Sherwood Park Newsletter
11.03.22
Weekly Update
Dear Parents and carers,
This week we have celebrated National careers week and the children have been able to take part in a series of activities/events linked to this. I have added an extra section in the newsletter especially for this so do have a look!
Fundraising for Sutton National Autistic Society
We are very happy to announce that Children and young people in a variety of schools from the Sutton Education Trust (including Sherwood Park School) and the Sutton area will take part in a wide range of activities from sponsored events to mufti days to raise money.
In this way, schools taking part can give back to the Sutton NAS, thank them for their support and help them continue their wonderful work, which helps so many children and YP achieve and thrive as they grow. We will continue to inform you of all the events and activities planned.
So please give generously to support the work of the Sutton Branch of the NAS. Thank you.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/havard-spring
At the bottom of today's newsletter there is a letter about Parent governor's and a nomination form attached. Please do have a look.
Have a lovely weekend
Simon
Careers Week
Activities Across Both Campuses
This week at Sherwood Park we’ve been celebrating National Career’s Week (NCW)! The aim of NCW was to provide our learners’ with an opportunity to be exposed to a variety of professionals and job roles within the school environment so that they can consider what sort of job they may like to get involved with in the future and learn some new skills.
We’ve been really busy across both the Sherwood Park and Hill campuses applying and interviewing for jobs around the school such as Nurse’s assistant, Premise’s assistant, Lunchtime supervisor, Library assistant and Senior Leadership assistant. We have been working on identifying our skills, writing application forms and attending job interviews where the learners have completed practical tasks such as organsing books, cleaning and counting money. Please see some of the job applications attached!
At Sherwood Hill we had a visit from a Fireman (Dan) who showed the learners’ his uniform and talked to them about what his job involves! We also had a local tattoo artist (Steve) from Dos Pistolas Tattoos come into school. The students explored tattoo stencils and how to best place them on body parts, they used different colouring pencils and pens to design their own tattoos with also using the tracing sheets and light panel. Some of the pupils asked questions about different designs and looked through his portfolio to see some of his sketches and artwork. Some of our school staff also kindly led a workshop on gardening skills. The learners planted daffodils around the school premises whilst sprinkling some wild flower seeds into the soil. They explored different tools such as trowels and forks to turf the soil and dig holes for planting. We had around 15 learners involved and some took away their own plant pot to grow their own flowers. Lilac class and Violet class also ran their own class businesses for a day which included a cinema and a spa where they managed their tills, watched a film and did face masks.
At Sherwood Park we have had workshops from a DJ (Chris) who allowed the children to speak into the microphone and record their voices; they were excited to hear him play their voices back to them. Chris and Bamboo class teacher (Vicky) have agreed that he will support the class in setting up their own radio station. We also had a visit from Dance teacher (Maggie) she told them about her experience first dancing professionally at Royal Ballet and then becoming a dance teacher. She did a dance warm up with the learners and then gave each one of them a ribbon and encouraged copying of movements. They did big circles and zig-zag shapes with the ribbons. Two of our learners, Ruby and Hope made up their own dance routine and did it for the rest of the group. One of our school Physiotherapists (Kirsty) led a workshop to encourage students and staff to keep their bodies moving. She encouraged them to copy her with stretches and movements to music using fun equipment such as gym balls, peanut rolls, bands and balls. We were lucky enough to have the local Rubbish collectors come to our school to showcase their truck. Also Sycamore class ran their own hairdressing salon on Friday, where they styled each others’ hair and managed their shops till!
Thank you to all the volunteers and our learners for getting involved in all the workshops and job interviews!
Class Celebrations
Hill Campus
This week Lilac class have been exploring different careers. We had a visit from a fireman where the students had an opportunity to try on the kit. We also held a Cinema afternoon where students from other classes came and watch The Gruffalo. The boys had different rolls within this for example, Adam was the ticket collector, Josh handed out snacks and drinks and Harrison presented the film. Students also had the chance to apply for school based jobs and interview for them. Students will find out if they were successful by the end of the week.
