pupils and staff in puffins class enjoying table top ... · pupils and staff in puffins class...

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DATES for your DIARY End of Term : Friday 20th December Back to School : Monday 6th January 2014 INSET DAYS Monday 24th Feb 2014 Friday 4th April 2014 Half Term 17th Feb-21st Feb 14 End of Term for pupils Thursday 3rd of April 2014 Back to School : 22nd April 2014 Please see the back of this newsleer for Hampshire’s Agreed Term Dates for 2013/14 with our Inset Days marked in yellow CHRISTMAS EVENTS Shows—16th & 17th Dec Christmas Lunch—18th Carol Service—19th Santa to lower school— 20th December Pupils and Staff in Puffins Class enjoying Table Top Tennis on a lovely new giſt donated to the school by Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Cricket Whilst at a table top cricket tournament last academic year staff were approached by members of the Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Cricket Supporters Associaon who said they wanted to help school buy the necessary equipment to enable us to play table top cricket at school and pracce for our tournaments. True to their promise, teacher Jane Royer was invited to the associaons’ annual meeng aended by James Tomlinson, a 1 st team Hampshire cricket player, and was awarded a cheque to buy this fab equipment. Jane said it was a lovely day. We are very grateful to the Associaon for giving us this money and allowing us to provide another sporng acvity that our young people can access and enjoy.

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DATES for your

DIARY

End of Term :

Friday 20th December

Back to School :

Monday 6th January 2014

INSET DAYS

Monday 24th Feb 2014

Friday 4th April 2014

Half Term

17th Feb-21st Feb 14

End of Term for pupils

Thursday 3rd of April 2014

Back to School :

22nd April 2014

Please see the back of this

newsletter for Hampshire’s

Agreed Term Dates for

2013/14 with our

Inset Days marked in yellow

CHRISTMAS EVENTS

Shows—16th & 17th Dec

Christmas Lunch—18th

Carol Service—19th

Santa to lower school—

20th December

Pupils and Staff in Puffins Class enjoying Table Top Tennis on a lovely new

gift donated to the school by Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Cricket

Whilst at a table top

cricket tournament last

academic year staff were

approached by members

of the Portsmouth and

South East Hampshire

Cricket Supporters

Association who said they

wanted to help school buy

the necessary equipment

to enable us to play table

top cricket at school and

practice for our

tournaments. True to their

promise, teacher Jane Royer was invited to the associations’ annual meeting attended by James

Tomlinson, a 1st team Hampshire cricket player, and was awarded a cheque to buy this fab

equipment. Jane said it was a lovely day. We are very grateful to the Association for giving us this

money and allowing us to provide another sporting activity that our young people can access and

enjoy.

Kingfishers

We have enjoyed learning and experiencing many different things in Kingfishers Class again

this term. Here are some of our favourites…

In Science , we have been learning about Electricity and Magnetism. We particularly

enjoyed learning about how to make circuit and experimenting with the magnets.

(Benjamin photo & Alan photo please!)

In History, we learnt about World War One machines and then went on a KS3 trip to

Fort Nelson. We all enjoyed looking at the war machines and watching the gun being

fired. (William photo please!)

Our RE Day this term was about the Jewish celebration of Rosh Hashanah. We learnt

about why some people celebrate this special day and what other people do to cele-

brate their own special days. We really enjoyed making our own firework pic-

tures to show what happens during New Years Eve

celebrations (Ben photo please!)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

— from everyone in Kingfishers Class.

Jess Williams – Class Teacher

Kingfishers

We have enjoyed learning and experiencing many different things in

Kingfishers Class again this term. Here are some of our favourites…

In Science, we have been learning about Electricity and Magnetism. We

particularly enjoyed learning about how to make circuits and experimenting

with the magnets.

In History, we learnt about World War One machines and then went on a KS3

trip to Fort Nelson. We all enjoyed looking at the war machines and watching

the gun being fired.

