Issue 2 pdf

Special Achievements Daniel has excelled himself this year, collecting a host of awards

for his sporting achievements. He has won Wirral

Young Sports Person of the Year, the Leo Carroll Shield, Wirral Globe Local Sportsperson of the Year and most notably the Sporting Champion Award for his commitment to the community.

Robert has lost an incredible 17 STONE and we are all very proud of him. Well done Robert!

Congratulations to Elizabeth and Sam who completed BTEC Art & Design. Sam collected his certificate from MP Esther McVey at Woodchurch High School

Presentation Evening.

The Signing Singers have been out in force this term - Carol Singing in the Pyramids Shopping Centre Birkenhead raised over ÂŁ500 and it was lovely to see parents and families from current and past pupils coming to support us.

Thank you.

Mrs Hughes

Home School Association The HSA has hosted two events this term - the Annual Welcome Barbecue in September and the Christmas Social.

Many families attended and there was lots of dancing thanks to Mr Farrelly and his powers of persuasion. The HSA has recently purchased new appliances for the laundry, enabling learners to develop their independent living skills. If you would like to

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Dear Parents, Carers and Friends of Meadowside School,

Welcome to the second edition of the Meadowside Magazine. Inside you can read about the exciting activities which constitute the curriculum at Meadowside. We focus very much in Key Stage 4 and Post 16 on education in the local community and you will find information here about some of the many off-site learning activities

support the HSA,

which have taken place this term.

please

KS3 learners have also participated in a number of educational visits

contact

Hayley, at school.

and activities, including trips to: 

St David’s Synagogue in Liverpool



Sports events e.g. Merseyside SLD Schools’ football and boccia tournaments



Wesley Grange and The Pyramids, Birkenhead, signing and singing Christmas Carols



A mixed-age group of learners

Wallasey Village United Reform Church for the Experience

Christmas event

went to buy our Christmas Tree

Residential journeys since the previous magazine edition include

with Mrs Vickers. They chose a

weekends at Thirsk, Yorkshire and Deiniolen, in Snowdonia,

splendid one, tall and proud. It

with the Rotary Club. Learners who are preparing for the

only just fitted in the minibus! It

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award also spent a weekend at

looks great in the hall.

Deiniolen.

In another facet of extending the community education opportunities for our young people, this term we have: 

Sent donations from our Harvest Festival to Focus – a group which cares for homeless teenagers and young people

The Radio Station has moved its broadcasts to a YouTube (audio only) channel, for better quality management of the broadcasts. There is a link on the school website or just search for us on YouTube.

Our channel is called Radio Meadowside.

We have also appeared in broadcasts on Wirral’s own 7Waves Radio, throughout the term.

Mr Farrelly



Worked with Merseyside School Council Group, to begin raising funds for Zoe’s Place – a hospice for very young children



Been involved in an environmental project with the Interact Group, clearing local beaches



Raised funds via Bags2School for Water Aid

What a busy term! I am sure you will be looking forward as much as I am to reading

the

next

edition

of

Meadowside Magazine, available at

Huge thanks to all the families and friends who have sent in Echo Wish tokens so far; we have over 10,000 tokens!

Loren Miller

the end of the Spring Term 2014. If you have any comments, or ideas for items for future editions, please

Student Council Meadowside School is part of the Merseyside School

Council Forum. During November, two pupils, Kate and Matthew, represented Meadowside at a Student Council

Experience Christmas All KS3 learners and Fusion Group, had the

meeting held at Cavendish School in Halton, near Runcorn.

opportunity to Experience Christmas, at Wallasey

Pupils from nine other Merseyside Schools were present

Village United Reformed Church. The minister

and all took part in a voting process to select a charity

talked through the story of Christmas and was

which we could support this year. The overall vote was

very impressed with the responses and enthusiasm

for Zoe’s Place in Liverpool, a charity that supports very ill babies and young children and their families.

One of our commitments, when joining The Interact

Club, was to be involved in an environmental project, so once a term pupils have been doing a Beach Clean Up. This term pupils from 16C went to Thurstaston Beach with members from The West Wirral Rotary Club.

