Families Sussex Coast September/October 2016

FREE take me home

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Help! My child hates school

Issue 49 | September/October 2016 www.familiesonline.co.uk

Party themes kids will love

How to get back into a good routine this term

Your guide to the best local family events this autumn

www.familiesonline.co.uk | 1 The essential local magazine for parents and carers

Highly Qualified Teachers Part of Springfield Infant School Open during school hours

9:00am - 3:00pm

Springfield School have a new nursery for children aged 3 and 4 years old.

The nursery is situated within the school building and is part of the everyday life at the school. if you would like to book an appointment to see us or request an information pack, please call into or phone the school office.

Springfield Infant School Sackville Road, Worthing BN14 8BQ

‘Early Duckling’ Breakfast Club

Additional out of school hours

Tel: 01903 219243

office@springfield.w-sussex.sch.uk Issue 46 : (E) Helping students reach their potential

Private Home Tutoring All academic subjects and key stages • 7/8/11+ • 13+/Common Entrance • GCSE/A level • University 08456 445 452 | www.fleet-tutors.co.uk

Endless ideas for families www.familiesonline.co.uk

www.familiesonline.co.uk Tel: 02393 117 561 Managing Editor Mandy Earle editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk Contributors Sally J. Hall is a writer and editor who has written for all the main parenting titles as well as The Independent and The Mail. She is author of Eco Baby and contributing author to Watch My Baby Grow (Dorling Kindersley).

Liat Hughes Joshi is a parenting journalist and the author of four books including ‘New Old-fashioned Parenting’ and ‘How to Unplug Your Child’ (both published by Summersdale) and Raising Children: The Primary Years (Pearson).

Next issue November/December 2016 Booking deadline 3rd October

For distribution or advertising enquiries please call

02393 117 561

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News and views How to make the most of parents evening My child hates school, what can I do?

15 things to know when choosing a school Getting your child into a good routine How to cope with the nasty nits What’s on guide to local family events Super spooky Halloween events and firework safety

Delivered directly to local parent and carers

Littlehampton, Arundel, Worthing, Shoreham-by-Sea, Portslade, Brighton, Hove, Newhaven, Lewes and all the places in between

@FamiliesSussexC

Facebook.com/fscmagazine

editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk

02393 117 561

Copyright: Families Sussex Coast 2016.

We take care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of the advertisers, nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. Families Sussex Coast is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence.

www.familiesonline.co.uk | 3

Save the date…

Pencil Friday 31st March 2017 in your diary in big, bold writing because Wear A Hat Day is back for the eighth time and it will be EVEN HATTIER than last year.

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer… yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. Brain Tumour Research is the only national UK charity that funds sustainable research into finding a cure.

Wear A Hat Day is the premier brain tumour awareness event, and is a great way to show your support and raise money for brain tumour research during a day of hat-filled fun and games. Buy a hat, make a hat, take a photo and share it online #HATTASTIC An Area Manager plays a pivotal role in the success of each local site and is responsible for creating content for their local site, managing social media, marketing the site to local businesses and selling advertising on the site.

Looking for flexible, homebased, part-time work?

Work for Families Online in Worthing/Littlehampton!

You’re reading this, so we hope you already love Families magazine. But did you know Families also has a new website?

Families Online re-launched in July, with 342 local websites covering the whole of the UK. Like our magazine, it is the go-to site for parents, carers and grandparents, offering all the information they need to enjoy family time in their local area.

West Sussex children’s favourite book announced

‘Hercufleas’ by Sam Gayton has won the West Sussex Children’s Story Book Award 2016.

This lyrical fable of a flea and a girl searching for a hero to destroy the monstrous Yuk has captured the imagination of children in 18 primary schools in West Sussex.

One of four titles on the shortlist, ‘Hercufleas’ is a page-turning adventure with unique characterisation and an intricate plot focusing on how even the smallest of heroes can overcome

If you are a local parent who loves exploring what your local area has to offer with your family, this opportunity may suit you! The role can be performed at home, working around the needs of your family – and all you need is a computer and an interest in introducing other local parents to everything that’s on offer in your community!

Ideal candidates will have an understanding of how to put together good content for the site, experience with social media and the confidence to present the site to potential clients.

Take a look at the site at www.familiesonline.co.uk For further information about Area Manager roles, contact: recruitment@familiesonline.co.uk challenges against all the odds.

The Schools Library Service worked in partnership with Libraries to host author presentations for participating schools in libraries around West Sussex as part of the project.

For more information about all the things you can get from your local library visit www. westsussex.gov.uk/libraries.

4 | Tel: 02393 117 561 | editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk

Register now and start planning your event. You will be sent an exclusive pack of fundraising goodies – including leaflets, posters, balloons and any other merchandise you ordered at the time of registering. If you are stuck for ideas, the Hatter’s Workshop online at www.wearahatday.org is brim-ming with inspiration: event ideas, quizzes, additional poster designs and much more! Top 10 event ideas and fundraising tips are also available on the website.

So get those thinking caps on, and start counting down to 31st March.

Competition Winners!

Congratulation to the winners of our recent competitions - here is a quick rundown of who they were.

From our July/August issue, Natasha Bell from Portslade won the family tickets to England’s Medieval Festival, while Christine Fai from Hove won a day at the races to Goodwood’s August Bank Holiday weekend. Christine said ‘‘I love reading Families magazine each issue, it’s a great way to keep up to date with events that are happening each season.

Thank you.’’

Sharon Wilson from Steyning (pictured below) won our May/June competition for a family weekend of camping at Love Supreme Jazz Festival.

Sharon said ‘‘We had a fantastic time at the festival and would definitely recommend it as a family friendly festival.

Both our children loved it! Thank you so much for the tickets.‘‘

Every September some 40,000 volunteers across England organise 5,000 events to celebrate our fantastic history, architecture and culture. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are free to explore. This year’s Heritage Open Days takes place between 8th and 11th September - join guided walks, visit secret archives, discover hidden works of art – or simply soak up the sunshine in a garden of your choice.

Visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk to find out what’s happening near you

NEW Family Workshops at Pallant House Gallery this Autumn

© Pallant House Gallery

England’s biggest festival of history

See our This autumn, Pallant House Gallery is What’s On relaunching its learning programme with a guide for lots of new series of workshops for all the family to great events! enjoy. With fun, hands-on creative sessions for the mini-visitor aged 0-5 years, the Early Years workshops are packed with imaginative play and fun materials, while the Children’s Workshops for ages 5-8 and 9+ will help children develop their creativity through fun and practical activities. There will also be a regular drop-in series of workshops where the whole family – including grandparents - can work together to create large scale artworks. For more information, please visit the Gallery website: pallant.org.uk/events

Top Parent Hack!

To make life just that little bit easier...

Help kids put their shoes on the correct feet with a sticker.

Find a large, colorful sticker with a bold picture. Cut the sticker in half and place one half inside each shoe, and draw an “L” and “R” on the sticker halves with a permanent marker.

When it’s time to put on the shoes, ask your child to “match up the picture.” Doing so lines the shoes up with the proper feet, and helps teach left and right.

Excerpted from Parent Hacks®:134 Genius Shortcuts for Life with Kids by Asha Dornfest (Workman Publishing). Copyright © 2016.

Gettting g Drressed d 149 9 Illustrations © Craighton Berman 148

Parent Hacks

www.familiesonline.co.uk | 5

New Free School planned for Littlehampton in 2018 A proposal for a new Free School to open in Littlehampton has been welcomed by West Sussex County Council.

Free schools are state funded schools that are independent of local authority control.

They have the freedom to decide the length of school day and term, their curriculum, teacher pay and how they spend their budgets.

New term dates announced for the school year 2017 to 2018

The term dates for schools maintained by Brighton & Hove City Council will include an extended autumn half term in the academic year 2017 to 2018.

The traditional one week break from school in October will be changed to a fortnight.

The move comes into effect a year from now (not this September) with the first extended autumn half term, running from 16 October to 27 October 2017.

The changes are designed to support families by giving more flexibility about when they are able to spend time together without missing school.

The move follows consultation with parents and carers which ran earlier this year.

The new term dates have been set with consideration to the term dates of schools in the neighbouring authorities of East and West Sussex and will not reduce the number of teaching and learning days children receive. The change has been made by slight adjustments to the start and finish of the three main terms.

The same holiday pattern will apply during the academic year 2018 to 2019 as a pilot arrangement after which time the changes will be reviewed.

The new school, proposed by Schoolsworks, a multi-academy trust based in West Sussex, is due to open in September 2018, or sooner.

Louise Goldsmith, Leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “We welcome the news that Schoolsworks Community Primary Littlehampton has been successful in its bid to develop a new primary school for the north of Littlehampton.

“In the last 12 months, work has been taking place to expand the current school provision in Littlehampton and we had identified a future need for primary school places in the region.

“We believe free schools are a positive way of meeting the predicted rise in demand for school places and are hopeful that further free schools will be approved in the future.”

Space to grow at Springfield Nursery

Springfield nursery for children aged 3 - 4 years old opened in September 2015 and is part of Springfield Infant School.

Open during school term times, 9.00am3.00pm, they also offer additional breakfast sessions at the beginning of the day 8am - 9am.

The nursery has highly qualified practitioners with years of experience in Early Years that are committed to giving your child the best start to life. The Nursery and Reception staff work together as a team to ensure there is a quality approach to early learning and care, in a bright and stimulating environment with quality resources.

If you are interested, please call into or phone the school office for more information.

Springfield Infant School, Sackville Road, Worthing BN14 8BQ Tel Number: 01903 219243 or email office@ springfield.w-sussex.sch.uk

How to make the most of parents’ evening

Parents’ evening is your opportunity to get feedback on how your child’s doing at school, so how can you get the most of your time in there?

Plan

Your appointment might be just five or ten minutes so prioritise what you want to cover in advance. What do you need to know the most and what do you want to communicate to the teacher? Write a list and put it in order of importance in case you run short of time. Take a pen and paper to write notes.

Be realistic about what the teacher will tell you

The style of feedback teachers give has changed since most of us were kids – it tends to be less blunt and less about direct comparisons with classmates. Don’t expect class rankings for example.

Stay ‘on point’

Parents’ evenings usually run to tight schedules and most teachers will stick strictly to the time limits. Save the general chit-chat for another day and keep the conversation focused.

Be open-minded about feedback

You might receive negative feedback, albeit this should be constructive. Even if you don’t agree, stay calm and at least hear the teacher out respectfully before asking further questions.

6 | Tel: 02393 117 561 | editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk

Don’t be surprised if the teacher talks about a ‘different child’ (not literally!)

Sometimes children behave or perform differently at school compared to at home – your child might be extremely chatty with you but very quiet in the classroom for example.

Need more information

If any issues were left unresolved or you have concerns once you’ve digested the feedback, it’s normally fine to request a follow-up meeting with the teacher.

Parents’ evening question ideas • Has my child settled well into school life/ in the class this year?

• What are his/her strengths and weaknesses?

• How is he/ she doing compared to expectations for this age and stage?

• Is there anything we can be doing to help support his/her learning or behaviour at home?

• Ask about friendships and behaviour, not just academic matters.

My child hates school

what can I do?

Not all children skip happily through the school gates each day. If yours isn’t keen on heading into the classroom, here’s what you can do…

Try to keep everyone calm

Mornings can be fraught if your child has developed a school aversion, but it’s important to at least try and all remain calm (easier said than done we know!) If your little one associates mornings with being told off and stressed, it could add to their anxieties.

It might just be a phase

Many children have a phase when they’re not keen on school; this might resolve itself within a few days. Meanwhile if you’re sure they’re just ‘trying it on’, stand firm and make it clear that school is non-negotiable.

