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[Image] NECIP - North East Community Improvement Partnership

The NECIP E-Bulletin

The word 'March' comes from the Roman 'Martius'. This was originally the first month of the Roman calendar and was named after 'Mars' the god of war. March used to be the first month of the year; when we changed to the 'new style' or Gregorian calendar 1752, January became the first month of the year.

Easter egg and chick

This term seems to have flown by.can't believe it's nearly the end of the Spring term and the Easter holidays are upon us already! Don't forget that the clocks 'spring' forward this Sunday 28th March; one less hour of sleep, but the promise of lighter evenings. Portsmouth PUSH has organised a whole collection of family friendly events and evening openings on 'light night' that make up an extraordinary night for families and young people to participate in and enjoy new cultural opportunities.

Drinkaware has produced a new leaflet 'Your kids and alcohol' for parents with guidance on how and when to talk to children about alcohol. Getting the timing right and what form the conversation should take are two key messages. It's best to start early. Drinkaware research shows children's openness to their parents' influence changes dramatically as they grow up. Between the ages of 8 and 12, children generally accept what their parents say about alcohol. However, 13 - 17 year olds increasingly pay attention to their friends. Children will probably be curious and ask questions when/if they see you drinking. It's best to address these as they come up rather than let them think that alcohol is something mysterious to be kept secret. That could make them even more curious and more likely to drink. Studies show that the most important thing which you can do to help your children is to provide them with a good model by drinking sensibly yourself; that means staying within the recommended guidelines (3 - 4 units a day for men, 2 - 3 for women).

Portsmouth The Waterfront City

Easter holiday activities are now finalised. You should have received the publicity via school, or it is on the Summer Slam page. There are fewer activities than planned in the second week as venue availability is very restricted - many schools are having a 'deep clean' and planned building works for the new Children's Centre at Cosham Baptist Church are due to start. I have done my best to offer an interesting range of activities at affordable prices. There are lots of Easter holiday activities taking place all over Portsmouth including Gunwharf Quays, Port Solent, Historic Dockyard, Fort Purbrook and Southsea Seafront. For more information, please visit Portsmouth's Official Visitor Website.

There will be a range of activities on offer after school in the Summer term, including a variety of sport, fun & fitness, theatre arts, cheerleading, art and dance. Please look out for publicity coming home from school or on the calendar page.

There are just a few places left on the Theatre Arts Saturday Scheme @ Church of the Resurrection in Drayton on Saturdays from 1st May 2010 to 10th July 2010 (19th June recess week). The course is aimed at 3 - 5 year olds from 9.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. - Dance, Singing and Drama and 6 - 9 year olds from 11.15 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. - Dance, Singing, Drama and Cheerleading. The 10 week term costs just £60.00 (A £10 non-refundable deposit secures your child's place). For more information and a registration form, please contact Verity Simmons and Rebecca Frost on 07971 667296 or e-mail theatreartsuk@yahoo.com

Theatre Arts UK - Portsmouth Theatre Arts | Drama | Dance | Singing | Cheerleading - Drayton and Farlington

Writing and reading are a part of every subject your child will study at school, and they're vital for many aspects of everyday life. It's crucial to encourage your child's writing skills as much as possible right from the start. A few tips and ideas include:
  • Spend quality time each day talking with your child
  • Read to your child - not just stories but a wide range of fiction and non-fiction texts - and discuss the ways that authors use words to shape their ideas
  • Be a writing model and encourage your child to write alongside you
  • Create real opportunities for your child to write, such as letters, posters or invitations
  • Have an exciting selection of writing materials readily available
  • Talk to your child about his/her writing and read it through together
  • Praise your child for trying
  • Don't dwell on mistakes, focus on the content
  • If your child brings a spelling list home to learn, try to make the practice fun by playing games that encourage careful listening to the sounds in words and looking for letter patterns. Your child may enjoy singing or reciting spellings, or writing them out and colouring letter patterns

Most importantly remember that writing can be difficult, so be available, supply help if asked and marvel at how well your child is doing.

And finally...if there is any spare time left during the holidays, why not try an easy cookery activity with your child (ren)? There are lots of recipes (some I'd forgotten how much fun they were to make when my children were small) and other great ideas for fun, games, arts and crafts on the netmums website.

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

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