Welcome to the Spring edition of the Meadowside Magazine. It may only have been a short eleven week term but, as you will see in the following pages, it has certainly been an eventful one. We have been making good use of the Immersive Theatre across a wide range of subjects. The learners, (and staff!), really enjoy the creativity and fun that this fabulous resource supports. There are so many opportunities at Meadowside School that there simply aren’t enough hours in the school day; our after school clubs including sport, enterprise, Wii, Lego, cookery and beauty therapy
have been extremely popular. We continue to maintain strong links with many past pupils and their families, and have started to hold social evenings where they can meet up. We also invite our current post 16 pupils and their families so they can hear about opportunities after Meadowside. We were delighted to welcome 27 past pupils and several past members of staff to our Post 16 and Past Pupils and Families’ Social Club on March 19th. The next one is on 25th June. I hope you all have a lovely Easter holiday. Paula Wareing – Head Teacher
World
Book Day
was a great success,
with learners working in mixed groups to create new stories with some old and new characters.
From rock stars that turned into aliens, several Where’s Wallies and a Minion, to name but a few. The stories were amazing— Tracy Beaker and Horrid Henry(etta) were the naughtiest pupils in the same class. Their story included Lady Gaga who was disguised as Snow White! There were stories about sorcerers, snow leopards, pirates and pixies; a magic suitcase, a magic door, Tinkerbell’s jingling magic wand and a musical duo that included Ray Charles. It all added up to an impressive stretch of everyone’s
imagination
and
storytelling
skills. The stories were presented in many forms – a digital story created on an iPad, a huge story map with characters and speech bubbles, several minibooks and a dramatic scene.
Mrs Hughes
We have been using Kodu to design games similar to Minecraft. It has been great fun creating new environments and characters, then programming the characters and controls to do different things. Some learners made the Kodu collect apples, some made him fire rockets. Michael added the correct code to make his character move via a keyboard, collect coins that made a ‘ding’ sound and add points to his score. The sky really is the limit with programming, it can be as simple or as detailed as each learner wants to make it. Kodu is free online. Our second project has been to use Purple Mash to create and store work online. The idea has been to develop self-review skills, trying projects out and changing what does not work. 2DIY 3D has been a good tool for developing trial and error. Learners created simple games then trialled them noting where improvements or error corrections could be made. We
have also explored Cloud Storage using Google Drive. Learners have been supported to log in and upload saved files, so they can be accessed from anywhere. Learners in Flair have enjoyed the switch activities available from SENICT online. These activities are designed to give audio and visual rewards for a single press of a switch. Our new wireless switches have been great for this. Mrs Hughes
Learners in Flair group have especially enjoyed using the Immersive Theatre to explore their environment. We have used additional equipment to bring the images closer to the learners, such as the white tent that allows a clear and close up view of a projected image. The interactive floor has also proved to be a great success, combined with some new bean bag seating. We have
explored a multisensory journey, based on a Magic Carpet theme. Learners felt the soft texture of the actual carpet, listened to some magical sounds and imagined themselves whisked off to faraway lands. Our favourite scene is the snowfall scene, that makes us cold just looking at it! Add to that the air conditioning turned down for the scene and we really feel immersed. Turn up the heating and the scenery can be changed to a sandy desert. We felt some sand on our hands and feet and we almost felt ourselves there.
There are some lovely smells in the room too, from cut grass to chocolate. We also have a set of boxed smells so different scents do not blend with one another. The whole room is designed to meet the needs of learners of all abilities, exploring technology, lights, sounds, smells and amazing sights. Mrs Hughes
Karl enjoyed relaxing on the big bean bags and he loved squeezing the vibrating pillow. He found it very funny. Lydia has enjoyed taking part in the action songs each lesson. Daniel and Karl have been very responsive to all the different equipment in the new room. Ms Hoffmann
This term we moved into a new classroom and have been finding out about the instruments of the orchestra. Learners have enjoyed trying to make sounds on the brass instruments and listening to popular themes, played by orchestras. We listened to Peter and the Wolf, by Prokofiev and discussed
how a story can be told with music alone. We have used Purple Mash online to explore Digital Music. The software makes it incredibly easy to sequence a set of sounds and see how they sound when repeated. It is also easy to save the sound sequences, to individual online folders. Learners have created some fantastic sound clips, using electric guitar sounds, drum rhythms and sound effects. We have been singing the new Meadowside School Song and are excited for when we will perform it to parents and visitors in our upcoming events. We are aiming to have it as a Friday song, to boost selfesteem and promote a feeling of belonging. We have a new lunchtime club, for Singing Signing. The most important element is fun, whilst singing or signing
along
to
some
favourite
songs.
