NEWSLETTER
Staying connected through lockdown The wellbeing and workflow of our students has been monitored by staff throughout the quarantine period.
HELPING students stay connected to their learning, to their support system and to school has been the primary focus of GFM teachers throughout the lockdown. Alongside adapting to new ways of delivering lessons, dedicated staff have been supporting the wellbeing of our students and their families. This includes making home visits and phone calls and supplying laptops and internet access to those who cannot access remote learning. There have been phone calls with a ‘listening ear’ and ‘voice of reassurance’ for students who may be suffering with mental health issues. There has been care packages, stationery packs, food parcels, book boxes and much more besides delivered to students to keep them connected. GFM Deputy Headteacher and part of team safeguarding, Mr Jones, said: “I look at the messages between staff and students and
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their families and I feel really, really proud of how this community have responded to such a challenging time. “I think we are even closer now than before, and that the partnership of school, home and student is further cemented to help us collectively into the next stages.” Mr Andrew-Power from the Safeguarding Team has visited nearly 50 homes since the lockdown. He said: “The power of a friendly visit from a member of school staff with a chocolate bar has been remarkable. “For many of our students and their families we have cemented our working relationships through partial school closure in a way we didn’t when we were together in school. “We have genuinely connected with the heart of this wonderful community, and have seen at first hand the true resilience and spirit of Gosport.” Continued on page 2.
The power of a friendly visit from a member of school staff with a chocolate bar has been remarkable...
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Mr Andrew-Power, pictured
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Staying connected through lockdown (continued)... GFM Headteacher Mrs Andrew-Power (left): “Staying connected has been really significant for us through the partial school closure. In the early days of lockdown, we thought really carefully about how we would keep in regular communication with youngsters, their families and each other as staff. We had to learn really quickly ‘how’ to adapt to
teaching online to support our community with their learning, and a broad team of staff across the GFM schools also worked together to think about how we could keep connected to each and every young person (and families) through such unusual times. ‘Staying connected’ became a crucial theme of our work and drove activity across a range of teams.”
GFM Citizenship Lead Mr Penfold has helped students stay connected using multiple channels and platforms: “Our community is fantastic - sending us things they’ve found useful, links to articles, websites, apps etc. (that is parents, carers, staff and the students themselves.) We try to share what might be useful and share it in a way that doesn’t overload people. You might have noticed that we send out regular and (we hope) digestible communications - we try a mix of emails, tweets, facebook, website - and lots of the teams from Brune Park and Bay House have spent time through closure ringing students at home, ringing their parents, having home visits (at social distance) or onsite visits (also safely at a distance.) These activities are as important through partial school closure as they were when we were together every day in school.” Designated Safeguarding Lead Mrs Adderley (right): “From day one of lockdown, we set up a team of staff who know students and their families really well, identified families and youngsters where we wanted to make sure we were having weekly contact (in some cases daily) and set up a system where students and/or their families could make contact with one of the team if they needed our help in any way, shape or form. Throughout partial closure, these teams have been in contact with students and their families - sometimes contact needs to be every day, other times it can be weekly. We have relied mainly on the phone and email and it’s been great seeing the use of letters and post!’ Wellbeing Lead Ms Rawlinson has helped students and families cope with their mental health during lockdown: “We have thought carefully about how we can signpost support so individuals can seek this at the times they really need to. Lots of students and their families have shared with us challenges with mental health - often heightened as we have responded to a global pandemic. The worry about health and adjusting to lockdown and ways of being that are so different. We have provided bespoke ‘remote’ support through resources either online or as paper resource, and set up home visits or onsite sessions where the need has been most acute. We’ve been at the end of the phone or email to be a ‘listening ear’ and ‘a voice of reassurance’ and we know we have reached many but continue to work hard so that all know how they can be reached when they need additional help and support.” Designated Safeguarding Lead Mr Kitchen: “We’re really proud of the wider teams - they have been awesome! The community team stepped in and have worked with a superb local charity Jacobs Well to deliver food parcels, and care packages to families that have needed this. Teams of staff have sent care packages to try to give a ‘boost’ to some of our young people who have found school closure particularly difficult. We have had a dedicated team who have conducted home visits each week - at a safe distance, either to provide care and support, to be a listening ear, to signpost families to charities and support networks beyond school.”
