Voices of Tomorrow: Warwickshire's Youth Conference (Friday 3rd November 2023)
We're inviting schools across the county to join us for the "Voices of Tomorrow" youth conference (see attached poster).
Save the date for a day of discussions and connections:
Date: Friday 3rd November 2023
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Venue: Warwick University
At this event, students can share their ideas and thoughts on important topics with their peers. The conference offers various workshops and networking opportunities aimed at sparking valuable conversations and collaboration.
We encourage schools to inform students, parents, and staff about this opportunity.
"Voices of Tomorrow" is a chance for students to engage, connect, and discuss critical issues.
The Youth conference has been organised for young people aged 11-17 (18 if in last year of college/sixth form and up to the age of 25 for SEND).
It has been scheduled to take place during the half-term break to enable more young people to attend, avoiding any interference with the school curriculum, particularly for older students preparing for exams.
We kindly request that headteachers share this information with parents and young people.
We would really appreciate your support! If you need further information, please contact the team here: childfriendly@warwickshire.gov.uk
For further information and book a place, visit www.childfriendlywarwickshire.co.uk/youthconference
Warwickshire Police - Black History Month Art Competition for Primary Schools
Dear headteacher,
Warwickshire Police are launching an Art competition, running throughout October, for our local primary schools (primarily aimed at children in years 1 -6) in celebration of Black History Month. We want to engage with our local schools and want our local children to see policing as positive and aspirational. The theme for the Art competition this year is ‘Famous Black Police Officers’ as we want children, especially black children, and those from black heritage to ‘see’ themselves in policing.
It would be wonderful if you can get your children involved in this and celebrate the legacy of Black police officers.
All details can be found on the attached document.
If you require further information or want to submit the children’s artwork, please do get in touch via: DeiHub@warwickshire.police.uk
Information about e-scooters
E-scooters have gained popularity in recent years as a convenient mode of transportation, especially among young individuals. However, it is crucial for us to recognize that their use in certain areas is prohibited by law, and ignoring these regulations can have serious consequences, including accidents, injuries, and legal ramifications.
It is currently against the law to ride a privately owned e-scooter in any public place in the UK. As well as being illegal, Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership have concerns about the safety of e-scooters. The latest Department for Transport’s (DfT) Reported Road casualties Great Britain, annual report 2021 revealed that nationally there were 1,434 casualties involving e-scooters, including 10 people killed, 421 seriously injured and 1,003 slightly injured.
Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership has developed several assets which can be used to raise awareness of the laws on e-scooters, including posters, leaflets and a social media infographic. We are keen for schools to access and share these resources to raise awareness of the Law surrounding the use of e-scooters, your support in helping to raise awareness and educate would be greatly appreciated.
If you can support with sharing information and raising awareness among your pupils and families and would like to receive a digital leaflet, poster and social media infographic please contact: roadsafetyeducation@warwickshire.gov.uk.
We believe that by collectively addressing this issue and taking proactive steps to educate school communities, we can contribute to a safer environment for our pupils and families.
Please read here more information.
Parkrun News
That activity is parkrun.
Parkruns are free, weekly 5k events that take place every Saturday at 9.00am. They are open to everyone, and you can take part in any way that suits you, whether that’s walking, jogging, running, volunteering, or spectating.
They are organised by a team of volunteers (hi-vis heroes) and led by a volunteer Run Director and are a great opportunity to socialise, make friends and be part of a welcoming and supportive community. There is no time limit, and no one finishes last.
The first parkrun was hosted in Bushy Park in London in 2004 and now there are over 1,215 parkrun events around the country.
It’s completely free to join parkrun, you need to register to get a barcode which is like a membership card and is valid at every parkrun in the world. Your barcode is the only ‘piece of equipment’ you must take to every parkrun.
My local parkrun is Bedworth, and we meet at the Miners Welfare Park in Bedworth but you can use the parkrun map to see where other events take place.
