Meadowside Magazine
Issue 17 Autumn
2018
Find out about
our GCSE Art work.
Read about our Signing Singers’ busy term!
Welcome to the Autumn edition of the Meadowside Magazine. As you will see in the following pages, we have had a wonderful term, with a wide range of activities contributing to our diverse curriculum. Our pupils have enjoyed a range of activities this term. Highlights have included a visit from Pudsey Bear for Children in Need and a production of Alice in Wonderland.
At the start of the term, learners took part in Anti-bullying Week by wearing odd socks or shoes, to spread the message, ‘It’s ok to be different’. Student Council leaders visited each class with our anti-bullying poster, giving talks on the effects of bullying. Many of our pupils have been involved in fundraising as part of the Signing Singers Choir. They have been performing songs all through December, bringing Christmas joy to the community whilst raising over £1000. One of our pupils has also helped to produce a video of one of the songs, available for viewing on our YouTube channel and Facebook page. A big well done to all staff and learners this term! We would like to once again say thank you to our wonderful friends at Hays Travel in Birkenhead for their very generous donation to the school this term. Finally, I would like to wish all our learners, their families and the entire school community a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Paula Wareing
All the schools involved with Merseyside School Council met for their first “Learning Walk” at Foxfield School. At the meeting representatives from each school talked about their chosen charities, then everyone voted for one charity to support. September’s Bag2School collection raised an amazing £103.30 for Student Council/Interact Club, thank you for all your help. This has now enabled us to send a £500 cheque to Water Aid to help all the people who do not have running water in their homes. Fantastic achievement! Below, Jamie (Chair) and Scott (Vice Chair) writing the cheque. We held a Student Council meeting to welcome all the new representatives for this school year. Highlights included:
Great ideas for charities
Great ideas for fund raising
Great ideas for Anti-Bullying Week
Lots of enthusiasm
Gordon from the Rotary came to school to plant 1000 purple crocus bulbs in the shape of the Meadowside ‘M’. Can’t wait for spring! Jenny will be going to India again after Christmas—we will be collecting small stationary items for her to take to the children.
Pauline Freeman
This term in Maths, pupils have been working very hard. They have been developing their numeracy skills across the curriculum, including in Careers, where Elm group enjoyed role playing being at the bank by paying in and withdrawing money, and pretending to be customers in a queue. TEAM have been putting Maths into practice with a mini enterprise project that they have designed and planned themselves. You will have seen photographs of their baked goods on ‘Class Dojo’ which they make by measuring the ingredients carefully, and then sell. Most importantly, they buy the ingredients on a budget as they are saving up to buy a doughnut machine! There has been a heavy focus on money skills this term, with parents often stating at Annual Review, that this is an area in which they would like their child to develop. Some groups have been doing work on shape, using play dough to make 2D shapes and using 3D shapes to build with. Meanwhile, Sam and Lewis have started work towards their Maths GCSE at Woodchurch High School. They are very well supported by Jenny W and are making really good progress. Sam has even been able to attend some sessions by himself! A very well done for all the effort this term!
Mrs Dunn
the differences winter brings this term.
