Meadowside Magazine Autumn 2019 Issue 20

Welcome to the Autumn 2019 edition of the Meadowside Magazine which will give you an insight into some of the highlights of school life this term.

It has been noticeable how well pupils who joined us in September, have settled into their new school and I would like to thank their families for the support they have given, to make their transition to secondary school so successful.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish the entire school community a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. School returns on Monday 6th January 2020.

Paula Wareing

Head Teacher

Meadowside School Council & Interact Club We held a very successful Student Council meeting to welcome all the new representatives for this school year. The meeting covered 

Scott’s election as the Chairperson for Student Council. We will be voting for vice chairperson at the next meeting.

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Great ideas for charities

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Great ideas for fund raising

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Consultation about changing the school rules.

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Lots of enthusiasm

Interact Club (Rotary) Gordon came into school in November to help the Environmental Education Group plant the saplings that we had ordered from The Woodland Trust.

They work really hard and also planted some purple crocus at the side of school. They will look really lovely in the spring.

Bag2School September’s Bag2School raised an amazing £118 for Student Council/Interact Club, thank you for all your support.

Merseyside School Council In November all the schools involved with Merseyside School Council met at Bluebell Park for our first learning walk. Grace and Jamie represented Meadowside School. At the meeting representatives from each school presented their chosen charities, The chosen charity that won the most votes was “Baby Basics”.

Baby Basics is a volunteer-led project, aiming to support new mothers and families who are struggling with the financial and practical help of looking after a new baby.

English

Pupils in KS3 have worked on short stories and have explored adaptations of the classic novel Oliver Twist, in preparation for the performance by M & M Productions. This whole school event was a great success and pupils really enjoyed it. All pupils have worked towards their individual listening, speaking, reading and writing targets. In addition to this, most pupils have worked on short stories and their structure. Some pupils have worked on their own short stories, with support where necessary.

They have enjoyed joining in role-play about fairy tale characters going to court, where they practised their speaking and listening skills, such as clearer speech and active listening. Pupils in KS4 have focused on functional reading and writing as well as also enjoying Oliver Twist. Some pupils in KS4 have been learning about formal presentations and have worked hard to prepare some presentations of their own. Others have developed their functional reading and writing skills while exploring preferred topics, such as animals and Chester Zoo. Learners in Post 16 have continued to work towards different qualifications, such as units for the Unit Award Scheme, Step up to English Entry Level Certificate and Functional Skills.

Mrs Ubeda

BONJOUR! This term we learnt about greetings and introductions!

Pupils have been learning and revising basic vocabulary, including formal and informal greetings saying hello and goodbye and phrases such as asking each others’ names and introducing themselves. Some pupils have even learnt how to ask how old someone is!

Pupils have enjoyed learning a new meet and greet song.

They have also played games such as bingo, to learn some numbers in French. Some pupils even attempted maths in French! Very well done, everybody!

Mrs Ubeda

MFL

Fusion

WOW! What an amazing start to the school year Fusion has had. We have settled in really well and worked incredibly hard. We have been working on teamwork and communication skills by playing/learning and exploring together. We have thoroughly enjoyed our topics this term, learning about the Romans and exploring our local area. We loved the M&M Production of Oliver Twist and have learnt so much about what life would have been like then. PE and swimming have been a great success this term and we have enjoyed activities such as basketball and rugby. We have been learning about how to keep ourselves healthy in Life Skills. Our favourite activity has to be using the giant models of teeth to count how many teeth we should have and look at their functions. In Science lessons ,we have enjoyed learning about our bodies and how exercise makes us feel: we tested our heart rates before and after exercise and learnt about different ways to relax. We have also been learning about the properties of materials. We have made ice, melted it, melted chocolate and discovered which changes can be reversed and which ones cannot. We have also been looking at light and shadows. We made shadow puppets and tested them out in the garden. We are all really proud of what we have achieved this term!

Mrs O’Connor

Science Meadowside’s scientists have had a fantastic time carrying out a range of investigations.

Chestnut and Beech groups had lots of fun making dark boxes, to test what humans need to see, and the variables which make seeing things easier, whilst Acorn pupils have been exploring shadows and sound waves.

4C pupils have been working with Mr Stubbs to investigate the impact of different drinks on teeth, by submerging egg shell into different liquids. There were some fairly ghastly results.

