to this very special 40th Anniversary edition of the Meadowside School magazine. As you will see from the following pages, a lot of planning and preparation went into our 40th Anniversary Celebration Day on Tuesday June 30th. All the effort was rewarded with a beautiful, warm day to which we welcomed approximately 100 guests, including pupils who attended the school in 1975 as well as the school’s very first Head Teacher. It was wonderful to hear the very fond memories that people have of our school, to make new friends as well as catch up with old ones, and also to consider how we plan for the continual development of the school over the coming decades. Paula Wareing — Head Teacher
Meadowside School Council & Interact Club During the term Student Council/Interact Club have been very active. Collecting for children in India. Bag2School. Litter Picking at Thurstaston. Visit to Millstead School. Fundraising for “Make A Wish” Hosted an event for Merseyside School Council. Town Hall Event. Involved in two consultations.
Town Hall Event—Brilliant Day! Gordon Caddy, Environmental Officer from Rotary and pupils supported this event on 12th May. We are very proud to be involved in the Merseyside Student Council. Together we raised a staggering £5,326.93 for “Make a Wish” Fantastic Result. Well Done Everyone.
Student Council have been involved in two consultations this term. The pupil friendly AntiBullying Policy and the new school meals menu which will be introduced in September.
Pauline Freeman
The sun shone very brightly at our Annual Summer Fair. A very big THANK YOU to everyone who supported us in any way—buying raffle tickets, sending in donations, coming along to help or spend money. A fabulous day was had by all and we raised a massive £1500! Highlights of the day included the Rotary Club Balloon Race, the Grand Raffle, entertainment from a local vocal trio, homemade cake stall, barbecue and a wide range of stalls. It was lovely to see both present and past pupils and families there too; thanks again for all of your continued support. Hayley Morris.
This term, learners in Post 16 have continued to work on the topics outlined in the Adult Numeracy Curriculum. They have been applying their Maths skills in everyday scenarios relating to domestic and everyday life. Through this topic they have become very enterprising and since they have learnt to scale up recipes to cater for more people, some groups have been making delicious lunches to sell to staff. The chicken chow mein went down a treat! Learners in Key Stages 3 and 4 have been learning about fractions. We have learnt the Makaton signs for some of the fractions and other associated words, as well as applying some of our English skills when differentiating between the type of ‘whole’ which means that something is complete, and the type of ‘hole’ you can dig! To make fractions meaningful, some groups have made drinks by filling cups to a given measure e.g. half full. They have tried to establish whether a given amount of pasta will fit into a container half the size of the one it is currently in, and have pieced together ‘pizzas’, finding the correct sized slices to make whole ones. Some learners used Lego bricks to explore how things can be broken down into parts. Acorn group attempted the ‘Brain Buster Challenge’ to divide a triangle into quarters. Have a go, see if you can do it! Alongside this, learners have continued to develop their basic number skills. Mrs Dunn
In Science this term we have conducted several investigations into the nature of rocks and soils. One of our favourites was the investigation into the effects of water on chalk. We put coloured chalk into bottles of water and created mini storms, everyone was surprised at how quickly the water caused the chalk to disintegrate, and when we watched videos of chalk cliffs with houses on being battered by waves, were able to make predictions about what might happen to the houses. Most of us found this very shocking! The Fusion group has very much enjoyed making indoor and outdoor pictures with wet and dry chalk, most of the group were able to label the difference in how the chalk behaved and noticed things like the colour of wet chalk being darker than its dry equivalent. They also experienced fossils and dinosaurs at the museum. The Flair group has listened to a song about rocks and have explored the topic. Our investigation into soil involved trying to establish what soil was made up of, and whether all soils were made of the same thing. Most learners in Key Stage 4 groups brought soil samples from home and carried out a test which made the sample settle into different layers, enabling us to establish what was in the soil. At the beginning of this topic we started off by taking rock rubbings and looking at the different properties and characteristics of rocks. We have been exploring and classifying man-made and natural materials. This has been quite a tricky concept to master, especially when it comes to deciding whether a slab of marble ‘made’ into something like a fireplace by people, was man-made or natural! Who knew rocks and soils could be so interesting?