Fake illnesses can be a headache…

Mysterious maladies are a common manifestation of not wanting to go to school; although it can be annoyingly difficult to decipher whether kids are crying wolf or actually ill. If it could be the former, threatening a trip to the doctors/call to NHS Direct will usually either get illness fibbers to confess, or provide a miracle cure.

Consider the potential causes

Work on getting your child to open up when it’s not the ‘heat of the moment’. So not when you’re late for school and they’re in tears. This can be challenging if they don’t even understand their fear, don’t want to tell you about it or struggle to articulate it at all. If they won’t talk to you, perhaps they will do so with someone else, such as their grandparents, or an aunt or uncle.

Common reasons for school aversion include bullying/friendship problems, boredom, learning difficulties, a tricky relationship with a teacher or a major family event such as a divorce or bereavement. You could mention similar situations you experienced in your school days to encourage discussion.

Meet with their teacher

Have a chat with their teacher to identify and work on any underlying issues going on in the classroom, playground or at home so you can carve out an action plan together.

To snack, or not to snack?

We tend to think of snacking as a bad habit that spoils our appetite for proper mealtimes. But when it comes to toddlers and young children, this isn’t the case. With fist-sized stomachs that can only cope with small amounts, snacking is a staple part of your pre-schooler’s diet.

Your toddler’s calorie needs are proportionally more than yours, and with all that running around, they need to refuel regularly. This in turn stabilises their blood sugar levels and avoids those tricky meltdowns that can strike when hunger hits. And as young children often struggle to sit for more than 10 minutes at the table, providing smaller more frequent meals throughout the day makes perfect practical sense.

Make snacks part of your child’s diet

The key is to keep snacks healthy and nutrient-dense. If you are used to thinking of snacks as sweet ‘treats’, adjust your mindset and instead think of your child’s snacks as an integral part of their daily healthy diet.

So instead of having three set meals a day where they get all the important nutrients, they have five to six small meals across the day, each one providing foods from the main food groups, including protein, carbohydrates, dairy and fruit and vegetables.

Don’t fret that each snack has to be perfectly nutritionally balanced; as long as they receive a range of foods across the day, or even across the week, they’ll be doing fine.

Still struggling?

Support for severe cases should be available via your GP who might make a referral to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) or a private child psychologist.

By Liat Hughes Joshi

Healthy snacking ideas

There are dozens of simple, easy-torustle-up nutritious ideas. Try small pick and mix snacks at home, with two or three items creating a colourful ‘tapas’ for your child. Here’s some of our favourites!

Dips and dunkers - cut up vegetable batons of carrots, cucumbers and red peppers to dip into cottage cheese, hummus, guacamole or a favourite dip.

A small slice of bread or rice cake with cream cheese and grapes.

Nut butter on toast or pitta with apple slices.

Half a tortilla wrap with tuna and cheese.

Banana slices with plain yogurt.

Summer fruit berries with yogurt or fromage frais.

Cubes of cheese with grapes, apple or pear slices.

A handful of dried fruit, such as raisins, sultanas or apricots.

Pitta slices with hummus dip, halved cherry tomatoes and olives.

A slice of banana bread with cream cheese.

www.familiesonline.co.uk | 7

15 things to know when choosing a school

something so you do? If not, move on: there's no point in wasting a choice or railing against something you can't change.

Choosing the next school can be a daunting task. We want our child to be happy and successful, and the thought of making the ‘wrong choice’ is a huge weight to bare. Here are our top tips to help you through the process.

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Make up your own mind. It's amazing how many parents never even look around a school because of what they've heard. A school that doesn't suit another family could be just right for yours.

Listen to your child's feelings as well as your own. Choosing your child’s primary is down to just you parents; but your 10 or 11-year-old deserves a say.

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Use open days wisely. If you can, go to a daytime visit (especially to a school that seems a strong contender) because you'll see it in working mode.

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Nothing advertises a school like its pupils. Do they seem happy? Are they engaged? If you have time, pass by at going-home time. Are they wellbehaved? How about the staff - do they seem fulfilled and cheery working there?

Take opportunities to chat to them.

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Listen to your instincts. If a school doesn't feel right, move on. You don't have to explain yourself or your reasons for doing so to anyone else (although you do, of course, need to discuss it with your child if your instincts are different).

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Don't get bogged down in the detail: what you're aiming to get is a sense of the school. Does it feel happy, productive, calm? Is there a sense of order and caring? These things matter more than the nitty-gritty.

Pay attention to what's on the walls

- and not just the artwork. What are children being warned about, or encouraged to do? Are there any school visits being advertised? Which clubs seem to be thriving?

Look at the school's league tables, but don't pin everything on them.

Read the Ofsted report too and pay particular attention to how the school has done over time. If it's had a dip, are there signs of improvement or suggestions that it could turn around?

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Go to the head teacher's talk and take your notebook. This is an important part of the event: not only do you need to pick up on the head's attitude and values and what matters most to him or her, but you also need to pay special attention to anything that's said about the entrance criteria.

Understanding that is the crucial next stage.

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If you like a school, do your homework about whether your child fits its entrance requirements.

However much you love the school, and however much you think your child would thrive there, you'll only get a place if you fulfil the criteria. Read the school's entrance policy through very, very carefully. If you don't fulfil the requirements, could you change

8 | Tel: 02393 117 561 | editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk

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Keep telling yourself (because it's true!) that there is no perfect school. Every school has strengths and weaknesses. There's more than one school that can be right for your child.

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When the time comes to fill in the forms, allow yourself lots of time and do it extremely carefully. There may be supplementary forms, and there may be complicated arrangements for giving them in (especially if you're applying to faith schools). If you find it all too confusing, talk to your child's primary teacher or primary head, or call the education department at your local authority.

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Have a plan of action for what you'll do if you don't get the school you're hoping for. Just having that plan will make you feel more relaxed. Remember that there’s a lot of movement in the first few weeks after places are allocated, and many children get in from waiting lists.

