LC Blog – 15.9.23
Doesn’t time fly when you are having fun!
We are already at the end of week two and the students are well into the swing of things.
This week we have been fully on timetable and students have been going to all their timetabled lessons with the exception of Options which should be starting on Tuesday.
I have been able to have a quick walk round some of the lessons and activities and I was delighted to see all our students engaged. New friendships are being forged, especially during lunchtime activities and it is lovely to witness how happy and settled everyone is.
Getting used to a new building, new staff and new routines is not easy but our new Year 12 students have amazed me with how well they have assimilated to life at the Learning Centre. I am just trying to remember all their names!.
I also wanted to mention that the Learning Centre will be running a MacMillan Coffee Morning on Thursday 28th September. This will take place from 9:30 to 12:00. We will be providing cakes and refreshments for a small donation to a very worthy cause. If you are able to donate any cakes they would be greatly appreciated.
From a personal perspective, I have a 23 year-old daughter called Hannah who has global developmental delay, epilepsy and communication difficulties. She has been through New Bridge School, the Learning Centre and is currently at Horizons.
I have been aware for a long time that I have often felt isolated as a parent unable to talk and share experiences, worries and concerns that I have faced and still do. With this in mind I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to set up a Parents Group at the Learning Centre. This was set up so parents could have a group meeting every half term where they could come and chat. As this evolved it became clear that there were common worries, questions and concerns shared by families. To give families more information and to answer their questions we decided to invite a number of professionals to come in and talk to the group about pertinent issues. These have run alongside parent/carer group meetings.
Professionals invited to talk historically have included: –
- Trusha Velji (Touch solicitors) re wills, trust funds, lasting power of attorney.
- Katie Morgan (Miocare) re respite care and support for young adults.
- POINT (Parents of Oldham In Touch) /SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs Advice Support Service)
- Adult Social Services re support for families and young people.
- Professionals– re social care issues and transitions.
- Toyoba Khanam (Senior Social Worker with the Children with Additional and Complex Needs Team) re assessments and short breaks.
These Parent group meetings always take place on a Monday when Shamin Akhtar, our bilingual family liaison officer, will be in attendance at the meetings to help with any translating that may be required.
I am intending to start the group on Monday 18th October from 2pm- 3pm at the Learning Centre.
Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding any questions or queries you may have. You can contact me directly on jkbarker@newbridgegroup.org I look forward to resuming the Parent group sessions and look forward to meeting you soon.
Each week, we focus on one of our classes, this week it’s the turn of Mrs Keane’s Community Living class.
CLAKE Blog (15.9.23)
This week was our first full week on timetable, the group have experienced a variety of lessons and have now met all the staff they will be working with this year.
On Monday morning the group had their first PE lesson with Mr Newton. They had lots of fun and enjoyed a game of boccia. All of them joined in and worked as a team and Mr Newton was really pleased with them.
On Monday afternoon the group had their first cooking lesson with Miss Hanmer. After going through health and safety guidelines the group set to work making cheese toasties and hot drinks for themselves.
Live Music Now visited on Tuesday and the group had a great time. Mike, the teacher, brought in a range of instruments which both he and the students played. They finished the session off with karaoke which everyone enjoyed.
The group had gardening with Mr Blackman, it was hard work! The staff and students cleaned the polytunnel and Aiden and Erdal worked so hard that they got extra jobs to do. Mr Blackman said that he was really pleased with the effort that everyone put in. They were all so busy that no photos were taken.
On Wednesday the group had employability where they began to learn about their skills and qualities. It was lovely to learn about the things that everyone can do.
In maths, the students did a maths test to see where they were up to. Mrs Peacock was pleased with everyone as they all worked hard and tried their best.
On Thursday the group had an English lesson. They logged on to a range of reading and phonics apps which will help them to improve their reading skills in a fun and interesting way.
They also had lifeskills with Miss Kindon. Focusing on health and fitness, they finished off the lesson with a session of seated Zumba.
We have three new students in our group this year. They have all done really well in their first days at the Learning Centre and the rest of the group have been really welcoming and kind towards them. Well done, CLAKE.
Alison Keane