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I feel really, really proud of how this community has responded to such a challenging time...
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Mr Jones, Deputy Headteacher 2
Summer 2020
GFM Newsletter
GFM students Olivia (right) along with sister Macie and step-dad Shane, baked and delivered over 75 cupcakes to the local community including friends, neighbours and front-line workers. A great example of helping others and staying connected.
FORMER Brune Park student and Airbus apprentice Beth has been helping to design, create and package up PPE equipment for care home and NHS staff during lockdown. The 18-year-old was two years into her apprenticeship when the lockdown was announced but has kept developing her skills helping to support key workers. She has also taken part in our careers webinars explaining to current secondary school students the benefits of apprenticeship. Beth said: “When you work for a company like Airbus it is all about innovation so that is what we have been doing. “It has also been incredible to be able to help people who are on the frontline saving lives. To feel like you have been contributing. “I also had the chance to talk to students at the GFM schools about my experience of being an apprentice. I wanted them to consider it because it has been a great experience for me.” Airbus manager Roy Haworth said: “Beth is the perfect example of a young person who through her education has developed the types of characteristics and skills that can be of huge benefit to an organisation. “During the lockdown she has been working on all kinds of weird and wonderful projects and because she had the right grounding at school was able to turn her hand to them with relative ease.” Beth continued to speak positively about her apprenticeship experience. “There are some students for which the traditional path of sixth form and then university just does not fit,” she said. “I am much better with practical hands on things and do not do well with exams. We are all different so it makes sense that there should be different options available to us when we leave school. “Brune Park were incredibly helpful because their focus is on what do you want to do that makes you happy, what career can you have where you will enjoy going to work. “That is what I have at Airbus and I absolutely love it here. I still have a few more placements to go so I have not decided fully on what I want to apply for but I know that I am in the right industry.”
Airbus career takes off with apprenticeship
Beth (centre) has embraced the challenge of her apprenticeship with Airbus. Inset: Airbus manager Roy Haworth.
Post-16 applications still open BAY HOUSE SIXTH FORM decided to keep open applications in order to provide an opportunity for students who are reconsidering their post-16 options. The sixth form was still accepting applications in June amid concerns about public transport to colleges and sixth forms outside of Gosport and Fareham. Ranked the top performing college in Hampshire for A Level results in 2019 and with an A*- C pass rate of 90% in the last two years, it is currently providing both online learning and onsite teaching to students. Head of Sixth Form, Richard Dadd, said: “We understand that pupils may have reconsidered their plans during the past
few months and have received enquiries regarding late applications. “That is why we have decided to continue to accept applications. We want to ensure that pupils in Year 11 who wish to pursue A Level study at Bay House still have an opportunity to join the Sixth Form in September.” Bay House Sixth Form’s progress score of 0.56 places it in the top one per cent of schools and colleges nationally, with 90 per cent of students continuing their studies at university. Further information about the courses offered by the Sixth Form and details on how to submit an application can be found at bayhouse.gfmat.org/sixth-form
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Executive Trust Leader for Personal Development and Community Endeavour at the GFM, Chris Willis. Despite the challenges of the last few months our staff have continued to provide outstanding careers support to students. By Easter, we had a new GFM pathways website, providing a platform for students to access excellent resource including information and support from our partner organisations. Our careers advisor has continued to offer 1-2-1 support over the telephone while partners Hampshire Futures have worked with students identified as needing targeted support. The World of Work fortnight, created after Year 10 work experience was cancelled but an incredible 300 students took part in a range of activities aimed at boosting employability. These included: a personality test, shadowing an adult working from home, working on their CV, and exploring their career options, Chris Willis with all activity hosted on the Unifrog careers platform which is available to all students and parents. An extensive planned mentoring programme with Brightside was scaled back but we were still able to offer individual mentoring for Lower Sixth students. As you will read in this newsletter, Brightside have also helped us to run a series of webinars with former GFM students, many of whom left our schools relatively recently. They had some really powerful messages about the choices they made which current students have found inspiring. Our Business and Education Forum meeting went ahead online in June. Big thanks to members Business in the Community and Flitetrak for their kind donations. You can read more in this newsletter. The Careers and Enterprise Company have confirmed that the GFM will again be their lead school in our area for the upcoming academic year. We are planning a full careers programme this year, a blend of online and offline working to negate the uncertainty of our current situation. From September in every subject there will be at least one lesson per term which links careers to the topics being studied. You can view our pathways website at gfmat.org/gfmpathways/ home
