Category: More News

CHILDREN from Thame are learning how to cycle safely on roads this week under the expert tuition of Cathy Gaulter-Carter and John Robertson, both nationally accredited cycling instructors who trained with the London cycle training organisation CTUK early last year.

The first session began in Elms Park on the new multi-sports play area where bikes and helmets were checked before the children played games to develop their cycling and balancing skills. They had fun riding round cones, do the ?high fives? to make sure they could take their hands off the handle bars, had a slow race and practised looking behind. The final off-road exercise was ?follow the leader? when they pedalled off in a ?snake? around the park and then down the ?Phoenix Trail? to quiet roads.

During the course children learn how to start and end a journey, negotiate different junctions, pass parked cars and know when it is safer to dismount! They learn about right of way and the highway code. All these skills are included in National Cycling Standards at level 2, which replace the outmoded cycling proficiency.

Cathy, who organised the course by contacting local schools, said ?It?s great to teach children how to cycle safely and the National Standards go much further because we actually accompany the children on our bikes so that they can practise cycling in a variety of different locations. It?s great fun cycling out in a ?snake? and children become more aware of how to behave in traffic. Of course we tend to choose our routes carefully so that we avoid busy roads and this has the added bonus of showing trainees the safe routes through Thame. Cycling is such a great means of transport to go to school and I hope that as the children grow up they will continue to love riding their bikes and use them every day as I do. It?s a fantastic way to keep fit.?

Each young cyclist was given a copy of the highway code for children, Arrive Alive, and lent a video ‘Bike to Basics’ to watch with their parents. At the end of the course they are awarded a certificate to show that they have learnt how to cycle more safely. They will also be familiar with a number of safer cycling routes through Thame.

The cycling course ends with a picnic bike ride to Chinnor Village Centre along the Phoenix Trail.

HAVING lost its regular meeting place, with the closure of the Windmill suite at Thame United’s ex ground, Thame Bridge Club now has a new home.
After a few weeks at Church House, Long Crendon, the club is now able to return to Thame with a new home at Thame Snooker Club, in Wellington Street.
Meetings begin next Monday, August 29, at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start.

THAME Town Council’s Planning committee is unhappy at no longer being consulted about new drinks licence applications.
The committee is to ask the Town Clerk to write to South Oxfordshire District Council voicing their strong views about not receiving notification of all licences applied for, as happened before the recent changes in the Licencing laws for the sale of alcohol.
The new regulations mean that the district council replaces the Magistrates Court as the Licensing Authority.

The Chair of TTC’s Planning committee, Cllr Don Butler, said: “We are here for our residents therefore we should be notified of these applications.”

Several local pubs have applied to extend their opening hours under the new regulations, and at least one has been opposed by local residents who have complained about noisy music carrying beyond the boundary of the Licensed Premises.

NB All applications are published in the local, printed press.

Photo: Cllr Don Butler

THE long wait was over for hundreds of Lord Williams?s Year 11 students today, when they received the results of their GCSE exams.
Despite the ritual criticism from some corners of industry and education in the national press, most of the students were proud of their achievements, waving their grade sheets in the air or excitedly contacting family and friends on their mobile phones to share their good news.

This year, 63% of Year 11 students at the school gained five or more GCSE passes at A*-C grades, which is above the National rate of 61.2%.
Amongst the individual successes were: Helen Scholey, Katie Wales, Stephen Thorpe, Jack Rees, Alasdair Lamb, Faith Green, Jeremy Shott, Lucy Brassell, George Bateman, Lucy Elkerton, Hannah Johnson, Lisa Snelling and Louise Hall, all of whom obtained at least 9 passes at A* and A.
Rebecca Mawby gained 7 A*, 2 A grades and 2 pases at grade B.

The Acting Headteacher of Lord Williams?s school, David Wybron, said: ?It is very pleasing to congratulate students who have done so well. Hard work has certainly paid off and most students will be pleased with their results.?

Languages teacher, Susan Head, who with retired Headteacher, Mike Spencer, was at the school to support and congratulate students, told ThameNews.Net: ?Those people who criticise our young people should come down here on what is one of my favourite days in the school year and just see for themselves the shear ecstasy and excitement that they rightly feel after all that hard work.?

ED: Do YOU think young people are leaving school unready for work? Do you think exams are becoming too easy? Share your experiences and views on the ThameNews forum

THE so-called SATS or National Curriculum test results for Oxfordshire’s 11-year olds, have improved for the fourth year running according to figures released by the Department of Education and Skills today.
In English, 80 per cent of pupils achieved the expected standard (level 4), an increase of two percent on last year, one per cent above the national average and midway among similar authorities.

In maths, 75 per cent of 11-year olds achieved the expected standard (level 4), an increase of one percent on last year, equal to the national average and midway among similar authorities.

In science, 87 per cent of 11-year olds achieved the expected standard (level 4), an increase of one percent on last year, one percent above the national average and midway among similar authorities.

