91首发

Events:

The events calendar has been updated this week. There is information on themed menus. I am aware that some students struggle with change and need to know about them, so please take a look and note them on your calendars. Your class team will support too and I aim to include them in my blogs in advance.

You will find inks to the term dates and events calendars in the Parent and Carer area of the school website:

/percy-hedley-school/parent-and-carers/

Harvest Festival at school has raised a lot of food and toiletries which are going to The People鈥檚 Kitchen. Thanks to everyone who supported. I have seen students dropping in their donations over the last few weeks.

Poppy Appeal. If you would like to support the Annual Poppy Appeal, the office has a supply of poppies and other items.

Enterprise group. A group of students in Post 16 have asked for donations for a raffle and tombola at their Christmas Enterprise Fair. These can be sent into school.

FoPHS will have a stall too, further details next week.

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The link to the Online safety information can be found on the school website under the heading 鈥淧arent and carers area鈥�, then 鈥渙nline safety鈥� from the dropdown menu.

It is here: /percy-hedley-school/e-safety/

Recently, there have been some new updates come out for our phones and devices! In our ever-connected world, ensuring the safety of our children online has become more vital than ever. As technology continues to evolve, so do the challenges that come with it. One of the most effective ways to shield your child from potential online threats is by keeping your technology software up to date.

/percy-hedley-school/weekly-newsletter/online-safety-blogs/#story-1

You can find the link to previous weekly online blogs here:

/percy-hedley-school/weekly-newsletter/online-safety-blogs/

Let鈥檚 talk about support.

It鈥檚 a word we hear and use a lot but what does it mean? I thought I would start with what the word means:

• To agree with and give encouragement to someone or something because you want him, her or it to succeed
• To help someone in an emotional or practical way
• To hold something firmly or carry its weight, especially from below to stop it from falling

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Support can be practical, as in resources/things or emotional, as in encouragement.

Here at 91首发 School, support comes in many forms. From an initial assessment to getting a place for their child through the different phases of their education until they move on to college or other placement, there is a lot of support for child and family.

We use evaluations and surveys to determine what support parents/carers want. We also try to ensure that you are kept up to date with all manner of things. This includes

• Parent visits before an Annual Review where you meet with your child鈥檚 team and share information
• Coffee and catch up with your child鈥檚 department, often with information sharing relevant to their pathway
• Social coffee events where you get the chance to talk to other parents, sharing experiences and tips
• Workshops or information events, literacy, online safety, 16-19 bursary all being fairly recent examples
• Blogs, and we have 3 each week, the school blog, family liaison blog and the weekly online safety blog
• Individual support, from class teacher, wellbeing team, nurses, therapists, and family liaison officer. This can be responsive to a request, need or event
• Practical support, for example free school meals and food vouchers for low income families, bursary for Post 16 eligible families or a grant to support residential.
• Signposting to agencies/charities which may help.

We are always trying to see what else we can do to help families and identified that parents/carers may benefit from more information about Preparation for Adulthood. 3 surveys went out, to staff, current and former parents. Some onsite training has been provided to Learning Support Assistants on this theme. They don鈥檛 attend Annual Reviews but are constants in your child鈥檚 school day and often have links with families by phone or in person. Hannah, our PfA Lead and I have looked at the information from the latter two surveys and want to involve parents in the next phase. Some of you indicated that you would like to be involved in a parent forum. Our goal is that you feel confident in your knowledge of changes that will come about as your child becomes an adult. My approach has always been to be prepared early. While your child is at school, there is some consistency, but what will happen when they leave school/college? What will happen with medical and social care support? Some of you are well informed and as well prepared as you can be, but what can we do to support you? Is your child in Year 7 or above? Come along to our Preparation for Adulthood parent/carer focus group. There will be an initial meeting on Tuesday 12^th November from 13.45-15.00. To make it accessible to all we are offering this as a hybrid event. Here is the link to join online:

I covered this extensively last week, so check back if you are interested.

Here is a link to Money Saving Central鈥檚 list of places where children eat free or for 拢1 over half term. The link to their page is here:

This is updated as new information arrives.

