As we approach half term I’m in reflective mode, looking just how far our students have already come on their journey with us. Our Year 12 students have settled so well into the routines of the Learning Centre it seems like they’ve always been with us.

I’m always delighted to hear about student successes during Friday’s assembly. We heard all the year group achievements including examination certificates all achieved this Summer for Kade and Jordan Y. who passed their ICT qualification and Jason, Shahmuneer, Kyle and Daniel for their Art..

There were a number of mentions for students helping others including Chantelle, Aimee, Sophie O., Kade, Lewis and Saniya. Thank you to you all, it’s great to see the well-being theme of ‘giving and helping’ is still going strong.

A special mention to Natasha T. who carefully followed instructions to create a piece of work using the new Purple Mash app on her iPad – well done Natasha!

Another IT mention to Sophie L. for using the skills she has learnt in IT within her other lessons.

Our Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze and Silver certificates and medals were also presented within assembly..

I’m incredibly proud of all our students as they continue to impress!

I’d like to announce a new feature which will appear in both my blog and assemblies..

‘Spotlight on’ will highlight special achievements made by a Learning Centre student each week. The first student to be highlighted is Lewis from Year 14..

Lewis is part of the newly formed ‘Employability Pathway’ which started in September. The pathway focuses on enabling students to develop a wide range of work and life-based skills which will prepare them for their future destinations such as ‘Bridging the Gap’, ‘Pre-Internships’, ‘Future Finders’ or employment.
I met with Lewis earlier today to congratulate him and find out his thoughts.

• How do you feel you’ve settled in the new Employability Pathway?
  “It was confusing at first, then once I got used to the lessons and understood what it is about I’m really enjoying it. I feel like I’m happy doing Employability as a pathway because it’s getting me to do work experience and learn about the jobs and skills I’ll need for work.”
• How do you feel you’ve changed?
  “I feel like I’ve matured into a young man. I feel a bit more confident, and I’m able to talk to people more confidently. I am getting more confident in speaking in front of others in class.”
• During last Thursday’s Well-being Afternoon, I noticed you were talking to lots of other students in the ‘Well-being Café’. How did that feel?
  “It was hard at the beginning but then I got into the flow of it, and was able to talk to lots of people and hopefully help them. I asked people how they were and most said fine. I then asked again ‘Are you sure?’ This helped them talk through if there was anything on their minds.”
• You have been helping Mr Taylor on Thursdays with his DofE group, how are things going?
  “It’s going alright. I’m getting more confident each time and being able to help more. Now, if I see there is something I can do I just do it without being asked. I’m definitely becoming more independent. I talk to students in a nice manner and most of the time they listen. I like being outside and helping people.”
• Is there anything else you would like to say?
  “If you see anyone who needs help just ask them, even if you feel shy or scared, just do it if you really want to help. After helping you feel good that you did something and not guilty that you didn’t help.”

A huge ‘well done!’ Lewis, it’s great to see you doing so well, becoming more confident and enjoying your new pathway. Keep it up!

Mr Blackman is continuing to work with students within our new ‘DIY’ Option. Students are starting to make their very own bird boxes (watch this space for instructions of how to order your own!) We would like to say a big ‘thank you!’ to George Hills timber merchants for the donation of wood to the DIY group for the making of bird and bat boxes.

A reminder to all parents and carers that on Monday afternoon at 2pm the Learning Centre is holding the first ‘Parents Group’ of this year. The group provides a forum for people to talk through and share specific concerns or ideas and hopefully will help parents and carers to feel less isolated. We hope as many people as possible can attend, refreshments will also be served by our students.

Have a great weekend,

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