Bromsgrove School students benefit from Liam's stress-busting sessions

Youngsters from Bromsgrove Prep School have been learning how to relax from the strains of everyday life thanks to workshops with Liam Joe Blackwood from Stressbox.

Liam Joe, who taught the year eight pupils about mindfulness and other relaxation techniques, is well-known for helping teenagers develop coping mechanisms. The sessions, structured to physically and mentally focus on positivity, included a combination of energetic music and high intensity boxing.

Elizabeth Mullan, Head of PSHEE at the Prep School, said: “It is quite amazing how quickly year eight have taken on board what Liam Joe has been teaching them. “He certainly has a fantastic way of engaging the pupils to harness their positive energy by using dynamic breathing exercises.”

They have begun understanding that raising awareness to these thoughts can enhance their emotional intelligence too.”

Liam Joe Blackwood has provided similar sessions and workshops for other schools in Bromsgrove district.

Schools, groups and other organisations wanting to find out more can call Liam on 07885 274990, visit the Stressbox website or email Liam for further details on Stressbox.

Chaddesley Corbett pupils learn about staying safe a lifesaving as rescue team visits

Youngsters from Chaddesley Corbett Primary School recently received a special visit from the Severn Area Rescue Association.

Representatives spoke to the year four children about staying safe around water and detailed the lifesaving work they carried out. Volunteers from the specialist marine and land search rescue service also brought along their rescue vehicle and boat.

The children particularly enjoyed testing out the siren on the rescue vehicle.

Headteacher Emma James said: “We were delighted to welcome SARA to our school and they did a great job of highlighting the dangers of entering inshore waters, such as lakes, rivers and quarries.”

We wanted our pupils to be aware of how to avoid these perils and keep themselves safe.”

Move to establish Severn Arts will see schools offered a bigger variety of music services.

There will be a wider variety of music services available to schools across the county after the establishment of Severn Arts from Worcestershire Youth Music Service (WYM). The transfer of WYM to Severn Arts will go forward from January 2018, enabling Severn Arts to set up as a business entity separate to Worcestershire County Council.

WYM is a well-established service that provides music education to students across the county. The transfer will create a charitable organisation that has an understanding of local needs and provides high-quality services.

Severn Arts will be able to develop business partnerships, attract grants from the arts council and can offer a wider variety of services to children and young people across the county.

Trevor Jones, who will be heading up the new organisation said: “I’m delighted we will be able to establish ourselves as a separate entity to the council. Worcestershire County Council has helped us over the years but to continue to develop innovative approaches and deliver a progressive and vibrant music education experience, we needed to become our own company.”

Lucy Hodgson, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Communities said: “Enabling Worcestershire Youth Music to transfer to its own establishment as a charitable company means children and young people across the county will have the ability to access more music services or higher quality to schools. I welcome this decision and wish Severn Arts the very best in the future.”

Once fully established as an independent social enterprise with charitable status, Severn Arts will require a Board of Trustees. For details and how to apply, visit the website.
Visit www.severnarts.org.uk for more on Severn Arts.