So here we are, at the end of what can only be described as an incredible year, one that no-one could have anticipated as we welcomed everyone back into school last September. As I look back on a year that has been filled with both celebration and sadness, it has been the ‘can do’ spirit of our amazing team that has carried us through the successes and challenges of the last 11 months. It is their strong ambition to ensure that our pupils receive an excellent education that not only enabled us to retain our ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted grading, it allowed us to transform our educational offer into one that has supported home learning and a hub for vulnerable and key worker children over the past 4 months. The demonstration of innovation and resilience by every one of our team has been an inspiration. I am proud to play a role as part of such an outstanding team. As I look ahead to the new school year I have every confidence that once again, with our ‘can do’ spirit, we will rise to the challenge of safely bringing every pupil back into school and re-engaging them in learning and school life. As parents and carers, I know that many of you are anxious about your child’s return. I know that our team will work closely with you to support your child’s safe return. As stated in our letter that has gone out to all our families, we will be in touch over the summer holiday to share more information and keep you informed of arrangements for re-opening.
Before I move on to our Year 11 leavers, Mrs Needham was delighted to present the certificates and prizes to our TTRockstars/Numbots Maths stars this week after they took part in the Trust’s latest Maths competition. As you can see, Liam was over the moon with his prize.
Congratulations also go to our other prize winners, Megan K and Sean C – well done!
In the meantime, I’d like to present to you a ‘Graduation Special’ as we say goodbye to our Year 11 leavers. Holly, Alisha, Philip, Raresh, Louis, Pradeep, Almina, Kaneez, Haider, Abdul, Kibria, Ellie, Noorul, Hajjrah, Logan, Moinur, Wany, Huan, Mason, Sheriff, Imran, Sophie E, Sophie J, Corey, Bradley W-S, Charlie, Josh, Mariam, Adam, Donna, Bradley S, Shaun, Dylan, Faisal, Salman, Shaan, Saidur, Jack, Zara, Anisa, Haidar, Adrianna, Nadia, Husnain, Joseph G, Joseph B and Ruhish are all moving on to their new placements at our Learning Centre and Medtia campuses or Oldham College.
Ordinarily, we would have held our annual Leavers’ Assembly and Leavers’ Prom, a rite of passage for our Year 11 leavers and our opportunity to celebrate their achievements and re-live the many happy memories of their time at New Bridge School. As I’m sure you understand, this has not been possible this year so we will be welcoming them back as soon as possible next year to host these events. I’m looking forward to seeing your smart suits and elegant gowns, and the often varying and unusual modes of transport you arrive in. Don’t think anyone’s come in a fire engine yet? 🙂
As an alternative to our usual arrangements then, some of our Year 11 Form Tutors have found other creative ways to celebrate their leavers’ graduation and send them on their way.
Miss Carter and her team have put together their favourite photos of Logan:
Holly was visited by Mrs Brooks this week so she could pass on some wonderful words from Holly’s Form Team. We’re really grateful to Holly’s family for their special thank you to all the staff in school who have supported her journey through school. We know she will ‘fly’ at the Learning Centre.
Mrs Parkinson, Mrs Brooks and Miss Schofield wish their class all the best at the Learning Centre..
Ms. Pilgrim and her team from the Lumenus performing arts pathway share their thoughts with their leavers:
[fvplayer id=”117″]
The Autism Base have been saying their good-byes to their Year 11 leavers, starting with Mrs McAiney and all the pupils and staff from from AB1 who would like say goodbye and good luck to Moinur as he continues his New Bridge journey at the Learning Centre. We will miss you.
Miss Bingley describes her visit to see Huan and Wany:
On Wednesday, Mrs Stewart and I went to see Huan and Wany who are leaving AB2 to move onto the Learning Centre. We visited them at home to wish them all the best in their new adventure and to present them with lockdown medals. We also enjoyed spending time reflecting on the past five years of fun and laughter. We will definitely miss these two smart, funny and unique young men as the begin their new journey but we wish them all the best for the future and can’t wait to see how they continue to grow and develop in the coming years.
Miss Coleman-Celis and her team turn their thoughts to Mason as he prepares for the next steps on his journey.
We feel extremely lucky to have worked with Mason over the last two years and what an amazing experience it has been. Mason has continued to progress and achieve, he has matured and grown in to a wonderful young man with such a caring and considerate nature. He has brought laughter to the classroom, alongside amazing artwork and creations like no other, all with a dash of mischief. He has been their class Superhero, not only has he dressed as one but he has always been there to help his friends! Mason is leaving New Bridge School to move on to his new venture, I am sure he will be amazing and continue to make brilliant progress.
We wish you all the best Mason!
Mrs Coleman-Celis, Miss Tajwar, Miss Raeburn, Mr Cottam and Miss Donnelly
Miss Taylor has written a very special dedication for Sheriff:
A young man who has one of the biggest personalities we have ever known. Someone who has kept us all on our toes both metaphorically and literally. Your resilience for getting your point across, your inquisitive nature and your fantastic food preparation skills have always been your trademarks. It’s been a pleasure to watch you grow into the confident, communicative and creative young man you are now. I know that everyone who has worked with you over the last 5 years wishes you all the best with whatever the future holds.
