Families Oxfordshire Magazine May-June 2015

Issue 67 - May/June 2015

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®

Oxfordshire

Children's party advice Parental Leave explained What's on, festivals, half term

Cover Image © Next.co.uk

Big enough to challenge: small enough to care

Rye St Antony is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3-18 (and boys 3-8). Established in 1930 as a lay Catholic foundation, the school is situated in a beautiful 12-acre location overlooking the city of Oxford.

Pullen’s Lane, Oxford OX3 0BY

01865 762802

enquiries@ryestantony.co.uk www.ryestantony.co.uk 10:48 Families Oxfordshire - useful information for parents of 0 - 12's in 01/04/2015 Oxon.

Find us online at familiesoxfordshire.co.uk Oxfordshire Magazine

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May/ June 2015

Monkey Music Oxford E: oxford@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 01865 408037 ABINGDON Crown & Thistle, Bridge Street, Abingdon OX14 3HS Classes held on Monday mornings THAME Guide Headquarters, Southern Road, Thame OX9 2EP Classes held on Tuesday mornings OXFORD St. Margaret's Institute, Polstead Road, Oxford OX2 6TN Classes held on Thursday and Friday mornings WHY NOT BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CLASS TODAY?

Maths & English tuition Explore Learning centres provide maths and English tuition to children aged 5-14, designed to improve knowledge, confidence and enjoyment of learning.

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May/ June 2015

tries new things with relish. She counts the days until she can come back here!”

Explore Parent.

Book your free trial session today to find out how Explore Learning can help your child to gain confidence, enthusiasm and new skills.

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As members, children work with tutors who are great role models, enthusiastic about learning and fantastic motivators. The individual focus allows children to work at their own pace – whether they are finding school tricky or are top of the class!

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Oxfordshire Magazine

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Editor: Ema Murphy 01993 815966 - 07733 228 038 editor@familiesoxfordshire.co.uk www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk Next issue: July/ August 2015 Booking deadline: 5 June 2015 Copy deadline: 12 June 2015 36,000 readers per issue Printed by Warners Designed by Rebecca Carr

7

In this issue...

4

News & views

6

Love yourself, love your kids

8

Your guide to sleepovers!

9

Birthday party clinic

8 Do you wish to advertise your business to 36,000 parents in Oxfordshire?

BOOK NOW to be included in our bumper summer July/ August issue. Call 07733 228 038 or email editor@familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

Can you deliver?

10 Make family meal times easy

Oxfordshire

11 Parental leave explained 12 Father's Day ideas

We are looking for distributors in Oxford.

If you have a few hours to spare every two months during term time and would like to earn some extra money, please contact us for more details. All you need is a polite manner and be able to carry and have your own transport.

Contact Ema Call 01993 815966/ 07733 228 038 or email: editor@familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

13 Summer activity camps 14 What's on in May-June

Confidence Building Fun

Call 0845 400 1276 or visit perform.org.uk to find your nearest venue.

Try a Free Drama Class May/ June 2015

Oxfordshire Magazine 3

News & views

News &Views Calling all Young Writers Do you know a young author? The National Young Writers’ Awards judges are looking for the best short story (up to 500 words) based around this years theme of ‘Strange Events and Peculiar Happenings’. The winner of the competition will receive £500 of books for their school and a trip to Disneyland Paris! The awards, run by tuition company Explore Learning, are now in their 7th year. This year’s judge is renowned author of the Book of Norm series of books, Jonathan Meres.

Quality treats for your fourlegged family members Hounds Hampers are a small family business in South Oxfordshire, which has the wellbeing of dogs at the heart of what they do. And because they’ve always ensured their dogs get the best, they decided to offer the same to other dogs, with their very own hamper! Discover top quality toys, grooming products, accessories, food and more, all of which has been carefully tested by dogs.

Visit them online at www.houndshampers.com. For hampers and individual products and receive 15% off by entering FAM15 in the discount code box at check out. Because after all, doesn’t your dog deserve the best?

To enter visit www.explorelearning.co.uk/youngwriters

Kiddkicks comes to town!

Kiddikicks football is for toddlers and children and offers fun, football and new skills, for children from 18 months up to 7 years old, in Thame, at the Lord Williams’s Lower School. These super fun classes have been designed to cater for different skill levels and tailored to age-specific abilities to promote the development of individual skill and basic motor skills through improving ball control and general movement. Free trial class for new players! Register online, for classes held on Saturday mornings (outside until October and indoors after that.) www.midbucks.kiddikicks.co.uk

Oxford Festival of Nature 2015 Discover amazing wildlife during the two week extravaganza - Oxford Festival of Nature from 1-14 June. The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, with partners Oxford City Council and Oxford University Museum of Natural History, is running a host of activities for people of all ages. Take the Wild Oxford nature trail, find out how to make a wildlife garden, enter the photo competition, go on a bat walk and meet wildlife celebrities!

There’s more on online, visit: www.oxfordfestivalofnature.org

New development checks From September 2015 parents will get a complete picture of their child’s development at the age of two, as part of new reforms to help families. With over £2million pledged to support joined-up checks on education and health development, parents will have a better picture of their child’s progress at this early stage. The Integrated Review, to be implemented nationally, will be available to children between 24 and 30 months old. Download your What To Expect When guide from www.gov.uk/dfe

4 May/ June 2015

www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

News & views

Have a Froggles Party As seen on CBBC!

Theatre Arts Schools

Stagecoach

Froggle Parties provide amazing children’s parties that are high energy and non-stop fun!

