Junior issue 2

Newsletter for Children in Care
Junior issue 2
Hello to all!
Welcome to your Spring Newsletter!
We’ve got so much to tell you!
We’ve had another apprentice join us, we’ve
had three activity days and have been
involved in making a DVD about you and your
views about what it’s like being in care. It’s
been a fun few months…
In this issue we’re going to tell you about the
activity days we have planned for the Easter
holidays, we have some games and an Easter
competition! Hayley is going to tell you how
her first few weeks at work have been. We
also want to tell you about the Kent Pledge.
More inside..
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www.kentcarestown.lea.kent.sch.uk/
We will soon be saying goodbye to James, who missed our last activity days
as he has broken his ankle playing football. James has loved being out and
about meeting you all. We all wish him well and will miss him very much.
We are very pleased to introduce our newest
member of the team ~ Hayley!
You will be seeing her on the activity days and at the
OCYPC meetings throughout the year.
Read about Hayley’s first two weeks with VSK and
see what she got up to below ...
I started working with VSK on the 27th January. I have been really enjoying myself. So far I’ve done some
filming for the DVD about what it’s like being in care that is coming out soon and I’ve been to some
participation activity days with you. It’s been brilliant so far and I can’t wait to see what the whole
apprenticeship has in store for me! As explained on our website I have been in care myself so I am hoping
that I’m going to be able to help in every way I can, as I have been there and know what it’s like myself.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at our next activity days in the Easter holidays!
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www.kentcarestown.lea.kent.sch.uk/
The Kent Pledge is about the promises that Kent make to you whilst you are in care to
help make sure that your time in care is the best it can possibly be.
Recently we have been working with some of our OCYPC members in Ramsgate and
Gravesend to create a DVD to help explain to you what the Kent Pledge is all about.
The first workshop was in Ramsgate in January after school and was based around
music, we had help from a well known MC called Harry Shotta! This was went really
well with Harry and a one of our really talented young people making a new rap about
the Kent Pledge. The second workshop took place in February in
Gravesend and was art based. All the young people who
attended created some amazing stuff…
When it is ready it will be on Youtube…. We can’t wait for you to
see it!
MC Harry Shotta helped out
at a recent workshop in
Ramsgate
Moving onto Secondary School
'A big well done to Courtney, one of our OCYPC members and many others who have
taken and passed their 11+ exams and have got into their chosen schools. Everyone here
at VSK is very proud of you all!
We know that going to a bigger school can be frightening but please remember that other
people are going through the same thing as you and there will be teachers and people
around to help you with anything you need. Never be afraid to ask for help, always try your best and we wish
you the very best of luck in your new schools!'
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www.kentcarestown.lea.kent.sch.uk/
On the 17th February we had an outdoor activity day at Kingswood in Ashford. We had
17 young people come along. We started off the day with team building exercises and
did lots of other fun stuff throughout the day!
On the 20th February we held an activity day at Arethusa in Rochester. 37 young people
attended this day, aged from 5 to15 years. The activities that we took part in on the day
were; archery, initiative games and rock climbing. Each group took it in turns to do each
activity.
They were both great days and we hope you come along next time.
We have taken your fantastic ideas and suggestions on board! We have looked at all the things you have
told us you would like to do and this Easter holidays we’ve decided we are going to get creative!
Monday 7th April—Circus Skills Workshop—Maidstone
Tuesday 8th April—Arts and Crafts—Herne Bay
Thursday 10th April—Under 8’s Pottery and Painting—Sittingbourne
Call us now to book a place: East Kent – Sophia & Hayley(01227 284550)
West Kent – Amelia (01732 525180) or email VSK_Participation@kent.gov.uk
Our Children and Young People’s Council Members would like you to take part in a questionnaire called
‘Your Voice Matters’. It is a survey that they helped make.
It won’t take more than 10 minutes to fill in. You can say what you really think as you don’t have to put your name.
All answers will go to the OCYPC, Council Members & Social Workers to help make the lives of children and young
people in care better.
Go to the Kent Cares Town website to take the survey—
http://kentcarestown.lea.kent.sch.uk/surveys
Can you un-scramble these words to find what it says?
Write your answer here
Answers: 13 eggs, word scramble: Happy Easter
Decorate your Easter Egg for a chance to win a EASTER HAMPER.
Send your designs to VSK _ participation@kent.gov.uk and win a prize!
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www.kentcarestown.lea.kent.sch.uk/
Please send in your news, stories and drawings and you might see them in the next newsletter!
Maybe you have done something good or made something at school and could send
us a picture?
Send them to: Sophia & Hayley-Virtual School Kent, Brook House Reeves Way Whitstable Kent CT5 3SS
A Fun Day for young people in care and the adults who look after them
When: 27th May—12:00 to 4:00pm
Where: Baypoint Sports Club in Sandwich
All ages, all abilities can enjoy the activities on offer!
Join in with Penalty shootouts, 3 legged race, Tug of War, Egg and Spoon
Race, Rounder’s, Sprint Races, Street Dance, Inflatable Football Pitch,
Bouncy Castle, Mini Sports & Meet the Ponies!
Inside: Information stands with lots of information for you, raffle prizes and
seated volleyball as in the Paralympics.
Speak to your carer or social worker if you would like to come or contact
carolmoody162@btinternet.com
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www.kentcarestown.lea.kent.sch.uk/