& 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

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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. Jhumphries@educ.somerset.gov.uk 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

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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

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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 Office@goaaals.com

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