Is it really half term?

It really is hard to believe that we’ve already reached half term! This afternoon I had the pleasure of holding the Learning Centres half-termly Assembly where we shared a video of our students’ successes this term. It’s truly wonderful to see how well students have embraced different lessons and activities after being so long in Bubbles last year. A big well done everyone, you’ve been amazing!

This week has been a busy week, firstly here’s a report on this week’s parents’ group from Mr Barker..

“On Monday 18th October the Learning Centre eventually managed to welcome parents and carers to a live Parents group. We had attempted to run this virtually via Teams last year with mixed success but some things are just so much better face to face!

There was a fantastic response with 20 parents joining the group. Everyone introduced themselves and there was a discussion about how the group had run in the past and how parents and carers would like this group to run.

There was a consensus within the group that everyone welcomed the opportunity to have half termly meetings where the group could just come together, chat and socialise together within a safe, supportive environment. This is scheduled for Monday 13th December 2-3pm at the Learning Centre.

The group also agreed that it would be beneficial to invite certain professionals to speak to the group about mutually pertinent issues. These include areas such as –

· the transition from children to adult services from a health perspective.

· The transition from children to adult services from a social care perspective.

· legal issues such as wills, trust funds, lasting power of attorney etc.

· respite care and support for young adults from Miocare.

· adult social services.

· Childrens short breaks.

· POINT/SENDIASS.

The group has invited Michelle Lane to speak to the group on Monday 15th November. She will be talking to the group around the transition process from children to adult services from a social care perspective.

The group will choose another professional to talk to the group after Christmas.

So, dates for your diaries –

· Parents group professionals meeting. Michelle Lane talking about transition from a social care perspective
(Monday 15th November 2-3pm at the LC.)

· Parents group
(Monday 13th December 2-3pm at the LC.)

Special word of thanks goes to Miss Kindon’s group who provided refreshments.”

Nurture group set up refreshments for the first parent meeting group on Monday. Also washed up and put everything away at the end. The students all took part and enjoyed being part of helping out. 

This week also saw the culmination of the LC student council elections for year 12. I’m always very impressed by anyone who puts themselves forward as candidates, so well done to Sam, Josh, Chelsea and Daniaal who all produced great speeches.

I’m pleased to announce that after the voting process, both Daniaal and Josh have been elected as Year 12 student representatives and they join, Phillip and Daniel (Year 13), Aimee and Subhan (Year 14) and Haidar from IB as this years LC student council.

I’m really looking forward to working with them all and our governors, and I’m sure they’ll represent their peers with enthusiasm and integrity.

Updates from around the LC…

Ebase 1

Ebase 1, got into the spirit of Halloween and made their pumpkins.

Kausar, Sarah, Usayd and Nahid really enjoyed pulling and scraping out all the seeds and did a really good job of drawing their chosen design onto the pumpkin, using a stencil.

The students watched carefully whilst the staff carved the designs onto their pumpkins.

We then put some tealights into the pumpkins and watched them as they glowed in the dark.

Well Done Ebase 1, your pumpkins looked great!

As you are aware at the LC we continued to wear face coverings in communal spaces where social distancing is difficult and this was due to be reviewed at half term. After reviewing local rates of infection, face coverings will continue to be worn in communal spaces at the LC unless individuals are exempt. Face coverings are still advised when on local authority and public transport.

I hope everybody has a lovely half term and we look forward to welcoming students back in November.

Take care & stay safe

Dawn