Meadowside Magazine
Issue 18 Spring
2019
Find out about Lunchtime Clubs
Read about our
Inclusion Programme at Woodchurch High School
Welcome to the Spring 2019 edition of our school magazine. Over the 24 pages of Issue 18, you will see a sample of the wide range of the activities and learning opportunities we have offered our learners this term. We have enjoyed introducing learners to our wonderful new Hydrotherapy Pool and changing facilities, and their reaction has made the work, (and delays), worthwhile. Our plans for developing the school premises include a new roof and new school kitchen, which we hope will take place during Summer 2019. We are also working on plans to develop our outdoor space to enhance its appeal to all our learners. We hope that you enjoyed your Spring Break, have a very Happy Easter, and we look forward to working with you in the Summer Term. Paula Wareing Head Teacher
Meadowside School Council & Interact Club Merseyside School Council Merseyside School Council “Learning Walk” at Foxfield School was a great day. At the meeting, representatives from each school spoke about their chosen charities for which they would like to fundraise. The charity that had the majority of votes was Claire House. Each school will do their own fundraising then all meet up again at the next “Learning Walk” which will take place at Palmerston School in June. Pupils, staff and dignitaries from each school will attend The Town Hall event on Wednesday 15th May. Representatives from Claire House have also been invited to share the day with us.
Interact Club (Water Aid) We received a certificate thanking us for sending Water Aid £500 last term, money raised from our Bag2school collection. It’s a brilliant way for us to fundraise, Thank you. Next Bag2School will be Wednesday 22nd May 2019 Pauline Freeman—Learning Mentor
Maths
We have been working really hard in Maths this term, (as always!), so much so that our work folders are bulging! We have therefore started working in fresh new books which won’t cause Mrs Dunn’s head to spin when they burst open! Pupils in Planet group caused a small tidal wave when using water to explore volume and capacity. Moon group pupils used their own hands and feet to measure length and had a very interesting conversation about why we wouldn’t go into the carpet shop to order carpet in hand spans! Meanwhile, Key Stage 4 and Post 16 are getting down to the serious business of sitting the exams required to achieve a Maths qualification, whilst Sam and Lewis continue to work towards their GCSEs at Woodchurch High School. Mrs Dunn
English This term, pupils in KS3 and KS4 have worked on the topic “Musicals”. All pupils have worked towards their individual listening, speaking, reading and writing targets. Pupils have enjoyed literacy activities related to ‘The Greatest Showman’, such as listening to and discussing lyrics and creating alternative dialogues. Pupils have also joined in role-play activities related to buying theatre tickets. During the second half term, pupils worked on exploring and improving conversation and debating skills. In addition, pupils in KS4 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.
Some 14-19 pupils have been given the opportunity to choose Drama. They have been working on different drama skills, including mime and body language. Well done, everybody! Mrs Ubeda
Music
Our Spring Term topic is always ‘The Orchestra’. The Philharmonic scheme of work provides us with wonderful pieces of music linked to a theme. This year, it is called ‘Sound Values’ and is based on exploring British Values through music. Pupils have listened to the pieces and some have visited the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool, to hear them played live. We have also been singing and playing along with songs from ‘The Greatest Showman’, learning to sign along with several favourites and beginning to play excerpts from the main melodies. Mrs Hughes
Computing
In February we marked Safer Internet Day 2019 with activities linked to consent and permissions. Pupils took part in quizzes and discussions about when and why consent is needed. This term’s topic has been BBC Microbit projects. Pupils have coded these tiny computers to run programs such as displaying names, smiley faces and even turned one into a dice. Bradley made a cardboard robot with a Microbit face and we have had fun learning to program the devices. Pupils accessed the activities on this year’s Hour of Code, which included topics such as Star Wars, Minecraft and Codespark Academy. Mrs Hughes
This term we learnt about places around town and shopping. Pupils have been learning new vocabulary related to places in town, like schools, names of different shops, swimming pool, park, etc. They have used this vocabulary to describe their town by saying what there is or isn’t near their house.