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Don’t underestimate how much hard work an appeal can be, or how emotionally draining. That’s not to say don’t do it: just be prepared.

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Remember that, at the end of the day, parents make more difference to a child's future than a school does. Even if your child doesn't get into your first choice of school your attitude to that could be a much bigger factor in what happens next for your child than the school itself. Have confidence, first and foremost, in your child. And trust that, together, you will work things out if and when you come up against problems.

Getting your child into a good routine As we move into the autumn and winter school term, it can be difficult to cope with changing weather and dull days. The long evenings of summer are over, the nights draw in and the mornings are dark. Getting your child settled into a good routine is essential if you are going to ensure they get enough sleep and are able to get up on time for school without too much effort and moaning.

Exercise is your best friend

Even if the weather is dreadful, try to make sure that your kids have some exercise each day. Not only will it help keep them fit and healthy but it also helps them to get a good night’s sleep.

The best time is just after school, when it’s still light and you can head to the playground or let them loose in the garden.

Plan your mornings

Most parents would agree; mornings are bad times! Everyone is tired and cranky and if you’re not careful, it can descend into chaos. Having a routine that is followed every school day can help immensely. Set an alarm for 15 minutes before you need to get the kids up and get yourself together in that time. Whether it’s that first cup of tea, a shower or choosing what to

wear, make sure you have time for you first - and everything else will go that bit more smoothly. Avoid any electronic stimulation in the morning, so ban games, X-Boxes and the TV, as time can slip away when they are distracted.

Be prepared

Getting things prepared the night before can help immensely with the morning rush, so prepare lunchboxes and get breakfast things out the night before.

Have rules

Make sure there are rules for where things are put when your kids arrive home each day. Let them know that they can’t just dump their gear anywhere!

Those school bags, shoes and coats must go in a specific place so that there is no frantic searching in the morning, with everyone getting frustrated.

Make sure they know their routine too

Having a planner on view is a great way to avoid missing tutoring sessions, music lessons and play dates. A big calendar on the fridge means everyone can see what’s happening and when.

Why routines work

Children respond really well to a routine so you’ll thank yourself when they adapt to doing the right things at the right time each day. Have breakfast and dinner at set times, bedtime must be absolutely set in stone and homework should have appointed times too. Giving your kids too much choice over their own routine just leads to their spending too long on games or play and not enough for homework and helping with chores.

By Sally J Hall

www.familiesonline.co.uk | 9

Headlice

An irritating problem

How to cope with those nasty nits It’s every parent’s nightmare; the notices go up at school: “a case of headlice has been reported, so please check your children’s heads”. Your child begins to scratch. How do you cope with headlice – and can they be prevented?

What are headlice?

Headlice, also known as nits, are tiny insects that live in human hair and feed on blood. They are very small – they range from the size of a pinhead to a sesame seed, so it’s no surprise that they are difficult to see. Their discarded egg cases are white and look a bit like dandruff stuck to the hair. It’s often these empty cases, the ‘nits’, that you notice first, especially behind the ears and there may also be small, red, itchy bumps on the back of the neck, which is where the insects have bitten your child.

Are they obvious?

One of the main problems with headlice is that they are tiny, so they’re difficult to spot and although most children will have tell-tale signs such as itching and the feeling of something moving in their hair, other children may have no idea at all. It’s often these children whose parents don’t realise they have headlice who will keep spreading it through the class, so even if your child displays no symptoms, always check regularly.

How to check Your best friend is now your nit comb. When you wash your child’s hair, apply plenty of

conditioner and comb through their hair in sections, making sure you don’t miss any areas. Look at the comb and check for small dots – they may be black, reddish brown, brown or grey. These are the lice. These should be removed under a hot tap in the basin or into a cup of hot water. Combing is your most important weapon against headlice, as even if you use a lotion or spray from the pharmacists, eggs may still hatch after you have treated the hair.

What to treat the hair with A pharmacist can sell you an over-the-counter remedy which you use in the hair. You have to treat all family members and most products will tell you to treat again after a couple of weeks to take care of any eggs that slip through the net; lice have a 30-day life span, during which a female can lay five to 10 eggs a day. Some lotions are not suitable for the under-twos or for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Can I prevent them?

Whilst there is some evidence that they dislike tea tree oil and lavender, you can’t really prevent an infestation. Sorry.

Homework Help Our top pick of must have books for helping your child enjoy their homework Coding for Beginners using Scratch - Usborne Books £12.99

A new UK curriculum topic that is introduced in key stage 1, coding – is made easy with this step-by-step book.

Showing children how to use code to create games and animations – from racing cars to virtual pets – it covers sprites, binary, debugging and more.

Not sure what any of those terms mean? Get learning, too – this book is just as helpful for parents!

10 | Tel: 02393 117 561 | editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk

5 facts about

Headlice

They can live under water for several hours * They are passed from head to head when children sit and play together * They are not a sign of being dirty, they prefer clean hair * They do not only affect children, so always check your own hair too * They can’t jump

By Sally J. Hall

Help with Homework English Essentials -

Igloo Books £3.99

Ideal for ages nine and up, this book – for key stage 2 – perfectly links school and homework.

Including spelling, grammar, punctuation, reading comprehension and writing, it’s the ideal tool for those still a tad wobbly when it comes to perfecting the English written language.

Ladybird I’m Ready… For Maths! Adding and Subtracting - Ladybird Books £3.99 Perfect for children starting school, this bright, motivational sticker book covers the adding and subtracting concepts that children will be learning during Key Stage 1. From number bonds to 10, as well as counting using a number line to help, your child can use the combination of stickers and colourful activities to boost their learning in a fun, engaging way.

FAMILY FUN THIS AUTUMN

at Arundel Wetland Centre!

We’ve scoured the area for local family events this September and October so you don’t have to! We take great care in compiling our events guide, but please do contact venues before you leave home as things can change.

