to the Spring edition of the Meadowside Magazine. As you will see in the following pages, we have had a wonderful term, with a wide range of activities contributing to our indoor and outdoor curriculum. Highlights have included the Key Stage 3 and 4 Residential at The Bendrigg Trust in the Lake District which you can read about on page 21. Our lunchtime clubs, (Music, Literacy, Singing, iPads and Homework Clubs), continue to be very popular with some learners choosing to attend all five every week. Our cross-curricular day enabled learners to explore Famous People and Inventors, and some learners have also designed and made their own clocks using Perspex sheets. With the weather improving we are looking forward to spending more time in our lovely gardens and contributions of plants, seeds or other gardening materials would be most welcome.
We are very proud of our school and have produced a new prospectus so parents and carers of children who may wish to join us, can hear about how we can meet their son’s or daughter’s needs. Please contact the School Office if you would like a copy.
As part of the continued investment in our school premises and facilities, we are shortly to start an exciting project which will see a new hydrotherapy pool designed and built over Summer 2016. Our plans also include improvements to the changing facilities and the physiotherapy suite. We are already converting one of our therapy rooms in to a Fitness Suite to help our learners, (and staff!), keep active.
I hope you all have a good Spring Break and would like to remind you that Meadowside School opens for the Summer Term on Monday April 18th. Paula Wareing Head Teacher
In the first half of the term, the topic was ‘The Circus’. We turned the Immersive Theatre into a scene from the Big Top and had fun practising circus skills and listening to traditional music from the circus. We looked at clips of animals used in some circuses and explored soft toys and model animals to link in. This half term, we have begun a topic called ‘Victorian Histories’. This opens with some activities from Alice in Wonderland. The Immersive Theatre looks amazing as a huge garden set in Wonderland. We welcomed a teacher from The Lyndale School who came for Multisensory Art with us, exploring the textures and tactile aspects of a garden. We are also looking at garden animals, such as hedgehogs, rabbits and butterflies. The Immersive butterflies feature is lovely—butterflies appear on screen in response to movements picked up by the sensors. We are building up resources for a Mad Hatter’s Sensory Tea Party. Mrs Hughes
We have enjoyed accessing different forms of technology for developing our skills in Computing. The giant Android screens are really good for playing video clips, subject based Apps and connecting devices such as PCs and laptops. We have fine tuned our iPad skills, filling in a booklet of specific skills and ‘I can’ statements, that identify different features and how to access them to get the most efficient use from an iPad. The mini laptops still provide the traditional base for saving work and working on basic computer skills. We have also worked through a booklet of eSafety skills. This highlighted issues such as privacy, ownership and copyright. Post 16 and KS4 learners have enjoyed working on a Computer Games unit, for their accreditation. Who knew that playing games could count as work! Mrs
Hughes
Music We have been exploring scales and melodies, listening to songs that move up and down in steps. Our favourite was the one from the Sound of Music—’Doh a Deer’. We have also been preparing for the Merseyside Music Festival next term, where we will be singing some songs and performing our music to an audience of other Special Schools from across Merseyside. Music Club is popular every Wednesday, with pupils coming to learn drums or try different instruments. Singing Club also enjoys a weekly rendition of ‘Frozen’, amongst others, usually ’Mamma Mia’ and ‘Bruno Mars’. We hear that Singing Hands will have a new DVD out very soon so we can expand our range of signed songs even further. Mrs Hughes
This term’s topic has been Magic, Mystery and Mayhem. All groups have either read or been read too, a selection of science fiction or mystery tales, poetry or non-fiction books. They have participated in discussions about how being ‘Alien’ makes us believe someone is a friend or a foe and used their reading skills to skim and scan, predict and infer information from a variety of texts.