Flair learners have been looking at the change in season and
They have been on sensory walks, around school and in the community, trying to spot the signs of winter such as the leaves falling from the trees, pine cones on the ground or the weather differences. Back in the classroom learners did some wonderful winter wonderland artwork using what they’d seen on their walk as inspiration to help them design their pieces. Flair learners have also been learning all about shapes during their lessons. They’ve matched shapes, made shapes with different materials and made some shape art work. Miss Green
Music We have ben exploring free Music Technology, using computers, iPads and the large touchscreen. Chrome Music Lab offered lots of different ways to compose and create digital music, manipulating sounds and recording vocal samples. We especially enjoyed Button Bass, a website that layered digital clips with a DJ effect, adding drum beats, guitar loops and vocal phrases. Button Bass is part of a range of online software that includes on screen keyboards, guitars and graphic equalisers. We also used Super Looper—an online MP3 creator that combines layers of drum beats, bass loops and the sounds of the 80s! By the time we go to print, we will have been busily singing Christmas songs, ready for a December filled with carol singing performances, raising funds and bringing Christmas cheer to the community! Meadowside Signing Singers are also hoping to produce a digital Christmas Card, linking up with Computing lessons to edit a video with a soundtrack. Mrs Hughes
We have been working on Digital Imaging, editing photos using a range of online free software. We used Pixlr Editor, which is similar to Photoshop and allowed us to crop and clone images together. Fotojet was good for 3D designs, such as the disco ball or a tower of cubes. We had fun with Photofunny, pasting animal faces onto superheroes and even a bearded dragon as an astronaut! Fotor was used to add stickers and text to good effect. The Computing department joined forces with Music and created a digital Christmas greeting to put on social media and our Signing Singers’ YouTube channel. Bradley filmed some willing Signing Singers and it was edited using an App called Video Star. Mrs Hughes
This term, pupils in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 have worked on the topics: Alice in Wonderland and Celebrations. All pupils have worked towards their individual listening, speaking, reading and writing targets. Most pupils have done this while exploring excerpts from Lewis Carroll’s novel Alice in Wonderland in preparation for the M&M Productions performance back in October. This whole school event was a great success and pupils really enjoyed it. In addition to this, most pupils have worked on planning, creating and editing party invitations, as well as activities related to Halloween and Bonfire Night. Pupils in Key Stage 4 and Post 16 have continued to work on the AQA Accreditation Step up to English, at their appropriate level and in the Unit Award Scheme. Well done! Mrs Ubeda
This term we celebrations!
are
learning
about
So far, pupils have been learning new vocabulary like the names of celebrations such as “birthday anniversaire” or “Halloween - l’halloween“
Pupils have also enjoyed learning a new song: “C’est l’Halloween” During the rest of the term, we have focused on Christmas. We listened and joined in with French Christmas songs, we made some Christmas crafts and we enjoyed short stories about Christmas. Mrs Ubeda
It’s been a busy time this term in P.E. Key Stage 3 pupils have been taking part in Tri-golf. Acorn, Beech and Chestnut pupils have been looking at how to be safe using the equipment, using the equipment correctly, striking a ball towards a target, knowing how much power to use when chipping or putting and social skills, helping others and taking turns. Elm and Flair learners have been taking part in Yoga in P.E, looking at correct breathing, moving into different poses, relaxation and listening to instructions. Fusion group has been taking part in games, looking at playing together and creating different games to play. Key Stage 4 pupils have been taking part in gymnastics/parkour, looking at moving, rolls and balances. Pupils have been learning some new techniques and going through familiar ones but putting them into more complex routines using equipment. In Outdoor Education on Fridays, pupils have been looking at map reading, trails and den making using tarpaulin, tents, parachutes and other objects. Pupils will be using this knowledge when we go out into the local community in the coming weeks. Mr Stubbs
In Science this term Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils have been learning about the human body in Biology, looking at the different types of systems we have in our bodies including respiration, digestion, muscular, skeletal, cardio vascular and reproductive. Pupils have enjoyed learning about how these systems work together and how they are all connected to each other. Some pupils have started making their own display by independently researching a given human body system In Chemistry, pupils have been learning about rocks, looking at how they are formed, what different types of rock there are and the rock cycle. Pupils have enjoyed collecting different rocks from the local community and some pupils have brought rocks in from home so we can try and classify them together in lessons. In Physics, pupils have been learning about electricity, looking at where it comes from and the different ways in which we use it in our homes, school and in the community, different jobs or careers and how to be safe using electricity and how circuits work. Pupils have really enjoyed this topic as they have been able to build their own circuits and been able to make things work i.e. bulb or motor. Mr Stubbs
In Careers, pupils in KS4 and Post 16 are completing a unit on how to look for and apply for jobs. This will contribute to their AQA qualification in Personal and Social Education. Pupils in KS3 have learned all about money. They were especially interested in the smell of money and compared the old style paper notes to newer plastic ones. They learned about different kinds of bank accounts and how we manage our own money. Work experience continues to be popular and we currently have pupils out at Wirral Car Hospital, Red Cross Charity Shop, Woodchurch High School and Heswall Day Centre. Pupils are learning a variety of transferable skills to use in a range of different workplaces in the future. If you are able to source any work placements for pupils, please contact me via school. We are keen to broaden the range to include Hair and Beauty.