Our RE Day this term was about the Jewish celebration of Rosh Hashanah.

We learnt about why some people celebrate this special day and what other

people do to celebrate their own special days.

We really enjoyed making our own firework pictures to show what happens during

New Years Eve celebrations.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

from everyone in Kingfishers Class

PUFFINS

This term Puffins topic has been light and dark. We have been exploring day time

and night time, going into space, bonfire night and under the sea. All of these

have allowed us to look at the differences between light and dark, why we need

lights, that we the need the dark to see lights and fireworks.

Our assembly this term was on fireworks and we experimented with

musical instruments to make firework noises and used bubble wrap

which we all enjoyed.

Ryan exploring a

glow stick in the

dark

Abi playing a light up tamborine

Izabelle making firework sounds on the

bubble wrap

LADYBIRDS

Lisa Moss - Class teacher

What a fantastic start to the year Ladybirds have had!

We have been learning all about Machines and how they work.

We have particularly enjoyed

our weekly Food Tech

sessions. Each week we have

used a different electrical

appliance. We have used an

electric whisk to make our own

butterscotch whip, chocolate

ice cream and even cupcakes!

Ladybirds would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

It got very smelly when we used

an electric blender to make our

own tomato and onion pasta sauce

and vegetable soup.

Then to warm us up on these cold days

we used a toaster to have toast and

butter. Yummy!

Kestrels’ Class

Post 16 have been accessing the local community to help facilitate their learning. On a

Friday morning, students have visited the Blue Moon café which is run by Havant Day

Services giving them the opportunity to use their money skills in a functional situation and

socialise with other service users. On a Wednesday afternoon students have been going to

the Acorn Centre where they socialise with members of the local community and take part

in different activities. We were lucky enough during one of our visits to meet the Mayor of

Havant. This term students have been accessing Waterlooville town centre as part of their

social sight curriculum, they have been learning to recognise different shops and what

products can be purchased in them.

Louise Park—Class Teacher

USUAL REMINDERS PLEASE :

Let us know when and why your child is absent from school

Tell us when you change telephone numbers and contact numbers

Clearly label all medication when sending it into school

Label all cases and overnight bags - saying if it contains medication

If you think you may be entitled to free school meals please check via

http://www3.hants.gov.ukhc3s/freeschoolmeals.htm or call and speak to Judith Wilkins at the school.

MAVE ASH—CLASS TEACHER

Hawks Class

In Hawks class this term we have been travelling about in

the community a lot! We are getting used to meeting

different people, recognising social sight signs and

enjoying the facilities of the Acorn Centre, Blue Moon

Café, Bedhampton Community Centre and Waterlooville

swimming pool. The pupils who attended the swimming

pool gained a huge amount of confidence in the water

over the 7 weeks they attended.

We were lucky enough to meet the Mayor and

Mayoress at the Acorn Centre one day.

We also visited the Portsmouth City Museum as part of our exploring other countries topic about

Egypt. We were very lucky that the museum has an Egyptian display on at the moment and we were

able to see real Egyptian artefacts as well as a real 2600 year old mummy. We laid down next to him

and he would have been as tall as Simon and Adam! But his toenails were definitely longer! (they

were poking out of the bandages!)

The girls who have been attending the keep fit

group on a Friday at the community centre have

really enjoyed the music and dancing. We will

be continuing this activity next term too.

ALISON BROOKER

Chair of Governors

RACHEL MADOCKS SCHOOL GOVERNORS

Parent Governor—Bob Howard

Parent Governor—Sonia Rigby

Parent Governor—Julie French

The governing body is made up of 12 volunteers. Currently

we have one local community, two staff, two local authority

and four parent governors, with vacancies for one community

and one staff governor.

Your parent governors are Louise Smith, Sonia Rigby, Julie

French and Bob Howard.

We welcome both positive and negative feedback from parents and

so should you wish to bring anything to our attention please contact

one of our parent governors who will be happy to raise this at our

next full governing body meeting.