MFL
Pupils have also enjoyed exploring French cities and towns and spotting similarities and differences between them and British ones, by using Google Maps and www.airpano.com. In the second half term, we focussed on activities related to shopping, from comparing Euro notes and coins to British Pounds, to setting up French signs for pretend shops, and role-playing buying items in different shops using our play money. 14-19 pupils have been given the opportunity to choose Spanish once a week. They will complete units towards the Unit Award Scheme and they are really enjoying learning basic greetings, colours, numbers and vocabulary around food and drinks. Spanish Club is still popular on Friday lunchtime. Pupils have continued to explore the Spanish culture and language and they have looked at some of the traditional foods as well as the map of Spain. They have also learnt that there are 4 different languages spoken in Spain! Mrs Ubeda
Independent Living Skills The topic this term was Fairtrade. What is Fairtrade? Why buy Fairtrade? Who and how does it help? These questions have been the focus of the learning via videos, stories and exploring resources using the Fairtrade Foundation, Oxfam and CAFOD websites. Pupils made a range of products using Fairtrade products. Some pupils made banana milkshakes and also ILS groups made cakes for the cake sale during Fairtrade Fortnight, (25/2-10/3/19), to raise money for the Fairtrade Foundation charity. Fusion, Team and Post 16 groups also joined in by making cakes to sell at the Fairtrade cake sale. We made ÂŁ109.63 in total. Thank you to everyone who bought cakes.
Post 16 The main topic this term was World Foods. This included learning about and making some traditional foods from countries in the UK such as soups, stew, breads and cakes. Pupils have been finding out about, and making, some multi-cultural and traditional foods associated with various countries around the world. Pupils have been developing their skills when shopping, preparing and making food products such as omelettes, soups, stews, curries, breads and cakes. Mrs Jones
Humanities From the Magna Carta to Rio ! KS3 acted out the conflict and resolution between the Barons and King John , prior to the signing and acceptance of the Magna Carta. It was funny being ’bossy’ as the power shifted from King to Baron and to working together . KS3 looked at villages and towns on the Wirral, then onto the city of Liverpool. They compared this to Rio de Janeiro, naming the famous landmarks and dancing at the Carnival. The appearance of Ms Hoffman’s wonderful Rio head dress was a fabulous surprise!! Mrs Brown
Citizenship
The main theme this term was ‘developing confidence and responsibility and making the most of your abilities. Pupils have looked at their responsibilities to keep to rules and abide by laws. They have developed team working skills, working together on tasks and activities. KS3 pupils have focused on needs, wants and rights, looking at how they can improve our school by getting along with each other more positively. 14-19 pupils have looked at the role of the United Nations in promoting children's rights and the responsibilities that come with enjoying rights and freedoms. Mrs Hughes
D&T Pupils have made puppets based on the topic of ‘Musicals’. They looked at the different types of puppets, e.g. Marionettes, Hand & Rod, Bunraku and more. Pupils worked in groups or as a whole class. The Musicals they chose are: The Jungle Book, The Lion King, Shrek and The Wizard of Oz. Pupils have also been developing sewing skills, based on a design of Ugly Dolls. This design of toy was made famous in 2001 when a doodled doll was turned into a toy in America and the idea took off. Pupils enjoyed seeing all the completed Ugly Dolls together. They spent time writing their evaluation worksheets commenting on what they did well and what they could have done better. Ms Hoffmann
Flair Flair group has had great fun studying hot and cold as our science work. Luckily enough it snowed and we went outside, wrapped up of course, to collect some snow and to feel how cold it was. We made an ice balloon and watched it melt. Not everyone wanted to touch it, brrrr too cold ! Flair had a lovely afternoon treat and ate ice-cream, and watched one melt a little, and drip down the side of the cone. Mrs Brown
