Issued 18th November for Spring Term 2012

Dear Parents,

Hurst Christmas Fair
Friday 2nd December 6.30 - 9pm
Saturday 3rd December 9.30am - 1pm
Please come and support the Fair as it raises funds for Gym Club. This is a professional fair with numerous stalls offering a wide range of gifts etc, including jewellery, books, cards, paperweights, stained glass, knitwear, stocking fillers, cakes, toys, etc. There will be refreshments available throughout. If you have anything suitable for either the Raffle or the Children's Tombola, it would be very much appreciated. We look forward to seeing you there.

Awards
The Club follows the British Gymnastics award scheme and over one hundred gymnasts will receive BG awards this term. On average each child earns an award each year - sometimes longer, sometimes quicker. Main Club parents will be welcomed ten minutes before the end of their child's last session to witness the BG Award presentations which will be the 29th & 30th November and 1st December.

Bonfire & Fireworks
Thank you for your support on 30th October. The Club, Oldland Mill at Keymer, Hassocks Infants School & Birchwood Grove School in Burgess Hill all benefited from the event. Next year the event will be on 4th November.

Recycling Mobile phones
We are supporting the Family Support Work, which run such valuable resources as Knowles Tooth by collecting old mobile phones for recycling. Please hand in any spare to any session next term.

Safety / Tidiness
We remind gymnasts that watches and all jewellery, including earrings, should not be worn. Hair that reaches the shoulder, should always be tied back. After the warm-up, particularly when support and help is needed or when performing partner balances only safe clothing, i.e. leotards, should be worn. Please ensure your child has warm clothing to put on after gym.

Leaving / Joining
Please let us know by the end of term if you child is leaving us. Places are automatically reserved in main club for all those in Pre-School attaining school age.

Changing
Please bring your children ready changed for Gym, or if necessary change in the hall foyer - not the Library or main foyer.

Leotards / Boys Kits
We currently have all sizes of girls leotards and boys outfits in stock. We have a waiting list for second-hand leotards, if anyone has any to sell - then we will purchase and pass on.

Some boys have recently been arriving with shorts that inhibit their movement, i.e. straddle vaulting and leap frogs etc, could parents please check that their boys shorts are well above the knees.

Arts Festival Competition 2012
Our 13th 'Arts Festival' competition will be held on 24th March from 9am - 12.30pm. Girls (minimum school year 3) will be creating routines outside our summer competition schedule. This time there will be sports acrobatic group sixes, hoop pairs, beam pairs and ribbon solos.
Entry is free and all junior and senior girls are encouraged to enter.
Entries will be arranged with the gymnasts by half term. Could last year's winners please return their trophies in January.
There are voluntary practices for routines on Fridays 2nd, 9th & 16th March from 4 -7 pm.
Both of our competition music CDs are available, A & B at £5 each, containing suitable non-vocal music of the correct competition length.
The winning and runner-up junior & senior sixes are invited to perform at the South of England Show at Ardingly on 9th June.
Spectators on the Saturday are always welcome, with free entry.
NB No photography or videos permitted.

Essential Dates !
29th & 30th November, 1st December Award Presentations sessions

Friday 2nd December - 6.30pm to 9pm &
Saturday 3rd December - 9.30am - 1pm Christmas Fair

Tuesday 3rd January 2012 Term starts
Tuesday 14th - Friday 17th February Half Term
Fridays 2nd, 9th & 16th March Arts Competition practices
Saturday 24th March 13th Arts Festival Competition
27th, 28th & 29th March Award Presentation week
Friday 30th March Term ends
Tuesday 3rd July (Boys) Annual Championships
Saturday 7th July (Girls) 29th Annual Championships

Vacancies & Waiting List
There are a few vacancies for Thursday girls and for Pre-school boys next term. We expect all other classes to be full. If you wish to place your child's name on the waiting lists please let us know.

Fees
Fees are still the same as last term - at £35 for Main Club and £30 for Pre-School classes. Please note that there will be no charge for entering the Arts competition and we do not charge for awards gained. Please help us save time and send these to the first session, by cheque or cash - ensuring cash is in a named envelope.

We wish you all a happy Christmas (even if it is rather early).

From all the coaches and helpers at
Hurstpierpoint Gymnastics Club.