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Lockdown survival guide
Charlie, hard at work during the quarantine period. STUDENTS across the GFM have been when I’m struggling and have helped me as talking about the benefits of home learning. well as they would in schools.” Here, some of them explain their thoughts. Lilly says keep busy: “Things that have Mya-Grace: “When it is occupied me during lockdown is warm you can do your reading a book and knitting. It keeps me busy work outside with nature but it is also very relaxing.” all around you.” Fenton says baking and walks have Charlie: “You can kept him occupied: “The way I have pick and choose the stayed occupied is by doing order of their lessons lots of baking and going and the time they want for lots of hour to half to do it.” an hour walks.” Lily: “The benefits Year 9 Luke has of home learning are that found solace in his you are able to learn without daily paper round: Darci getting distracted.” “Being able to escape El-Sayed El-Sayed: “Teachers have helped the house to do my by explaining in our live lessons.” paper round and the dog walking, fresh air is good MY LOCKDOWN TOP TIPS: Students on for the soul”. how they have coped with the lockdown. Year 9 Rosie has enjoyed lockdown but Isabel says don’t stress: “Do your best says she would rather be at school: “I’d and keep working hard, everything will be rather go to school because I get distracted at okay and things will eventually go back to home by my little sister or my brother”. normal.” Year 9 Nicola says working from the Sophie says roll with the punches: “It is a comfort of her own bed is one of the benebig change but you must try hard to make the fits of school closures: “You can take a break most of it.” when you want, being able to eat during it and Darci says family, her dog and keeping not having to wear the school uniform.” busy were the secret to staying sane: “Take Year 9 Megan has surprised herself: “In each day as it comes and don’t think too all honesty the thing I have missed the most is deeply about it.” school.” Scarlett says listen to your teachers: Year 9 Jayden has made strides in his “Teachers have been amazing over this maths classes: “The most significant thing I lockdown period; they have been there to help have learnt is maths.”
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Our parents, our superheroes Students thanked their parents for support during the lockdown. YEAR 7 Olivia (pictured, left) said: “My dad has had to stay at home because he is high risk with asthma but has been helping me and my brother with school work. “My mum powered through working but is now at home after dad A 70-strong dance troupe at Rowner Juniors had something to cheer during lockdown after winning a county-wide dance competition. The inclusive team impressed judges with their hip-hop influenced moves and London theme during the heats of the Dance Live! Competition. The group were due to take their place at the Hampshire wide final at Portsmouth Guildhall at the end of April but the event was cancelled due to Coronavirus. Instead, organisers sent out videos of the dancers taken during the heats to all competing schools. There was only one rule – you couldn’t vote for your own school. Rowner Juniors got the public vote. Year 6 Lewis said: “The experience was overwhelming. I enjoyed competing against other schools and working with my school friends for the competition. I am proud of everyone. Go Rowner!” Year 5 Tia said: “I loved working with everyone, practising the editing and the excitement that I felt when I was on stage!” Year 4 Reece, who was a lighting assistant, said: “I loved being in the lighting box, I could watch my school perform, sometimes I forgot I was there to do my role because I was enjoying the performance so much. I was so happy and shocked when we won the final. It was great to be part of a team.” Assistant Headteacher Emily Weaver said: “At Rowner we take a very inclusive approach which extends to our dance company. We don’t want it to be an elitist activity but open to all students no matter their backgrounds ort educational requirements.” “It is great that the communities have taken notice of that and have decided we are the team they want to win this competition.”
went back to work. I love my mum and dad so much.” Student Kacey said: “My mum and dad do everything for me and my brothers. “We couldn’t thank them enough for everything they do. If we need help with anything then they will help us with it.”
