LapwingNewsletter

Newsletter Editor: Wendy Quantrill wquantrill@lapwingsuffolk.co.uk Lapwing HQ: 01473 604809 www.lapwingsuffolk.org.uk

April 2014

Bursaries Page 2

Generous FriendsPage 3 & 6

Christmas PartyPage 4

Jake SnowlingPage 5

Jake at TheatrePage 11

What’s OnPage 12

Lapwing Newsletter

What’s New at Lapwing

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BursariesFrom its inception Lapwing has been com-

mitted to ensuring young people have ac-cess to education, regardless of the disad-vantages they experience. We don’t believe there should be any ceilings on ability.

With this in mind, Lapwing has intro-duced a Bursary Fund to support students who are facing financial hardship.

The fund has two elements: the Guaran-teed Bursary for vulnerable young people and the Discretionary Bursary for young people facing financial barriers to partici-pation.

Vulnerable learners, who are aged at least 16 and under 19 years of age on 31 August of each year, will be eligible for a Bursary of £1,200 which is claimed by Lapwing Suf-folk and paid ‘in kind’ to students to help them meet the costs related to participa-tion including transport costs, books and equipment, field trips and other course-related costs.

Payment of all bursaries is dependent on students maintaining attendance of 80% or above and behaving appropriately when participating in their Lapwing programme.

The criteria and application form for Guaranteed Bursaries and Discretionary Bursaries can be found on our website. If you have any questions please email our Head of Finance, Karina Scrivener, on kscrivener@lapwingsuffolk.co.uk.

New Staff MembersSeveral new mentors boosted our tal-

ented team this term - Liam Carney, Helen Blagden, Laura Jakab-Kurucz, Michelle Baker and Josh Revell-Brown. Gary Good-win joined us as a temporary tutor, Susan-nah Rosenberg is our new finance assistant and Jo Shevlin became our interim HR Consultant.

Staff TrainingA huge thank you to Suffolk Community

Trust for their contribution to innovative staff training courses. Firstly, a great num-ber of staff underwent the excellent Stu-dio III training helping them to improve the way they communicate with Lapwing students. There was also training on the use of midazolam, which is a drug for acute seizures. Lastly all Lapwing staff who have contact with students have been trained in e-safety. We continue to invest in staff training so we offer the very best learning and support to our students.

by Sophy Jones, Director of Development and Education

Lapwing Newsletter

Our Generous Friends

Ryan InsuranceWe were delighted to receive a cheque for £1000 from the staff at Ryan Insurance for their fundraising efforts in 2013.

To raise the money Ryan staff organised quiz nights, a bowling night, ‘win a day off’ monthly raffles, cake sales and donated ticket sales from their annual summer party.

We have decided to use the £1000 to help support two young students complete their mechanics courses. Ben McLaren (22) and Jonny Har-vey (21) are unable to access mechanics in a traditional College setting.

They are currently accessing a mechanics workshop at the Gipping Skills Centre in Stow-market with a tutor. This is a very expensive resource and their individual funding budg-et from the Education Fund-ing Agency doesn’t meet the whole cost.

We are incredibly grateful to the Ryan Insurance staff for their contribution to Lapwing and our students.

positive learning in Suffolk

Lapwing Chief Executive Sue receiving the cheque from Kayleigh at Ryan Insurance

Lapwing Newsletter positive learning in Suffolk

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Fred Olsen The Ipswich-based travel firm Fred Olsen contacted us to ask if we’d like some PCs that were surplus to requirement. This frees up yet more laptops for students to use. Thank you!

Call ConnectionWe continue to be supported by Call Connection with an-other dress down day planned for August. Our appeal for new office chairs was answered and we gratefully received a couple of chairs.

IT equipmentWe are still on the hunt for cordless digital phones and more office chairs if you know of any going spare.

Lapwing Newsletter

Christmas Party Goes with a Bang

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On Thursday the 19th December 2013 Lapwing had their first Christmas Party. It took place at IPCity. The party was organised by Jackie’s Thursday group. There was a disco, games, a raffle, facepainting and a buffet.

My job was taking in the money by the front door with Sophy. Other people’s jobs included preparing and setting the buffet, doing the dis-co and making announcements on the micro-phone. We organised the party in Thursday’s functional skills group. Guest and mentor Na-than said ‘I did enjoy the music, dancing and dressing up.’ Guest and mentor Clare said ‘Yes I did enjoy everything. The food was good.’

Thanks to Darren Bannister for photography and all those who donated raffle prizes. A mas-sive thank you to Jackie Bannister for her hard work and commitment to making the party a great success.

positive learning in Suffolk

Thursday’s Functional Skills group:1 - Designed posters and invites2 - Ordered food and drinks online3 - Chose party games4 - Decided prizes for the raffle5 - Booked the venue.

By Emile Eno-Daynes (below centre)

Lapwing Newsletter

Jake Snowling

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positive learning in Suffolk

26 June 1997 - 11 March 2014

It is with great sadness that we pay tribute to Jake Snowl-ing who passed away aged 16.

