Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Elmfield Early Years and Primary Newsletter
Newsletter No 8 – March 2012
Dear Parents and Carers
It’s been short but busy term packed full of fun learning
experiences but the most important news has to be that
ELMFIELD SCHOOL FOR DEAF CHILDREN IS OPEN!
It’s been a very worrying time over the last year or so, but the
overwhelming support we received helped us in our drive to keep
our campaign going and ensure that Elmfield stayed open. We
would like to thank everyone who supported Elmfield and gave
generously of their time.
News of our success has been reported in the
local media. Local MP Charlotte was quoted as
saying ‘It was clear that the expertise built up at
the school in terms of leadership and staffing
should never have been put in jeopardy. Large
numbers of people fought to stop the threat of
closure and … every one of them should feel
proud and satisfied that they have succeeded in
keeping a marvellous school open.’
The saving of Elmfield School also made the
front page AND centrefold of the current
edition of British Deaf News. David Buxton, the
CEO of the BDA, said ‘We would like to
congratulate Elmfield School for Deaf children
on their successful campaign to save the school.
We hope to see more Deaf organisations challenging the current funding cuts and
achieving the same success as Elmfield, Campaign Today … Equality Tomorrow’
Finally, now that the school’s future is secure, prospective parents who wanted their
child to join us are now taking steps to make the move and we look forward very much
to welcoming them.
We wish you all a very happy and relaxing holiday and look forward to an exciting
term 5.
Kate Fogwill and the Elmfield School Team
Science week This year we have been focussing on
how science is applied to real life and
the jobs people do.
On Monday we visited Slimbridge and
learned about otters and the birds
that live there, and on Tuesday
we investigated different jobs that
people do and how they use their
science knowledge.
On Wednesday we became scientists
investigating the best toothpaste and
making our own version.
Thursday was a trip to a local farm to
learn about how science is involved in
farming and the production of yoghurt.
Finally on Friday we had a visit from a
scientist who works at the hospital in Bristol
as a researcher. He explained to us about his
work and how to keep our hearts healthy. The
week ended with a visit from Warburtons
bread factory. They helped us to make bread
and learn about what makes bread rise.
What a fantastic week of science! Elmfield
School is lucky to have such clever scientists!
Well done to everyone.
Around the World with Elmfield
After a last minute postponement,
it was fantastic finally to get the
show on the road – or rather flying
high in a hot air balloon on a magical
voyage around the world. And this
year everyone really had something
to celebrate!
Many weeks’ hard work translating
songs and learning lyrics and lines paid
off as the 2fields-Glee Club featuring
Elmfield pupils from both the primary
and secondary departments took us to
Africa, India, America, France and
London in what was a highly
professional show.
Thank you to staff for all their hard
work, and to all those parents and carers
who helped in organising the pre-show.
A special thanks to Mr Heath, Miss
Aiken and Miss Hayes from the Fairfield
performing arts department who have been a
huge support to the show. Without their help
the show would not have been possible!
Photos from the show can be
viewed on our website or go to
YouTube and search for
‘Elmfield Show 2012’.
Howdy to our American Visitors!
We were delighted to welcome Don
and Cathy Rhoten from the Western
Pennsylvania School for the Deaf to
Elmfield School a couple of weeks ago.
Don and Cathy visited both Primary
and Secondary and met children and
staff. They told us all about their
school in America and taught our
children some American Sign
Language. Many of the children had
been practicing the ASL alphabet and were able to introduce themselves to Don and
Cathy in ASL! The Primary School Council sat with Don and Cathy for lunch and
enjoyed their conversations so much that they haven't stopped talking about it yet!
Don and Cathy run two schools in Pennsylvania which provide an 'All Inclusive
Communication Environment', meeting the needs of a broad range of Deaf children.
Please take a look at their very informative website http://www.wpsd.org/ .
The most exciting news from the
visit is that we are planning to set up
an exchange programme with them,
so our students and staff will visit
them and some of their students and
staff will visit Elmfield! This
promises to be a very exciting
programme and we are very much
looking forward to working with Don
and Cathy on this project.
Fire! Fire!
Earlier this week members of Red
Watch came to Elmfield from
Southmead Fire Station, not
because the school was on fire but
to check that the school buildings
were safe. While they were here,
they very kindly let us have a go
with their hoses!
Book Week
From one set of super heroes to another,
namely Wonder Women and Spidermen, Mr
Incredible, Cat Women, Bat Women, Banana
Man and Supermathsman, a lifeboat man, a
farmer, Robin Hood and Supermoo, to name just
a few, all of whom visited Elmfield Primary
along with pupils and staff from Secondary to
help make Superhero T-shirts!