We are working on the Governors page on the school website to enable

you to identify and contact us more easily. There will also be links on

this page to most recent minutes from our meetings and relevant policies

for you to read.

We work alongside the Leadership and Management Team to ensure

the best possible outcomes for our students and the long term

planning of the school.

WORK EXPERIENCE

This term I have had two apprentices helping me on work experience. Simon Rickwood and

Jerry Austin from Hawks are both now fed up with autumn leaves but still in love with the

Black & Decker drill ! I’m sure they enjoy their hour learning with me as much as I do with them.

Should we have any snow fall, they will both be learning how to use a shovel next term !

Well done Simon and Jerry—Mike Foster, Site Manager

Adam has been a ‘godsend’ helping in the office since Judith broke her foot !

John Hughes

Class Teacher

Shelducks are loving PSD and Science.

In PSD we have been exploring different feelings. We

have learnt about being happy, sad, tired, scared and

angry. One of the best lessons this term was one

where John tried to scare us with a Halloween

costume. Although he did make us jump with fright,

once we had realised it was him we all found it

hilarious because he was actually wearing a LADIES

black dress and a LADIES wig. Unfortunately he

wouldn’t let us include a photo in this newsletter.

Sorry!

Our other favourite subject this term was Science. We

have learnt lots of amazing things about magnetism

and electricity and although investigating magnets was

great fun, learning about electricity has been the best.

We have all learnt that batteries provide power and are

needed in a simple circuit to make a bulb light up.

All of us have experienced

making circuits and some of us

got so good that we were able to

make more complex circuits with

switches, buzzers and motors.

Thomas Edison would be very

proud of us, knowing we are

putting light bulbs and electricity

to good use in our quest to learn.

Woodpeckers Class

We have been very busy in Key Stage 4 visiting different countries around the world. We

have been to France, Africa, Japan, Brazil and the Caribbean. We have looked at what

different cultures eat and have tried some of these foods ourselves from France, Japan

and the Caribbean. We have also looked at the different types of dances and music that

Brazil and Africa have, and the different cultures.

This is Shannon, Frankie, Josh and Ben

experiencing what it would be like to

wear Japanese clothes. They are all

dressed up in Kimonos. They had to say

whether they liked wearing the Kimonos

or not.

This term in history Key Stage 4 have been looking at the past and present.

This is woodpeckers dressing

up in the 1960‘s. They had lots

of fun. They had to identify

whether the items of clothing

were from the past or from

the present.

Jo Monk—Class Teacher

Roadrunner Class

This term Roadrunner Class have really

enjoyed working with pupils from

Skylarks class during Enrichment time

on a Friday afternoon. They have helped

us to make props for our class assembly

and helped with some art projects. We

enjoyed learning all about the different

smells Skylark‘s class use to help them

recognise different colours.

Before the weather got too cold

we learnt about safety when

crossing the road and practiced

our skills on the roads around

school. We also looked at safe

places to cross the road and played

interactive games to test our

knowledge.

In Science we have been learning about organs in the body. We learnt about how the heart pumps blood

around the body and showed this by squeezing water out of bottles. Some squeezed fast to show a fast heart

beat and some squeezed the bottle slowly. Some of us also got a bit wet!

SAM GURNEY

Class Teacher

Dear Families and Friends,

Our newsletter illustrates clearly how busy

everyone has been learning lots of new and

exciting things this term. Students clearly

enjoy their time learning at Rachel

Madocks—just look at the smiles that are

visible in every photograph!

Everyone is getting very excited about

Christmas and the sense of anticipation for

our annual performance extravaganza is

mounting. We hope as many of you as

possible will be able to join us to enjoy the

show and share in our festive fun.

2013 has been a year of change as our

school transformed from ‗old and blue‘ to

‗smart and new‘. 2014 looks like being very

positive for us all as we enjoy new facilities

and extra, bright spaces. We look forward

to showing you the results of our makeover

early in 2014.

