Partnership working within our local Community

We have been extremely busy since the end of last season, as you know we deliver our motivational Playing for Success [PfS] programme and other educational courses during the academic year and we are preparing for, and looking forward to summer holiday courses, however I should like to tell you about some of the plethora of activities we have been involved in since the end of May.

On June 3^rd we gained re-validation at Advance level in Quality in Study Support by external inspectors; a fantastic opportunity for a self reflection exercise for everyone here at the learning zone to ensure that we provide the very best life-long learning opportunities for everyone who crosses our threshold. It also enables us to offer support, guidance and consultation for others, such as going forward with their own recognition process or creating satellite learning centres at other establishments. Exciting times ahead for us here at the learning zone in Selhurst Park!

The very best component of having a Study Centre here at Selhurst Park is working closely with partners in our own local community. Ann Read, the head teacher of Elmwood Junior School has recently joined our Steering group, and I am very pleased to report that we have had the privilege to work very closely with different groups from within this vibrant school. Elmwood have regularly sent us groups of 15 pupils to attend our PfS sessions, so on June 11^th we invited the pupils from the Spring PfS programme to represent Crystal Palace F.C. Study Centre at the mini games held at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre in Pickets Lock, the London and South East Region's biennial children's event. PfS nationally are supporters of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic games, since July 18^th last year a small group of conscientious Study Centre staff from a range of clubs across the London and South East region have been planning the event. It was very well organized with a range of track & field events as well as a variety of PfS activities such as Speed Stacks, Olympic quiz, Tangrams, Interviewing using digital media-these activities incorporated literacy & maths skills as well as collaborative and higher thinking skills which help build confidence and self esteem.

The day was a great success; Emma Cross the Elmwood teacher who accompanied the pupils said that her pupils had not only enjoyed taking part in every activity but also the fact that they got to meet pupils from the different Study Centres including Arsenal, Brentford, Brighton, Tooting & Mitcham, West Ham football clubs, the new Legacy and Marathon Centres, and the Kent, Surrey and Sussex cricket clubs. I was so very proud of the pupils, their attitude, behaviour and effort was outstanding.

The Great Football Debate

At the beginning of the year I was approached by my colleague at the West Ham United Learning Zone to enquire whether I would be interested in sending a group of pupils to take part in the Great Football Debate. Six Playing for Success Centres from the London area were invited to bring along a group of Y6 pupils to take part in the full itinerary of activities including debating, public speaking and general discussions with a variety of warm up games around football related issues. The aim of the day was to boost the attending young people' s confidence in speaking in front of others and in expressing their thoughts and opinions clearly in front of an audience.

On Wednesday 7^th July 08:00 I jumped into the CPFC academy mini bus with Nathan Brown, our young South London Business assistant and Kamil Shonowo, one of our dedicated coaches in the CPFC Community Sports Trust, we then collected 13 pupils and their teacher from Elmwood and journeyed, slowly due to the traffic congestion, up to north London. The event was organised in partnership with West Ham Utd Learning Zone, Spurs Learning Centre and was delivered and funded by The English Speaking Union. The pupils from Elmwood were absolutely brilliant, their behaviour as a group was exemplary, and they were all excellent ambassadors for their school and Crystal Palace F.C. Study Centre.

Crystal Palace F.C. v Chelsea F.C.

We were pleased to welcome 15 parents and pupils from Elmwood who watched the pre-season friendly against Chelsea and will be returning to the learning zone in the first week of the school summer holidays to take part in our summer extravaganza course, where we will be using the Apple applications in conjunction with the Selhurst Park stadium experience to produce a record of their visit. I shall report on this in one of the programmes of the new season, watch this space.

If you would like more information about the courses and activities we deliver here at the learning zone of Selhurst Park do not hesitate to contact us. We are always keen to welcome volunteers into the centre, please note we insist that everyone who helps us undergoes a CRB.