Super troupers under spotlight
Students from Rowner Juniors competed in the Dance Live! Competition.
Donations gratefully received THE GFM has said a huge thanks to our business partners for their kind donations made throughout the lockdown. Radian Homes funded Chromebooks for Year 7 students to help with remote learning during school closures. Meanwhile, Itrack Global have supplied over 16,500 face shields to 180 organisations including hospitals, care homes, GP surgeries and emergency responders. Using the profits, CEO Andrew Barnett has created the Dare to Dream to supply Chromebook computers and internet con-
nections for youngsters across the town. “It is also hugely pleasing that we have been able to take some of the profits from this work and put it towards supporting the young people of Gosport.” Executive Trust Leader for Personal Development and Community Endeavour at the GFM, Chris Willis said: “We are very grateful for the huge support we have received from business and organisations across Gosport for our Community Curriculum provision in our Secondary schools and throughout this crisis.
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FORMER Brune Park and Bay House student Adam Greenslade now a strength and conditioning coach for Leicester Tigers says getting work experience early is key to success. The 26-year-old left Brune Park in 2010 to take A Levels in Biology, PE and Geography at Bay House before studying for a degree in Sports Science at Leeds University. A stint at Southampton Football Club followed by a graduate position at sports specialist prep school Millfield in Somerset was the launch pad for his dream job. Adam, who played rugby at county level, now works with the Premiership rugby side academy players on all areas of strength and conditioning. Adam was among a host of former students who took part in our hugely successful webinar series, broadcasted to students via Zoom, during the school closures. Adam said: “It was a huge privilege to be able to talk to students at my former schools and give them some advice about their futures. “I told them that becoming involved and working with a professional sports club is a hugely competitive job and a degree in sports science is the bare minimum. “You have to get out there as early as you can and get lots of experience under your belt.” Adam paid tribute to the staff at both Brune Park and Bay House who inspired his interest in the scientific part of sport. He added: “I was heavily involved with sport at Brune Park and it was when I got to Bay House and studied biology and PE at A Level that I started to learn about the science behind sport. Ms Murchie who has been organising the Zoom webinars said: “Our careers provision for the summer term didn’t pan out as anticipated, but we have continued to provide robust support throughout this time.” “The messages that they gave around the choices they made and their journeys were very powerful.” Highlights of the webinars have been musical theatre star James Hume, Rushabh Amin who works in banking and finance and BAE engineer Andrew Carr. All of the webinar recordings can be found on the GFM Pathways website.
Experience the key to success Former Brune Park and Bay House student Adam Greenslade is now the conditioning coach at rugby team Leicester Tigers.
Ms Scanlon scoops award BAY HOUSE teacher Ms Scanlon has won a prestigious regional volunteers award for coaching a local team. The PE and science teacher is still in the dark about who nominated her for the Basketball England South Region National Volunteer Awards. The Wales international picked up ‘all girls inspiring female volunteer of the year’ award in recognition of her work with Solent Kestrels under 14s girls’ team. She was due to collect her award at a ceremony in April but the event was cancelled due to Coronavirus. Instead she had to settle for seeing her name published on the website.
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Annie said: “It is still a big mystery who nominated me but I would like to say to whoever did how grateful I am. It is nice feeling that the hard work you put in is recognised. “I was very shocked to get the award because as I said, I did not know I had even been nominated. Shocked but pleased.” Annie is helping to promote basketball in schools across the Solent and last year ran a girls’ festival to encourage students to participate in the sport. She said: “I am very grateful to the Gosport and Fareham MAT and Bay House School who have given me the freedom to run these
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events in schools. I feel very passionate about encouraging students but particularly girls to take up a sport. It has huge benefits for their physical and emotional wellbeing.”
