Unfortunately ‘The Torch’ did not make the last eight films shortlisted, but the Cobblers Study Centre did with a film from their Animation Club called ‘Kiwi. It’s a different type of animal!

Their film will be screened at Cineworld in Sixfields, Northampton on September 20th at 7.30pm. The first prize winner of the public vote will receive a £500 Jessops giftcard. Prizes for the two runners up and Judges’ Choice winner include cinema passes, gift vouchers and exclusive film merchandise!

To view all the films please visit the Film Northants website. Please don’t forget to vote for their film whilst you are there!

The Catalyst Theatre Arts Company led a two day programme at the Steelbacks Study Centre. Following a  theme based on the culture of native American Indians, students built tepees, experienced traditional storytelling, mask making, music and drama. They worked hard individually and in groups, participated well and grew in confidence and skills.

Several entries from the study centres including  ‘The Torch’ made here at The Steelbacks, have been put in to the 2010 Film Northants competition! This is a short film competition run locally and supported by Heart FM along with Chronicle & Echo and other parties.

The eight finalists will be announced in the Chronicle on Wednesday 1st September, so look out for ours! The finalists will be screened at Cineworld on September 20th.

For more info go to: http://filmnorthants.co.uk/Entries2010.aspx

With two weeks of summer school under our belts we have started this week with an arts day. Glen Cosens, a regular artist at the study centre, came in to to teach some young people who are involved in the Kic.in2.study project, how to use Modroc.
Modroc is a gauze bandage impregnated with Plaster of Paris. It is used as a sculpting material,and is used like clay, as it is easily shaped when wet, yet sets into a resilient and lightweight structure.

We separated them into two groups and they had to first design a stick man/woman.

This was then transferred onto a large piece of cardboard using chalk.

Next they rolled newspaper into shape and taped them over the drawn figure, building it up into a 3D shape.

Finally they added the Modroc, this had to be done quickly and smoothed down before it dried. The whole figure and background had to be covered.

This was left to dry over lunchtime. The groups then decided what colours they were going to use and designated who was going to paint which bit.

Finally both figures were finished and some of the young people made comic life posters to show their day of Modroc!

An astonishing amount was done during the course of a day and two splendid pieces of art work completed – to be hung in the study centre when completely dry. As well as learning how to use Modroc and improving their painting skills, the students practised skills of cooperation, teamwork and perseverance.

The Olympic torch Relay film:

Yes the summer challenge has started! To catch up with all the news check out the study centre 2010 website on our blogroll or follow this link:

http://olympics.northantsstudycentres.org/

This week saw the culmination of all our young people’s hard work and the end of PFS for the Summer. On Tuesday Headlands children  hosted their Celebration evening with family, friends and representatives from school attending. The Headlands children won the inter-school competition and were all awarded with our special edition Rubix cubes.

Yesterday was the turn of Barry Road and Cedar Road Primaries who had a joint Celebration Evening. Over 60 people attended along with our young voluntary mentors to see the children receive their medals and certificates. It was a great evening and parents/carers had a chance to look around the centre and see the childrens work.

We have just heard from the East Midlands Development Agency that Northamptonshire Study Centres have received the Inspire Mark for Olympics themed Study Centre projects. This was a joint effort with our colleagues in extended services.

Please visit our Studycentres 2012 site for more information:

http://olympics.northantsstudycentres.org/

Steelbacks Study Centre in partnership with UFA, Daventry District Council staff and secondary school pastoral staff will be hosting the Olympic Summer Challenge this summer.

The summer challenge will serve as a bridge for the 30 year 6 vulnerable pupils participating in a transition project in the summer and autumn terms based at Daventry’s two secondary schools.

These pupils come from The Grange, Southbrook, Ashby Fields and Falconers Hill Primary schools.

For further information and to keep up with the challenge and anything Olympian go to:

http://olympics.northantsstudycentres.org/

We are now a Northamptonshire Childrens University Learning Destination! Ourselves along with the other 4 study centres in the county are now offering accredited sessions and schemes of work for Children’s University.

The Children’s University is a national organisation that provides 7 to 14 year olds with exciting and innovative learning activities and experiences outside normal school hours. They celebrate achievement and reward participation through our certificates.

Children are encouraged to progress through the national certification scheme, based on their number of hours of attendance throughout their involvement with the Children’s University. Initially, they will aim to gain a Bronze certificate, awarded for 30 hours of attendance. Thereafter, a Silver is awarded for achieving 65 hours of attendance, and a Gold for 100 hours of attendance.

For more information about Children’s Universities follow the link on the Blogroll.