I attended session at the Carnegie Stadium today looking at young people's perceptions of leadership and management in Children's Services...
The 'Children and Young People Leadership and Management Project' is a research event run by the Carnegie Leaders in Learning Partnership working with the Children's Workforce Development Council. Young people from Freeston Business and Enterprise College in Wakefield were the young researchers leading the project which is one of five projects being sponsored by CWDC across the country.
Freeston's mission is 'Making a Difference' and if Natalie, Jacob, Vanessa, Gemma, Amber, Joel, Edward, Marina, Aiden and Leanne are anything to go by this is a great school doing brilliant work.
Chris
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
My colleague Ken Campbell our Stepping Stones Programme Manager sent me this e-mail...
"Hi Chris, Our recent newsletter has attracted interest from a number of local authorities. The demand for our DVD has been such that we have put it on Youtube. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nimnahE7xWA
Best wishes Ken."
This is s agreat DVD celebrating some incredible work and fronted by a brilliant young woman who will go far!
Chris
"Hi Chris, Our recent newsletter has attracted interest from a number of local authorities. The demand for our DVD has been such that we have put it on Youtube. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nimnahE7xWA
Best wishes Ken."
This is s agreat DVD celebrating some incredible work and fronted by a brilliant young woman who will go far!
Chris
GREAT NEWS!
I thought you'd like to know that Penny Fields won the public vote last night for the £50,000 People's Millions fund! Thanks to everyone who voted!
Chris
Chris
Monday, 24 November 2008
My colleague Eddie Colquhoun who works in the Attendance Strategy team sent me a copy of his latest liitle book, 'You're Never Too Old To Be Young Again!' and it's a brilliant read...
"Believe in the best, think your best, study your best, have a goal for your best, never be satisfied with less than your best, and in the long run things will turn out for the best."
Henry Ford
This is a collection of stories, pearls of wisdom, great advice, fabulous quotes and would make a great Christmas present. Sections on have a mid-life adventure!, if you don't know where you are going any road will take you there!, laugh and the world laughs with you, you could be a priceless antique, be a risk taker!, and the best is yet to come are wonderful antidotes to the usual miserable stuff in the papers and on the news.
The epilogue of this little book says " I am told that we laugh a staggering three times less than we did in the 1950's. Remember, fundamentally, we don't need to be happy to laugh, but we can laugh to be happy. If laughter is the best medicine isn't it about time we all introduced it again to every area of our everyday lives? Let's bring celebration back into every moment of our lives!"
Thanks Eddie and Judy for a great read which made me laugh, smile and occasionally weep.
Chris
"Believe in the best, think your best, study your best, have a goal for your best, never be satisfied with less than your best, and in the long run things will turn out for the best."
Henry Ford
This is a collection of stories, pearls of wisdom, great advice, fabulous quotes and would make a great Christmas present. Sections on have a mid-life adventure!, if you don't know where you are going any road will take you there!, laugh and the world laughs with you, you could be a priceless antique, be a risk taker!, and the best is yet to come are wonderful antidotes to the usual miserable stuff in the papers and on the news.
The epilogue of this little book says " I am told that we laugh a staggering three times less than we did in the 1950's. Remember, fundamentally, we don't need to be happy to laugh, but we can laugh to be happy. If laughter is the best medicine isn't it about time we all introduced it again to every area of our everyday lives? Let's bring celebration back into every moment of our lives!"
Thanks Eddie and Judy for a great read which made me laugh, smile and occasionally weep.
Chris
I finished the day at the 'Talking Leeds Talking Success' event at The Met Hotel...
Charlee Bewsher, Programme Co-ordinator at the Project, had invited me to the event that celebrated and recognised the success of children and young people in Leeds. It also saw the launch of the new Children Leeds DVD. It was a mixture of performances, speeches and recognition and included some real magic from some really talented young people... Sukbir Kaur performance poet, Ingi Hughs, singer and guitarist and Jeremy Davidson, dancer and singer.
This small celebration of our young people needs to be further developed next year when we should take over the Town Hall and really celebrate the talents and magic of our incredible young people here in Leeds.
Chris
Charlee Bewsher, Programme Co-ordinator at the Project, had invited me to the event that celebrated and recognised the success of children and young people in Leeds. It also saw the launch of the new Children Leeds DVD. It was a mixture of performances, speeches and recognition and included some real magic from some really talented young people... Sukbir Kaur performance poet, Ingi Hughs, singer and guitarist and Jeremy Davidson, dancer and singer.
