Attached is the latest sign up figures for million meals. The next target is 1000 schools so please sign up.

There are lots of new resources available on the site - of particular note is the Primary curriculum pack, so there are many benefits schools signing up to the campaign.

The School Food Trust is also going to provide posters for schools to add their username and password so they can display on the school notice board for all to use.

There will also be an online school meal tracking tool - there will also be a practical seminar shortly for all healthy schools co-ordinators to show how this tool works.

Download: Right-click to download (.xls 50.5 kb)
(Right-click to save)
 

Young people will be taught how to deal with the pressure and intimidation often caused by exposure to sexual content in the media and on the internet and mobile phones, Ed Balls announced today.

Link: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/news/index.cfm?event=news.item&id=ed_balls_launches_21st_century_sex_and_rela
 

Schools Secretary Ed Balls and Schools Minister Iain Wright today urged children and young people to make a New Years resolution to read more as a hobby in 2010 - as they launch a £500,000 campaign to provide over 53,000 free books for secondary schools. See link for further details

Link: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/news/content.cfm?landing=over_53000_free_books_for_schools_in_bid_to_get_youn
 

As part of the new compulsory PSHE curriculum, all pupils from the age of 5 to 16 are to be taught about handling money, savings and the financial skills they need as adults.

Link: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2010_0005
 

The theme of this campaign by FRANK is the 'Crazy Chemist' and was launched by Home Secretary Alan Johnson, who wants to educate young people who might be tempted to experiment with 'legal highs' to realise that what they are taking can have a devastating effect, particularly if mixed with alcohol.

For more information on FRANK visit the Talk to Frank Website

Link: http://www.talktofrank.com/article.aspx?id=3529
 

The PSHE Association is delighted by the government's announcement today that PSHE education is to become a statutory subject in schools from next year.

Ed Balls confirmed that personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education will be made compulsory in schools from September 2011.

PSHE gives young people the information they need to make the right choices about their future. It covers a range of issues young people growing up today face such as:

leading healthier lifestyles
body image and health issues
managing personal finance
careers education
avoiding harm from alcohol and drugs
sex and relationships.

Building on the recommendations of an independent review by Sir Alasdair Macdonald and following extensive public consultations, PSHE, will become a statutory part of the national curriculum at primary and secondary level for all young people for the first time in 2011.

Read the full announcement from the DCSF and Ed Balls attached

Link: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/news/content.cfm?landing=ed_balls_all_children_to_learn_about_personal_financ
 

Details attached of the Hygiene topic box available for loan from healthy schools office for primary schools.

Download: Right-click to download (.pdf 106.9 kb)
(Right-click to save)
 

Details attached of the People who help us/Staying safe topic box available for loan from healthy schools office for primary schools.

Download: Right-click to download (.pdf 98.4 kb)
(Right-click to save)
 

Details attached of the dental health topic box available for loan from healthy schools office for primary schools.

Download: Right-click to download (.pdf 93.2 kb)
(Right-click to save)
 

Details attached of the Drugs topic box available for loan from healthy schools office for primary schools.

Download: Right-click to download (.pdf 95.5 kb)
(Right-click to save)
 

Details attached of the Drugs topic box available for loan from healthy schools office for secondary schools.

Download: Right-click to download (.pdf 119.5 kb)
(Right-click to save)
 

We have a number of topic boxes for loan to schools. If you are interested in borrowing any of these useful resource boxes, please contact Emily Rowntree, on 01432 383163.
 

If you are interested in participating in a Speakeasy course to equip yourself with the knowledge and understanding to facilitate an 8-week training course for parents, the Ledbury Children's Centre will be running 2 days training on Friday 25th September and Friday 2nd October with a third day to be confirmed.
Contact Jill Jupp, Administrator at Ledbury Children's Centre on 01531 637819 to book a place.
 

MEND - Mind, Exercise Nutrition Do it!

MEND is a fun, free 10 week programme for overweight and obese children, with no co-morbidities, aged between 7-13 and their families
There will be 2 MEND programmes starting in September. See attached flyer for details.

Download: MEND programmes starting in September 09 (.pdf 37.6 kb)
(Right-click to save)
 

Free Gym access for young people aged 12-16.

Halo are offering 300 free places on their FitForFree scheme which provides free access to Halo gyms and exercise classes.

Please enquire at your local Halo centre or visit their website (link attached)

Link: Halo website
 

The Department for Children Schools and Families has taken over responsibility for the Tellus survey from Ofsted and has commissioned NFER to deliver the Tellus4 survey of children and young people in the autumn term 2009 on its behalf.
All those schools who are invited to participate will have received a letter direct.
 

Check out our Events Diary for details on:

Drugs Awareness Course - Primary schools
PSHEed Yesterday and Tomorrow - Secondary schools
PSHE Co-ordinators meeting
Working towards Healthy School Status event
PSHE CPD recruitment meeting
Circle time training
Working with Parents and the Community
 

Ed Balls has confirmed his intention to make Personal Social Health and Economic (PSHE) education a compulsory part of the curriculum at both primary and secondary schools.

Link: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0078
 

Helen Roberts is employed by the Council as Catering Officer and is responsible for monitoring the catering in schools and preparing the catering contracts for schools.
Ian Doody assists Helen with the monitoring and he is the Catering Monitoring Officer.

Both are available if you need any advice or clarification on anything to do with your school catering suppliers, and ultimately the food they supply to your school.
Contact Ian on 01432 2609990 for further information.
 