Spot the dot for FREE 7 – 11 & 14 – 18 September events!

Treasure Island

Brighton Open Air Theatre, Dyke Rd, Hove BN3 6EH. 07802 299267

Jim Hawkins lives with his mother at The Admiral Benbow.

One stormy night, he opens the door to a dark mysterious stranger, who goes by the name of Billy Bones. With this, he sets in motion a course of events that will change his life forever, what follows is a tale of swashbuckling, mutiny and bounty, suitable for all the family. Tickets £15, Concessions £12, Family £45

8 September Makerclub - Free New Term Tester Session EagleLabs, Brighton, BN1 4QU

Learn to build your own robots, and have a go with some of the incredible hands-on equipment, like 3D printers and laser cutters! When booking, just register tickets for your children. Adults do not need a ticket. Sessions last about 45 minutes and you can choose your time slot. Very limited space, so we suggest booking early via mia@makerclub.org.

5pm- 8pm.

8 – 9 September Play Time with Tee and Mo Plug-in Media, 2, 12A Richmond Parade, Brighton, BN2 9QD

Wildlife walks, talks & workshops for adults and weekend pond dipping & a SPOOKTACULAR halfterm for the kids!

Bring your preschool kids to the home of Tee and Mo. Visit the studio where the apps and animated songs are made, and take part in a music and craft workshops. Have a live sing along with the Tee and Mo music, and help record some monkey noises to feature on TV. 10 - 11.30am. Free event, but online booking required. Families Mag Autumn.indd brightondigitalfestival.co.uk

10 September Findon Sheep Fair and Village Festival

Findon Village, Nepcote Green BN14 0SZ. 01903 264161

Free Admission. One of the longest established continuously held events in England and an important link with Sussex culture. You’ll find craft stalls, sheep displays, sheep judging, a funfair, food stalls, and many other displays on the green.

wwt.org.uk/arundel Arundel BN18 9PB

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8/22/2016 10:33:14 AM

Station Road, Amberley, Arundel West Sussex BN18 9LT 01798 831370 office@amberleymuseum.co.uk

dêÉ~í=Ç~óë=çìí=~í=^ãÄÉêäÉó=jìëÉìã Treat your family to a day out: ride on the historic bus and narrow gauge railway, see traditional craftspeople, visit the exhibition halls, café, nature trails, shop and more!

Free carpark; next to Amberley railway station. Lots to see and do in all weathers!

Under 4s go free. Dogs on leads welcome.

ïïïK~ãÄÉêäÉóãìëÉìãKÅçKìâ www.familiesonline.co.uk | 11

10 September Sculptural Portraits

Pallant House Gallery, Chichester, PO19 1TJ, 01243 774 557

Practical activities designed to be fun, develop creativity and help younger audiences explore the Gallery. Inspired by Friedrich Nagler, create small sculptural heads in high relief.

Using tools to carve and model the clay into 3D forms, create portraits of yourself, friends and family before creating an interior environment from recycled boxes to display your work. For children aged 5 - 8 years. 10.15am / £10 per child.

10 September Town Show and Fun Day

Rosemead Park, Littlehampton, BN17 6UH. 01903 732063

Excellent family entertainment, superb performances and high quality stalls are some of the fantastic things on offer at this popular event, organised by Littlehampton Town Council and the Town Show Committee.

10 – 11 September Medieval Weekend

Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker, Hailsham, BN27 3QS. 01323 844224

This weekend brings together over 140 re-enactors along with traders, musicians and medieval enthusiasts from across the country. Displays represent history from the 11th century Vikings to the late 15th century medieval period. Try your hand at longbow archery or enjoy some medieval music.

10 – 11 September The Sport and Fitness Show Hove Lawns, Brighton and Hove, BN3 2FR. 01273 200 434

Free to attend family fitness show. Try new sports including climbing, fitness classes, netball, volleyball, basketball, yoga, football, quidditch, children’s skiing and snowboarding. Sports shopping village with over 70 exhibitions.

11 September Stopham Festival

Stopham Village, Pulborough, RH20 1ED. 01798 865666

Local food and wine. Live music (pm), farm animals and Village produce. Children’s entertainment. Coffee, tea and homemade cakes. 10am – 5pm.

Adults £5 children under 16 free of charge.

11 September Food Rocks Lewes

Cliffe High Street Lewes BN7 2AN

Sensational Sussex Street Food, Artisan Market and Pop Up Bars with live music and entertainment for all the family.

11.00-16.00. Free entry.

11 and 25 September Steam Day

Durrington, Worthing, BN13 1NP

Rides are provided for the public at Field Place between 2pm and 5pm. A variety of 5 inch gauge live steam and diesel outline electric locomotives provide the motive power. Rides cost 50p each.

15 September Goring Library 60th Birthday Goring Library, Mulberry Lane, Goring-by-Sea, BN12 4NR

It’s 60 years since Goring Public Library first opened its doors and staff will be marking the occasion with a Toddler Time and Teddy Bear’s Picnic, 11am – 12noon - Bring your teddy bear and sing some teddy-themed songs, play parachute games and enjoy a picnic. Then a Birthday Party from 2.30 – 4pm. Join in for 1950s music, birthday cake, a reminiscence session, fancy dress and outside games (weather dependent). Both events are free, just drop-in.

16 September Horsham Wheels for All

Broadbridge Leisure Centre Horsham

Children and adults with disabilities are invited to a new set of cycling sessions.

Specially adapted cycles will be available for participants and there will be six sessions in total led by fully trained and accredited instructors. This first session is a free taster. 4 6.30pm on 16, 23, 30 September and 7, 14 and 21 October. £4 per session with a Leisure access card or £5 without and can be booked by contacting Paul Taylor on 07764 146339 or paul. taylor@horsham.gov.uk.

