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March 10 Springboard SeniorsWe've had a good couple of weeks back since half-term. The cooking by the boys is reaching new heights ~ Mexican today -Fajitas. A few injuries with the veg knife but a very healthy and wholesome lunch was created; enjoyed by all who took part. ( I helped with the washing-up, so I suppose there's a first time for everything. I promise not to make a habit of it though!) The GCSE maths group are making steady progress towards the June deadline. I have been especially pleased with one student who, despite having a chronically short attention span has produced some good results in the practice papers. Looking at our English/Literacy results we are showing overall progress from this time last year for ALL students. Now that our assessment and marking policy is up for renewal we can introduce a stricter and tighter assessment regime in school which will help with those IEPs. We are all looking forward to the warmer months ahead. May I remind you that , for certain activities, the boys might benefit from a spare pair of old trainers etc so if we decide to go on outdoor activities, getting muddy won't be a problem . We all know how precious 'we' can get about our trainers! As we get into the Summer term swimming at the outdoor pool in Arundle becomes an option, so swimming kits will also be required. We do have spare stuff in school if they don't mind! The Year 11 leavers have the option of completing a short course over and after the exams where the focus is on developing life skills; using the launderette, ironing, cooking and opening bank accounts, writing CVs, etc. This course is entirely voluntary but will assist those who are planning to leave home and take up residential placements in colleges further afield. To remind you, Zoe Coulson Spence, who is a fully trained holistic therapist, can offer free treatments in school for our students if you so wish. Bach flower remedies are used. I have seen them in action and they worked. If you are interested please ring the school for further details. I'm glad to report that a couple of the Year 11 leavers have been offered college places already. Well done to those boys. That's all for now. Simon and the Team @ Lancing. February 03 Springboard SeniorsJust to remind you all that half-term will be upon us soon, at the end of next week, for one whole week starting on the 15th Feb until Monday 22nd Feb. Glad to say the cooking is going from strength to strength..... a very cheesy Lasagne today which went down well. (Still struggling with the washing up though!) Sweets have become an issue during lessons as well as sugary drinks at break time. Please remind the boys that sweets and power drinks etc. are fine but only after midday. They can eat snacks during the morning and are offered breakfast if they want it. So there's no excuse for filling up on the sugar during lesson times. Smoking is still a problem, with the boys hanging around the main door but off the premises. We have asked them to be less obvious as the Police would be able to confiscate any smoking materials from those under age. Please reinforce the fact that ,after smoking, they still smell very strongly (and pretty bad!) Anyone bringing in, supplying or using any illegal substances will be at risk from permanent exclusion as well. Anyone coming into school 'under the influence' will be sent straight home, and you will be expected to collect them, as the taxi firms will be unlikely to want to transport them. On a more positive note we have had one successful interview for college placement this week and three visits to prospective colleges planned next week. Enjoy the half-term break. Simon and the Team @ Lancing January 29 Springboard JuniorsNewsletter #7 January 2010 Dear Parents/Guardians, Thank you to those of you who were able to come and support your child in our Christmas show. I’m glad that we have been able to settle into our routines again after the disruption of the snow and I hope that everyone is feeling a bit warmer. Term date reminders; Half term; School is closed to pupils for an INSET day on Friday 12th February and for the half term break Monday 15th February – Friday 19th February. School is open to pupils again on Monday 22nd February. Our INSET day is to focus on developing phonics and basic counselling skills to enable our increased support for the students. Easter holidays; School is closed to pupils for an INSET day on Wednesday 31st March and for the Easter holidays Thursday 1st April – Friday 16th April. School is open to pupils again on Monday 19th April. Our INSET day is to focus further on counselling skills and QCA testing. Activities and trips · We are continuing to enjoy afternoon sessions in topic related art and cooking. We are continuing swimming @ Prince Regent with swimming teacher Ron, hockey @ Brighton Youth Centre where students are developing their skills and working towards a youth award (see below) and are enjoying our Friday afternoons at Seedy Business; a forest garden and wildlife project where students can enjoy the fresh air, meet new people and develop skills in woodcutting, using and making tools and fire safely and learning about the outdoors environment. · As always if pupils have repeatedly chosen not to follow the school rules or adopt high risk behaviours then they miss an afternoon’s activity and remain at school with 1:1 staff support to re-establish relationships, boundaries and catch up on missed work. · Pupils are working towards another strand of the Brighton and Hove Youth Award; a locally developed accreditation scheme for young people; - it allows young people the opportunity to accredit their personal development, achievements and commitment in youth work - it can accredit any activity or combination of activities where learning and personal development takes place - it is envisaged to be the first step on the ladder of youth achievement and it links in with other national awards We are currently offering the pupils this great opportunity through sport.
