Harriers Half Term Holiday Football
 
Kidderminster Harriers Community Scheme will be holding football courses for children aged 5-14 years during the half term Whit holiday.
The courses will feature our Euro 6-a-side tournament and everyone that takes our Skills Challenge wins a medal.
 Courses run 10am-3pm. Half days, 10-12.30 or 1-3 are available if a full day is too much. Courses are held at:

Droitwich Witton Middle School - Tuesday, Wednesday 31st May & 1st June
Kinver High School  - Tuesday, Wednesday 31st May & 1st June
Worcester Bishop Perowne College - Tuesday, Wednesday 31st May & 1st June
Malvern Dyson Perrins Academy - Tuesday, Wednesday 31st May & 1st June

Bromsgrove Catshill Middle School - Thursday, Friday 2nd & 3rd June
Kidderminster Baxter College  - Thursday, Friday 2nd & 3rd June
Cleobury Mortimer Sports Centre - Thursday, Friday 2nd & 3rd June
 

Cost is £10.00 per day, £19 for two. Half days cost £5 per day. Places can be booked by calling the Community Office on 01562 863821 or email harrierscommunity@hotmail.co.uk. Payment can be made in advance or on the day, cash/cheque only. Please send name, age, course attending, any medical conditions and an emergency contact

Celebrating Volunteering

Do you know of a young person who deserves recognition for all they do to volunteer in their communities? Would you like to show them how much what they do is appreciated? If so, then you can nominate them for a volunteer award.

Young Volunteer of the Year (Under 25)

This category is aimed at volunteers under 25 years who have shown a real commitment to their volunteering.  It is to celebrate the work carried out by young people who give up their time to help their community; in school, at youth clubs or a voluntary organisation. They may have developed in a personal capacity, been keen to learn new skills, or shown particular enthusiasm for their role.

Awards will be presented at a Celebrating Volunteering Event on 9th June 2016 at The Hive, Worcester. The event is being run by Worcestershire County Council in partnership with the voluntary and community sector as part of National Volunteering Week. 

There are a number of other categories listed below:

·       Fundraising Volunteer of the Year

·       Health and Wellbeing Volunteer of the Year

·       Environmental and Education Volunteer of the Year

·       Volunteer Team of the Year

·       Long Standing Commitment

·       Newbie of the Year

·       Unsung Hero

A nomination form and details on each of the award categories is attached but can also be downloaded from the Act Local website.

Closing date for nominations is 5pm Friday 20th May

Let's recognise the great work that volunteers do in Worcestershire and get nominating!

Hi everyone, we have just returned from the park in the most amazing hailstorm, as we were walking the road just covered in white just like a winter snow scene. We all commented that we have never seen hail cover the road so quickly - quite a sight!

Anyway, back to the day's activities. Canoeing or gorge scrambling/beach whichever the groups didn't do yesterday. During canoeing we had a stop to set a fire going which we then cooked pancakes on followed by toasted marshmallows. Lots of rain today but spirits were kept high with singing from the wolverley girls - something about a penguin coming to tea!! The instructor enjoyed it so much he requested the lyrics so he can teach it to his daughter! 

Again we have been well looked after and well fed. Everyone happy and settling down for the night. Oh and last night - 10pm and all quiet did I say? - not a chance! 

See you all tomorrow, can't believe how quickly the time has gone.

Name the Dining Hall Competition

Class Catering ran a competition for pupils to name our dining hall. We had many fantastic suggestions and it was very difficult to decide on one. We had 3 runner-ups Heidi, Myles and Jayden from Hedgehogs with Ellie-Mae from Owls winning the competition with 'The Eastwood Dining Hall'. 

Mrs Eastwood was invited into school today to give out the prizes and to discover with everyone what the chosen name was. She was very surprised and emotional that her name will name grace the wall of our school hall. 

What a fitting tribute to a remarkable lady.

Hello from sunny, rainy, snowy mixed with hailstones Wales!!

Amazing day had by all. Started with smiley faces eating a hearty breakfast then a full day of activities - either canoeing or gorge scrambling mixed with a visit to the beach. The children have been great and we are so proud with not only what they have achieved but how they have achieved it. 

At dinner today we noticed the rosy cheeks we all have from living the outdoor life! It is lovely to see them all having so much fun and looking forward to what tomorrow has in store for us.

It is now 10pm and all seems fairly quiet! - Will have another check on the dorms in a minute!

Arrived safely and had lovely first day. Sorted dorms, made beds (with a little help and teamwork!) And headed out for a walk around the local quarries. Weather has stayed dry so after fish and chip dinner we went out and did some orienteering which was enjoyed by all children.

Hot chocolate and cake for supper and some time to themselves before lights out - many stories being told and shared I think!!

Tomorrow hopefully we will be having a full day of activities and we will let you know how we get on. 

All happy and sleeping now.

Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that mainly affects children. It causes a distinctive pink-red rash.

The illness is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria, also known as group A streptococcus, which are found on the skin and in the throat.

Generally, scarlet fever is much less common than it used to be but in recent years there have been a number of significant outbreaks.

For example, figures published by Public Health England show that from September 2013 to March 2014 there were 2,830 cases of scarlet fever. For the same period in 2014/15 a total of 5,746 cases were recorded. The reason for recent increase is unclear.

It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of scarlet fever so that early treatment with antibiotics can be given.

Scarlet fever symptoms

Scarlet fever usually follows a sore throat or a skin infection, such as impetigo, caused by particular strains of streptococcus bacteria.

Initial symptoms usually include a sore throat, headache and a high temperature (38.3C/101F or above), flushed cheeks and a swollen tongue.

A day or two later the characteristic pinkish rash appears. It usually occurs on the chest and stomach before spreading to other areas of the body, such as the ears and neck.

The symptoms of scarlet fever usually develop two to five days after infection, although the incubation period (the period between exposure to the infection and symptoms appearing) can be as short as one day or as long as seven days.

The rash feels like sandpaper to touch and it may be itchy. On darker skin the rash may be more difficult to see although its rough texture should be apparent.

When to seek medical advice

Scarlet fever usually clears up after about a week, but if you think you or your child may have it, see your GP for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Your GP should be able to diagnose scarlet fever by examining the distinctive rash and asking about other symptoms. They may also decide to take a sample of saliva from the back of the throat so it can be tested in a laboratory to confirm the diagnosis.

There's no evidence to suggest that catching scarlet fever when pregnant will put your baby at risk. However, if you're heavily pregnant, tell the doctors and midwives in charge of your care if you've been in contact with someone who has scarlet fever.

How scarlet fever spreads

Scarlet fever is very contagious and can be caught by:

• breathing in bacteria in airborne droplets from an infected person's coughs and sneezes
• touching the skin of a person with a streptococcal skin infection, such as impetigo
• sharing contaminated towels, baths, clothes or bed linen

It can also be caught from carriers – people who have the bacteria in their throat or on their skin but don't have any symptoms.