This week in Thistle class we have been exploring all things related to National Careers Week. The students participated in their regular Work Experience at the Ecology and enjoyed planting wildflower seeds. We looked at different types of jobs including meeting a fireman and a tattooist who came to school and provided a workshop (also handed out some of his free merchandise from his clothing brand). Well done Thistle Class!
Indigo class have had a good week and really enjoyed doing some Easter art. We have also been developing our literacy skills with a focus on writing today. Well done to Abdul Raheem and Brian this week who have done amazingly well with some changes to their routines. Well done boys!
Sapphire class have had a great week and are learning more about their regulation and emotions through song and drama. They have loved learning the happy dance and sad dance as a group which will help their understanding of how they are feeling. Well done to Kelvin who in particular finds the dancing enjoyable.
Capri class had their first music lesson today on Wednesday they had so much fun, but the one who enjoyed it the most was James.
James had a fantastic swimming lesson with Indigo class he was splashing around in the deeper end this week which is new for him.
The Capri class team have been amazing as always with another busy week.
This week Teal class enjoyed a little bit of gardening as part of our career week activities. Students also had lots of fun exploring different jobs such as police officers, doctors and fireman. We did try to do a role play in class, Luke and Oliver loved to be police officers and Zac and Zara chose to be doctors. All students had amazing time during our first music session with David and fully enjoyed the sun on Thursday afternoon visiting ecology centre.
Our stars of this week are Zara for learning to play on the guitar, Zac and Lulu for learning to play on the piano and signing, Oliver and Luke for choosing to plat flowers in our garden, Ritam for following stop and go instructions when out into the community and Nana for showing consistency in identifying big and small objects. Well done to all of the students in Teal class!
We have had a fantastic week in Lime class and have especially enjoyed the sunshine and spending lots of time learning outside. The highlight of this week was our careers day on Friday where our continuous provision focused on lots of different job roles where we did some gardening, hairdressing and playing musical instruments! Some of us also went to the local park this week and we all transitioned really well and enjoyed playing on the different equipment (especially going down the big slide!). Our celebration star this week goes to Ibrahim for taking a coreboard to request for more, independently. Well done everyone and have a lovely weekend!
This week in Mint class we have started a new colour related to our topic. We have been learning about 'purple colour' through messy play and cooking related activities where we have explored and felt red cabbage and purple sand. We have also started a new sensory story 'Pete the cat' and we really liked mixing the colours together and seeing the colours drop.
Our star of the week will be for Dylan who is using conventional communication skills to recall familiar adults' attention. He is also working hard to tolerate new faces around the class and to accept support when dysregulated.
Olive Class have had another good week with some fantastic communication and interactions from all students. We are continuing to explore different states of water (hot, cold, ice) and compare the size of the containers we use to pour the water in our World Around Me session. We have a lot of fun in this session. We have explored more fruit this week to tie in with our story of Handa's Surprise and have continued to look at out emotions with the support of The Colour Monster book. Our star of the week this week is Maa Abena for using her coreboard and her engagement in all sessions, well done.
Lavender has had another exciting week. In independence, we have explored different careers and 'Healthy Eating.' On Monday, we went to Sainsbury's and used visuals to pick our favourite fruits. As part of National Career Week, we also enjoyed many fascinating post 16 work events, such as visiting Lilac's homemade cinema, where Tim saved a seat for Aryan. Everyone enjoyed listening to a talk from a Fireman. We joined along with Thistle class and gained gardening skills in Forest School. Lavender class have continued with their enterprise project of cooking and selling pizza.
Star of the week goes to Jacob for his zeal in digging up half a flower bed! Have a lovely weekend.
Iris class have been enjoying attention activities this week and getting messy in their play.
Well done to Declan for trying the lycra swing this week!
Violet class enjoyed careers week! There were lots of lovely interactions between our students including a nail painting session! Hasham is our star of the week for his group work with his peers.
