Monday, 28 February 2011

Sports Leadership

JK spent 3 long days of his school half-term holiday at Southwell Leisure Centre, working towards a Level 1 Award in Sports Leadership. He was the youngest student there, as the minimum age requirement is 13, and he knew he was missing out on much of the fun at Hardwick Hall, so I feel extra proud of his effort and achievement.

Level 1 Award in Sports Leadership

Unit 1 - Plan, lead and review a sport/activity
On completion of this unit the candidate must demonstrate competence in the following areas:

Learning Outcome 1: Take part in the planning of a sport/activity.

1.1 Explain what information will be needed in order to plan a sport/activity.

1.2 Explain where to find information and how to use this knowledge to plan a sport/activity.

1.3 Describe the structure of a sport/activity session.

1.4 Describe how the sport/activity will change with the age/ability of the participants.

1.5 Assist in the planning of a sport/activity session.

Learning Outcome 2: Take part in the leading of a sport/activity.

2.1 Assist in the leading of a sport/activity.

Learning Outcome 3: Understand how to communicate with participant/s.

3.1 Describe different elements of communication.

Learning Outcome 4: Use verbal and non-verbal communication when leading others.

4.1 Use verbal communication skills when leading a sport/activity.

4.2 Use non-verbal communication skills when leading a sport/activity.

Learning Outcome 5: Take part in the review of a sport/activity session.

5.1 Explain what went well and what did not go so well.

5.2 Agree what could be improved for future activities.


Unit 2 - Developing leadership skills
On completion of this unit the candidate must demonstrate competence in the following areas:

Learning Outcome 1: Know the skills, qualities and values that a leader will need.

1.1 Identify the skills, qualities and values that an effective leader will need.

Learning Outcome 2: Motivate participants.

2.1 Identify a range of ways to motivate others.

2.2 Apply a range of motivation methods to motivate others.

Learning Outcome 3: Manage participant behaviour.

3.1 Identify types of behaviour which are and are not acceptable as:

  • A leader
  • A participant

3.2 Set ground rules for acceptable behaviour when leading others.

3.3 Know how to manage basic disruptions when leading others.


Unit 3 - Lead activities that promote a healthy lifestyle
On completion of this unit the candidate must demonstrate competence in the following areas:

Learning Outcome 1: Identify the factors that contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

1.1 Describe how the following factors may affect a person's health and fitness:

  • Exercise
  • Smoking
  • Drugs
  • Alcohol
  • Diet
  • Age
  • Environment

Learning Outcome 2: Plan, lead and review a session designed to increase a participant's heart rate through physical activity.

2.1 Plan an activity session which is designed to increase participants' heart rate.

2.2 Lead an activity session which is designed to increase participants' heart rate.

2.3 Review the activity session and explain what went well and what did not go so well.

2.4 Agree what could be improved for future sessions.


Unit 4 - Fair play in sport
On completion of this unit the candidate must demonstrate competence in the following areas:

Learning Outcome 1: Understand what is meant by 'fair play'.

1.1 Define 'fair play' and outline its importance in sport and recreational activity.

Learning Outcome 2: Apply the concept of 'fair play'.

2.1 Apply the concept of 'fair play' as a leader.

2.2 Promote 'fair play' between participants.


Unit 5 - The role of the official
On completion of this unit the candidate must demonstrate competence in the following areas:

Learning Outcome 1: Understand the roles and responsibilities of officials.

1.1 Identify the roles and responsibilities of the following officials:

  • Coach
  • Referee/Umpire
  • Scorer
  • Timekeeper

Learning Outcome 2: Understand the rules and regulations of a specific sport/activity.

2.1 Describe the rules and regulations of a specific sport/activity.

Learning Outcome 3: Act as an official.

3.1 Carry out the responsibilities associated with the role of the official.

3.2 Make decisions based on knowledge and understanding of the rules and regulations of a specific sport/activity and communicate these decisions to the participants/other officials.


Unit 6 - Opportunities in sport and recreation
On completion of this unit the candidate must demonstrate competence in the following areas:

Learning Outcome 1: Understand the provision of sport and recreation activities in the local community.

1.1 Identify the places in the local area where it is possible to take part in sport and physical activity.

1.2 Identify the courses that are run in the local area which may complement or follow on from this qualification.

1.3 State how a leader may use this information to further their involvement in sport or recreation.

Painting and Pottery


During our week away at Hardwick Hall, Madi spent a wonderful morning with friends old and new at the David Wadsworth Pottery Studio in Alfreton (sadly, no website) painting a flower fairy, throwing a bowl on the wheel, and enjoying the wonderful cakes in the café!