The
performances will be going on YouTube to provide a resource for other schools to follow.
Mrs Hughes
The big news in the English department is the drama production Our Day Out. Many learners are really enthusiastic about their roles and keen to perform it in Skills Week. One of the main characters, Mr Briggs, is quite fierce and learners have enjoyed getting into character and barking orders at the group. We were all very shocked at the behaviour of the children in the play, our Meadowside learners would never say or do such things! We have had fun trying out different accents. We have some very well spoken learners trying to sound scouse but sounding more Geordie! Learners in Fusion have joined the public library, in Wallasey. We have visited several times and looked at a variety of books. Fusion learners have also been developing their speaking and listening skills, placing snack orders in different cafes. They have begun writing down the name of each place they have visited and recording what was purchased, to keep parents informed about the activities and costs.
This term, we have also developed writing skills with some competition entries. Birkenhead Park were holding a Poetry Writing competition, based on the topic, ‘Mythical Creatures of Birkenhead Park’. Learners wrote about fairies, mermaids and trolls as well as some invented creatures. We looked at types of poetry and lots of descriptive language.
Mrs Hughes
learners have been looking at Art from China. They have watched the Chinese Dragon dance, noting the shape and movement of the dragon. They have made paintings showing the colours of the dragon and learned about the importance of background. Following this, they are in the process of using clay to make a plaque showing a dragon. When the work has been fired they will use their knowledge of colours on the dragons, to practise using glazes. While the clay is being dried and fired, we will look at the way Chinese artists use watercolour brushes in their work. Learners have practised pressing and turning the brush to make the petals of flowers. This is precise work and good practice for more detailed work. The final composition will involve an animal and flowers. Mrs Carr
Members of have been researching the Terracotta Army. They have used card to help them understand the process of making a figure in clay. They have revisited some of the basic skills and their figures are in the process of being made. When the figures are fired we will use glazes to complete the project. are working towards gaining accreditation. They are following the course Exploring Art. Mrs Carr
learners are now independent workers, following their own ideas and using skills built during their Art lessons over the years. They are producing excellent art work which will be exhibited throughout
Wirral
as
Outreach Program. learners are also looking at Art from China but are more involved
in
group
work
collages and individual colour exercises. Their work will be displayed in school to support the work of other groups. Mrs Carr
part
of
our
Learners in 4C have designed and made a clock using sheet acrylic. They were asked to design three ideas for their clock, to label their drawings and decide which design they would be using for their finished product and why. They made a template, transferred to the acrylic shape then used the electric fretsaw to cut the shape out. They listened carefully to the Health and Safety rules for working in the workshop. They cut out their shapes sensibly and really enjoyed the experience. Although the noise at first made them unsure, they soon got the hang of it and managed to grasp the skill.
Ms. Hoffmann
Acorn Group is doing really well with weaves. Everyone has grasped the technique and remembered the correct terminology used when weaving; for example yarns, loom, weft, warp. They are now experimenting using different forms of stitches such as the rya. We are hoping to progress to weaving large scale wall hangings, working in teams.
Ms. Hoffmann
Pupils really enjoyed taking part in the Enterprise Showcase 2015 at Aintree Racecourse.
They worked as a team, discussing roles and setting up the display. Ms Hoffmann
Kay Geary from CYD has been coming into school to work with us.
We have been adding extra speaking and acting scenes to our 40th Anniversary celebration piece. We do some paperwork in the Turquoise Room first, before we go into the Yellow Room.
