships. This is an 8 week course at the end of which you can gain a level 1 or level 2 certificate.

So if any you want any information or are keen on attending any of the above courses, please don’t hesitate to contact Cheryl.

Drayton & Farlington Action Group are hosting a delicious fundraising lunch on 3rd February 2010 at South Downs College, prepared, cooked and served by the talented students. Tickets will cost less than £15, and there will be a raffle. For more information, please contact the Information Centre on 023 9238 0000.

Drayton and Farlington Children’s Centre is offering a whole range of activities for parents of under fives. Please contact Louise Barker, Project Worker on 023 9237 8393, louise.barker@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for more information, including how you can get involved in shaping the future of the Children’s Centre and the exciting building plans!

The NECIP is collaboration of partners in the local community from the statutory, independent and voluntary sectors and I would like to thank everyone I work with for their enthusiasm, commitment and passion for delivering extended services across the area. None of this would happen without working in this way.

It just remains for me to say thank you for all your support this year and I wish you a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

NECIP Manager
07904 809677
jderham@courtlanejnr.portsmouth.sch.uk
www.necip.co.uk