Can I start by saying a massive well done to Kyle T and Chantelle for making it into the top ten for the ‘Mathletics’ competition! I’m so very proud of you both, great effort! Absolutely love this picture of Kyle!

Here’s what Mrs Needham had to say..

Kyle won the Learning Centre Mathletics competition prize. He achieved an incredible score of 9890 points!! It was a close contest between the two Learning Centre students, Chantelle was only just behind him with a very impressive total of 9460. Everyone that took part in the competition and scored above 1000 points will receive a certificate. A huge well done to Kyle and I hope you enjoy spending your voucher. We will look forward to seeing what you have bought on the next blog.

It is worth noting that this achievement is more impressive set against the backdrop of Covid, lockdown and isolation.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to all our families who I know are trying their best to ensure there is some educational focus during what is turning out to be an extended period of time. I’d like to offer some words of encouragement for all our families.

• Your child is not falling behind everyone else, they are at the same unsure and unsettled place as their friends and we will work together with families to help all our students get through.
• If you are struggling to get students to do their work but they are engaging in making things, talking through things, getting creative, reading, using different apps on their iPads, keeping in contact with their friends, even watching things as a family, rest assured – you’re doing ok!
• Everyone else is not doing better than you are, it just feels that way sometimes.
• Call us if you need help, I’m sorry that all our students can’t be in college, however staff are still here for all families and if we can’t help we can help direct you to the right place.

There are a range of online resources for parents and families during lockdown, many of which we have shared over the last few months. Here are a few more resources which may be of help.

• BBC Bitesize has provided a several guides including ‘Five ways to manage your wellbeing as a parent during lockdown’
• There are also a wide range of different resources within their Parents’ Toolkit: SEND Resources to help families’ wellbeing during lockdown
• Barnardo’s have produced ‘How to help your teenager with staying at home during lockdown’
• We have shared some of the Young Minds resources previously including ‘Supporting your child during the coronavirus pandemic’

We are currently looking at how we can support our students virtually around all areas of transition. I understand that this is a very worrying time for our year 14 students and families as we cannot have the usual visits, meetings, celebrations and events.

The big question from students has been ‘What about the Prom? Will there be a Record of Achievement?’.

Please let me assure everyone that although it is not possible within current guidelines to hold these wonderful events, they will happen at some point and in some format. It may be different to what we have known in the past but we will find a way to celebrate the many achievements of our year 14 students and ‘mark’ their time with us appropriately and with the importance it deserves.

Myself and Michelle Lane are meeting with LA colleagues next week to try and work through a way forward to progress with some of the areas around assessments and funding which have been delayed because of the impact of Covid. We are also in contact with our partner organisations such as Oldham College to try and work through how we can ensure an effective transition process, albeit very different from what we are used to.

Free School Meal Vouchers have gone out this week. As you may be aware the voucher scheme has been extended over the summer holiday period and we will be in touch towards the end of term to update you further. If there are any problems around the vouchers, please let the staff team know when they make their weekly calls next week.

In response to a student request, here is a brief update on the progress of my ‘sunflowers’. I think its fair to say they seem to be taking their time, at least I’ve got some leaves now! You never know, they may have a ‘growth spurt!’

I’d like finish by thanking all our amazing families for their continued support and encouragement throughout this challenging time. I was heartened this week by the kind words of some of the parents I’ve been speaking to, for whom this is not an easy time however who still understood that we cannot open for more students and understand that our main aim throughout is to keep all our students and staff safe.

Take care and stay safe,

Dawn

Click here for this week’s news from Graham

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

You can find my previous blog posts here