[fvplayer id=”121″]
Miss Patchett has her own special message for the pupils leaving from her form group:
It’s the time of the year when we get to say goodbye and wish our Year 11s all the very best on their next adventures. Haidar, Zara and Anisa are off to the Learning Centre in September to continue on their learning journey. We have had the privilege of working with Haidar, Zara and Anisa for the past two years. These years have been filled with fun, happiness and lots of wonderful experiences. We are going to miss them terribly but would like to take this opportunity to say we are so proud of all their achievements and wish them success in all their future endeavours.
“Haidar, you have been a star. We will miss your singing, we will miss your caring nature, we will miss your funny little jokes and we will miss your smile”.
“Zara, you have been a pleasure to teach. We will miss your enthusiasm and willingness to learn, we will miss your kindness, we will miss your helpfulness and we will miss your smile”.
“Anisa, you have been so much fun to have in class. We will miss your witty humour, we will miss your thoughtfulness, we will miss your perseverance and we will miss your smile”.
Take care and bye for now. Miss Patchett, Miss Fletcher and Miss Thompson xxx
Miss Ward and her team have shared their own individual messages for Hajjrah:
Hajjrah, you are the smiliest and bravest girl I have ever met. I remember your very first day in our Year 7 class where you smiled and giggled throughout the day, even though you were probably very nervous with all the new staff and new surroundings. You have been our ray of sunshine on every cloudy day and we have been through so much as a team with you and your family. I will miss you so much but it is now your time to share your beautiful smiles and giggles with new people and make lots of new and happy memories at the Learning Centre. The Learning Centre are very lucky to be gaining such a super star. Take care and you better keep in touch! Love, Donna xxx
Hajjrah, you made me laugh and you also made me cry but from day one we have loved you for being you. Go make new memories big Bibi. Lots of Love, Adele xxx
Hajjrah, we’ve had the best 5 years together! I feel so lucky to have spent so much time with you and watch you grow into a beautiful, happy young lady. You never failed to make us smile. Enjoy yourself at the Learning Centre – Mr Hagan will be there to make sure you’re not getting up to too much mischief! Lots of love, Alicia xxx
We’ve had lots of fun times with you – many great memories to treasure. Good luck and enjoy the Learning Centre.” Mrs Mills x
“I’m going to miss you so much! You brightened up the classroom every morning with your big smile.” Miss Dickinson x
“You lit up every room with your lovely smile and infectious laugh everyday! You will be missed for sure. Good Luck!” Miss Fallows x
“Hajjrah, I hope you have lots of fun at the Learning Centre. We are going to miss you, keep being yourself and keep smiling.” Mrs Bullock x
The staff from Activ8 wish Bradley, Charlie, Corey, Imran, Sophie E and Sophie J every success in their future, although they are not moving too far away as they head to the KS5 Activ8 pathway.
We have enjoyed supporting you through both the good and challenging times and are extremely proud of how you have matured and progressed as individuals and a team.
You have represented New Bridge School in events throughout the North West and have displayed all the characteristics expected of students within Activ8 and have been role models within the wider school community. We will miss you individually, from Bradley’s jokes, Charlie’s love for Oldham Athletic, Corey’s willingness to try his hardest, Imran’s ability to make other laugh, Sophie E’s way of keeping others in line and Sophie J’s fixation with her new-found sport of table tennis.
We will miss you all, remember the good times and all the fun experiences you have had. Mr Hollinworth, Miss Ward, Mr Holban and Miss Burgess.
The Digit4ll staff wish their leavers all the best too.
Finally, Miss Silvester and her team were adamant that the coronavirus wasn’t going to stand in the way of an actual graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020:
Every year, the school holds a graduation ceremony that allows us to celebrate our amazing pupils and their wonderful achievements. We were determined that this year would be no different.
Miss Silvester, Mrs Holland, Miss Shaw and Miss Henry sent out invites to a drive by graduation which, adhering to social distancing guidelines, could still allow them to ensure the pupils got the recognition they so truly deserve.
On Saturday morning they headed out armed with balloons and banners on their cars and visited each road side/pavement of the homes of KS4TSR 2020 leavers.
They were able to present certificates of academic and personal achievements, share wonderful memories through their notice boards and read personalised poems.
The class team say that they could not be prouder of the fantastic work their class has produced and are truly grateful to their families for allowing us to social distance visit to wish them all the best in the next stage of their learning journey.
Thank you, leavers, you have been an absolute pleasure and we will miss you loads. Good luck, Miss Silvester, Mrs Holland, Miss Shaw and Miss Henry xx
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”275″ gal_title=”KS4TSR Graduation”]
An amazing day by all. Thank you!
Take care, stay safe and we will be in touch over the summer holiday,
Gavin
Click here for a special message from our Chair of Trustees, Steve Williams
You can find Dawn’s blog for the Learning Centre here
For news on our Key Stage 5 pathway groups at Medtia Square please click here
You can find Gavin’s previous blog posts here
