Year 7 - Chepstow Castle Visit (cost approx £10) and Sample a Sport/Smoothie Making/Healthy Pizza (no cost).
Year 8 - Multicultural Mystery Tour of Exeter (Cost approx £10) and K2 Adventure, Butlins, Minehead (Cost approx £22 - should be this cost be prohibitive, school based sports are an alternative at no cost).
Year 9 - SCAT Healthy Lifestyles Day (no cost) and Visit a Place of Work (in small groups - no cost). Students who have opted for GCSE Art next year will to on a visit to the Tate Galleries on the first day (Cost aapprox £17.50). Students who have opted for GCSE Photography next year will visit Bristol Museum and Cathedral on the second day (cost approx £10).
Year 10 - Industry Day at school (no cost) and Post-16 visits (no cost). Those students studying GCSE Art will go on a visit to Bristol Museum and Cathedral on the second day (cost approx £10).
Further details will be posted on the Parent/Pupil Bulletin nearer the time. If you are able to help with the days, and either have, or would be happy to apply for CRB clearance, then we would love to hear from you.
Quiz Night
The Friends will be holding their ever popular Quiz Night on Friday 7 May 2010 at 7.30. The cost for the evening is £3.50 per person. It comprises of a round of questions in a range of topics posed to teams that are made up of a maximum of 6 people. If you wish to take part please complete the form at the back of this bulletin and return to the School Office. Please bring along your own drinks and nibbles.Friends of The Castle School
Yours sincerely
K J FREEDMAN
Headteacher
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Once again there is an opportunity for students to look through and reclaim their lost property. Students can come to the area any time over the break and lunch period to look and parents will be able to come later from 3.45 until 4.15pm. Any items remaining will later be donated to a local charity.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Background
Local and national intelligence suggests that mephedrone (and a similar drug Methylone) is increasing in popularity as a drug of choice for stimulant users in the UK. There has to date been hardly any research into mephedrone and therefore little is known about the risks associated with its short term and long term use.What is mephedrone?
Mephedrone is a stimulant drug with similar properties to amphetamine. It is available as a powder (and can be snorted, or wrapped in cigarette paper and swallowed), or in pills or capsules (which can be swallowed). The effects can start between 15 minutes and an hour after it is taken, and last for up to 3 hours.What does it do? (Recognising signs of use)
It produces a rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, sweating, goosebumps, dilated pupils, and changes in regulation of body temperature. Users report feelings of euphoria, energy, excitement, sociability and openness, wakefulness/alertness and intense feelings of pleasure. Users have also suffered anxiety, paranoia, pain and irritation to the skin, heart palpitations, impaired short term memory, tightened jaw muscles, grinding teeth, muscle twitching, abnormal eye movements, dizziness, light headedness, and vertigo. The risk of unwanted effects appears to increase as the dose of mephedrone increases. After a high dose, there is a reported unpleasant come down period, with low mood, memory loss and irritability. As with all drugs, risks associated with its use increase if it is taken with other drugs, especially alcohol.Where does it come from?
Mephedrone is currently not controlled in the UK. It is available from internet sources. It is sold as plant food, and is marked as not fit for human consumption, and so not regulated by existing legislation.How much does it cost?
It is relatively cheap approximately £10 - £15 per gram.How many people are using it?
There appears to be an increase in its use, especially within the dance scene, but it is difficult to give a realistic estimate. Many young people are likely to know of the drug, its effects, where it can be obtained and maybe even other young people who have used it. However, although young people are increasingly aware of the drug, the majority are not using it. Most young people do not use drugs other than alcohol.Will there be any new legislation about mephedrone?
Mephedrone is not prohibited and is one of the substances known as legal highs. It is currently under review by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, and it is likely that it will be controlled. However, this is unlikely to happen before the middle of 2010. If it becomes illegal, the price will probably increase, but the purity will drop.Can someone be charged for possession or use of mephedrone?
Mephedrone cannot be positively identified on the street. Therefore any person caught in possession of it would be treated in the same way as for any other suspected drug. They would be arrested, and the substance would be sent for testing. The person could be bailed pending the results of the tests. If the drug is subsequently found to be mephedrone, no charges would result under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. However, there may be other offences considered such as Criminal Attempts 1981 or Intoxicating Substances Act 1985. The fact that an individual has been arrested for a potential drug offence (even if no charge follows) can be kept on police records.Talking to children and young people
Research shows that parents and carers have a crucial role in preventing problem drug & alcohol use. Young people are more likely to delay or avoid use when they can talk openly with their parents/carers. Parents and carers can be directed to factual information and normative messages about young peoples substance misuse on the following website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Yourchildshealthandsafety/WorriedAbout/DG_10026450 This link at www.direct.gov.uk provides advice about talking to children and young people about drugs & alcohol. It also contains a link to the Talk to Frank website: www.talktofrank.com which provides additional information about mephedrone and other legal highs, and routes to local support.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF TEAM ..
Names of Team Members (Maximum of 6)
Cost @ £3.50 per head.
Total enclosed: £ Cash
£ ....Cheque
(Cheques should be made payable to Friends of The Castle School)
Childs name: Form ..