CALA AGM & Conference 23rd September 2010

AGM & Update
Over 120 delegates from all over the Highlands, Moray and beyond gathered in the New Drumossie Hotel on Thursday 23rd September 2010 for the CALA Annual General Meeting and Conference.

The business of the AGM progressed smoothly and we are delighted to welcome 2 new Directors, Gillian Newman and Marie Mackintosh, to the CALA Board. Members approved both the annual and financial reports for 2010 and heard about potential new areas of work within CALA.

An update from Kaylie Allen, Advisor from the Inspiring Scotland team, provided an insight into the current Scottish Government Go Play Initiative and how CALA was progressing this exciting support for member out of school clubs.

Keynote Speaker
Keynote for the morning was provided by author, Sue Palmer. Sue’s lively and very relevant talk "The State of Play" focused around the vast research she has carried out over the past decade, with reference to her well known books "Toxic Childhood" and "21st Century Boys".

Sue’s talk strongly resonated with the audience and the opportunity for us all to reflect on personal childhood play experiences focused thinking around the vast and ongoing changes that have occurred in children’s play experiences over the past 10 to 15 years. For more information visit Sue's website.

Following Sue’s talk and a short question and answer session, Janis Keast provided a brief introduction to the Eco Schools project and invited participants to access more information through her afternoon workshop.

2010 Awards

This year saw the launch of a new award for practitioners working for CALA and Director Alan Kennedy announced the winner of its "Learner of the Year Award". A number of strong nominations from throughout Highland had made the CALA Directors’ decision extremely difficult and acknowledgment of the good examples of practice and learning was given to:

Karen Smith, SPW Cromarty Out of School Club
Elsa Shepton, SPW, Duror Pre-school Centre
Jane Wright, Rainbow Rascals
Mary Woodward, Kinlochbervie Pre-school
Nicola Lowe, Nessie’s Nippers
Jodie Robertson, Lochaline Pre-school Centre
Maud Shum, Drakies Out of School Club
Gillian Semple & Kathy Sutherland, Ardross Nursery
Lesley Dingwall, Culloden Pre-school centre

Alan presented runner up award to Rena Slater, South Loch Ness Side Nursery and overall winner Nicolle Tait, Rainbow Rascals with their well deserved awards.

             WELL DONE EVERYONE!

Alan Kennedy & Nicolle Tait

Workshops
A welcome lunch and valuable opportunity to network, catch up with colleagues and sample exhibitors’ wares was followed with a number of workshops to access during the course of the afternoon.  

Workshop options included:  

Sizzling Science
Risk in Play
Eco Schools & Highland One World Group
Forest Schools & Outdoor Learning
Baby Sensory 

Our thanks to everyone who helped make the day an enjoyable and stimulating occasion!