BELGIUM: Official parkrun at SHAPE, Every Saturday, 08:45 for 09:00 start

Did you know SHAPE has its own official parkrun? The only parkrun in Belgium no less. As a closed event it is only open to Shapians and their sponsored guests but it is held weekly on camp, departing from behind the Continental Mess. 

parkrun is held every Saturday, whatever the weather (as long as it is deemed safe by the run director that week) and welcomes all nationalities, all ages and all abilities. Volunteers are needed too, so even if you don't fancy walking, jogging or running the 5km course, you are still welcome to join the parkrun community by volunteering to support this fabulous event.

What's more, parkrun is FREE and a fabulous way to meet new friends. Follow their Facebook Page to keep on top of what is occurring.

The parkrun group are an international, welcoming, friendly, sociable and most importantly supportive group who are always keen to have new participants join the fold.

If you want to take part or get involved in volunteering, simply turn up on a Saturday at 08:45 or email SHAPE@parkrun.com.

See you there!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BRUNEI: Climb Mount Kinabalu with Mira and make a difference by supporting the Gurkha Museum

Greetings all! l am gearing up to tackle Mount Kinabalu in support of the Gurkha Museum and I would love for you to join me on this meaningful journey. Together, we can train, enjoy some great moments, challenge ourselves and make a positive difference along the way. If you're interested in being part of this inspiring endeavour, feel free to reach out on WhatsApp +673 8371451.

About Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu, located in Sabah, Malaysia, is one of Southeast Asia’s most famous peaks and part of Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its highest point, Low’s Peak, reaches 4,095m above sea level, offering spectacular views and the chance to see sunrise from near the summit.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BELGIUM: Do you have Secondary School Age Children? Please Read...

Do you have a child of Secondary School Age, either at British School of Brussels or a British Boarding School? Have you received this letter to your Belgian home address?

If so, if they are at BSB, please complete the following section, sign it and email/drop the form to Host Nation Liaison Officer Nadia in the Community Office:

If you have received the letter and your child(ren) are at Boarding School, please complete this section, add proof of registration at the school for this academic year and sign the form, then email/drop it to Host Nation Liaison Officer Nadia in the Community Office:

If you have any questions, do pop into the Community Office and chat to us.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

NAPLES: Supply Teacher Cover Supervisor - Closing Date 27 February 2026

Supply Teacher Cover Supervisor Positions
at British Forces School Naples

The British Forces School Naples caters for children aged between 3 and 11 years. TQCS work is on a zero-hours contract as the nature of the need is ad-hoc. This is due to covering short term absences of class teachers for part or full days for emergency and planned cover, or subject to mutual agreement, longer-term absences.

Main duties are:

• Teach classes, when required, to cover for staff absence and ensure that pupils make good progress.

• Deploy appropriate behaviour management strategies in line with school policy ensuring that children learn effectively

• Encourage and support pupils to develop their personal wellbeing.

• Adhere to the school policies to ensure consistency of practice

• Sustain a safe environment and employ safeguarding practices that promote children’s health, safety and wellbeing.

Applicants must have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Qualified Teacher Learning Skills Status (QTLS) to be recognised as a fully qualified teacher. Some qualifications, without QTS, which are appropriate and recognised, can result in applicants able to be employed on the unqualified teacher rate. They must have a good standard of spoken and written English, be able to show initiative, work unsupervised, be flexible and have excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. Experience of working in international, UK or MOD Schools is essential

Applications are invited from suitably qualified dependents who hold Full Provision status in accordance with EJSU SO 1023 and have at least 8 months remaining at Naples. Full job descriptions and application forms may be obtained by sending an email to – CPO Italy via the address: GSO-Italy-LEC_HRRecruitment@mod.gov.uk

The employment contract will be for zero hours per week and the rate of pay is € 27.44 per hour worked for qualified teachers and € 17.04 for unqualified. This hourly rate includes holiday pay.

