TRUST FUNDS HELP TO IMPROVE FACILITIES AT STIBBINGTON - May 2010
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Special events such as the recent Green Day and the Quiz Night in February have helped the Stibbington Centre Greener Future Trust raise funds to improve facilities at the Centre. Trustees recently chose to allocate some of their funds to two improvement projects:
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the purchase of two "garden rooms" to provide additional covered spaces, and
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the upgrading of educational IT equipment for use by children.
Further news about these projects and more new developments will follow next month.
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GREEN OPEN DAY AT STIBBINGTON CENTRE - Saturday 27 March, 10am - 4pm
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Our special Green Open Day proved a great success. There were be lots of activities for all the family and exhibitions by several organisations, plus green refreshments from the Crunchy Carrot Cafe.
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SCHOOLS GREEN DAY FOR ECO-ACTION INSPIRATION
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On Friday 26 March more than 150 children from 14 different schools converged on Stibbington Centre for a day of eco-action inspiration. Groups of around 8 ks2 children with one or two adults from their school, came along to the Nene Valley Railway's Orton Mere station for a sustainable journey by train to Stibbington. On arrival at the Centre a varied programme of activities included an Eco Trail, an Eco Celebration and a sustainably sourced lunch, with a choice of workshops on subjects such as renewable energy, biodiversity, waste and junk sculpture. Feedback from both teachers and children was excellent. Everyone enjoyed their day and went away enthused with eco-inspiration to take back to their schools.
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ECO COUNCILLORS CONVENTION
CEES trialled an ECO COUNCILLORS CONVENTION for year 4 to 6 on March 23 and 24. Four Cambridgeshire Primary Schools signed up to join the event: Holme, Rackham, Somersham and Stilton. Six children, together with an adult from each school spent two days at Stibbington Centre following a programme of activities that supported their work on the national Eco Schools award scheme. Schools interested in participating in future Eco Councillors Conventions should contact CEES.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE CULTURE'S GIANT UNVEILING CEREMONY
On Thursday 18 March a Giant Unveiling Cceremony took place at Stibbington Centre. The special event was the culmination of a sculpture project supported by Cambridgeshire Culture. Giant heads were created by a sculptor at the three residential centres which form part of Cambridgeshire Outdoors: Grafham Water, Burwell House and Stibbington. On March 18th all three giants were unveiled. At Stibbington, VIP guests, Cllr Linda Oliver, Chairman of Cambridgeshire County Council, and "non-giant" actor, Ray Griffiths were helped by children whose winning designs were used by the sculptor: St John's Primary, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire and Newborough Primary, Peterborough. The event also included revealing the name of the giant - the BSG, unveiling a giant display, a giant cake, a giant song and the presentation of a Lowry print to the Centre.
CEES UPWARE CENTRE OPEN DAY - Sunday 14 March
Visitors came along in large numbers to celebrate Mother's Day in style at Upware Centre's Open Day on Sunday 14 March. Activities for all the family at the Centre and at the South Pit nature reserve included pond dipping, an energy trail, treasure hunt, craft activities and environmental art. .
STIBBINGTON CENTRE QUIZ NIGHT - Friday 5 February
Stibbington Centre's very popular Quiz Night was attended by more than 90 people and raised £900 for the Stibbington Centre Greener Future Trust. The SCGFT charitable trust (reg no 1097019) aims to raise funds to improve the Centre's facilities. Currently funds are being allocated to upgrading the Centre's ICT resources and the purchase of a marquee for use at events.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS CONFERENCE REPORT, 2009
Friday 27 November at Girton College, Cambridge
Almost 100 delegates with an interest in Sustainable Schools attended CEES' annual conference for 2009. Delegates included headteachers, teachers, school support staff, governors, local authority officers and representatives from other local, regional and national organisations.
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Conference evaluations were overwhelmingly positive, with all aspects of the conference rated good or excellent by almost all who submitted their comments.
Presentations and workshop themes reflected DCSF’s Sustainable Schools “doorways” and the national Eco Schools award scheme, with an emphasis on climate change education. Keynote presentations and weblinks for each of the workshops are available from the Sustainable Schools tab on this website. Please note that after opening a linked presentation, to return to the previous page use "back" rather than "close".
AUTUMN TERM IMPACT DAYS
CEES has developed its day course programmes to create themed days designed to provide compelling learning experiences to start the new school year. For key stage 2, for example, the themes on which programmes are based include: Roman times; Victorian days; WWII Evacuation Renewable energy; Habitats; Minibeasts; Rocks Rivers; Rural localities; Map skills Day courses are offered at CEES Centres at Stibbington, Upware, Wisbech and Coldham. Teachers who are interested in including a themed Impact Day in their learning programmes for the Autumn Term will find further details on the Courses for every class tab on this website or tel 01780 782386.