Hardwick Hall and the Great British Bake Off


We were lucky to be invited to spend the school half-term in National Trust cottages at Hardwick Hall to celebrate a friend's 40th birthday. I really should have kept my camera with me to capture more of our memories, but here are a few pictures of Thursday's 'Great British Bake Off' from the birthday girl herself...

the contestants gather...

and work up an appetite climbing back up the hill!

the big boys made Jamie's Chicken Tikka Masala over in the other cottage...

while the medium girls went for healthy options...

salad...
(an extra pair of hands would be very useful, but I'm not sure about them growing out of the side of one's head!)


and a fruit platter.

The small girls made also made a great effort with their chocolate sprinkle crispie, but the almost big boys were deserved winners with their 'Definitely NOT Dark Chocolate Cake' (complete with sparklers!)



Saturday, 22 January 2011

Trees and Briars!

Madi worked out that today she is 7 1/2, which apparently requires a half-birthday cake! I agreed on the condition that she helped make it, and she agreed provided it was Hello Kitty!



Over the past week she has been tree planting with Sherwood Forest Trust...


and attended a tree-themed day at Cottam Power Station...

...where we learnt about and made our own 'Green Man' using moss, leaves and berries collected from the nature reserve...


...talked about what lives in the branches, trees and roots of trees...


...found out about tree-dressing around the world...


...and decorated a tree with our own wishes for the world and traditional Scottish 'clooties'.
























She has also managed to fit in plenty of sport this week, with an extra swimming session to be tested on her Brownie Swimmer Badge (thank you Julie!) which she passed 'with flying colours', to add to the Dancer Badge from last week.



Meanwhile, JK has been on a retreat at The Briars with school. As usual it has been difficult to get out of him what they have been up to, but it seems to have included designing an anti-knives t-shirt, writing prayers, and going on some long walks.

Tonight, he is on another long walk- this time the 21st Annual NESST (Nottinghamshire Emergency Scout Support Team) Challenge Walk, hoping to cover 18 miles around Walesby.

Tuesday, 18 January 2011

Ballet Stories, as told by Madi to Mummy

Swan Lake

There once was a prince called Prince Siegfried and it was his birthday. He went hunting with the present from his mother- a new crossbow. He went to the woods, followed a deep, dark tunnel and there he was at the lake. There were loads of swans. Prince Siegfried went to aim at a swan. Little did he know that something special was about to happen. When he let his arrow go, the swan turned in to a beautiful lady. Prince Siegfried was really, really scared; but then he asked the beautiful lady what her name was. The beautiful young lady also had a beautiful voice and she said “My name is Odette. An evil wizard cast a spell upon me and all the other swans. I am a swan during the day and woman by night. And it is the same for all the other swans. Unless someone says he loves me and promises to marry me I will stay like this forever”.

“I will take you to my ball tomorrow night. There I will need a bride. I shall promise to love you and no one else,” said Prince Siegfried.

The next night began. Prince Siegfried was beginning to get worried as if Odette was not going to come. But then a beautiful lady came in the palace’s doors. When the time came to say who was going to be his bride, he said “Odette!”. Everyone went quiet. As the beautiful young lady stepped to the steps, an old man also known as the evil wizard came to the steps too.

“Do you promise to love she, and nobody else?” the evil wizard said.

“Yes”.

Then, the evil wizard did not have to disguise himself any longer. As he ripped off his disguise, Prince Siegfried could see that the princess that he thought was Odette was only the evil wizard’s daughter.

Prince Siegfried ran from the palace, and ran straight to the lake. And there he saw the real Odette, and begged her for forgiveness. But then the spell could not be broken. Odette went to go and drown herself (as she was still a lady). Prince Siegfried ran to the lake and shouted, “I love you, I don’t love anyone else”. Then, the evil wizard’s spell was broken forever and ever, the wizard was defeated by his own magic. And now they might still live, Prince Siegfried and Odette, living together with children. The end.

The Firebird

Prince Ivan was out in the forest when he saw a beautiful orange bird, and he said “Wow, that must be a firebird!” . The prince grabbed her and the bird cried with pain. Prince Ivan felt sorry for the bird and let it go then she gave him one of her feathers and said, “This will protect you.” Then Prince Ivan walked to a garden full of statues. A group of girls came dancing towards him. But for Prince Ivan, one of the girls in particular stood out the most. She looked like a firebird. The girl was a prisoner of Prince Koschei who only let her out for a very, very, very short time.

Prince Koschei saw Prince Ivan and to turn him in to stone. As he did that, Prince Ivan held out his orange feather and he didn’t turn in to stone. And then in a flash the firebird arrived and used her magic to make Prince Koschei dance until he fell down. “I haven’t got my soul inside me. Only if you find it and destroy it you will kill me,” said Prince Koschei. The firebird helped Prince Ivan find the soul and destroy it. And then the girl that stood out in particular and Prince Ivan married.


