St. Joseph’s Specialist School & College...

St. Joseph’s Specialist School & College Newsletter

Amlets Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 7DH

Tel: 01483 272449 Fax: 01483 276003

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.st-josephscranleigh.surrey.sch.uk

Volume 2

Friday 18th

December 2015

Letter from the Principal

Dear Families and Friends The end of term has arrived. There has been flurry of Christmassy events this week – see inside for more about the FestiviTea, Carol Services, visits from Father Christmas and disco. Today is Christmas Jumper Day. We are hoping to raise a good sum for Save the Children.

Last week the residential groups had a Christmas dinner and party which, according to one of the learners, was the best one yet!

On 9th December we held a very special Mass in celebration of the beginning of the Catholic Year of Mercy. A big thank you to the families and staff who attended and those that were able to join Father Colin and myself for refreshments. See further details of the Year of Mercy inside. Our Diocese held a Celebration Arts event for education leaders across the Diocese. Kath Hitchins, St. Joseph’s fantastically talented Art Leader, led a workshop at this event.

It is with great sadness we say good bye to Alex Ratcliffe, one of our Assistant Principals. She leaves us after only 5 terms, to join her fiancé in Cumbria. She will be greatly missed by learners and colleagues. We will not be replacing Alex at this time – Dawn Phillips, our remaining Assistant Principal will take on much of Alex’s role as Leader of Learning, passing on her KS5 Leadership role to another.

Rod Hunt’s year as resident artist also comes to an end – we will find it hard to find another to fill this role with as much passion and enthusiasm for helping our learners as Rod. If you know anyone who might be interested - do let us know – an advertisement will be placed in the new year.

You will be pleased to know that the retiring collections from the two Carol Services yesterday raised £300. This will be sent to help the mission we support in Yola, Nigeria. This year, as last, they continue to have a difficult time, often in fear of their and their children’s lives. This photos shows Nigerian children orphaned by the terrorist acts of Boko Haram, Nigeria’s militant Islamic Group.

We look forward to welcoming your son/daughter back to St. Joseph’s between 10.15 and 10.30 on Tuesday 5th January 2016. With our love and prayers for a Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year,

St. Joseph’s Specialist School & College Newsletter Page 2

Contents

Page 1 Letter from the Principal

Page 2 New staff members, leavers and congratulations

Page 3 Learner News

Page 4 Staff Profile: Vladi Kolev, IT Manager

Page 5 FestiviTea; Duke of Edinburgh at Sayer’s Croft

Page 6 Care: John Paul House visit a care home; Christmas party

Page 7 Year of Mercy Mass; Nativity

Page 8 Therapies News: Occupational Therapy tips; Makaton Signs; App of the Week

Page 9 Card and Bag Enterprise; Christmas Fair

Page 10 Science update: Super Humans, Stargazing; Christmas Disco

Page 11 Christmas Tree; Santa’s Visit; Christmas Dinner

Page 12 Court-Appointed Deputy Seminar; Wintershall Nativity; Christmas Jumper Day;

Stine Hanson (Teaching Assistant)

Nicole Best (Term Time Only Care Staff)

Lucy Meadows (52 Week Care Staff)

Catherine Eyres

Speech & Language

Therapist

Nicole Tootill

Teaching Assistant

Congratulations to Alex Ratcliffe, Senior Assistant Principal on her engagement!

Alex leaves St Joseph’s since the commute from Cumbria would be a bit of

nightmare. We wish her the best of luck for the future and hope she keeps in touch.

Rod Hunt

Artist-in–

Residence


Learner News

Congratulations to Sophie Lewis, who completed the YMCA Santa

Run on Sunday 4th December. 500 fully suited, booted and bearded

Santa Clauses took part in the run to raise funds for the YMCA.

Sophie attends the Yip4Youth short breaks scheme at the YMCA

East Surrey Sovereign Centre in Reigate. Sophie was a particularly

speedy St Nick, and, after running a merry mile, was the first of her

group to cross the line. Well done Sophie!

Sophie and George, Yip4Youth coordinator

Congratulations to our

Boggle winners! Hannah (left) received the

Learner prize from librarian

Lauren Robins whilst Kim

Maxted (not pictured), one of

our Finance Officers, won the

adult prize.

On Tuesday 1st December we were

able to take 5 learners to Grafham

Grange School to see a concert

performed by students from the

Yehudi Menuhin School. The

concert consisted of students aged 8

-13, playing a variety of instruments

including violin, piano and double

bass. This was an excellent display

of musical talent and an inspiration

to the learners that were present.