They were very enthusiastic, filled lots and lots of bin bags with all sorts of rubbish that didn’t look good and could seriously harm the wild life - plastic bags, bottles, odd socks, wire, rope, shoes, crisp packets and lots more.

Pauline Freeman

After School Clubs

This term, activities have included an off-site club for Kick Boxercise. This has been a really popular club and learners have enjoyed it whilst getting fit at the same time.

Other clubs on offer this term are Wii Club, Swimming and Football Club.

Humanities KS3 have been looking at different types of transport old and new, from around the world, and different forms of travel. They have watched Around the World in 80 Days and tracked the progress made by Phileas Fogg on world maps.

Claire Albertsen

from the group.

Everyone went to explore aspects of the story in smaller groups, trying each one out in turn.

Activities included placing a gift for Jesus in a special box, looking at a giant map of the journey from Nazareth to Jerusalem, and talking about the giving and receiving of gifts.

We

particularly

enjoyed

afterwards - home made cakes!

Mrs Hughes

the

hospitality

English Across the school this term, groups have been focusing on basic numeracy, including addition and subtraction. This was then generalised into money skills. Each group created its own shop scenario which included favourite purchases and realistic prices.

challenging as a lot of the poems are difficult and were written a long time ago. However, we were very lucky to have had a visit from Sergeant Major Plimley who kindly spent a lot of time showing us the kit he uses at work, and telling us about some of the experiences he has had during his 23 years as a soldier. Acorn, Beech and 4C prepared lots of questions to ask Sergeant Major Plimley, and Fusion and Flair enjoyed exploring

Miss Hartgrave

was not impressed with the yogurt!

This term, in Science we took the opportunity, during Anti-Bullying Week ,to present an assembly. Our assembly was based around the life of Charles Darwin, whose life we had been studying. We shared our research about how he had stood up to bullies during his life time. He made the right choices by telling friends he was worried and that he should stand up for what

Mr Farrelly

studying War Poetry. We have found this topic really

The pupils took it in turns to ‘buy’ their items at the shop using the correct amount of money. This improved their life skills, communication skills and created an enjoyable and active working classroom.

Science he believed in.

This term in English pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4 have been

the equipment from a sensory perspective. We particularly enjoyed sampling the food soldiers eat from their ration packs. Jaymie loved the smell of the peanut butter but Robert

Art

Claire Dunn

Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils have studied Aboriginal Art and the stories behind it. They have made paintings and models depicting the Rainbow Serpent and Dreamtime. They have enjoyed the stories and Aboriginal music. Fusion Group has made some Didgeridoos!

Post 16V made the Hallowe’en display and the creative Christmas Tree for the foyer. Other post 16 groups have made artefacts, painting and collages to illustrate Story Sacks and to link with aspects of RE.

Mrs Carr

Fusion

This term Fusion group has been pleased to welcome Sean and Chloe into the group. Learners have worked hard on all aspects of the curriculum

P.S.H.E.

In November we marked Anti-Bullying Week with various activities throughout the school. Pupils discussed different

types

of

bullying

behaviours

including

and have enjoyed lessons with a range of

cyberbullying and what they should do if they see or

different teachers.

experience it themselves.

included: the production of a rap written by 4C and Mrs

Following the success of the ‘Active Start’ in the

Hughes, an assembly by the Acorn group, with Mr

Summer Term, this has been extended and the

Farrelly, on the bullying experienced by Charles Darwin ,

group now enjoys an active start five days a week!

designing Anti-Bullying socks, a Christmas themed Anti-

In addition to their visits to Birkenhead Park and

Bullying tree with Ms Hoffmann, a feelings tree in Art

café, where Matthew is now able to place an order

with Mrs Carr and decorating a living tree with

at the till fully independently. Fusion group is

messages from the students in the Kitchen Garden with

enjoying completing Science work in Eastham

me. Anti-Bullying wristbands were also sold to support

Woods, swimming with pupils who wouldn’t usually

the Beat-Bullying charity. We finished the week with

be in their group, and trampolining.

Wear Blue Friday, to highlight the importance of the

Mrs Dunn

Flair

Some of the highlights

Anti-Bullying philosophy .