Trish Pude-TA3
This year, twelve pupils attended the Residential Visit in March 2015 held at Barnstondale Activity Centre in Wirral. Seven learners stayed overnight for four nights and five learners attended the daytime activities on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Staying at Barnstondale offered a wide range of adventurous activities including rifle shooting, team building/problem solving, climbing and abseiling, archery, orienteering, campfire, cinema time and P.E games. The fully trained instructors at Barnstondale, who were professional and friendly, made our stay a great success. All learners involved had a fantastic time and enjoyed their week away with staff reinforcing life long lasting relationships within school. The outcomes for the visit were: improve social communication skills, to improve teamwork and team building skills, to improve personal and independent living skills and to develop teamwork, communication and leadership skills.
Mr Stubbs
In P.E this term pupils have been taking part in team games, dance, team building activities, basketball, Rebound Therapy, volleyball and gymnastics.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club have also been coming in on a Monday afternoon to do basic skills with Key Stage 4 and dance with Post 16.
Pupils from Key Stage 4 and Post 16 have also taken part in the Merseyside SLD football tournament at Greenbank Sports Academy.
Pupils from Post 16C group are continuing with their ’Young Leaders’ work. They lead on activities such as parachute games, boccia and dance on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday lunch times.
Mr Stubbs
The Fusion group has enjoyed a very successful Spring Term; There have been some huge improvements in our behaviour. The group has continued to enjoy the ‘Active Start’ to each day, either through education in the community or physical activity in school. Learners have visited some new venues such as the World Museum in Liverpool as well as some more familiar places. In school, the group has enjoyed a wide range of experiences. Kim and Robert joined 16S for part of one week whilst Matthew and Sean were enjoying outdoor pursuits at Barnstondale. In Music, the group have used a range of instruments to produce a rather loud accompaniment to some famous songs such as ‘Yellow Submarine.’ The whole group thoroughly enjoyed this year’s World Book Day celebrations, especially Kimberley who called upon Ms Hoffmann’s creative skills to make a Captain Hook costume. Kim was especially fond of her new moustache! This term’s biggest success seems to be the new proprioception band. Sean is highly motivated by it and thoroughly enjoys the sensory feedback it gives. So far Kim has described it as a boat, a house and the sea!
Mrs Dunn & Ms Hoffmann
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
This term in Science, all of the groups have been learning about human beings. We have covered a range of mini topics within this subject and everyone seems to have had lots of fun. Learners in Key Stage 4 spent some of their time making posters about the effects that different environmental factors such as smoking and eating too much of the wrong types of food can have on health. It was clear that they had been paying a lot of attention in PSHE lessons as their knowledge on this topic was extensive. As part of their homework, 4C and 4V kept healthy living diaries and learnt that most people don’t get their 5-a-day. We also learnt that yogurts don’t count as one of your 5! Key Stage 4 learners used pencils and rulers to test the speed of their responses and to measure the space between sensors on different parts of the skin. Learners in Acorn and Fusion enjoyed finding and labelling their body parts; some people were even able to identify and locate their organs! Everybody enjoyed assembling X-rays of body parts into a full body and then comparing themselves to the X-ray. The Fusion group has also been learning about the things that babies need, through role play. Flair group has been learning about human beings by exploring the senses. Learners have enjoyed using the multisensory room part of our new Immersive Theatre, to practise cause and effect by turning sound sensitive lights on, by making noises. Mrs Dunn
Recent Purchases
Recent Events
The school has recently purchased some new cookers and display boards!
The Christmas Social was very successful and it was great to see so many past pupils. Everyone had a good time, especially Ellie’s team, who won the Christmas Quiz!
The school smells beautiful thanks to the students’ cooking skills!
