Transition is very much on everyone’s minds at the moment as preparations continue for September. On Wednesday we will be welcoming Year 11 parents and carers to the Learning Centre for a transition evening from 4pm – 5.30pm. There will be a short presentation by Miss Allison as head of site, followed by the opportunity to ask questions and meet the Learning Centre’s local leadership team, including the key pastoral staff who will be supporting our new students. Families will be able to have a tour of the building and find out more about the provision we offer. Our Key Stage 5 options booklet will be sent home before the transition evening and families will be able to discuss their child’s options at the meeting or arrange another time to visit if they are not able to attend. We appreciate your patience as we have been working through our new Key Stage 5 curriculum offer and we are looking forward to meeting you as the students start the next stage of their journey with New Bridge.
In local primary schools across the area, current Year 6 pupils are getting ready to make the move to ‘big school’ in September and become Year 7 pupils at secondary school. We’re very excited here at New Bridge to be welcoming a new group of bright young children into the New Bridge team and so we have been working very closely with our local primary schools to make the transition as smooth as possible. Transition visits are well underway; our new pupils have been visiting us from their different schools as part of a series of visits to help them get familiar with our school and our staff and, just as importantly, with each other. A number of our current Year 7 pupils have also been playing a very important role in this process, doing a fantastic job acting as ‘buddies’ to our visitors as they sample some of the lessons in Year 7.
A key part of the transition process was the meetings for new parents on Tuesday. It was a great opportunity to share information about our school and how we operate, explain how the day runs and what their child can expect when they join us in September and provide a tour of the building. Most importantly, it was a chance for parents to ask questions. We understand that seeing your child move on to a new school and a new adventure can be very exciting. We also understand that the change that comes with it can bring uncertainty and anxiety around issues that are often very personal to each child and their family. Our experienced staff were therefore on hand to listen to individual concerns, answer the broad range of questions posed and identify the specific actions we need to take to ensure a smooth transition for their child. We’re confident that by working together with our parents in this way, we will not only ensure a smooth transition into school, but a successful journey through the school and beyond.
On Thursday, students at the Learning Centre were very fortunate to have a visit from a musical group, the wonderful Kabantu from Live Music Now organised by Mr Bloska. Katie, Delia and Ben brought a number of instruments along with them and entertained the students and staff for an hour. There was a violin, guitar and several percussion instruments which many students had the chance to play..
Everybody had great fun enjoying music from around the world, from Scottish jigs to cowboy music and even Michael Jackson..
At one point, a number of students from Ebase were up on their feet, dancing and singing with great gusto..
It was fantastic to see the impact that music has on our learners, making everyone smile and feel upbeat..
We are lucky to have worked with Live Music Now over the last few years and our visits from Kabantu (formerly Project Jam Sandwich) are always a wonderful opportunity for our young people to get involved in some very special music making. You can find out more about Live Music Now here and visit Kabantu’s website here – we can’t wait until their next visit!!
Our latest Parent Group meeting at the Learning Centre was once again a success, as Miss Lane explains..
This month’s Parent Group was very well attended. Many discussions took place about a range of topics including blue badge renewals. You can find out more about the blue badge scheme on Oldham Council’s website here and either apply online or download an application form. There is also a dedicated Blue Badge Team who you can contact by email to bluebadgeteam@oldham.gov.uk or on 0161 770 1222. We then heard how additional information for those young people who require an assessment for adult social services, advice and guidance can be obtained by calling 0161 770 7777. Miss Wright, the Year 13 pastoral manager, answered some specific questions regarding her year group and transition to the pathways. A big ‘thank you!’ to Shamin Akhtar, our parent liaison officer, for providing essential language support to parents. Upcoming guests are MioCare and we will be sending a letter home with details of the next meeting. See you all soon!
Congratulations to our mathematicians who sat the last of three papers in their Maths GCSE on Tuesday. They have all worked extremely hard and have coped brilliantly with the formal exam conditions. We’re very proud of them and are looking forward to results day on 23rd August.
Our Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s group are gearing up for their 4 day qualifying expedition to North Wales and will be setting off on Monday morning hoping for dry weather. They worked really well as a team on their practice expedition in April and we’re sure they will be just as successful this week – good luck!!
Our Year 11s are also getting excited about their upcoming residential to Wales in a week’s time. If families weren’t able to join us for our parents’ information meeting, please click here for more details about the holiday.
We hope you have a good week,
Gavin and Dawn
For news on our Key Stage 5 pathway groups at Medtia Square please click here
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