17 September Togis Team Archaeological Recording

Fishbourne Roman Palace, Chichester, PO19 3QR, 01243 785859 Find out how to record artifacts found on an archaeological dig with photography, archaeological and reconstruction drawing and x-ray photography. Bring

12 | Tel: 02393 117 561 | editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk

your own ‘artefact’ to x-ray. Find out how archaeologists date objects and have a go yourself.

Explore how the site has changed over time and create a time capsule. For budding archaeologists aged 6-12 years.

10am to 12.30pm.

17 – 18 September Miniature Steam Weekend Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre, Houghton Bridge, Arundel BN18 9LT. 01798 831 370

Building on the success of last year's event, a steam show not to be missed.

17 September – 1st October Hurst Festival Hurstpierpoint Village. 01273 833696

An annual festival with over 85 events across venues in the village of Hurstpierpoint.

From samba to bouncy football, dancing and much more.

Popular and classical music, arts and crafts, comedy, film, and kids' workshops.

18 September Pirates and Smugglers Day Arundel Castle, BN18 9AB

Find out about the Smugglers of Sussex, and the Pirates who menaced the waters around the world. With The Yarnsmith of Norwich Story Teller, a variety of craft, and demonstrations.

18 September Family Raceday

Plumpton Racecourse, Lewes BN7 3AL. 01273 890383

Enjoy a great day out, with face painting, a traditional funfair, and much more. Admission tickets include race programme and car parking. Tickets £10 - £20. Children under 18 accompanied by an adult go free. Starts 11.00am .

23 – 25 September Bentley Woodfair

Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum, Nr Halland, BN8 5AF. 01825 840573 A celebration of woodlands and woodcrafts, with stands, exhibits and displays and an amazing woodland full of demonstrations and activities.

Tree climbing, children’s activities, lots of local food, a beer tent, and a really great atmosphere. Tickets £10-£14, under 5’s free.

24 September Moving Seascapes

Pallant House Gallery, Chichester, PO19 1TJ, 01243 774 557

Make a moving picture based on the seascapes in the

Christopher Wood exhibition.

Paint, draw, colour and cut out to create different parts of your image. Think about what your boat may pass on its voyage to complete your seascape scene. Activities designed to encourage families to create together while having fun.

Children must be accompanied by a parent/carer willing to create. For ages 5 to 11 years.

10.15am - 12.15pm.

24 September Object handling

Worthing Museum and Art Gallery, BN11 1HP. 01903 221448

Join in every other Saturday to handle some archaeology objects in the galleries. These free sessions will give you the chance to get-up close to Roman pottery or Anglo Saxon jewellery. Drop-in anytime between 10am – 12pm to get involved!

24 September and 22 October Kids Run Free

East Hill Park, Portslade, East Sussex, BN41 2FA. 07711 349592

Children's Running Races - all ages welcome from toddlers to teenagers and everyone in between. No running experience required, simply turn up and have fun. Register your child at www.kidsrunfree. co.uk. Print off a barcode for each child and bring it along.

24 September Comic Making Workshop

Chiddingly Village Hall, Church Lane, Chiddingly Lewes, BN8 6HE Matt Baxter writes and draws comics and will let you in on his top secret comic-making techniques. You don’t need to be a brilliant artist to join in the fun, just have lots of ideas. For ages 6 – 14. Pens, paper and bad jokes provided.

2.30 - 4.30pm. £7. Book early at boxoffice@chiddinglyfestival. co.uk.

24 – 25 September Lewes Fossil Fest

Linklater Pavilion, Lewes BN7 2FG

Family event with Street Theatre telling the story of the finding of the Iguanodon. This free hands-on community arts and earth science festival will provide a unique chance to bring this story to families and individuals in Mantell’s home town with arts, crafts and science based activities and shows.

24 - 25 September Worthing Food Festival

interact with the monsters and have their picture taken. 1pm & 3.30pm. £7 (£5 concessions). £22 family ticket

With over 60 stalls in the Gardens and food related activities for children, plus Cookery Demonstrations.

25 September Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs 2: The Magic Cutglass

Steyne Gardens, Worthing BN11 3DW. 01903 203252

24 – 25 September Hever Castle Triathlon

Hever Castle, Edenbridge TN8 7NG.

The UK’s second biggest triathlon, the world’s largest children’s triathlon and the finale of both the Castle Tri Series and the UK triathlon season. Both race days will feature live bands entertaining the crowds, children’s inflatables, archery, a climbing wall and live music, providing a festival theme in the Event Village. Adults £7.50, Children (5-15 years) £3.00, Children under 5 Free.

25 September Window Life

Pallant House Gallery, Chichester, PO19 1TJ, 01243 774 557

Create a window still life using the paintings of Christopher Wood as inspiration.

Experiment with mixed media materials and collage techniques. For ages 9 plus years. Starts at 1.30pm / £10.

25 September Amberley Autumn Bus Show and Running Day Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre, Arundel BN18 9LT. 01798 831 370

The ever popular bus rally returns for another year with static displays and many rides around the site on vehicles old and new, for enthusiasts and families too.

25 September We Are The Monsters

Brighton Dome, Church Street, Brighton BN1 1UE. 01273 709709

A humorous dance performance for children aged from 4-8 that can be enjoyed by all. Join the fantastical journey through the monster world.

Curious creatures appear, disappear and play with each other, their monster arms and legs moving in strange and impossible ways. Following the performance, the children will be invited to ‘meet the monsters’ – a short post-show interactive activity that lets children enter the stage to

Brand new creative workshops for all the family to enjoy.

The Old Market, Hove, BN3 1AS. 01273 201 800

Flinn is back! Les Petits Theatre Company return to the high seas after their hugely successful and award winning show Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs. 1.30pm & 4.00pm. Tickets £10.

25 September Circus Skills workshop

From 22 October 2016 at 9 North Pallant, Chichester, PO19 1TJ Tel. 01243 774557 pallant.org.uk

Chiddingly Field Marquee, BN8 6HQ Jimmy the Juggling Jester will guide you through circus skills from all over the world, including diabolo, flower stick, plate spinning, poi, hula hoop, and juggling, along with balance skills such as stilt walking, pedal wheels and perhaps even unicycle. 11.30 – 12.30pm & 2.30 - 3.30pm. £3.