The Nutcracker

It was Christmas Eve, and Cara, a little girl, went down to check on the presents. And there was a special one. The morning of Christmas came and she unwrapped the special present first and when she opened it she found it was a toy soldier, but not just any ordinary soldier- a nutcracker. But she did not know that it was special but she did put it in a very special place. When the night of Christmas came, she went to check that the nutcracker was still there, and it was safe and sound in the same place. But then loads of giant toy mice came and the nutcracker came in to action. Cara tried to keep her scream in otherwise she would wake her mum and dad. But she threw a slipper at the Mouse King and he went unconscious. And the nutcracker said, “Thank you, I would never have conquered them if it were not for you”. Cara got minified and then they went to a special place on the nutcracker’s hat. The place that they went to was called the Land of Sweets and the Sugar Plum Fairy was queen. And they played all night long with the fairies, pixies and brownies, until it was time for the nutcracker to go home with Cara. When they got home, Cara got biggified to go back to her normal bed and hoped that she would do the same thing again the next night or whether it had just been a dream.

Thursday, 13 January 2011

from the sublime to the ridiculous!

After several weeks of being home most of the time due to snow and Christmas holidays, JK at least has had a very busy weekend. He returned to school on Thursday when he found out that he will be making his options this year rather than next as expected so that he can help the school meet the government's latest performance targets. He had a singing lesson in the evening and is now preparing for his Rockschool Grade 2 Vocals exam, as well as ABRSM Grade 1 Saxophone. Straight from school on Friday evening he went off to Ollerton for the postponed Scouts' Christmas Sleepover, although it appears less than three hours sleep actually took place before it was over! A quick shower at a friend's then on to auditions for West Side Story, and then to an ice hockey match against Nottingham at the NIC. Sting were victorious 8-3 and despite the lack of sleep JK scored 5 goals and 1 assist (the pass that resulted in a goal being scored).

Madi meanwhile, had her first archery session of the new year, and returned to gymnastics now that the centre has found a new coach. Sadly there is no longer any trampolining, but it may be possible to try out some freestyle/street dancing instead. She didn't manage to see the end of JK's ice hockey match as she went to a joint 10th Birthday Disco for Pheobe and Abygail in Beeston.

And we were back in Beeston less than 12 hours later for field hockey training! JK also went on to Oakham for a match, and another win! Madi was supposed to be returning to Sunday Club, but unfortunately it was cancelled due to illness, so we checked out the BBC iPlayer together and really enjoyed the first two episodes of Richmal Crompton's 'Just William', starring Daniel Roche from our household favourite tv show 'Outnumbered'. This also reminded me of a fantastic HE group session at Abbey Pumping Station about 1950s holidays (thank you Sharan!) and how even recent history is still very much history for Madi.

Straight after school on Monday JK attended the second meeting of Sutton Sting's Youth Involvement Panel. Club founder Gary Apsley wrote:

" As the Club gets ready for it’s fifth season we still aim:

• to give youth a voice in club affairs
• to stimulate young people to take up leadership roles in the club and ice hockey
• to think out of the box
• to be open-minded generally and on issues affecting the club.


A secondary aim for the club is to foster the growth of young people becoming involved in Ice Hockey long term either as coaches, officials or administrators. This can be done by giving young players the opportunity to develop as coaches, officials, leaders, administrators and event organisers whilst still being members of the club.

Through the Sting Youth Involvement Panel the club can benefit from having members who are active, enthusiastic and have a passion for ice hockey. Membership of the YIP is open to any member under the age of 18 years. If you share the same passion for ice hockey and want to become involved contact your team manager."


Although it is early days, I think the representatives from each team are going to be much more 'involved' than he realised, and are already organising their own meetings, with their own agenda!

The big excitement of the day though was Madi's return to RYSC. She has been looking forward to this since the performance in December, and it didn't disappoint- she just can't wait to be directing the scene she has written and has so many ideas I can't imagine how it will turn out!

And then, just as we were getting back in to the (very quick) swing of things, JK's 'options' booklet came home. From my first reading they are expecting him to take 14 GCSE/GCSE equivalents, and all are to be examined at the end of year 11.

Friday, 7 January 2011

New Timetable!

Madi has decided that she would like a 'timetable'. Although she is quite a structured person; I thought she had been enjoying a more flexible approach, especially over Christmas, with few if any activities, no car but often plenty of snow, and new toys to play with!

The Playmobil theatre was a huge success, and Madi has spent a lot of time with her little people rehearsing the next performance. She has spent even more time writing scripts! She also received a camcorder with which she is hoping to record her shows, but in the meantime the great news arrived that next term's RYSC will involve writing and directing their own scenes which she is very much looking forward to.