We have to say that writing a blog entry every Friday has given us the opportunity to reflect on the events of the past week at New Bridge. It’s often seen as a cliche to say the week has flown by but in reality it really has – undoubtedly because so much is packed into a week of learning and socialisation. The learning that goes on in ‘unstructured’ times (outside lessons) is often overlooked but should be celebrated. This week’s assembly at school has seen the inauguration of our new Year 7 and Year 8 buddies who are now proudly wearing their buddy badges. These are pupils who have gone through rigorous training after showing aptitude and sensitivity towards the members of our school community who require extra support in unstructured times such as breaks and lunch times and with moving around the school. Our buddies have been commended by visitors and Ofsted for demonstrating a subtle but obvious care for each other, and a big ‘pat on the back’ for our wonderful team is well deserved.
We have been lucky enough to receive another visit today from Rik Waddon, a Paralympian Silver Medallist in cycling and our Sky Sports Athlete Mentor for this year thanks to Sky Sports Living For Sport. Rik joined in our assembly and gave a great motivational speech which centred around making each day count. Rik won his Silver Medal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and he is a fantastic role model for our young people – seeing their awe and admiration as they listened to him was incredible and we can’t wait to welcome him back again. Activ8 were lucky enough to spend the morning with him and they even got to hold his Silver Medal!
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Rehearsals are taking place in preparation for our Winter Showcase, an opportunity for you to witness first hand a flavour of the learning that occurs in performing arts, drama, dance and music. Unfortunately we have had to cancel next Tuesday’s evening performance as families are finding it difficult to attend and the low number of young people who are able to come means that it would not be possible for the class and year group pieces to take place. The morning performances are still going ahead on Tuesday 8th and Thursday 10th December as planned however, and seats can still be reserved free of charge by calling Mrs Warren on 0161 883 2401.
Complimentary individual photographs of all our young people have been sent home this week and we are really pleased with the response from families – thank you! If you would like to order any extra copies in time for Christmas, please send your order in by Tuesday 8th December. Don’t forget that you can also use our very own New Bridge Printers for a canvas, mugs and key rings to name just a few of the products available, and they can be personalised with any image and/or text of your choice. For further details please email nbprinters@newbridgegroup.org or visit their page here – we’ve been told they are currently offering some Christmas specials!
Our enterprising Digit4ll IT students may be giving Lord Sugar a run for his money soon – they have been hard at work designing items in lessons and next week they will get to try out their sales technique for the first time. On Tuesday 8th December they will be setting up a stall to sell their finished products in Stretford Shopping Mall and then on Thursday 10th they will be inside Tommyfield Market in Oldham town centre. You are very welcome to come and see them in action and stock up on Christmas presents!
There is a meeting at the Learning Centre from 4pm-5pm next Tuesday 8th for parents and carers of the Year 13 students who are going on the Calvert Trust residential in February. Please do come along and talk to the staff who will be going with the young people – you will be able to discuss any concerns or queries you might have and find out more about the trip.
Next week will see New Bridge really start to get into the festive spirit. Christmas trees and decorations will be going up at both sites and plans are well underway for a host of activities before the end of term. Christmas dinner is on Wednesday 16th December and we are making this our ‘Christmas jumper day’ – we are hoping to see lots of fabulous festive jumpers (and hats if you have one!) We will also be busy raising funds for New Bridge and the school site will be holding our first ever ‘Sponsored Santa Stroll’!! After we have pulled the last Christmas cracker and finished our sprouts, some of us will be ‘strolling’ along to Asda on Hollins Road to listen to the New Bridge Choir singing Christmas carols, our energetic Activ8 students will be ‘dashing’ (racing) there and the rest of us will be ‘walking’ around the New Bridge campus. We have a feeling that our ‘New Bridge Santas’ will be quite an impressive sight as we take over Hollinwood – watch out for our picture in the Oldham Chronicle! Letters and sponsor forms have been sent home and we are setting up a link so that you will also be able to make donations nearer the time through www.justgiving.com There will be a prize for the young person who collects the most sponsors and another prize for the best Christmas jumper. The Learning Centre are keeping quiet about their fundraising idea for now but we know it will involve lots of fun!
We promised we’d let you know how much the school raised for Children in Need – Amy has been busy counting and the grand total is £193.57!
Until next week, take care.
Judith and Roger
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