On Friday 13th

November, the Learners

and staff members of St

Joseph’s donned their

onesies for a good cause.

The total is just in and

together we raised £147

for Children in Need.

Fundraising for Children in Need

Last week several learners from, fittingly, St Nicolas’ class went to

St Nicholas Church to decorate our St Joseph’s Christmas tree. The

Cranleigh community tree event is becoming a popular annual

festival with schools and groups across the area decorating their

trees in a variety of different ways. The learners really enjoyed

looking at all the Christmas displays on offer. Our tree was based

around the theme, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ and featured houses

and stars made by all the learners in St Joseph’s out of salt dough

(with plenty of festive glitter!). It was highly commended by all who

came for its imaginative interpretation of the well known carol.

Admirers also commented that it was lovely to see a tree with

decorations that were handmade.

‘Just the right place’

Adding the finishing touches

Getting to grip

with the lights

Christmas Tree Display at St Nicholas Church

Admiring our handiwork

Sophie’s Santa Run


Twelve things about: Vladi Kolev

WHAT TYPE OF PERSON ARE YOU?

Describe yourself in five words: Patient, educated , and

What’s top of your to-do list? To improve ……

What’s your favourite biscuit? Coconut Biscuit!!!!

What’s your top holiday destination? Acapulco

What wouldn’t you do for £1 million? To change my past

Who would play you in a film of your life? This pleasure is only mine!!!!

COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES

The celebrity I’d most like to have as a teacher

at my school is: All my teachers were celebrities

As a child I wanted to grow up to be: Cosmonaut

My most embarrassing moment in school:

In the school choir - the teacher asked me what voice I was?

1: Tenor

2: Baritone or

3: Bass

I said - 5

If I’ve learned one thing, it’s: To not stop learning

I shouldn’t be telling you this, but: I still feel like I’m 15!

Tell us your best joke: .. and the pigs are flying!!

I am not 50;

I am 15

with 35 years of

experience!!


Our next Coffee Morning will take place on

Wednesday 20th January 2016 at 10am.

The theme will be Puberty.

Join us for a piece of cake, tea, coffee and a chat!

We look forward to seeing you there.

FestiviTea

Duke of Edinburgh at Sayer’s Croft

A group of 16 learners from KS4 & 5 received funding from the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme to attend an adventure day at Sayers Croft Field Centre in Ewhurst. We arrived at 10am ready for the first activity, orienteering. There were a number of different orienteering courses some with photos and some using maps. It was very muddy but the learners had great fun and it was good to practice our navigation skills before our expedition in the summer. Instead of a picnic lunch 'Cesca, Bill and Cam did a BBQ with sausages and burgers- who said you can't have a BBQ in December! The weather forecast was not great but we were very lucky and by the afternoon the skies had cleared. In the afternoon the learners had to overcome fears, try something new, show determination, perseverance and team work. The learners spent time climbing in the high ropes course and had a fantastic time. Many of them were initially very scared of being so high but they worked well together listened to the instructions and kept trying - it was fantastic to see. The day was such a huge success that we are planning another one in February. If you would like more info about the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (available for young people aged 14 - 24) please email Cesca on [email protected])

Wednesday 16th December saw a very festive Coffee Morning. Parents, ex-learners and staff got together to celebrate Christmas with some yummy mince pies. Our FestiviTea raffle raised £75 for the local branch of the National Autistic Society. Thank you to everyone who supported the event. We wish you all a Merry Christmas!

mailto:[email protected]


John Paul House visit to a Care Home

News from Care

On Thursday 3rd December, Jasmine, Sophia, and Lia went with the John Paul House staff to the Old Rectory nursing home. They were shown around by sisters Harriet, and Amy and her 22month old son Patrick. They met a lady who was 101 years old! She loved the cake we gave her. Mr Evans (below) enjoyed chatting to us and said our cakes looked lovey but unfortunately he has to watch what he eats. Jasmine particularly loved their indoor heated swimming pool and wants one at school! She was sad to leave the nursing home and she said it was really fun.

The Christmas Party for our Residential Learners was held on 8th December. They started off with a delicious Christmas dinner in the Dining Hall followed by a visit from Santa then had a wonderful time at the Christmas disco in Holy Family.

