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& News from Elmwood & Penrose Federation / December 2016
December 2016
With Christmas fast approaching, I wanted to share with you some of
the highlights for me over the last term. It has been great to welcome
new students and staff and watch them settle into their new school
environment.
In January, we welcome 5 new members of staff to the Federation
who will be working at both Penrose and Elmwood Schools.
I am also pleased to share with you that Andrew Laurence was
recently appointed to the permanent role of Deputy Head Teacher and Vicki McCarthy
was recently appointed to the role of Assistant Head Teacher.
The best moments of my days at the Federation this term have been writing student's names
into the Commendation Books. Whether this is for good work, being a great friend, trying
really hard, excellent behaviour or learning a new skill. Each and every one of these entries,
makes me very proud of the learning, progress and development that all of our students
make. This would not be possible without the staff, and I would like to thank them all for their
dedication, hard work and commitment to the students and the Federation as a whole.
I would like to say a special thank you to Kate Lang who organised a very exciting arts day
and then supported pupils and families at the Lantern Parade. I would also like to thank the
Middle leader team - Matt Godwin, Lisa House, Anna Hind and Vicki McCarthy along with
Leonie Rouffett-Britton and Matt Male for organising, coordinating and planning a fantastic
Christmas at the Federation this year, which the students have thoroughly enjoyed.
Everyone has been busy over the last few weeks preparing for the Christmas Fayre at the
Jean Rees Centre, the products for sale are excellent and a huge thank you to everyone
who has contributed to the production, organisation and planning of this event.
We have been learning about keeping ourselves safe on the internet and using computers
appropriately. If any parents or carers would like support in managing privacy settings or
how to monitor children's activity online, please contact the Family Team who will be able
to point you in the right direction.
Recently, we sent out Parent Questionnaires, thank you to those of you who have returned
these already, if not, please complete these and send them back to school. Your views are
important to us as this helps us to look at ways we can improve. You can fill this in online at
www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk.
I wish all of our readers a very Merry Christmas and I look forward to seeing you all in the
New Year.
Best wishes
Helen Farnell
Executive Head Teacher
Inset Days 2016/2017 The inset days for next year are as follows:
Friday 10th February 2017 Monday 5th June 2017
Friday 10th March 2017 Monday 24th July 2017
Inset days give all staff opportunities to access high quality training which supports and
improves teaching and learning for all students.
www.elmwood-penrose-jeanrees.org.uk
Christmas Message
Term 2—31 October—16 December 2016
Term 3—3 January - 10 February 2017 Term 4—20 February—31 March 2017
Term 4—20 February - 31 March 2017 Term 5—18 April—26 May 2017
Term 6—5 June—24 July 2017
Please remember that term time holiday will not be authorised unless there are exceptional
circumstances. Your child's attendance at school is very important for their progress and
development.
Term Dates 2016/2017
Penrose Blog Elmwood Blog Jean Rees Blog
We are currently looking for new Governors to join our very committed and dedicated
team.
Do you know someone in Education, Local Business or Industry
who is passionate about the education and welfare of children
and young people with Special Educational Needs and
Disabilities?
Please ask them to contact Helen Farnell via the school office for
a discussion about the role.
Governors
& News from Elmwood & Penrose Federation / December 2016 & News from Elmwood & Penrose Federation / December 2016
& More News
Thinking of buying a new gaming device for your children this Christmas?
Advice taken from the UK Safer Internet Centre
Gaming devices provide a variety of interesting activities and ways for young people to
engage with their friends and families.
However, it is important to be aware of what these devices can do and how you can talk
with your child to help them to use this technology in safe and positive way.
All modern gaming devices offer parental controls to help you
manage how your child uses their device, but these do need to be
set up in order for them to be operational.
This link will help you adjust the settings for the most common gaming
machines:
http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers/
parents-guide-technology/gaming-devices
Coffee Mornings
Thursday 9th March - 10.00am-12.00noon at Elmwood School. “ Coffee, cake and
info”.
Space Technology
As part of their learning about Space Technology this
term, Students have been making Alka-Seltzer space
rockets. Using film canisters, Alka-Seltzer tablets and a
variety of liquids including water, Coke and Lucozade,
students experimented to see how to make the
rockets fly higher and predicted which liquid they
thought would produce the best results.
The experiment was great fun and led to some
excellent cross-curricular writing, particularly by
Bradley P and Charlie W.
Learning Support Centre
As usual, I would like to remind members to make every effort to return all loans to the LSC.
Please check cupboards and shelves for overdue items and return them before we close
for the Christmas holidays.
