WELFARE ISSUES

Are there any parents who might be interested in doing a 'Safeguarding Children' course? If so, you could then follow this up with the 'Time to Listen' course at a later date. This would then help the Club out regarding welfare positions especially for trips. Please let Jane know if you're interested.

Coaching Courses

It is more likely now that Level 1 and Level 2 Coaching Courses will be put in place for early 2010. We know that Olivia & Catherine would like to do Level 1 and James, Gemma & Nicky want to do Level 2. Please leave Feb13th free as this is one of the potential dates along with two others over Easter. If there are any other gymnasts or parents interested in becoming Coaches, please speak to Jane for further information.

London Festival

Please remember that if you are attending and have not paid both your BGA Membership and your London money, you need to do so immediately.

FUTURE COMPETITIONS

These have been added to the Events Diary page - please note there are some important changes of venue.

Total cost has been confirmed at £80 per gymnast, so please could you ensure that you now pay your outstanding balance as soon as possible. All arrangements are in hand, but we now have just 9 sessions to finalise the routines, therefore it is vitally important that you attend every session.

Costumes

We want to go for a multitude of colour on the Friday evening so you can wear any leotard you like. If gymnasts have any of their own that they wish to wear, that's cool, or we can use the competition ones we have.

On Saturday and Sunday, we are going with a 'Circus' theme, so please can you ensure you have your outfits ready for at least a week of dress rehearsals beforehand. Remember, it still needs to be safe to do gym in.

If you want to start to bring things in, that's fine, and if you have things that are no use to you but may fit someone else, bring those in too.

Accommodation

We are staying at the Thriftwood International Scout Camp in 2 lodges, where gymnasts will share rooms in numbers of between 2 and 8. We will ensure they're all happy with the arrangements and will be keeping our beady eye on them. Not only are the Coaches going to be there but some parents are staying too.

All gymnasts will need a flat sheet and a sleeping bag.

More information about the Scout Camp can be found at www.thriftwood.org.uk including a location map.

Food

We are advising all gymnasts to bring a packed lunch with them for the journey and to have enough money on them for, say, a McDonalds on the Friday. On Saturday, we will be providing them with packed lunches and we'll be having a meal in the evening. On Sunday, we'll also be providing them with packed lunches.

Tickets

For anyone wishing to purchase tickets, they are available via www.brentwood-centre.co.uk or by phoning 01277 262616. Speak to Tsui if you wish as she will try to obtain tickets where all the parents can sit together.

Travel

The mini buses have been arranged and gymnasts are being asked to meet either at the Main Entrance at Buckler's Mead School at 9:00am or the Gryphon Leisure Centre at 9:30am. We appreciate that some parents may have difficulty due to work commitments, so in this event, gymnasts can be dropped off at Jane & Scott's prior to this. Jane will be able to be contacted at any time over the weekend on her usual mobile number.

As of now, we're unable to tell you what time we'll be returning on Sunday as we don't have the exact running order yet. Parents will be rung once we know of a return time. Any problems or concerns, please feel free to speak to Jane.

Free Time

On Saturday, there will be some free time; there is a swimming pool at the leisure centre, so please bring along your swimming costumes if you wish. Remember to bring some spending money. You can rest assured that they will all be supervised.

WE HOPE THIS WILL BE A REALLY ENJOYABLE WEEKEND AND GREAT FUN

LONDON FESTIVAL

Total costs of the London Festival have been calculated at £80 per gymnast. So, having paid your £10 deposit, the balance of £70 will be due as detailed below. If any gymnasts are not planning to use the mini-buses for transport or the accommodation provided then please let Katie Donaldson know as soon as possible.

The London Festival will soon be upon us and costumes this year are on a 'Circus' theme. Can you please ensure that you have a costume ready for dress rehearsals. Details of leaving time etc will follow shortly.

BGA Membership

All people need to renew their BGA membership in September. This has gone up from £27.50 this year to £36. All those going to the London Festival will need to have had this renewed before we go.

FEES

Term fees are also due and need to be paid by 19th September. As usual, cheques should be made payable to 'Gryphon West Gym Club' and handed in to Katie Donaldson or Jane Bell.

Full term fees are:
1st Child - £95.00
2nd Child - £85.50

Half term fees are:
1st Child - £47.50
2nd Child - £42.75

And for those gymnasts doing one session per week:

Full term - £61.00
Half term - £30.50