4V pupils have been working hard towards gaining their AQA unit award on the skeleton. We were all highly amused when learning about where different bones are in our bodies!

A number of pupils enjoyed free cinema tickets from the ‘Into Film Festival’.

Mrs Dunn

Environmental Education Pupils in the 14-19 Options group have enjoyed working on ‘Saving the Planet’ this term. They have been looking at local, national, and international environmental issues.

Pupils have been learning how they can make positive changes and be more environmentally friendly, by working on a range of upcycling and recycled art projects.

The group has worked really well together and has been happy to appraise and improve their work. Your donated plastic has been put to very good use and we are well on our way to having some unusual plastic trees to brighten up the playground, as well as a floral wall made from recycled paper.

Mrs Dunn

Life Skills KS3 Pupils have learnt about the importance of keeping clean, exercise, sleep and relaxation. Practical activities have focused on these and also teeth cleaning and healthy snack foods. Reasons why we need to be clean, have good personal appearance and to look after our body and some of the consequences of not doing this has been covered in lessons.

KS4

Life Skills lessons for KS4 aimed to develop kitchen safety skills along with basic practical skills. Practical lessons included making some traditional British food products (snacks, breads & cakes), and also products associated with some European countries. Pupils have made Welsh cakes, soda bread, shortbread, pizza and Spanish tortilla.

KS4 have commenced Life Skills accreditation.

Post 16 Pupils made a range of traditional main meals from the UK and from some countries in Europe. Pupils have decided on food products that they have wanted to make and have shopped for ingredients they bought in various supermarkets nearby. Pupils work on developing their practical, safety, communication and problem solving skills when cooking by following recipes and cooking demonstrations.

Food products that Post 16 made include chicken roast dinner, cottage pie, soup, pizza and spaghetti carbonara.

Post 16 pupils who have Life Skills lessons have commenced AQA accreditation this term.

Mrs Jones

Music Before half term, we explored Rhythm & Pulse, using Djembe drums. We followed the online rhythms made by a bucket drummer and played along to some rock and pop songs. Pupils began writing formal music notation, playing a sequence of notes to create their own rhythms.

This term, we introduced a different style of music to greet pupils each morning. Monday is Salsa, Tuesday Jazz, Wednesday African, Thursday Irish and Friday French Café. It is wonderful to see the music having a positive impact on pupils’ day, brightening moods and encouraging pupils to respond to the music.

Our Signing Singers sang at ASDA in Woodchurch, supporting Purple Tuesday, a disability awareness initiative. The Signing Singers have also had a busy Advent, singing Christmas Carols in the Royal Liverpool hospital, Moreton Lung Exercise Group, Wesley Grange Residential Home, Tesco, Asda, Wallasey Village URC and Birkenhead Pyramids shopping centre. Christmas is our favourite time of year, in the Music department and our Signing Singers certainly did us proud!

Mrs Hughes

This year, we introduced a new Option, available to pupils in Years 10-14. Media Studies aims to give pupils an understanding of different types of media – film, television, social media, print and more. We began the term by learning about different advertisements and identifying key features.

We learned that many adverts use ‘weasel words’, ie they say things like ‘may help’ or ‘more cleaning power!’, to persuade people to buy products. We looked at logos for different companies and discussed successful campaigns such as Coca Cola and the use of red to link to the brand.

The Media Group took part in the Into Film Festival, for which they were able to visit the cinema for free and see a current movie.

It was a good opportunity to explore the process of a cinema trip, taking popcorn and snacks to get the full experience!

Mrs Hughes

Religious Education KS3 Pupils have been finding out what is important to followers of a religion, by experiencing music, prayer, religious objects, foods and stories linked to Islam and Judaism.

Some pupils enjoyed trying on clothing and looking at the Torah and the Qur’an Holy Books whilst others tried to work out the Arabic language.

The KS4 topics have been beliefs, significant people, events, celebrations, religious practices associated to Christianity, Islam and/or Judaism. Pupils have been busy finding facts, giving opinions or participating in debate related to one or more of these religions.

KS4 pupils have also accreditation this term.

started

AQA

Post 16

Post 16 have also commenced their accreditation that links to Christianity and Judaism. This involves learning about how these religions originated, significant people and the religious calendar. Many pupils have selected their own accreditation that challenges them to complete requirements independently.

