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Are you in year 6 - year 9? Do you want a chance to meet friends, have fun and see where you fit into God's plans? If so, then Mustard club is for you! We start again with some new ideas and games on Thursday 9 September and will meet every Thursday in term-time from 7.30-9.00pm in St Andrew's Church Lounge. Call Nikki & Hywel Thomas for more information 512326

Information for Parents

What is Mustard Club?

Mustard Club is a club aimed at young people in school years 6 - 9. Our principal aim is: "To inspire and encourage young people (years 6 -9) in the Furnace Green area to know more about the Christian faith and God's love for them." We are open to any young person in the age range, whether they attend St Andrew's church or not. They do, however have to agree that they will abide by the rules of the club.

When does it meet?

We meet on Thursdays during school term times from 7.30 - 9.00 in the evening.

Where do you meet?

We meet at St Andrew's Church lounge, which is next to St Andrew's school. If the weather is good we may go out on the field and we may also go on trips, but we will notify you well in advance of any trips and you will need to complete a separate consent form.

How much does it cost?

There is no weekly charge, however we may charge for trips out. There is also a tuck shop where the young people can buy drinks and sweets at near cost price. (Water and squash are also supplied free of charge). Any profits from the tuck shop pay for equipment for the club.

How can my child join?

Come along any Thursday evening when we are meeting. You will be asked to fill in a registration form that tells us emergency contact details, any medical issues and whether your child can leave on their own. For safety & legal reasons you will have to fill a new form in each school year.

Is there a limit on membership?

Due to the popularity of the club, legal limits and the physical size of the venue we cannot have more than 32 young people attending any one week. We believe that it is unfair to enrol people without an expectation that they can come every week so we have decided to limit membership to 32.

We will be operating a waiting list where you can leave your child's details and we are constantly reviewing the situation and hope to be able to accept more young people in the future.

Does membership lapse?

Because of the popularity of Mustard Club we have introduced a system where the membership will lapse. This can happen in two ways:
1. At the end of each academic year - Existing members will be able to re-enrol during the first two weeks of the new term and during that time no new members will be enrolled. After the two weeks all people can enrol if there are spaces available
2. After one half term's non attendance. If there are special circumstances why your child could not attend for an extended period please contact one of the leaders.

Can I re-join if my membership has lapsed?

As long as there are spaces available you can re-join. If there are no spaces then your name can be added to the waiting list.

Is it safe?

We try to make the environment as safe as possible and the young people are advised that the rules are mainly for their safety. All the leaders have been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau and we comply with the parish child protection policy.

What do you do on a typical Thursday evening?

We have table tennis table, a pool table, various games, air hockey which people can play. There is a "café style" seating area near the tuck shop where they can eat, drink and chat. From time to time there are craft activities that they can take part in and an area where they can be creative.

The evening usually comprises of a teaching and worship slot where the young people are taught something about living the Christian life and the Christian faith. We will try to be experimental and try things that they might not have experienced in the mainstream church and that we hope they will enjoy.

What about these rules?

There are rules at Mustard Club that mainly promote safety, but also promote Christian values. Swearing is banned and bullying is taken very seriously. We remind the young people of these rules regularly and they are aware of the consequences of breaking them. The rules are on display at the club and you are welcome to come and see them.

So, what are the consequences?

If a young person breaks a rule one of the leaders will remind them that they are breaking a rule and that if they continue to break the rule then further action will be taken.

Yellow & Red Cards

We have a yellow and red card system. The first offence is a yellow card - a warning when they will be told what they have done wrong and why it is not acceptable. Yellow cards expire on the night that they are given, so if a child has one and then behaves they are not punished further.

If they break another rule (or the same rule again) on the same evening, then they will be given a red card and told that they may not come the following week. If a child gets three red cards in any one term then they will be told to leave the club.

There is a zero tolerance policy on swearing, bullying and dangerous behaviour and this is an instant red card.

If your child is given a red card they will be given a card to give to you giving the reason for the red card and advising which meeting they can return.

What about rewards?

The yellow and red cards are a last resort and we hope that by encouraging good behaviour their use will be kept to a minimum. The leaders make an effort to praise good behaviour and we have a reward system as an incentive. Attendance, making a good effort in activities and particularly good behaviour is rewarded in a points scheme. Each week that they attend they gain a point and other points are awarded at the leaders' discretion. The young people can collect these on a card and five points are worth 10p at the tuck shop.

Who do I speak to if I've got a problem or questions?

If you have any questions or concerns then please come and speak to one of the Mustard Club leaders before or after the meeting, or call Hywel & Nikki on 01293 512326 or email them by clicking the button below: