Education

Education PRIMARY SCHOOL

PLAY SCHOOL NOTRE ECOLE PLAYGROUP LITTLE HANDS MVC VILLAGE COLLEGE U3A

EDUCATION

Little Hands Karen 01763 260964

Melbourn Playgroup Jane Crawford 07842 151512

Notre Ecole Janet Whitton 261231

Primary School Headteacher Stephanie Wilcox 223457 U3A (Univ. of Third Age) Chairman Tony Garrick 01223 510201 Village College Principal Simon Holmes 223400

Changes at Little Hands Nursery

Little Hands Nursery

This summer saw a complete overhaul of the toys in Little Hands nursery. Our ginormous stack of plastic toys has been reduced by around 50% and has been mostly replaced with natural resources. Instead of building a tower with plastic mega-blocks, the children are now embarking on the challenge of building cork towers and train tracks with purpose-made wooden blocks and off-cuts provided by a local tree surgeon. Our role play area contains real fruit and veg and full-sized wooden kitchen utensils. Whilst we understand plastic has its benefits, and will always have its place within an early years setting, we are keen to embrace more natural resources with the children.

The old office has been converted into a dining room, where the children are encouraged to choose and chop their own fruit at snack time and be more independent at lunch and dinner time.

Another exciting change is our new sensory room. Our old staff room has been painted black, a state-of-the-art projector has been installed and a continuous loop of sea creatures is projected onto the back wall. The media can be changed at any time – last week we had nursery rhymes on the ceiling to accompany our rhyme time. This is an amazing, versatile resource for all the children and it will offer amazing benefits in the future.

We continue to visit Moorlands Court one afternoon a week and enjoy the intergenerational programme that supports physical, cognitive and social well-being. Jacey Stewart.

A visit to Moorlands Court

Changing attitudes by education www.RoADARC.org.uk

Surely one little “drink” is not a problem?

In chemical terms, alcohol is a “depressant” i.e. it depresses a number of functions of your brain and nervous system. The first alcoholic drink is very quickly absorbed by the body and will, almost immediately, start to affect the parts of your brain which control inhibitions, concentration, willpower and self-control. Socially, these effects are, generally, considered good, but not so when you drive a car or ride a motorbike. That first drink or two starts to affect your “fine motor skills” – your ability to control your hands and fingers to carry out detailed tasks. It also affects your vision, as the background becomes blurred as does your peripheral vision, and you become less able to focus on what is happening around you and more focussed on what is just immediately in front of you.

These effects can be very pleasant but how compatible are they with driving a car etc.?

Firstly, your increased self-confidence will make you think that you’re a better driver than you are and that you’ll actually drive better than when completely sober.

Second, your depressed visual acuity and motor skills will, generally, reduce your ability to operate the car’s controls and properly assess what you are seeing.

Thirdly, your lowered inhibitions will make you less likely to refuse to drive and more likely to confidently get in your car and encourage other people to join you.

These affects can occur after consumption of quite small quantities of alcohol – sometimes well below the legal drink-drive limit. So, it is important to remember that, even if you’re legally allowed to drive after one drink, your ability to drive will still be impaired to a degree.

In conclusion, DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE.

This issue’s top tip: Be visible to other road users: • motorists, use dipped headlights in poor visibility (daylight running lights do not show lights to the rear) • motorcyclists, use dipped headlights in all conditions and wear Hi-Vis jackets • cyclists, wear Hi-Vis waistcoats and use flashing lights • dog walkers and pedestrians, wear Hi-Vis waistcoats when using unlit roads and in poor weather.

BE SEEN, BE SAFE

Christmas is nearly here. Why not book a loved one on a course as a gift?

We have some fabulous Saturday Workshops running on 18th January.

These include Indian Feast for Friends, Patisserie, Willow Weaving – Catalan Platter, Fused Glass Jewellery, Different ways to Cook Fish and Creative Writing. Costs range from £21.00 to £45.00 depending on the course.

Our new term starts week commencing 13 January 2020 and we are able to offer a great choice of exercise classes for those who want to get fit for the New Year. Why not try Tai Chi, Flamenco, Pilates, Tap Dance or Bollywood & Classical Indian Dance.

For information on all these courses and many more, please visit our website www.sawstonadulted.org or contact us on 01223 712424, community@sawstonvc.org

Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) – Royston

The next course is Pirates of the Caribbean & Beyond. Starts 21st January and will end on 31st March. (Half-term 18th February) Ian Chambers 10 weeks 10.00am – 11.30am. £58.00. www.enrolonline.wea.org.uk Venue: Heritage Hall, Royston Town Hall.