Mrs Jones

Anti-Bullying At Meadowside, we are committed to eradicating bullying and ensuring that our anti-bullying message is LOUD! This year, we marked National AntiBullying Week by holding one special event each day.

We introduced the week with a special assembly. Pupils were shocked to hear Mrs Dunn repeat some of the unkind words they say to each other, as an example of how not to behave. As each word was spoken, the pupils scrunched up a fresh, crisp piece of paper, before apologising to the paper whilst trying to smooth it out. Pupils noted that the paper was never going to be the same as it was before it was screwed up, this demonstrated that when you are mean to someone, you risk changing them forever!

Week

Pastoral groups were really motivated to design and create their own classroom door displays with strong anti-bullying messages.

All members of our school community were asked to pledge one small thing that they could do to ensure that Meadowside School is bully free. We were astounded by the responses from bus drivers and escorts, our office staff who all made their pledges and we have had lovely responses from some parents too. The pupils at our school are very lucky to have this level of support, and they also made their own pledges.

The theme of Anti-Bullying this week was ‘Change Starts with Us’, so we rounded off the week by spreading some happiness and reading the poem ‘Smiling is Infectious’, before playing ‘pass the smile’, in the playground.

Mrs Dunn

Key areas in Design and Technology this term have been the use of resistant materials such as wood, card, straw and plastics which learners have used in a range of projects.

Key Stage 3 learners have made animals, Key Stage 4 and post 16 groups have used skill areas such as measure, cut, join and construct. They have designed and made ambitious models of buildings using this term’s theme of European Architectural Icons.

Ms. Hoffmann

Humanities In History we’ve had fun learning how the British tribes ambushed the Romans to win battles, causing Caesar’s army to retreat.

The direction work with Beebots improved our mapping skills and we used a Roman groma to learn how the Romans made straight roads and created right angled corners. Our annotated town plan map shows how the construction of Roman towns was laid out.

Mrs Brown

Citizenship Pupils in KS3 explored different communities, starting with their Pastoral class group and learning about respect. They learned about Personal Space and how it feels to have someone too close when they need space.

Pupils in KS4 have taken part in class votes for Student Council Reps and discussed Brexit, considering what it may mean for them. They discussed the impending General Election and identified the different political parties involved.

Post 16 pupils discussed what it means to be part of a community and supported a community event, our school barbecue. They designed posters to promote it.

Ms Hughes

The 14-19 Enterprise Group has been designing, making and selling Christmas related items this term. Learners have used bottle corks to make penguins, gingerbread people and snowmen tree decorations. They have used a range of tools and skills to make Winter village scenes.

Members of the Enterprise Group practiced their sales and marketing skills in November when they had a stall in the foyer of The Royal Liverpool Hospital. The Christmas items were very popular and takings for the day were almost £100.

Ms Hoffmann

PSHE Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils have been learning about ‘Healthy lifestyles’. Topics have included looking at What we mean by a ’healthy lifestyle’? How can I keep a balanced diet? And How do I know if I’m eating healthily? Reading our food labels and recognising dangers, what are the consequences of not living healthily? How can I commit to a healthy life? Living a healthy, active life and exercising. Why is smoking so bad for us and why must we try to avoid second hand smoke? How dangerous are drugs and what are the different types and Cancer Awareness Flair group has been focusing on their bodies and taking part in physical activities that can help keep them healthy. They have been looking at moving different body parts and how each action can connect to each other.

Pupils have also been looking at their daily routines i.e. what do they do in a day?

From getting up, brushing teeth, showering to being in school, what routines we have and how they can keep us healthy

Post 16 Post 16 pupils have been taking part in their PSHE lessons with Jackie from HSIS (Health Services in Schools) They have learned about being safe in different ways such as when in relationships, different types of drugs and personal safety (at home, school, on the internet and in the community).

Mr Stubbs

P.E

Flair pupils have taken part in a Motor Activity Training Programme where pupils have been given opportunities to practise skills that will prepare them for sport without comparison to others. The focus is on achieving personal bests.

This can comprise of two types of activity: 

skill stations where pupils take part in activities that develop mobility, dexterity, striking and kicking.



group games where pupils can work with others and interact with peers to develop their skills.

