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Newsletter: November 2009Summer holidaysThis year, we planned out six themed weeks for the summer holidays. There were loads of fun activities around those themes, including Cake making, Dance workshop, Badge maker, Magic show, Kite making, Wood craft, Fruit picking, Football workshop, Bouncy castle, Cookie making, Gardening, Water balloon fights, Giant art and Canvas art. For the first time we took the children out of the Manor Hall, on a day trip to Bristol Zoo, which went really well. There were lots of lovely stories of seeing the animals and feeding the birds. By all accounts, the children have a great time at the holiday club. It's normally under-subscribed, so why not treat yourself to a day at the sales or a bit of quiet time during the Christmas holidays this year? AGMWe held our annual general meeting on the evening of 12th October 2009. The minutes have been circulated separately by Alison and if you could not attend on the night, I urge you to have a read. The headline points are:
We really appreciated the increased turnout from parents at this years meeting compared to last year. Thank You ChristmasSpeaking of Christmas, we will be having a party day on Christmas eve this year. There will be lots to do but we need as many children in as we can get to give it that real party atmosphere. Get your bookings in to Sandra at bookings@skoolsoutclub.org as quick as you can. We will be closing on 24th December and not reopening until school restarts on January 4th. This is, closure is to allow the staff to have a proper Christmas break and was accepted at the AGM by all in attendance. Car parkingIf at all possible, please could you avoid taking the last 3 spaces in the Manor Hall car park between 3pm and 3:15pm? Our staff arrive at 3pm and must have the club set-up and ready in 10 minutes before going to collect the children. Recently, they have found it difficult to park when arriving Issues with the hallThere have been a few issues with the hall. That we're working to resolve Most noticeably, the doorbell has now been fixed and has been replaced with what must be the worlds loudest doorbell! We've also started using paper towels in the toilets as the hand-blowers were not suitable. If you or your children notice any problems, please do let us know. Committee and staff newsWe still need more volunteers. In particular, if you have HR experience or Quality/Continual improvement skills we would really like to hear from you. Please contact any of the committee (contacts below) if you can help us. If you’d like to attend a committee meeting before deciding, we’d be happy to arrange it. (We meet in the pub!) As you may know, I've decided to hand over the reigns to Stuart Aris, who was voted in to the chairman's role at the AGM. Stuart will take up his role as soon as his clearance comes through from Ofsted. I hope you'll all join me in thanking Stuart for volunteering and support him in making the club even better than it is now. A bit about Stuart from the man himself... I’d like to take the opportunity to give a little bit of detail about myself. I’m married with two boys- 4 and 1 of which the eldest has just started at the Manor school. When I do get the opportunity to some time for myself then outside of the family then I enjoy running and am a keen football fan- I’ll not divulge the team so as to not put off anyone I may offend with my taste.. Currently I work for British Gas as my day job running their Corporate Account Management division. The use of a club such as Skools out is pivotal not only too many parents way of life but also to my family’s. My eldest son, having just started in reception class, required the use of the resources of the club. When the opportunity rose to then assist in the running then it felt right as an opportunity to support a set up such as this and maintain the great work the club has already put in place. I have already seen the great work that the committee and the staff at the club have carried out and I hope to ensure this maintains and improves where possible. Lastly my thanks to Richard for the role he has carried out which I know has been a challenge but ultimately very rewarding. Richard's last messageI just want to thank all the staff and the committee for their support, talent and energy and for making the club what it is today. For my closing message, I'd like to repeat something Carrie put into her AGM report. “When asking the children what they think about the club, they tell us they like playing with others, getting to make things they usually wouldn’t and having time to just relax. Often they don’t want to go home” Isn't that brilliant? Thanks for readingRichard Cleaver Skool's Out chairman |