What do I wear?
You’ve done it, you’ve signed up, got your barcode and have chosen to visit Bedworth parkrun or another venue but then start to worry over what to wear. There’s no dress code, you wear anything that you feel comfortable walking, jogging, or running in.
It’s Saturday and I’m going to parkrun!
Don’t forget your barcode (although you won’t need it until you’ve finished).
It’s best to arrive at the park about 15 minutes before the start and if you’re new to parkrun or you’ve gone to a different park (as a tourist) you can take part in the First Timers Welcome. This is a short welcome briefing telling you about the course, giving you the chance to meet other people taking part and ask any questions you may have.
Once the First Timers Welcome has taken place, the Run Director will give the main briefing which will include course information and shout outs to visitors and people celebrating milestones.
Then at 9.00am (or 9.30am in Scotland) it’s time to start. The Run Director will check that the Timekeepers are ready, and the run begins with people walking, walk – running, jogging, and running the course. The course will be signposted and there will be marshalls along the route offering support and encouragement. Most parkruns have volunteer parkwalkers and every parkrun has a volunteer Tail Walker, meaning nobody finishes last!
I’ve nearly finished my first parkrun!
Yesss!! You can see the finish line – you’ve done it!
As you cross the finish line the volunteer Timekeepers will record the time that you cross and as you make your way along the finish funnel, you’ll be given a finish token. This has your finish position number on it.
You take your finish token and your barcode to the volunteer Barcode Scanners who will scan your barcode before they scan your finish token. You keep your barcode, but you leave the token as it will be needed next week.
It doesn't matter if you don’t have your barcode scanned straight away as all results are processed after everyone has finished.
That’s it – You’ve done it!
Once your barcode and finish token have been scanned, it’s time to celebrate, most parkruns have a café or a meeting point when people meet up for coffee, cake, and a chat after their event. At Bedworth parkrun people visit the Mayors Café or the Cricket Club Pavilion Café.
When do I get my results?
At Bedworth parkrun the results are processed by the Run Director and everyone that took part receives an email or text message confirming their time and position. You can also view the latest results on the parkrun website.
Can I do it again?
Yes, you can, once you have your barcode you can visit any parkrun at any week. If you visit the same parkrun again, you wouldn’t need to take part in the First Timer’s Welcome just join everyone at the start line.
Can I bring my child with me?
Yes, you can. Children must be aged 4 and over to register, obtain their own barcode and register their time and they must be able to complete the course themselves to have their barcode scanned. All children under 11 must be within arm's reach of their responsible adult as they complete the course.
There are also junior parkruns which are 2k runs for children aged 4 to 14 my local Junior parkrun is Riversley Park junior parkrun in Nuneaton.
Can I volunteer instead of taking part in the event?
Yes, you can, everyone is welcome to volunteer and there are a range of roles to choose from, some of which can be combined with walking or running too. You can volunteer alone or with someone else and every time you volunteer you get a step closer to a volunteer milestone.
Parkrun welcomes Duke of Edinburgh Award students looking for Volunteering Opportunities
parkrun is an Approved Activity Provider (AAP) for the Volunteering Section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, with many DofE participants aged 14 – 24 using parkrun for their volunteering section. parkrun volunteering offers structured and rewarding roles, the development of responsibility, and many transferable skills.
If any student is looking for somewhere to complete the Volunteering Section of their Bronze, Silver, or Gold DofE Award Bedworth parkrun is keen to help you achieve your award. Please get in touch by emailing bedworth@parkrun.com
How can I volunteer?
Every parkrun website has a volunteer link where the different roles are explained and the future roster is shown. If you would like to volunteer for any parkrun, you can email bedworth@parkrun.com with your name, barcode A number the role you would like to help with and one of the core team will reply.
I hope you’ve found my article interesting, and it has made you think about going along to your local parkrun, either taking part or volunteering. I guarantee you’ll be made to feel welcome whatever you choose to do.