Flair group has enjoyed a particularly multisensory term - learners listened to spooky sounds and created a Hallowe’en Sensory

DLS

Experience in October and in November they used iPad Apps to

Mrs Jones

Acorn Group learners have been developing their independent living skills, making Angel Delight with lots of toppings. They had to pour, mix, chop and sprinkle. The best part was eating it for dessert!

Mrs Hughes

create firework pictures and sounds. They listened to Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks as they brushed the iPads to make firework effects. In December

they began preparing for

Christmas, adding some sparkle and jingling bells to the Flair area.

Learners in the Flair Group have also enjoyed linking with Acorn Group for music lessons with the visiting drum teacher.

Mrs Hughes

Life Skills lessons in post 16 involve the students shopping and paying for the ingredients that they need to make a range of meals which can be taken home. We have made macaroni cheese, pizza, lasagne, cottage pie, minestrone soup, and chicken casserole.

Mrs Jones

Thirsk Weekend In

July two pupils were selected to

represent

Meadowside

School

on

a

weekend residential to Thirsk in Yorkshire with “IMDR (Interact Multi-District Rally) 2013”.

Kenny and Scott stayed at Carlton Lodge Outdoor Centre, Thirsk, with lots of other young people from other schools.

They took part in a range of activities, such as team building games, archery, rafting (the team had to build their own raft),

canoeing,

abseiling

and

mountaineering.

Meadowside School won the IMDR award for the ‘Best Community Project’ for working with other schools to raise money

Meadowside Hallowe’en

The boys had a great experience and were very proud to bring the certificate and shield back to school.

Deiniolen Weekend In late July, Lia, Lauren and Kiaran went on a “Scout Weekend” with pupils from Foxfield School and a Scout group. It was organised by The Rotary Club. They travelled by coach and stayed at The Old School Lodge in Deiniolen, Snowdonia.

On the Saturday they went on the mountain train to the top of discovering

amazing

views! Later in the day they went kayaking on the lake.

learners

Ball

as

refreshments

tennis,

cricket, disability biking and lots more.

The weather wasn’t very good but they had a great day and a wonderful weekend.

Pauline Freeman

served.

Some

venture will be a Christmas Ball on the last day of term. The foyer display was made by 16V and was really spooky!

Mrs Hughes

Leisure Activities enjoy

16

learners

horse-riding

every Tuesday with the RDA. This is part of a carousel of activities which also includes tennis and

swimming.

Pupils are grouped into one activity for the term then move to

another

the

following term. We all had a great time the

RDA

Mrs Hughes

boccia,

mini-

The event was a great success; the next

Chester Business Park, to take part

archery,

a

looked very scary but tasted rather good!

Christmas Party!

including

of

a

‘witches’ fingers’ that

On the Sunday they travelled to The

“The Field of Dreams” with activities

part

were

learners baked

at

in The Disability Games, held at

organised

enterprise project. A range of themed

Post

for Claire House.

Snowdonia,

Hallowe’en

I.C.T.

This term we were very excited to be able to Air Print from the iPads. We used the Draw Monsters App and then

Citizenship

In September, Meadowside

searched for a compatible printer to print our pictures.

School

We have learnt some skills new to iOS7, the latest update

European Day of Languages.

to iPad software. The iPads offer something for everyone

Each class chose a different European country and found

and we are adding new Apps every week. Check out our

out some facts including how to say ‘Hello’. These

App Forum, on the ICT page of our website, to see some

greetings were used in Citizenship lessons and during the

of our favourite Apps.

Mrs Hughes

celebrated

the

whole school Achievers’ Assembly. Some pupils used iPads to research their countries, identifying currency and location. Pupils and staff had the opportunity to try different

cheeses

and

snack

foods

from

various

European countries, which had been prepared by some of the Post 16 students.

Mrs Jones

Acorn and Flair Groups have enjoyed working with the Music Service and Mr Watson each week. They have learnt African Drum rhythms and sung some call and response songs.

