Family Information and FOPHS News Friday 15th September 2023

The link to the Online safety information can be found on the school website under the heading “Parent and carers area”, then “online safety” from the dropdown menu.

You can find the link to that page, as well as the latest online safety blog below. This week’s blog from Maria is about Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), in particular filtering and monitoring.

Social Coffee morning and FoPHS get together: Thursday 21^st September 9.30-11.00

Post 16 coffee afternoon (and cake stall) Thursday 28^th September 14-15.00

Autumn Fayre – Saturday 30th September 10am-2pm (more information on the Autumn Fayre is included in the PTA section)

See the links below for the letters regarding these events.

Adapted Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles: WAV’s

Information from one of our parents which may be of interest; something I’ve been asked about in the past. Thanks to Amanda for sharing.

“I wanted to highlight an amazing company we saw at the weekend at The Great Outdoor Holiday show in Harrogate.

They are amazing company, and do WAVs adapted with changing areas.

Great adaptation to motor home and caravans with hoists and profile beds and wet rooms too.

It may be useful to families too for day-to-day WAVs or holiday times too”.

AUTUMN BEACH FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND 16^th & 17^th September!

Here’s the schedule of activities on offer with booking links where you can book in advance. If there’s no booking link is turn up on the day and join in!

Stalls on the promenade and Slacklines and Balance boards on the beach available both days, with live music through the day both days and surf competition dates and times to be decided this week based on the surf forecast.

Please visit their Facebook page for more information. I did share this information on our FoPHS Facebook page earlier in the week.

There is a full timetable on their post and there are adaptive sessions too.

Horse Riding:

One of our parents, who is new to school has asked me about riding lessons. I’m including information about one which I know of that caters for different abilities. If anyone can help with other suggestions, please pass them on.

Washington Riding Centre:   

Our group operates from our purpose built, British Horse Society Approved Riding Centre, seven days per week, all year round. We have been in Washington since 1977, having originated in South Shields in 1964.

Each week, we provide riding lessons for approximately 130 children and adults with a range of disabilities and special educational needs.

Throughout the years, the benefits of Riding for the Disabled activities have become increasingly recognised by medical and educational establishments as a highly effective therapy. Amongst many proven scientific benefits, horse riding can:

• Provide a positive, unique and enjoyable form of therapy;
• Bring a new dimension to restricted lives;
• Encourage independence;
• Promote mental well-being;
• Stimulate bonding with these special animals;
• and contribute to the improvement of a wide range of medical conditions.

Northern Lights Newcastle.

I know it is just September and we don’t all want to know about Christmas just yet. However, events which require booking may well fill up so here’s the first one.

“Remember that brief September heatwave? That was just nature’s way of saying: Prepare for Northern Lights Newcastle

5 reasons you will LOVE our immersive light trail:

1. It’s a breathtaking festival of light
2. We have an epic-water fountain spectacular
3. The trail is jam-packed with delicious locally sourced food & drink
4. The route is fully accessible, suitable for buggies & wheelchairs
5. We are supporting three main charities, with the aim of making a positive impact in the City

Immerse yourself in a magical world of shimmering colours, captivating displays, and breath taking moments that will leave you in awe

Gather your loved ones and embark on an illuminating adventure like no other”.

Beacon Hill Film Academy: BFI

I’ve had the following information sent. Any aspiring actors out there who are aged between 16 & 25 years?

“We’re recruiting for our BFI Film Academy and we’re hoping you can help us to get the word out amongst your students.

Our BFI Film Academy is a FREE short course open to young people, aged 16-19 (or 20-25 with an EHCP) with a special focus on supporting young people with disabilities, neurodivergence and additional needs.

Participants will learn how to use cameras, record sound, and create a music soundtrack while they also get the opportunity to make and star in their own film.

I’m attaching a leaflet to this email, and it’d be great if you can share it with your students to make them aware of this fantastic opportunity.

We also have printed leaflets which we would be happy to post to you if you’d be interested? Or if you have specific students you think would really benefit from applying to take part please let us know or tell them to get in touch with us directly.

Thanks for your help!

Sarah Jenkins (She/Her)

Administrator

Thank you to those who have sent donations in for the Autumn Fayre. What we need most is chocolate as this, unsurprisingly is a favourite with students followed closely by bottles (alcoholic/non-alcoholic). Dare I say this is more popular with adults? If you could send them in for my attention that would be great.

I know John’s blog will include information about the new outdoor learning pod, which when open will be fully accessible for all students with an access ramp, electricity, lighting, and heating making it an all-year round place for students to learn. The FoPHS secured a £1000 donation to support this expensive addition to school. I’ll share more photos when it is complete.

Autumn Fayre

Plans are well underway, with several trade stalls booked. We will have children’s rides, an ice cream van, Police cadets and food glorious food a plenty. We try to keep this affordable as we know budgets are stretched. FoPHS will have an information table, a raffle, chocolate, gift and bottle tombola and a cake stall. We are awaiting confirmation of other things and I will keep you up to date.

There will also be school photos taken; I believe the plan is to do them in front of a Christmas backdrop and, as with the recent ones you can purchase a digital image on a “pay as you feel” basis. Again, we know how costly school photos can be, but also how important they are. You can use the images as you see fit, to make calendars, Christmas gifts or simply to frame.

In the meantime, please continue to send in donations if you can, but mostly come along and enjoy the day between 10.00 and 14.00 on Saturday 30^th September and bring friends. Here’s the poster again

100 Club.

We will run a 100 club again. This costs £12 for the year with half the proceeds coming to the FoPHS and the remainder paid to the monthly winner of the draw. We do the draws in 2 batches as this gives us time to sell as many numbers as possible. Last year we raised £576 for FoPHS. If you can recruit friends and family to subscribe that would be wonderful. You can join at the fayre too if easier. Forms will be sent home, but you can find the link here.

Facebook page:

This is a closed group for family and friends of Percy Hedley School, where you can share news and updates about school life. It is not for external professionals who may be working with families. To join, you need to 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.