· We continue in our aim to enrich pupil learning and promote increased interest and engagement through trips and visitors. This term we have already enjoyed a trip to Preston Manor where the pupils find out about life as an ‘oddman’ in a Victorian Manor House and were able to participate in cleaning and cooking and learning about the original artefacts in the house. We have visited Anvil Works, a local forge where they kindly gave up their time to talk to us about their jobs, giving us demonstrations, showing us their tools and equipment and giving us some historic anecdotes about the more unsavoury side to a blacksmith’s work! We hope to visit the Church of the Annunciation during our R.E topic and to enjoy interactive activities in World Book Day. Jenny, an oral health practitioner will be talking to us once more about oral hygiene and letting the children explore their own teeth and learn effective tooth brushing methods. We plan to re-visit Hove Museum whilst we study toys from the past and look and learn about their collection of toys past and present. · Staff Training · I have completed my Foundation training on counselling children which has been extremely valuable in further enabling me to support our students with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Individual Education Plans/Parent Consultation I am changing the style of Parent Consultation meeting offered in which we look at pupils’ work and their individual education plans together. Unfortunately I have very little response when I offer an open slot for these sessions. It is important that we meet regularly and discuss your child’s progress and targets so please see enclosed a letter inviting you to a review meeting on a specified date and let me know if you are able to attend. Pupil’s independent topic choices this half term are with a geographical theme so please talk to your child about their choice of country and support their research. Pupils have responded well to being offered fruit at snack time along with wholemeal toast. We continue to promote increased physical exercise at break time and feel the children are benefitting from this. Please aim to provide your child with a balanced packed lunch and support their engagement with physical activity outside of school. I enclose a flyer about cycle training in Brighton that may be of interest to you. As always please do ring if you would like to discuss anything further, join us for a trip or come and look at your child’s work. I look forward to seeing you on the date outlined in your enclosed letter. Elizabeth Freeman (Head teacher)January 21 Springboard SeniorsGlad to announce that all our year 11 pupils are getting invitations to interviews from various colleges in the area. We will do all we can to support the boys through this process and we wish them well. Many course offers are subject to successful exam results and we can't stress enough how important regular attendance is. Please let us know if absence is likely by 10:00am, by phoning Bev or myself in the office. We may ring you for confirmation as well. Well done to our pioneer chefs ~ Kieran and Matt, who provided a great hot meal for the other boys yesterday ~ Spaghetti Bolognaise (I can still taste the garlic!) From this point on Petra will be supervising a cookery session on a weekly basis to prepare such delights as Curry, Chilli, Lasagne and a formal sit down lunch will be offered on a Wednesday until further notice. (Yes the boys did wear Pinnies!) Washing-up was a bit of a challenge though. Thanks to all staff who helped out! I recently had confirmation that fishing at Passies won't be resuming until at least March due to KHV (Koi Herpes Virus). Sea fishing is unlikely until March / April as well , as there's not much about until the garfish and mackeral show with the first warmer weather. Taking part in fishing does depend upon good(safe) behaviour and each angler has a risk assessment completed beforehand. That's all for now. Simon and the Team @ Lancing January 13 Springboard SeniorsSchool was open today! School will be open tomorrow! Simon and Team at Lancing. |
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