posted by Andy Garnett, Active Schools Lead Coordinator

The Daily Mile has become a regular feature in many of our Angus schools and along with the guidance and support from Scottish Government we would like this to continue. In Angus we fully endorse the Daily Mile and whilst it is not PE, it has valuable physical, emotional, social and mental Health and Wellbeing benefits.

The Daily Mile is an integral part of helping to reduce childhood inactivity and obesity. Children are getting fatter younger, and we need to encourage them to eat better, be more active and make healthier life choices. Early scientific studies show that the level of obesity at St Ninians School (the founder school) is around 45% less than the national average.

Some of the other main proven benefits of regular participation are:

• The 15 minute break from lessons is invigorating and leaves children (and teachers!) more focused and ready to learn.
• It is non-competitive, fully inclusive, and the children have fun! It’s social and it improves relationships.
• It builds self-esteem and confidence, improving children’s perception of exercise for life.
• Regular participation encourages a healthy lifestyle, healthy eating, quality sleep, and a positive mindset.
• Time spent outside, in all weather, helps children become better engaged with the outdoors, aware of their surroundings and builds resilience.

There is now a Daily Mile website www.thedailymile.co.uk which contains a wealth of information for both teachers and parents/carers, including:

• Ideas for getting started, help and top tips.
• Information booklets and presentations.
• Templates for risk assessments, flyers and parental letters.
• FAQs to address any challenges www.thedailymile.co.uk/faq

You can also register as a Daily Mile School and add your school to the participation map, www.thedailymile.co.uk/school-signup

For further information, including case studies, visit www.thedailymile.co.uk and start your Daily Mile journey today.

Andy Garnett                                      Sylvia Cranston
Active Schools                                     Health & Wellbeing Staff Tutor

posted by Suzanne Steele, Marketing Officer, ANGUSalive 

Please remember our tattie hols programme live and bookings are open online at www.angusalive.scot for all services expect sports centres, please call the relevant facility.

The link to programme is as follows: http://www.angusalive.scot/holidayactivities

Bookings are now open online at www.angusalive.scot/tickets and at our ANGUSalive Sport & Leisure sport centres (please see programme for specific details).

posted by Alita Spink, Schools and Learning Support Officer 

The United Nations needs your help to teach the World’s Largest Lesson and to inspire a generation of children to champion the new Global Goals for Sustainable Development. This “to-do” list for the planet aims to create a safer, fairer and more sustainable world. As a teacher you can play a key role in unleashing the energy, optimism and superpowers of children to help the world achieve the Global Goals by 2030. Join in with this global lesson and use the resources to support your own teaching on for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship.

posted by Shabnam Wasim, The University of Dundee

OCTOBER EVENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE

Dundee Arts Café: Usain Bolt – Can Celebrity Boost Tourism?

Venue/Address:
The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum, Albert Square, Dundee DD1 1DA

Date and time:
Tuesday 3 October 2017, 6pm

Event/activity/ description
What makes a tourist destination attractive? Can (and should) famous people make a destination more desirable? This event explores the connections between celebrity and tourism through a discussion of Usain Bolt, the world’s most successful and recognisable athlete.

Dr Susan Mains, University of Dundee, will discuss her research on the promotion of Bolt as a global brand and ambassador for Jamaican tourism, and in doing so seeks to address the questions: can celebrity boost tourism, how do we “sell” place and what might this mean for tourism in Dundee?

Everyone is welcome. This event is free and non-bookable. Places are limited so please arrive early to avoid disappointment. Doors open at 5pm.

Admission price        Free, Non-bookable
Website                       www.dundeeartscafe.co.uk

Cafe Science Dundee: How is Pollution Affecting Scottish Seals?

Venue/Address:
Avery & Co, 34 South Tay St, DD1 1PD

Date and time:
Monday 9 October 2017, 7pm

Event/activity/ description
The world’s oceans are vast, covering over two thirds of the surface of our planet. It’s no wonder, then, that when humans have something to get rid of, they often toss it in the sea. Many people think that the waste just goes away because it gets diluted by all that water. Except that it doesn’t. Many pollutants that humans have flushed into the sea come back to haunt us. Some groups of chemicals don’t break down and stick around for decades or longer, with some pollutants from 1940s still found in our oceans and seas today.

Pollutants can be swallowed by marine animals and top predators like seals and whales receive the highest doses, which can have serious effects to their survival. This talk by Dr Kimberley Bennett from Abertay University will explore health effects that long term pollutants cause in marine mammals, the latest findings on the dangers of these chemicals, and what can be done to avoid similar problems for humans and marine mammals in the future.

Join us at Café Science Dundee at Avery & Co. at 34 South Tay Street on Monday 9^th October 2017, at 7pm. This is a free event and everyone is welcome. There is no need to book in advance but arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Admission price           Free, Non-bookable
Website                          www.cafesciencedundee.co.uk

posted by Amy Hall Gibson, YMI Coordinator, Schools and Learning

We would like to highlight a healthy eating learning experience for your P1/2 pupils that will take place in 2018. We are excited to say this is the 3^rd year we have been delivering this interactive drama/art experience in Angus, please see more details below.

A Culinary Tale
Performances in 2018!
P1 & P2 Classes

An immersive, interactive performance that looks at healthy eating and where Scottish food comes from. Pupils are encourage to help the Darcy the Dragon to make changes in her food/lifestyle choices as she’s no energy and doesn’t want to help with the preparation for the gathering of the dragon clans banquet, (No real food will be consumed but a gift of a recipe will be given to every pupil who takes part to encourage healthy eating at home)

This fun performance is makes links to Scottish Larder, making Food Choices and The Dining Experience. 

Price – £82 per workshop
Max numbers – one full class
Please send any enquires to Amy GibsonA@angus.gov.uk

Teacher Evaluation/Quotes

• The Culinary Tale workshop was fantastic! Straight off the mark the ladies had everyone’s attention with their colourful dragon personas and the excitement amongst the children was instantaneous. It was an excellent way to deliver a message about healthy eating whilst also engaging the children with fun activities. I think everyone left with some new knowledge about healthy eating and why it’s so important (it also helps you breathe fire). I would highly recommend this workshop. (Miss Stevenson, Aberlemno Primary)
  
• This is a short drama to introduce a healthy eating topic. It is interactive and the children enjoyed the experience. There was the opportunity for the children to draw healthy Scottish food for their feast. They enjoyed using the scarves as props to be dragons. (Miss Norrie/Mrs. Cargill, Whitehills Primary)

• Great links made with health and well-being, our local community and drama. Links well with ‘farm to fork’ topic and healthy eating. Enthusiastic presenters who engaged the children. Well organised, resourced and planned. (Abby Crawford and Ailsa Falconer, Rosemount Primary)

posted by Amy Hall Gibson, YNI Coordinator, Schools and Learning

Youth Music Initiative Sept Blog

Music is heating up just as Autumn is rolling in!

Most of our projects are now up and running, some are still yet to begin.

It’s been great to see all the buzz on twitter around the YMI projects please see our twitter feed to catch up on what schools have been doing within our projects #AngusYouthMusic

We attended the YMI Learning Day in Stirling learning all about how music impacts on raising attainment and how it contributes to Literacy and Health & Wellbeing.

There are lots of opportunities throughout the year please get in touch if you would like to be considered for any or would like more information.

 Amy Hall Gibson
GibsonA@angus.gov.uk