Learners have been able to use problem solving and decoding skills to build up an image of what makes an exciting and memorable character, which have been the central talking point in our Literacy and Homework Clubs on a Tuesday and Friday lunchtime. This has reinforced the work begun in class and uses a mixture of fun and work based activities to advance budding Literacy Leaders. The Reading focus from last term has led to our Literacy Leaders taking a more active role in class and is beginning to build upon the excellent start made in the Autumn Term. We are hoping to see the development of our ‘Writing Challenges’ and our Literacy Leaders will be taking centre stage in this development, helping to write our whole school play. Some of the texts we have especially enjoyed reading have included: The Iron Man, Tom’s Midnight Garden, Black Book of Secrets, Alice in Wonderland and Frankenstein. Learners from across the school community work as a team to create their own Iron Man using recycled materials and an abundance of kitchen foil! It has been very exciting to see the enthusiasm for reading, which has developed as a result of our studies.
Mrs Cliffe
Well done to all Meadowsiders; this year’s World Book Day saw students and parents/ carers get into the creative vibe with KS3 coming along as characters from The Iron Man. KS4 learners engaged with their magical side with King Arthur himself making an appearance. Post 16 embraced their imaginations, coming with a mixture of colourful heroes of Pop, as the legend that is Freddie Mercury to those that defend our shores -Private Benjamin. There were activities at lunchtime such as ‘chase the author’ to an Alphabet challenge where we had to name a different book for each letter of the alphabet. A good time was had by all, and we look forward to next year’s literary surprises. Three cheers for everyone who helped make it such a fun day.
Mrs Cliffe
We now run a lunchtime club every day of the week. Monday—iPad Club. This is a very popular club, where learners use iPads for games, YouTube or even browsing for garden gnomes! Tuesday—Literacy Club. A growing interest in reading and a chance to extend the stories worked on in lessons bring learners to this club. Wednesday—Music Club. A chance to try out different instruments, play on the drum set and generally make some noise music! Thursday—Singing Club. We use the large Immersive screen to sing along to learners’ choice of songs, to build our signing and singing skills.
Friday—Homework Club. Learners can tackle homework tasks with confidence, seeking support where needed.
Mrs Hughes & Mrs Cliffe
Cross Curricular Day This term’s Cross Curricular Day was based on Famous People and Inventors. Every Subject Leader chose a significant person from his/her subject and learners collected information and photos for a booklet . At the end of the day, everyone met up to share what they had done. Music covered Michael Jackson—there was even some moonwalking! English looked at William Shakespeare and made finger puppets. In Maths, they found out about Akira Yoshizawa , the grand master of Origami.
A Humanities group looked at costumes from the time of Elizabeth I. Other famous people and inventors covered were: The Wright Brothers, Wassily Kandinsky, Tutankhamun and Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Mrs Hughes & Mrs Cliffe
Acorn Group Pupils are developing an understanding of different ways of representing the natural and the built environment. Looking at function, structure, shape, texture, symmetry, pattern and place. Comparing architectural styles from different times, places, cultures .
Key Stage 4 Pupils are working towards an Open Awards Accreditation called Exploring Art. They’ve been encouraged to explore art books and identify and name equipment and materials . In the photos, they are preparing their dip-tech and trip-tech canvas to create their piece of Art work expressing their feelings.
POST 16 Pupils are working on their piece of work inspired by the artist called Hundertwasser. They were asked to use the end of a stick to outline their work. They have all enjoyed designing this piece of artwork. When finished, I’m sure they will be an make an impressive display.
Ms Hoffmann
Pupils have worked really hard on their clock idea using Perspex sheets. The finished products look great. Here are some learners comparing the item with their design ideas.
Ms Hoffmann
Enterprise pupils set up a display at Earlston Road library . They sold several pieces of work. They are looking for new venues to sell their products. If anyone has any tips or venues they welcome your input.
Pupils have once again enjoyed the Enterprise Showcase Day at Aintree Race Course. They sold their work and met other pupils from different schools in Merseyside. Ms Hoffmann
Pupils from the different Key Stages have worked together to have fun, making food products that they can take home to enjoy with their families, carers or friends.
