GREEN DAY FOR ECO-ACTION INSPIRATION AT STIBBINGTON CENTRE -
Thursday 8 and Friday 9 March 2012
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On Thursday 8 and Friday 9 March up to 200 children from lots of local schools are expected to converge on Stibbington Centre for a day of eco-action inspiration. Groups of around 8 ks2 children with one or two adults from their school, will begin the day with a sustainable journey by train to Stibbington. On arrival at the Centre a varied programme of activities will include an Eco Trail, an Eco Celebration and a sustainably sourced lunch, with a choice of workshops on eco-themes. Places are limited and bookings are now being taken. More details here. Or for a more in-depth eco experience, see below.
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ECO COUNCILLORS' CONVENTIONS - New dates for 2012
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Following very successful courses in 2010-11, CEES is now offering new dates for Eco Councillors' Convention programmes for 2011-12. Teachers who are interested in joining this inspirational programme along with a group of 6 to 8 key stage 2 Eco Councillors will find details here.
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INSPIRATIONAL LEARNING IN THE ENVIRONMENT - Friday 2 December at Girton College
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Headteachers, teachers, governors and all who are interested in seeking inspiration for learning in the environment are invited to join CEES’ conference at Girton College, Cambridge on Friday 2 December.
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CEES has compiled a comprehensive programme designed to inspire learning in the environment to support healthy, sustainable schools. The full day programme comprises quality keynote presentations and a choice of 10 different workshops. To facilitate collaboration and follow-up in schools, a reduced fee is offered where there are two or more delegates from the same establishment. Full details and a booking form are available here.
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BRING THE 3 Rs TO LIFE WITH CEES AT BURWELL HOUSE
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Find out about the new courses now being offered by CEES as Day Courses at Burwell House, including the 3 R's - Rivers, Romans and Rocks. Details are here.
GREEN HOUSE SCHOOLS OPEN DAY - Wednesday 28 September
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The St Ives Green House provides an inspirational learning environment for key stage 1, 2 and 3 pupils. It supports curriculum studies by allowing pupils to see for themselves how the environment may be improved and sustained by making changes within the home.
Teachers and Governors from Cambridgeshire schools are invited to book a visit between 4.00 and 7.00pm on Weds 28th September to find out more about the project and how a visit can benefit your pupils. Simply call 01480 388304 or email Heidi.Field@huntingdonshire.gov.uk with the time you’d like to attend. More details here.
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NEW - EXCITING SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES at Stibbington Centre for 8 to 11-year olds. An activity brochure giving full details is available here.
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MAKING AN IMPACT with "OUTSTANDING" CEES - June 2011
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Following rigorous external assessment for the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge, Cambridgeshire Environmental Education Service has been judged “outstanding”. See our Summer Term Newsletter for more details.
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The service is now taking bookings for September 2011 to July 2012, offering opportunities for teachers to make reservations for:
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IMPACT DAYS to enrich learning and support the curriculum at: Stibbington Centre; Wisbech Castle; Coldham Wind Farm; and Burwell House.
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RESIDENTIAL COURSES at Stibbington Centre. For a quick glance click here and here. A new bursary scheme which has been created by the Stibbington Centre Greener Future Trust offers assistance with funding for residential experiences.
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STAFF TRAINING DAYS on Learning in the School Grounds, see below.
Details of charges for all CEES services are available here.
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Interested teachers are welcome to join us at Stibbington Centre on our OPEN AFTERNOON, Wednesday 6 July at 3 to 5pm. Email 0cees.stibbington@cambridgeshire.gov.uk to reserve a place.
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LEARNING IN THE SCHOOL GROUNDS - Whole school staff training days
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CEES is currently taking bookings for school staff training days during 2011 - 12. Programmes are designed to inspire teachers and TAs to use their school grounds for learning activities across the curriculum. Subjects covered include literacy, numeracy, science, geography and art, and activities are suitable for use in any school grounds. For details click here.
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CEES LAUNCHES NEW BRANCH AT BURWELL HOUSE - April 2011
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Tuesday 3 May was a red letter day for CEES, as it saw the launch of a new Day Course service based at Burwell House. With help from staff at Burwell, the CEES team has set up "The Bramley Barn" for learning programmes that were previously offered at Upware Centre. Following the closure of Upware in April, many of the day courses offered there are now available at Burwell instead. CEES teachers have devised learning programmes that use the delightful grounds of Burwell House and local sites of educational interest, as well as the wide range of specialist materials and equipment that has been transferred from Upware for CEES' use at Burwell.