This small celebration of our young people needs to be further developed next year when we should take over the Town Hall and really celebrate the talents and magic of our incredible young people here in Leeds.
Chris
I visited Windmill Primary School this morning to listen to the Sing Leeds South choir which draws children from nine primary schools in LS10 and LS11...
I had been invited by Maggie Hartley, Extended Schools and Services Cluster Co-ordinator, and Salena Riley, Cluster Co-ordinator LS10XS Extended Services who wanted me to see the wonderful work going on in the cluster. It is always wonderful to visit Windmill Primary School... whatever the reason and for those of us who could see it, there was lots of magic which we can build on. Magic, captured in the faces of some of the children who were, for moments, lost in their singing and transported somewhere wonderful. Singing releases endorphins that make you feel happier and brighter and more effective and great singing requires discipline, listening skills, teamwork and practice, practice, practice. Sally Sumpner's children were a credit to her and her team as they listened and applauded every song. From small acorns oak trees grow and while there is more to do with the choir there is real potential here and in so many ways they were fabulous.
I am sure that, with even more practice, discipline, focus and hard work, the choir will be even more brilliant when they sing at the Leeds Schools Christmas Concert at the Town Hall on Tuesday next week.
Chris
I had been invited by Maggie Hartley, Extended Schools and Services Cluster Co-ordinator, and Salena Riley, Cluster Co-ordinator LS10XS Extended Services who wanted me to see the wonderful work going on in the cluster. It is always wonderful to visit Windmill Primary School... whatever the reason and for those of us who could see it, there was lots of magic which we can build on. Magic, captured in the faces of some of the children who were, for moments, lost in their singing and transported somewhere wonderful. Singing releases endorphins that make you feel happier and brighter and more effective and great singing requires discipline, listening skills, teamwork and practice, practice, practice. Sally Sumpner's children were a credit to her and her team as they listened and applauded every song. From small acorns oak trees grow and while there is more to do with the choir there is real potential here and in so many ways they were fabulous.
I am sure that, with even more practice, discipline, focus and hard work, the choir will be even more brilliant when they sing at the Leeds Schools Christmas Concert at the Town Hall on Tuesday next week.
Chris
Vote Today! 08716 268171
To win £50,000 of Big Lottery money, Penny Field Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre will compete in ITV’s Big Lottery Fund, People’s Millions 2008 TODAY... Monday 24th November... and they need your vote... The telephone number you need to vote is 08716 268171 (10p per vote). Penny Field will feature on Calendar Evening News at 6.00pm this evening, but you can vote from 9.00am and any telephone can be used up to 10 times to vote. Please make sure you help by voting.
Chris
Chris
It has been another really wonderful week...
I attended the Leeds Young People's Positive Achievement Awards at the Royal Armouries, gave and received awards at the Big STEPS Celebration at the Civic Hall, and spoke at the ADCS, Aspect and RM's Building Schools for the Future Visioning event in Stratford-upon-Avon. I was also proud to be with our fantastic anti-bullying ambassadors at the citywide Anti-Bullying Week event when they learned they were to receive the Diana Anti-Bullying Award later this year in London. I had breakfast with the Morley FOS headteachers, attended another wonderful staff induction session at Derek Fatchett CLC and yet another fantastic STEPS celebration at Hollybush Primary School before finishing the week with lunch with the amazing Dinneka Smillie, our AimHigher Young Sixth Form Learner of the Year. I also managed to get to St Peter's CofE Primary School to see Liz Holliday and her team who are releasing the magic at the heart of Leeds.
I was really pleased and surprised to win the Keith Jackson award this week, but unless I am mistaken most of us will miss out on life's really big and important prizes. I know that I am never going to be Prime Minister, win the FA Cup, win a Pulitzer Prize or win a Nobel Prize and I am unlikely to win X Factor or Strictly Come Dancing, win the lottery, win an Oscar or get a Knighthood. But I do recognise how incredibly lucky I am because I know that I am eligible for life's small pleasures; small pleasures that are worth so much...
A thank you after I've done something really well. A touch or a word when I am feeling down or things haven't worked out well. A kiss or a cuddle from a friend. A starry night. A full moon. An empty parking space. A beautiful smile. A crackling fire. A great meal. A glorious sunset. Hot soup. Freshly baked bread. Cold beer. Chocolate. Great coffee. Why don't you add to my list?
Don't be upset when life's big awards and rewards don't come your way. Enjoy its small and wonderful delights and pleasures. There are plenty of those for all of us and we can help each other share them.