Information provided by NAPLES HIVE

NAPLES: Carnevale Season - February

 

February is carnevale season in Italy and the most famous events of all held in Venice with celebrations set to run from January 31st to February 17th 2026.

But Venice is not the only part of Italy famous for its carnival celebrations; there's the famous parade of papier mache floats and political caracutures in Viareggio and an annual orange fight in Ivrea among others.

From Sicily to Tuscany to Marche, the main events and the dates are listed below.

Fano - February 16th, 24th and March 2nd - The sweetest of the festivals

Viareggio - February 8th, 16th,22nd,27th March 2nd 4th - The Masked Parade

Cento - February 16th, 23rd, March 2nd,9th ad 16th - Twinned with Rio de Janeiro

Sciacca - February 22nd,23rd,28th, March 1st, 2nd - Burning of the Carnival King

Ivrea - March 2nd -4th - Annual Orange fight

Acireale - February 15th, 16th,22nd,23rd, March 2nd,3rd - Elaborate flower/light parades

Putignano - February 16th,22nd March 2nd 4th - One of Europes oldest and longest

 Information Provided by NAPLES HIVE                                                                                                                                                                            

NAPLES: Little Passport with NATO - Learn about different cultures

 

Have you been to the library yet? Its absolutely beautiful!

Look out for the FREE event designed for children aged 6 - 14 years old.

Come and learn about NATO community culture, their countries, history, language, food, traditions etc

First Country to discuss - CANADA

When: Saturday 14 February 2026

Where: JFC Library

Time: 10.00am - 14.00 pm

Registration limited to 20 only - For further details Click Here

Information provided by NAPLES HIVE

NAPLES: Is this the romantic view on Earth?

 

Most travellers visit the Amalfi Coast for the beaches of Positano or the lively streets of Amalfi. But if you want to find the true soul of the coast, you have to go much higher.

Welcome to Ravello, the City of Music and romance. Ravello sits 365 metres above the sea and hidden in the medieval town lies a place that feels like a dream : Villa Cimbrone.

Walking through its gate is like stepping back in time. You wander through beautiful English style gardens, past blooming wisteria, ancient temples and marble statues, until the path suddenly pens up to the sky.

The Infinity Terrace (Terraxxa dell'Infinito) This isn't just a balcony. It is a masterpiece of nature and architecture. Lined with 18th century marble busts, the terrace offers a view so vast that the blue sea melts into the sky.

Describes as "the most beautiful place in the world" it has been a hideaway for the elite for decades . From Great Garbo, who famously eloped here in 1983 to find privacy to Winston Churchill and Virginia Woolf. They all came here for the same reasons: the silence and the view.
What will you go for?

Information provided by NAPLES HIVE

BELGIUM: Children applying for University this year?

 

Do you have children who are applying for University this year?

If so, please contact the HISO on RC-Pers-HIVE-SHAPE-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk or pop into the Community Office for further information.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

SHAPE: Fleraqua School Holiday Camps, Registrations Open Now

Searching for School Holiday Camps for your Children? Good News, Registrations are now open for Swimming & Multi-sports Camps at Fleraqua.

Whilst swimming is at the heart of the program, fun multi-sports and aqua activities complement it; a great combination of learning and leisure.

Your child(ren) will make progress in the water thanks to professional supervision, with groups adapted to their level, whether they are beginners or improving their skills. 

WHO: Children from 5 years old

WHEN: During the spring/carnival school holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Fleraqua swimming pool, 20 Rue Marie Joyle, Mons (Havré)

MORE INFORMATION: Here

WHAT ELSE: Fleraqua also offers swimming lessons for children ages 3+ and adults, baby swimming lessons for 6 months upwards, birthday parties, aquabike classes, pilates, aquatic preparation for birth and room or pool rental, with many more activities coming soon 

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Gov.UK Armed Forces Pensions Update: Pension Scams

The over-arching link for all Armed Forces Pensions information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans

Link to Pension Scams

Steps to stay scam safe