Filled with heaps of varied party activities that kids absolutely love! With loads of fantastic parties to choose from, such as brilliant entertainers and magicians, themed parties, discos, clowns, science parties, games and dancing parties, bubble parties, and more!!

Stagecoach Theatre Arts Inspiring and enriching young people through the performing arts.

Call 0208 617 9070 to book AND receive 10% off when you quote ‘FAMILIES!’

Stagecoach offers the ideal balance of training, performing and, of course, fun! Top quality training in drama, singing and dance to inspire creativity and develop young talent age 4-18. Skills for the stage – skills for life!

Monkey Music is back in Oxfordshire

Stagecoach Schools

After a short break Monkey Music classes are back, in Thame, Abingdon and Oxford - the award winning pre-school music group for children aged 3 months – 4 years.

The exciting progressive curriculum is written in conjunction with child educational specialists and taught by highly trained teachers. The weekly, small classes are fun, entertaining, stimulating and educational, with children grouped according to their age. Children are captivated by catchy music, percussion instruments and visual props, where they can experiment with the instruments and make their own music. www.monkeymusic.co.uk

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Oxford 01869 278600 e-mail: oxford@stagecoach.co.uk Abingdon 01865 390970 e-mail: abingdon@stagecoach.co.uk Thame 01865 763767 email: thame@stagecoach.co.uk Henley, High Wycombe & Marlow 01494 533203 email: henley@stagecoach.co.uk Banbury 01908 969467 email: banbury@stagecoach.co.uk

Summer Holiday Shows Oxford The Addams Family (Advanced & Seniors) Arabian Nights (Juniors) Thame Little Red Hoody (Seniors) Abingdon Jungle Book (Juniors) S4K A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Seniors) High Wycombe Annie (Seniors) Starlight Express (Advanced) Superhero Bugs and Fairies Fun (Juniors) Banbury Aladdin Jnr (Seniors)

OPEN MORNING FRIDAY 19 JUNE Open Morning 19 June, 10am–12noon Please contact: admissions@cranfordhouse.net Telephone : 01491 651218

www.stagecoach.co.uk May/ June 2015

Oxfordshire Magazine 5

Parenting

Leading by example: love your children by loving yourself

By Lee McIntosh

I’m not a father, but like you, I was a child once. As an adult I’m able to see that my relationship with my parents helped mould the person I am today.

For better or worse, how our children see us navigating the challenges of life affects their adult lives. Of course we teach our children a number of things, but what better way to instill confidence and self-respect than to allow them to observe us showing love and respect for ourselves?

Louise L. Hay, author of the best-selling book ‘You Can Heal Your Life’, has long since spoken of the connection between our formative years and our adult lives, believing that any negative pattern that exists in adult life reflects the dynamics of relationships formed during our childhoods. Louise is considered the matriarch of the ‘self-improvement’ market. Her book has sold over 50 million copies since its release in 1985 and many thousands have attended ‘Heal Your Life’ workshops based on her philosophy. She ultimately believes that we

teach our children by leading by example. When we show our children that we can set and maintain healthy boundaries, demonstrating self-respect then ultimately our children will learn those behaviours and adopt them as their own.

Louise has created a simple 12-step guide to teach people how to love themselves. The simple steps are as follows 1. Stop all criticism Don’t criticise yourself or others for anything. If you make a mistake, learn from it and change the way you do things – don’t waste time putting yourself down

5. Be kind to your mind If you find your inner critic telling you that you’re not good enough, realise that it’s only a thought and a thought can be changed. We all do it, but we don’t have to believe it.

9. Take care of your body Learn about nutrition. What kind of fuel does your body need in order to have optimum energy and vitality?

Learn about exercise. What kind of exercise do you enjoy?

2. Forgive yourself If there’s something your regret, it’s time to let it go and forgive yourself.

You did the best you could at that time, now you are growing and changing and you are doing things differently.

6. Praise yourself Criticism breaks down the inner spirit. Praise builds it up. Praise yourself as much as you can. Tell yourself how well you are doing with every little thing.

10. Do mirror work Every time you catch sight of yourself in the mirror give yourself a compliment or say ‘I love you’. Learn to cultivate a growing sense of love and respect for yourself.

7. Support yourself Find ways to support yourself. Reach out to friends and allow them to help you. It is being strong to ask for help when you need it.

11. Love yourself . . . Do it now Don't wait until you get well, or lose the weight, or get the new job, or find the new relationship. Begin now and do the best you can.

8. Be loving to your negatives We all have things we’d like to change about ourselves and that’s ok. Accept yourself as you are whilst you find ways to lovingly release the habits that no longer serve you.

12. Have fun Do you remember the things you did as a child that gave you joy? Try to recapture that feeling now by doing things that make you smile. Try to schedule something fun at least once a week.

3. Don’t scare yourself It’s easy to get caught in endless cycles of worry. Don’t scare yourself by thinking of the worst. Learn to recognise negative thoughts and replace them with something positive.

4. Be gentle and kind and patient Think of someone you love dearly.

How do you feel? Learn to feel this way about yourself and be gentle and patient with yourself as you learn new ways of doing things.

At the foundation of these principles is the simple belief that learning to love and accept ourselves is the key to lasting happiness. If our children learn to love and respect themselves at a young age because they’ve watched Mum and Dad doing the same, surely they will be more likely to live healthy, balanced lives in their later years. www.london-holistic.co.uk

6 May/ June 2015

www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

A new routine, really could help busy parents!