A YEAR on from leaving Brune Park in Year 11 budding footballers Harvey Rew and Mia Addaway are making a splash in the professional game. The inspiring youngsters have both landed professional contracts with their childhood club Portsmouth with both making their senior professional debut this season. Mia has been a regular for the senior side since signing as a professional for the National League South side, and even scored her first goal in September last year. She is the youngest ever to play for the first team and also the youngest ever goal scorer. Her efforts have since been recognised at international level when she was called up for the England U19 women’s team to play in friendly tournament. Meanwhile, former classmate Harvey got his senior debut for the men’s team in a cup match this season. He has also been involved in friendly matches. Mia said: “Me and Harvey see each other every Wednesday when we are doing our sports qualification with Portsmouth.” “We went to primary school together and then secondary, so it is quite weird to be coming up in the football world together.” Giving advice to students at GFM school, she added: “If you want something settle down and be focused. The teacher will help you a lot to stay grounded. If you want something you can do it. Work will always get you want to be. Harvey, a lifelong Portsmouth fan who used to go to the matches with his friends from Brune Park, said: “It has been a real rollercoaster this season. A strange introduction to being a professional footballer with all that has happened. “I managed to get my first professional
Nathan raised hundreds of pounds for Queen Alexandra Hospital.
Duo reach goal of Pompey deal
Mia and Harvey have put pen to paper to sign deals with Portsmouth FC. appearance under my belt after doing well for the youth and academy teams. It has been really exciting. “I was involved with the playoff match preparations with friendlies and staff so it was a great experience. “The fact that myself and Mia who were
both in the same year at the same school have gone on to play for Pompey is amazing. “I really have to give a lot of thanks to the teachers at Brune Park for the support they gave me throughout my time there. Ms Edgar and Mr Wellington in particular were amazing.”
Nathan uses pedal power to raise funds for hospital BRUNE PARK student Nathan cycled 224 miles in just one month to raise £800 for Queen Alexandra Hospital. The fire cadet completed the challenge in June during lockdown riding eight miles a day to raise cash to support key workers. He wanted to represent his fire cadet unit, Nathan’s first step towards his dream career in the fire service, while taking on the fundraiser. The cash came flooding in thanks to friends, family and his school teachers who have supported his efforts through online and cash donations. Nathan told The News newspaper: “I was not expecting that much. My target was £1,000 but I didn’t think I would get near that amount.
“Even if my money goes to one little thing, I will be happy about that - I think the NHS is doing an amazing job at the moment and I want to give something back.” Mum Tracey is very proud of her son’s achievements, especially as it has been tough because he has been unable to see his friends during lockdown. She said: ‘[Cadets] is like his second family, they’re so good to him and he absolutely loves it. He’s so dedicated to it; he’s never missed a lesson. To donate, visit justgiving. com/crowdfunding/nhsbikerdebynathan. Or visit hantsfire.gov.uk/ keeping-safe/children-andyoung-people/fire-cadets to learn about fire cadets.
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Social distancing at school
STUDENTS at Gomer Juniors observing social distancing whilst in their classroom bubbles watching a live lesson which is also being broadcast to students learning from home. A fine example of blended learning. Meanwhile, Nigel the therapy dog did his part to keep people safe during the lockdown.