We hope 2014 will be happy and successful for everyone.

Merry Christmas on behalf of everyone at Rachel Madocks.

Jackie

Parents and visitors alike tell us positive things about our pupils and school every day.

Please let OFSTED and the public know your feelings about Rachel Madocks via

http://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk

Patents, Carers and other family members are able to complete the questionnaire as individuals.

It is very easy to register and answer the questionnaire

and is helpful to us in the running of the school.

SKYLARKS

In Skylarks class we have been working on our Asdan accreditation unit,

‗Sensory food‘ preparation.

Students have been looking at sweet and sour foods this term and choosing

from different symbols to express their likes and dislikes.

Young people had the opportunity to come and have fun on-site with various activities happening each day and spent

time with their

friends.

KIDS had a fabulous summer …………………………………...

We also enjoyed trips to places such as QE2 Centre to have a go at canoeing,

archery and the ropes course, Intech Science Centre, the cinema and a big highlight was going to Chessington World of Adventures where we tested our

nerves on the rides and watched the Madagascar live show (we even got to meet some of the characters!)

If you would like any more information about KIDS services

please contact Vicki Gates on: 07827 989317 or email: [email protected]

Horizon Leisure Centres in Waterlooville and

Havant are hoping to launch additional needs

swimming sessions when their new disabled

access facilities are completed at their Havant

pool. If you are interested in these and other

leisure opportunities in the community please

contact Rishi Ghosh, the Havant District

Bridging worker for Leisure Activities on

07881 340 132 or via email at

[email protected]

We warmly welcomed new staff this term

Learning Support Assistant: Katherine Whitney

Joining us next term :

Learning Support Assistants: Amy Ennever

Supply Teachers, Claire Adamson and Maureen Fuller will be returning to work with

us for a term.

We appointed a new teacher this month. Kerry Cole is currently

working at a school in Wales but she is relocating to Hampshire

and is thrilled to have been successful at interview yesterday.

Kerry is a very experienced SEN teacher and excited to be joining

our staff team after February half term.

We are very sad to announce that pupil

Lucy Ashworth McMillan passed away Monday 11th of November.

We all miss Lucy and are thinking of her mum Louise

and their family and friends.

STAFF—We say Goodbye and Good Luck to :

Teacher, Jess Williams who leaves this term

and

Teacher, Louise Park who is leaving us to join the staff team at St Francis School in Fareham

And we wish a very happy and well earned retirement to

Learning Support Assistant Judy Smy

This term in Herons we have been working very

hard and learning lots of new things in a range of subjects. We would

particularly like to share with you the work we have been doing in our Science

lessons. We have been learning all about electricity and how to a make a light,

buzzer or motor work by building a simple circuit. We really enjoy using the

electricity kits and can now also add switches into our circuits.

Herons Class

ALISON FRANCIS—Class Teacher

EAGLE APPEAL FUND

Registered Charity 1099667

Our main fundraising focus at present is to support After School Learning

Clubs. With parental contribution we have raised enough to run a few clubs again

next term but we want these to continue and need help to fund them. If anyone

has any contacts, family members or friends who are keen to help us achieve

this aim, please get in touch with me at the school or via email at

[email protected]

Coleen Smith

Eagle Appeal Coordinator

Pupil Kelsey Passingham-Crespin and her dad Andy Sellence took part in the

Great South run and raised £500.00 in sponsorship to purchase an IPAD and

specialised software for Ladybirds class. Andy said ―Kelsey thoroughly enjoyed

doing this, it was a pleasure to raise these funds for such a great cause. The

Portsmouth News were on the start line and took photos that featured in the

paper.‖ Andy is very proud of Kelsey‘s achievement on behalf of her school.

Rightly so !! Well done Kelsey and of course Dad from all of us at Rachel

Madocks.