Apologies to everyone for the lack of blog last week. 11G’s curriculum newsletter was sent out last week, either via email or a paper copy. Please read and familiarise yourself with the things we will be doing this half term.

A massive plea, please can everyone try and take at least one photograph of their child doing something this weekend and email it to Mrs Fisher with some information by a Monday night at the very latest. We understand that everyone is busy, but this information is so vital in ensuring our sessions are successful and to help develop your child’s speaking and listening skills. We have spoken to the pupils in 11G about this and there has been a suggestion that learners could take their own photos or videos on their own phones and bring them into school on Monday. If your child would like to do this, please send them with their phones on Monday.

On Monday this week, Miss Smith and Miss Greenwood travelled to Ty’s new school to support him in his transition leaving Mrs Fisher and Cobham in class with the rest of 11G. In the morning, we continued with our usual routine of daily diaries, typing practice, café and Games Zone. Café is becoming a much smoother process now as pupils are becoming more familiar with what needs doing, independent problem solving is occurring and some great teamwork and communication too. Although Games Zone has been a bit of a slow burner with the pupils, it now seems to be gaining some momentum and groups are mixing together. There are lots of good conversations taking place and it is really nice to see everyone enjoying something that doesn’t involve an iPad! On Monday afternoon we continued with our ASDAN Healthy Living unit from Summer term where we have started a log to record our visits to the gym and the progress that we make there.

Reading packs have now been created. If your child has reading book, this will be coming home with them today. Please listen to your child read over the weekend and record this in their reading record. If your child is a sight reader, they will be bringing home a pack with their words in as well as upper and lower case letters. Again, please practice these words and recognising letters with your child and record this in their reading record. Reading records and reading books/packs need to come into school with your child every day please. Any problems, please get in touch.

On Tuesday, Miss Greenwood and Miss Smith were still at David Lewis supporting Ty with Mrs Cobham and Mrs Fisher remaining in school. In the morning we looked at more information regarding our visit to Bendrigg Trust in November for our Duke of Edinburgh expedition. The main conversation was around the expedition part where we will need to walk for over an hour to the local lake along quite a hilly terrain, then canoe across the lake and repeat the walk again back to Bendrigg. There were quite a few whinges and moans about this, but everyone was reminded that we will be working as a team and that we will all support each other to successfully complete this part of our expedition. We spoke about how our daily run and our visits to the gym will help our bodies to get ready for our expedition so that it won’t be quite as difficult.

In the afternoon, we split into two groups to do some baking. Everyone took turns to complete a step of the recipe. It was very interesting to see those learners who are familiar with organising themselves for cooking, using scales etc and those who are unsure. We will work on these skills in our future cooking sessions. Unfortunately, Mrs Fisher forgot to set the timer on her watch to check on the cookies.

On Wednesday we all walked to the gym together in the morning. Last week, the majority of the class struggled to keep motivated in the gym and this resulted in them not completing their activities for the Physical part of their Duke of Edinburgh award. When we got back to school we spoke about the importance of completing our activities and that they were important, just like it is important that we complete our work and follow instructions when we are in school. After a discussion led by the learners, it was agreed that if pupils choose to give up or not join in whilst at the gym, they would have to complete some physical activity back in school to make up for it. This week there was a massive shift in attitude for everyone in class whilst visiting the gym. Every learner tried their hardest, kept going and didn’t give up. We are so proud of everyone for trying their hardest and we hope they will continue to do so as we continue with our training for our expedition.

Wednesday afternoon was Weekend News time. We split into smaller groups this week as a few of our learners had said they found it too difficult to speak to everyone at the front of class. Each group had an adult working with them and everyone had a coreboard of vocabulary to prompt and aid discussion about what they had done at the weekend. Unfortunately, weekend news wasn’t as successful as last week’s attempt as quite a few of our learners did not have any photographs to show and to aid them in remembering what they had done. As was mentioned at the beginning, if learners would rather take photos/videos themselves and bring their phone into school on a Monday this is fine.

Thursday was a very exciting day as we all got to visit Ty’s new school David Lewis. David Lewis School is in Alderley Edge, which is quite a long way away. It took Mrs Cobham over an hour to drive us there on the school minibus. Whilst we were there, Ty showed us the animals that live at David Lewis. We got to stroke rabbits, guinea pigs, a chinchilla, rats, mice, a snake and a lizard. Outside, Ty showed us the horses, donkeys, llamas, pigs and emus that live on-site. We got to eat our dinner in one of the classrooms, then play in the outdoor area. We couldn’t stay too long as we knew we had a very long journey back to school so we said our goodbyes and Mrs Cobham drove us. Lots of learners said how they were glad that they had gotten to see Ty’s new school and they could see how happy he will be at his new school too.

On Friday morning half the class visited Newman College for their final visit with Mrs Cobham and Miss Smith. Clayton and Katie very kindly volunteered their services in the hall to help 11R with Macmillan Coffee Morning whilst Mrs Fisher and Miss Greenwood supported the remaining learners to access the coffee morning. In the afternoon it was Golden Time and pupils took part in chosen activities.

As we didn’t do a blog last week, we need to give a special mention to our Star of the Week from last week, Katie. Although some of Katie’s friends had moaned and complained whilst at the gym last week, Katie didn’t and instead she persevered and pushed herself to keep going and completed all of her activities at the gym. Amazing work Katie and setting such a good example to your friends in class!

This week we had two Stars of the Week in 11G: Lily and Tyler. These two superstars have been such good friends to Ty in class this week and supporting him with his transition to his new school. Well done!

Mrs Fisher has sent out a link to the online medical form that you will all need to complete for our Bendrigg Trust visit in November. Forms will need to be completed by Wednesday 11th October.

The link to book an appointment for parent’s evening on Wednesday 11th October has been shared via text, please book an appointment if you haven’t already done so.

Miss Bamber will be back in school on Tuesday 3rd October for photographs, please ensure your child wears uniform that day.

Enjoy your weekend!

Mrs Fisher, Mrs Cobham, Miss Greenwood and Miss Smith