Mrs
Dunn
This term the Fusion group has been trying lots of new things. Some members have been really stretching themselves by working independently from the group in a range of different settings. Kim has attended a number of sporting events at different venues in Liverpool. She worked hard on her behaviour in order to earn her place in the team, and was quite rightly very proud of herself, especially when she won a silver medal for boccia! Matthew attended a taster session at Crosby Lakeside water sports centre. It was a very windy day and although he was unsure of the bell boat at first, he soon got used to it and found it extremely funny when he boat ‘crashed’ into the rocks! He also enjoyed using a vending machine to get himself some soup to warm up with after the activity. In a second boating experience, the group went to sail some small toy boats on the boating lake at New Brighton. Much to the amusement of the class, (and the consternation of Mrs Hughes), one of the boats managed to sail out of reach and is now resident on the lake! Sean and Robert have been very relaxed at the Museum of Liverpool and Sean especially enjoys the rainforest exhibit. He gets very animated and counts 13 of something that nobody else can spot! Mrs Dunn
Echo Schools Awards On July 1st our school nurse, Linda Chubb, attended the finals of the Echo Schools Awards following her nomination in the School Support Staff of the Year category. Linda was nominated by staff and pupils who wanted to acknowledge how much her care and support has meant to them over the 18 years she has worked at Meadowside School. We are absolutely delighted to announce that Linda won the award and is pictured receiving the award from staff at Liverpool Echo, Radio City and New Directions who sponsored the awards.
This term 16L have been going to Woodchurch High School for a Design and Technology Project. The project is based around the Holi Festival.
The students had a design sheet to plan their colours on for the Holi festival. The next stage was to use powdered paints. The students sprayed the paper with water then sprinkled on the powder. They gave it a shake and to finish used a hair dryer to dry it off.
Both of the above provided the basis for the design part of drawing and painting on material to make a Holi outfit. Tracing the Holi design onto material.
We used a mixture of inks and water colour paints.
Trish Pude TA3
Each Tuesday afternoon we go to Foxes Riding School for our horse riding lesson with the RDA. The students ride around the arena learning various skills of how to respond to the horse for example ‘walk on’, ‘woah’ and how to dismount safely and show respect for their horse. The students thoroughly enjoy this option and often ask me when is their turn to attend.
Each term different students are chosen to take part in this Post 16 leisure option.
The students enter up the ramp to mount their horse. The RDA volunteers assist with this.
The students with their rosettes on completion of the Countryside Challenge. Trish Pude TA3
English This term’s topic has been the author study on Michael Morpurgo. All groups have either read or been read to, a selection of his books, and written book reviews on a number of them. These have been placed into an ‘Author Scrapbook’ that will be on display at the end of the term, along with our Morpurgo themed displays. These have led to a lot of discussion of his many books, throughout the school. In class, we have especially enjoyed reading Kensuke’s Kingdom and talking about the themes in his work. We have talked about how friendship and respect for others is important, linking these with our focus on British Values. Flair and some of the Post 16 classes have carried on the water theme, writing poems inspired by descriptive water words. It has been very exciting to see the enthusiasm for reading, that has developed as a result of the study.
Mrs Cliffe runs a lunchtime Reading Club and it is well attended by those eager to read or be read to. Mrs Hughes and Mrs Cliffe
We have been exploring environments and making things happen in our ICT and Computing lessons this term. The mobile hoist and interactive floor have enabled Christopher to interact with his environment in a very different way, creating sounds and visual effects with his feet. We have used Purple Mash to develop skills in Games Design, saving work to access again and again, improving the games and posting them on an online noticeboard. Karl enjoys using the wireless switch to sink the passing pirate ship! He enjoys the loud boom of a direct hit!
Mrs Hughes
Flair Flair Group learners have been enjoying using the Immersive Theatre, using wireless switches to control the environment. We have enjoyed creating patterns using the SEN Switcher software and playing games onscreen such as the Pirate Ship game, from shinylearning.com. We have explored the topic of ‘Water’ through a variety of approaches: listening to Handel’s Water Music, listening to Disney’s Under the Sea; watching video footage of underwater fish; feeling water on hands and feet. We have listened to stories about water, including ‘The Rainbow Fish’ and enjoyed feeling crinkly, sparkly paper and looking at coloured lights to link in with the special sparkly fin that the Rainbow Fish shared with his friends. Mrs Hughes
40th Anniversary Celebration Preparations began months ago, to celebrate our 40 year Anniversary. Highlights of the day included a drama production written by Kay Geary at CYD (Creative Youth Development) and performed by Year 10 learners; a whole school performance of the Evolution of Dance, led spectacularly by Mr Stubbs. There were some other notable dancers, it truly was a sight to behold. There was a school song, written by Mrs Hughes and led by singers from Acorn Group. The 70s style school dinner was attended by Meadowside’s first Head Teacher, John Bevan, and included guests from the original pupil roll. It was really lovely to hear about how much the school has meant to so many people and to see friendships and relationships that have endured over time.