Teacher assessment results for 7 year-olds, also released today show that again, Oxfordshire broadly follows the national picture, with the percentages of pupils achieving the expected level equal to the national averages for writing and maths (82 % and 91% respectively), and just one percent below for reading at 84 per cent.

Oxfordshire County Council?s Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement, Councillor Michael Waine, said:
“It is pleasing that Oxfordshire schools are, generally, continuing to build on previous year improvements. Overall this gives us a good basis on which to build on in the future.
“All pupils, staff and parents deserve credit for their hard work, particularly those who contributed to the excellent English results for 11- year olds.
“We shall continue to work together with schools to raise achievement and to encourage children to reach their potential.”

THE place to meet your friends for a relaxed coffee, cake and a chat is the new Vine Caf

KALEEM Saeed, who stood as the Labour Party Candidate for the Henley Constituency in the General Election, has been short-listed for the late Robin Cook’s seat.
Kaleem, who is in a short list of 10, from an original list of 40, will go before the selection panel tomorrow in a bid to win the candidature for Robin Cook’s constituency of Livingston.
Kaleem was often seen campaigning around the streets of Thame during the last election in May, but lost to the Conservative, Boris Johnson.
Unlike the Henley Constituency, Livingston is seen as a safe Labour seat.

ON the day that hundreds of Thame students received their A Level examination results, the Chair of Thame?s Chamber of Commerce says he does not agree with the criticism that A Levels are becoming easier to pass.
Responding to the views of many Education, Industry and Business Pundits who say that that there has been a ?dumbing down? of A levels, Keith Slater told ThameNews.Net: ?I do not necessarily agree with the view that A levels are becoming easier. When I looked at what my own children were doing at A level, I struggled to be able to do some of what they were being asked to do, and when I compared it with what I did, particularly in maths, they studied things that I didn?t do until I went to university.?
Keith, who is also a Director of Business Link, added: ?I am very encouraged by the calibre of people who are coming out with A levels.
?Academically we are producing some very, very, good people. But perhaps what we need to look at is how we actually apply their skills and get them coming out with the right attitudes and skills in other directions, to produce more rounded people.
?My concerns are more for those who have more vocational talents who come out of school with no qualifications and who need encouraging.
? I do understand though, some of the concerns of the universities about knowing who are the very best candidates so perhaps the grading system needs looking at.?

What do YOU think about the A level system? May be you are a student, a parent, an employer or a teacher, and would like to share your views. Join ThameNews.Net?s forum
We want to hear from YOU.

THE level of students gaining A and B grades in their A Level exams at Lord Williams?s school, has risen once again.
A record number of 562 examination entries saw the proportion rise to 46% and the number of passes overall rise to 99.29% (98% in 2004). A total of 73% obtained A-C passes.

Twenty students gained A grade passes in all their subject areas. Matthew Clark, Christopher Daniels, Elizabeth Parsons, Rosanna Ryan, Richard Thomas and Miriam Thorpe all achieved four A grades and the following students all achieved three A grades: Natalie Barnes, James Burnett, Sarah Evans, Edward Gillespie, Charlotte Goodwin, Ruth Hazard, Sian Jenkins, Lisa Merry, Jack Nicholson, Anthony Rochford, Victor Smith and Clare Stone.
Fiona Holden and Rachael Peddie both gained a Double A Award in their vocational studies.

Acting Headteacher, David Wybron, said: ?Students should be congratulated on their considerable achievements. At a time when some quarters in the press are negative about A level achievement, this school recognises the hard work and dedication of students and their teachers and celebrates excellent results. We are now working hard to make sure that each student is able to move on to the next stage in his or her educational journey.?

Kate Sheelan, Head of Sixth Form at Lord Williams?, was equally pleased: ?We are so proud of all our students? achievements. We want to celebrate how, through their hard work, the support of their parents and the dedication of all staff in the Sixth Form, they have ensured they have a bright and exciting future ahead of them.?

Information about ?next step? advice for students who may not have got the results they hoped is available from the school and also on Oxfordshire County Council?s website at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk

CATHY Gaulter-Carter, a nationally qualified cycling instructor, is running a course ?Introduction to Road Cycling? in the last week of the holidays from Tuesday 30th August to Friday 2nd September.

This course isfor children from age 10 to learn essential road safety skills when riding a bike. The first session will begin off road to ensure all children can balance and signal confidently. When they are ready, trainees will cycle out as a ?snake? and find safe cycling routes through Thame. They will practise setting off, pulling in, riding past parked cars, signalling and turning at junctions on carefully selected roads. At the end of the course, children will receive a certificate and a report. They will have reached level 2 of the National Cycling Standard. Parents are very welcome to join in with their own bikes if they wish.
Cathy will be joined by fellow instructor, John Robertson, recently returned from his second Land End to John O’groats cycle ride.

Places are limited so booking is essential. Cost