Redwood School

Redwood School

It’s been a great few days back in school after the mid term break and this half term is very busy with a variety of activities planned. The focus will be the smooth transition for students who are joining school in September, students who are moving from one key stage to another and support for those students who could struggle with changes to their usual routine in September. Another focus will be the annual report to parents / carers which can be discussed at the parent / carers consultation sessions in July.

Building Proposals update
1. Demountable classroom (based at Redwood): The Student Council looked at the plans for the new classroom this week and the alterations to ensure it will be wheelchair friendly for our students.

2. Redwood Education and Enterprise Centre (based in Middleton): We have established a Project Board and in the next few weeks groups of students will be able to visit the REEC when the alterations are completed. We are hoping that the Internship Graduation ceremony on 15th July will take place at the REEC so that parents / carers can visit the new facilities. These developments are clearly very exciting for the future of Redwood School for our youngsters, staff, parents and carers and more details will be provided on a weekly basis.

3. Building Extension Programme – I attended a meeting with architects, GFM and the LA this week to discuss the schedule for the building project which will be completed ready for September 2016. Parents / carers will be invited to a second consultation meeting with the local authority and myself and it is expected that these will take place in the next few weeks. A letter will be sent to parent / carers inviting you into this meeting.

Summer Clubs Programme

The booking system is now open for parents / carers to register for a place on the holiday club programme. Please follow the link on the school website to book a place.

Dates to note

The summer term is always busy with a great deal of activities taking place across the school. I would like to highlight the summer term parents consultation sessions which will allow you to find out more about the plans for your son / daughter`s progress and transition for September :

• Friday 3 July : Annual Report to all parents / carers
• Tuesday 7 July : Years 7,8 & 9 Parents Evening
• Tuesday 14 July : Years 10, 11 and Post 16 Parents Evening

Student Council Meeting

As ever the input and contribution by members of the council was impressive with the issues discussed relating to the new building developments in school, establishing a Food Council with our school cook Amanda and how students can support the family RedAid event on Friday 3 July.

Health and Well Being Awards evening

This special evening will take place on Thursday 9 July at 7pm at the Gracie Fields Theatre and will be an opportunity to share the successes of the whole school in a variety of awards, sports related and achievements of the entire school population.

RedAid 3 July

A reminder to keep Friday 3 July free for `RedAid’ Family Fun day. More details will be sent out in due course.

KS3

Year 7 Green have been learning about ‘Animals & Us’ in their Citizenship lessons. Students have gained knowledge about what different animals need to be happy and healthy and who is responsible for different animals. They have looked at Farm, Pet, Wild & Zoo animals. Pupils enjoyed making their own bird food to take home and we also visited the Pet Shop to reinforce some of their learning.

Star Signers Ethan S, Ethan H, Chloe, Alicia, Leah & Charlotte have made up a story called ‘The Lost Sock’ using the Sign-a-Long signs of the week and signed it in assembly to the rest of the department: the words are all ‘Common Objects’ some examples are Ball, Cup, Book, Key and Watch.

Year 7 Yellow experienced the Bee Bots. James really enjoyed making the Bee Bots travel across the table.

Students in Year 7 Green and & Blue have had success with the tomato plants which they have grown from seed. Jack W and Dylan B have rather large plants that are growing flowers that will eventually become tomatoes.

Our theme for our assemblies this term is all about ‘Change’ to help our Year 9 students prepare for their move into KS4 and for Years 7 & 8 to move up a year and be in lessons with different students.

KS4

As part of their Towards Independence accreditation, KS5 students in the SSC visited the school’s café. They all really enjoyed the activity, paying for their items and eating them..

Miss Doggett’s art class have been busy making card toppers to sell for Red-Aid. They are in the style of Eric Carle and will be available to buy on the fun day.

Students in Year 11 English have breathed a huge sigh of relief as they have finally finished all their accreditation in English. Mr Alcock is really pleased with their hard work and the great amount of progress they have made over the two year course. Aaron stated, “We worked really hard in lessons and I am really pleased that I passed the course”.

KS5

6th form students set off on a residential trip to The Calvert Trust. Everyone was excited to be going, already they have been to meet the horses, played pool and had a go at archery.

In Art this term we are working on creating kites inspired by the artist Gustav Klimt. The students have created a textile design, inspired by Klimt’s patterns, using batik as their main design on the kite.

Our project topic this term is The Community and 5AB went for a visit to The Hollingworth Lake Visitors’ Centre where they learned all about the history of the lake and had a go on the interactive displays, as well as watching a film followed by a drink in the café.