Wednesday 31 July 2013

Credit Check...

Here are some wonderful Wednesday figures for you...

21,165 children and young people

835, 744 credits*

*children and young people earn one credit per hour

We are inching ever closer to that magical million credits mark and with all the children and young people currently running around the city with their Passport to Learning during the summer hols, it won't be long before we are there!

Every credit earned is one that a child or young person has spent learning in their own time. We work very hard to ensure that each credit means the same. Whether its an hour spent at a school based activity, or taking part in activities at Learning Destinations across the city, every credit earned evidences that a child or young person has voluntarily given up their own time to learn. It means they didn't have to be there, it means they CHOSE to be there and that they CHOSE to learn, something new, or maybe something that builds on what they already know. This is why reaching the one million credits mark really is something to be celebrated.

Watch this space!




 
 and counting!




Friday 12 July 2013

Celebrate! - Primary Awards 10th July 2013

Our final awards ceremony of the academic year took place on Wednesday 10th July with over 200 children, parents and carers and school staff descending on the Town Hall to celebrate in style.

Children from Stradbroke Primary receive their awards

Children from 15 schools attended along with their parents and carers and were presented with their awards by the newly appointed Lady Lord Mayor, Councillor Vickie Priestley and Sheffield CU Chancellor Eliot Kennedy. There was also a marketplace where 10 of our fantastic Learning Destinations displayed information about their activities and involved parents/carers, children and even in the Lord Mayor in some demonstrations!

During the ceremony, there was a fantastic showcase from the Sheffield Dragons which included group performances from the children of Stradbroke Primary along with individual performances from some of the more advanced students. There was even a special appearance by the Dragons mascot Dudley!

CU Chancellor Eliot Kennedy gave a fantastic speech along with the Lord Mayor who congratulated children on their achievements. I'm sure you will join us in sending a HUGE congratulations and well done to all our award winners.

See below for photos from the evening!



The Sheffield Dragons, along with their mascot Dudley show off their Passport to Learning!
Children from Stradbroke Primary School showcase the karate skills they have learnt with the Sheffield Dragons. Can you spot Dudley the dragon sneaking in to take part?

Louis and Faith show us their fantastic team performance

Chris from Imagination Gaming gets some of the Dragons involved in his fantastic games!

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Vickie Priestley learns to juggle with Greentop Circus!

Our Chancellor Eliot Kennedy gives an inspirational speech to our parents/carers and award winners


Children from Springfield Primary receive their awards

Children from Watercliffe Meadow receive their awards







Thursday 11 July 2013

Collect CU Credits at Tramlines with The University of Sheffield!



The University of SheffieldAs a celebration of diversity and inclusivity, the University of Sheffield will this year be working with Tramlines on the International Peace Gardens Stage. They will be offering a range of family friendly activities in Millennium Square and the Winter Gardens, next to the world music stage in the Peace Gardens.
 

See the lineup for the International Peace Gardens Stage:
http://2013.tramlines.org.uk/venue/international-peace-gardens/

Dream Bigger Dreams will be in Millennium Square, with silly science experiments, lessons about the body with Professor Fluffy and mind control games, as well as a special face painter and more:
http://shef.ac.uk/dream/tramlines



Dream Bigger Dreams bottle experiment


In the Winter Gardens, there will be a chance to try out some international dancing skills with student societies and a showcase of diversity through film, including the ‘We are all international’ film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsX_yg6ovoI

Activities are happening from 12 noon until 7pm on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July as part of Tramlines Festival.

Head on down with your Passport to Learning, have fun AND collect CU Credits for taking part!







Wednesday 10 July 2013

Creepy House - Summer Reading Challenge 2013

Every year thousands of families all over the country take part in the UK’s biggest reading event for children in libraries, the Summer Reading Challenge, run by the charity The Reading Agency.

The Summer Reading Challenge is aimed at children aged four to 11 although it is open to any child. It is run in very nearly all libraries in the UK and it is completely free.

Go to your local library during the summer holidays – the sooner you go the longer your child will have to read six books. Staff will enrol your child and give them a membership pack.


This years Challenge is called 'Creepy House'.


 Sheffield children who have a Passport to Learning will receive 10 credits for taking part!

For details of activities happening in Sheffield Libraries, visit: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3xq2CwJuA8zV0ZGbEtUSzdueXc/edit?usp=sharing



Monday 8 July 2013

Celebrate!

The first of our summer Primary Awards ceremonies took place on Tuesday 2nd July as we invited over 100 children to receive their Gold Awards in the presigious Town Hall Reception Rooms.

Children and staff from Caterknowle Junior School along with the Lord Mayor, Councillor Vickie Priestley
Children from 13 schools attended along with their parents and carers and were presented with their awards by the newly appointing Lady Lord Mayor, Councillor Vickie Priestley. There was a fantastic performance from Carterknowle Junior School who sang a fabulous medley of songs from their school play 'Wind in the Willows'. There were also guest speakers from HBH Academy, who spoke about their activities and how important Children's University is to them.

Children and staff from HBH Academy - Hartley Book along with the Lord Mayor, Councillor Vickie Priestley
 
Sheffield CU received lots of fantastic comments on the evaluation forms. Highlights include:
  • 'I think the certificates are very nice, and the chairs were very comfy' Y5 Award winner 
  • 'My daughter loves these activities, they make her really happy' Parent/carer of Y3 award winner
  • 'Children's University gives children at school something in common.' Parent/carer
  • 'I think the Children's University is very important. Rewards encourage activity.' Parent/carer
  • 'My favourite part of the awards was having my photo taken with the Lady Lord Mayor' Y4 Award winner


Thursday 4 July 2013

Planning your Summer fun?

Are you looking for some fun exciting activities to take part in during the Summer holidays?

Our latest Passport to Learning newsletter will provide you with details of activities happening where children and young people can collect CU credits for taking part.

Click HERE to download the full newsletter and see what you can take part in!