 This summer, children between the ages of 4 and 11 can visit Rotherham Libraries to meet the Gadgeteers and to get involved in a science and innovation themed Summer Reading Challenge.
Through taking part in the Challenge, with free materials from our libraries and online via the Challenge website, children will be able to join six fictional Gadgeteers. The characters – brought to life by children’s writer and illustrator Julian Beresford – use their curiosity and wonder to understand the science behind a whole range of interests, from fashion and technology to cooking and music.
Through an exciting book collection and accompanying activities, the Gadgeteers will help to spark children’s curiosity about the world around them, and encourage them to feed their imagination over the summer holiday. They will be boggled by brilliant facts, gaze at the stars, and be inspired by tales of creativity and invention. With plenty of great options across picture books, early readers and middle grade books, there’s lots to keep children busy.
- To find out more about the planned activities contact your local library. There are 15 libraries across Rotherham that you can visit, including Swinton Library
Gadgeteers crafts at Swinton Library
As part of the Summer Reading Challenge for children, a number of craft sessions are taking place at Swinton Library.
The first session has taken place, with children creating telescopes and binoculars. Everyone had a fantastic time.
The remaining sessions take place on the following dates:
- Monday 8th August, Mable Run, 10am to 11am
- Monday 15th August, Bottle Diver, 10am to 11am
- Monday 22nd August, Marshmallow Catapult, 10am to 11am
- Tuesday 30th August, Wind Cone, 10am to 11am
All of the sessions are free to attend so why not pop along with your children this summer and join in the fun?
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New Parent and Child Reading Club at Swinton Library
The new parent and child Reading Club has been a great success at Swinton Library.
Parents and children from Queen Street Primary School visit the library on a Monday afternoon after school.
A recent session was based on Roald Dahl's 'The Enormous Crocodile', with children creating crocodile masks in the craft session. Great fun was had by all.
If you have children at Queen Street Primary School why not pop in the Library to find out more about the reading club.
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Walking Football
The Active Dearne Project are inviting more people to get involved in their walking football sessions. Both men and women are welcome to take part in the sessions.
- When: Monday 7pm to 8pm
- Where: Dearne valley college (all weather football pitch)
- Cost: £3 per session
For further information, please call Adam Kent on 07470288535.
Skip Day success
Environmental improvements is a Ward priority in the Swinton Rockingham Ward.
As part of the work to keep the local environment clean and tidy for residents to enjoy, Ward Councillors work with the Councils Housing department to run skip days at different locations throughout the year.
Last month was the turn for the St Johns Road area of Swinton.
A 40 tonne skip was easily filled with unwanted items whilst Councillors undertook a litter pick of the local area removing litter and a fly tipped wheel barrow from the local green space.
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School Governor volunteers wanted
Do you want to make a difference in your community, whilst also developing your own professional skills? By volunteering as a school governor, you can do both.
School governors play an important role in ensuring that our schools are led effectively. Governing boards have varied and important roles; they agree the vision and the strategic direction for the school or academy trust, hold the executive leader to account for the educational standards pupils achieve, and ensure that the school’s budget is spent wisely for the benefit of all pupils.
The main role of the governing board is strategic rather than operational. School governors don’t get involved in the day-to-day running of the school, though they do have a role to both support and constructively challenge school leaders to drive school improvement.
What’s the time commitment? Governing boards meet regularly throughout the year; often between 4-6 times, and many governing boards have one or more committees, with each committee usually meeting about 3 times per year. Most of these meetings occur in the early evening, though some governing boards meet during the daytime. In addition, school governors are encouraged to visit the school during the day, usually up to 3 times a year, to get to know specific aspects of school life better through first-hand experience, and are encouraged to access professional development opportunities to better understand the expectations of the role. The school should fund access to these training and development opportunities.
What’s in it for me? School governance is a voluntary role, therefore there are no financial rewards, however many governors have identified other worthwhile benefits such as:
- Developing your professional skills and experience, such as strategic planning, financial planning, team working, interviewing skills, or even chairing a board or committee meetings
- Building relationships and networks in your community, and
- Supporting the life chances of children and young people in your community.
Who can be a school governor? Anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to become a school governor and you don’t need to be a parent of a child in the school. You don’t need to be an experienced professional, though some governing boards are looking for volunteers with some specific skillsets. Everybody appointed needs a strong commitment to the role and to improving outcomes for children, the inquisitiveness to ask questions, as well as the willingness to learn.
Anyone appointed will be required to obtain an enhanced criminal records certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service to ensure the appropriate safeguarding of our children and young people.
Still interested? If you want to discuss the role further or are interested in volunteering, please email paul.carney@rotherham.gov.uk to register your interest.
The Council’s Energy Crisis Support Scheme provides a payment of up to £250 to households struggling to meet the costs of their energy bills as a result of the significant rise in energy costs.
In order to qualify for the Energy Crisis Support Scheme, applicants will be asked to provide information about their current financial situation, along with a recent bank statement and estimated monthly expenditure and income.
Applicants must have no more than £150 a month left over after paying for all their essential costs such as food / rent / utility bills. If you have more than £150 left over each month, then you may not meet the criteria at this time.
Support for pensioners with household living costs
In addition, pensioners in need of support with energy costs, may also be able to access an additional £150 to support them with the wider increases in the cost of living. Only one application is required, and the Council will assess applicants for support from both schemes.
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