I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those new committee members for joining and saving the club, which may have had to close or be sold if a new committee could not be appointed. On behalf of everyone, I’d also like to give special thanks to Helen Jackson, the previous chair whose remarkable efforts put us in the good position we have now. We now have an enthusiastic committee and, most importantly, control of the club remains in the hands of the people who use it. Recently, Christine Houghton has also decided to resign as Secretary and we are currently seeking a replacement. Thanks to Christine for all her work. I will send out more details on this vacancy separately.

Staff changes

Back in August 2007 our manager Karen Cole resigned. I am delighted to inform you that Carrie Zapata has now started work as our new manager. Carrie is very excited to be joining the team at Skools out and asks that any parents with suggestions or comments on the running of the club speak to her during club time or email manager@skoolsoutclub.org. I am sure you will all join me in thanking Karen for her dedication and hard work, and in welcoming Carrie to the club. Whilst the recruitment process was ongoing, Gemma and Rose Hobbs stood in as manager and did a great job for us under difficult circumstances. We’d like to thank them both for their flexibility and hard work at that time. Unfortunately, we have also lost Leighanne Hobbs, who has decided to move to work with people at the opposite end of the age range. Thanks for your hard work and good luck Leighanne!

Website: http://www.skoolsoutclub.org

The club now has a new website which we will continue to develop with the aim of providing a genuinely useful source of information. Good communication between the Management Committee, Staff, Parents/Guardians, the Children and the local community is essential for the health of the club. We would welcome any suggestions that you or your children have in this regard.

Finances

I am delighted to find that the club is in a good financial position, allowing us to invest in training our staff and improving the club for the future. A full financial report will be made available by the Treasurer shortly and you are welcome to request a copy.  I know that our staff have been talking with the children to create a “shopping list” of new equipment and toys and some things have already been delivered.

An Appeal

Even though the club has good finances, I would still like to appeal for donations of any good quality toys, games or play equipment. I’m sure that many of you have storage space you’d like to reclaim from the ever increasing tide of “stuff”! I can promise you that donated items will be enjoyed and played with.

Bookings

We have had a number of issues recently with late bookings, late collection of children and with children being taken home straight from school without the club being informed. All of these issues cause us great difficulties in staff planning and potentially put the club and children at risk. We must, therefore, ask all parents to:

• Return monthly booking forms by the due date
• Collect your children before 6pm
• Inform the club as far as possible in advance if your children are not going to attend a session that you have booked

Persistent or repeated problems will, unfortunately, mean that we have to take actions which could include fines or not accepting children into the club if they are not booked.

Club Improvements

As well as investing in equipment, the new management committee has decided to embark on an improvement plan, aimed at training our staff and updating our policies, club documentation and working procedures. Updated documents will be available at the club for viewing and published on the website if possible. I hope you will support us in this undertaking.

Thanks for reading; we plan on issuing a newsletter four times each year. If you have any suggestions, comments or concerns about any aspect of the club, please contact any of the staff or committee members or email me at chair@skoolsoutclub.org

Richard Cleaver

Skool’s Out Chairman