www.rushmoorschoolsplus.org

e-Newsletter – March 2014

Welcome to the 37th Rushmoor Schools Plus e-Newsletter with contributions from many different schools and organisations working to support our children, young people and families. As ever, we suggest you select the bits of information that are relevant to your own organisation and disseminate these to the people you work with.

The next Rushmoor Schools Plus e-Newsletter will be available in the week beginning 12th May. If you want anything included, please send information by 9th May to Richard Mann

Tony McGovern (Rushmoor Schools Plus Partnership Manager) 01252 398740 or

RUSHMOOR SCHOOLS PLUS UPDATE

Techstart – Coming Soon…..Cheap Computers and Free Advice and Training

Rushmoor Schools Plus, First Wessex, Rushmoor Borough Council, Job Centre Plus and Future World of Work have joined forces to create Techstart, a not for profit enterprise, specifically set up to help the local community get online.Techstart will help those who can’t afford to purchase PCs and laptops at typical high street prices and offer advice and training into the bargain.

We will be selling recycled desktops and laptops from as little as £60. All computers will come with a Windows operating system, Microsoft Office (or freeware equivalent) and antivirus software as a minimum specification. All computers will come with a three month warranty.

We will also offer a repairs service and act as a one stop digital shop for employment and training advice. In partnership with Samuel Cody Specialist Sports College, we will be offering a range of free courses to help people develop new skills and return to work. We plan to open soon in The Galleries, Aldershot so watch this space and join us in helping Rushmoor get better connected.

We Need Your Old and Unwanted Computers and Laptops!

In order to sustain the project, we are relying on donations of equipment from local businesses and educational establishments. We can help these organisations meet their Corporate and Social Responsibility objectives by re-cycling old computers and making them available for households that really need them. We have already been supported and received around 250 computersfrom CSC, Farnborough Sixth Form College, Newport Junior School, Farnborough Tech College and Marks & Spencer.

For more information contact or visit http://www.techstart.org.uk/.

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Rushmoor Schools Plus Signposting

This e-Newsletter is one way that Rushmoor Schools Plus connects its schools, families and communities. Last month our website www.rushmoorschoolsplus.org received many visits, indicating that our signposting service is still the best you can find for local and national information for children and families, local news, what’s on and celebrating good news. Please signpost to it from your own communications, newsletters, websites, etc., so that collectively we can make sure that information reaches the audience it’s intended for.

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WHAT’S ON!

Events at Aldershot and Farnborough Libraries

Libraries are free to join and offer free internet access, WiFi, DVDs, books and courses. Well equipped rooms are available to hire during and outside of opening hours at both Aldershot and Farnborough Library and Learning Centres. For Aldershot Library contact 01252 322560 and for Farnborough Library 01252 516458.

Events at Aldershot Library and Learning Centre
Prior booking for all courses and workshops is essential. Concessions available on selected adult courses.
Date/time / Enquiry and booking line for events at Aldershot Library: 01252 322560. http://www3.hants.gov.uk/aldershot-library/aldershot-library-whatson.htm
Every Thursday
10.30 – 11.00am / Toddlertime. A free session of music, songs and stories for ages 2 – 5 and their parents/carers.
Every Friday
11.15 – 11.45am / Baby Rhymetime. Songs and rhymes with your baby.
Saturdays 29 March and 26 April
Doors open at 10.00am / Kids Flicks. Under 11s to be accompanied by a parent. Last admittance at 10.30am. Free refreshments available – popcorn, juice, tea and coffee. Please see staff for free tickets and for film information. Kids Flicks are shown on the last Saturday of the month.
Saturdays 5 April and 19 April
11.00am – 12.00 noon / Sat-a-story. Drop in and enjoy storytime with your children every first and third Saturday of the month. For children aged 8 and under accompanied by an adult. No booking required. The storytime on 19 April is an Easter special including crafts.
Thursday 24 April 10.30am / St George’s Day storytime and activity for the under 5s. Drop in.
Monday 28 April
1.45 – 2.30pm / Movement with Mummy. A sensory dance class for babies aged 3 months to walking. £20.00. A five week course from 28 April to 9 June.
Wednesday 30 April
11.30am – 12.15pm / Mini Movers. A dance class for boys and girls aged 20 months to 4 years. £20.00. A five week course from 30 April to 11 June.
Events at Farnborough Library and Learning Centre
Prior booking for all courses and workshops is essential. Concessions available on selected adult courses.
Date/time / Enquiry and booking line for events at Farnborough Library: 01252 516458. http://www3.hants.gov.uk/farnborough-library/farnborough-library-whatson.htm
Every Tuesday
10.30 – 11.00am / Storytime. Stories, songs and rhymes for children aged 2 – 5 years accompanied by an adult.
Every Thursday
2.15 – 2.45pm / Baby Rhymetime. Songs and rhymes for you and babies aged 0 – 2 years.
Saturday 12 April
10.30 – 11.30am / Storytime. Stories and crafts for the under 8s accompanied by an adult.
Wednesday 16 April
Session 1 10.00 –
11.00am
Session 2 11.30am –
12.30pm / ‘The Twits’ free creative writing workshops run by Explore Learning. For children aged 6 to 9 years old. Prior booking is essential as places are limited. Please call into the library or phone to book a place.
Monday 28 April
9.45 – 10.30am / Mini Movers. A dance class for boys and girls aged 20 months to 4 years. £20.00. A five week course on Mondays from 28 April to 9 June.
Monday 28 April
10.45 – 11.30am / Movement with Mummy. A sensory dance class for babies aged 3 months to walking. £20.00. A five week course on Mondays from 28 April to 9 June.