Jake was a Lapwing student for a few months during the summer term 2013. He was unable to attend his main-stream secondary school after being diagnosed with a brain tumour and suffering its effects.

Jake enjoyed photography with Lapwing tutor Albert Robb and fishing with men-tor Andy Cutler. Albert sent us these beautiful photo-graphs showing Jake’s artis-tic talent.

Unfortunately we were un-able to secure funding for Jake to continue his activi-ties in September 2013.

Tributes for Jake poured in and Facebook and Twitter were awash with messages of support for Jake’s mum Don-na, dad Mark, sister Sophie and brothers Tom and Ben.

In the words of his aunt Teresa Snowling: ‘Jake was the bravest boy I have ever met who fought with courage and never ever complained. An amazing young man who will be cherished in my heart forever.’

Lapwing Newsletter

Aisle Donate

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Generous local couple Debbie and Steve have donated their wedding gifts to Lapwing!

They approached us a few weeks before their reception and asked if they could put forward Lapwing as their chosen charity.

Here is the happy couple next to the gorgeous donations box Lapwing student Jake made for their party.

A huge £502 was raised and with gift aid this total reaches £627.

We were delighted when Waitrose chose us to be the recipients of their green coin scheme.

They are sending us a cheque for £179 which is fantastic!

Tom goes unsupportedStudent Tom Lowe, who we announced in the last newslet-ter has became a father, is making fantastic progress at Lapwing. He’s studying horticulture and is doing one day a week at Chantry, one at Beyond the Wall and one at Ace of Spades which is an allotment space in Bramford. He has been doing lots of work creating habitats for animals as well as studying beekeeping. The booklet he produced on beekeeping was of a really high standard and he has acheived several AQA Unit Award scheme certificates.

His confidence in the workplace is increasing all the time and he is now unsupported at Ace of Spades! Well done Tom, keep up the great work.

Lapwing Newsletter

Hanging out at Ipswich

Ipswich Station is enjoying a splash of colour thanks to new hanging baskets created by Lap-wing students.

The baskets were made at the ActivLives pro-ject at Chantry Walled Garden in Chantry Park, in partnership with Ipswich Borough Council and Abellio Greater Anglia, the train operating company on the Norwich to London line. The students grew winter flowering pansies and other seasonal bedding from plug plants and tended the finished baskets in the glasshouses at Chantry to bring them into peak condition.

ActivGardens lead horticulturalist and trainer Ric Staines (pictured left) said: “Our students have gained valuable skills relevant to working in the horticultural industry. We hope visitors to Ipswich Station will appreciate the efforts we’ve made to brighten up their journeys.”

Alan Trett, Abellio Greater Anglia’s assistant customer services manager (pictured above right), said: “We’re really grateful to ActivLives and Ipswich Borough Council for providing the new floral arrangements now on display at the station. They enhance the environment for the benefit of everyone who passes through this key gateway to the town.”

See student Michael (right) making one of the hanging baskets for Ipswich train station and below right some of the staff and students in-volved in the project.

positive learning in Suffolk Lapwing Newsletter

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positive learning in Suffolk

Lapwing Newsletter

Meet Susannah Rosenberg

Susannah has joined Lapwing as finance assistant, help-ing with all things to do with Lapwing’s purse.

Tell me how you first heard of LapwingThrough my friend, Wendy Quantrill who is Lapwing’s Communications and Fundraising Manager

What are your first impressions of LapwingIncredibly positive with a “can do” atmosphere.

What do you wish other people knew about LapwingThe vital role it plays in the community – helping stu-dents to fulfil their potential.

What might students and colleagues be surprised to know about you?I’m learning Norwegian

What do you do when you aren’t working at Lapwing?Running slowly, fairweather cycling, volunteering at Eastern Angles Theatre Company

What was the last book you read (or recommended?)Andy Kershaw’s ‘No Off Switch’. Andy, who is an en-gaging and energetic writer, was a college friend, so his autobiography brought back many happy memories.

What was your first job?I was PA to a Naval Captain at the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff in London. He and I soon learnt that this was not my true vocation.

What lesson did you learn on that job that you keep with you today?Courtesy and a smile costs nothing

How do you manage work pressure?Running in the park

Besides work, what are your passions?Yoga, theatre, cycling

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Susannah on a recent trip to Bruges to watch The Tour of Flanders cycle race

- Lapwing Newsletter

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Lapwing Celebration Event - Wednesday 25 June 2014Get your diary blocked out on 25 June for Lapwing’s annual Cel-ebration Event. This year the event will be held at IP-City, Bath Street in Ipswich (next to the Audi garage).

If you’ve not been before this is when the whole of Lapwing gets together to celebrate students’ achievements. The day begins with the opportunity to see some of the students’ work and meet partners and staff. After some refreshments we begin the gradu-ation ceremony where students receive certificates for their ac-complishments. If you can join us you will be rewarded with an inspiring experience!

positive learning in Suffolk

RHS Avenue GamesThe Optua Games has changed its name to the RHS Avenue Games but the concept remains the same - a fun and sporty day out for all! This year the games will be held on Thursday 26 June from 10am to 3pm. We’ll be entering as many teams as possible to vie for trophies and medals in events such as hockey dribbling, welly wanging, foot-ball, netball shoot outs and archery. All in the grounds of the beauti-ful Royal Hospital School at Holbrook. If you’d like to be involved get in touch with Lapwing mentor Nathan Mills.