You can come to the LSC Monday to Friday - TERM TIME ONLY. Alternatively, you can leave
them with the school reception and they will pass them on to us.
Please contact me if you need a list of items that you have borrowed or if there is a
problem. [email protected] Telephone 01278411211
We would like to wish you all a Happy Christmas!
Elmwood Learning Support Centre
Online Safety – Social Media
It’s more than likely you have at least one social media account/
profile and this is also true for the learners across the federation.
Last year’s survey on internet use showed us the highest number
of accounts were with YouTube and Facebook, with the top ten
including Skype, WhatsApp, Snapchat and Instagram.
For information on how to use security and privacy settings for
these and more, you can visit the Parent Info website link below. http://parentinfo.org/article/setting-safety-and-privacy-settings-for-social-
media-apps
Gaming
& News from Elmwood & Penrose Federation / Decem- & News from Elmwood & Penrose Federation /December 2016
& More News
Federation Winter Fayre
At The Jean Rees Centre, 31st January 2017
We would like to invite you and your family to our Future Directions Event which is being
held at The Jean Rees Centre in Bridgwater on Tuesday 31st January 2017 from 3.15pm -
5.00pm.
The event is being provided for young people and their families to have the information to
enable them to make informed choices about their futures, post 16.
We will have in attendance; Careers South West, Enham Trust, Somerset Parent Carer
Forum, Brandon Trust, The Reach Centre, Local colleges and other local provision providers.
There will be plenty of opportunity to ask these providers any questions you may have and
the opportunity for young people and their families to have a tour around the centre.
During the event coffee and cake will be provided.
Please call the Centre on 01278 423660, if you would like to attend or if you have any
questions regarding the event.
The Federation Winter Fayre was held at the Jean Rees Centre on Saturday December 3rd
2016.
The most successful yet, the taking were up and so was the range and quality of products
made by students across the Federation
Thanks to the following business that provided raffle prizes:
The Reach Centre, Weare
MacMillian Theatre, Bridgwater
The Tudor Inn, Bridgwater
The Lamb Inn, Spaxton
The Wurrells
DHL Morrison’s Café, Bridgwater
1610 Chilton Trinity Gym
Butlins, Minehead
Diggerland,Devon
Berry’s Coaches, Taunton
Admiral’s Landing, Bridgwater
Shauls Café, Angel Place
Jolly Jumpers, Bridgwater
Spa Shop, Cannington
Barrett & Coe, Photographers, Midsomer Norton
And all of the parent/carers and staff who donated
We would also like to thank the parent mentors who made wonderful gifts and manned the stall.
A big thank you to Adam Lees
mum and sister who provided
all the gifts and ran the
tombola
This term Key Stage 3 have been studying space technology
as their topic. Students have been experimenting with rockets,
making their own planets, programming robots and
exploring ideas for living in different environments.
At the start of term we were visited by a Stardome which filled
the small hall. Students were able to experience an immersive
projection which lead them through the stars, explored the international space station and
even imagined what extreme sports they could experience on the different planets.
They were also able to touch a piece
of the meteor which created a crater
50,000 years ago in Arizona.
The Stardome
Future Directions Event
& News from Elmwood & Penrose Federation / December 2016 & News from Elmwood & Penrose Federation / December 2016
& More News
Disability Football Club
On Thursday 8th December, the whole of KS3 went to @ Bristol
science museum to support their study of space technology.
The visit started with an amazing 3D film in the planetarium
about what life might be like
on other planets – the
students reached out to
touch the projection and
were engaged throughout. We then had time to explore
the museum, with its hands on exhibits and freedom to
move between activities.
Students especially liked the huge bubbles that they
could get inside of, a robot which stacked blocks and a station where you could test
different flying designs over a wind tube.
It was great to see everyone testing out the displays and their
excitement was clear as they took staff and friends to show them what
they had found. The students were a real credit to the school, showing
enthusiasm for the trip and behaving impeccably.
Age 16+ Starts 14th November 2016
Mondays 6:00pm – 7:00pm @ Queens College, Taunton, TA1 4QS
£3.00 per session – First 2 sessions FREE!
FA Qualified and DBS Checked Coaches!
To get involved and for more info, contact Jason:
07926 141417 OR [email protected]
www.goaaals.com/football-clubs
Structured Play
Structured Play happens every Friday at Penrose School.
The children mix between four classes here at Penrose, it is a
great success and the
children gain skills from taking turns and
interacting, to mathematics.
Students choose which activity they want to do from
cooking, puzzles and games, P.E and stories.
They enjoy working together with their friends.
@ Bristol