Mrs Jones
Fusion Group Fusion have listened to different religious stories and are now planning to make a story box based on the story of the walls of Jericho.
Post 16 are working towards Open Awards Accreditation . They have just completed one unit based on Personal Awareness and are now going to complete their second unit based on Developing Assertiveness. Ms Hoffmann
Some Post 16 students go to Foxes Riding School on a Tuesday afternoon. The RDA volunteers have a great understanding of the needs of our students. They benefit enormously from these afternoons ,by adding another skill with which they can leave school. The students are always keen to know when their turn is to go again.
Before we leave school the students put on their RDA red sweatshirts and once at the stables put on their hard riding hats.
Trish Pude TA3
The students receiving certificates at the end of their term’s work. Well done everyone.
This term, learners in Key Stages 3 and 4 have continued to practise their basic number skills focusing on addition and subtraction. They had a great time creating addition pyramids, creating their own number stories and playing different counting, adding and subtracting games! Learners also did some research on famous mathematicians and enjoyed watching Countdown videos!
Learners in Fusion group have been out and about practising their maths skills. As part of their active start, they have been to the shops to purchase ingredients and they have also enjoyed a snack at the Rainbow Café!
Learners in Flair group have enjoyed their themed topic “The Circus is in Town” where they have joined in activities such as counting juggling balls, clowns and animals and playing with balloons. Some learners in Flair group have also worked on their money skills by sorting coins to buy tickets for the circus!
Learners in Post 16 have worked on the topic “Economic Activity”. Some learners have learnt new vocabulary about banking, others have looked at different bank accounts. They have also practised money skills and they even had a go at an online ATM game!
Mrs Ubeda
In Geography the topic this term is Europe. Pupils have used maps, globes, jigsaws, internet research and group quiz games to find out facts about different countries. The pupils particularly seemed to enjoy their work based on the Eurovision Song Contest. They found some very unusual songs that they enjoyed listening to and singing from the different countries they’ve learnt about.
We also look at some live webcams around the world which leads to great discussions and questions about the environment, climate, lifestyle and time zones. This has included London when we found some people posing for photographs at the famous Abbey Road crossing, we have watched the skiers at Colfosco in Alta Badia, in Italy and the pupils were really amused when they spotted Winnie the Pooh walking around the main square Puerta del Sol in Madrid .
Christopher Columbus, Charles Dickens, Florence Nightingale and Leonardo de Vinci are some of the famous people that pupils have been finding out about in History this term. Pupils also found out about famous people from different countries in group and individual research tasks linked to their work on European countries. Mrs Jones
The Acorn group has been learning about healthy eating and have had the opportunity to participate in tasting sessions which included; beansprouts, courgettes, spinach, pomegranate, sharon, passion, and physalis fruits. Fusion shop for the ingredients for the DLS practical lesson. and pupils are continuing to make a range of healthy snack foods that they eat at school or they may take home. Personal care, hand care and teeth cleaning is also starting to be included this term.
Key Stage 4 pupils have been making a range of foods associated with healthy eating and learning about why foods can be healthy and/or unhealthy. Food products made this term have included; cereal bars, salads, pasta and fruit salad. Pupils have also been working on the accreditation work for this year. Mrs Jones
Shopping in various supermarkets, finding ingredients, using money skills for money recognition, budgeting and paying for the ingredients is part of developing independence skills. Pupils use the ingredients to prepare and make food products that they eat in school or take home. Skills are developing and confidence is growing in independence and group work tasks. Pupils decide what they will make through discussion with other pupils in the class, with occasional support from a member of staff. Pupils are also working on completing accreditation work this term. We will soon be fundraising for the Kitchen department. We will be making and selling cakes to raise money for equipment that we need. Keep a look out for the letter to be
sent home soon!
Mrs Jones
Following the recipe independently
Cooking using a recipe
Reading instructions on using a cooker.