Christmas Party


On Wednesday 9th December, the entire school joined together for

a special mass to celebrate the launch of the Year of Mercy. The

Year of Mercy (or Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy) is a period of

prayer dedicated to the pardoning of sin and reflecting on God’s

forgiveness and mercy. It was declared by Pope Francis, and lasts

from December 8th 2015 to November 20

th 2016. At St Peter’s

Basilica in the Vatican City, and at cathedrals and churches all over

the world, the Holy Doors were opened, becoming ‘Doors of Mercy’, through which anyone may pass and experience

forgiveness for their sins through the power of God’s mercy. At St Joseph’s, the doors of the chapel became our own

‘Holy Doors’, as the school held its Mass for the Launch of the Year of Mercy. Learners gathered in the marquee on

the lawn, before beginning a procession to the doors. Father Colin

joined us to anoint the ‘Doors of Mercy’ with oil and incense, before

everyone passed through them into the chapel. The mass itself

focused on the theme of spreading forgiveness, and the loving and

merciful nature of God. It was a wonderful start to such an important

period of reflection, and the learners were both enthusiastic and full of

prayer as they entered into the Year of Mercy.

Mass for the Launch of the Year Of Mercy

St Joseph’s Nativity


App of the Week

MyChoicePad Pro, by Insane Logic Ltd

A communication app that uses Makaton to aid learners who cannot communicate

verbally. This is the main communication app used at St Joseph’s. You can make

personalised grids focussing on the activities that the learners do. The new Pro app also

has built in games and activities that help to increase vocabulary, build understanding

and help the learner build sentences. The pro app has a library of 4000 Makaton symbols

that you can search for and learn the symbol and sign in order to support communication.

Christmas Crafts - a way to develop hand skills During the festive season there are lots of activity opportunities that you can ‘grasp’ onto as a way to help your

child develop their functional hand skills. Many of our learners here struggle with tasks that involve coordinated

and precise movements of the hand and wrist. In the Occupational Therapy (OT) department we are always

thinking of fun activities we can give to the learners that they will be motivated to engage with. At Christmas it

is a little easier as the theme has so many opportunities.

Here are some activities to think of over the holiday break:

Christmas cookie making

Make a snowman puppet using a

white sock or thick white tights and decorating

Making mince pies

Cutting out snowflakes to place on the windows

Pushing Cloves into an orange and hanging as an aromatic decoration

Making Christmas Crackers

Making Paper Chains

There are many ideas on the internet. We’d love to see some pictures of what you get up to over the break.

Have an amazing Christmas, with love from the Occupational Therapy Team.

Therapies

Makaton

Signs

of the Week

FREE


The card and bag enterprise has been very busy this term designing and creating

Christmas cards and goodie bags.

Having undertaken a questionnaire, the learners discovered which cards and bags were

well-liked and went straight into production. The sensory cards were very popular and

included a sensory pouch of liquid and sequins. Other favourites were made from

recycled maps and music and had a 3D effect.

The enterprise group had an order for 250 cards from a local

IT company, however, as they were new to the business

they decided they would make 50 this year. The customer

was very pleased with their cards and has placed an order

for 250 next year.

Charlotte, Hania, Ben, James, and Nathan have been very busy making the cards and

St Francis helped with Reindeer bag production in their work prep lessons. They set

up a production line with each learner having a specific job to do before they passed

the bag to the next person. Here Callum is adding the

personalised St Joe’s Enterprise sticker to the back of the bag and gave it to the person

adding the sweets.

Sales went well at the Christmas Fair and the enterprise certainly moved into profit. The cards

and bags were also put on sale in the front entrance so that visitors could buy them.

One parent has given the group very positive feedback as

her mother loved her sensory card and her nephew thought

his Christmas tree card made from recycled Marvel comics

was excellent!

Next term the enterprise group are making general greetings

cards, valentine’s day cards and bags and of course Easter

ones. If you have any ideas for the group or any specific

orders please contact us. Also we need a company name.

Can you think up a catchy name?

Card and Bag Enterprise

All the fun of the fair

The Christmas fair was a

huge success this year

raising over £1000! The enterprise groups did a roaring

trade making £70 on the handmade

cards and selling out on the

horticulture stall! The bric-a-brac was

stacked high and offered something

for everyone. As usual the toys flew of

the shelves and learners (and adults!)

enjoyed looking for treasure and that

special something. Once again the

shops in Cranleigh continue to

support us, especially 140, Cranleigh

pharmacy, Costa, Boots and the

recently opened gift shop 121.