THE GFM staff put together an emotional video tribute to NHS staff selflessly putting themselves at risk in the coronavirus battle. Set to the backdrop of the song Praise You by Fatboy Slim, GFM teaching staff relayed messages of support and appreciation for NHS staff including family members currently working on the front line. The video included posters paying tribute to critical workers and the message ‘Stay Safe’ accompanied by a heart which had been created using pebbles on a local beach. It also features a detailed look at the history of the Health Service put together by staff in recognition of recent efforts. Speaking on camera, CEO of the GFM, Ian Potter, pays heartfelt tribute to the NHS. He said: “Remembering the history why the welfare state and NHS was created is an important, pertinent thing to be doing at this time.” “We therefore give our thanks to Dan and Nige for producing this video and for this GFM ‘shout out’ for all those who work in our public health service, and other critical services.” “We love the NHS and our heartfelt thanks goes to every one of you who work within it.” After watching the video compilation, headteacher at Bay House School, Nigel Matthias, said: ‘I actually felt quite emotional watching back all the tribute clips. “This has been quite a challenge to put together with everyone working remotely but I think it really says something about the community spirit of our staff.”
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Video tributes made for NHS
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We love the NHS and our heartfelt thanks to every one of you who work within it.
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Mr Ian Potter, CEO of the GFM
Picture gallery
CAN you guess which teacher this pet belongs to? Students were tasked with matching the animal with the member of staff. Answers were in clubs and societies page on Google Classrooms.
A BREATHTAKING piece of artwork by Year 7 Will for our Virtual Photography Club.
AS part of our random acts of kindness club Year 7 Isaac has painted a rock and hidden it near Privett Park.
YEAR 7 Lilly has showcased her artistic talent with a great use of colours, textures and patterns for a nationwide competition to create a banner for Key Workers.
WE were impressed with student Tyla’s posters highlighting our energy use and environmental damage for Earthling Club.
AS part of bullet journalism club students were asked to create a daily routine for them in lockdown. This is Maddie is Year 7s amazing example. EXCELLENT work from Year 7 students inspired by their drama studies of The Twits and The Tempest.
STUDENT Chantelle shares her pet’s unusual sleeping place as part of our Pet Club project.
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LOCKDOWN CHALLENGE
THANK YOU cards sent to teachers from Patience (Y7) Charlotte (Y8), Sasha (Y7) and Hayley (Y10).
THERE was some excellent baking from our students in response to the #LockdownChallenge.
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GFM Newsletter
THROUGHOUT the Coronavirus crisis, our clubs and societies have been setting Lockdown Challenges for students to complete at home. Here are some of the best entries. The rest can be found on our social media pages.
STUDENT Sam’s wonderful poster thanking key workers in response to our lockdown challenge.
A WONDERFUL mask submitted to the #LockdownChallenge by one of our students.
YEAR 7 Shannon has shared her lockdown photo with the caption: “It makes me feel trapped so this photo is inspired by being stuck somewhere and no way to get out.� #LockdownChallenge
YEAR 7 Lola has created this collage in homage to the
A SUPERB entry to our #LockdownChallenge to make a poster thanking key workers from student Chantelle.
MORE first-class work from students to our #LockdownChallenge to create a film poster or book cover.
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YEAR 7 Pheobe has created this incredible lino print to celebrate World Ocean Day.
PRIMARY pupils have been growing their own sunflowers as part of the Gomer Growers project. A wonderful example from a Gomer student.
INSPIRED STUDENTS This excellent poem was written in honour of our wonderful NHS staff. HIDDEN HEROES, by Lilly, Year 3.
YEAR 7 Phoebe has compiled a wonderfully informative travel brochure.
They don’t wear capes They come in all shapes They can be man or woman Some come by car and others by van They work all hours They all deserve flowers They don’t ask for praise They all deserve a raise They all wear gloves To look after the people we love They work all over the country in different places They do this to keep us safe
YEAR 7 Isobel has drawn a sketch of a flower as part of the Wildlife Trust #30daywild for Environmental Club.
YEAR 7 student George has created this fairy door and hidden it somewhere in the local community.
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YEAR 7 Emily’s made a colourful welcome for Year 6 students who will transition to a new school.
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OUR primary students created this truly inspiring mural tribute to NHS workers while working at Brune Park. It can be seen outside the school.
THE GFM students created painted rocks which were hidden for their peers to find near our primary schools Gomer and Rowner Junior School.
WE could not be without our amazing NHS and their heroic efforts.
