Parental Communication

 

School Communications

Parent Update 6 February 2023

Parent Update 7 December 2022

Parent Update 30 September 2022

Summer Newsletter 2022

 

Community News

 

Do your children know how to stay safe around water?  (posted 25/5/2023)

Did you know that 1 in 4 parents in the UK (26%) haven’t or don’t remember ever discussing water safety with their child(ren)? Did you also know that only 3 in 5 parents of children aged 8+ in the UK (62%) are confident that their child could self-rescue from open water?

With figures indicating that around 25% of primary school pupils leave school unable to swim, there is a real fear that as a result of the pandemic many more children will lack the ability or confidence to swim or self-rescue, should they find themselves in difficulty in the water.

We are supporting the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s Drowning Prevention Week campaign, running from 17-24 June 2023, and urging our members to access the charity’s free online resources to ensure their children have the skills to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water.

Whether heading abroad this summer or opting for a staycation, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), fears that families will head to beaches and inland water locations this summer, without considering the potential dangers, putting themselves and others at risk. Those of us who will be venturing abroad for their summer holiday, may find themselves using non-lifeguarded pools and therefore be at risk if they do not have the necessary water safety skills.

As children (especially boys) enter their late teens, they become increasingly more likely to take risks, with more than 312 people accidentally drowning every year.

And for every drowning death that occurs, there are more than 10 near-drownings, with many of these leading to life-changing injuries.

For more information, and to find out how you can make sure your family enjoys water safely this summer: www.rlss.org.uk/DPW.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK has issued the following advice:

Live Life Aberdeenshire

 

 

Term 4’s Inclusive Sports Festivals programme (posted 2/5/2023)

Please see below for information on Term 4’s Inclusive Sports Festivals programme ran in conjunction with Active Schools Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire

These events are aimed at pupils with disabilities or additional support needs both in mainstream and ASN education and are open to pupils from Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City to attend. Bookings can be made by the school or by parents/carers.

All events are free of charge and open to both primary & secondary-aged pupils to attend unless otherwise stated:

If you have any further queries, please contact Alison Shaw – alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com

 

 

Nightstop  – Community hosting to keep young people safe (posted 21/3/2023)

Aberdeen Foyer are delighted to be launching Nightstop North-East Scotland in 2023. Nightstop offers emergency accommodation for young people facing homelessness. This accommodation is offered in the homes of trained and vetted volunteers, who are supported by professional staff. This provides an accommodation option which is youth focused.

The national Nightstop Network comprises over 30 services across the UK and is run by national homeless charity Depaul UK. In Aberdeen City and Shire, Nightstop is supported by The Foyer.

The nature of accommodating young people in private households means that the service can only offer accommodation to low risk young people. The level of risk is managed by a risk assessment and by obtaining two references for the young person.

Nightstop will deliver both crisis response for young people presenting as homeless and early intervention for young people who might benefit from respite. At Nightstop, we often work with young people who are experiencing conflict within the family home but may be able to move back home with support. We can offer mediation and host the young person somewhere safe and secure until support with positive steps in their housing situation are identified.

Nightstop North-East Scotland relies on the generosity of volunteer hosts. These hosts offer their spare bedrooms, with a very flexible level of commitment: you decide when you’re free to host can submit your availability in advance in case of any holidays or other commitments. Hosts receive a stipend of £15 per night as an out-of-pocket expense payment to cover the additional cost of having another person at home.

Hosts are asked to be able to offer a young person a spare room, access to a bathroom and to be able to provide a listening ear.

Megan Douglas, the Co-ordinator for Nightstop North-East Scotland is encouraging people to get in touch to find out more about Hosting.

“Nightstop runs successfully and safely throughout the UK.  We have had a great response in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire so far, as we continue to recruit hosts. We try to make Hosting as easy as possible; holding regular online information sessions so people can come along and find out a bit more. We’re looking for people from all types of backgrounds – maybe your own kids have moved out, maybe you love the idea of volunteering from home or maybe you’re really looking to help change a young person’s life by giving them a bed for the night! Whatever your motivation, it would be great to hear from you. I’m getting a reputation for asking people if they’ve got a spare room, but if you do, you could host for just a short time and keep a young person safe.”

Megan continued “I grew up in Deeside and I know there are plenty of kind hearted people who want to do good in the area. I’d be delighted to have an informal chat with anyone who’d like to know a little bit more.”

If you’d like to find out more about volunteering as a Host with Nightstop North-East Scotland, you can e-mail Megan.Douglas@aberdeenfoyer.com or call 07467 919813. More information can be found here  Nightstop – a bold new service that supports young people at risk of homelessness in Aberdeen City and Shire | Aberdeen Foyer

 

For any queries, please contact Maroc at secretary@marocscotland.org.uk

“This activity is being organised by Mar Orienteering Club. Aberdeenshire Council is not responsible for the acts and omissions of Mar Orienteering Club and members of the public engaging in the activity do so at their own risk.”

 

Live Life Outdoors Activity Days (posted 09/02/2023)

Are you a school or group looking for a day (or more) of outdoor activities in Aberdeenshire?

Live Life Outdoors have all the resources you need for a fun, energetic and educational experience for members, pupils, employees or groups of friends.

We can come to your establishment or local sports field, or you are welcome to participate at one of our many sports facilities across Aberdeenshire, including our two ski centres at Alford and Huntly.

As well as skiing, our climbing walls (including our mobile wall), our bicycle pump track obstacle course and our bike maintenance workshops are very popular with all ages.  For younger people we have all the above plus the inflatable body zorbs and soft archery.  We love team building activities and have many challenges which are fun and will break the ice as well as developing team working skills and leadership.

We can take groups on bike rides and hill walks as well as running workshops on outdoor skills such as map reading, shelter building and cooking on a camp fire.  We can show you ways to increase your confidence and enjoyment in being in the great outdoors.

Find more information about each activity here; https://www.livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk/live-life-outdoors/activity-descriptions/

https://www.livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk/live-life-outdoors/climb/

We will design and cost a bespoke programme for you group.

Popular times of year will fill up very quickly so enquire today!  https://bit.ly/3sqrnaS