On Tuesday students, parents, carers, staff and governors attended our Year 14 Record of Achievement, where our Year 14 students certainly did themselves proud! I still feel a sense of awe and wonder when I see just how far our students have come along on their journey with us. It’s one of the joys of my job, standing at the front alongside such mature and confident young adults. Although they may feel apprehensive, I am confident that wherever they are going, they will succeed – they just need to believe!

One of our guest speakers was a former New Bridge student, Kyle, who spoke with confidence and eloquence about his New Bridge journey and encouraged the students to go for everything, listen to the staff around them and be confident. Kyle is now working at Manchester Metropolitan University as part of the team who manage the university’s IT infrastructure.

I’d like to thank our governors for their constant support over the last 12 months, they put our students at the heart of everything they do – a special thank you in particular to Ken Stapleton for his words of wisdom and encouragement, and for making the presentations to our Year 14s.

Wednesday saw the eagerly awaited Year 14 end of year trip to Sandbrook Park. Here’s a report from Mrs Lane, Mrs Nelson and Miss Bell..

Well what can we say! The Year 14 students from the Learning Centre, Medtia Pathways and the Bridging the Gap students set off at 9.30am on a coach to Sandbrook Park in Rochdale, closely followed by Mr Taylor in the blue bus. Big thanks to Mr Taylor.

The students thoroughly enjoyed 2 games at Tenpin bowling – we had lots of strikes and near misses. Lots of fun and giggles as can be seen in the pics. Good friends all together.

We then went across the road to the Sandbrook Carvery where the students enjoyed the Carvery’s huge fish and chips (according to Maryam, the biggest fish she had ever eaten) and even bigger pizzas and tonnes of chips.

All the students were very well behaved and were a credit to our New Bridge family. A big thank you to all the staff who supported the students.

It has been a pleasure to support all the students through their Year 14 journey. A fond farewell to you all as you go on your next travels.

The remaining Year 12 and 13 students had a 50’s themed party which was great fun as you will see. The Learning Centre took on the form of a 50’s diner and staff and students alike entered into the spirit of the occasion – a massive well done to all who dressed up!

During our final assembly of the year we had a few presentations to make, firstly to all those students who achieved their Work Experience certificates. Well done guys, here’s to next year!!

Josh also received a medal!

Now to our staff..
Good luck to Mr Newport and Ms Crook who will be getting married over the summer, we hope everything goes well and congratulations to you both.

We said goodbye to some of our amazing staff: to Mr Edwards who, whilst he’s been with us, has worked tirelessly and enthusiastically with the Nurture Group students who are really going to miss him. Ryan will be going to university to study Sports. I can confidently say that if you ever want to come back for a job, it’s a YES from me!

We also said goodbye to our Food Tech teacher Mrs Gillett whose outstanding contribution has enabled all our young people to access and succeed at cooking both within Food Industry and Food Tech. She has also been an amazing form tutor, nurturing students from when they join us in Year 12 and throughout their time with us.

Finally, we said goodbye to Jean Warner who has working within special schools and New Bridge for many years (over 30!). She always has a kind word for staff and students alike and it’s going to be very strange not seeing you on reception with your warm welcoming smile.

We will miss you all, please remember the difference you have made to all the students you have worked with.

Thursday also saw the completion of the LC Table Tennis competition which was won by our very own ‘Ping Pong Pauley’. Kade beat Mr Barker 21 – 14 and he kindly said, ‘Better luck next time Mr Barker!’ Thanks to Mr Quinn for presenting the trophy.

A certain superhero double act also made an appearance..

You can now read Mr Taylor’s reports on our final Duke of Edinburgh’s qualifying expeditions of the year – please click here for details of our Silver groups and here to find out how our Bronze explorers fared. Well done to all the students and staff involved, what an achievement!!

You can also view some lovely photos of this year’s prom taken and edited by our Digit4ll students in our Facebook album here.

On Friday staff and students joined together with family and friends for a service of celebration of the life of Kyle Crossland. Kyle, you will be dearly missed and our thoughts and prayers remain with Steve, Helen, Rosie and family.

Kyle’s family have requested that if anyone would like to make a donation in Kyle’s memory, please choose either The Beach Wheelchair Project North Berwick, Charity Number SC046190 or Francis House Children’s Hospice, Charity Number 328659. Rest in peace big man.

I’d like to close with a huge thank you and well done to an amazing staff team, a team who pull together and work over and above to ensure our students get the best offer they can. You have all made a real difference to the lives and outcomes for our students. Thank you all.

Dawn

You can find Gavin’s blog for the school site here

For news on our Key Stage 5 pathway groups at Medtia Square please click here

Click here to read this week’s news from Graham

You can find my previous blog posts here