25 September Westdene Village Fair Westdene, Brighton

A traditional fair combined with a table top sale: everything from bouncy castles to stalls from local craftspeople, including locally-made jewellery and beautiful healthy lifestyle gifts. 12-4pm.

26 September Little Green Pig’s Street Stories

Jubilee Library, Brighton, BN1 1GE

An immersive audio tour created by young writers aged 9-11. Sound artist Tristan Shorr, along with professional actors have brought the children’s narratives to life, interspersing fictional tales with snippets from real conversations. The result is a magical, immersive, layered journey through Brighton; you’ll never look at the city the same way again.

6 - 7pm. Places are free, but limited, so booking is essential. catherine@littlegreenpig.org.uk

1 - 2 October Apple Affair

West Dean Gardens, Nr Chichester, PO18 0QZ. 44 01243 818279

A celebration of the best of the British autumn harvest including the impressive apple harvest from West Dean's >>>

ROMAN

ARMY WEEK

Mon 24th - Fri 28th

October

10am - 4pm

Come along & join the Fishbourne Roman Army & earn a day’s pay!

PO19 3QR 01243 785859 w w w. s u s s e x p a s t . c o. u k www.familiesonline.co.uk | 13

own orchards and pumpkins and gourds from the Victorian Kitchen Garden. With children's craft workshops, bouncy castle, games and harvest activities.

Adult £12.50. Children £1.00.

5 – 7 October Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Old Market, Hove, BN3 1AS. 01273 201 800

Prepare yourselves for a physical comedy bonanza of ridiculous characters, live music and song, hilarious dances, utter stupidity and much more.

Tickets: £13.50 (£10 conc.)

7 October Immersive Sculptures

Pallant House Gallery, Chichester, WPO19 1TJ, 01243 774 557

Fun, hands-on creative sessions for the youngest visitors aged 0-5 years, encouraging them to discover, play and explore with different materials. Every child must be accompanied by a parent/carer who is willing to create and make. Book early as places are limited. Work together to construct a giant immersive sculpture using different shapes and materials.

Free event. From 10am - 12noon.

9 October Steam Day

Durrington, Worthing, BN13 1NP

See listing on 11 Sept for info.

24 – 28 October Roman Army Week

Get an army “tattoo”, try your hand at spear practice and earn your keep as a new recruit during Roman Army Week at Fishbourne Roman Palace this Half-Term. Sign up with the recruitment officer and learn to write your name in Latin before completing a range of tasks to “earn” a day’s pay. Activities include archery, sword practice and Roman costume. Complete the activities, and receive a certificate and a (replica) Roman coin as your first day’s pay!

wildlife enthusiasts of all ages from eight to eighty. 6.30pm.

Tickets £19.50, £15.50 under 16s, £65 family ticket.

25 October Circus Bootcamp

24 - 28 October MXT October Intensive Swimming Course

Keep kids active and improve social interaction. With juggling scarves, unicycle, poi, stilts, monster feet, tight wire, aerial hoop, silks and more!

At 3.30pm, the Ring Master presents the children in their very own show for parents and carers. For ages 4 to 13.

10am - 4pm. £27.50.

Pools in Steyning and Storrington 01903 202700 or 07903 731370

The MXT Intensive Courses have been designed to teach children at a much faster rate than regular lessons, as they incorporate a unique accelerated teaching system.

They are expertly suited for first time swimmers, as well as those who are looking for extra training, to develop invaluable life skills, confidence and water safety. mxtswim@gmail.com

18 - 19 October Stick Man

24 October Special access tours

Scamp Theatre’s delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson popular children’s, book.

Touching, funny and utterly original £16.90 - £23.90.

These tours and multi-sensory activities are for families with special access requirements and take place when the castle is closed to other members of the public. Please call Lynn Gayford to discuss any particular needs: 01273 486290. Tours and activities are included with normal admission price. Booking is essential.

Theatre Royal, New Road, Brighton, BN1 1SD. 0844 871 7650

22 October Albee Vector The Sound Collector

Connaught Studio, Worthing BN11 1LG Find out how Albee and his love Andromeda survived kings, curses and cruelty on their quest for beautiful sound in the world. Vivid, imaginative and funny. 11am & 2pm £8.50

23 October Steve Backshall's Wild World Brighton Dome, BN1 1UE

Wildlife TV Presenter, adventurer, naturalist and children's author, Steve Backshall, takes a tour of the real life expeditions that have inspired his books. Suitable for

27 October Knights and Dragons

Fishbourne Roman Palace, Chichester, PO19 3QR, 01243 785 859

Lewes Castle, Barbican House Museum, Lewes, BN7 1YE

25 October Earth and Beyond

The Observatory Science Centre Hailsham, BN27 1RN. 01323 832731 Spent the afternoon carrying out fascinating experiments learning about volcanoes, earthquakes, icebergs and much more. Look at the stars through the Centre's giant telescopes (weather permitting). 2pm – 8pm.

Tickets: £21.75. Age: 10-13 years. Booking essential

14 | Tel: 02393 117 561 | editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk

Pavilion Theatre, Worthing BN11 3PX. 01903 206 206

26 October The Gruffalo

Drusillas Park, BN26 5QS. 01323 874100

Oh help! Oh no! It’s a gruffalo!

Visit Drusillas Park and see the mystical monster who lives in the deep dark wood.

The fearsome favourite will be meeting brave visitors in the Events Arena at intervals throughout the day.

26- 27 October Normans and Crusaders

Arundel Castle, Arundel, BN18 9AB

Raven Tor Living History Group will be portraying the life and times of the 11th century Norman Period in The Keep at Arundel Castle. With combat, weapons, armour and crafts displays, visitors will be able to see what life was like for those living in a castle following the Battle of Hastings.