The afternoon was spent on activities connected to the celebrations. Ms Hoffmann and the learners finished screen printing one hundred specially designed T shirts. There were 80s style neon tutu garments, pom poms, ceramic flowers, collaged CDs and decorated cupcakes. The Signing Singers entertained visitors to the Yellow Room, as they browsed the displays of old photographs. As the school day ended, the celebrations continued. Past pupils and staff visited, touring the school and marvelling at the changes. The sun blazed on into the evening and the playground was filled with families and guests enjoying a barbecue and some playground games. Ms Wareing ended the day with a tremendous ‘Thank You’, to everyone who had supported or contributed to the day and shared out the anniversary cake. Mrs Hughes
Music
We have been preparing for our 40 year Anniversary celebrations by listening to music from the last 40 years. It was hard to narrow down our list of favourites. The 70s Disco was a great opportunity to dress up as some iconic 70s singers and dance.
The Singing Signers now have a lunchtime club and enjoy singing some favourite songs every Wednesday. The Meadowside School Song, which was written to commemorate the 40th Anniversary, will be ready to perform, along with some other self esteem boosting songs about pride and achievement. We are hosting the Merseyside Special Schools’ Summer Signalong, getting into the mood for summer with ‘Summer Holiday’ and a song called ‘Sunshine’. Some classes have been exploring different musical instruments and learning how to make the sounds and hold them correctly.
Mrs Hughes
Sports Competitions Our football team recently went to Greenbank College in Liverpool to take part in the Merseyside schools SLD football tournament. They worked hard finishing 3rd, with an excellent goal from Ben and great goalie skills from Kieran . The team in action and proudly showing off their great haul of medals. The athletics team had a chilly but excellent day at Wavertree sport centre in May. They came away with 4 golds, 4 silvers, and 4 bronze with some stand out performances in the field events, with Sarah throwing 10.9 m in her first ever discus throw. Here the team are celebrating with their medals. In June a team of students attended a cricket competition at Alder Cricket club in Liverpool. They faced some serious competition but held their own and came 4th out of the whole competition.
A group of students took part in a multi sports taster day at Wavertree Sports Centre. They had the opportunity to try wheelchair basketball, poly bat, new age curling, boccia, short tennis, table tennis and parachute games. They had a busy but fun filled, day with one team coming second in the boccia competition . Jan Sayer & Karen Roebuck
Nine pupils from year 14 went on the Leavers Residential; they stayed 5 days and 4 nights at the Wingate Centre in Wenbury, Nantwich. The pupils had the chance to reflect on time spent at Meadowside School while taking part in activities including team building, gymnastics, country walks and developing their independent living skills.
All pupils took part in the annual Meadowside School ‘Meadolympics’ Sports Day on Tuesday 23rd June 2015. There was the opening ceremony and then the whole school dance to the banana song. Pupils also took part in running, wheelchair races, throwing, golf, archery, an obstacle course and the a relay race. Each team worked very hard with Team Brazil winning this year for the first time. Well done to all!
The Art Department has been very busy this term carrying out two major projects to commemorate our 40th Anniversary. The first project was the design and construction of ceramic flowers. Every pupil was involved in the production of these flowers in some way, and most have been involved in every stage. These flowers were for sale at our Summer Fair and were also displayed on our Anniversary Day. The second project involved weaving onto CD’s to make a wall hanging from a product that was most widely used in the first decade of the new millennium. The pupils have found this particular project quite taxing compared to the flowers but have all been involved and produced some impressive results.
Mrs Carr
RE Learners in Key Stage 4 have been learning about healthy friendships. They have played games, answered questions and discussed their views and feelings on the topic. We have taken part in turn taking and sharing activities, encouraging the qualities of a good friendship. It was lovely to see Ryan back, in school; he enjoyed making a noise with the marbles as he felt them with his feet. Karl enjoyed the noise of the marbles as they clattered to the floor, when he swapped the cup from hand to hand! We used Play Doh to recreate the shape of some religious symbols. Christopher enjoyed tearing the Play Doh in to strips to lay along the symbols. Kim and Matthew enjoyed dressing in some religious robes. Ms Hoffmann
Pupils have worked very hard to screen print 100 T Shirts to commemorate the school’s 40 Year Anniversary. We used a selection of learners’ designs and reproduced them onto the T Shirts. Ms Hoffmann
After School Clubs
Clubs this term have included a Sewing Club, Beauty Club, Wii Club, Swimming and Lego Club. Lauren enjoyed making a fabric carrier bag. She chose different fabrics to put together for a tiger’s face. Holly made a camel bag using the sewing machine.