Pupils are using different tools and practising new skills. We have been looking at health and safety in different workplaces , finding dangers in pictures. Skills have included using a hand hole puncher to make holes to sew with, and making gift wrap paper.
Preparing their textured tissue paper sheets . Pupils have looked at the work of the book illustrator Eric Carle as inspiration for their animal collage topic this term. Mrs Hoffmann
We have also been looking at forces when out and about in the local community. We have tried to find what different forces are in action when, for example, playing in a local park. Mr Stubbs
We have been very busy in P.E. Key Stage 3 and Fusion pupils have been taking part in yoga, looking at different poses, relaxation and body control. Key Stage 4 pupils and most Post 16 pupils have been working on Outdoor and Adventurous Activities, looking at teamwork, problem solving and developing communication skills.
Pupils have also taken part in indoor athletics and basketball events at Fazakerly High School.
Wirral Inclusively Tae Kwon Do have been in school again this term . Pupils have learnt control, coordination, balance and other cross curricular skills while having lots of fun. Mr Stubbs
Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils took part in a residential visit to Bendrigg Trust in Kendal, in the Lake District. They stayed for 5 days and 4 nights, taking part in lots of Outdoor and Adventurous Activities including climbing and abseiling, caving (both indoor and outdoor), archery, ropes course, zip wire, camp fire and the big swing.
The aims of the residential were to improve teamwork, social skills and develop independence. All the pupils had a fantastic time with some learning new skills or building on skills already learned.
Mr Stubbs
Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils have been learning about Forces. They have been looking at the different forces that affect our lives (pushes, pulls, gravity and air resistance), and how we measure them. Pupils have also learnt about Sir Isaac Newton and they have produced a fantastic display celebrating his discoveries.
As part of the cross curricular day on famous people and inventors pupils learnt about air resistance and the Wright Brothers. Pupils built all different designs of paper aeroplanes and then we had a competition to see whose design flew the furthest. Mr Stubbs
This term Student Council/Interact Club have been involved in several projects and activities. Bag2School/Water Aid Bag2school collection on 10th March raised a fantastic £61.60. Brilliant! Thank you to everyone who contributed.
Environmental Project Gordon Caddy, Environmental Officer for West Wirral Rotary Club came into school to help a group of pupils assemble novelty plant holders. They all had a brilliant afternoon and really enjoyed being involved.
Jacqui is helping Matthew write a cheque for £500; our donation to “Water Aid”. We are extremely proud to be able to help with this International Project.
Merseyside School Council Forum This year pupils from all the schools involved, voted to donate to “The International Shoe Box Appeal”. Our shoe boxes will benefit children who are between the ages of 11-15 years. All schools will present their boxes at “The Liverpool Town Hall Event” on 10th May.
Events Calender 17th March: Merseyside Redbridge School.
Council
“Walk
About”
at
31st March: Environmental Project: Thurstaston Beach Clean. Pauline Freeman—Learning Mentor
India/Polio Plus Programme In February, Jenny Schwarz, President of West Wirral Rotary Club, travelled to India to help with “The Polio Plus Eradication Programme”. We helped by collecting small items for the children, such as crayons, pencils, rubbers, pencil sharpeners, for Jenny to take with her.
This magazine is being printed in the middle of Science Work-related Skills Week, which will be reported in our next magazine. This term we have been excited to be part of the ‘Cosmic Classroom’ where our learners joined a live link-up with Major Tim Peake on board the International Space Station. Our Immersive Theatre was an ideal venue as the images from space were so clear and large. We were also successful in our application to be one of the schools selected to take part in a national experiment to compare and contrast the growth of seeds from Rocket plants that were on board the Space Station for 6 months with those that have remained on Earth. Mr Stubbs
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Meadowside School. Pool Lane, Woodchurch, Wirral. CH49 5LA 0151 678 7711
We are grateful to our sponsor Newhall Publishing, for printing this edition of the magazine.