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July 27, 2005
Invitation to the new Children's Centre in Gateshead
Dear Colleagues and Parents,
On behalf of Gateshead Early Years and Childcare Service I would like to invite you to an event to raise awareness of the Flagship Children’s Centre and Children’s Centres in general.
The event will comprise a mixture of both fun activities for parents and children but also enable everyone who attends to be consulted on the building design and services, which will be delivered within.
Please join us in the marquee on the Tynegate site, off Sunderland Road, Gateshead, on Thursday 4th August 05, 12.00 – 5.00pm. Parking for disabled badge holders is available on site, all other attendees may use the Matalan car park in Gateshead. I hope you will be able to attend and help make the day a success.
If you require any further information regarding this event, please contact Kelly Nicholson, Events Manager on telephone number 0191 4338507 or by e-mail kellynicholson@gateshead.gov.uk.
Yours faithfully
Pam Stephens
Early Years and Childcare Service Manager
Children’s and Young Peoples Services
Learning and Children
Dryden Professional Development Centre
Evistones Road
Low Fell
Gateshead NE9 5UR
Early Years Services Tel: (0191) 4338500 Fax: (0191) 4915971
Children's Information Service: Tel (0191) 4915979
Posted by at 12:39 PM
DfES Green Paper 'Youth Matters'
My thanks and a farewell to Ian Blackwell (North East Museums, Libraries and Archives Council)for this and all the other contributions to the Ambassadors's network in Gateshead.
The DfES has launched the Youth Green Paper "Youth Matters". This contains a new vision for how young people's services need to
be delivered, including reform of Connexions services, new statutory guidance for local authorities in provision of all services for young
people and funding for increased engagement of young people in decision-making processes. There are significant opportunities and implications for our sector in each of the four main themes that are outlined, particularly building on Framework for the Future's "Fulfilling their Potential" paper, archive education and Renaissance programmes.
'Youth Matters' can be downloaded from
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/publications/youth/docs/youthmatters.pdf
A useful summary and commentary is also available via the NYA's website at http://www.nya.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=91947
Posted by at 11:09 AM
Stock up at Gateshead Summer Flower Show
Don’t miss the Gateshead Summer Flower Show, this Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10.00am - 5.30pm at Gateshead Central Nursery, Whickham Highway, Lobley Hill.
With everything you need for your garden and more, the show boasts a huge array of fantastic floral displays, a craft fair, speciality foods, gardening demonstrations, children’s entertainment and hundreds of trade stands both inside and out with lots to see and buy.
A packed programme of free entertainment will keep the whole family amused throughout the show with brass and samba bands, jugglers, jazz musicians and stilt walkers. For the children there will be bouncy castles, face painting, badge making, sports, fun theatre shows and storytelling.
The Phostrogen Gardening roadshow will be present with a team of gardening experts giving practical talks and answering questions. Gateshead Council’s Chelsea exhibit, celebrating the recent regeneration of Saltwell Park and including a model of Saltwell Towers will be on display. And to top it all off, some of the Chelsea Gold Medal winning team from NAFAS will be demonstrating their award winning floral art skills.
Admission to the show costs £7.00 for adults, £5.00 for over 60 years and under 18s go free. All entertainment and children’s activities are provided free of charge within the show ground.
A free park and ride every 15 minutes will operate from MetroCentre Coach Park on all three days of the show and from Gateshead Civic Centre on the Saturday and Sunday only.
For more information about Gateshead Summer Flower Show, contact Gateshead Council Events Team on 0191 433 3838.
Posted by at 10:23 AM
July 25, 2005
The British Art Show 2005 - at BALTIC
For the first time in 25 years, the British Art Show takes place in the North East and is housed in a single venue, BALTIC.
The show highlights the work of artists who have made a significant contribution to British art over the past five years: it has long been a marker of new developments in contemporary art. The exhibition is part of the Hayward Gallery Touring Programme.
