The half term holiday is coming to an end, and we have used it well! Loads of new things have happened this week and Evalena's excitement levels are probably dangerously high. =)

Most importantly, we've got two new students/mentees this week, so first of all here's a big shout out and a warm welcome to both of you! (We don't mention students' names as a matter of child protection privacy.)

The plans for a spring holiday activity week(s) have been met with overwhelming interest. We now know our kids want it - but for it to happen we will need your help! A special events invite will follow.

This week we have also:

1. Recruited our third volunteer! His name is Chris Savenskog, and he will be helping out with web development and graphics work on our websites. Welcome aboard, Chis! Your help is much appreciated!


2. Got two new fans to our facebook page! Thanks to Kimberlee- Monique Edwards and Dionne Allen for joining us! Hope to see and hear more of you in the future.


3. Got our first donation to the Chipin Donations site! As you know we need every little penny we can get and we're grateful for the smallest contribution! If you want to donate anonymously, that's ok, but we can also mention you on our site.


4. Sold consignement items on eBay! If you don't have any pennies to spare we can either help you make some money by selling them for you on a consignement basis, or you can donate the whole profit to us. The eBay venture is run by our young peole, giving them a chance to apply literacy, numeracy, communication, ICT, problem solving and team working skills to a real life project.


5. Got a donation of books for our future library! We would love to have loads of resources for our students and books, DVDs, arts & craft material, magazines etc etc etc are much needed and very welcome donations!


6. Set up a Networking Site where students, teachers, members and supporters can meet and exchange ideas and resources. The student's area is restricted for obvious reasons, but anyone is welcome to join us!


7. Added new features to our website. We now have a Black Voices section where we collect inspirational texts by black writers, and a Role Models section where we present positive role models. The role models are not employed by us, they are just people we feel are worth lifting up as good examples of someone who has done something for themselves thus making a positive contribution to the community.


8. Seen the birth of our student magazine. It looks very promising and is due to be released in March. Copies will be sold at 20p a piece.


9. Received too many e-mails and heads-up to mention them all, but every new contact, every new facebook friend and every new supporter means the world to us. We know we're on to something good, but part of what we are trying to do is to build a school that is more than just a school. We want to be a vibrant hub in the wider community, re-engaging our young people with the world around them and showing them that there are choices to made, rewards to be reaped and a bright future ahead for anyone who is prepared to apply themselves.

Well, that's not bad for a week's worth of work is it? Once again, please accept our humble thanks for your time, efforts and support. Together we are making a difference!

//John & Evalena