At the end of the programme there is a challenge day that meets the needs of all competing athletes which will be held in January with Everton in the Community.

Acorn, Beech, Chestnut and Fusion groups have been taking part in basketball and tag rugby, which involves working with different shape balls, passing and moving, spatial awareness, transferable skills from basketball to rugby (both invasion games). Pupils started looking at how to outwit their opponents to score or win. Acorn group has also had the privilege to work with community coaches from Sale Sharks Rugby club taking part in wheelchair rugby.

Key stage 4 and Post 16 pupils have been taking part in rugby, looking at completing their accreditation work around playing tag rugby. They have worked on basic ball skills, passing and moving, hand eye coordination, spatial awareness, playing full games and outwitting their opponent to win.

Pupils have also been taking part in swimming lessons, looking at water confidence, different strokes , floating, keeping safe around the pool and personal hygiene Mr Stubbs

After School Clubs Pupils have been taking part in a wide range of After School Clubs including Swimming, Autumnal Gardening, Fit to Dance, Eco Arts and Crafts.

In Gardening Club pupils went on a bug hunt to see what different types of bugs they could find in and around the school grounds.

Pupils had a lot of fun in Swim Club.

They have learnt how to be safe around the pool, getting changed more independently and swimming techniques.

Pupils also planted hyacinth bulbs to take home so they could watch how they grow & develop.

Near Halloween, pupils scooped out pumpkins, saving some seeds for next year’s pumpkins and others were washed so they could be toasted as a snack.

The pumpkins were then carved with some scary faces. Later in the term pupils planted a range of winter bedding plants in planters around school.

Mr Stubbs

Computing Pupils have been learning about audience , in relation to documents that are designed using a computer. They developed skills in web searching, finding images suitable for specific audiences, (rather than just images they personally like!). Pupils designed and created a book-cover for a specific audience, considering age range and gender.

Pupils have continued to develop their programming skills. They have learnt what is meant by the term “algorithm” and are developing their skills in writing code using Scratch, (on the PC) ,or Scratch JR, (on the iPad).

Mrs Charmley

Maths Key Stage 3 & 4 pupils have worked hard learning about money. Pupils have identified different coins and ordered them based on value.

Some pupils have carried out calculations involving money and focused on being able to calculate change from a shopping bill.

Elm and Chestnut groups have been developing their understanding of shape and pattern. Some pupils have used symmetry and rotation within patterns. Key Stage 4 pupils have also embedded their skills by verbally describing shapes and patterns to others to see if they can recreate them.

Mrs Charmley

Flair Flair pupils have been having fun working on a range of topics & skills including learning to read their names, to match and order the letters and to write their names.

They have been very clever at matching aliens by colour and shape at the same time.

Flair pupils love looking at books, finding their favourite pictures and joining in with the stories. Of course there’s always time for playing with sensory equipment and seeing what it does.

Mrs Brown

Art and Design Learners have been inspired by the work of Henri Rousseau, a French post-impressionist artist best known for his work in the Naïve style. Acorn, Beech, Chestnut and Key Stage 4 groups have used shades and tones to create rainforest leaves .

Ms. Hoffmann

Staffing News

At the end of this term we will be saying goodbye to Ciera who joined us as a Teaching Assistant in January. She will be teaching at a school in Liverpool and we wish her good luck as she continues with her career.

We have three new members of our community this term: Mo Wilkins joined us as a school governor; we are extremely grateful to her for giving her time and expertise to support our school.

Mrs Charmley joined the staff in September and is Subject Leader for Mathematics and Computing and Mel is now our Mid-day Supervisor having joined us mid-November.

Fundraising

We would really like to thank Olivia’s parents for their fundraising activities which have contributed significantly to funds for the ‘Edible Playground’. We would also like to thank Dianne and James who have worked tirelessly to secure prizes and sell tickets for our Grand Christmas Raffle and successfully nominated us for £100 from the Wirral Copper Jar .

We are extremely grateful to Newhall Publishing for their continued support in printing our magazine each term.

Our website www.meadowsideschool.com is updated regularly with our latest information and news.

We are also available on Twitter at https:// twitter.com/meadowsidech49 and Facebook at https://facebook.com/meadowsideschoolwirral You can also contact the Office on (0151) 678 7711 Meadowside School,

Pool Lane, Birkenhead, Wirral CH49 5LA