For many families the morning rush hour is the most stressful part of the day. Everyone is trying to get ready, the clock is ticking and it can feel as though the children are doing everything they can to make you late! So how can you and the kids get out the door on time? According to Professor Matt Sanders, founder of the Triple P Positive Parenting Program, the key is organization. Here he shares his tips, to ensure schedules run more smoothly: 1. Get yourself ready first, before your child. To avoid last minute rushing prepare some things the night before and go to bed at a reasonable hour so you’ll wake early enough.

2. Don’t have the television on in the morning. Better to make sure the children are dressed before breakfast. Perhaps when they are fully ready you can turn the television on then.

3. Let your child know ahead of time that you’ll be going out and explain exactly what the day’s activities will be and their time requirements.

4. Younger children can learn the importance of organisation by doing things for themselves. Teaching children to get dressed by themselves is a chance to practise independent skills and it also saves you time.

5. You may like to try the “beat the clock” game. Your child’s goal is to be ready before the alarm clock sounds off. If your child wins, he earns a small treat or reward, such as a favourite snack in his lunch box.

6. Tell your child exactly what tasks he must do to be ready to leave and thus win the reward. Make sure you set the timer for a reasonable amount of time and avoid giving repeated instructions or nagging your child to hurry up.

for boys and girls 18 months - 7 years Classes being run on:

Saturdays Lord Williams Lower School Thame OX9 3NW For class times visit

midbucks.kiddikicks.co.uk /timetable

01296 290204

Call Email midbucks@kiddikicks.co.uk

free trial sessions – get in touch for details

Often it will only take a two-week period of beating the clock before the rewards and the clock are phased out. Remember to always praise your child’s achievements in learning better organisation. With a little preparation and thought the stress of getting out on time can be reduced and those morning rush hours can become, at least a little calmer.

About Triple P – Positive Parenting Program

Professor Matt Sanders is the founder of the Triple P — Positive Parenting Program®, based on over 30 years of ongoing research and used around the world. One of the goals of the Triple P — Positive Parenting Program® is to empower parents by providing them with evidence-based knowledge, skills and strategies to handle various parenting challenges. To find out more, including how you can now do Triple P Online, go to: www.triplep-parenting.uk.net/online

Oxford’s party cake specialist When you order a birthday cake from The Cake Shop you’re buying a cake that has been carefully thought through for your child, with designs for every type of party, from fairies to farms or princesses to paintballing. Children (and adults!) have been enjoying Cake Shop cakes for over 25 years and with shops handily located in Oxford and Banbury it’s so easy to pop in to talk to professional cake decorators. If you’d prefer to browse online, take a look at the website and get a quote for what you need. And to reduce the stress on the day, The Cake Shop delivers your cake - for free!

If you’re bold enough to make your own cakes, there’s also an extensive range of decorating equipment, icing and accessories available to buy. Plus delightful cupcake displays available in both shops. www.the-cake-shop.co.uk May/ June 2015

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Oxfordshire Magazine 7

Parties feature

How to survive a sleepover party

By Sarah Butters

Love them or hate them, you will be asked at some point to host a sleepover. Sarah Butters looks at how best to survive them and how to avoid repeating the experience in the future.

LATE DROP, EARLY COLLECT The thought of a sleepover is bearable if you know there is an end to it all. Make it clear at the point of invite when your hospitality begins and ends. I’ve found a late afternoon drop, coinciding with teatime - is best with a pick up between 9am and 10am. This means your exhausted guests, can have their post sleepover meltdown in the comfort of their own home. You are left with a full day to scrape melted chocolate and squashed Haribo from your beige carpet.

ways, reminding them you are still awake only makes for a later bedtime. Lay out the ground rules when you say your final (ish) goodnight and leave them to it. Some will fall asleep, some will chat and only in the very worst case scenario will they raid your sweet cupboards in the early hours, to replenish their sleep starved bodies.

Removal of electrical devices is a good move – especially with teenage girls – as the cyber world can be an inviting but frightening place in the small hours of the morning.

HAVE A PLAN Don’t imagine that five 8 year olds will be able to occupy themselves without incident.

They won’t. Well they will, but rest assured it will end in tired tears. Follow teatime with a fun activity – karaoke, Wii fun or a board game – before a DVD to take you through until bedtime. I have heard reports of parents putting their children through 100 bounces on the garden trampoline prior to heading upstairs to maximize exhaustion, but you may feel that’s a step too far.

KEEP YOUR DIARY CLEAR Plan nothing for the following day. You might have slept like a meerkat balancing on a branch. Your child will have crashed late and woken with the lark. In short, your family is fit for ‘little’ and planning even the most straight forward activity is doomed to failure. Then as night falls, raise a glass to the fact your survived your first sleepover.

Like childbirth, you might need some time to forget the pain before you do it all again.

PREPARE FOR LATE NIGHT LEAVERS There’s a pretty high chance that one of your guests will want to leave. The reality of a night spent away from home can be a little too much for some children. Be warned; homesickness is catching and once one begins to wobble, you could find your other guests follow. Make sure you have the parents contact details for all your guests if you do need to make a late night collection call.

KEEP IT SIMPLE Think camping indoors and you’ve got the perfect sleepover. One of my daughter’s favourite nights away from home saw 7 children sleeping top-to-toe, in sleeping bags on the bedroom floor of their friend.

Not a king size Aerobed in sight. We’ve invested in our new favourite wearable sleeping bag, the SLPY for sleepover invites. Get yours at www.slpy.com ADMIT DEFEAT You aren’t going to be able to stay up late enough to check your guests are all asleep. Their very purpose is to out ‘stay up’ the adults in the house so in many 8 May/ June 2015

Ask the Expert……

Here’s some advice from sleep expert Sarah Barnes from Gentle Sleep Solutions, for making your night a success. www.gentlesleepsolutions. co.uk 1.

