Herald - Issue 396

Page 26 • The HERALD • 8th October 2020 v READ THE HERALD ONLINE: www.herald-publishing.co.uk v THE LEARNING ZONE Doing it for the Kidz 12 years ago, sports enthusiast Ben Strange (known to many as ‘Mr S’) launched his fledgling business, Kidz Supersportz with one goal in mind: To inspire the next generation to be the best they can be. To date, Ben and his team of coaches have made a positive impact on thousands of children all over the New Forest and Waterside area. Being a familiar face to so many children in the area there’s not a day that goes by without one of his students stopping and saying hi to him. Ben says: “It’s amazing to see children that were reluctant in participating or disengaged with physical activity, enjoying our sessions. To see a young person catch a ball for the first time or finish with a smile makes it all worthwhile”. Having worked in over 50 schools in the area already, Ben and his team provide tailored and sustainable PE packages, offering a free taster session to get a feel of what they are all about – keeping the schools ethos and values at the forefront of lesson planning. Mr S and his team responded quickly when COVID-19 struck, providing Physical Education for children of key workers “The children were simply amazing, taking it all in their stride with their usual smiles” says Ben. “PE lessons had to quickly be adapted, with traffic light system of hoops for cleaning equipment, frequent hand washing and only working in specific areas within the school grounds so group bubbles were maintained – everything needed to be considered, but we got through it, maintaining a high standards of PE, and a much needed element of enjoyment and fun” Kidz Supersportz are very happy to be able to o er the ever-popular half term holiday clubs this October . Following strict government guidelines, groups will be kept to a maximum of 15 children per bubble. ere will be separate entrances and exits with stringent cleaning of equipment between sessions. Due to COVID-19, numbers have had to be restricted; therefore only running at 50% capacity. With this in mind early booking is strongly advised. To see a full range of what’s available and to book online visit Facebook www.facebook. com/KidzSupersportz or call 023 8000 0448. Ben Strange AFC Totton in the community, partnered with Team Spirit, is very happy to report that the summer coaching courses were a huge success. Over 200 children attended the holiday courses at AFC Totton football club. Following the TEAM ethos of T ry E nergy A ttitude M ates all participants had a brilliant time whilst being coached by Totton star striker Brett Williams. Do not miss the Halloween Spooktauclar football course here Brett will be coaching more sessions. For information on all abilities and a free taster session visit www.teamspirit4sport. co.uk Holiday Courses a Striking Success! AFC Totton in the Community in partnership with Team Spirit are holding an October Half-Term Football Camp on Monday 26th to Friday 30th October , 8.45am until 4pm each day. Boys and girls, aged 5 to 13 of all abilities, are welcome. Totton Football player and Team Spirit coach Brett Williams will be running the camp all week. Visit the website for full details and to book www. teamspirit4sport.co.uk October Half Term Football Camp Teach Kids to be Green, say Parents PARENTS want schools to do more to educate kids about green issues, with almost half saying that environmental studies should be part of the curriculum, according to a new study. Mums and dads of youngsters under 16 believe they should be taught about the impact that everyday habits have on the environment and the harm that materials such as plastic do to the ecosystem. A quarter of parents calling for action want schools to introduce sustainable uniforms. Despite them wanting their children to be better educated about green issues, the study found that youngsters are already pretty clued up, with nine out of ten already having a good knowledge of environmental matters ings they regularly urge their parents to do include; recycling, using less energy, leaving food out for animals, eating less meat, and driving less. However, the kids are not so keen on following their own advice in practice. A third of them leave lights on all the time and take really long showers, while one in four are always asking for li s for short trips near home, according to the study of more than 1,000 parents. Former Blue Peter presenter and Noah’s Ark supporter Konnie Huq said: “It’s absolutely right that children should be taught about environmental issues at school. They will be the guardians of the future of our planet and as such they need all the knowledge and encouragement they can get. Although in many cases I’m sure they already know more than their parents. My own kids each have an eco-ambassador in their classes, they know all about recycling and using the car less!” e British Eco-Pioneer behind the £5bn Noah’s Ark project, Richard Prinsloo-Curson, echoed: “Children of today will be picking up the pieces tomorrow, and probably cursing today’s adults for leaving them with a disaster to crisis manage unless we unite and resolve some of the issues facing our planet today. Kids can make an enormous contribution NOW. Their choices can make the world a better place - or a worse one. It’s up to them.” To support The Noah’s Ark Foundation in their e orts, please visit www.gofundme.com/f/an-ark- to-save-the-planet to donate and help to continue their work. Wickedly Wicked Wildlife Trail £3.50 (parking not included), Satruday 24th October until Sunday 1st November , 10am until 3pm (to leave enough time for you to return to the reception desk for your prize). Suitable for children over 4. Discover the nasty side of nature with this trail at Lepe Country Park. Learn about the British wildlife that has a spooky side; sometimes through folklore and sometimes because it’s plain horrid! A prize will be waiting for those daring enough to nish the trail! e trail will take place in the main park where dogs are allowed. Spooky Boardwalk Free (parking not included), Saturday 24th October until Sunday 1st November , Park opening times (7am until 10pm). Suitable for children over 4. Take a scary stroll through the conservation area where it will have a spooky feeling! Look, listen and enjoy the autumnal sights and sounds of nature. Why not visit at dusk and bring your torch!? Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed inside the conservation area. Self-Led Wildlife Packs £5 plus £5 refundable deposit, Please book in advance on their website. 10am until 11.30am, 12pm until 1.30pm or 2pm until 3.30pm. Suitable for children over 4. Explore Lepe Country Park without a Ranger by renting a wildlife pack. e pack contains everything you need to discover the nature found on the park; bird, insect and plant ID sheets, magnifying glass, tray and a transparent pot. To get the most out of this pack we suggest you visit the conservation area where dogs are not allowed, however you can still explore the meadows and the seashore (when the tide is out). Smuggling and Fairy Trails £3.50, Saturday 24th October until Sunday 1st November, 10am until 3pm (to leave enough time for you to return to the reception desk for your prize). Two fun activity trails for children. A wooden cra prize for those who can spot all the fairy doors or solve the smuggling word puzzle! Suitable for children over 4. Takes place in the main park. Lepe Point Nature Trail £1.50, Saturday 24th October until Sunday 1st November, 10am until 4pm. A nature inspired trail with an activity booklet (pencil and crayon are provided). Can you nd the animal brass rubbings around the conservation area? Dogs are not allowed in the conservation area. Please respect the social distancing guidelines when on and around the park. HALF TERM ACTIVITIES AT LEPE COUNTRY PARK