YEAR 6 students showed their creative side by decorating bunting when they returned to classes for the partial school reopening. Gomer Junior pupils hung the art work made up of pictures and slogans above the Meet and Greet station at the Bury Hall Lane entrance. Pupils who were not attending school were given the opportunity to take part by posting in their work. A passer-by who noticed the bunting said the colours and positivity had ‘made her day’.
STAFF were surprised but happy when an order from Dominos Pizza arrived at Gomer Juniors during in June as the school welcomed back Year 6 students. The generous anonymous donation in the form of a tasty lunchtime treat was well received by staff and students alike. Protocols were followed to maintain safety.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY MATTERS FACEBOOK PAGE to share in the positive experiences and achievements of the students at our schools. GFM Newsletter
Summer 2020 13
THE power of social media meant the annual Usborne Books fair held at Gomer Junior School’s library goes ahead despite school closures. Students at Gomer and Rowner juniors could find out about different authors via interactive live sessions streamed through Facebook for the event which started on July 8. There was also a competition in which children had to spot where the Usborne logo has been hidden during each session. At the end of each stream, pupils can ask questions and place orders for both electronic and hard copy books. While the school sent pupils into lockdown ‘with at least three books’, the children were looking forward to experiencing the virtual fair. Year 5 student Harry said: “I’m looking forward to attending the online book fair. It’s exciting that we will be the first school to host the event.” Harvey, of Year 6, said: “I’m really
Book fair goes ahead online looking forward to it, I’m especially excited about the competition.” Classmate Maisy added: “The online book fair is going to be really fun because we’ve never had one before and I love reading.” The fair was hosted live from the kitchen of Usborne representative, Emma Bailey who said: “I love being able to bring books to life through fairs to give them a purpose and make themes relatable to children’s daily encounters. “I get to do what I love most - work with children, get creative and share the
excitement and creativity that encompasses books.’ The book fair was co-ordinated by school librarian Ms Kidd. She added: “We are really keen to keep our pupils reading throughout this difficult time. We are thrilled with the idea of being the first school to try a virtual book fair.” Gomer Juniors Executive headteacher, Georgina Mulhall, said: “Reading is a big part of our learning and it will be a lovely treat for children to have a new book in addition to taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge and accessing our e-library.”
A flavour of lockdown life
MISS Rozario can’t wait to have students back in the classrooms at LWS. She tweeted next to this picture: “I have missed this learning space.”
LWS student Tyler’s baked tasty looking banana muffins.
Hunt for milk becomes an epic journey YEAR 10 student Courtney wrote a story inspired by an experience during Lockdown. I woke up 1 sunny morning rushed downstairs releasing I had five minutes until I had to call my BFF to play Roblox. I went to the cupboard, pulled out a box of Coco Pops and started pouring them into a bowl. Opening the fridge, I paused, “MY MILK!! SOMEONE STOLE MY MILK!!” running upstairs with anger I barged open my sister’s door “ DID YOU STEAL MY MILK?!!” no she replied with
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a grin then she said, “ but me and Chloe did have a cup of tea each.” I chucked my coat on and shouted to dad we need to get some essentials because I couldn’t even have lunch as I had no bread. We ran to the car, opened it and drove off to Morrisons. But Morrisons had no milk or bread but we did get me some Ben and Jerry’s cookie dough ice cream. Off we go. Aldi’s next, we waited in line for one hour and got in. They had one left. I rushed over and an old lady saw me so she blocked me and took the milk. I
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felt so angry I bought a spoon and started to eat my ice cream in the car. But that didn’t stop me. We got to Asda, waited in line for 25 minutes and we were so dazzled by them selling off all their Easter eggs for 25p we completely forgot the milk but we did get the bread. So we gave up and I told my dad to try Tesco’s down the road so we went to Tesco’s down the road from our house and they had loads and loads of milk. We bought our milk and I sat down and had my breakfast with a cup of tea.
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LWS headteacher Mr Berry says the school and families have developed a sense of togetherness during the lockdown.
