Huzzah! Its about to change over into summer term again after the Easter Holidays so heres a round-up of action completed in the First-Term of this year. As ever the Bikeability on-road cycling training for children and adults continues gaining greater scope every year in my own and wider spheres. Here in Bournemouth we’ve been through a few meetings to set up the provision from Bournemouth Council , my colleagues from Poole work are the same guys with a couple of long-term Bournemouth staff to complete. Councils around the country bid to DaFT (Department for Transport) for money to deliver this training and we deliver it. Kings Park is the hub of this training, with free courses advertised in the first few weeks of this year, happy to say that these gained students and I taught a couple of the 8 hour courses in January/ March with confirmed numbers on the Easter Holiday courses where parents are keen to get the children doing something good. I’m continually juggling the diary and fitting work to availability being a key skill of self employed people. I’m teaching more of these Safer Urban Driving courses These have given my enthusiasm another boost, you might think that working with lorry drivers might be unpleasant, and indeed I’m told by a friend that some Reading trainers haven’t continued to teach them- due to the nature of the characters but these working men don’t phase me. 5 years at the beginning of my adult life working all shifts on the railway prepared me for any and all of the types of working class blokes you find driving trucks. So lots more of these courses coming up, brilliant to know that incrementally we Bikeability instructors are gradually educating all the drivers of HGV’s on road- so when youre next given plenty space on the bike by a passing truck- that driver has probably had his driver CPC for Safer Urban Driving- look for the FORS (Freight Operators Recognition Scheme) stickers on the back. At the other end of the age scale first week of January I started a 10 week after schools club at my nearest school Talbot Heath. Reception and Year 1 age girls on a de-stabilise course, de-stabilise sounds like what you might not want to be doing with young kids, in cycling terms though its taking them from time- stressed parents who might not be able to teach them to ride a bike independently. As always theres the tears and the wobbles and the mini dramas you always see, happy to say though all 10 of my class were riding in the first half term. Second half term we continued their training with bike handling skills and games, all great fun. Some parents who couldn’t make the day of the club have also asked me to teach in Easter Hols so happy days. Lastly on the cycling front the Velodrome took a group from Bournemouth and Poole College whom I got riding brakeless fixed- gear for the first session of the year. Lots of changes in the scheduling and management of the track there so go to this website for full info.
Continuing Professional Development:-Bikeability Balance Course, NSID (National Standard Instructor Driver) Course+ E-Bikes Trainer Course with CTUK, Bike Mechanics. Refresher course x 2 with Avanti Cycle Training.
Lets put Yoga into the middle of this Round-Up sandwich and my second series for Arts University Bournemouth groups as part of the Active Dorset ‘Give it a Go’ project. First week back in January into a lovely new studio at AUB for an evening session, with a totally unexpected first week of oversubscription. I welcomed 28 students into the room, then had to turn away about 10 more simply as they wouldn’t fit in the room! So lots of challenge there to achieve the aims of the class, moving between teaching positions, vocalising to all in the room and ensuring class safety. Following weeks saw continued high numbers and as always the groups received a great introduction to the variety of dynamic Yoga practice. Looking forward to continuing this in Autumn term the other side of sunshine. Also completed the 3rd series for Purbeck Peleton for a cyclists group.
Onto an Orienteering review and another super- spring. As was the case in 2015 January I completed GCSE P.E assessments for three schools. Two of whom contracted me for a days pre-coaching and one who having already done lots of practical teaching brought groups straight onto testing. Using the S.I electronic kit provides us with exact evidence of results. Corpus Christi Catholic Primary asked me again to deliver a scheme of work for the year 5 classes x 2, with all the 6 weeks including an outdoor learning element, and the last two weeks in the nearby park including a finale using the S.I electronic timing. Back in January I planned the Clubs local event the Galoppen in Holmesley in the New Forest and helped run the day event. Wessex Orienteers gained 230 runners on the day, many of the runners complimenting me on the course planning- I was pleased that the longest courses were won by the Juniors down from Devon, fitting that they can combine navigational skills with the explosivity of youth speed on the run. Also in the background theres map making to do for a couple of clients, opening Permanent courses this summer and more. Finally today a quick note on the Inter Schools Event I put on yesterday with the wonderful Poole East Dorset Sports Co-ordinator Katrina Coles at Canford School. On the day we had 5 Juniors and one Senior School compete, the results here might show that after 2 years of me running a weeks summer term activities (booked again this summer) the Durweston winners have taken on the coaching and followed through in the results! Canford is such a beautiful site and Im very grateful to have worked there for the day. Sure that map-running there will provide all the92 children some great memories into the future and we do hope they will continue to take part in Orienteering sport. Thats enough for now thanks for reading, after a couple more posts this blog might be quieter in the summer as my timeline moves into solid delivery of sessions planned- I’m still listening though so do make more enquiries if you have any. Have a great Break Teachers!