Park Campus
Tulip class have really enjoyed celebrating careers week. On Monday with Sunflower and Lily class we did a synchronised swimming session in the pool to music which was a lot of fun. We have also had a cinema afternoon, role played people who help us, been the teachers for a session and our favourite activity was learning how to be a dancer in the hall with the dance teacher. Our star of the week this week is Jack who initiated taking 10 steps in his walker which is an amazing achievement. We also want to give a special mention to Daniel, from Bluebell class, who often visits us in class. This week he borrowed some musical instruments to use outside and when he had finished with them he came and found me without any prompting from adults and returned them to me. What a star!
This week in Marigold Class they have loved Celebrating different professions and the build up to an interview. On Monday we looked at practicing different jobs they said they wanted to apply for. Tuesday we became a cinema, we had a ticket sales person, a ticket collector, someone who made sure [people were quiet, popcorn and Pick and mix shop and a person who was in charge of manning the screen to turn the film on, The class took there roles very seriously and loved the experience. Wednesday we completed and sent off our applications they even sent an email! Thursday was there best day we had a dance teacher and recycling centre come to visit but there best bit was teacher swap.
This week they have all been amazing role models, extremely mature and loved it so it been a hard choice to choose on person however the person we would like to celebrate is Ella as she had her annual review this week and presented her own pupil voice to the meeting as well as thought about what lesson she wanted to show the meeting room she choose her Narrative session. Well done Ella it was a brilliant review.
Daisy class have had a wonderful week. Students have really enjoyed taking part in career's week, particularly experiencing the recycling bin truck and exploring different career roles.
Daisy Class Star of the Week is Calum for showing greater awareness of his friends in class and sharing break time activities.
This week, Hebe class would like to celebrate Abinaya for her perseverance and amazing attitude towards feeding herself from a loaded spoon. She’s even attempting to load the spoon herself with minimal adult support. Well done. Abi!
Lily Class Star of the Week is Elsey for sitting so well in her work chair and engaging for sustained periods during Art and Mark Making lessons.
Orchid Class 'Star of the week' is Ashraful. This week Ashraful has been able to imitate the initial sound of his name during Circle Time and say 'boo' during a game of Peekaboo with an adult. He has also been able to pull up his socks when an adult has placed them over his toes. What an amazing week of achievements, Well done Ashraful!
Frere Bouna!
Brother Bouna has started school this week. He is currently coming in on Tuesdays and Thursdays (Mardi et Jeudi) and is helping us brush up our French ready for the summer holidays! He has had a very positive start, with good attention and engagement.
In Poppy class this week all the children have had an great week learning about jobs and careers. On Monday Poppy class turned into a bakery; the children made delicious bread rolls and decorated cakes. Later on in the week we opened our own cinema and sold tickets, drinks and popcorn then enjoyed watching a film together. We have also done a teacher/pupil swap job, applications and enjoyed learning about careers from all the visitors that have been in school.
The star of the week has been Danny, he did an amazing job application to be register monitor for the school, he filled in a job application form with some fantastic answers and made a great interview candidate - we are all very proud of his efforts!
Bluebell class has had a lovely week exploring different jobs and roles. Our favourite activity was the Bin Truck arriving! The students were able to sit at the front of the truck and pretend to drive. Bluebell's star of the week is Daniel. Daniel has had an amazing week. He has shown very sweet interactions with different children around the school, has listened to his teachers and some of his transitions have been very smooth. We are very excited about his progress and we can't wait to see what he is capable of. Well done Daniel!!
Therapy Stars
Park Campus
Therapy would like to nominate 'Romari' for therapy star of the week, Romari has been using lots of communication strategies to tell people how he is feeling and to ask for help! Well done Romari!
Hill Campus
Luke is doing really well with listening to his Therapeutic Listening music and he is now accepting wearing his headphones. We are very proud of Luke!
The therapists from both sites would like to thank all the learners for attending interviews for the school jobs from National Careers Week.