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Year 4 children from Thomas Eaton Primary School were the first to sample the "Investigating Rivers" course at Burwell and the day was pronounced a great success. Other courses to be trialled with schools during the coming few weeks include "Investigating habitats and food chains", "Maps, Trails and Treasure", and a "Roman Day".
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For further dteails about any CEES Day Courses at Burwell House contact CEES on 01780 782386 or email cees.stibbington@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
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ENERGY WORKS VISITS TO COLDHAM WIND FARM - NO CHARGE!
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A few places remain later in the Summer Term for school visits to Coldham Wind Farm and associated workshops in schools - all FREE of charge, see details in blue below.
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BACK TO THE FUTURE GREEN OPEN DAY AT STIBBINGTON CENTRE - Sunday 27 March, 10am - 4pm
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There will be activities for all the family at our special BACK TO THE FUTURE Green Open Day at Stibbington Centre on Sunday 27 March. On a 1940's theme our world war two classroom will be open and visitors will be able to "Dig for Victory", "Make do and Mend" and "Waste not, want not". Moving forward in time to 2011 there will be renewable energy experiments, junk sculpture, pond dipping and eco games, plus refreshments from the Crunchy Carrot Cafe. A poster giving full details is available here.
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SCHOOLS BACK TO THE FUTURE GREEN DAY AT STIBBINGTON CENTRE - Friday 25 March
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On Friday 25 March up to 200 children from lots of local schools are expected to converge on Stibbington Centre for a day of eco-action inspiration. Groups of around 8 ks2 children with one or two adults from their school, will have a sustainable journey by train to Stibbington. On arrival at the Centre a varied programme of activities will include an Eco Trail, an Eco Celebration and a sustainably sourced lunch, with a choice of workshops on both 1940's and modern eco-themes.
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ENERGY WORKS 2011
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Bookings are now being taken by CEES for its Energy Works programme from January 2011. CEES’ partnership with The Co-operative Group, Scottish Power Renewables and Fenland District Council allows us to continue to offer the programme to schools free of charge, including school visits to Coldham Wind Farm and associated workshops in schools led by CEES specialist teachers. In addition, Fenland District Council will cover the cost of travel between Fenland schools and the Wind Farm.
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Details are available on our Energy Works leaflet.
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OPENING DOORS TO LEARNING: CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT IN THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM - January 2011
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For all who are interested in learning outside the classroom, a professional development opportunity on 5 to 7 January 2011 is not to be missed. Working in partnership with the National Association of Field Studies Officers (NAFSO), CEES has compiled a comprehensive three-day programme of events with keynote presentations by nationally acknowledged speakers, and workshops and visits involving more than 20 partner organisations. For full residential details including accommodation Click here . For details of attending one or more days as a non-residential delegate click here.
For delegates to the event, an evaluation feedback form is available here.
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ECO SCHOOLS INSPIRATION WORKSHOP - CARBON DETECTIVES - 24 November 2010
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Teachers are invited to reserve places at this workshop which will be hosted by CEES at Somersham Primary School, Cambridgeshire at 4 to 6pm on Wednesday 24 November. Focus of the workshop will be energy education and the Carbon Detectives programme. There is NO CHARGE to attend. Click here for details.
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ICKNIELD PRIMARY'S YEAR 6 "TAKE OVER" CEES WEBSITE - 12 November 2010
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Friday 12 November was "National Takeover Day", an opportunity for young people around the country to "take over" tasks and decisions that would normally be made by adults. During their residential course at Stibbington in October, Icknield Primary School's Year 6 class took up the challenge to "take over" CEES' website. Hannah, Lucy, Christopher and Emily led the project and worked on ideas for the website, consulting with other pupils, their teachers and staff at Stibbington. The results of their work went live on the website on Friday 12 November at a special celebratory event at the school. To see their "young people's perspective" on Stibbington Centre visit Stibbington Residential on the Centres tab.
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STIBBINGTON RESIDENTIAL CENTRE REFURBISHED - August 2010
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The summer break has been a time of great activity at Stibbington Centre. Following major refurbishment works, the residential centre building now has a new sprinkler system, new ceilings, new lighting and new low-surface-temperature radiators throughout. All of the works have excellent eco-friendly credentials and should help to reduce the Centre's carbon footprint. Further improvements to the bedroom accommodation includes new carpeting for all 13 rooms and new furniture in the 9 children's rooms.
For those who are looking for a venue for a residential course during the coming year - we have just a few gaps in the calendar at our new, improved Centre!
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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.
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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.