This term we

Some groups have been out Carol Singing in the community. We sang in Birkenhead Pyramids Shopping Centre, for residents of Wesley Grange, and at the Annual Carol Service. Michael and Jonathan performed at the RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) Christmas Party.

busy great

but time,

with days out to Delamere Forest, shopping for camping equipment in Chester and finishing off with a weekend away. Ten students took part in their Bronze Award practice expedition, staying at the Old School Lodge in Deiniolen, North Wales.

The Signing Singers met the Mayor and Mayoress at Wallasey Town Hall.

have had a

Mrs Hughes

The students helped with the preparation of their meals and did the dishes (with only a little persuasion). On the Saturday they had a successful day geocaching in Llanberis and en route came across the wild mountain goats by Dolbadarn Castle, where lunch was cooked on portable stoves.

We

even

Christmas.

Mrs Sayer

met

Father

D&T

Pupils have been learning lots of new skills preparing and making Christmas decorations. Maddison was very proud that she persevered until she learnt how to make a knot using both hands.

Ms Hoffmann

P.E.

In P.E pupils have been learning lots

of

new skills

using the

trampoline. Flair group has been enjoying Rebound Therapy

and

other pupils have been looking at progressive skills from simple bouncing to front drop.

Fusion and Acorn group took part in

the

Merseyside

Special

Schools Boccia tournament at

Enterprise All classes have been contributing to Enterprise this term, making goods for sale. We had a stall at Arrowe Park hospital in November and our Christmas wreaths were a great

Greenbank Sports Academy. A mixed group of pupils from Key Stage 3, 4 and Post 16 also competed Special

in

the

Merseyside

Schools’

Football

Tournament, making it all the way

success. We found a great use for odd unwanted baubles and

to the semi-finals. Well done!

small decorations, recycling them into wonderful new creations.

Paul Stubbs

Pupils have begun to catalogue the Enterprise goods and we have started using a spreadsheet to keep track of stock and profits.

Ms Hoffmann

R.E.

Summer Scheme The Summer Activity Scheme has just had its 4th and most successful year. It was attended by new pupils and familiar

Learners from Acorn Group enjoyed a visit

faces, who come back year after year.

to Princes Road Synagogue, in Liverpool.

Pupils took part in lots of activities including trampolining,

They asked the guides lots of questions

dancing, Wii games, biking, visits to local parks and West Kirby

and were able to touch the different

and New Brighton, bowling, arts and crafts, relaxation, cooking,

Jewish artefacts. As we were leaving the

cricket, rounders, nail painting, iPad, and treasure hunts.

synagogue, one of the guides commented on how knowledgeable and polite our pupils were.

Ms Hoffmann

Paul Stubbs

Best Bites Cafe Best

Bites,

Wirral

Council’s

social

enterprise catering service, has provided a weekly placement for two learners.

Robert and Tony have settled in very well and work extremely hard every Monday.

They enjoy the work, especially serving the customers.

Debbie Gardiner Each week, seven learners attend the Vocational College to do courses in Horticulture and Horticultural Construction. This term, they have already learnt how to make cement and build a wall, skills which will be put to good use in the Spring, when they will make a cold frame at the Allotments. When Spring arrives, please look out for all of the daffodils, which the group have planted around Bidston.!

A Y10 group studies a pure Horticulture module at the college each Wednesday. They prepare the ground, plant bulbs and seeds, plant up pots and baskets and make Christmas wreaths, among other tasks.

Jenny Wright

Sainsbury’s Work Experience In

September,

five

learners

began

a

work

experience placement at Sainsbury’s in Upton. Phil and Liz have, independently, served customers on the tills, Robert has been working on fridges whilst Ryan and Sam have been on the DVD and seasonal aisle. All of the learners started off very shy, but by

the

end

of

their

training

period,

their

confidence and self-esteem has grown and they are now working as full members of the Sainsbury’s team. Each week their social and communication skills improve and this will support the development of their life skills when they move on after School.

In addition, learners from 4C attend Wirral

Met

College

every

Friday

afternoon, for a Food Hygiene class.

They have made some delicious meals and cakes, including scones, flapjacks, chicken satay and more. Hopefully they taste as good as they look and smell!

Jacqui Browne

Jenny Wright

Meadowside