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BORO BACKING FOR ‘EVERY SCHOOLDAY MATTERS’
By Middlesbrough FC
Up to a thousand local children have the chance to attend Boro’s big game with Derby on Saturday at discounted prices as a reward for their 100% attendance at school over the past year.
As part of their commitment to the next generation of supporters, Middlesbrough FC are backing Middlesbrough Council’s ‘Every Schoolday Matters’ campaign.
The campaign is designed to help improve the levels of school attendance within the town.
Boro are offering discounted tickets to 1,000 pupils who have not missed a school day over the past 12 months.
They have the chance to snap up South Stand tickets for themselves and an accompanying adult for just £15 a pair – a saving of up to £21 on normal ticket prices.
Backed by Boro and the Evening Gazette, Every Schoolday Matters has helped to substantially improve school attendance records across the town since its launch in 2006.
In 2005-06 Middlesbrough schools were among those with the highest number of persistent absentees – pupils who had missed over 20% of their time in school.
However, the first 12 months of the campaign saw this figure reduced by a third and this improvement has continued into 2007-08, making Middlesbrough one of the most improved authorities in the country.
The campaign raises awareness of the importance throughout the local community of good school attendance, while also recognising and rewarding pupils who have very good or greatly improving attendance records.
Boro have backed the campaign with the presentation of certificates and prizes to reward pupils for their efforts, while club mascot Roary the Lion has visited schools to encourage children to attend as often as possible.
George Cooke, Chairman of Middlesbrough Football Club in the Community, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to reward pupils in a way that goes beyond our ongoing commitment to this successful scheme.
“As a football club, we are committed to the local community and in particular to the next generation of Boro supporters.”
John O’Boyle, Adviser for Behaviour and Attendance for Middlesbrough Council, said: “The Every Schoolday Matters team are delighted that Middlesbrough Football Club are supporting our campaign in this way.
“Maintaining 100% attendance is something to be proud of and we hope that all the pupils who have achieved this really enjoy their visit to the Riverside.”
Brenda Thompson, Executive Member for Children Families and Learning at
Middlesbrough Council, added: "We want to encourage all our children to attend and enjoy school.
“This cut-price offer is just one way of recognising and rewarding pupils who
have very good or improving attendance.
"We're very grateful to Middlesbrough Football Club and the Evening Gazette
for their continued support for the Every Schoolday Matters project."
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