NB: BALTIC galleries will be closed from 5th to 23rd of September for the installation of the show. The cafe, restaurants and shop will be open.
www.balticmill.com
www.hayward.org.uk/
Posted by at 5:39 PM
Teachers' Open Evening at the Planetarium!
Gateshead teachers are welcome at a dedicated open day on Thursday 22nd of September at the Planetarium at South Tyneside College.
The event takes place after school (7pm-9pm) and is free but places are limited, so book now on 0191 427 5489 or email: astro@stc.ac.uk or write to:
South Tyneside College, Planetarium & Observatory, St George's Ave, South Shields, NE34 6ET.
See planetarium shows, observatory visit, free teaching materials, meet the resident astronomer, prepare for the partial solar eclipse, explore planetarium shop resources and more.
Posted by at 5:20 PM
Northern Stage update
There'll be another Teachers' Forum in the Autumn term; watch the Ambassadors' e-bulletins for the date.
The new theatre opens at Haymarket in Spring 2006.
Meanwhile, the company presents Dickens' Great Expectations at the Journal Tyne Theatre on Westgate Road
from the 10th - 15th of October at 7.30pm with matinees on the 12th and 13th at 1.30pm.
Tickets £15/£12
Schools £6/£7.50
Please note that Live Theatre are doing the ticket honours, so call 0191 232 1232.
Their Christmas show for under sixes will be at Discovery Museum and is called 'How the Sea Came to Be' and runs
from the 15th-31st of December. Booking: 0871 7000 125. Full details of these shows on the website:
http://www.northernstage.co.uk/
Posted by at 4:28 PM
Brass bands in Saltwell Park
If you're in Saltwell Park on Sundays, there's free music at the bandstand from 2pm-5pm:
July 31st - Sacriston Colliery Band
7th August - Gateshead Brass Band
14th August - Dunston Silver Band
21st August - Pittington Brass Band
28th August - Easington Colliery Band
For further information, contact the Council's Events Unit:
0191 433 3838
Posted by at 4:08 PM
Gateshead Schools in Top Class (again)!
Windmill Hills and Roman Road Primary were featured in the Evening Chronicle's education pages on the 21st of July in an interview and an environmental feature respectively.
Posted by at 3:57 PM
July 22, 2005
Measuring Creativity - It can be done!
In Gateshead, we have constructed a baseline assessment tool for schools and other learning settings and have already have had a good response to its first use. Our ambition is to refine and reuse the tool over 3 and 5 years as part of a comparative study in Gateshead Schools and then offer it to other schools in the sub-region as it develops.
It could be used in OfSTED self-assessments and any other measurement of creativity required. If Gateshead schools would like more information, please contact:
Ednie Wilson, Creativity Development Manager: edniewilson@gateshead.gov.uk
0191 477 5380.
Download document: (Word: 72KB)
Posted by at 9:38 AM | Comments (0)
July 21, 2005
Street Theatre in Gateshead in July
The Natural Theatre Company are back in town, bringing wacky street theatre for all the family.
Come and enjoy the walkabout shows for FREE
Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd July
Look out for performances between
12.00 noon and 3.00pm at:
. Old Town Hall
· Trinity Square
· The Sage Gateshead, Performance Square
· Baltic Square
This street theatre is part of the Town Centre Public Art Strategy and Regeneration Programme.
For more information contact
Amelia Davies or Olivia Cameron at the Arts Team, Gateshead Quays Visitor Centre on: 0191 477 5380
Posted by at 5:23 PM
Capture the moment at Tall Ships
The Civic E-learning centre is on tour at the Quayside during the Tall Ships festival.
Why not book a place and experience the excitement of the Tall Ships and learn how to use a digital camera in our mobile I.T Centre.
Learn to take a better picture, download your pictures onto computers, resize, adjust and print.
Also at the Tall Ships event will be The CrêcheMobile and WinG, who will be providing sessions throughout the day.
Please read the attachment for full details.
Book early as sessions are on a first come first served basis.
Download file
Posted by at 5:12 PM
CafeActive at Gateshead Leisure Centre
Gateshead Leisure Centre's new Café Bar 'CafeActive' is now open to the public.
Everyone is welcome to the newly refurbished CaféActive where a new menu is available offering freshly prepared paninis, sandwiches in a choice of breads, soups, toasties, salads, children's food and much more.
Fresh coffee and healthier choices can be found in CaféActive from Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 7.30pm, Saturday 10.00am to 5.30pm, and Sunday 10.00am to 7.30pm. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase between 11am and 10.30pm Monday to Friday and on a Sunday.
CaféActive closes at 5.30pm on a Saturday and is available for private hire after this time.
A bar snack menu is available until 10.00pm every night other than a Saturday and includes toasted sandwiches, potato skins, spicy potato wedges, a range of confectionary and freshly made cappuccinos, lattes and hot chocolate with marshmallows!
Telephone 0191 433 5733.
Posted by at 5:03 PM
The Food Chain
The Food Chain Company (north east) was set up in 2004 as a way of making it easier for people in the north east to buy fresh, affordable, fruit and locally grown vegetables.
www.thefoodchain-ne.co.uk
Posted by at 4:57 PM
Creativity Quotes from Gateshead Schools
Here they are...
Download file
Posted by at 4:35 PM
More arts programmes on the BBC
The BBC has commissioned four new arts shows, which it has hailed as major additions to its cultural output amid accusations of dumbing down. They include The Impressionists, which will turn the lives of Monet, Cezanne and Renoir into a BBC One drama, and Marvels of the Modern Age, in which host Dan Cruickshank will explore modernism on BBC Two. Also on the list is the Secret of Drawing, which will also appear on BBC Two.
Adam Kemp, BBC arts and culture commissioner said: Engaging audiences in our arts programmes is about being inventive and imaginative in our approach to subjects. Arts and cultural programmes are flourishing on BBC television and these four new commissions are only a taster of the rich and diverse range of programmes we will be offering over the coming months and years.
source: BBC News cited in Voluntary Arts Newsletter, 6th July 2005.
Posted by at 4:13 PM
Explore Music during Tall Ships!
If you're on Gateshead Quays during Tall Ships, then Explore Music, Gateshead Libraries Music Library is in the east wing of the ground floor of the Sage Gateshead.
Here's what they have to offer for Tall Ships and beyond...
Download file
Posted by at 2:34 PM
Nomination for an award for a Gateshead Library!
Public Library Building Awards 2005
We are pleased to say that ExploreMusic has been short-listed for this prestigious design award. The awards are held every two years and are for the UK and Ireland. This year sees a new focus - the awards have a thematic approach. Award categories are:
Ø Partnership
Ø Architect Meets Practicality
Ø Interior Design
Ø Heart of the Community
Ø Mary Finch Accessibility Award
Ø Delegates Choice
We have applied in the category of Partnership, for our work with North Music Trust, who manage The Sage Gateshead. Only two libraries are short-listed for each category.Our initial application was made in April in the form of a 4-minute video - many thanks to David Fraser in AIRS for his expert assistance with this. This was followed last week by a visit from 5 judges, from libraries across the UK and Ireland, who seemed very impressed. The winner will be announced at the Public Library Authorities Conference on 19 October - fingers crossed!
Well done to Rachel Peacock, Acting Reference Information Manager and staff at Explore Music.
Posted by at 2:28 PM
All aboard the Train Trail...
A vartiety of activities, often railway-oriented, on this site.
Scroll through the events insertion.
http://www.traintrail.co.uk/events_timetable.php
Posted by at 1:10 PM
July 20, 2005
Star Portraits at Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead
The Shipley hosts the exhibition of the television programme in September. Rolf Harris is to submit a self-portrait for the exhibition, too.
Here is the Shipley's full Autumn programme for schools.
Download file
Posted by at 6:41 PM
Need to link up for lessons?
Contact Gateshead Libraries for help with a web conference in class.
Download file
Posted by at 6:36 PM
Creativity Quotes from Gateshead Schools
Scroll through our purple schools list to read our schools' take on creativity.
