Page 12 - link magazine

1 2 The Link Magazine • November 2003 -
Pioneering storysacks school relaunches project
11iHli
pusiciccns Mums and staff from Asda West Swindon celebrated the launch of a place for family learning in an
unused mobile classroom at Oliver Tomkins Infants School.
On hand to cut the tape on 25 book and contains characters, volunteer mum at Westlea School
Fun song sessions September was former Westlea games and sound tapes which en- when Neil first asked for help to
for parents and children School headteacher Neil Griffiths courage children to develop lit- develop the idea. "I was so pleased
6 months to 5 years who became director for the Na- eracy skills through interaction when we were approached by par-
tional Storysacks project. with parents. ents at Oliver Tomkins to help re-
New classes starting Ten Asda workers spent a week Neil said he was delighted to be vamp the classroom as a base for
January 2004 at in early September decorating the invited to relaunch the Storysacks their Storysacks library. The Asda
North Swindon Library classroom and tiling the toilets. library. "When we started Story- colleagues have really enjoyed
Over the summer holidays four sacks atWestleain1994,threeother working with the mums and sev-
Come along and join in mu ms Michelle Smith, Angie primary schools joined us to make eral have learnt new skills, such as
the funl
Conde, Amanda Roper and them, including Oliver Tomkins tiling."
Call 01793 727286 or Michelle Sullivan revamped exist- Infants School. It's lovely to see an Mum, Michelle Smith, said ithad
email: [email protected] ing storysacks or made new ones. original school still pioneering the been hard work to get the
for details Each isbased around a children s concept." Storysacks ready. "It is all worth-
Asda events coordinator Jan while when you see the children
Kilby said Storysacks are dear to and their mothers discovering
her heart as she was involved as a what the sacks contain."
Neil Griffiths shows off the Mrs Honey character from one of the storysacks

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I' di

Memory tree for grieving families
Pre-Prep School 4-7 yrs L On the anniversary of the death of her son Kristian, Jan Andersen
Nursery School 2-4 yrs from Freshbrook is in the process of organising the launch of a
Memory Tree of Lights to be hosted at Kingsdown Crematorium.
Baby Nursery 0-2 yrs : ^
The aim of the tree is to remem- comeanationalprojectandwillhelp
Prior Park Prep School ber all those who have lost their to reduce the lack of understanding
7-13 years
lives to suicide, to bring together and stigma surrounding depression,
Holiday School grieving families and to allow them mental illness and suicide.
to add mementos of their loved An American memory tree can
Flexible fees
ones to the tree. be viewed at http://childsuicide .
From £2.50 per hour A service and lighting ceremony homestead.com / memorytrees.html
will take place on Saturday 6 De- Jan can be contacted at:
Nursery Grant
cember, 2pm, attended by be- [email protected]
Open 7.SOam-6.00pm reaved families, the Mayor of Swin-
don, local Ministers and repre-
Meadowpark School sentatives from the local council Fancy getting into PR as a career?
PR person wanted
and mental health organisations.
The pine tree will be lit until No experience?
mid-January. The Swindon branch of the Na-
Meadowpark A Meadowpark is a well established thriving The Memory Tree of Lights, tional Childbirth Trust (NCT) is
Nursery and school with faultless DfEE and OFSTED project was founded by Brenda looking for someone to fill the role
reports across the 0-7 years age range Flowers from Colorado, US, who of publicity co-ordinator.
Pre-Prep School
lost her only child to suicide in The branch holds two nearly new
Calcutt Street A Conveniently located for Swindon and
Cricklade the surrounding area in a pleasant rural 1992. The focus of the tree is to sales each year, supports a network
Swindon SN6 6BB environment in the grounds of Prior Park provide comfort, education, inter- of parent and toddler groups, and
Prep School vention and hope to people whose organises a number of children's
Contact
Mrs S Hanbury or A Come and see why past and present lives have been impacted by the activitiesandsocialeventsformem-
Mrs R Kular parents believe we are unique loss of someone to suicide and who bers throughout the year.
are overwhelmed by this loss es- To find out more about what's
Tel: 01 793 A Registrations being accepted for 2004. pecially at Christmas. involved contact Swindon NCT on
752600 Certain places available for 2003 Jan hopes that this will also be- ! 07005 801635.