Tim Lamb Centre

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Saturday 2nd November 1-3pm Angela’s Ark visit.

Children can hold the animals and have their photographs taken. No booking required.

Membership, 拢20 per family will be needed.

More information here:

Alan Shearer Centre:

I mentioned their quiet space last week and thought you might like a sneak preview

The Alan Shearer Activity Centre is a specialist recreational, sensory and social centre for disabled people of all ages and caters to a wide spectrum of need. Funded entirely by听, all of their activities are completely free of charge for disabled children and adults, their families, friends, schools and groups.

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Here is the link to the activity centre where you will find up to date information on what is happening and what events are on.

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Junior Wheelchair Rugby:

Wheelchair Rugby ‘try it’ session…
Open to anyone with a physical disability & their siblings.
Ages 8 to 17.
Saturday 14th December 1pm-4pm
Gateshead Leisure Centre.
All equipment, including wheelchairs, is supplied.
Register your child here:听

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Beamish Museum:

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Beamish is now on reduced hours but is open daily during half term. Their annual passes are great if you use it more than once. Free carer tickets are available.

Here is the link to their accessibility page:

They also have a special event:

Come along for a family friendly evening with Beamish Museum鈥檚 Halloween Evenings on 28th, 29th and 31st October, 5pm 鈥� 9.30pm.

Tickets on sale now.

Join us for a special spine-tingling experience as Beamish is transformed into The Un-living Museum of the North.

Play the night away with fiendishly family-friendly fun in our 1950s welfare hall.

Our cobbled Edwardian Street is home to more than just our townsfolk at Halloween, meet the newest inhabitants and enjoy some enthralling entertainment across the museum.

No tricks here, just delicious treats from Herron鈥檚 Bakery, Jubilee Sweet Shop and The Sun Inn. We will also have a number of our catering outlets open, with delicious refreshments to sink your teeth into鈥�

Don鈥檛 forget to visit the Fairground for a spin on the thrilling rides!

Halloween Evening ticket prices:

Adult: 拢21

Child (2-16 years): 拢13.50

This is a separate ticketed evening event 鈥� Beamish Unlimited Passes and Friends of Beamish memberships are not valid for evening events.

Event Information/Terms and Conditions

Tickets for Halloween Evenings must be pre-booked online (subject to availability) and will not be available to buy at the museum. Beamish Unlimited Passes and Friends of Beamish memberships are not valid for evening events.

If you need a carer鈥檚 ticket, please book the rest of your party online and then call 0191 370 4306 and quote your reference number to book a carer鈥檚 ticket.

Free parking is available in the main car park.

Visitors are not able to hire motorised scooters from the museum for this event. They are however able to bring their own.

No animals are allowed at evening events, except for assistance dogs.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Visitors are advised to wrap up warm, bring a torch and wear sturdy footwear

Halloween Evening tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for an alternative date or event.

Our Christmas at Beamish, daytime Grotto tickets are officially available for purchase. Bring the whole family for an unforgettable festive experience and a visit to Father Christmas in his beautiful grotto at Rowley Station. Hurry and secure your tickets before they’re gone. We can’t wait to welcome you to this magical experience!

Buy your tickets here

Asda Cashpot: I have kept an eye on this, and as of today we have 拢232 in our pot. If you have yet to sign up, we get 拢1 for each person who joins and has the Asda rewards app. We also get 0.5% on any of your purchases at no cost to you. These funds help FoPHS to support students and classes.

FoPHS 100 Club.

We are making slower progress than in previous years, with only 37 of the 100 numbers taken. 2 years ago, we raised 拢546, last year 拢360 and this year to date we have raised 拢222. If you are in a position to support, please consider. It is open to anyone, so if you have friends and family who are interested, please share.

Christmas cards.

Here are a few more of the spectacular designs which were done by students. The orders are being prepared by IQ and will be sent to you soon.

Facebook page:

This is a closed group for family and friends of 91首发 School, where you can share news听and updates about school life. To join, you must answer the question stating your link with school.

Please note: this group is for sharing news and updates about school life and is not intended to discuss any issues around individual students, and as such all comments are moderated. If you have a particular issue or concern, please contact school directly on 0191 216 1811.

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