NEWS
MESSAGE FROM YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLORS: NOVEMBER 2016 Great news for Suffolk’s Early Years Foundation Stage Profile Results 2016 Provisional figures published by the Department for Education in October show an increase in Suffolk children achieving a Good Level of Development in their Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) results. The assessments recognise children’s achievements in the EYFS. This includes key areas of learning and development such as communication and language, physical development, and personal, social and emotional development. Children are assessed by their teacher at the end of the Reception class in school. For most children their early learning will have included attending an early education place at a pre-school, day nursery or childminder before moving into school. In Suffolk 70.2% of children achieved a Good Level of Development (GLD) this year. This is slightly above the rest of England. The percentage of children eligible for free school meals achieving a GLD compared with those not eligible, has also improved this year. This means the gap between the groups has narrowed by 7% points.
launch a new road safety campaign this autumn, Be Safe and Seen in Suffolk. The campaign will see more than 12,000 badge reflectors given to primary school aged children, which can be worn on their coats or backpacks to reflect the beam of vehicles in darker conditions to ensure that children are seen as they walk with friends and parents. The idea and concept for the campaign was developed earlier this year through discussions with BBC Radio Suffolk. A design competition took place as part of the events and activities at this year’s Suffolk Show with the winning design selected from over 190 entries. A major part of undertaking this campaign was the determination to promote exercise, walking and physical activity amongst young people. It was understood that to achieve this, the children and their families needed to feel safe before stepping out during the darker months. So the reflector campaign was born!
It is particularly pleasing to note the improvement seen for children eligible for free school meals across the county. The results include a group of children who first received a free place at two years old rather than aged three, because their parents were eligible, for economic reasons. This national policy seems to be making a difference to the children whose families are less well off, because we can see they have achieved more compared to children with similar backgrounds who did not have a place at two in previous years.
The campaign is part of Suffolk’s Year of Walking which celebrates walking in Suffolk, promotes walking events and encourages new walking opportunities. Children are most active during the spring and summer months. An average of around 65 minutes of activity a day in April drops to around 48 minutes during the colder months of January and February. Staying active promotes physical and emotional wellbeing and it is important that young people stay active as there is emerging evidence that suggests links between physical activity and better academic attainment and attention.
All children, no matter their family circumstances, are entitled to free early education (childcare) from the term after their third birthday up until they start school full time.
Suffolk County Council’s Road Safety Team and Public Health Team have invested £9,550 into the campaign to deliver enough reflectors to benefit more than 60 primary schools across the county.
More information and details of how to apply can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/hshamr2
The campaign was officially launched at the Suffolk Show by Councillor James Finch and BBC Radio Suffolk at the beginning of June.
Be Safe and Seen in Suffolk Suffolk County Council is working in partnership with BBC Radio Suffolk to
Regards and best wishes, County Councillors Christopher Hudson and Robert Whiting
MARTLESHAM HEATH COUNTRY MARKET TRIANON ON SCREEN 2017 Looking forward to Christmas! We have two new cooks baking for us now so why not come along and tastetest their delicious goodies? Dinners for one and more as well as pudding choices, cakes, sweets and biscuits are all on the menu. Our bakers will always take orders for gluten-free, non-dairy and other special dietary preferences and right now we’re happy to help you with your Christmas catering. Plan in advance for your parties and gatherings and collect your order before the big day. If you’re thinking about Christmas gifts, wouldn’t it be nice to find a wonderful source of handmade things? One-of-a-kind hand-turned bowls and other lovely wooden objets; cheerful bags and comfy cushions; beaded key rings, bookmarks, necklaces and earrings; lovely warm fleece hats, mitts and scarves; knitted garments for children and grown-ups; crocheted angels and brooches; cards of local scenes by local artists; traditional barge-painted plant pots by our prize-winning crafters. All our makers are talented locals – nothing is bought in. What about a gift of a hamper including some delicious jams, chutneys and preserves, as well as other selected hand-made treats? Yes, there’s still time to place an order with a local crafter for that special gift for that special friend. Visit the weekly Country Market at Martlesham Pavilion; we’re there every Tuesday from 9.15-11.15am. To discuss and place a special order, contact Margaret Gayfer on 01473 623849. We also have a table at Kesgrave Market at 1st Kesgrave Scout Hall. on Saturday, December 17. Hoping to see you soon!
www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave
Gallop into the New Year from the Court of Camelot to a café in Casablanca with Trianon Music Group for Trianon on Screen 2017. Trianon is delighted that Denis King, the Ivor Novello award winning composer of the Black Beauty theme, Galloping Home, will be attending their first concert of the new season at the Corn Exchange. Denis, who is now based in Suffolk, will participate in a Q&A session starting at 6.30pm, so this will be a unique opportunity to discover more about the life and career of a local celebrity. The themes of royalty, heroes and love will be explored with music from The Madness of King George, The King and I, The Lion in Winter, Immortal Beloved and Dangerous Moonlight. Movie maestro Ennio Morricone will also feature, with extracts from his Golden Globe and BAFTA awardwinning soundtrack to The Mission. The movie mix will also feature favourites from Glenn Miller, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Mary Poppins. Join Trianon for a ‘supercalifragilistic’ evening on Saturday, January 7 at 7.30pm. To book call 01394 283170 / 07876 787029 or visit: www.ipswichregent.com www.tmg.org.uk
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