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Only invite a small group for a child's first sleep over.

Discuss with parents of invited children any allergies, medication, comfort objects or other needs Make sure you have contact numbers for all parents in case of late night homesickness.

Make sure you have boundaries in place to avoid chaos. Make the children aware of their bedtime, the no-go areas in the house or garden following that bedtime and the rules regarding the use of gadgets.

Let the sleep over guests know where you are sleeping and let them know they can wake you in an emergency.

Arrange a definite pick up time the following day. Children, especially younger ones are usually ready to go home and sleep!

What do YOU think?

“Most children are never any trouble, as long as you accept it will be a late night.

Only on a couple of occasions have Mums had to come and collect. Once when my middle son was just 6 it was clear his friend would not settle. I rang his Mum and she popped round, only for my son to come marching out with his coat over his pyjamas, a backpack on, saying 'Is it OK if I come back with you - it is meant to be a sleepover after all!’”

Vicki, Mum of 3 from Yarnton “They just happened at our house; a kind of mini rite of passage. I think they’re a good thing. For my daughter, they’ve been great for bonding with friends, although she did go through a phase of not wanting them because she got homesick.”

Bill, Dad from Abingdon

“I hate them. My girls love them, so we have them. I don't like the bickering and falling out while they are playing and I don't like the fact that I have to nag them to shut up and go to sleep. I prefer to have friends individually as the noise level is lower and there is more chance of actual sleep. Big groups have me on the verge of packing a suitcase!”

Rachel, Mum of 3 from Chalgrove

“They have nothing to do with sleep! It sounds like a lovely concept but the reality is that there is always one kid who gets home sick - or just sick - and no one sleeps. Your house gets trashed and you end up with a stroppy child the next day.

In short my sleepovers have turned into ‘tea and pyjamas evenings’ ending at 9pm!

Does that make me a bad Mummy or a clever Mummy?”

Sally, Mum of 2 from Marston

www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

Party clinic CAN YOU….say no to siblings?

Most of us wouldn’t dream of turning up to a party uninvited. Yet some parents feel it acceptable to bring along a string of siblings and presume they are welcome too.

“They won’t eat. In fact you won’t even know they’re here,” cry the parents as they sprint out of the door, while said siblings begin pilfering from the party bags. The point is if you’ve budgeted for 20 and catered for 20, you’re ready for 20 children – not 25. Very often entertainers insist on a maximum number and siblings can tip you over the limit, and in turn, tip you over the edge. Prevent the problem at the point of invite and make the sibling rule clear.

A simple ‘Sorry, no room for siblings!’ means there’s no question.

CAN YOU…..exclude individual children?

This is a tough one because as a general rule, you should stick to one of 3 party invite rules.

1. Invite the whole class – this is perfect for Reception age children 2. Invite all the girls or all the boys – this becomes popular as children head into KS2 and the opposite sex become toxic 3. Invite a few close friends – this works when you’re keeping the budget down or as you head towards the end of primary school.

May/ June 2015

Planning a party? Need some advice? Sarah Butters takes a look at the latest party problems posed by parents and gives you some top tips on avoiding serving a can of worms at your child’s next celebration.

However there are exceptions. If your child is the victim of a classroom bully, you’ve grounds to exclude that individual. This is YOUR child’s special day and they’re entitled to enjoy it without fear. Excluding problematic children is more difficult. Instead, it’s best to ask the parents of said child to stick around to offer a helping hand.

CAN YOU…..fine a parent for a ‘no show’?

headlines and make you feel better for a while, but it’s likely to alienate your child and make YOU the subject of ridicule at the school gates. It’d be better to ensure funds aren’t overly stretched for the occasion, to avoid any resentment. After-all, it ‘is’ a children’s party and remember, (apart from the obvious bit of stress) it really should be fun!

It can be irritating when a parent confirms their child will be joining the party, only for them to not show up. The tale of the mum who billed a parent recently, after they failed to show up to her son’s skiing party certainly made some headlines.

Was she right to have sent the invoice?

The reality is there will always be individuals who accept an invite, and go on to make other ® plans without letting you know. In a world of text messages and emails, there’s no real excuse for warning about a no show, but it’s also inevitable at some point in your party Quote FAMILIES for 10% Off throwing life.

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Oxfordshire Magazine 9

Parenting

Family meal times - Let's all eat the same!

Top tips on how you don't need to cook 'children's meals'

By Kathryn Mewes

A salad can always be served as an accompaniment to cater for all.

I know, I know, I can hear: “My children eat too early, they eat food I don’t want to eat, my husband/wife is home so late.”

The aim is that you prepare one meal for dinnertime. The children eat and you have a small portion with them. When your husband/wife arrives home they have the same meal. A portion has been set aside for them.

I believe that it is so important for children to realize that they cannot have their ‘favourite’ meal each and every day. My ethos is simple ‘A meal is prepared and there are 2 options – Take it or Leave it!’ Once this attitude is adopted and you remain consistent you will find that the children adjust and adapt to your ‘new way’ at mealtimes.

I think that there is too much emphasis today on children having to eat all of their meal. This is what leads us to only giving them food we know they will eat. It is important to realize that your children may leave some of their meal but as they start to realize this meal is going to appear at least once a fortnight they will adjust. Slowly but surely they will ‘tuck in’.

The key is that your children are seeing a variety of foods and you are eating with them. I often suggest creating a ‘meal plan’ so that everyone knows what is on offer that night.

You can alter the menu plan every week or have 2 – 3 that you simply rotate.

This has so many advantages:

• • • •

The food shopping can be done once a week, ordered online for ease Everyone knows what is going to be served.