Ms Goalen Pupils in KS3 have spent the term learning about the legal, health and social implications of legal and illegal drugs. To add to the PSE qualification. KS4 and Post 16 have been studying a unit about Sex and Relationships. This has been combined with fortnightly sessions from Health Services in Schools. Pupils have had opportunities to put questions to the nurse in a supportive environment where their social , moral, spiritual and cultural learning lies at the heart of the curriculum. Ms Goalen
Pupils in KS3 have explored rules, including School Rules, game rules and rules/laws outside of school. They designed their own sets of rules, considering why we have rules and how they help. Year 7 pupils looked at the hierarchy of law makers, from the Police up to Parliament. In November they looked at the story of Guy Fawkes and linked into firework safety and why there are rules for Bonfire Night. KS4 pupils discussed the impact of antisocial behaviours on society and how we, as citizens, are affected. They looked at who makes the laws and how parliament operates. They also wrote their own set of ‘laws’. Post 16 students explored the Law and discussed the idea of when it would be deemed necessary to break the law. They looked at the rights of police officers and offenders and explored some of the systems in place to enforce the law, including court and prison. We also supported Children in Need again this year, enjoying a visit from Pudsey Bear! Mrs Hughes
In ILS, lessons have focused on healthy eating. Food tasting, playing food games, exercising and making fruit or vegetable snacks are some of the activities that pupils have participated in to learn about the importance of healthy eating. Pupils have been making a range of food associated with celebrations that have included buffet food (sausage rolls, pizza, cakes), harvest (vegetable soups, vegetable lasagne and different flavoured bread) and Diwali (curry and naan bread). Pupils have also been making food associated with Christmas. AQA unit award accreditation related to Shopping or Basic Food Hygiene has also started for Post 16 pupils. Catering - KS4 and Post 16 pupils who have selected catering as a chosen option have made foods such as biscuits, scones, pizza whirls, cakes, muffins and some food associated with Christmas. This option gives pupils practical food lessons, to help develop their experience and for those more experienced the opportunity to focus upon developing greater independence.
Mrs Jones
‘Celebrations’ has been the topic this term for pupils in KS3. Birthdays, christenings, weddings and Christmas are main celebrations covered in lessons this term. KS4 and Post 16 who have RE lessons have been working on AQA unit award accreditation, either related to Celebrations or about learning about different religions. The Celebrations accreditation involves work related to religious and non-religious celebrations that pupils have selected and this has so far included; Christmas, Easter, St Patrick’s day, Harvest, birthdays, bonfire night and Chinese New Year. The RE accreditation involves research on finding 30 different religions and then focusing upon learning about several unfamiliar ones which are also followed by some famous people.
Mrs Jones
We started the new term using our fabulous construction toys. Pupils used visual step by step instructions to build different types of vehicles, some more challenging than others. Pupils had to sort and count the different parts needed before they could start their construction. They enjoyed working as part of a team or working for themselves. Pupils have all made an Ugly Doll this term. Some have designed their own template, others have used a premade template. They have all learned the different facets of sewing: how to make a knot, thread a needle, use fabric scissors, a running stitch, applique to using the sewing machine . Pupils have really enjoyed this project and like looking at the different finished dolls when all of them are put together.
Ms Hoffmann
Pupils began the term by learning the meaning of outlining, primary colours, secondary colours and looking at the colour wheel. Pupils were asked to scrunch paper and follow the creases made on the paper using a pencil first then using a paint brush. Pupils used the three primary colours to mix secondary colours to paint the different outlined shapes. Elm and Chestnut pupils have looked at the work of the artist Wayne Theibaud to inspire their paintings based on cup cakes. They used mixed media to achieve textures on their work. They are now using paper mache to build a 3D model of their cup cake. Acorn and Beech pupils explored the topic Celebrations through the work of Wayne Theibaud. They experimented first using chalk pastels and blending colours on their cake drawings, then they used oil pastels on their second cake drawing and blending using white pastel over a colour. Then they made a painting using impasto (thick paint) in the same technique as the artist. The final plan is to make a 3D model of a slice of cake KS4 pupils finished their Animal Head Trophies. It has been a challenging project; pupils have worked really hard to complete them and are looking forward to seeing them on display in the Meeting Room. Holly and Thomas will include their Animal Head Trophies work towards their GCSE 3D Art Unit Award.