Ms Hoffmann
Enterprise
Friday afternoon is a very busy time for ‘The Enterprise’ . All pupils have been working hard preparing and finishing off new stock to sell. Ms Hoffmann
This term at WHS Animal Care we worked outdoors. We enjoyed the sunshine while we learnt new things about different animals and how to look after them. We met the new lambs and visited the alpacas after they had been shorn. They looked so different! We also did lots of jobs around the farm, such as cleaning out the rabbit hutches, refilling the food bowls and the water bottles and cleaning the water buckets for the goats. We even got Oscar the tortoise out for a walk on the grass and hand fed him dandelions. Cristina Ubeda
Entry Level Certificate 4C Tony and Ryan have used the heat wire to make the stand for their finished product -A Clock, ( an item made of sheet material). Michael used an electric fretsaw to cut out his key tag . He then spent time smoothing down the edges with sandpaper. Luke is using the hand drill to make a hole for the key tag holder. Learners in Fusion have been busy practising new skills: Matthew has become confident rolling clay and using different cutting shapes. He knows where to place the two holes and understands that they will be made into wind chimes. Kim has used playdoh to make heart shapes, which will be used for mobiles. Sean has helped press different coloured textured soft clay which will be made into beads. Ms Hoffmann
Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) The main focus of PSHE this term has been accepting and celebrating our differences such as appearance, personal likes and dislikes, and cultural beliefs. Influences such as the Media on appearance, stereotypes, sexism, racism and homophobia have been explored in greater depth, for some teaching groups. The whole school attended a play, performed by Creative Youth Partnership in March, which was based upon different types of bullying. The play formed a useful basis for learners to help them relate to this term’s topic.
Citizenship Learners in Key Stage 3 have been learning about the Environment and how we can protect it for future generations. Key Stage 4 learners have learnt about their rights compared to those of children in other countries and about some famous Human Rights campaigners. Post 16 learners focused on voting and elections.
Links with Primary Schools A class from Elleray Park School have visited Meadowside School for weekly cookery lessons this term. We have had a lot of fun making a variety of food products such as cakes, pizzas and biscuits that the children have enjoyed taking home to enjoy with their families. They attended the Great Meadowside Bake Off and enjoyed bringing, (and eating!), lots and lots of cakes. A group of pupils from Stanley School also attended cookery activities and made some pizza whirls. Mrs Jones
Life Skills Learners have been busy making lots of different foods and products that they have sold, to raise funds for charity or to improve our kitchen equipment. In June they made and decorated cakes ready for our 40th Anniversary Celebration Day.
1970’s Disco Class 16C worked together to organise a 1970’s disco to add to the fundraising efforts. We had a themed disco with many pupils and staff dressed in 1970’s inspired outfits. Learners made food for goodie bags in their Life Skills lessons and ran a 1970’s snack bar. This successful event raised £77 so thanks to everyone who supported it.
Kitchen Garden Enrichment Activity The sun has shone, the rain has fallen and the garden is growing well. The raspberries and strawberries will be ready soon and the apples and pears are starting to grow.
Please can you help us? We are always grateful for any seeds, bulbs, cuttings, plants or planters that you may be able to donate, to support our pupils with growing plants to sell. This will enable them to buy more gardening equipment, compost and seeds.
Mrs Jones
A new group of pupils has been discovering the fun and challenges to be had at Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre. The good weather that we have had this term has helped to make their experience even more enjoyable.
We have been bell-boating this term and then have enjoyed discussing our experiences in the cafĂŠ later over lunch.. This activity has quickly proved to be a highlight of week for some of the new group of pupils with at least one parent saying that their child bounces out of bed on Thursdays ready for their day at Crosby. Jenny Wright
Skills Week Our Annual Work Related Learning Skills Week focused on Media and Performance. Everyone was involved in an exciting array of activities and events, off-site and in school. Activities included filming with Leasowe Learning Lighthouse to make a trailer for our drama production of Our Day Out; and Animation Workshop; a visit to Liverpool Media Academy; a visit to the Wirral Globe Newspaper; a cinema trip; a journey to Manchester to tour Media City; mock interviews in school with realistic employers; film reviews and a performance of Our Day Out in the Immersive Theatre. It was a week packed with activities designed to show an insight into the diverse world of media and performance, covering a lot of behind the scenes work as well as front of house. Skills Week could not have taken place without the careful planning and organisation, months in advance, from Mrs Vickers and Katherine Magnall. We are looking forward to the next one already! Mrs Hughes
Governors, staff, pupils and the whole Meadowside community would like to take this opportunity to say thank you and farewell to staff who are leaving us at the end of this term. We wish Barbara Lester, Linda Chubb , Jean Carr and Clair Culligan a long, happy and healthy retirement. We would also like to wish Bev Humphries good luck in her new job with the NHS Schools’ screening service. Claire Dunn will be on maternity leave next term and we hope she enjoys some peace and quiet over the holidays before the new arrival!
A large print version of this magazine is available on our website. Meadowside School
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Pool Lane Woodchurch Wirral CH49 5LA Telephone: 0151 678 7711 www.meadowsideschool.com Thanks again to our sponsor Newhall Publishing, for printing this edition of the magazine.