Page 75 - Phonebox Magazine September 2015

Roll on September?
Olney - Newton Link
No doubt this sentiment will have been aired across the land over the last few weeks
but things are a little different for youngsters in Sierra Leone as the following extract from a teacher there explains:
“Things are a little different compared to UK holidays. Yes the schools close during August and reopen in September but education doesn’t stop. This year, because of the disruption of Ebola, term dates have been somewhat fluid so no planning of holidays could be made with any confidence. Also the Ministry of Education have published at least three alternative school calendars – not helpful for school managers or parents.
“Students whose families can afford it attend summer school every weekday morning when four or five lessons are offered by the teachers and the fees collected are split between participating staff. This does numerous things – engages students and gives them something to do (especially important when there is no power or anything for kids to do except
Skyline Taxis
Music for Newton
Saturday, 19th September at 7.30 pm at the United Reformed Church,
High Street, Olney, Bucks.
An evening of
classical strings
The Newton Ensemble Conducted by Catherine Rose Lesley Newing – Leader
Including music by: Walton – Purcell - Respighi Torelli – Michael Rose ...and others
Tickets: £10. Concessions: £8 (Under 18s free.)
On the door or in advance from
C T Wilson (84, High Street) and Orchard Press (Stanley Court)
to go so they gain additional assistance. No teachers really get a break as, even if they choose not to do summer school, they are expected to check into school regularly, so what would seem a burden to us in the UK is just accepted here. The education system is, however, woefully under resourced and lacks real investment, so if Sierra Leone is to move forward these ideas have to be implemented. Next time you hear a child complain that they are bored during the holidays send them here!!” Claire Tarawally
Doing our bit to support them
Our schools in Olney help to support four schools in Newton in several ways. At the end of last term we sent a consignment of pencils, erasers, sharpeners and children’s work as well as some books. The Olney-Newton Link are also well on the way to funding a Preschool and Day Care Centre to help those children affected by the Ebola crisis. Please do visit our website to find more details of our projects and coming events.
Raised the bar
Generally, the thought of a taxi office isn’t an interesting one, but Skyline have raised the bar when it comes to this type of office. They recently opened
their brand new, innovative, state of the art control centre. Manager of Skyline, Gavin Sokhi, says: “When you deal with as many calls as we do, we have to ensure our clients get the best service and with this new control centre, we can certainly provide that.”
The official opening of the new control centre was held by Cllr Keith McLean with a speech about the future growth of Milton Keynes and how Skyline Taxis are ready to handle the influx heading their way. Cllr McLean even tried his hand at being on the phone lines and handling a taxi dispatch!
It is clear that Skyline Taxis’ new, modern office will allow the people on the phone lines to deal with calls very efficiently and quickly, especially with Milton Keynes’ growing population.
Refreshments available
In aid of the Olney-Newton Link
sleep), boosts their education, gives more study time for the exam classes and finally gives a much needed financial boost
to the teachers. The students who are doing well in school go because they enjoy it, students not doing so well are made
Phonebox Magazine 75