You don’t have to think each morning about the ‘evening meal’.

You are only cooking one meal for the family.

Frequently asked Questions “What if my child won’t eat it?”

Please don’t expect your family to instantly adapt. They will ‘dig their heels in’ before accepting the permanent change. If a meal is not eaten simply allow fruit for dessert and a cup of milk to line their stomach before bed. The most important thing is not to offer them something else – you will them be back to where you once were.

“We all have different tastes.”

You should be able to create a meal where there is something for everyone.

For example a curry. You might find one family member prefers the rice, the other the vegetables and the other picks out the meat. In time they will expand on this and start to eat more of the meal.

“I don’t want to eat early with my children.”

The important thing is that if you are introducing change you need to lead by example. You can have a small portion, or mainly vegetables while sitting with the children. I have ALWAYS found that children behave far better at the table when an adult is sitting with them, ideally eating not just observing.

Children’s meals It is very common for children to like ‘dry food’. By this I mean nuggets, fish fingers, chips, potato wedges, pesto pasta and sausages. There is terribly nothing wrong with any of these meals but at some stage your child needs to expand. There is a whole world of exciting food beyond ‘children’s menus’!

I suggest these meals are on the weekly menu and they are enjoyed but then there are meals to suit you.

It is a life lesson. There needs to be give and take at meal times. Everyone needs to see their favourite meal once a week.

Mealtime can be for the entire family – not just the children.

For further information and advice on guiding your child at mealtimes please purchase the book The 3 Day Nanny by Kathryn Mewes or go to her website to find out about her bespoke service www.bespokenanny.com.

Example Weekly Meal Planner

10 May/ June 2015

Monday

Spaghetti bolognaise and green vegetables

Tuesday

Fish cakes and potato wedges and roasted vegetables

Wednesday

Thai chicken curry with rice

Thursday

Sausages and mash and onion gravy with carrots

Friday

Fish and chips night

Saturday

Pizza and pasta night

Sunday

Roast dinner

www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

Parenting

Parental Leave, shared parental leave, paternity leave....confused? Read on…..

Mums and dads/partners can take leave at the same time under the new system, because mum can be on Maternity Leave whilst dad is on shared Parental Leave.

There won’t be any more paid time off than there is now, so there will be a maximum of 37 weeks of Statutory Shared Parental Pay which could be taken by a dad or partner where a woman getting Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance chooses to stop those payments. You have to meet the same conditions as currently though, so self-employed dads and partners will, generally, still lose out.

Working Families’ helpline team explains For babies due on or after 5 April 2015, a big shake up in parental rights will give parents lots more options. But exactly what is changing, and what is staying the same?

Maternity Leave and Paternity Leave: •

•

•

Maternity Leave will still be up to 52 weeks. Mums can go back early by giving 8 weeks’ notice. They may be entitled to up to 39 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance, which can be ‘curtailed’ if they want to create a pot of paid Shared Parental Leave (SPL).

Paternity Leave will still be 1 or 2 weeks shortly after the baby is born. Only dads and partners who meet the conditions can get Paternity Leave and Pay – they must have worked for the same employer throughout the pregnancy and earn at least £111 a week (£112 from 5 April 2015). This means self-employed people don’t usually qualify.

Additional Paternity Leave, which some dads and partners could take if mum goes back to work early, may still be taken where a baby is due before 5 April 2015.

With Shared Parental Leave, another difference is that you can stop and start your leave – so a mum could go back to work, and then return to her time off looking after her baby. This may be useful for some families (but it will only be possible where there is a partner who meets the conditions).

Need more advice?

If you are a parent or expectant parent and want more advice about the new rights, please contact the Working Families’ free legal helpline team on 0300 012 0312, or email them at advice@workingfamilies.org.uk There’s more information about Shared Parental Leave, Parental Leave and Paternity Leave on the charity’s website www.workingfamilies.org.uk

ABINGDON PREP SCHOOL Part of the Abingdon School Foundation

Parental Leave: Each parent also has the right to up to 18 weeks of unpaid Parental Leave, per child, to be taken before the child is 18 (again, this applies only from 5 April 2015, for children under 18 from then onwards). The parent must have worked for at least a year for the same employer. Before 5 April 2015, the age limit for Parental Leave to be taken is 5, except for children on Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment where it is 18.

Shared Parental Leave: Shared Parental Leave is a new right which applies to parents of babies due on or after 5 April 2015. This allows parents to have a pot of up to 50 weeks of Shared Parental Leave between them, 37 weeks of which can be paid. Both parents have to meet conditions about employment and earnings, and Maternity Leave, Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance have to finish early (notice to do this can be given in advance).

Self-employed dads and partners, or those who start new jobs during a pregnancy, still won’t qualify for any form of paid time off, but might enable a mum to take some Shared Parental Leave.

May/ June 2015

• Bus service for surrounding area • Wrap-around care • Holiday courses for

girls and boys aged 5-13

abingdon.org.uk/prep

tel: 01865 391570 Oxfordshire Magazine 11

Father's day

Are you on or approaching maternity leave?

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Or why not start off the day giving Dad a lie-in and breakfast in bed, followed by indulging him with some of his favourite home-cooked treats? There are some fantastic Father’s Day recipes online, by dads such as Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey, including BBQ Beef Short Ribs and his Insanity Burger. Or the BBC website also has a great selection of treats perfect for Father’s Day, including Spicy Lamb Meatballs and a pecan pie.

Even if you’re not the world’s best cook, Dad will certainly appreciate it!

