The Schools’ Activity Confidence Eating (ACE) Programme is part of the Health Promoting Schools initiative in the Midlands region.  It is an example of a whole school intervention, focused on promoting four main aspects of health within the school i.e. nutrition, physical activity, mental and dental health that includes a schools’ incentive scheme.  

The project aims to encourage schools to draw up a tailored and individualised health policy in accordance with particular guidelines given to them, over the course of a year, with the help and support of health worker (Schools’ ACE Supporter) who is trained to facilitate the school in developing and implementing their health policy and supporting schools in their submission for an ACE Schools’ Programme Award.  

Tender 1

The ACE Schools’ Programme is currently seeking tenders for the provision of support to schools based in the counties Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Galway who are taking part in the ACE Schools’ Programme for the academic year 2012-2013.

A number of Primary schools across the midlands currently participate in the programme (1 in Laois; 3 in Westmeath; 1 in Galway) and a number have registered to participate in the ACE School’s Programme in the coming academic year (7 in Offaly; 3 in Westmeath & 1 in Laois).

Tender 2

The ACE Schools’ Programme is currently seeking tenders for the provision of support to Longford schools taking part in the ACE Schools’ Programme for the academic year 2012-2013.

A number of primary schools in Co. Longford currently participate in the programme (12). The ACE schools supporter’s role is to give schools assistance in their healthy policy development, and their participation in the award submission process, part of this role will be to visit each school and liaise between the school and community health professionals (dietitians, physical activity co-ordinator etc).

The ACE schools supporter’s role is to give schools assistance in their healthy policy development, and their participation in the award submission process, part of this role will be to visit each school and liaise between the school and community health professionals (dietitians, physical activity co-ordinator etc).

The Supporter Role:

The Supporter will carry out the following tasks:

• Visit each school at least twice in the academic year (two visits for current schools and three visits for new schools); 
• Provision of standardised ACE Schools’ nutrition information sessions to parents in the school setting;
• Collect pertinent and required information from schools using the ACE Schools’ Process evaluation forms / checklists.
• Liaise with the relevant schools, Community Health Professionals and ACE Schools’ Co-ordinator as necessary.
• Attendance at Supporter training, updates and schools’ training sessions.

The Supporter will liaise with WCDL and the Community Nutrition & Dietetic service on a regular basis with regards to their progress with each individual school.

Person requirements:

• Be a good communicator
• Evidence of project management experience

• Degree in Human Nutrition &/ or Dietetics from a recognised third level institute.  Qualifications standard should allow for either state registration in Dietetics or Associate Nutritionist/ Registered Nutritionist under AsN.
• Full Driving licence and access to transport
• Tax clearance
• Professional Indemnity Insurance

Successful applicants must submit to Garda Clearance

For all enquiries contact: Ms. Maria Murtagh, Community Nutrition & Dietetic Service, Marlinstown Office Park, Mullingar, Co.Westmeath. 

Email: community.dietitians@hse.ie;  Phone: 044 93 53220.

Tenders to be submitted to: Mr. Frank Murtagh, WCDL, c/o ACT, Ball Alley Lane, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Closing date for receipt of tenders is July 27^th

Experience Westmeath will run from 8th to 22nd July and will bring together the very best of Westmeath’s unique craftmakers. From jewellers to textile designers, woodturners, milliners, felt makers and fashion designers to many more. It will also create opportunities for hobbyists/emerging craft makers to showcase their work through two craft events which will be open to the public at two locations during the event, Ballinahown Craft Village and in Mullingar.

In Westmeath there is a growing craft presence which has been strengthened in recent years with the opening of Core Crafted Design, the development around Ballinahown Craft Village and the formation of MADE in Westmeath. Groups such as these represent craft makers in Ireland who are creating these handmade pieces in what is mainly a rural location.

Some existing craft makers in Wesmeath will open their studios to the public during the event. Groups will attend workshops delivered by the craft maker. Craft makers will also run a series of training workshops during the event at the two locations, Ballinahown and Mullingar.

This event has been supported by Westmeath Community Development through the Rural Development (LEADER) Programme. For further information go to www.madeinwestmeath.ie. 

The 2012 Steete Parish Park Annual Vintage Day will take place on Sunday next July 8^th. This is the 11^th year of the event that will include vintage displays of steam engines, cars, tractors, stationary engines etc as well as demonstrations by exhibitors throughout the day.

This event has been supported by Westmeath Community Development through the Rural Development (LEADER) Programme.

For further information go to www.streetesportscomplex.ie