Earlier in the week, we also enjoyed drama activities;
an animation workshop; visits to Forbidden Planet,
Waterstones and the library; AND a Book at Bedtime!
NDCS Football Tournament
A group of us went to Reading for
the NDCS Football Tournament on
Sunday 18th March. For some of our
pupils it was the first opportunity
they’d had to participate in a deaf
tournament and it proved to be a bit
of a steep learning curve! We
did manage to win two out of
seven matches and everyone
left resolving to practice hard
and do even better next year!
A very big thank you to Mr
Ford and Mr Gill, and also to
Anna Willoughby and Mark
Hester, for giving up their Day
of rest to accompany our
sportsmen!
Sports Relief
Pupils from both Primary and Secondary came
together to raise funds for Sports Relief Day. The
children had an action packed morning of activities as
they learnt about why we raise funds for other
children and how their money will be used. Then it
was time for them to tackle the Elmfield Mile! Mr Gill
organised lots of different ways for the children to
do their mile, including hopping, jumping, egg and
spoon, running backwards and dribbling with a
football. The morning
was completed by a
certificate
presentation and cake
sale. Many thanks to
all of you who sent in
cakes, donations and
sponsor money.
Although we would like
to give a special mention to
Bailey’s grandmother and
all the customers in her
butcher’s shop for their
huge fund-raising efforts,
everyone’s support is very
much appreciated. And
guess what? We collected
over £460 – and that’s
before Gift Aid!
Birthdays!
There have been some very important birthdays lately …
On 17th February Arron was 8 years
old! His birthday was during the
February break and we hope that he
had a lovely time!
And Zak was poorly when it was his 6th birthday on 10th March.
We’re so glad he’s better and back with us now.
Harry’s mum sent in a lovely cake when it was his
birthday on 8th March. Happy 7th birthday, Harry,
and do be careful with that cake, Mrs York and Mrs
Spencer, we don’t want to have to call out the fire
brigade again!
Finally, a very special someone had a very special
birthday on World Book Day, and it was Mrs Turner who was 60 years old! (Yes, we
can hardly believe it either!)
Mrs Turner had great fun on her birthday. As Robin Hood, she nearly got arrested in
Waterstone for getting a little bit too into character, and back at school there was
cake cake cake for everyone! Many Happy Returns, Mrs Turner!
After School Club
Next term After-School Club will be on Mondays from
3.30 -4.15pm. Don’t forget to tell your transport
providers that your child will need picking up from
Elmfield Primary site at this later time each week.
Jubilee Woods
This week, all pupils at Elmfield Primary
have been involved in the planting of a
new hedgerow in the school grounds. The
saplings were given to the school by the
Woodland Trust as part of the 'Jubilee
Woods' project to celebrate the Queen's
Jubilee later this year. Sixty hawthorn,
hazel, rose, holly and dogwood
saplings and two Royal Oak trees were
planted and will be cared for by the
children.
In addition to these saplings, the school has sixty tree saplings that we would like to
find ‘good homes' for as we do not have space in the school grounds to plant
additional trees. If you would like a tree sapling - crab apple, birch, rowan or cherry -
please contact your child's teacher and your child can bring one (or more) of these
trees home for you to plant and care for at home.
Sainsburys and Tesco Vouchers
Voucher season is upon us once again and Elmfield Primary is
collecting both Sainsbury’s and Tesco vouchers, so please
support us by going to the supermarket and buying lots of
things and then dropping your vouchers into the box which you will find in
our school reception area. Many thanks!
Staffing Changes
We are very sorry to be saying goodbye to Mrs Rolston, Ms Landeg
and Mrs Sanders who are leaving us at the end of this term. We
would like to thank them very much for their hard work and their
commitment to our school, and we wish them all well in
the future.
During Term 5, Mrs White will be on a teaching placement as part of her MA Hearing
Impairment Course at Birmingham University. She will be teaching in a Hearing
Impaired Resource Base in Bristol for 5 weeks and will return to teach Ostrich Class
on Friday 25th May. Mrs Gorely will be teaching in Ostrich class on Thursdays and
Fridays during Mrs White's absence. From the beginning of Term 5, each class will be staffed as follows:
Class Teachers: Mrs Angove/Mrs Spencer
TAs: Mrs Bradley, Ms Craig, Mrs Turner, Ms Rossiter, Miss Grey
Class Teachers: Mrs York, Mrs Gardiner
TAs: Ms Freyer, Mrs Isaacs Volunteers: Mrs Ward, Ms Smee
Teacher: Mrs Gorely, Ms Gardiner
TAs: Mr Gill, Mrs Isaacs
Teacher: Mr Ford, Ms Gardiner
TAs: Mrs Isaacs, Mr Gill Volunteers: Mrs Lonergan, Ms Smee
Contacting Your Child’s Teacher
If you need to contact your child’s class teacher, please do so through the orange
Home-School book. Should you need to email for any reason (eg to send an
attachment), please use the school’s main email address – [email protected]
– marking for whose attention the email is intended. This will ensure that your query
is dealt with immediately, which might not always be the case should your child’s
teacher be on a course or off sick. Thank you.