Herefordshire Healthy Schools are working together with the School Nurses to bring you Healthy Lunchbox Workshops. The school nurse assistants are available to come into schools to work with parents and children to develop a healthy lunchbox. If you would like one of these parent workshops please contact Healthy Schools on 383162.
 

The new PSHE/Healthy Schools Co-Ordinator is now in post here at Herefordshire Healthy Schools. Kim Goddard, has a background in primary school teaching, and led her last school, Credenhill Primary, through to achieving their Healthy Schools status as PSHE Co-ordinator within the school.

She is enthusiastic and keen to prepare Herefordshire for the new National Accreditation process which starts in September.

If you would like to speak to her about anything or would like to pop into the office and meet her or take a look in our resource room, please ring ahead to let us know you are coming.
 

As teenagers start the countdown to their Christmas holidays, polling today exposes the pressures they feel to have sex at this special time of year and the realities around why December and January mark the annual peak in teenage conception rates.

Findings from the Time to Talk campaign show that a quarter of young people feel exposed to increased pressure to have sex, with 68% also saying they are more likely to drink alcohol at Christmas time a factor proven to impair decision-making around sex and relationships.

Yet despite these discoveries at a time when parents need to be more vigilant than ever - two thirds of parents still believe that sex is something other peoples kids do. Only a fifth of parents think that their own child is likely to have sex at this time of year when over a third (34%) of teens tell us that they are more likely to.

Other results show that:

Teens feel acute pressure to have sex at special times of year even more so than to smoke or take drugs (23% and 15% respectively)

Peers are still piling on the pressure for their friends to have sex at Christmas (58%), with a mere 15% blaming media for their decisions

77% of boys feel the most pressure to have sex comes from their friends, compared to just 44% of girls

Just under 70% of 15 year olds say their friends put the most pressure on them to have sex helping to identify the need for parents to step-up conversations about sex and relationships around this age.

Following the launch of the campaigns Everyday Conversations, Every Day report earlier in the year, Christmas was cited by 27% teens as a time when they are more likely to talk to their parents about sex because they find themselves spending more time together and feeling closer. These findings support the need for parents to form open and honest dialogue with their children about sex and relationships and arm them with the right information for responsible decision-making.

Gill Frances, Chair of the Governments Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group comments:

"We've now got solid research which shows young people are much more likely to get pregnant over Christmas than at other times of the year. I know that many parents are already doing a brilliant job of talking to their teenagers about sex and relationships but I'd urge all parents to give it a try.

"It's never too late to start talking about sex and relationships and having that conversation now, before the Christmas party season, could make a very positive difference to a young person's life."

For more information on how to talk to your children about sex and relationships, parents can contact Parentline Plus on 0808 800 2222 or visit www.parentlineplus.org.uk


For more information

Please contact Helen Carnall or Joon Haque on 0207 260 2700 or firstname.lastname@bluerubicon.com

Many parents are surprised to find that their children want to talk to them about love, relationships and sex. These hints and tips should make matters easier:

From newspapers to soaps, TV shows to magazines, it is often effective to use everyday media to start conversations with children. Talking about other people or characters often makes the conversation a lot easier and removes embarrassment or tension

Find out what education your kids are getting in school about sex and relationships they may know more than you think and the conversations will flow more easily. This may help you to gauge their opinions on matters before wading in with yours

Get up to date with your information and terminology before you start talking it will give you credibility. Go to: www.fpa.org.uk/community/speakeasy or www.parentlineplus.org.uk

Dont be afraid to say, I dont know and use this as a chance to research the topic together

It is important to treat teens thoughts and opinions with respect. It will encourage them to speak with you more openly. Your teenager may have different values to you when it comes to sex; dont worry though, such differences are an inevitable part of them growing up. This does not mean that they are at risk or wont appreciate talking

If you have a son and daughter, try to be consistent in how you address matters. Its understandable for parents to be protective but it is important to treat boys and girls equally when approaching the issues

Its really important your teen knows about effective contraception to prevent pregnancy, but make sure you include sexually transmitted infections and the importance of using condoms in your discussions about safe sex

If youre going to have a conversation, choose a place where the teen feels comfortable and relaxed

Keep what they say confidential communication will break down if trust is broken

If they say something you find shocking, stay calm and question them further to gauge how much they actually know

Direct teens to reliable and alternative sources of information and help, such as www.ruthinking.co.uk


Alison Hadley
Teenage Pregnancy Unit
Department for Children Schools and Families
Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3BT
Telephone: 020 7273 4876
 

Three students and a member of staff took part in YouFood on 16-18 November in Bristol. The event was organised by the Soil Association and is a Secondary School Student Summit on sustainable food and farming.

The aim of YouFood is to engage young people in the future of our food and food choices, looking closely at sustainable food and farming. The students of John Masefield High School took part in a variety of workshops and debates to give them the skills and knowledge to be key influencers in the reform of school food culture. They also learnt how to make canapes in a Cookery School.

The Summit overlapped with the Soil Associations Adult Conference and the students were invited to discuss their views with Hilary Benn (Secretary of State, Defra).

The John Masefield students who took part were Year 10 students Connor Davies, George Banner and Adam Perks. They were accompanied by Rural Science teacher Mrs Joy Black.
 

The Real Meals cookbook contains 32 classic recipes and was chosen after the public were asked to nominate the basic dishes every child should learn how to cook - and is endorsed by Michelin Star chef Phil Vickery.

The cookbook is available online and secondary heads will be able to order copies for all their year 7 pupils.

Link: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/healthyliving/schoolfoodanddrink/realmeals