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It’s Father’s Day this June, so why not put your thinking cap on early and come up with something special for your dad? Or if you’re a dad, you could start dropping hints for your partner and children to treat you! Dads can sometimes be overlooked and if there are young children around, Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to make him feel special and wanted. The celebration was introduced in the United States in the early 20th century, to honour fathers and father figures, although some scholars believe that Father’s Day is actually much older, and that the custom of celebrating fathers on a special day has been around for 4000 years. Today, as with most things it is definitely becoming more and more popular and there are loads of fantastic ways of celebrating it.

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Father's Day – June 21

There are some wonderful and unusual gifts out there (why not make a change from the cufflinks or photo frame and choose a personalised grapevine gift crate or a three month Friday night Curry Subscription? Or how about a cheese making kit or a personalised iPad docking station?) It doesn’t have to be a gift – a day out with the people nearest and dearest to Dad can hit the spot perfectly. Many National Trust properties, museums, stately homes, farm parks and even theme parks hold special Father’s Day events with loads of great activities for Dads and their families. At some of them Dads even go free on Father’s Day so it’s definitely worth doing your research! Search intotheblue.co.uk for an experience like Ferrari or steam train driving or a maybe even a parachute jump!

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12 May/ June 2015

Junior School Open Morning 13 May Junior School Meet the Head 23rd June Call now to reserve your place T: 01865 318500 E: admissions@oxf.gdst.net

www.oxfordhigh.gdst.net www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

Summer camps

Summer camps, workshops and activities taster Oxford Active at Oxford High School Oxford High School has a huge range of facilities which they are excited to share with us every school holiday.

Due to the vast variety and size of spaces, there’s everything from team sports like rounders, obstacle courses, crazy golf, hockey to pool olympics in the 25m indoor heated swimming pool.

There’s an area for Early Years children aged 3-6 years, filled with bright colours and a fantastic range of toys/ activities to entertain younger children, when they’re not off finding Nemo in the pool or building spaceships in the arts & crafts corner! For an additional charge, specialist coaching can be provided by local partners. Such as Arsenal Soccer School or develop their flare for the arts with White Star Performer Camps.

Super Camps Let Super Camps take care of the children during May Half Term, with camps across Oxfordshire in Headington, Radley Nr Abingdon, Wallingford and Burford. The May activity camps give your children a great time, leaving you free to work stress-free or to go about your daily routine uninterrupted. The camps deliver a great experience for children, allowing them to have fun and be active in a safe and supportive way. As Ofsted noted in the summer, Super Camps runs "an excellent programme of well-planned, fun and exciting activities that contributes highly to the children’s play and learning environment".

Visit www.supercamps.co.uk

New Holiday Courses at Abingdon Prep School

Visit www.active-camps.com/oxfordhigh

Performances and fun with Stagecoach!

Stagecoach Oxford hosts a variety of courses during the holidays that excite both children and teens, allowing them to stage a performance in just a few days. With different venues to choose from, the shows are age appropriate and fun, ranging from those specifically for a young cast to wellknown musicals and classics.

Oxford - The Addams Family (Advanced & Seniors) Arabian Nights (Juniors) Call 01869 278600 Thame - Little Red Hoody (Seniors) Call 01865 763767 Abingdon - Jungle Book (Juniors), S4K A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Seniors) Call 01865 390970

The Abingdon Prep Academy has extended its popular summer (and October) holiday courses, adding drama, music, art and science to its existing cricket, rugby, guitar and multi-activity range and runs courses for girls and boys from ages 5-13. Children can take part in drama workshops, learning voice techniques and auditioning skills, they can experiment with practical investigations into forensics and genetics in science, learn how to play the ukulele or let their imagination run wild with music composition. There’s an African art workshop or they can do cricket and rugby. Multi-activity courses combine sports and arts & crafts to ensure there is never a dull moment!

Full information and booking is online at: www.abingdon.org.uk/prep/academy or email enquiries@abingdonprep.org.uk

High Wycombe - Annie (Seniors), Starlight Express (Advanced), Superhero Bugs and Fairies Fun (Juniors) My Sound My Self Call 01494 533203 Banbury - Aladdin Jnr (Seniors) Call 01908 969467

May/ June 2015

Offers engaging Kodály musicianship classes for children in Oxford. Small groups. Music therapy sessions are also available.

07545 122 869 www.mysoundmyself.com

Oxfordshire Magazine 13

What's on

What's on in May & June For a comprehensive list of what’s on at each venue please refer to the websites. We can only include a small number of events, space depending. Families cannot be responsible for any changes of dates or other details.

Theatre Lee Raven Boy Thief 20-23 May Pegasus, Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1DY Lee Raven has accidentally stolen a treasure. This accident might cost his life because what he has is so precious, some would kill for it. Follow Lee as he faces up to dilemmas, braves dangers and follows dreams. 7.30pm (Sat matinee 2.30pm) / £9, £6 conc www.pegasustheatre.org.uk Comedy Club 4 Kids 30 May Pegasus, Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1DY Since 2005, The Comedy Club 4 Kids has been getting the best stand-ups from the international circuit to do their thing for an audience of children and their families... but without the rude bits! Fun for everyone! 2pm / £9, £6 U18s.

Flyaway Katie 30 May The North Wall, South Parade, Oxford, OX27 7JN Katie is all alone and feeling grey. The birds in the picture on her wall look so colourful - if only Katie could be as bright as them, who knows what might happen?

11am & 2pm / £7 www.thenorthwall.com Puppets Go Wild - The Treetop Restaurant 7 June Pegasus, Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1DY Each show is packed full of puppetry, interactive songs, gentle clowning and a chance to meet the puppet stars after the show.