At Christmas we managed, with the generosity and support of families, staff and a range of other donors, to raise an amazing £521.28. Thank you! Coming Events Activity-filled Easter Extravaganza Wednesday 1st April. Come and join your son/daughter in; Easter Crafts - Egg and Spoon Race - Makaton Singing/Signing, Immersive Easter Games - Decorate the Cake - Refreshments , Raffle - Easter Bonnet Competition - Enterprise Sales. Kate Green has joined us as Business/Communications Manager and Kirsty Williams is our new Administrator. At the end of the Summer Term 2014, Alicia Hartgrave and Michael Farrelly moved to other schools. Michael is also celebrating the birth of his second son, Teddy, a brother to Oscar, who was born on 7th March weighing in at 8lb 13 oz. All three are doing wonderfully. Congratulations from everyone connected to Meadowside. Hayley Morris—HSA Chair
We go to Foxes Riding School each Tuesday afternoon and work closely with the RDA volunteers.
The
students benefit enormously from these
afternoons
and
it
adds
another skill for them to leave school with.
Before we ride we put on our safety hats. Trish Pude TA3
This term at WHS Animal Care, we are working in the reptile room. We are learning about reptiles, their names, what they look like, what they eat and where they live. These animals like to be in warm places and they love basking under the heat lamps. We have met a bearded dragon, called Victor. Victor is very friendly and he likes our visits. We have helped to give him a bath because he really likes to get in warm water. This also helps Victor shed his skin. We have also learnt that he loves to eat locusts but he can’t eat too many or he will get an upset stomach. We have met three geckos. One of them is called Pablo and the other two don’t have a name yet. Geckos are quite small but their tails are quite big because that’s where they store fat. They like to run around and they love hiding in their moist box where one day we found out that they had buried an egg! We have met three corn snakes, too. We have learnt that snakes only need to eat once a week and they eat mice. Sometimes they don’t want to eat but we were very lucky to see them feed on two occasions, which was absolutely fascinating! We have also learnt that snakes, like other reptiles, shed their skin every once in a while and we even saw the shed skin of one of the snakes.
Cristina Ubeda
Science Enrichment Lessons On Wednesday afternoons we have been going to Woodchurch High School for Science Enrichment lessons.
We have worked with magnets.
We looked at making the colours on the pH scale with acids and alkalis.
We looked at how germs can be spread by not washing our hands properly.
We used the bio viewer to look at a layer of onion skin to see the cell walls.
We had a visit to
see the animals on the school farm.
Trish Pude TA3
Healthy Eating is the topic for Spring Term. Pupils have been developing their prior knowledge and learning about healthy and unhealthy foods and some of the effects they can have on our body. In practical lessons, pupils have made food or drinks linked to healthy foods. Many pupils have also participated in helping in the Kitchen Garden or in their Horticulture lessons growing vegetables, fruits and herbs that can be tasted, cooked and enjoyed both at school and at home. This term, soups, lasagnes, pizzas, stir-fries, salads, dips, milkshakes and muesli are amongst the food products that have been made. Onions, garlic and herbs that have been grown in our kitchen garden have been used in the cooking lessons. In addition, we have also made scones and shortbread for 16C School Tuck Shop Mini-Enterprise project. We have made food that has been sold for fund raising towards the purchase of new kitchen equipment.
Life Skills—Making homemade cereal.
Bananas for banana cake and milkshakes.
Mrs Jones
Pupils in the Kitchen Garden activity have been busy getting the garden ready for the growing season. We have now planted cabbage, carrots and parsnips seedlings so we are hoping for no more frost or too wet weather. We also have onions, garlic and a wonderful herb garden growing that we are using in food practical lessons. We have potato seedlings starting to sprout and lots of seeds ready to grow. We are hoping for some warm sunny weather and for the fruit trees to bear plenty of fruit this year.
Appeal—Are you able to help us?
The Kitchen
Garden is a self-funding project so we often grow and sell flowers to raise money to develop it.
If you have any
planters suitable for growing vegetables or fruit trees that you no longer want then please donate to our Kitchen Garden. Also we are always grateful for any cuttings or plants that we can grow or sell to raise funds to buy garden supplies.
Mrs Jones
The topic this term is based on feelings and emotions. Different teaching groups have looked at various aspects and linked activities associated with this topic. Some groups have enjoyed exploring the effects music or songs may have on our emotions, or used visual games, produced artwork, interacted with ICT activities or been involved with discussions or debates. Creative Youth Development have also visited the school in March to perform a play based on Bullying.
