As temperatures are currently soaring we can be sure that the British Summer is finally here.  With the hottest day of the year recently recorded thousands of adults and children across the United Kingdom hit beaches from John o’ Groats to Land’s End.

Between building sandcastles and having a paddle, it’s important that children stay safe on the beach and a new competition has been launched to teach school children about beach safety.  Caerphilly County Borough Council launched the sizzling competition this week (Monday, 12th June, 2006) as part of their My School Lunch website. 

To enter the competition, local children must visit www.myschoollunch.co.uk/summer and download an activity sheet.  The sheets include wordseaches, spot the differences and many more educational games plus information about warning flags, the importance of drinking water and using suncream. 

www.myschoollunch.co.uk is a website aimed at Primary school children, parents and teachers.  It includes a funfair of educational games for children, an interactive kid’s club to encourage healthy eating, information about the school meals service for parents and downloadable lesson plans for teachers. 

The competition has been sponsored by Avery Dennison who will provide goody bags for our local winners.  The winners will then be put forward for a national competition with the opportunity to win one of five drama days for their class courtesy of Avery.  During the drama day the children will learn more about a healthy lifestyle and will practice and perform a special play in a school assembly or to parents. 

Sally Franks Head of Catering & Cleaning Services at Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “Although www.myschoollunch.co.uk aims to educate children about healthy eating we encourage children to look after themselves in other ways too.  By informing children about staying safe on the beach through a fun, interactive beach safety competition it will make children more aware of the importance of taking care of themselves.”

The Avery Goody Bag is full of things to do and play with at weekends and in holidays.  There is an Official Licensed 2006 FIFA World Cup^TM Football, a Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire^TM Happy Families Game and a foldaway Frisbee.  Plus a fantastic Creative Projects Kit from Inspired by Avery® with loads of things to do and make.

Sally added:”The drama day prize offers a fantastic opportunity for a local school. It promises to be a fun-filled day which educates children about healthy eating and the importance of eating regularly.  We hope all the local schools get on board and encourage their children to enter, so not only are they in with a chance of winning a great prize but are also learning about staying safe over the Summer holidays.”

To find out more about the Avery Beach Safety competition visit www.myschoollunch.co.uk/summer or call Kirsty Rabjohn on 01495 235732.