A new range of courses for the Summer term will be running in the Hart and Rushmoor area including employment preparation, computers, leisure, craft and exercise.

In addition, a range of course discounts is available. All employment preparation courses are free regardless of circumstances. Those in receipt of a means tested benefit get a 50% reduction for most other courses. People who are over 60 receive a 25% discount on most course fees. For further information on courses, please contact the library.

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Gallipoli and Anzac Day

Saturday 29th March from 12.30pm to 2.30pm at Connaught School, Tongham Road, Aldershot GU12 4AS. A commemoration with dance, drama, music and complimentary Turkish Food. Open to the public. For more information call Hasan Turacli on 07886 281 161.

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National Week of Autism Friendly Film Screenings

To celebrate World Autism Awareness Day, UK cinema operators are coming together to host the first ever national week of Autism Friendly Screenings. Six chains – ODEON, Cineworld, Vue, Showcase, Empire and Picturehouse – will show films from 2nd to 8th April in environments that have been specially adapted for people with autism. The films on show will be Rio2 and Disney Muppets Most Wanted. For these screenings the cinema will have the lights on low, the volume turned down, no trailers at the beginning and you can take your own food and drink. You can also move around the cinema if you want to. To find out times and to book a screening, contact the box office or pop in to your local cinema.

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Princes Hall

Princes Way, Aldershot GU11 1NX. Box office 01252 329155. www.princeshall.com.

SNAP Disco. Top DJs and chart acts for 11 – 16 year olds. Friday 4th April. 7.00pm – 11.00pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance. £7.00; £6.00 if purchased at least one week in advance. http://www.princeshall.com/SNAP.

Craft Workshop. Tuesday 8th April. 10.00am to 4.00pm. For 4 to 7 year olds. £16.00. Learn new skills and make something you can take home or give as a gift. http://www.princeshall.com/article/4074/Craft-Workshop.

Dance In A Day. Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th April. 10.00am to 4.00pm. For 6 to 10 year olds. £16.00. Learn new dance moves and skills, build confidence and work on a number of short choreographed pieces that will be performed to parents at the end of the day. http://www.princeshall.com/article/6825/Dance-In-A-Day.

Bananas In Pyjamas. Thursday 10th April. 1.00pm. Tickets £13.00 / Child £11.00 / Family (4) £44.00.

http://www.princeshall.com/article/6549/Bananas-In-Pyjamas.

Play In A Day – Dick Whittington. Thursday 17th April. 10.00am to 4.00pm. For 7 to 11 year olds. £16.00. Learn new theatrical skills, build confidence and work on a short play that will be performed to parents at the end of the day. http://www.princeshall.com/article/4069/Play-In-A-Day.

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Events in Aldershot Town Centre over Easter

Saturday 5th April to Monday 21st April - Aldershot Bunny Hop Competition. Pick up a participation form from the Princes Hall or The Wellington Shopping Centre and search the town looking for pictures of Easter eggs hidden in shop windows. Prizes including cinema tickets, shopping vouchers, theatre tickets and chocolate. For more information visit http://www.rushmoor.gov.uk/aldershoteaster.

Saturday 5th April to Monday 21st April - Colouring Competition. Pick up a colouring sheet from The Wellington Shopping Centre for more details.

Saturday 19th April - Children’s Farm. Lambs, rabbits, ducks, sheep and more will be part of the petting farm on Union Street between 11.00am and 4.00pm. http://www.rushmoor.gov.uk/aldershoteaster.