New quotations can be sent to:
barbaraannbrown@gateshead.gov.uk
Download file
Posted by at 6:27 PM
July 18, 2005
Walks and Talks for Tall Ships!
As part of the Council's Leviathan programme:
'Trotter and Trafalgar'
Anthea Lang, Local History Librarian
Wednesday 20 July at 7.00pm
Gateshead Visitor Centre
St. Mary’s Church
Oakwellgate
Gateshead
Discover the story of Gateshead’s very own naval hero and the part
he played in Battle of Trafalgar.
Tickets £2.00
Available from Box Office, 0191 433 8420 at
Gateshead Central Library
'Headlines from History'
The Jack Drum Theatre Company brings history to life
Sunday 24 July, 11.00am OR 2.00pm
Gateshead Visitor Centre
St. Mary’s Church
Oakwellgate
Gateshead
Come and be entertained as you walk along the Quayside and meet some of the characters that used to live and work in Gateshead. From the seedy to the sporting - it’s all here.
A walk for all the family
Walk leaves from Gateshead Visitor Centre
Tickets £2.00 available on the day
For further details ring the Box Office, Central Library
0191 433 8420
Posted by at 5:37 PM
July 7, 2005
World War II commemorations listing
...including the national commemoration day this Sunday, July 10th.
http://www.mod.uk/aboutus/history/ww2/
Posted by at 4:10 PM
July 2, 2005
LEVIATHAN!
This photograph courtesy of Mark Savage
Leviathan is Gateshead Council’s programme of thirty community projects funded by Culture10 and Arts Council England North East, such as Neptune's Arc of Friendship procession where Gateshead and Newcastle children will take sea monsters and flags to the crew parade on Tues 26th July; Flotilla!,: an exhibition at Gateshead Visitor Centre of thirty handcrafted boats made by locally-connected artists and community workshops from July 15th and What Floats your Boat?: a community flag project about hopes and aspirations to be installed on Baltic Square on Sunday 24th July.
The photo refers to this year’s Wrekenton & Springwell Happy Hearts Lanterns Procession where children from Fell Dyke Primary made ships to celebrate the Tall Ships and Rivers Festival.
Leviathan was not only a mythical sea monster, but also the name of the ship in Nelson’s fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar, with Master & Commander Trotter at the helm. This year is the bicentenary of the battle and Commander Trotter is buried here in Gateshead, in St Mary’s Churchyard. For more information about the Leviathan programme, contact Karolynne Hart in the Arts Development Team on
0191 477 5380
www.visitnewcastlegateshead.com
www.tallships2005.com
Posted by at 2:21 PM
Bill Quay Primary School in Evening Chronicle
Pupils from Bill Quay wrote last Thursday's 'Kron' page, mentioning citizenship, conservation, craft, and music projects. Hurrah!
Posted by at 2:17 PM
Music and drama review from Sally Marshall
Thank you to Sally for the review below. Written reviews from Gateshead teachers are welcome. Email an MS Word document to: barbaraannbrown@gateshead.gov.uk
Review of TALENTstar Final for the North East of England
Sunday June 26th at The Tyne Theatre
This spectacular event was a sell-out; full of families supporting their children. The entertainment balanced between dance, singing and bands and most acts were justified in being in this regional final. The event was a culmination of over 2,000 students who had taken part in school organised talent events.
The in-house heats provided a platform for students to perform and an opportunity to experience a prestigious event. The rehearsals leading up to any event are invaluable, encouraging students to learn from each other and to have a genuine meaning to perform. Any school wanting to create a buzz in dance and music would do well to think about booking TALENTstar or something similar. Even though all acts are winners, students know that they may not get through to the next round, but it still made many youngsters feel special and worthy of attention from an audience.
The experience for the performers would live with them long after TALENTstar have gone.
Sally Marshall
Cultural & Creativity Ambassador
Heworth Grange Comprehensive School
Posted by at 2:10 PM