Find out what animals eat and have fun too! 11am, 2pm / £5 www.pegasustheatre.org.uk Fireside Tales with Granddad 20 June Pegasus, Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1DY Cuddle up around the campfire as Granddad recalls a daring escape from a hungry shark, attempts to make a new set of underpants for a giant and tells a tale of greedy goblins, grumpy trolls, sneaky princes and a very unusual 14 May/ June 2015

princess. 2pm. £9, £6 conc www.pegasustheatre.org.uk Tony & Mike 20 June The North Wall, South Parade, Oxford, OX27 7JN Tony the Owl lives in the countryside. He’s really happy in his little garden until Joe and Charlotte turn up and ruin his peace and quiet. 11am & 2pm / £7 plus fee. www.thenorthwall.com/ moreinfo.php?ref=tony-and-mike

GALLERIES & EXHIBITIONS Theatre Magic 11-16 May Oxford Playhouse, 11 Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW Treading the Boards - Michael Gabriel has been drawing from live performances at the Oxford Playhouse for over thirty years.

As part of Artweeks 2015. www. oxfordplayhouse.com Modern Art Trolley From 2 May Modern Art Oxford, 30 Pembroke Street, Oxford, OX1 1BP Each week the Modern Art Trolley offers free art activities linked to the exhibition, led by art students and artists for families to enjoy together. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Just turn up to the café! 1pm-3pm www.modernartoxford.org.uk

MUSEUMS Wonder Walk 10 May The Story Museum, 42 Pembroke Street, Oxford, OX1 1BP A playful, family-friendly tour through the city of Oxford, with plenty of stories and surprises!

13:30–14:45 / £6/ £4 www.storymuseum.org.uk Museums at Night - Heavy Metal Museum Style!

13 May The Oxfordshire Museum, Park Street, Woodstock, OX20 1PA Sparks fly as you forge into the evening with this special out of hours event. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk

The Oxfordshire Museum Pitt Stops First Sat of the month Pitt Rivers Museum, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW Fun ways to explore the Museum and discover more about the exciting collections. Make something super to take home.

Suitable for all ages. 1pm-4pm www.prm.ox.ac.uk Science in Wonderland 14 May The Story Museum, 42 Pembroke Street, Oxford, OX1 1BP The Victorian era was a time of great scientific progress and it inspired writers from Hans Christian Andersen to Edith Nesbit to capture the excitement of research and discovery in their fairy tales. 6.00pm-7.30pm / £6/£4 concessions. www.ticketsoxford.com Free family friendly fun Every Sunday Pitt Rivers Museum, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW Visit Pitt Rivers Museum and Oxford University Museum of Natural History to try activity backpacks, sorting boxes, trails, colouring sheets, story corner and craft activities. All ages. 2pm-4pm www.prm.ox.ac.uk The Big Birthday Bash 13 June Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden, Bucks, HP16 0AL Join in to celebrate the Museum’s 10th birthday, with a day of fun, mischief, and cake!

10am-5pm. Free with admission. www.roalddahl.com/museum Shaun the Sheep Model Making Workshop 13 June The Story Museum, 42 Pembroke Street, Oxford, OX1 1BP The SM has teamed up with the creators behind Shaun the Sheep the Movie, to celebrate the release of some baa-rilliant Shaun the Sheep books.

1pm-2pm & 3pm-4pm. £6 www.storymuseum.org.uk

FESTIVALS Oxford Fringe Festival 22 May - 6 June The Old Fire Station, George Street, Oxford, OX1 2AQ Comedy, theatre, magic, family shows and spoken word for Oxford Fringe 2015. Tickets on sale. www.oxfordfringe.org Witney Music Festival 25 May Cogges Manor Farm, Church Lane, Witney, OX28 3LA Join in the fun at this year's Witney Music Festival, with live music in the Wheat Barn.

12 noon - 5pm www.witneymusicfestival.com The Oxford Festival of Nature 1-14 June Bucks, Berks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, various locations Join in for lots of activities and events taking place across Oxfordshire. BBOWT and partners will be staging a fun-filled program of hands-on wildlife activities.

Go online for daily activities and venues. www.bbowt.org.uk/ oxfordfestivalofnature Beacon Hill Festival 19-20 June Watlington Hill Farm, Watlington Hill, Christmas Common, OXON, OX49 5HS A boutique family event celebrating the longest day of summer on The Chiltern Hills of South Oxfordshire. There’ll be a hot, holiday feel, with a weekend of entertainment, camping and the best sunset for miles! Adult, £27.5, 12-18's £16.50 & Under 12's free. www.beaconfestival.net Woodstock Charity Carnival 20 June Experience this fun annual event with stalls, live music, food and a parade raising money for various charities. A great family day out!

4pm-10pm. www.wakeuptowoodstock.com

www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

What's on

HALF TERM

DAIRY DATES

Lemur Week 23-31 May Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, Bradwell Grove, Burford, OX18 4JP A week of Lemur based talks and activities to highlight the Lemur conservation work done at the park, to save species such as the Greater Bamboo Lemur and Sifaka from extinction. www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk

Saturdads & Saturday pizza night Every Saturday Barefoot Books, 294 Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford, OX2 7ED Calling all Dads! Go along with the kids for a Big Barefoot Breakfast and give Mum a break!

Families can enjoy the weekend with Lubo’s fantastic pizzas! 10% discount for pre-booking. 9.30am6.30pm. www.barefootbooks.com

Scruffs Dog Show 23 May Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, Bradwell Grove, Burford, OX18 4JP Dogs of all ages and abilities welcome to take part in a fun show, with categories such as ‘prettiest eyes’ and ‘waggiest tail’. All money raised will go to a chosen charity. Normal admission applies for dog owners.

