Page 8 - link magazine

8 WESTLEA
Mayor says thanks to mums who lead the world
Volunteers and staff at Westlea School who helped the award winning Storysacks innovation become
a world leader in early years literacy were presented with certificates by the Mayor of Swindon coun Joy
^WOHtU
Brunt on 10 April.
YOUR NEAREST CLASS The idea of combining toys, puz- convention of Storysacks projects Coun Brunt said, "it is really is a
zles, simple games and audio tapes from around Britain at Westlea brilliantly simple idea which en-
Monday: 6.00pm & 7.3opm together with the book they are School in 1998. And last year courages parents and children to
St John's Church, Haydon Wick based on in a cloth bag was thought Storysacks won the European Par- use their imaginations. Storysacks
Nicole, 3387813
up by former Westlea headteacher ents Association Alquin Award for are a significant contribution to
Tuesday: 9.30am Neil Griffiths in 1994. He con- cross-cultural educational innova- literacy development worldwide.
Toothill Community Centre, vinced a group of mums to help tion, the first time Britain had en- Neil Griffiths, who now with the
Dunwich Drive. Jenny, 613423 him come up with creative ways in tered the competition. Basic Skills Agency, said, "the idea
Thursday: 7.00pm which parents could bring books Storysacks are now used in 70 would never have come so far with-
Freshbrook Community Centre, alive for their children by acting countries and in every local au- out the creativity of the ladies from
Worsley Rd. Jenny, 613423 out the story using the contents of thority in Britain. There are also Westlea School. Thanks to their
the sack. projects in hospitals and prisons talents and time, thousands of chil-
Only £3.25 weekly. £6.95 membership The Princess Royal, patron of where they are used a parent train- dren and parents have benefited
the Basic Skills Agency, visited a ing aids. by developing a love for books."
Celebratingcreativity, the Mayor
COOPERS with Neil Griffiths hold the
Alquin Award surrounded by
CHEMIST parents and staff at Westlea
School.
WEST SWINDON CENTRE
Standingfrom left, VandaAllen,
Fine fragrances, toiletries,
Anne Wong, Susan Axon-Eves,
ear piercing etc. Sarah Morris, Gillian Knox,
APS, developing & printing Marie Kopp, Jenni Rainbow,
YvonneAdams, Gwen Metcalfe,
One free 35mm 24 exp film
Suzanne Seaton, director of
with every 35mm roll
Swindon education Mike Lusty.
developed on the premises
Sitting, Vanessa Spackman,
Tel: 872033 Anne Onslow, Christine Dams,
Judith Blake, Brenda Moody.
Open 7 days a week
On the floor, chair of the educa-
Mon - Fri 9am - 8pm, tion committee Jo Garton and
Sat 9am - 6pm, Sun 10am - 3pm her son Tom

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