Mrs Jones
Topics such as the Monarchy, learning about Kings and Queens, the Government and Voting have been covered this term. These relate to current issues and pupils have been experiencing voting and learning about why it is important. In Citizenship lessons, we also celebrate achievements, discuss Student Council issues and find out about some national events. Pupils have decorated the tree in the Kitchen Garden with messages of friendship and written AntiBullying slogans.
Mrs Jones
This term, Acorn Group has been planning to raise money for a charity and investigating local community facilities. Many Key Stage 4 and Post 16 learners are engaged in Work Experience placements, including Lia, who worked so successfully as a Mid-Day Supervisor that she has been asked to extend her work. The group involved in the Royden Park Project is learning a tremendous amount about gardening equipment. Look out for them on television. (More details to follow.) Darren, whom many of you will remember, came to talk to some of the Post 16 learners about his challenges and achievements after Meadowside. He was so eloquent; I will invite him to come to talk to an audience of parents in the near future. By the time you read this magazine, Skills Week 2015 will be over. Learners from Y10 upwards will have taken part in a wide variety of exciting experiences, based around the theme of Media and Performance. There is a performance of excerpts from “Our Day Out” for an audience, including parents. Other events include filming, acting in and editing a trailer at the Learning Lighthouse, for the play, visiting Manchester Media City, Wirral Globe, The Light Cinema and Liverpool Media Academy …oh, I could go on and on. What a fantastic week! Be prepared. The theme for next year’s Work Related Learning Skills Week is SCIENCE. Hurray!!! I can’t wait.
Mrs Vickers
Skills Week
We have looked at developing our research skills using primary and secondary sources to find out about our local area and the history of Meadowside School. Pupils used teamwork skills to find out about the local area during classroom discussions, thinking about how the area has changed since the 1970s. Pupils have developed their speaking and listening skills, working within a small group to discuss the similarities and differences in fashion, transport, buildings and amenities. During the Autumn Term we looked at Famous People. The class looked at different significant individuals and thought about what they did to promote Britain.
We have been looking at ‘Homes and Habitats’ discussing what we understand by this topic. We drew and ‘built’ 3D homes from the local area to compare and contrast to homes and habitats with places such as Africa. We have looked at animals native to our own country and those from other regions, comparing animals that live in hot and cold climates and how they adapt to their environment. During the Autumn Term we looked at developing our knowledge and understanding of maps and geographical language. We discussed our journey to school and everyone was eager to offer some detail when prompted using specific questioning. We looked at images of maps and discussed the different symbols.
Pupils have continued building their vocabulary by learning colours and animals. They continue to enjoy singing in French and are beginning to understand when the order of words is changed. Pupils greet staff and each other in French and have continued their studies of the French culture. Mrs Carr
Basic Food Hygiene Course. Learners from 4C attend Wirral Met College every Friday to take part in a basic food hygiene course. Each week, the students follow a recipe and method, to cook or bake a dish to take home to their families. Alongside this the students are taught basic food hygiene, where they learn about cross contamination, using appropriate equipment, Health & Safety in the kitchen and different techniques when preparing food. The students really enjoy the course and they learn new skills each week. They also learn a lot about food textures and tastes and are pleasantly surprised when they find they enjoy a particular food that they thought they wouldn’t like!
At the end of the school year, learners are presented with a certificate and they take their recipe folders home. Debbie Gardiner
R.E. Post 16V made a Big Book about the six major world religions. Each pupil chose one religion to study, and then designed and made pages for their Big Book. They looked at books and the internet for inspiration. They were encouraged to make their Big Book colourful and decorative. Once they have illustrated the artefacts, place of worship, their sacred script and one of their festivals, the plan is to describe and show the ‘choices’ people make who follow one of the six major world faiths. Ms Hoffmann
A large print version of this magazine is available on our website. From everyone at Meadowside thank you for your continued help and support.
Meadowside School Pool Lane Woodchurch Wirral
Thanks again to our sponsor, Newhall Publishing, for printing this edition of the magazine.
CH49 5LA Telephone: 0151 678 7711 www.meadowsideschool.com