Save the Date

Behind the wheelBen McLaren (left) has just passed his driving test! He’s now driving himself independently to his Lapwing mechanics course at The Gip-ping Valley skills centre.

Steven Featley is also enjoying the great independence that comes with passing your driving test. He is now able to drive to Beyond the Wall once a week.

Lapwing Newsletter

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positive learning in Suffolk

We’re down with the kidsWe love our social media at Lapwing. We use it to spread the word to potential students and current students.

We also use social media to attract funds and sponsorship, recruit staff and new trustees and tell the world at large what we’re up to.

You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Flickr, YouTube and Instagram.

If you have any great stories or photos you’d like us to share please email Wendy Quantrill on wquantrill@lapwingsuffolk.co.uk.

The superstars at GM Supplies in Martlesham are producing these lovely Lapwing hoodies for us, in great quality cotton. They are priced at £16 for the standard weight and £17.50 for the heavyweight cotton. The heavier weight has features such as flat cords and holes for your thumbs to go in when it’s chilly! It also has loops for your headphone wires and a pocket for your smartphone.

Each is made to order and there are many sizes to choose from so if you’d like one please email wquantrill@lapwingsuffolk.co.uk to place an order.

Hoodies

Lapwing Newsletter

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positive learning in Suffolk

Luke’s wishing wellLuke Burton came up with the idea of making a wishing well planter as his own project. He made the prototype with tutor Ian Norman and made plans to to visit a DIY store to cost up and select materials to make a bigger one.

He’s hoping the product will sell – and we have promised him a “cut” of the profits! He says he “honestly enjoyed the day” today. When I asked him why, he said he enjoyed turning the idea into reality, espe-cially since it involved the prospect of making money.

We hope Luke’s entrepreneurial wishes come true!

Racing heartsMentor Aprille’s partner took part in a charity cycle ride last year with a number of friends around Europe and raised around £10 000 for defibrillators to be allocated to any places that would benefit from them. One place which they are keen to distribute one is The Green Light Trust in Lawshall where several Lapwing students attend.

Jake at the Theatre Jake Roberts and his mentor Bridget Staton went to the New Wolsey Theatre on the 27th of March to see Miss Nightingale. Miss Nightin-gale is a war-time based musical written by Matthew Bugg who also appeared in the show.

It was a fabulously saucy and outstanding show. There was singing and dancing and some flirty songs!

They had front row seats, so got the full impact of the show. The whole cast was fantastic but they gave extra praise, to the female lead Jill Cardo who played Miss Nightingale. She impressed them with her energy and enthusiasm for the entire show. They especially liked the striptease!

All the cast were musically trained and Bridget does like a man who can blow his own trumpet! They highly recommend the show as a great evening out for a good laugh and gave the whole show a 10/10.

Lapwing Newsletter

Lapwing Volunteer Hannah Berresford’s What’s On this Summer...

Suffolk Show28 and 29 May 2014Trinity Park, IpswichChildren aged 14 and under will enter free of charge and dog owners can once again bring their four legged family members to the Suffolk Show when the gates of Trinity Park open on May 28.

Summer Term 2014Tuesday 22 April 2014 – Wednesday 23 July 2014 Non Student Day Thursday 22 May 2014 Half Term Mon 26 May – Friday 30 May 2014 Summer Holiday Thurs 24 July – Thurs 4 Sept 2014Celebration Event Wednesday 25 June 2014

Autumn Term 2014Friday 5th Sept 2014 – Friday 19th December 2014Non Student Days Wed 3rd and Thurs 4th Sept 2014Students start Friday 5th September 2014Half term Monday 27th – Friday 31st October 2014Christmas Holiday Mon 22nd Dec 2014 – Friday 2nd Jan 2015

We will give one month’s notice of any additional staff training days.

The Gondoliers9 to 11 May 2014New Wolsey Theatre, IpswichOpera della Luna premieres a brand new production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s sparkling comic opera. For this produc-tion the company’s regular team will be augmented by a chorus of 24 young talented musical theatre performers, specially assembled from the Ipswich area.

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Hot Rods21 June 2014Foxhall Stadium, IpswichSoak up the atmosphere and excite-ment at the National Hot Rods Thun-der 500 (sponsored by Cattermoles of Ipswich), BriSCA F1 Stock Cars World Qualifier, National Ministox.

Latitude Festival17-20 July 2014Henham Park, SouthwoldLatitude, which last year won the award as best Family Festival, is back with a great line up of music, comedy, dance, theatre, literature and film. You can also spread the cost over four months leaving you more money to spend on ice creams!

This Lapwing Suffolk newsletter is kindly sponsored by Ryan Insurance Group.

Call 01473 343434 or visit the web-site to see if Ryan Insurance could provide insurance for your family or business.

ww.ryan-group.co.uk

Term Dates

www.lapwingsuffolk.co.uk