CEES BOOKINGS AND RESERVATIONS, Sept 2009 to July 2010
Full details about booking CEES courses and services next academic year were sent to all Cambridgeshire schools and to other schools on CEES' mailing list during week commencing June 1. Priority for places will go to applications received by 26 June. For details contact tel 01780 782386 or email cees.stibbington@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
ECO SCHOOLS INSPIRATION - Tuesday 23 June
The fourth in a series of 5 twilight workshops for teachers is to be held at St Ivo School, St Ives from 4 to 6pm. The session will include information about the Eco Schools scheme, and details of how the host school is working towards an Eco Schools award, with a special focus on global perspective. There is no charge to attend the workshop, but places must be booked via CEES on tel 01780 782386 or cees.stibbington@ cambridgeshire.gov.uk. The 5th and final session of the series will be at Stapleford Primary School on Tues 7 July.
ENERGY WORKS FUN DAY AT COLDHAM WIND FARM
Sunday 21 June Displays, information, activities for all the family and visits to the turbines from 10.30 to 4.
GEOGRAPHY MATTERS – CAS Course
Thurs 11 June Teaching and learning about environmental issues at Primary, this course at 2 – 5pm will be at CEES Coldham Wind Farm near March. To book tel CAS on 01480 375634 quoting course code 18483
NATIONAL SCHOOL GROUNDS WEEK
8 to12 June This year's theme is The Big Play Experiment which aims to get children active in the school grounds www.ltl.org.uk
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY - Friday 5 June.
The theme for 2009 is ‘Your planet needs you – unite to combat climate change’. www.unep.org
Eco Schools Inspiration:
The third in CEES’ series of twilight workshops, designed to inspire action for Eco Schools is due to take place at Dogsthorpe Junior School, Peterborough on Tuesday 19 May with a focus on school grounds and biodiversity. Next will be at St Ivo School, St Ives on Tuesday 23 June, focussing on global perspective, anfd finally on Tuesday 7 July at Stapleford Primary School, Cambridge the focus will be on litter and waste. Places at these meetings are available free of charge but must be booked via CEES. Find out more here
Residential Experience Open Afternoon:
Interested Heads and teachers are invited to come along to Stibbington Centre for afternoon tea on Thursday 23 April at 3pm. Year 3 children from Cavalry Primary School who will be staying at the Centre will be playing host, leading guided tours and sharing with visitors their environmental learning experiences at Stibbington Residential Centre. To reserve places contact the Centre on tel 01780 782386 or email cees.stibbington@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
Eco Schools Inspiration:
The second in CEES’ series of twilight workshops designed to inspire action for Eco Schools is due to take place at Cottenham Primary School on Wednesday 28 April with a focus on Healthy living and Transport. Find out more here
Food, Farming and Flossie:
During April and May Flossie the sheep will be proudly showing off her lambs to those classes attending CEES day course on Food, Farming and Flossie at Upware Centre. A reduced rate is available for this course. Details about the day course may be found here.
Energy Works:
CEES’ innovative Energy Works programme will be available to all Cambridgeshire schools at no charge from April. The programme is based on school visits to CEES’ base at Coldham Wind Farm and workshops in schools, with courses suitable for key stage 2 to A level. Full details may be found here.
6 February 09 - CEES in the snow
The current spell of wintry weather has meant some alterations to CEES courses, and a small number of day courses cancelled, but generally it's "business as usual" at CEES Centres. In fact, for The Ashbeach Primary School's year 3 and 4 residential group who were staying at Stibbington Centre during the past week, the snow has been an added bonus: The forest was an even more beautiful location to visit than usual to study habitats; and an environmental art session was enhanced by the opportunity to design and make snow sculptures!
30 January 09 - Innovative new Bursary scheme thanks to FOCUS
Children from two Peterborough schools have benefitted from a generous bursary provided by local firm FOCUS on Training. Pupils from St John’s, Orton and Highlees Primary Schools in Peterborough have experienced a three-day residential course at Stibbington thanks to the Bursary. Read comments from the teachers and children on our "Views" page.
Focus Managing Director Steve Twine explains, “We wanted to contribute to the community in a way that would clearly make a difference, and Stibbington provides an experience that the children will never forget.”
Residential courses at Stibbington encourage sustainable lifestyle choices, and help develop social skills and independence, as well as fulfilling curriculum requirements in geography, science and history.
Stibbington Centre would be delighted to hear from other companies interested in following FOCUS' example by sponsoring residential courses.
Focus is a leading training organisation specialising in accredited courses for Project Management and IT Service Management professionals. Courses are available on both a public schedule and on-site basis.
Watch this space for news of CEES' geological themed ROCK FESTIVAL OPEN DAYS
to be held at Stibbington and Upware Centres on Saturday 14 March. 09
JOB VACANCY
CEES is currently seeking to appoint an experienced teacher to join the Wisbech / Coldham branch of its team. For details of the post and an application form visit http://www.jobsincambs.com/jobs.aspx?SSimple=LE19 or contact Head of CEES Rosie Edwards - Jan 09
Stibbington Centre's Annual QUIZ NIGHT
is to be held at the Centre on Friday 30 January 09, starting at 7.30. Bookings are now being taken for teams of up to 6. Supper is included in the entrance charge of £7 per person. Tel 01780 782386 for more details and to reserve places.