PROPOSED PRE-SCHOOL PLAY GROUP AT RICHMOUNT

In Richmount and the surrounding areas we do not have a nursery school or a pre-school play group. Richmount

Primary School has tried in the past to secure a pre-primary 1 provision nursery but this has not been obtainable

from the SELB. This has resulted in parents taking their children out of the area to other schools with nursery

provision,or to pre-school play groups elsewhere.

Richmount Rural Community Association and Richmount Primary School have now taken this issue on board and in

a collaborative venture we are confident that we can have a pre-school play group up and running in Richmount in

the near future.

There are of course a number of issues we have to deal with as follows:

• We need to firmly establish that there is a need for pre-school provision in the area. Any child aged over

3 years would be eligible to attend our proposed pre-school play group. So if a child is 3 by September

2012 they could start then. If they are not 3 until later in the year they could only start when they are

3 subject to places being available.

• We need to find suitable premises/location from which to operate.

• Statutory registration will be required.

• We need to find the finance to pay wages and provide premises.

The first issue we must resolve is that of establishing the need. It is you, the parents, who must demonstrate

this and we will be asking you later in this letter to indicate if you would be willing to support this venture.

The Richmount Pre School Play Group would be managed by an independent cross community management com-

mittee with links to the Community Association and Richmount Primary School. To get the venture started a

small steering group has been established. This includes representatives from the Community Association, Rich-

mount Primary School and the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The play group we have in mind will be open to

all children of the relevant age group.

We would ask for your support in this venture and we would be grateful if you would indicate your support on the

attached form overleaf and return it by 17 February 2012. We really do need your support and unless we can

show we have a need we will not get pre-school education in the Richmount area. If we can establish the need we

will then move on to the next stage of the process. If you know of any other parents who may be interested in a

playgroup at Richmount please ask them to contact us.

You will also note on the form we are also asking about your views on crèche/child minding facilities in the Rich-mount area; this is being asked to establish if this is another facility which would be of benefit to parents in the

area.

We need your support so please respond to this letter.

On behalf of Richmount Pre –School Play Group Steering Committee.

Yours faithfully,

Mark Hall, Joe Garvey

Principal, Richmount Primary School Chairman, Richmount Rural Community Assoc

RICHMOUNT RURAL

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Working together for all in our community

PROPOSED PRE-SCHOOL PLAY GROUP AT RICHMOUNT

In Richmount and the surrounding areas we do not have a nursery school or a pre-school play group. Richmount

Primary School has tried in the past to secure a pre-primary 1 provision nursery but this has not been obtainable

from the SELB. This has resulted in parents taking their children out of the area to other schools with nursery

provision,or to pre-school play groups elsewhere.

Richmount Rural Community Association and Richmount Primary School have now taken this issue on board and in

a collaborative venture we are confident that we can have a pre-school play group up and running in Richmount in

the near future.

There are of course a number of issues we have to deal with as follows:

• We need to firmly establish that there is a need for pre-school provision in the area. Any child aged over

3 years would be eligible to attend our proposed pre-school play group. So if a child is 3 by September

2012 they could start then. If they are not 3 until later in the year they could only start when they are

3 subject to places being available.

• We need to find suitable premises/location from which to operate.

• Statutory registration will be required.

• We need to find the finance to pay wages and provide premises.

The first issue we must resolve is that of establishing the need. It is you, the parents, who must demonstrate

this and we will be asking you later in this letter to indicate if you would be willing to support this venture.

The Richmount Pre School Play Group would be managed by an independent cross community management com-

mittee with links to the Community Association and Richmount Primary School. To get the venture started a

small steering group has been established. This includes representatives from the Community Association, Rich-

mount Primary School and the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The play group we have in mind will be open to

all children of the relevant age group.

We would ask for your support in this venture and we would be grateful if you would indicate your support on the

attached form overleaf and return it by 17 February 2012. We really do need your support and unless we can

show we have a need we will not get pre-school education in the Richmount area. If we can establish the need we

will then move on to the next stage of the process. If you know of any other parents who may be interested in a

playgroup at Richmount please ask them to contact us.

