Sherwood Park Newsletter
27.05.2022
Weekly Update
It's been a very busy last week of this half term!
One of the highlights of the week for both students and staff was a trip to the circus. Children from both campuses enjoyed the spectacular acrobatics - there are great photos later in the newsletter.
Last weekend, teaching staff and therapists from both campuses participated in a 5km colour obstacle run to raise money for equipment to share across both sites. A huge well done for all those who took part in the run - despite being tired, hot and covered in paint and foam, it was certainly a great experience. Look out for the team’s next run! You can share and donate by following the go fund me link here: https://gofund.me/c3ffebfc We will keep you informed of how much we raised and how we plan to spend the donations.
This week instead of stars of the week we are celebrating all of the children for their outstanding efforts towards their learning this half term!
I hope you all have a lovely half term.
Simon
Photo Gallery
Meet Jojo!
Based on the success of Oscar (our current therapy dog), we are registering Jojo for her “Pets for therapy” assessment. She is a 5 year old border collie / Samoyed cross and is David’s (headteacher) dog. Jojo has been in to visit the school this week to see how she would feel in the school and has met several of the school’s staff and she has been a big hit (and she has enjoyed it too!). She will continue coming to school a few times a week over the next half term and be based in David’s office. We will be following the same risk assessment that we use for Oscar.
Pupils on both campuses can pop and see Jojo on these days, for strokes and maybe the odd walk. Oscar has been such a highlight for a number of pupils, supporting them to regulate, reflect and to increase motivation in some subjects; we are hoping that the introduction of Jojo too, will provide similar opportunities for more of our pupils and more frequently.
David Murden
Headteacher
From The Therapy Team
One of our SaLT’s Samia arranged for Jay from SmartBox to visit the Park campus this week. He bought lots of high tech equipment for some of our learners to have a go on. The day was focused on those who need adaptations to access technology in different ways such as eye gaze technology, keyguards (plastic overlays) to help students press touch screens more accurately and mounting to find the best position for devices for our learners to use. We had the whole team on hand to help including the learners speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists as well as Miranda (Qualified Teacher for Visually Impaired) from the Cognus sensory impairment team. The learners were able to try lots of different things on the eye gaze including communication apps, fun games, interactive literacy games music, video clips and much more! Here are some lovely photos from the day:
Aaron had a blast breaking all the bottles on the screen, he has so much fun he wanted to keep sharing his enjoyment with everyone around him and forgot to keep looking at the screen!
Jayden was super accurate with eye pointing on the device and telling us whether he wanted 'more' of a Disney video or 'something else'.
Sushmi enjoyed tracking Mr Tumble on the screen and then splatting him with custard - all using his eyes!
Anisa loved using her communication app with a keyguard and a case that had a screen on the back so everyone could see what she was saying as well as hearing it.
Deyar also tried a keyguard and loved telling us that he wanted to go outside and see his friends, so we did!
Connor had so much fun using a head mouse to play lots of tunes.
Luckily Jay had some Disney clips on his tablet so David was able to tell us what he wanted to watch and that he wanted ‘more’ when it stopped.
We didn’t get to see everyone but we hope Jay can come back soon to see our learners and try out all the cool equipment again.
Thanks
Rebecca
Photo Gallery
Wellbeing Training
Wellbeing Skills for Carers (in partnership with SWLSTG Recovery College): You are important. The more you take care of yourself the more you are able to take care of your loved one. You are invited to join us to identify what topics are most important to you to help us put together a wellbeing course that supports carers, friends and families. We will have two separate sessions, one online and the other face to face.
What we will cover:
Understanding what happiness means to you
Working with you to choose topics we should focus on
Experience some techniques that will make you feel more refreshed and relaxed
Build your resilience to help you bend to the pressures of life and not break
When:
Monday, 20 June 2022 at 10am~12.00pm (online) (Cost: FREE)
Tuesday, 21 June 2022 at 10am~12.00pm at at The Recovery College, Building 32, Springfield University Hospital, 61 Glenburnie Rd, London SW17 7DJ (Cost: FREE)
To book visit: https://bit.ly/KAE-CLpifhltswlstg2122
How to develop resilience in your child (Help your anxious child): If your child is showing signs of stress or anxiety and finds it hard to bounce back from adversity, this course will give you the understanding and plenty of practical tools to guide your child to building their resilience and coping with change. A fully interactive 5-week course which means you can work out the best way to help you and your child improve their emotional wellbeing and enjoy life more.
Tuesday 14 June ~12 July 2022 at 11.00am ~ 1.00pm
FREE: if your personal annual income is below the London Living Wage of £21,547.50 or £40.00 if you earn above the LLW
To book on this course please click this link : https://bit.ly/KAE-CLfl2122