Guided nature walks & open afternoon First Sunday of the month Ewelme Watercress Beds Nature Reserve, Ewelme, OX10 6HQ Take a guided walk with expert guides through the nature reserve.

No need to book. No dogs. Free parking. Refreshments. Open day 2pm-5pm / Adults £3, children free www.ewelmewatercressbeds.org

Children's workshop - Wildlife Photography 27 May Bucks, Berks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre, Sutton Courtenay Road, Sutton Courtenay, Abingdon, OX14 4TE 01235 862024 www.bbowt.org.uk/whats-on Take your digital camera, learn from an expert and practise your wildlife photography skills on a fun and photogenic nature reserve.

Best photo of the day will win a prize! / £10 donation/child

Barefoot Craft Club 1-2 May Barefoot Books, 294 Banbury Road, Summertown, OX2 7ED Get crafty before Story Time with a themed craft, suitable for most ages! Every Friday and Saturdays. 4pm – 4.30pm. £5 per child. www.barefootbooks.com

Multi-arts workshops 27-28 May The Oxfordshire Museum, Park Street, Woodstock, OX20 1PA Creative writing, story-telling and art for 7-12 year olds. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk

Phil & Jim's School Primary School Nearly New Sale 10 May Navigation Way, Oxford, OX2 6AB A great opportunity to buy and sell children's clothing (0-11yrs), equipment, books, toys, games and more. 1pm-3pm /£1 per adult. philandjimsnns@gmail.com or call 07876453284.

'Mirror' Family Fun Drop-in 28 May The Oxfordshire Museum, Park Street, Woodstock, OX20 1PA Reflect upon the past and make your own replica of the Didcot Mirror. 2-4pm /£2 per child Bugfest 28 May Bucks, Berks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre, Abingdon, OX14 4TE Visit Sutton Courtenay for a bug bonanza, with a puppet show and mini-beast making workshop.

10am-12pm & 1pm-3:pm /4 donation/child www.bbowt.org.uk

May/ June 2015

Oxfordshire Art Weeks 2 - 22 May For three weeks, you will be able to visit open studios and exhibitions in towns and venues across Oxfordshire for free. www.artweeks.org

Key Learning Centre. £7 for 1 child + 1 adult. Additional tickets £7. www.scienceoxford.com/live

round with a guide. No need to book. Adults £3, children free. www.ewelmewatercressbeds.org

Oxford Art Prize 6-7 June Oxford Castle Unlocked, 44-46 New Road, Oxford, OX1 1AY Oxford Castle and O3 Gallery are launching the new and exciting open art competition to celebrate Oxford city’s unique culture, natural beauty and heritage.

Registration closes mid-May. www.oxfordartprize.com

Wallingford Model Railway Exhibition 21 June St John's Primary School, St John's Road, Wallingford, OX11 9AG Railway enthusiasts are invited to visit the Wallingford model railway exhibition. 10am-4.30pm / Adults £4, child £1.50, family £10.

Raising funds for Sue Ryder Care Hospice. Tel 01491 641070. www.sueryder.org

Open Farm Sunday 7 June LEAF, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warks, CV8 2LG Open Farm Sunday is the industry's national open day managed by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming.)

Numerous events ranging from farm walks to open days will take place in Oxfordshire. Go online to find your nearest farm to visit.

Suggested £1 per person. www.openfarmsunday.org Guided Nature Walks 7 June. First Sun of month Ewelme Watercress Beds Nature Reserve, Watercress Beds Centre, Ewelme, OX10 6HQ Take a self- guided walk or walk

Saturday Science Club Brilliant Bubbles 27 June Oxford Castle Unlocked, 44-46 New Road, Oxford, OX1 1AY For all you budding young scientists, Science Live runs a lively science club on the last Saturday of every month. £7 for 1 child + 1 adult: additional tickets £7 each. www.scienceoxford.com

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Oxfordshire

Roman life workshops 11 May East Oxford Community Classics Centre, Cheney School, Cheney Lane, Oxford, OX3 7QH Exploring daily life and the Roman army through artefacts, the workshop is delivered by re-enactment experts, Comitatus. www.eoccc.org.uk. 3.45pm4.45pm Saturday Science Clubs Musical Science 30 May – last Sat of month Oxford Castle Unlocked, 44-46 New Road, Oxford, OX1 1AY For all budding young scientists join a lively science club at the

Oxfordshire Magazine 15

We’re looking for boys with great potential Our Foundation Awards can provide up to 100% of the fees for boys who are currently in state education.

Candidates should show strong academic potential and, ideally, be keen contributors to music, art, drama or sport. Radley is a leading boys’ boarding school set in beautiful grounds just 4 miles south of Oxford.

Awards are open for boys at 11+ or 13+. If your son shows great potential and would enjoy boarding school life, we’d love to hear from you.

Entry and assessment details can be found online. radley.org.uk 01235 543174 33422-RC-Found-Families-Oxon-AW.indd 1

31/03/2015 11:34

www.watercressline.co.uk

26th - 29th May

Meet Peppa Pig here at the Watercress Line!

It’s going to be a really exciting day out!

Come and meet Peppa Pig who will be making personal appearances at various intervals on each day at Alresford station!

And there will be lots of piggy activities to do, including a piggy petting farm, piggy crafts and face painting too*! *small fee applies

www.peppapig.co.uk Peppa Pig © Astley Baker Davies Ltd/Entertainment One UK Ltd 2003.

2015 16 May/ Call June 01993 815 966 to advertise with us

www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk