headteacher's message contents

HEADTEACHER’S MESSAGE
Dear Parents,
With two more days to go before the end of term lots of our
children are very excited about their Christmas holidays. It has
been a very long and very busy term, but even within the last
two weeks our Year 11 students have taken their mock exams.
The primary department put on a fantastic concert – Hey Ewe!
With solo performances from George Allen and Harry Moogan,
there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. My grateful thanks to
everyone for their hard work.
On Tuesday, four of our year 11 students formed part of a pupil
panel to interview prospective headteachers for a new school.
The professionals were delighted with their performances and
they indeed were great ambassadors for Exhall Grange.
Congratulations to Robert Bayliss, Danny Clemson, Reiss Collis
and Osborn Shanks.
CONTENTS
Page
No.
Headteacher’s Message
Primary
Secondary
Health Centre
Whole School
School Council
Mobility Department
Lunchtime and After
School Clubs
AFEGS
Term Dates 14-15
PE Newsletter
Everything Else
1
2
3
7
8
9
10
11
11
12
13
14
Congratulations are also in order for the forthcoming marriage
of Miss Toni Lambden to Mr John Tull. I am sure that you would
want to join me in wishing them every happiness and we look
forward to welcoming Mrs Tull back to school in January.
The end of term is often a sad time for us as we say goodbye to
staff. This term is no exception. Mrs Debbie Cooper – Teaching
Assistant in Blue Class will be leaving us for a very new role. She
is also a valuable member of the manual handling team and we
will miss her. We wish her every success as she embarks on a
new stage in her career.
Miss Marie Smith will also be leaving her role as Early Years Foundation Stage Leader on Friday
– but does not leave us completely as we will be retaining her services within our Vision
Support Service in a part time capacity. Miss Smith does not like any fuss but it would certainly
be remiss of me to let her go without mentioning the huge difference she has made to the lives
of our very youngest children over the last fifteen years. She is an excellent practitioner and
has never been judged less than outstanding by several Ofsted Inspectors. We will miss her
greatly but look forward to working with her in a new capacity whilst she too also embarks on a
new and exciting venture.
In January we will be welcoming a number of new members of staff. Mrs Helen Seickell will be
joining us as Deputy Headteacher. I would also like to remind you and our pupils that Mrs
Sanderson is not leaving, but will be working in a part time capacity on three days per week.
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 1
Mrs Sarah Franklin will be joining us as an Early Years teacher and Mrs Jackie Buckley will be
joining us as a teacher in the Primary Department.
Mrs Lisa Dewar has joined the school in an admin role and Mrs Samantha Chamberlain will also
be joining the admin team in January. We will then be able to have our new reception area set
up at the very front of the school. I look forward to hearing from you about these
improvements we are making.
Only this week saw the start of Mrs Nichola Christie and Mrs Jennie Arthur as Family/School
Liaison Officers - two very new roles for the school. Given the huge changes within SEND, we
are looking forward to the contribution our two new staff will be making to strengthen work
with our young people and their families.
As I mentioned earlier, Exhall Grange will be leading and managing the countywide Vision
Support Service in a formal capacity as from January. This is an exciting time for us all and I look
forward to reporting back to you on how this develops.
Finally, we had a visit from the Local Authority’s Learning Improvement Officer last week to
check on pupil progress and school improvements. The visit also included a tour of the school
and the opportunity to informally observe lessons.
I received his report this week in which he said;
‘Students appear to be highly motivated, challenged and produce some excellent work.
The positive ethos and culture of the school is evident in all aspects of their work’
Well done Exhall Grange pupils!
I wish you all a very happy Christmas and look forward to welcoming our pupils back on
Tuesday 6th January 2015
Chris Marshall
Headteacher
PRIMARY
Food Bank
Diane Randell from the Bedworth and
Keresley Food Bank came and delivered
an assembly to the children in primary
who had collected a lovely selection of
basic foodstuffs for the foodbank.
Thank you for all your donations, they
were very gratefully received.
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 2
We Urgently Need Your Help – Old Clothes Required !
Do you have any spare trousers or underwear that your children have outgrown that
would be suitable for Primary Age children ?
Our stock of ‘emergency’ clothing is running very very low and we would be extremely
grateful to receive any items that you would be willing to donate. Also, if your child has
had need of any emergency clothing and it is ready to be returned, please can you send
it in to school as soon as possible.
Items can be handed in to any of the Primary Staff or Reception. Many thanks.
Primary Staff
Blue Class
We have had a busy half term continuing with our Australia topic and all the
preparations for Christmas. We have enjoyed a trip to Chaplains panto of Cinderella as
guests of the Freemasons. It was a noisy but very enjoyable experience.
We have also been to the Warwick Art Centre to see The Gruffalo and
The Gruffalos Child and then taken place in an animation workshop. We
did learn a lot. It takes a lot of time and money to make each 20 minute
film.
We also went along with lots and lots of local school children to remember
all those soldiers who lost their lives defending our country. The Rev.
Gandon hosted the Service of Remembrance on 11th November.
We were back at St Giles church again yesterday to celebrate with our Christingle's. It
was lovely having the mums to help us make them. Thank you. And lovely to see the
children with the candles lit. The children did us all proud.
It just remains for me to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Mrs Bridges
SECONDARY
Year 8 trip to Cadbury's World
On Thursday 13th November, Year 8 visited Cadbury's World as part of their topic work
on Tudor exploration, Brazil and chocolate. Students first visited the exhibition where
they learnt about the discovery of Aztecs in South America and, hence, the discovery of
chocolate. They also learnt about the history of chocolate houses in Britain and the
development of chocolate over time.
A cinema experience showed students the creation of chocolate and the processes that
Cadbury's have created. Students then visited the packing plant, watched staff making
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 3
chocolates by hand the old fashioned way and looked at
adverts across the years.
After lunch and a visit to the adventure playground, students
visited the shop before it was time to come home.
Students were impeccably behaved on a very busy Thursday at
Cadbury's World. They queued well where necessary and were polite and respectful to
staff. Amazingly, despite the quantity of chocolate bought, no-one was ill and they all
made it in to school the next day too!
Mrs Melville
Year 11 trip to Cromford Mill, Derby
Mr Cheney’s Year 11 GCSE History class visited
Cromford Mill in Derby this term. The Mill was the first
water-powered cotton spinning mill. It was developed
by Richard Arkwright in 1771 in Cromford, Derbyshire, which laid the foundation of the
Industrial Revolution. Arkwright’s fortune and was quickly copied by mills in Lancashire,
Germany and the United States. It forms the centerpiece of the Derwent Valley Mills,
now a World Heritage Site.
Most of the employees were women and children, the youngest
being only 7 years old. Student viewed the three storey houses
that Arkwright had built to provide accommodation for his
employees; he also built a pub at the end of the street for the
workers and a Hotel near the market place for buyers and
businessmen to stay when they came to the Mill.
After a walk around the village students enjoyed a lunch of fish and chips
Miss Holloway
Post 16 - The Secret Garden Christmas Update
With Christmas fast approaching we thought it may be worth letting you know how hard
the students have been working.
They have helped in harvesting and clearing the Kitchen Gardens and Poly-tunnel for
winter and have been actively involved in pruning, cutting back and preparing the soil for
next year.
They have created a number of craft items with a Christmas theme, including painted
storage jars, novelty gift boxes, hand decorated cakes and hand made table decorations.
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 4
After a Christmas Lunch on Tuesday the 16th the term will draw to a close, but never fear,
there are lots of new topics for 2015, such as Floristry, Photography, Art and Bushcraft
and we will of course keep you updated.
Annette Gadd
Secret Garden Project
Food Technology
During the penultimate week of term, we have been very busy with Christmas cookery
in the Food technology department. Year 7 were busy icing cakes in the theme of
reindeers and snowmen which were so cute that we almost felt guilty to eat them! As
we are very health conscious, Year 8 were told that they would be making Brussel
Sprouts for their Christmas cookery, but I forgot to mention that they were actually
chocolate truffles . Year 9 worked very well and made festive mice pies and even
themed the lids of their mince pies with various festive shapes. Have a look at what we
have been up to and I hoped you enjoyed eating the treats at home as much as we
enjoyed making them.
Year 7 reindeer and snowman cupcakes
Year 8 Brussel sprout chocolate truffles
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 5
Year 9 mince pies
Next term, KS3 will be moving on to Textiles and we will be making pencil cases with
Year 7, light up cushion in Year 8 and drawstring or shoulder bags with Year 9.
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 6
There will be a lunchtime cookery club for students who wish to continue to build on
their Food Technology skills and a letter will be sent home at the beginning of next term
with more details.
Have a great Christmas and get baking!
Mrs Jandu
HEALTH CENTRE
IMPORTANT
If your child is away from school due to a long term illness/hospital stay, could you
please ring Lorraine Delaney on 024 7636 9866 or 07748 393932 to arrange a return to
school visit.
This is so that we can make the necessary arrangements for any change in
circumstances i.e. handling plans, personal care needs etc. and have the correct
procedures in place for health and safety reasons.
Mrs Delaney
Learning Support Manager
May I take this opportunity to remind parents and carers about the Flu Vaccination?
All children aged 2, 3 and 4 years old, can be given the vaccine at the GP, whereas all
year 7 and 8 children, can receive this vaccine either at the GP or at a participating
chemist. Up to 17 years of age, this vaccine comes in the form of a nasal spray, so no
needles! Children and adults with certain conditions can also have the vaccination, as
can their parents or carers.
Please can I also encourage you to send in a water bottle/sports bottle
with your child, because, whatever the weather, drinking throughout
the day is very beneficial and helps keep the brain active.
At this time of year, cases of Noro Virus (Gastro
Enteritis), is on the increase. Please can you remind your children
to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. If
your child does have symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting, they
need to stay off school for 48 hours after the last episode.
Thank you
Janet Christopher
School Nurse
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 7
WHOLE SCHOOL
Mobile Phone Numbers
Did you get a new mobile for Christmas ? Have
you changed your telephone number ? Please
let the school office know as soon as possible
of any changes to your contact details.
Educational Health Care Plan Meetings and Annual Reviews
Please ensure that you keep a record of when your appointment has been scheduled as
there is very limited opportunity to rearrange these important meetings.
Should you have any queries regarding Annual Reviews, please contact Mrs Schipke in
the school office. If you have any queries regarding Education Health Care Plan
meetings, please contact Mrs Dewar in the school office.
Staff Vacancies
Please be advised that any vacancies that arise at school, are advertised on the school
website www.exhallgrange.org.uk and on www.wmjobs.co.uk.
School Website
If you have not already had a chance to look at the school website, please take a few
minutes over the holidays to have a look and see what you think. We would appreciate
your comments.
FREE SCHOOL MILK !
From January 2015, ALL children who are eligible for Free
School Meals are also entitled to a 189 g carton of FREE
Milk each day.
If your child is eligible, you will be receiving a letter from Mrs Steele, Office Manager,
asking you to confirm whether or not your child would like this milk. It can be made
available at break or lunch time. We would ask that you reply promptly to this letter so
that we can order the correct amount.
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 8
Lost Property
Please ensure that ALL of your child’s belongings are CLEARLY labelled. Any items of
property handed in to the school office are checked for names and, where they can be
identified, they are returned to their rightful owners.
There is currently a nice collection of coats, jumpers, PE kit etc. in reception that are not
labelled or the name has faded and is unreadable. We would love to return these items
to the right children, so please ensure you label any current or new school uniform to
help us do this.
School Office
SCHOOL COUNCIL
This term, the School Council decided to support
Children in Need with their fundraising efforts.
There were a number of good ideas for raising money
and the Council members decided upon a cake sale and
raffle for whole school and a ‘draw Pudsey’ competition
for Primary.
As you can see there were some fantastic entries. If you
are in school these are on display in the primary corridor
near reception.
Thank you so much for all your donations of cakes and
prizes and also for sending money in with the children so
they could take part.
Your generosity helped the children to raise a fantastic £ 266 for this worthwhile cause.
School Council
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 9
MOBILITY DEPARTMENT
Recently the mobility department supported a group of children from the upper school
VI community on a pre-Christmas shopping trip into town.
Our day started out in Ikea with a full English breakfast and social amongst the throng of
the mid-morning shopping madness.
The fun then carried on into town where we divided into smaller groups to buy presents
for family and friends; calculating and working out our own money and making
purchases independently.
When we were all shopped out every one got together at a café for a welcome drink and
to share tales of how our shopping worked out.
VI Life Skills Camp
On Friday 12th December, nine children
ranging in age from seven to thirteen, plus
six members of staff and two older
students, gathered in the Life Skills suite at
the start of the overnight camp. The
theme of the camp was two-fold: to
promote both independence skills and the importance of good manners. During the
evening the children played team games, chose their preferred topping for their pizza,
and watched part of the DVD ‘Frozen’. Meals were taken in the Life Skills area and all
children sat down with staff to have their meals.
The children slept in pop-up tents – supplied by Mrs Hilton – in the York building.
Saturday morning began with breakfast and afterwards a walk around the school site
plus games on the field. Once inside they all took part in two Christmas craft activities
and then prepared their own sandwiches for lunch. The camp ended at 2.30pm on
Saturday 13th December.
All the children behaved very well and, given the fact that for some it was their first
night away from home, managed extremely well.
Particular thanks go to Michaela Canham and Megan Brumby who provided extra help
where it was needed, and to staff from the Mobility department for organising the
camp.
Christine Williams
Mobility Christmas Pantomime at Bedworth Civic Centre
And just when we thought we could not have any more fun. The Bedworth Guide Dogs
Fundraising team have invited the V.I students and their families to the Pantomime at
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 10
the Civic Hall to see a production of Aladdin.
Ho Ho Ho and Merry Christmas to all,
Paul Norman and The Mobility Team
LUNCHTIME AND AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
Gardening club is having a short break until spring and in its place we have a
construction club!
There were a lot of children on each occasion so far! Have a
look at some of their creations. We have had to make it a
rule that if you want to come to the club, you have to be
prepared to deconstruct your creations at the end of the
session after a photo has been taken. Trust me, I have an
awful lot of photos! It's great to see everyone enjoying
themselves and we are all enjoying the club so far.
Mrs Bridges
VI Lunch Club – Christmas Shoebox Parcels
As Christmas approached, our VI Lunch club felt that they would like to give 'something'
back to others less fortunate than ourselves. This featured on our agenda at our recent
VI forum and it was a unanimous decision that our lunch club fill shoeboxes for girls and
boys of different age groups. Each student bought in small items in to include in their
box, each box was wrapped in Christmas paper and items such as toiletries, crayons,
colouring books and sweets were added to each box. Once filled every student wrote a
personal Christmas message to the recipient of the box. Our students did an
overwhelming job and filled 12 shoeboxes which
will be delivered to the Hope Centre, Hillfields,
Coventry this week.
Thank you to everyone who contributed
Gillian Hilton
Teaching Assistant/VI Lunch Club
AFEGS
Christmas Carol Concert
On the 1st December our annual Carol Concert took place.
There was a fabulous evening of entertainment and this was enjoyed by
everyone who attended. There were readings by pupils, staff and
guests. We were privileged to hear 2 poems from guests at the concert. The primary
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 11
department choir sang songs from the Christmas
production they will be performing during the last
week of term, while our secondary department
choir sang two very festive numbers.
There was great amusement at the arrival of
Humphry the Camel who accompanied the St
Giles Choir in one of their musical pieces. The
Choir once again provided a fantastic performance of carols.
Our thanks go to The Band of Royal Fusiliers Warwickshire for giving up their time and
effort to play for us especially as one member of the band drove up from London just to
perform for us.
The evening raised over £ 400 that the Committee will look to put to good use on future
projects. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!
Mrs Delaney
Treasurer of AFEGS Committee
IMPORTANT TERM DATES : 2014 – 2015
Friday
19 December 2014
Autumn Term Ends
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
Monday
Tuesday
Friday
5 January 2015
6 January 2015
13 February 2015
Teacher Training Day
Spring Term Begins
School Ends
SPRING HALF TERM HOLIDAY
Monday
Friday
23 February 2015
27 March 2015
School Returns
Teacher Training Day – Spring Term Ends
EASTER HOLIDAY
Monday
Tuesday
Monday
Friday
13 April 2015
14 April 2015
4 May 2015
22 May 2015
Teacher Training Day
Summer Term Begins
MAY DAY BANK HOLIDAY – School Closed
School Ends
SUMMER HALF TERM HOLIDAY
Monday
Friday
1 June 2015
17 July 2015
School Returns
Summer Term Ends
TERM DATES FOR 2015-2016 ARE AVAILABLE
VIA THE SCHOOL OFFICE OR THE SCHOOL WEBSITE
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 12
The Inter-House Cross Country Competition was a fantastic event. All Secondary Students, as
well as pupils from Blue and Green took part. There was an event on the Field and another on
the Playground. The P.E. Department was very impressed with the efforts of all pupils. It was a
very close competition in terms of points but the final result was; 1 st- Edison 2nd- Ingram, 3rdHawking, 4th Easter. Well done to all the runners!