You will also note on the form we are also asking about your views on crèche/child minding facilities in the Rich-mount area; this is being asked to establish if this is another facility which would be of benefit to parents in the

area.

We need your support so please respond to this letter.

On behalf of Richmount Pre –School Play Group Steering Committee.

Yours faithfully,

Mark Hall, Joe Garvey

Principal, Richmount Primary School Chairman, Richmount Rural Community Assoc

RICHMOUNT RURAL

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Working together for all in our community

Richmount Pre-School Play Group

105 Moy Road Portadown Co Armagh BT62 1QP

Tel: 028 38357929 Email:mhall215@richmount.ni.sch.uk

Please complete and return this form by 17 February 2012 to:

Mr M Hall, c/o Richmount Primary School , 105 Moy Road, Portadown Co Armagh. BT62 1QP

I have a child whom I would consider sending to a pre-school play group at Richmount in the Academic year Sep-

tember 2012 to June 2012.

My child’s date of birth is …………/………………. /……………

Please give your contact details so that we can keep you informed of progress:

Name: ………………………………………………………………………………………………

Address: ………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………Post Code………………………

Contact Tel no. ……………………………………… Email:……………………………………………………………………….

Signed …………………………………………………………………………………………

Please indicate below if you would be interested in a crèche or registered child minding facilities at Scotch

Street.

I would / would not be interested in a crèche or child minding facilities in the Richmount area.

I would / would not be interested in crèche facilities in the Richmount area.

I would / would not be interested in registered child minding facilities in the Richmount area.

4

Richmount Primary School ECO Team Back row: Mr. Simon Clyde (teacher ), Mrs. Shirley Edgar (cook), Mrs.Lylia Boyd

(building supervisor), Mrs. Diane Parks (PTA) , Joe Garvey (RRCA ).Front row : Zoe Finch, Sam Strain, Ruth Lewis, Marc

Rainey, Victoria Greenaway, Ryan Woolsey, Emma Lewis, David Greenaway

Richmount Pre-School Play Group

105 Moy Road Portadown Co Armagh BT62 1QP

Tel: 028 38357929 Email:mhall215@richmount.ni.sch.uk

Please complete and return this form by 17 February 2012 to:

Mr M Hall, c/o Richmount Primary School , 105 Moy Road, Portadown Co Armagh. BT62 1QP

I have a child whom I would consider sending to a pre-school play group at Richmount in the Academic year Sep-

tember 2012 to June 2012.

My child’s date of birth is …………/………………. /……………

Please give your contact details so that we can keep you informed of progress:

Name: ………………………………………………………………………………………………

Address: ………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………Post Code………………………

Contact Tel no. ……………………………………… Email:……………………………………………………………………….

Signed …………………………………………………………………………………………

Please indicate below if you would be interested in a crèche or registered child minding facilities at Scotch

Street.

I would / would not be interested in a crèche or child minding facilities in the Richmount area.

I would / would not be interested in crèche facilities in the Richmount area.

I would / would not be interested in registered child minding facilities in the Richmount area.

4

Richmount Primary School ECO Team Back row: Mr. Simon Clyde (teacher ), Mrs. Shirley Edgar (cook), Mrs.Lylia Boyd

(building supervisor), Mrs. Diane Parks (PTA) , Joe Garvey (RRCA ).Front row : Zoe Finch, Sam Strain, Ruth Lewis, Marc

Rainey, Victoria Greenaway, Ryan Woolsey, Emma Lewis, David Greenaway

NATURE ON YOUR DOOR STEP

Just under 2 miles from Scotch Street is one of the most sig-

nificant areas of special scientific interest in Northern Ireland.

Selshion Bog or Moss as the locals call it comprising almost

90 acres is home to the rare Irish Damselfly, and other inver-

tebrates .Unfortunately a large part of the moss was lost to

quarrying in the 1970s. In more recent times it has suffered

from illegal dumping and scramblers. This is a moss which is

growing and supports a wide variety of wildlife including

birds. It is there for all of us to see and admire the beauty of

nature. It is a microhabitat that we should be proud to have in

our area. It would be nice to be able to be able to gain access

to it and be able to use the old ramparts without damaging the

sensitive micro culture.