Saturday 14th June from 10.00am to 5.00pm - Victoria Day. This year Aldershot welcomes the return of Victoria Day. The day celebrates the town’s Victorian heritage and sees a grand parade tour the town at 11.00am, live street and stage entertainment throughout the day, market stalls, fun fair attractions, a children's farm, the Dallas Donkeys, a classic car show and information stalls. The organisers would like as many local schools, groups and community members to be part of the day either by taking part in the parade, holding a stall or performing at the Princes Gardens Bandstand. For more information and a participation form please visit www.rushmoor.gov.uk/victoriaday, email or call 01252 327671.

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TGZ Holiday Club

For ages 4 to 12. At Farnborough Grange Nursery/Infant Community School, Moor Road, Farnborough GU14 8HW.

Monday 7th to Thursday 17th April and Tuesday 27th to Friday 30th May. 8.30am to 5.30pm. Sessions can be booked as mornings only, afternoons only, all day (8.30am to 5.30pm) or 10.00am to 4.00pm. Pick ups can be arranged up until 6.00pm for an additional £2.50 per child. To book your child’s place please call Grange Infants on 01252 541879 or email .

Sports, themed days and events, arts and crafts, opportunities to cook, use of Xbox 360 and Kinect, movie afternoons, den building and exploring, full use of the school grounds including the playgrounds and field and board games. If children are staying all day or at the 10.00am to 4.00pm sessions they will need to bring a packed lunch. All other snacks and drinks are provided.

Morning only 8.30am to 12.30pm or afternoon only 1.30pm to 5.30pm £10.00. Shorter day 10.00am to 4.00pm £15.00. Longer day 8.30am to 5.30pm £20.00. 10% discount if pre-pay for 4 longer days (must be pre-booked). 10% discount per sibling. 10% discount if pre-book 4 days of the May holiday.

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Wavell Community Playscheme

In the Blenheim Building at Wavell School, Lynchford Road, Farnborough GU14 6BH. Monday 7th – Thursday 17th April. Sessions run from 8.30am to 4.30pm (£15.00 per day) or to 5.30pm (£16.00 per day). Please pre-book.

Arts, crafts, music, reading and jungle gym. This Rushmoor Council run playscheme is for 4 – 11 year olds. 4 year olds must be in Year R at school. The playscheme runs every school holiday, except Christmas. To book, call 01252 317603 Monday – Friday after 11.00am. For more information call 01252 398745.

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Farnborough Fins Swimming Club (FFSC)

FFSC is a not for profit, community-based company providing swimming lessons, subsidised school swimming programmes, teacher training, free summer water safety courses and work alongside Hampshire County Council for children with Gateway cards.

Swimming Crash Courses

Monday 7th to Friday 11th April at Kings International College, Watchetts Drive, Camberley GU15 2PQ.

9.30am to 11.30am each day. A crash course for all ages and abilities. There is a maximum of 6 children per class with a teacher and helper in the water. £42.00 for 5 x 30 minute lessons.

1.00pm to 4.00pm each day. A one-to-one crash course for all ages and abilities. £80.00 for 5 x 30 minute lessons.

Get Safe For Summer

A free one hour lifesaving lesson for adults and children aged 5 years and above. Both swimmers and non-swimmers are welcome to attend. These one-off sessions, based on the Water Safety Code, will provide you with the essential knowledge and skills to help you respond effectively in the event of an emergency. Sessions will be held during the summer term at Kings International College in Camberley on a Sunday afternoon, between 5.15pm and 6.15pm.

For more information or to book a place, please call 07944 165 604 or email .

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Rushmoor Gymnastics Academy - Easter Camp and Courses for Boys and Girls

Rushmoor Gymnastics Academy, Pool Road, Aldershot GU11 3SN. Telephone 01252 320888. Email .

Easter holiday badge courses

Monday 7th to Friday 11th April. 9.30am to 10.30am beginners. 10.30am to 11.30am pre-school 3 to 5 year olds. 10.30am to 12.30pm intermediates. £6.00 for a 1 hour session, £10.00 for a 2 hour session, £25.00 for 5 x 1 hour sessions, £45.00 for 5 x 2 hour sessions. The courses cover the British Gymnastics proficiency award schemes and badges and certificates can be purchased for those who would like to have them.

A residential Easter gymnastic camp

Arrive Sunday 13th April between 4.00pm and 5.00pm and depart Friday 18th April at 4.00pm. The cost for 1 gymnast is £260 and for 1 coach is £210. There are preferential group rates on application. Although the course is designed as a high level training camp, do not be put off by the fact that you are not a top class gymnast. All you need is the desire to succeed and a good deal of commitment.