Jon Williams, 17, Victoria Avenue, Stockton-on-Tees, tel 01642-806235

Liz Blanchard, 5, Manor Garth, Kirklevington, Yarm, TS15 9LG, 01642-783148 (schools in Richmondshire)

and Mike (address above)

1) Introduction

This term we have two further inter-schools competitions in the 2003/04 league. Dates are March 17 (Preston Park (TBC) and March 24 (Summerhill). Well done to Clavering Primary and Laurence Jackson Sports College for their entries in the British Schools Score Championships near Ampleforth last term, and to those two schools, together with Yarm Preparatory and Yarm School, who took part in the British Schools open Champs in Delamere Forest, Cheshire. No major prizes yet, but Teesside Schools are getting on the map (in more ways than one!)

You will find information below about schools mapping and coaching, financial help, teacher training in orienteering, and the next two schools competitions.

2) Schools Competitions.

This term's competitions, open to years 5 to 11, are fixed as follows

- Wednesday, Mar 17, at Preston Park, Eaglescliffe (to be confirmed) from 3.30 pm

- Wednesday, Mar 24, at Summerhill, Hartlepool, from 3.30 pm

Earlier starts can be arranged and start times may also be booked ahead (call Mike on 01287-624521).

Courses are white for years 5, 6, yellow for years 7-9 and light green standard for years 10,11. We strongly wish to encourage runners, other than years 5 and 6, to run as individuals rather than pairs, and would prefer the less experienced to run down on the yellow or white courses, rather than in pairs on their own course. For those who cannot bear to run alone, running in pairs will not be outlawed, but running in threes is to be discouraged. Only the light green course will require familiarity with a compass, and this is not critical

50 points for the winner, 49 for the second, etc, top six scores to count. Those running in pairs score 50%, those running down a class 50%, running down two classes or down one in pairs 25%. Cost £1.00 per runner. Tell Jon or Mike in advance your expected numbers and if you wish to book start times.

We now have 155 schools mapped or in the process of being mapped in the region. If you have not already done so, now is an opportunity to add orienteering to the P.E. curriculum. If your school has not competed before, do consider it and if you need specific advice, please telephone. We hope to see you at this term's competitions!

If the above does not make sense to you (colour coded courses and the like), just call Mike on 01287-624521 for an easy explanation and a chat about the possibilities of your school taking part.

Schools who compete regularly will receive individual final details a week or so before the events. Others can be added to the list on request

3) Financial help

The Tees Forest Green Bus Scheme will help schools visiting the competition locations for environmental education purposes in addition to orienteering, for example by including a trip to the Visitor Centre on site. Funds are limited and priority is given to schools from social priority areas, with the funds spread around as widely as possible. Applications should be addressed to The Tees Forest (01642-300716), giving as much advanced warning as possible

4) Other events

Please bring people to, or send with their families, (or in any event publicise) CLOK's regular local Sunday events, where courses of all difficulties are offered, from White (starter level) through to Brown (experienced runners), plus a string course for under sevens. These events offer experience in the wider orienteering world, and this term they can be found at

- Hutton Mulgrave and Skelder, near Whitby, Feb 8th, 1030 -1230

- Arncliffe Woods, near Osmotherley, Mar 28th, 1030 -1230

- The British Open Championships are to be held at Simonside, near Rothbury in Northumberland on Saturday March 20^th, with classes for juniors and seniors. This is a great opportunity to experience orienteering at the top level. If anyone has experienced orienteers who would like to participate give Mike a call and we'll discuss the possibilities

Full details available on request from Mike, or the CLOK web page (www.clok.org.uk)

5) Training – Teacher/Leader and Instructor Courses

The Teacher/Leader course is a one-day course designed to teach skills required for introducing orienteering to school children on school grounds and in urban parks. No previous experience is required and an attendance certificate is issued from the sport's governing body. It is strongly recommended as an initial qualification. The Instructor course, which requires previous attendance at a Teacher/Leader course, teaches skills appropriate for taking children into permanent courses in forests and to orienteering at club events. It is followed by an assessment, successful completion of which results in the British Orienteering Federation Instructor Award.

The next scheduled Teacher/Leader course takes place at Pickering on June 13^th, contact club member Geoff Hine (0870-9007192) The course costs £40.00.

If this is not convenient and a group of between 6 and 20 participants can be put together, a special Teacher/Leader course or Instructor course can be arranged on Teesside over one day mid-week or two twilight sessions - call Mike on 01287-624521 to register interest.

6) Training – Top Outdoors for Primary Schools

Geoff Hine of CLOK is qualified to deliver this course to Primary School Teachers. If you are interested in such a course in your own area, let us know and we will work with the Local Authority to make it happen

7) Coaching

If you would like us to put on a coaching session at your school, we can do it if the school is mapped. Contact Jon Williams (01642-806235) or Mike (012287-624521), and we'll be pleased to set things up. We can also fix up more advanced sessions in local parks and woodlands.

8) Schools Mapping

Remember we can arrange to get your school mapped to full orienteering standard, including 20 laminated copies and a resource pack, for £250.00. If you already have a school map, and there have been building alterations recently, we can usually incorporate these for £50 plus the cost of the new maps. So let us know if you need mapping services, and we'll sort it out.

9) Explorer Challenge

A scheme sponsored by Sport England and the British Schools Orienteering Association very popular elsewhere in the country but not yet taken up on Teesside. An award scheme offering badges and certificates to pupils visiting from 10 to 100 controls in competitions, on permanent courses or on school sites. Good incentive for first timers - details from Mike (01287-624521)

Hope to hear from you or see you soon -- ------------------------------------------Mike Hardy