Knowsley Online

Come and see what secondary education in Knowsley has to offer

With the deadline for secondary school applications approaching, Knowsley Council has arranged a series of open days throughout September in their centres for learning to help make such an important decision easier.

Whilst September 2012 may seem like a long way off, applications for secondary schools in Knowsley need to be submitted by 31 October 2011.

Councillor Graham Wright, Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services, said “Secondary education in Knowsley will provide your child with a range of opportunities, including successful examination results, excellent teaching in world-class environments, engaging curriculum choices and a safe and disciplined environment.  I would encourage you to come and see for yourself what we can offer!”
 

Knowsley’s students are celebrating this morning after collecting their GCSE exam results.

Today’s results show an increase for the 13th year running with 73.5 % of Knowsley pupils achieving five GCSE passes at grades A* to C, an improvement of 8.1% on last year’s provisional results.

Across the borough the percentage of pupils gaining five grades A* to C, including English and maths, has also risen for the fourth year to 41%, a 3.3% per cent improvement on last year’s provisional results.

Knowsley asks ‘Do you Love Where You Live?’

Knowsley is the first council in the North West to take the lead in a new national anti-littering campaign.

Knowsley is one of 10 councils nationwide to become an ‘ambassador’ for the ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign – created by Keep Britain Tidy to inspire people to think about their communities and take action to reduce litter.

The campaign launches in September with a high profile national and local advertising campaign.  In Knowsley ‘local heroes’ will be featured talking about their local areas and how they have helped to create clean and tidy neighbourhoods.

Nominate your Good Neighbour today

Nominations are now open for the 2011 Good Neighbours in Knowsley awards, which are now in their third year.

The awards, set up by the Knowsley Partnership, enable residents to acknowledge and thank the people who make their community a better place to live.

Anybody who lives in Knowsley can be nominated for the Good Neighbours in Knowsley awards, and it can be for any reason which makes your life, or that of your community, better. We are seeking nominations, from both young and old, across all areas of the borough.

MAFIA strut their stuff in street dance

The MAFIA – an adult dance group in Kirkby - have proved they are ‘smooth criminals’ with their street dance moves.

The Southdene Adult Dance Group formed just over 12 months ago and has been supported by Knowsley Housing Trust with donations towards a dance and tai chi tutor, venue costs and t-shirts.

The group danced under the name MAFIA, or Mature And Fit Inclusive Adults, at KHT’s Community Day in Huyton on August 4 for the second year running, dancing to music from the likes of Lady Gaga and JLo.

KHT supports Fairtrade

Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) is supporting farmers and producers in the developing world by signing up to Knowsley’s Fairtrade Pledge Scheme.

KHT has pledged to support and promote Fairtrade in Knowsley after the borough was awarded Fairtrade status by the Fairtrade Foundation.

KHT will now be using Fairtrade products wherever possible as well as encouraging their use within its staff and communities.

Fairtrade aims to provide farmers and workers in the developing world with decent working conditions and a fair price for their products.

Steve Heverin Operational Director of Investment at KHT said: “We are delighted that the borough has achieved Fairtrade status.  Our pledge means that we are doing our bit to support Knowsley’s Fairtrade campaign and to help farmers and producers in some of the poorest countries earn a decent living and support their families.”

Get on your bike’ with the OurPlace Forum

Knowsley’s OurPlace Forum got ‘on their bike’ earlier today to help promote using a bike to get to the new OurPlace facility in Huyton and the benefits of cycling in Knowsley.

The Forum arranged the event, which started at Halewood Environment Centre and finished at the new OurPlace facility on Longview Drive in Huyton. The centre has been designed for young people by young people in Knowsley and the Forum have been involved in its development.

Kirkby Cougars debut at the Stobart Stadium

Kirkby Cougars made their debut in a recent Tag Rugby curtain-raiser at the Stobart Stadium, Widnes.

The newly formed club took to the field as part of the pre-match entertainment at the recent Co-operative Championship game between Widnes Vikings and Batley Bulldogs.

Kirkby Cougars in action

Players from the clubs under 8s and under 10s teams showed off their skills and were joined by Liverpool Storm’s Jamie Kerr out on the pitch.

Cllr Eddie Connor, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Community and Culture said “It’s great to see our young talent being showcased at such a prestigious event.  This is a major step for the club and I wish them well as they will progress throughout the season.”

John Farrell, Knowsley Council’s Sports Development Rugby League Officer, added “After a few months of training sessions, I am certain it will be a springboard for the club to develop further in 2011.  I’d like to thank St Helens Community Development Foundation for providing the teams with kit and also coaching support at their weekly sessions.”

The club has now registered their two squads with the NWC 8-12 Junior League and will participate in fixtures starting in September.

 

Space to Create Workshops

Free artist-led textile workshops are taking place in Kirkby town centre in ‘Space to Create’ - the former Clintons card shop at 28 St Chad’s Parade.  This is part of the empty shops project run by Knowsley Arts & Heritage Service in partnership with Knowsley Town Centres Management.

This is the second week of workshops which are accompanying the ‘Textiles in Action’ exhibition in Kirkby Gallery, presenting the work of a newly established contemporary textiles network for the North West; ‘Re:View Textiles’.

The first week’s workshops - Making ‘Precious People Dolls’ with Sue Beck proved very popular, with the workshop bustling with people of all ages sharing stories and memories. One little girl made a precious doll which she called a “keep safe doll” - made in army clothes to post to her brother, who is in the forces while a young boy asked if they will be ok in the rain, as he wanted to put his doll on his nan’s grave.

Nominate a community hero

Knowsley residents have just a few days left to nominate their community heroes.

Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) is holding its annual Community Achievement Awards in September and wants to hear about tenants or resident groups who are making a real difference in their neighbourhoods.

The award categories are: Resident of the Year, Young Resident of the Year, Resident Association of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Community Organisation of the Year.

The Resident of the Year category will be split between each area of the Borough - Huyton, Kirkby, Halewood (including Cronton) and Prescot and Whiston (including Knowsley Village)as well as an overall winner.

Anyone who makes a valid nomination will be entered into a prize draw to win a laptop worth up to £500.

Shortlisted nominees will be invited to the awards night on September 20 at Huyton Suites. The closing date for nominations is August 24.

To make a nomination, visit http://ow.ly/69c6F or call 0151 290 7000 and ask for Marketing.