Thank you to everyone who

supported us.


Our next Stargazing night is Wednesday 20th January 2016

6 - 7pm

The meeting point will be the School Hall at 6pm.

Further information will be available nearer the time

Science News

You are invited to join us for another exciting night with the moon, stars and planets.

Our Key Stage 2 IPC (International Primary Curriculum) topic this half term has been Super Humans. We have been learning about how our bodies work, inside and out. We have supported our learning throughout the day in class with a Doctors role play area, super hero dressing up costumes and various arts and crafts projects such as making a real life papier mâché body.... lots and lots of paint, paper and glue! It was difficult for the Learners to think about the inside of a body. We looked at lots of videos but it was still a very abstract concept to imagine what was under the skin and what the heart and lungs, kidneys, liver and brain look like. We decided to take a look at the vital organs of a pig. The Learners used surgical gloves and dressed up as surgeons. They were able to touch the organs and really understand how the body works. The Learners asked so many questions and there was lots of group discussion and intrigue that emerged from bringing the lesson to life... not to mention some fabulous handwriting from a very reluctant writer!

Super Humans

St Joseph’s Christmas Disco


St Joseph’s Christmas Dinner On Tuesday 15th December, the lucky Learners and staff members were treated to a wonderful Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. Huge thanks to our hard-working catering

staff who made it happen, despite being down an oven!

Christmas events

St. Francis class went to Santa Fir to collect the

Christmas Tree they have kindly donated to us. The

learners chose the best one and watched it get

netted in the machine. It was the first tree of the

season to go out! Early in November the learner’s in

St Francis’s class wrote a letter to two local

companies to see if they could persuade them to

donate a Christmas tree to the college. They must

have been very persuasive as they were donated

two lovely trees from Santa Fir and Notcutts. We

would like to thank both companies for their

generosity. As part of the functional language skills

lesson the learners were supported to explain who we were and why we were

visiting them on this occasion. In fact when they collected the tree from Santa Fir

they were told that they were the very first customers to take a tree home this

year. A well-balanced 7ft tree was then put through the machine to be wrapped

up to fit in the bus to return to school. Whilst we were there the manager

presented them with Santa hats for the whole class. The two trees are helping

make the school and college look very festive and as you can see we love the

Santa hats!

St Joseph’s Christmas Trees

Santa’s visit to St Joseph’s St Joseph’s had a special visitor with a big sack of presents for all our learners. A huge thank you to Eagle Radio for the lovely presents! As you can see, our Learners loved them. They also kindly donated us a big polar bear teddy who has found himself a home in our Sensory Room.


The next newsletter will be published on Friday 15th January 2016.

Tues 5th Jan Learners return to school between 10.15 – 10.30am

Wed 6th Jan 2.45 – 3.15pm Epiphany Liturgy

Wed 20th Jan 10:30am-12pm - Family Coffee Morning on Puberty

Wed 27th Jan Holocaust Memorial Day

Tue 9th Feb Safer Internet Day

Fri 12th Feb Last day of term – Learners finish at 1pm

Dates for your diary

Court Appointed Deputies Seminar

Wintershall Nativity St Joseph’s were invited to attend the Wintershall Nativity. A group of Learners and staff members went along for an evening of Christmas entertainment. Thank you to Wintershall for inviting us!

Christmas Jumper Day

St Joseph’s got festive to

raise money for TextSanta,

which splits 100% of the

donations between three

charities: Macmillan Cancer

Support, Make-A-Wish® UK

and Save the Children. The

money goes directly to

support vital work both in

the UK and abroad.

On Tuesday 1st December, St Joseph’s hosted a seminar for parents and families of learners over the age

of 16, regarding Court Appointed Deputyships. We were delighted to be joined by solicitors from a local firm, Barlow Robbins, who were able to offer a wealth of knowledge and experience to all of those who attended. Other areas covered during the seminar included assessing mental capacity, powers of attorney and key legislation and funding post education. Attendees gave very positive feedback regarding the seminar and it is something that we will hope to replicate in the next academic year. If anyone has any queries regarding Court Appointed Deputyships then please contact Jay Shekleton. Alternatively, information can be found online at www.gov.uk or by contacting Barlow Robbins directly.
http://www.gov.uk

St. Joseph’s Specialist School & College...

Documents

Transcript of St. Joseph’s Specialist School & College...