Support crucial at a tough time
At the beginning of the pandemic parents made the difficult decision to keep their children at home to reduce exposure risk. As a SEMH special school where all students are classed as ‘vulnerable’, LWS has remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time the focus of our tutors shifted from academic care to look out for our students and their family’s safety and well-being. Tutors conducted daily welfare phone calls to parents Christopher and students, signposting any Berry further support as necessary. Our staff went from helping to deliver lessons to delivering food parcels, sometimes covering miles across the region to make sure our families did not go hungry. At its peak, COVID-19 seemed to transform our school into a food distribution centre. The shift in emphasis changed the relationship staff had with families; we developed a sense and feeling that we were all in this together. As a community, or even as a family. Parents engaged with us in a renewed way, thankful for the length the school was going to ensure that their family was well supported. As the easing of lockdown rules and guidance continues, the challenge is how do we maintain these positive relationships and take them into our future. As a SEN school, there is a temptation for immediate and frequent contact with parents but this can damage a sometimes fragile relationship. We have been looking at the language and the forms of communication we use when consulting with parents. yet child centred approach? We are looking at how can we continue to I’m sure that the journey ahead to the ‘new gently explore the welfare of students at home normal’ will provide challenges in maintaining while presenting challenges in a supportive the successes of parental engagement.
Charmaine gets a kick out of tweet Portsmouth FC player and former Brune Park student Charmaine True recently tweeted this picture with the caption: “Can’t believe I left school 10 years ago!” #ClassOf2010
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For now we are celebrating our learning from lockdown and the rebuilding of relationships with our hardest to reach families.
Clubbing together during lockdown
Ms Cannon
GFM clubs and societies lead Ms Cannon says students have produced excellent work for our #LockdownChallenge series this term. “Clubs and societies have been a permanent fixture on the Brune Park and Bay House timetables since September,” she said. “Students have attended a wide range of different clubs daily. “The clubs were a great way to allow students time to unwind, build relationships and try something they may never have dreamed of doing. “When we went into lockdown the challenge was how to allow students to have access to clubs without breaking lockdown or overwhelming students. “It was decided to use Google Classrooms and have a year group area where a
range of different links and activities would be posted for students to take part in when they chose to and to be able to involve their families. “We have run activities such as bullet journalism, world cat quizzes and more. “This google classroom room platform then evolved to include the lockdown challenges, tasks devised were placed on google classroom for students to take part in each week. “Many of the tasks were about reflection on their lockdown experience. “The responses to these tasks grew each week and it resulted in us having an amazing bank of work. “We decided to develop a website to showcase all the fantastic entries of our students from across our secondary phase.”
GFM Newsletter
Summer 2020
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BIG thanks to Waitrose who donated bread, fruit, vegetables and meat to our families at LWS through their partnership with charity Fare Share UK.
Final word THE GFM donated protective equipment to support NHS staff working on the front line in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The Trust sent 200 pairs of safety goggles used by pupils during science lessons to Gosport War Memorial Hospital. The equipment was donated following a plea from a nurse at the hospital whose son attends one of the trust’s schools. Bay House School headteacher Dr Nigel Matthias said:
“We recognise the shortage of PPE is a real issue and are doing everything we can to support our colleagues in the NHS by sharing any equipment we have and providing childcare for the children of key workers.” The equipment will be used by staff across the hospital, including porters, nurses, housekeeping, as well as community teams doing home visits. Hospital staff were said to be overwhelmed with the generous gesture.
LWS student Tyler’s time machine design was among a number of pieces of homework by bubbles students praised by teacher Miss Rozario. She tweeted alongside a picture of the design: “The standard of homework I have seen from my ‘bubble’ of students! Absolutely amazing work!”
STAFF at LWS having a social distanced meeting in May (above). GREEN fingered students at LWS put their free time to good use by getting into the garden to do some planting (right). TEACHERS at LWS stay connected to students via online platform google hangout (left).
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Summer 2020
GFM Newsletter