And talking about helping others, today Penny Field Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre will compete in ITV’s Big Lottery Fund, People’s Millions 2008, and they need your vote! Penny Field will feature on Calendar Evening News at 6.00pm this evening, but you can vote from 9.00am on 0871 626 8171 and any telephone can be used up to 10 times to vote. Please make sure you help our most special children by voting.
Chris
I attended the Leeds Young People's Positive Achievement Awards at the Royal Armouries, gave and received awards at the Big STEPS Celebration at the Civic Hall, and spoke at the ADCS, Aspect and RM's Building Schools for the Future Visioning event in Stratford-upon-Avon. I was also proud to be with our fantastic anti-bullying ambassadors at the citywide Anti-Bullying Week event when they learned they were to receive the Diana Anti-Bullying Award later this year in London. I had breakfast with the Morley FOS headteachers, attended another wonderful staff induction session at Derek Fatchett CLC and yet another fantastic STEPS celebration at Hollybush Primary School before finishing the week with lunch with the amazing Dinneka Smillie, our AimHigher Young Sixth Form Learner of the Year. I also managed to get to St Peter's CofE Primary School to see Liz Holliday and her team who are releasing the magic at the heart of Leeds.
I was really pleased and surprised to win the Keith Jackson award this week, but unless I am mistaken most of us will miss out on life's really big and important prizes. I know that I am never going to be Prime Minister, win the FA Cup, win a Pulitzer Prize or win a Nobel Prize and I am unlikely to win X Factor or Strictly Come Dancing, win the lottery, win an Oscar or get a Knighthood. But I do recognise how incredibly lucky I am because I know that I am eligible for life's small pleasures; small pleasures that are worth so much...
A thank you after I've done something really well. A touch or a word when I am feeling down or things haven't worked out well. A kiss or a cuddle from a friend. A starry night. A full moon. An empty parking space. A beautiful smile. A crackling fire. A great meal. A glorious sunset. Hot soup. Freshly baked bread. Cold beer. Chocolate. Great coffee. Why don't you add to my list?
Don't be upset when life's big awards and rewards don't come your way. Enjoy its small and wonderful delights and pleasures. There are plenty of those for all of us and we can help each other share them.
And talking about helping others, today Penny Field Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre will compete in ITV’s Big Lottery Fund, People’s Millions 2008, and they need your vote! Penny Field will feature on Calendar Evening News at 6.00pm this evening, but you can vote from 9.00am on 0871 626 8171 and any telephone can be used up to 10 times to vote. Please make sure you help our most special children by voting.
Chris
It is brilliant news that a group of dedicated young people from Leeds are to receive a prestigious national award for their commitment to tackling bullying...
All 14 of the city’s original Anti-Bullying Ambassadors from four schools will receive the Diana Anti-Bullying Award at a special ceremony in London later this year. The Diana Awards, established in 1999 in honour of Princess Diana, are presented to young people who work to improve the lives of others. This recognises the brilliant work that Hilary Farmery and colleagues have been doing with 'The Power of Me' initiative which is simply brilliant!
Chris
All 14 of the city’s original Anti-Bullying Ambassadors from four schools will receive the Diana Anti-Bullying Award at a special ceremony in London later this year. The Diana Awards, established in 1999 in honour of Princess Diana, are presented to young people who work to improve the lives of others. This recognises the brilliant work that Hilary Farmery and colleagues have been doing with 'The Power of Me' initiative which is simply brilliant!
Chris
Sunday, 23 November 2008
It's great to read in Christine Gilbert's HMCI Annual Report that about one in six schools are now rated as outstanding and another half are good, leaving about a third as satisfactory and only one in twenty unsatisfactory...
However reading the recent coverage you would think that everything was failing; too much dull teaching, concerns over CRB checks, too big a gap between rich and poor and we are failing our children!
From where I stand things are getting better all the time and, although I recognise that we can do even better than this, isn't it time for a little praise for our wonderful schools, where some talented, brilliant, gorgeous and wonderful colleagues are releasing the magic day-in day-out and making suich an incredible difference here in Leeds.
Chris
However reading the recent coverage you would think that everything was failing; too much dull teaching, concerns over CRB checks, too big a gap between rich and poor and we are failing our children!
From where I stand things are getting better all the time and, although I recognise that we can do even better than this, isn't it time for a little praise for our wonderful schools, where some talented, brilliant, gorgeous and wonderful colleagues are releasing the magic day-in day-out and making suich an incredible difference here in Leeds.
Chris
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)