Page 15 - link magazine

The virtual Link Magazine now online @ www.swindonlink.com 15

A university challenge for third-agers
The controversial University of Bath campus at Coate may be a long time coming but meanwhile, over 50s can enrol in their own university
known as U3A.
The University of the Third Age does not award degrees but is about gardening, scrabble, walking and yoga. In fact, life in retirement can be
bringing people together to learn just for their own pleasure. It is run by quite hectic.
its members who share their knowledge and skills to offer a range of No academic qualifications are needed to join any of the courses and
over 60 daytime study and leisure groups in fifty different subjects. there are no exams to take. Anyone who has an interest they would like
There should be something for everyone with topics ranging from to share with others can offer to lead a group, with no teaching
arts and crafts, history, languages, literature, music and science. As experience necessary.
well as the academic, there are recreational sessions including croquet, If life is split into three phases, the first age is childhood, the second
is the time when work, family responsibilities and career are a priority,
and the third age represents retirement and freedom. Approximately
Drum circle creates team spirit one fifth of the population now belongs to the third age, outnumbering
across two schools teenagers.
The U3A offers opportunities to keep minds active, develop new
When Freshbrook Primary School wanted an after school club with skills, explore new horizons and meet new people. For an annual fee of
a difference, they hit on the idea of a drumming group and recruited £18, members can attend as many activities as they wish. To find out
Kaya Drums to help out. more, contact Brian Hinde on 642634
Drum circles are a well recog- thing: even the legs of their chairs.
nised way of bringing groups to- “It’s about freedom of expression
gether, so it seemed the ideal op- within safe boundaries. The
portunity to invite pupils from youngsters have learned to play Purton House
Windmill Hill Primary to come different rhythms against each Church End Healthy food with
along, as the two schools prepare other and sometimes create a story Purton, Swindon
to merge in September. and accompany it. minimal miles
Year 3 teacher Ruth Kendrick “It’s also an excellent way of Tel: 01793 772287
said that three children from Wind- reaching children who find aca-
mill Hill had joined the group and demic lessons a bit uncomfortable. VEGETABLES • FRUIT • MEAT • EGGS
there will be an invitation for more It’s about teamwork and learning
to join the group in the new term. to work together.” Real food from a farm near you
“The most important aspect of www.kayadrums.com
drumming is turn- Call for details about our
taking and sharing. Alex Miles with drummers from Freshbrook Organic Box Scheme
There’s a lot of con- and Windmill Hill Primary Schools
centrating and lis- Deliveries & drop off points in Swindon, Cirencester,
tening going on,” Wootton Bassett, Broad Hinton, Marlborough, Wroughton
she said. She has also www.purton-house.co.uk
seen the children’s
confidence and self
esteem grown as
they perform to-
gether.
Alex Miles from
Kaya Drums brings
along a variety of
percussion instru-
ments, and shows
the children that
they can make mu-
sic with almost any-

Wearing blue to banish bullies
Freshbrook pupils sent out a message in November during National
Anti-Bullying Week that bullies aren’t welcome in their school, by
wearing blue clothes and decorating the gates with blue ribbons.
Blue Friday marked the end of a class was given a pack of blue rib-
week’s activities focused on bully- bons which were gradually fixed
ing. The main theme this year for to the gate. Year 6 designed post-
the national campaign was ‘the ers and a mosaic saying ‘Bullies
bystander’. The children talked Aren’t Cool’ was created to hang
about what they would do if they in the school entrance.
saw somebody being picked on. Friendship tokens, given to Year
PHSE Co-ordinator, Alison 1 pupils, have been a great success
Stone, said the children knew ex- and are still in circulation. “They
actly what to do. As well as telling give them out if they see someone
adults, pupils can report problems being kind,” explained Ms Stone.
to members of the school council “They love being given something
or peer mentors, who have proved by another child.”
very effective at resolving prob- Although there is very little bul-
lems. “Some children feel more lying in the school, Ms Stone said it
confident talking to other children was good to reinforce the mes-
rather than adults and they like sage. “The children were fantastic
knowing it will be dealt with and the assemblies were amazing.
straight away.” They raised lots of points that we
At the start of the week, each hadn’t thought of.”
www.farmedfair.co.uk

1 January 07 15 14/12/06, 12:14 pm