We can’t quite believe we’ve reached the end of the Spring term and the Easter break is upon us. Yet again it has been a fun packed week with lots of learning happening. On Tuesday a group of young people from across the school attended a Table Cricket competition in Old Trafford where they came a very commendable third. Mr Smith noted that high schools from across Greater Manchester took part and the standard was very high. As usual our players behaved impeccably and had a wonderful day..
On Tuesday there was also an overnight Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s expedition to Derbyshire where a long day’s hike ended with putting up the tents and making something to eat. We have been told by the pupils that the ground was very hard but the sleeping bags were warm! There were some very tired but proud young people when they returned on Wednesday – you can read Mr Taylor’s report here. Mr Hollingsworth is still drying the tents out, there was that much rain..
On Wednesday we held our second Learning Centre Parents Group. Again this was well attended and there was some lively discussion about issues that are pertinent to all of us. Parents are looking forward to attending a meeting with Natalie Stenson (Transitions Health Practitioner) on Wednesday 26th April at 2:00pm which we are sure will be very informative.
Our basketball team have also had an incredible week – they took part in the North West Regional Finals and came home champions!!! You can read all about the exciting day in Mr Lawrence’s report here and find out about their upcoming trip to Worcester for the National Finals!!! Well done, everyone..
Wednesday also proved to be very eventful for DIGIT4LL, our IT pathway – not content with trading at Tommyfield Market and filming a series of videos for New Charter Group, they then went on to take part in the Oldham Young Enterprise Finals. You can find out how they got on here..
Thursday brought our Super Learning Day where we learnt about Christianity and the festival of Easter. The similarities within all religions were also discussed, such as fasting in Lent and Ramadan. Just look at the incredible picture Jarif from Year 7 drew:
The class teams decorated Easter bonnets which were then used at coffee morning as table decorations. They also made some amazing creations with decorated eggs and craft materials; we had “I’m a Celeggbrity, get me out of here”, “The Egg Factor”, “The Great British Egg Off” and “An Eggplosion” to name a few!
It was a great day with Activ8 running Easter themed sporting activities for all – egg and spoon races, pin the bunny’s tail on Mr Quinn and Mrs Lamb, an egg version of Boccia..
Digit4ll filmed the day’s events in between running a very competitive QR code treasure hunt!
At the Learning Centre Mr Barker reports on Year 12:
“Year 12 students had a fantastic Super Learning Day based on Easter on Thursday. Some students went out with Miss Kindon and Jordan, Ellis and Liam researched the story of Easter for Mr Barker as his knowledge was rather lacking. Other students participated in arts and crafts activities, egg and spoon races, egg rolling competitions, baking hot cross buns, Easter bonnet making and a Learning Centre treasure hunt. They even made a very realistic cross and crown of thorns with Mr Blackman. Students all wanted to say a big thank you to Mrs Gillett, Mrs Joubert, Mrs Robinson, Miss Kindon and all the Year 12 staff for all their hard work making it such an EGGScellent day!” (Very bad pun Mr Barker!)
And a report from Miss Morris:
“Year 13 and 14 students thoroughly enjoyed their Super Learning Day in college. They listened to the story of Easter and participated in various activities exploring the meaning of Easter. They made Easter bonnets to decorate the tables for our coffee morning. Many of them enjoyed art and craft activities making items relating to the theme of Easter. Students really enjoyed the day and had a lot of fun whilst participating in all of the activities. They listened to music and watched short videos around the theme. Thanks to all of the staff for their hard work in making it such an enjoyable day”
Due to high standard of all the entries in our Easter Bonnet competition there could not be one winner, so treats were handed out to all who took part. We’re sure you’ll agree now you’ve seen the standard of the entries.
Finally on Friday we ended the term with our coffee morning which gave parents a chance to come in and chat to their child’s teacher and teaching assistant, friends and other families. It was a pleasure to welcome such a large number of parents and carers and we very much hope you enjoyed the morning as much as we did! At the school site our Head Boy popped into classes to talk to parents and conduct his own informal survey on how they are finding things at school – thank you for all your comments, they are extremely helpful. A special mention goes to the food industry team at the Learning Centre who worked hard throughout ensuring refreshments were always available. Mrs Gillett said “Great work Rezaul, Fahad, Jason, Nahim and Thomas N. and a special thank you to Kyra who was an exceptional Apprentice support”. Our student council members were also on hand to guide visitors..
We are pleased to announce that the total so far collected for Comic Relief at the Learning Centre is £450.91 – a massive well done to all involved!! Our star fundraisers were Sabiha with an amazing £91 and Jake who raised £47.50 while Chris, Zanub, Sophie, Elliot B., Imnann and Luka all raised over £20 each. The total may of course rise as all monies are collected – watch out if you’re on the debtors list (Mr Smith, bring your wallet!)
It certainly has been a busy term with lots going on including residential trips, Parents Groups, School and Student Council meetings, Super Learning Day, sports trips, fundraising days…and that’s on top of the great work our young people do on a daily basis. It is also a term when pupils are preparing for their Summer exams and beginning their preparations for transition, visiting different colleges, Bridging the Gap and Horizons – both scary and exciting times! What is evident is the immense progress all our young people have made this term, growing in confidence and maturity. Well done everyone, we’re very proud of you!
Friday afternoon saw us bring the day to a close with an assembly and talent show. This was an opportunity to say thank you and goodbye to Pauline Fitzgerald, a long standing governor since the days of Hill Top School, a time before New Bridge was born and Hill Top as one of the three special schools in Oldham. We thanked Pauline for everything she has done over the years. In addition, we also say goodbye to Jean Thomas who has worked in Finance and Premises. She will be sadly missed but we wish her well in her new life in Spain. Finally we also said goodbye to Miss Potter who has worked at New Bridge since 2009, we wish Ann all the best in her new job in Rochdale. “New Bridge’s Got Talent” was amazing, it is always heartening to see our young people go on stage and perform. Governors also stayed to watch and enjoyed every minute of the afternoon.
We break up for the Easter holiday for just over a fortnight and return on Tuesday 18th April. Holiday Club as usual will be full of fun activities including a trip to Eureka! Letters for the Summer half term Holiday Club go out when we return.
Have a safe and peaceful holiday,
Judith and Dawn
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