Above. Remains of an old “ramper” through the moss. Below.

Bog cotton growing among the trees. The name Selshion is de-

rived from the Irish solas meaning light . The moss used to

shimmer in the moonlight which reflected off the bog cotton.

The “Show Moss ” as it was sometimes known ,besides being

a source of fuel for generations, was also a well known meet-

ing place on sunny evenings and Sunday afternoons. Many

met their future husbands and wives there. (Tell us more!!).

The locals of Coharra, Cushenny and Kingarve would often

have taken a short cut across the moss in the summer to go to

the Chapel at Drumcree on a Sunday. It was soft underfoot

apparently great fun as long as you didn’t fall into the “moss

holes”.

Richmount going to the

see the MLAs at work.

We're off to see Stormont and

Belfast City Hall. We will have

the opportunity of conducted

tours of both of these magnifi-

cent buildings, and we can see

the absolute splendour of both

these public buildingsbuilt at

times when the public purse was

obviously not under pressure.

We may also have an opportu-

nity to see Belfast Peace Walls.

We will be running a bus in

March 2012. If you are inter-

ested please contact John Wil-

son 0773341750 or inquire at

Woolsey’s Mace.

Unfortunately if we cannot get

sufficient numbers we may have

to cancel it. The cost will be £4

per person.

9

NATURE ON YOUR DOOR STEP

Just under 2 miles from Scotch Street is one of the most sig-

nificant areas of special scientific interest in Northern Ireland.

Selshion Bog or Moss as the locals call it comprising almost

90 acres is home to the rare Irish Damselfly, and other inver-

tebrates .Unfortunately a large part of the moss was lost to

quarrying in the 1970s. In more recent times it has suffered

from illegal dumping and scramblers. This is a moss which is

growing and supports a wide variety of wildlife including

birds. It is there for all of us to see and admire the beauty of

nature. It is a microhabitat that we should be proud to have in

our area. It would be nice to be able to be able to gain access

to it and be able to use the old ramparts without damaging the

sensitive micro culture.

Above. Remains of an old “ramper” through the moss. Below.

Bog cotton growing among the trees. The name Selshion is de-

rived from the Irish solas meaning light . The moss used to

shimmer in the moonlight which reflected off the bog cotton.

The “Show Moss ” as it was sometimes known ,besides being

a source of fuel for generations, was also a well known meet-

ing place on sunny evenings and Sunday afternoons. Many

met their future husbands and wives there. (Tell us more!!).

The locals of Coharra, Cushenny and Kingarve would often

have taken a short cut across the moss in the summer to go to

the Chapel at Drumcree on a Sunday. It was soft underfoot

apparently great fun as long as you didn’t fall into the “moss

holes”.

Richmount going to the

see the MLAs at work.

We're off to see Stormont and

Belfast City Hall. We will have

the opportunity of conducted

tours of both of these magnifi-

cent buildings, and we can see

the absolute splendour of both

these public buildingsbuilt at

times when the public purse was

obviously not under pressure.

We may also have an opportu-

nity to see Belfast Peace Walls.

We will be running a bus in

March 2012. If you are inter-

ested please contact John Wil-

son 0773341750 or inquire at

Woolsey’s Mace.

Unfortunately if we cannot get

sufficient numbers we may have

to cancel it. The cost will be £4

per person.

9

10

Are you a Carer? Do you look after a loved one or friend? Do you care for someone

on a regular basis? Do you have a child or young adult with spe-

cial needs? Or do you know friends who do? Being a Carer can

put you under pressure financially, affect your health, leave you

socially isolated and be emotionally draining.