Mr Beetison took a group of Year 10 students to the Special Schools Gala. They swam against
students from Woodlands, Round Oak, Oakwood and Corley. Congratulations to Alex Sutton,
Daniel Clarke, Josh Flemming, James Coley, Megan Brumby, Megan Carter, Hannah Carr and
Erin Goodall.
The Senior Girls Football Squad took part in the Special Schools Football Festival at the Alan
Higgs Centre. The Sky Blues Coaches ran the event and were very impressed with the attitude
and skill level of our team. The girls played exceptionally well and finished the tournament in
1st position! Congratulations to: Hannah Carr, Erin Goodall, Megan Carter, Danielle Skraga,
Megan McGuire, Daniella Sherwood, Ellie Saunders and Charlotte McEwan.
Mr Beetison organised a friendly Football fixture against Round Oak. The squad were very
enthusiastic and enjoyed the competition. The final score was 7-1. Goal of the game was
scored with an outstanding piece of individual skill from Romario Richardson and was finished
well by Robert Bayliss. The squad was; Romario Richardson, Curtis Pilz, Elliot Parsons, Philip
McPadden, Charlotte McEwan, Robert Bayliss, Alistair Campbell-Williams, Reiss Collis, Matt
Harding, Tom Parsons, Stefan Mcfeely, Osborn Shanks, Andrew Kettell and Liam Wright.
Blue Class took part in the Fundamentals Festival, with the Year 12 Sports Leaders running the
event. All the Primary Students enjoyed the session and worked really hard. The Sports Leaders
were excellent and good role models for the younger pupils.
The Nuneaton and Bedworth Leisure Trust have been delivering fantastic Swimming Sessions
afterschool on a Thursday night. Ash and Mitchell have been introducing lots of new fun
activities and games. After the half-term holidays they will be back to lead more enjoyable
sessions for games!
The Christmas Sport and Social night was a great success with 30 children, attending the event.
The Nuneaton & Bedworth Leisure Trust ran some fun Christmas themed games followed by
the film ‘Arthur Christmas’ & refreshments. Thanks to all staff that helped out. The after-School
Clubs recommence the 2nd week back with games.
Events to follow:
Saturday Bike Maintenance Club - Starts 17th January 2015
Year 9 Calvert Trust Trip - 2nd February 2015
Whole School Dance Display - 12th February 2015
Secondary Swimming Gala - 26th March 2015
Primary Swimming Gala - 21st May 2015
Primary Sports Day - 30th June 2015
Secondary Sports Day - 9th July 2015
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 13
EVERYTHING ELSE !
Parent Partnership have changed !
As a result of the introduction of the SEN & Disability (SEND) Reforms, the remit of the
Parent Partnership Service has changed and we are also required to change our name.
We are now known as SEND Information, Advice & Support (SENDIAS).
A copy of the new service leaflet which details the support that can be provided to
parents, carers and young people is available on the school website under ‘Parent
Information’.
Dawn Rowley
SEND Information, Advice and Support (Warwickshire)
Tel
024 76366054
Email dawn.rowley@family-action.org.uk
Web www.family-action.org.uk/wias
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 14
HAVE YOU VISITED OUR
SCHOOL WEBSITE RECENTLY ?
www.exhallgrange.org.uk
We have recently added links to a variety of support services and organisations that you
may find useful. Please take a few minutes to have a look over the holidays and let us
know what you think, we would appreciate your views.
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 15
WISHING YOU ALL A VERY
MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A
HAPPY NEW YEAR
From the Governors, Staff and Students
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL
EXHALL GRANGE SPECIALIST SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 16