Outlook p6
5/9/12
10:44
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Southenders Tom Daley pictured during a training session at Southend Swimming and Diving Centre. College Tutor Helen Black is hoisted high in celebration by colleagues after she had been shortlisted for Trainer of the Year in the Nursery World Awards 2012.
Southend sea air fuels Tom to Olympic glory WHAT do you do if you’re Tom Daley and you’ve slightly lost your mojo at the Olympics? Simple – return to the rejuvenating sea air of Southend, collect your thoughts and then dive your way into sporting history. The teenage pin-up must have been feeling the pressure as he and his synchro partner narrowly missed out on a medal at the start of competition. Not in the best of form, the 18-year-old escaped the bubble of London 2012 for the comfort of the Park Inn Palace Hotel and three days more fine-tuning at the Team GB training base – the world class Southend Swimming and Diving Centre. To further escape the pressure cooker of expectation, Tom and his mates enjoyed strolls on the sea front, a deck chair on the beach and they may even have sampled the town’s famous Rossi’s ice cream. He went to the cinema to see Ted and chilled out
6 Outlook AUTUMN 2012
watching his mum Debbie and brothers William and Ben play mini golf. Adoring female fans left pictures, messages of support and requests for autographs at Garon Park as Tom felt the love in Southend and rediscovered the form that made him a world champion at just 15. Buoyed by his Essex break, it was back to Stratford to launch himself off the 10-metre board in the individual event to win a coveted bronze medal. Perhaps Southend helped. Perhaps it was just Tom’s own determination to make his dad, who died last year, proud. Whatever the reason, Southend salutes Tom and his achievement. And already his legacy is a growing number of inquiries from children who want to join the 250 aged six and upwards who are learning to dive in Southend. Maybe we’ve already found the next Tom Daley. We can but dream.
Tops for early years childcare S
OUTHEND is Number One in the East of England for the quality of early years childcare provided across the public, private and voluntary sectors. The town is top-ranked by the Department of Education’s new online Foundation Years benchmarking tool, which measures the percentage of settings rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. Sue Cook, the Council’s Interim Corporate Director for Children and Learning, said: “I am proud that Ofsted has recognised the achievements of child care providers supported by the Council in ensuring young children have access to very high quality childcare and early education experiences. “Ensuring children have a good start in life is our ambition in Southend and the quality and range of childcare provision across the Borough is key to making this happen.” Parents and carers across the town are offered a wide choice through a
variety of settings including pre-schools, full day care nurseries, childminders, independent schools and nursery classes in maintained schools. The idea is to help people achieve a fulfiling work and life balance. It comes as research shows that high quality early years provision has a lasting positive impact on child outcomes. Key to maintaining high standards of quality for the town’s childcare and early years workforce is the professional training provided by Southend Adult Community College where tutor Helen Black has just been shortlisted as Trainer of the Year in the Nursery World Awards 2012. Her nomination highlights the 95 per cent success rate of her students and praises her for “going that extra mile” for her students while also “making a difference to learners’ lives”. The College works in partnership with the Council’s Early Years Team who ensure the content of courses are up to date and relevant.
FOUR GREEN FLAGS FLYING IN BOROUGH FOUR parks in Southend – Chalkwell, Belfairs Park and Nature Reserve, Southchurch and Priory – have won laurels again by clinching prestigious Green Flags for the second year running. To win the sought-after accolade, the parks had to pass tough tests including being judged on how the park is managed and maintained, the level of community involvement, conservation and heritage, and environmental sustainability.