It’s been another busy week at the Learning Centre. Monday afternoon saw our latest Parents Group meeting, as our Deputy Head (and Learning Centre parent), Mr Barker reports..
On Monday, eight members of our New Bridge Learning Centre Parents Group met to talk about any issues that were relevant to us. Shamin (our Home School Liaison Officer) also attended to provide support. We talked about a range of issues including hospital visits, the referral process to get individualised budgets and Personal Independence Payments.
It was lovely to welcome some new faces to the group and a big thank you once again to Mrs Gillett and her Food Industry group for providing refreshments. It was lovely once again to have the opportunity to talk about sometimes emotive topics in a really supportive, empathetic forum. I always find these meetings are really cathartic and a positive experience for all concerned.
Michelle Lane, our Year 14 Pastoral Lead, has emailed Kevin Howarth, the Team Manager of the Oldham Adult Learning Difficulty and Autism team to invite him in to talk to the group. We are awaiting his response – watch this space.
Sabeel and Joe have been enjoying their work experience placement, as our job coach Bethany explains..
This week our work experience placement at Dr Kershaw’s charity shop has been attended by Joe and Sabeel. Both students work here on a Friday morning and do various different tasks, from cleaning which includes general cleaning duties upstairs and downstairs in the shop, to stock rotation, sorting and organising clothes, pricing and working on the shop floor.
Darren, the shop manager, said,
It’s great to have students with us at Dr Kershaw’s – its a fantastic opportunity for us and great to see the students grow in confidence.
Here is Sabeel organising clothes that have been donated by customers..
..while Joe is completing stock rotation of the CDs, changing the week numbers and replacing them with new ones..
It’s great to see the students access work experience as this gives them the opportunity to understand and experience working life in a fully functional work place. Work experience has a highly positive effect on our students, enabling them to learn new skills and build on their current skills, whilst also boosting their confidence.
On Thursday our Learning Centre Student Councillors Sophie O., Bobby-Joe, Nathan W., Josh and Imnann joined our governor Cathy Williams, Mr Barker and myself to talk through a range of pertinent issues. Our students have influenced or been responsible for a number of actions including:
- Learning Centre involvement in raising money for the following charities: ‘Children in Need’ and Oldham Foodbank during the Autumn term, and ‘Comic Relief’ today and ‘Rock your Socks’ for World Down’s Syndrome Day next week
- A further fundraising event to take place in aid of the Learning Centre, details to follow
- Parking and zebra crossings marked at the front of the Learning Centre
- Dropped kerbs installed at the front of the Learning Centre
The Student Council also agreed the following actions:
- The purchase of a new table tennis table using funds raised last year
- A ‘Healthy Tuck Shop’ to be started by the Nurture Group at break times
Members of the Student Council will be reporting back to their peers during next week’s assembly. I’d like to thank our governor, Cathy Williams, for her time and support, and our students for their enthusiasm and commitment.
As the Student Council had agreed that one of our chosen charities would be Comic Relief, Friday saw us join hundreds of other schools and colleges across the UK raising money for the charity. Learning Centre students baked cakes (which were yummy!) and took part in a sponsored ‘give up your phone for a day’ (which was surprising!) and a ‘Sponsored Silence’ (which was even more surprising…..and bliss!). I look forward to bringing you the totals raised in next week’s blog and the names of our star fundraisers – and plenty of pictures!
Continuing the fundraising theme, next Thursday 21st March the Learning Centre is supporting ‘Rock your Socks’ in aid of World Down’s Syndrome Day.
The date, the 21st day of the 3rd month, represents the 3 copies of Chromosome 21 which are unique to people with Down’s Syndrome and stripy, funky socks have become the charity’s worldwide emblem. Please help us raise awareness and unlock the potential of children with Down’s Syndrome in our local community.
Our students and staff are invited to wear funky odd socks and donate £1 ~ everyone taking part will also receive a complementary giant gingerbread sock biscuit. Let’s go guys!!
On Friday our Travel Training group met again and we will be bringing news of their progress next week..
Have a great weekend,
Dawn
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