Here we are at the end of our second week – and what a week it has been! All our young people are settling into the new timetable and adjusting to their new routines which can be challenging for some. They are also getting to know the new staff and other children and are forming new friendships. Academic achievements are important but social achievements are equally important and we take care to guide our young people to make the right choices and understand the need for rules. It’s something we take great pride in at New Bridge.

We believe that close co-operation with parents and carers is essential in supporting our young people and helping them to flourish. Our pastoral teams endeavour to speak to parents and carers as often as possible and they are always happy to talk to you. If you ever have any concerns or need to discuss anything concerning your child, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s pastoral manager through the office or add a note in your child’s home/school book asking them to call you.

Our School Council and Learning Centre Student Council are very important aspects of New Bridge life, giving our young people a real voice within the organisation. Our Pupil and Student Representatives are elected by their year group and represent the views of their year group at School Council and Student Council meetings. These are held on a termly basis involving fellow representatives, two members of our governing body and the Head of Site. At the Learning Centre we are in the process of electing our Student Council Representatives and during this week’s assembly we looked at what makes a good Student Rep. and the various roles and responsibilities involved. We have asked students to consider whether they wish to put themselves forward and let their Heads of Year know next week.

During our weekly Learning Centre assembly we also celebrate the successes of our students in the form of ‘Student of the Week’. This week’s shining stars are:

Year 12

• Ruhel for a ‘calm and settled week’
• Jake for ‘being absolutely brilliant, kind, witty and sensible’
• Elliot for ‘helping others’
• Hannah for ‘having a very settled week’
• Ellis for ‘keeping calm and getting on with his work’
• Sabiha for ‘dealing with difficult situations in a calm manner’

Year 13

• Will for ‘giving 100% in every lesson’
• Emanuel for ‘working hard on being more independent and good vocalisation’
• Leah for ‘being a brilliant star in Forest Skills and helping IB students access Duke of Edinburgh’. This volunteering also goes towards Leah’s Gold DofE Award.
• Edward for ‘contributing positively in class discussions’
• Keiffer for ‘being really helpful towards both students and staff’

Year 14

• Kayleigh for being a ‘Maths Star and earning 10 extra points’

A special mention went to our E Base students for coping really well with diversity. We were also very proud of a number of students who received their Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s certificates and badges alongside our E Base 2 students who received their Bronze DofE Awards. A big well done to everyone – keep up the great work!

This week our girls’ football team have been training at the Etihad Campus and played their first competitive matches in this year’s One City Disability Football League. They got the season off to a great start and we are looking forward to hearing news of their progress throughout the year – well done, girls!

The weather has been amazing for September, we have seen temperatures over 25 degrees. We are lucky that some rooms have air conditioning but please ensure that all your child’s clothes are named as jumpers and cardigans can often be left at random points around the buildings.

A new one way system is being introduced next week around the New Bridge School campus in Hollinwood. Families have been sent a map showing the new traffic flow plan and staff will be outside to help as we get used to the new system which we hope will ease the significant congestion at busy times, particularly when school transport arrives. Signs and road markings will be in place very soon and we appreciate your support in making the site safer for our young people, parents and visitors.

Letters have gone home to families with details of our October Holiday Club – this time we even have a day out to Blackpool Zoo planned! You can find more information here and if you would like to book a place for your child, please make sure you return the forms by next Friday 23rd September.

We hope you have a lovely weekend,

Judith and Dawn

You can find our full blog here

The New Bridge Horizons blog is available here for updates on our Key Stage 5 Pathway students in Lumenus, Digit4ll and Activ8 together with Future Finders students and the young people at Horizons.

Click here for this week’s fantastic news from Graham!