Lunchtime Clubs Pupils have the opportunity to attend five Lunchtime Clubs to develop their social skills as well as pursue a particular interest. They are open to all pupils and are a good opportunity for peer support, with older pupils modelling good behaviour for younger pupils and supporting them to take part. In Reading Club, pupils can browse books, share stories, read independently or play literacy games. In Music Club, pupils can explore instruments not accessed in music lessons and for some, develop keyboard skills at their own pace. In iPad Club, pupils try out their favourite Apps and listen to YouTube music. Singing Club is a popular choice that develops turn taking and listening skills. There are some wonderful singing voices and a lot of enthusiasm. In Spanish club, pupils can explore Spanish culture and learn Spanish words through games and songs. Mrs Hughes & Mrs Ubeda
Monday—Reading Club Tuesday—Music Club Wednesday—iPad Club Thursday—Singing Club Friday—Spanish Club
Science Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils have been taking part in Biology, Chemistry and Physics this term. In Biology the pupils have been learning about animals including humans, looking at classifying animals into their different groups. In Chemistry pupils have been learning about states of matter, solids, liquids and gases, and how some substances can change between each state. Pupils in the pictures to the right are pretending to be liquid and solid particles. In Physics pupils have been learning about forces and magnetism, including what a force is, and how forces affect us in our everyday lives from opening doors to travelling to school in a car or bus. Mr Stubbs
P.E Key Stage 3 and X-phase groups (Flair and Fusion), pupils took part in gymnastics, including rolls, balances and movements. The pupils have been trying to improve their ability to execute the moves with growing aesthetic quality. Most pupils have also been able to put the new moves into a sequence of roll, balance and movement.
Key Stage 4 pupils have been taking part in net and wall games, including badminton. They have practiced how to hold the equipment, hitting the shuttle with more consistency, hitting over the net and playing a full game while keeping to some of the rules. Post 16 pupils have been taking part in basket ball this term, playing full games while incorporating some of the skills they have learnt.
International Women’s Day 2019 A group of mixed aged girls went to the event at Toxteth Fire Fit Hub in Liverpool, to celebrate the day by taking part in lots of activities including kin-ball, making smoothies, nutrition talk, boxing, football, rugby and dodgeball . Mr Stubbs
Art Pupils have been learning all about Cubism. They have looked at works by Picasso, Braque and Juan Gris. Acorn and Beech groups have used charcoal to draw a still life in the manner of the above cubist artists. They will be using mixed media to produce their final art piece. Chestnut and Elm groups have looked at mixed media collage paintings by Picasso. They have drawn a guitar, used it as a template, cut it up, used musical notes paper and wrapping paper to produce a collage. They will use this collage as inspiration for their final mixed media painting. Ms Hoffmann
RE Buddhism was this term’s topic for KS3 and Fusion. Pupils learnt about the story of Buddha, Buddhist symbols and beliefs, Chinese New Year and Chinese horoscopes. Pupils experienced meditation, stories, music and making Chinese food as part of this topic. KS4 looked at and compared religious symbols and objects associated with the six main religions: Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islamic, Hinduism and Sikhism. They learnt about some of the beliefs and festivals from exploring resources, stories, videos or research. KS4 pupils also completed their AQA accreditation. Post 16 Students discussed and compared stories, research, and resources that focused upon the 6 main religions. Pupils also discussed stories concerning religion in newspapers and on television.
