Call Portsmouth Fire & Rescue Service!
CIA was delighted to reward sixteen hard working pupils from Riders Junior School in Leigh Park for their achievements during the school year with a flight in a helicopter on 2nd July.
It was a wonderful day – even the weather was fantastic. The children and their families picnicked at Goodwood Aerodrome before the children were taken in groups of 4 on a 20 minute flight for a bird’s eye view ofPortsmouth, their school and neighbourhood, including PortsmouthFootball Club, the Spinnaker Tower and Portsmouth Harbour before returning to Goodwood.
One journey was particularly eventful when the children spotted a fire at the thicket in Havant. They reported it to the Fire Brigade and were able to watch the fire engine rushing along the road to deal with it.
This is the second year that Christie Intruder Alarms has given the School’s high achievers a helicopter ride. It is the talk of the School, and everybody is proud to be involved. Even the children who aren’t successful enter into the excitement by cheering and waving from their gardens, and Mr Kenny, the School’s caretaker, waved bright yellow flags at each flight from the school grounds.
This sponsorship is the result of a formal Partnership Agreement between Christie Intruder Alarms and Riders Junior School. It was signed in the presence of Havant’s MP and Shadow Secretary of for Education and Skills, David Willetts, the Mayor of Havant and other dignitaries in March 2005.
This unique partnership came about because the school wanted to incentivise the children.
“We wanted to encourage the children and acknowledge their hard work but didn’t have any funds to spare for achievement awards,” says John Dean, Rider’s Head Teacher, “so we decided to seek help from the local business community.
“The School really does appreciate Christie Intruder Alarm’s contribution. I believe the helicopter rides are an incredible incentive for pupils to work hard. Barrie Christie is a great role model for our children. I can think of no other junior schools in the country that offers such a fantastic opportunity for their pupils.”
Barrie Christie, Christie Intruder Alarm’s Chairman, says “We are delighted to be linked with Riders Junior School. I see it as a win-win situation. It is good for us as a local business champion to give help, advice and some financial commitment, while from the school’s perspective our help will aid the sterling work John Dean, the Governors, the staff and parents are doing to raise standards and achievements in Leigh Park’s young people.
“I have special memories of Riders Junior School as it was the very first school where Christie Intruder Alarms installed monitored intruder and fire alarms* so when John Dean and the Chair of Governors, Andy Martin, approached me, I said a resounding yes.”
When John Dean was appointed Head Teacher in 2001, Riders’ SATS results were among the very worst in the whole of Hampshire. Under his inspired leadership and with the dedication of the whole team, especially the children, the results are now above the National Average.
The children are assessed throughout the year and judged not just by their academic achievement but by all round progress, including attendance, time keeping and behaviour. One boy and one girl from each class is chosen.
Christie Intruder Alarm’s support has also been recognised byHampshire County Council who presented the company with their Employer of the Year in Support of Education award in 2005.
Click to see the photo gallery of last years flight
Click to see the photo gallery of this years flight
*A monitored alarm is one that is linked via the telephone line or cellular network or both to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC).
An ARC is a permanently manned call centre whose staff are dedicated to monitoring security alarms and contacting the right Authority – i.e. the Police usually, or the Fire Brigade in the case of a fire – if there is an activation. An ARC is bound by strict legislation which ensures the highest standards of operation.