Phew, what a scorcher!
We have recently been experiencing some very hot, sunny weather,
and who knows, there might even be more to come during Term 5!
Therefore, we would like to remind parents and carers to make sure
their child has a named hat with them when they come to school in the mornings and
to send in a bottle of high-factor sun cream, also named, so that their child can be
protected from the potentially harmful effects of this lovely summer weather.
KS2 Healthy Snacks
Children in Ostrich and Falcon are welcome to bring in a healthy
snack from home to eat at break time, for example a piece of fruit
or vegetable, rice cakes, etc.
Looking Ahead
Friday 30th March: Term 4 ends.
Monday 16th April: Term 5 begins.
Monday 7th May: May Day Bank Holiday
Thursday 10th May: Deaf Awareness Week
BSL Poetry Festival
Thursday 24th May: Year 5/6 Transition Visit to Elmfield
Secondary
Thursday 31st May: Year 5/6 Transition Visit to Elmfield
Secondary
Friday 1st June: Term 5 ends
Jubilee Celebration Afternoon – details
to follow
Monday 11th June: Term 6 begins
Wednesday 18th July: Term 6 ends
All the staff of Elmfield Primary School
would like to wish you a VERY
Information from Other Providers
The Family Centre
Mad Hatters Tea Party Making mad hats, decorating crazy biscuits, hunting around the Queen of Hearts’
garden are just some of the activities planned for this fun afternoon. The Southville
Centre is centrally located and easily reached by regular buses from the city centre
and Bristol Temple Meads. If you're feeling active, it is only a 20 minute walk from
the city centre. There is also a small free car park and free on street parking in the
surrounding residential streets.
When: Monday 2nd April Where: Southville Centre Time: 2.00-4.30pm
Price: Children - £4.50, adults and under 4s - Free
Funderworld Charity Night
Funderworld is the UK’s only mobile theme park and it is coming to Durdham Downs,
Bristol. We have got 40 tickets for Tuesday 10th April. They are £3 a ticket and you
pay on the day. (We will send the tickets out to you before the event). These are
very popular as they offer a huge discount to normal entry prices. Tickets are given
on a first come first served basis.
Participants Needed
A PhD student is looking for participants to take part in their research about the
language development in deaf children. He requires deaf children aged 9-16 to take
part. He would only need to meet the child once for about 20 minutes, it involves
playing a few games like ‘guess who’ and ‘20 questions’. He is working with Marc
Marschark (American academic) to replicate the work he did in America. For more
information, please contact [email protected].
SigningWorks
SigningWorks is delighted to offer GCSE English Units for Deaf Adults taught in BSL
by a qualified teacher who has level 6 BSL skills. This is a fun introduction to GCSE
English Language taught over 6 weeks resulting in an accredited GCSE unit that forms
part of a full GCSE in English. Students will expand their English vocabulary and
improve their sentence structure using a variety of forms and will end in a formally
assessed piece of work.
All students are welcome, regardless of previous qualification.
Please contact on [email protected] or SMS 07515 285 519 for more
information or to book a place.
Booking and payment needs to be received by April 6th 2012 to secure your place.
Workshop on Ethics of interest to Interpreters and CSWs
THE ONLY WAY IS ETHICS!
Facilitated by Sarah Haynes and David Wolfenden
Saturday May 12th 2012, 10am-4pm
The Coach House
2 Upper York Street
Bristol BS2 8QN
£132 per person (inclusive of VAT)
Interpreters make decisions every day, ranging from how they dress to interventions
they have to make in the assignment, from whether they engage a client in
conversation to whether it is appropriate to break a confidence.
In this day's workshop, we will look at the more fundamental aspects of decision-
making, the foundations upon which we judge goodness and badness: ethics.
We aim to change the focus of our ethics from a rules-based approach which tends to
focus on what should or shouldn't be done, to a framework which looks more at the
consequences of decisions. Seeing conundrums in this way often means we are much
more easily able to make good decisions, based on sound ethical reasoning.
Please contact Clare on [email protected] or 07515285519 for more
information or to book a place. Booking and payment needs to be received by April
2nd to secure your place.