Mrs Jones
Enterprise The new Options Enterprise Group prepared Easter and Mother’s Day Crafts to sell at the Enterprise Showcase on the 15th of March at the Lace Centre in Liverpool. The Enterprise Showcase is a consortium of approximately 15 Special Schools in Merseyside, both Primary and Secondary schools, that meet once a year to promote their Enterprise goods. There is a Dragon’s Den panel who interview and vote for a winning Entrepreneurial Secondary school. There is also a winning Primary school but with a more easy going approach. It’s a great day for our pupils and they enjoy having lunch with so many other pupils. They also have a chance of seeing and chatting with former teachers and TA’s. They also receive a printed T-Shirt displaying this year’s chosen logo designed by one of the pupils in the consortium. Ms Hoffmann
Fusion What a term! Fusion group has been really busy working hard, improving teamwork, learning new skills and having fun! We have been learning about the human body and comparing different animals. We have also enjoyed learning about electricity and magnets. Fusion group has created some fantastic art work inspired by Picasso. Throughout the term we have enjoyed some outdoor learning, tidying the sensory garden as well as some outdoor Maths and Science. We have been working hard to improve our friendships and make new ones too. Throughout the term we have made cakes and decorated biscuits to give out to our friends. We love how happy it makes them when we give them an unexpected gift! We have also been learning about risk and staying safe online and in the community. The highlight of our term has been trying out the new swimming pool where we have all shown how well we can follow instructions, swim safely and have fun. Mrs O’Connor
Environmental Education We are happy to see Environmental Education back on the timetable as part of the 14-19 Options this term. Pupils have been learning about farming, and are working towards accreditation in this area. As well as learning about what different types of plants are grown and harvested for, the group has picked up the work towards the Silver Eco School Award. Learners have also been working to improve the school environment, and supporting the Rotary Club to improve the local area, including a litter pick on the Wirral Way in West Kirby. They were brilliantly behaved and started learning about how to deal with dogs in the community whilst cleaning the environment. Mrs Dunn
Inclusion A number of pupils have been going regularly to Woodchurch High School to work towards GCSEs in Art, Maths, English and Physics. Two pupils have also joined the Music department to explore the facilities and develop their social skills. A whole group attends weekly to undertake an Art project. They are currently working on a project based on Indian Art. Woodchurch High School staff describe the group as “ a pleasure to teach and a credit to Meadowside School�. Jenny Wilson
Personal Development This term we have had a strong focus on developing skills in the areas of behaviour and conduct. As part of this we held 2 special ‘Behaviour Days’, where everyone focused on the different ways we can improve behaviour and conduct around school. For some, this meant acting as good role models for others, and everyone worked on things like improving communication skills, following the school rules, exercising to boost our endorphins and expressing our emotions appropriately. During the event the pupils enjoyed working with people they don’t usually work with, and practising mindfulness; Matthew referred to this as ‘the sleeping lesson’!!! None the less, the skills learnt in this session have been applied since, and pupils found it helped to settle them into learning after running around at break time. Mrs Dunn
Horse Riding at Larton Riding School with the Foresters’ Horn RDA Group Last term the students were introduced to their horses Clive, Hugo and Teddy. We were given the opportunity to have a look around the stables and the arena. This term the focus has been on riding skills around the arena, incorporating rein skills to aid students to walk and trot their horses and stop and start with the correct signals. The students have focussed on following the safety guidelines of mounting their horse and dismounting in the correct way. The above skills will aid their progress towards the accreditation that they had started last term as theory. None of this would be possible without
all of the RDA Foresters’ Horn volunteers, who give up their time each week. Thank you!
KS4 Options during Spring Term 2019
Trish Pude TA3
Staffing News It has been a pleasure to welcome some new staff to the school this term. Mrs Brown joined us as a Classroom Teacher, Gale is working in the Office Team, and Ciera and Chelsea have joined us as Teaching Assistants.
Thank you We would like to thank the staff and customers of Hay’s Travel in Birkenhead and all at Van Leer Employees Charity Fund for their donations to the school. We are looking at purchasing some outdoor equipment which their generosity will support. We are extremely grateful to Newhall Publishing for their continued support in printing our magazine each term. Thanks to the support of ‘Family Action’ we have been able to provide learners with a breakfast each morning.
Our new website www.meadowsideschool.com is now live and updated regularly with our latest information and news. We are also available on Twitter at https://twitter.com/meadowside ch49 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
