Page 18 - link magazine

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

New head happy to be back in town
Laura Brierley’s first test as new head of Catherine Wayte Primary School was to learn the names of all
Godwin Court, Old Town, Swindon 320 pupils. for teaching in the 21st century.
Tel: 522100 It’s no mean feat. Mrs Her previous headship was at
‘A beautiful venue for Brierley, who joined school in Brinkworth where one of the
the Abbey Meads in January, is buildings was so old it was
children’s parties’
Invitations: sole use of ‘the little party house’. pleased to be able to put at least listed.
Having started her career in
200 names to faces so far. “I’ve
Party food, games with prizes, fancy dress,
art & craft activities + a balloon and been ticking off names on the Swindon, she moved to Lyne-
yummy treat for every child. Refreshments class lists when I can put a face ham where she was deputy
for Mums and Dads. All for £10 per child to them. Then I have to put all head for 12 years before mov-
the siblings together and match ing to Brinkworth.
PLAY DAYS them up with parents.” Being back in the town Mrs
Tuesday to Friday, 9.30am to 11.30am Mrs Brierley feels settled in Brierley finds the local author-
Tuesday & Thursday, 2pm to 4pm thanks to her new team. “We’re and positive.” ity very supportive and has been
£5 including 1 adult and 1 child really working well together and She is enjoying the convenience pleased to renew contact with peo-
and all refreshments the children are very enthusiastic of the modern building designed ple from her early teaching days.

Little Orchids toddlers growing
‘Music With very few facilities for young children at Priory Vale, places at the newly created Little Orchids were
with quickly snapped up, but a second session could open if parents are willing to help run it.
Within three weeks of opening chance to meet people locally, who another weekly session. Help is
Mummy’ at Orchid Vale Primary School, all the children might go to school needed to set up and clear away
forty places at the Monday after- with.” toys or buy snacks. To offer assist-
A fun introduction to music for noon sessions had been taken and The committee would like to ance, or to join the waiting list,
the under 3’s in small groups a waiting list started. hear from parents willing to run contact Lizzie on 07870 391662.
“We knew that in Priory Vale
‘Jolly Babies’ there were a lot of young children
First musical experiences for and no groups,” said organising Towers and tales at Taw Hill
new-born babies committee chair, Lizzie Fewing. Last term nursery children at St Francis Primary School nursery class
“The Children’s Information Serv- looked at all kinds of homes, from houses to palaces.
Call Sue Foggin on 485245
ice, who helped us set things up, To celebrate a job well
Book a free trial session
had found it was one of the areas done, they became princes
[email protected] with the greatest need for facili- and princesses on the last
or [email protected] ties. It’s a really nice group and a day. Their work leads into
www.musicwithmummy.co.uk
next term’s theme of tradi-
tional stories.
Places are available in the
nursery from September for
children who will be three
years by 1 September 2007.
Call St Francis Primary on
727624.

Bright future for Abbey Meads playgroup
It is notoriously difficult to find enough volunteers to run pre-school
committees but for Glitterbugs, this is no longer a problem.
When Little Sun-
shines in Abbey
Meads was strug-
gling to put together
a parents’ commit-
tee, staff members
Faye Horan and
www.musicbugs.co.uk www.minimusicians.co.uk Katie Sealey, right,
offered to run the
group as a private
The Springboard to concern.
Confidence for your child The committee
agreed to continue to ensure a It means we can make decisions
Britain’s leading National Active Physical Play smooth transition. Re-born as quickly and answer parents’ ques-
programme for children from 6 months to 7 years. Glitterbugs, the pre-school opened tions on policies and procedures.”
Your child will learn agility, balance, climbing, its doors last September and is The demands of Ofsted inspec-
co-ordination appropriate to his or her age. thriving. tions and other legislation has
Structured programmes designed to build The change means no more un- made it difficult to run a pre-school
self confidence and develop essential certainties as to whether a com- with volunteers and Faye has been
listening and language skills.
mittee could be elected at an an- approached by another playgroup
Supervised by trained staff in a fun and nual parents’ meeting. Otherwise, for advice on making the change
caring environment.
for children and parents, very lit- from being committee led.
Tumble Tots now in your area! tle has changed but the staff are Glitterbugs is currently full with
For information about local centres call finding it a better arrangement. 77 children attending. To register
Charlotte Boyes-Corfield Faye said, “the staff are happier early for a place from September
on 0844 800 0219 because it’s more stable and they call administrator Sally Peet on
know who their managers are now. 0790 6158613.

1 March 07 18 16/2/07, 5:14 pm