27 October The Next Step

Brighton Centre, Brighton, BN1 2GR. An action packed show with exclusive live musical performances and incredible dances, infusing contagious energy and unparalleled performances that will leave you in awe. £31.80 - £44.60.

Lewes Castle, BN7 1YE. 01273 486290 Fun for four to eight-year-olds: stories about dragons and castle knights, armour to try on and lots of things to make, including a mask. Cost: £5.00.

Adults are free but must stay with their child. Two sessions at 10.30am – 12.00noon 2.00 – 3.30pm. Booking is advised. Admission to the castle is not included.

27 October Eyes on the Universe

The Observatory Science Centre, Hailsham, BN27 1RN. 01323 832731

What's in space? Can we go there? Can we see it? How big is it? Is there anybody there?

So many questions! Find out some of the answers by doing fascinating hands-on activities.

10.30am - 1pm or 2pm - 4.30pm.

Cost £10.75. Age 6 - 9 years.

Booking essential.

28 – 30 October Project: Oggbots

Brighton Dome, Church Street, BN1 1UE. 01273 709709

A sci-fi treasure hunt that weaves together immersive street theatre, interactive gaming and the basics of electronic engineering. Prepare for your children’s imaginations to be sent racing down the streets as they solve clues and meet mysterious characters on their way to the mothership, where they can build their own Oggbot to take home. Bring your best alien hunting gear!

Time slots every 15 minutes from 10am - 12pm and 1.30pm - 3.30pm. £7 per person or £22 family ticket. BSL interpreted performances on Fri 28 Oct, 10am, 11.45am & 3.15pm. For users of British Sign Language.

29 October Your Toys

Connaught Studio, Worthing BN11 1LG. 01903 206 206

A show that is made by your toys. Bring your own toy to the theatre to join in this really big adventure as Theatre company Slot Machine bring them to life using a unique style of puppetry, original music and story-telling. How will the toys survive the adventure? Who are the goodies? Who are the baddies? 11am & 2pm. £9.50, Family of four £34.

super spooky Halloween events

Ghastly Ghouls and Goblins at Hever Castle, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG

Treat the kids to a spine-tingling programme of activities over the Halloween half term break. Come dressed in your scariest costume and enjoy Ghastly Goblins & Ghouls from 22 – 30 October.

Meet the resident goblin in his shack telling Tudor Tales and Medieval Myths, suitable for families with children of all ages. Prizes are also on offer for the best Halloween costume in each session.

Enter the Castle to take the Medieval Mysteries quiz and learn about some of the mystifying myths around Halloween. Discover how this scary day has evolved over the past 800 years since Hever Castle was built. Kids can take part in creepy craft workshops daily and enjoy following the Halloween trail through the gardens looking for hidden clues to earn a terrible treat! They can even decorate a devilishly delicious Halloween cupcake* (*£1.50 in addition to admission).

Vampire boats Bat Tour and Witch’s Potions Class at Arundel Wetland Centre, Mill Road, Arundel N18 9PB From 24 - 28 October take a special trip with a vetland vampire guide to learn about the bats at the Centre. As the cloak of darkness settles in, look out for the creatures of the night as they emerge for their evening feeds. Book in advance by calling 01903 881530 or email info.arundel@wwt.org.uk. Time: 4.30pm and 5.00pm. Cost: £5 per person

From 29 – 30 October learn some gross wetland secrets about wild plants while mixing up potions with the Wetland Witch. Some creepy plants have dark histories and some are even poisonous! Workshop includes learning to write with a feather quill to record your spells on ancient parchment. 10am – 11.30am or 1pm – 2.30 pm. Cost: £3 per child. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Book in advance info.arundel@wwt.org.uk

Halloween Activities and Evening Trail at Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre, Arundel BN18 9LT

On the 29 October there will be Halloween themed activities suitable for all ages. In the evening (pre-booked tickets required) be spooked with a ride on the ghost train. Call 01798 831 370 or email office@amberleymuseum.co.uk

Halloween Shriek Week at Drusillas Park, BN26 5QS

From 22- 30 October stake out the fun at Drusillas Park over the Halloween period. There will be fang-tastically spooky surprises to keep little horrors half term happy.

Halloween weekend at Michelham Priory, Hailsham, BN27 3QS From 30th - 31st October find traditional entertainment with Punch & Judy, spooky drama sessions, crafts and all sorts of Halloween fun at Michelham Priory.

Experience extraspecially-spooky food served in the café all day too.

Firework safety As the Diwali Festival of Light and Bonfire Night fast approaches and with all the excitement of rockets and Catherine wheels among adults and kids alike, it can be easy to overlook the potential dangers of bonfire and firework celebrations.

Tips for choosing your fireworks Make sure the fireworks you buy are meant for home use, are suitable for the size of your garden and are marked with British Standard number (BS 7114).

You should also: Store fireworks in a metal box with a lid during the display Use a torch for checking instructions Use a taper for lighting fireworks Have a bucket of water close to hand Have a bucket or other container of soft earth to stick fireworks in Use a board or other non-flammable rigid surface for flatbottomed fireworks Use supports or launches for Catherine wheels or rockets

Don’t forget the sparklers!

Find somewhere safe that is open, but not too windy Remember to wear gloves so that you do not get burnt Get an adult to light the sparkler whilst you are holding the base of the stick Make sure that only one sparkler is lit at a time Remember that when they are first ignited they give off a very bright and heated initial spark Remember to hold the sparkler horizontally and as far away from your body and face as possible

your

Once you have had fun with the sparkler (try writing your name) and it is no longer burning, make sure you put it in a bucket filled with water Never touch the end of the sparkler, even long after it has stopped burning Now that you’re clear on keeping your family safe; enjoy your Diwali celebrations on October 20th and Bonfire Night on 5th November!

Check familiesonline.co.uk for lots more Halloween and Fireworks events near you! www.familiesonline.co.uk | 15

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