Trying to juggle the responsibilities with work and home life can

be stressful and sometimes make it hard to cope. Many Carers are

‘hidden’ in our community and receive very little help or support

to assist them in their caring role. Carers Matter is a charity work-

ing in the Southern Health Trust area and which aims to support

Carers with a listening ear, provide practical information and ad-

vice about the areas of need that are most worrying to Carers. We are available to talk to you on our helpline 028 4062

7581, or can call with you at your home to help you identify the help you need to make life easier to carry on caring. We

can offer advice on your Rights as Carers to Statutory help

and benefits you may be able to receive and signpost you to

other organisations that offer specific help for your needs. A

number of Support Groups meet in your area where you can

drop-in or make an appointment to talk to one of our Out-

reach Workers. We also offer training and expert advice on

Direct Payments, Financial Assistance and Wellbeing. It's a

free service to Carers and open to all, so if you or someone

you know are feeling the strain of caring, or you are just start-

ing to care for someone, phone us today for a chat. If we

know your issues, we can also speak on your behalf and bring

the needs for Carers to the attention of Statutory Bodies So

call us today on 028 4062 7581.

Or email reception@carersmatter.com Please pass this article

on to anyone that you feel could do with a little extra support.

We are here to help. There are a number of support groups

and outreach sessions across the southern area. Please con-

tact Carers Matter to find out more.

Level 2 Award in Paediatric First

Aid (Children)

For 8 weeks starting on Wednes-

day 22th February and ending on

Wednesday 25th April.

In Richmount Primary School each

week from 7.30-9.30pm.

Total cost: £55 . To enrol Tel San-

dra Murphy on 38397868 or

Southern Regional College, Porta-

down Campus on 38397777. You

may also enrol at Richmount Pri-

mary School on Wednesday 8

February from 7.00 pm to 8.00pm

Tell us what you think of

Richmount News.

Please let us know.

Have your say !!

SEE OUR WEB

www.richmount

rca. btck.co.uk

All major credit cards accepted

10

Are you a Carer? Do you look after a loved one or friend? Do you care for someone

on a regular basis? Do you have a child or young adult with spe-

cial needs? Or do you know friends who do? Being a Carer can

put you under pressure financially, affect your health, leave you

socially isolated and be emotionally draining.

Trying to juggle the responsibilities with work and home life can

be stressful and sometimes make it hard to cope. Many Carers are

‘hidden’ in our community and receive very little help or support

to assist them in their caring role. Carers Matter is a charity work-

ing in the Southern Health Trust area and which aims to support

Carers with a listening ear, provide practical information and ad-

vice about the areas of need that are most worrying to Carers. We are available to talk to you on our helpline 028 4062

7581, or can call with you at your home to help you identify the help you need to make life easier to carry on caring. We

can offer advice on your Rights as Carers to Statutory help

and benefits you may be able to receive and signpost you to

other organisations that offer specific help for your needs. A

number of Support Groups meet in your area where you can

drop-in or make an appointment to talk to one of our Out-

reach Workers. We also offer training and expert advice on

Direct Payments, Financial Assistance and Wellbeing. It's a

free service to Carers and open to all, so if you or someone

you know are feeling the strain of caring, or you are just start-

ing to care for someone, phone us today for a chat. If we

know your issues, we can also speak on your behalf and bring

the needs for Carers to the attention of Statutory Bodies So

call us today on 028 4062 7581.

Or email reception@carersmatter.com Please pass this article

on to anyone that you feel could do with a little extra support.

We are here to help. There are a number of support groups

and outreach sessions across the southern area. Please con-

tact Carers Matter to find out more.

Level 2 Award in Paediatric First

Aid (Children)

For 8 weeks starting on Wednes-

day 22th February and ending on

Wednesday 25th April.

In Richmount Primary School each

week from 7.30-9.30pm.

Total cost: £55 . To enrol Tel San-

dra Murphy on 38397868 or

Southern Regional College, Porta-

down Campus on 38397777. You

may also enrol at Richmount Pri-

mary School on Wednesday 8

February from 7.00 pm to 8.00pm

Tell us what you think of

Richmount News.

Please let us know.

Have your say !!

SEE OUR WEB

www.richmount

rca. btck.co.uk

All major credit cards accepted