Ms Hoffmann
Children In Need We enjoyed a visit from Pudsey Bear, to support our Children In Need day in November. Staff and pupils dressed in bright colours or spots and were especially excited to meet Pudsey in person! We raised over ÂŁ50.
Musical Event We were very lucky to have a free music show from a talented trio of musicians. Carmina, Matt and Pam played a selection of familiar pieces, live in the school hall. They were joined by Post 16’s Michael who performed a lively rendition of Little Donkey and ended the show with a range of Christmas songs to sing along to.
Signing Singers The Meadowside Signing Singers have had a busy term. We supported Asda’s Purple Tuesday event in November, raising awareness of the needs of disabled shoppers and collecting money for school funds. We made a compilation video for our YouTube channel to send as a Christmas greeting from everyone at Meadowside School. The video was filmed by Bradley and edited using an App called Video Star. We began our Christmas season by singing for Moreton Lung Exercise Group, thanking them for the money they donated to buy our school Christmas tree. Fundraising sessions of Carol Singing raised over £1000, which was collected over four events— Birkenhead Pyramids, two visits to Asda and one visit to Tesco. A big thank you to everyone who supported these events by coming along to cheer or by donating money.
We hosted a Signalong, inviting all of the local special schools to come and perform a song with Makaton signing. It was a wonderful morning, with performances from Hayfield, Stanley School, Elleray Park and Princes Primary. The Signing Singers also performed for the residents of Wesley Grange and for the members of Wallasey Village URC. We have a weekly lunchtime Singing Club on Thursdays and enjoy singing and signing to a growing repertoire of songs. New members are always welcome. Mrs Hughes
Fusion pupils have been working hard this term across the curriculum. They have enjoyed a range of activities from painting cakes and making animal dolls as well as working towards their English and Maths targets. All learners in Fusion have been working hard to try new activities together as well as building up their independence skills.
We enjoyed a fantastic class Halloween party that we gained tokens to attend. We have worked hard this term for a Christmas party too!
Learners in Fusion group have made friendship cards and decorated biscuits for our friends during Anti-Bullying Week. The pupils have really enjoyed this topic.
Mrs O’Connor
This term Forest School has been part of the 14-19 options offer and a whole new group of pupils have been taking part. Unfortunately, we haven't had many opportunities to actually get into the forest, but we have been making full use of the school grounds where we have been able to complete a unit of accreditation. Learners have enjoyed building dens, making campfires, making both human and rope knots, and cooking snacks on the campfire. As ever, fire building has been a particular success; pupils developed a healthy respect for fire, learning about the fire triangle and how to work with fire safely. Fire lighting is a difficult skills to master, but when it comes to campfires, pupils have worked with great determination and focus, some refusing to give up for over an hour and developing great pride in their achievements. We have done fire lighting twice this term, and pupils were able to light the fires much faster the second time, the question is, was it the practice, or was it the marshmallow motivation? Mrs Dunn
Learners at Meadowside regularly undertake offsite activities as part of the curriculum.
Pupils have been taking part in Forest School activities this term, which have involved learning about fire safety whilst learning how to successfully build a fire. As well as gardening skills, pupils have been learning about nature and tools to plant and encourage growth. Our pupils have also visited Crosby Lakeside, Dale Farm and the Bidston Tennis Centre as part of their PE lessons and have enjoyed learning to kayak, safety in and around the water as well as tennis and snooker in the Tennis Centre.
Jenny Wright
Staff update: We are pleased to have appointed some new members of staff to the team– Jack, Kate and Kathy started in November and are very welcome additions to Meadowside. Sadly, we have to say goodbye to Miss Green, Joan and to Kirsty who are all leaving to pursue different activities. We wish them well for the future.
Our website:
www.meadowsideschool.com is now back online.
Meadowside School. Pool Lane, Woodchurch, Wirral. CH49 5LA
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Our magazine has been printed by Newhall Publishing for a number of years now and we would like to thank them for their generosity and continued contribution and support to our school.