Family Information and FOPHS News Friday 22nd March 2024

I have emailed those on my list. If your circumstances have changed or do change at any time, please contact me and I will support. I have heard from North Tyneside that the HAF (household activity and food fund) will continue for the next 6 months. This means that you will still receive vouchers for half term and the summer holidays. Just a reminder; these vouchers are provided to support families on a low income with the cost of feeding their child during the school holiday for which they are provided. I do send reminders, but if the vouchers are not activated, they will be cancelled by the council and cannot be reissued.

If you have any questions on this, please get in touch with me

Monday 25th March: 9.30-11 – Social Coffee morning for parents, carers, extended family.

Tuesday 26^th March: 9-9.30 – Engagement Pathway Easter Assembly and coffee for parents & carers of classes HW, BE/TS, AH, HF, KS + CHe.

Wednesday 27^th March: 14-15.00 – Enterprise Fair to raise funds for the School Prom in July. Parents of the following classes invited (KS4 accreditation and engagement pathways & Post 16): HF, KS, CHe, CT/TJ, MM, CHa, JF/KG, AJ, KR, RR, JH, LD, LWC, LA & PH. If you are unable to attend and are able to give your child a small amount of money to spend, it would be appreciated.

School closes for the Easter holidays next Thursday 28^th March and reopens on Monday 15^th April.

This week’s online safety blog relates to “cyberflashing”, following the first conviction recently reported in the news.

“Healthwatch is your health and social care champion.

If you use health services or need care, we want to hear about your experiences. We have the power to make sure NHS leaders and other decision makers listen to your feedback and improve standards of care. We can also help you to find reliable and trustworthy advice and information.

Last year we helped over one and a half million people like you to have your say and get the support you need.”

‘During the session we’ll show you how to make a simple social story using a free app called Clips. Social stories can help your child understand new situations and stay safe.’

“This is genius. I’ve always thought of social stories being a long difficult process on paper. My son would engage with this happily.” – workshop attendee.

Book your place to our ‘Create a social story’ online workshop on Friday 19^th April at 10.00

We will be delivering a webinar on ways that parents and carers can connect and communicate with autistic teenagers on Tuesday 26th March at 9.30am-11.30am via Zoom. This will be presented by Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, Carolyn Morgan, and is for families who have an autistic child or young person undergoing the diagnostic pathway.

Some of the students have been to the puppet making, they may even like to go again. If you click the link “what’s on”, you can apply filters e.g. free, kids, teens, requires pre-booking etc.

Visit the links below for more information

Tradition with a twist, why not join us for an alternative Easter Egg Hunt in The Ornamental Garden. Crack the codes, find the Golden Eggs, but watch out for the rotten and fried ones!

Spring into action with our Spring Scavenger Hunt to discover what’s in bloom!

Muck in and plant your own veg in a unique planting activity!

You’ll also find character meets, inflatable assault courses, live music and so much more!

PLUS With our egg-cellent Combination Ticket of £15pp, you can experience BOTH The Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei for one great price! See alnwickgarden.com for more details

April 6^th: Join us for a unique character meet where there is truly something for everyone!

Meet Alice, Mad Hatter, Snow White, Spiderman and Captain America who will be appearing at intervals throughout the day.

As well as meeting some famous favourites, you can also join in with Easter Games, Egg and Spoon Race, Sack Race, Outdoor Games, Flamingo Croquet and much more!

Membership information:

There are free carer tickets available. You’ll need evidence, full information available on the link below. You will need to phone the booking line on Bookings Team on 01665 511350, option 1 ahead of your visit to request it.

If you are a frequent visitor, or are considering it, there are 2 types of annual membership. Too.

Next up is our egg hunt at Dilston Physic Garden!

Each child will hunt for plastic eggs to trade in for real treats! Easter crafts will be available and giant garden games!

If you haven’t been to the garden before it is absolutely gorgeous with lots of little features little ones will love!

To book email thesenspace@gmail.com

Booking Now Open and will sell out very quickly!

Kids will receive activity sheets, a My Pet Pals certificate, and there is a chance to meet some of our amazing animals…all for FREE!

Following the meeting last week, I have arranged to meet with the Chair and with another parent on a separate occasion to look at our plans going forward for:

• Supporting the development of the Outdoor Learning Area.
• Setting up an Amazon wish list.

Easter gifts have been ordered/purchased for all students. We are, as ever grateful to parent Chris, mum to James and Harry for continuing to support us. On this occasion, most will be funded by FoPHS.

Does anyone remember the number generator we ran a couple of years ago? The prize was a spa break and we raised £750 for the then PTA. We have been offered a 3–4-night stay at Cresswell Towers Caravan Park, Northumberland with dates during school holidays still available. It is a 3 bed, 1 double, 2 twin bed caravan with decking, making it more accessible. It is not a fully accessible caravan. There are some conditions, no dogs, smoking in the caravan etc. Full details will be shared. Each number will be £3, and we would hope to draw this as soon as we can; it will depend on level of interest. We will promote at events next week and letters sent with options on how to pay: QR code, cash, BACS, cheque all acceptable.

To date 58 have been, and as 6 draws have already been done, we will give you 2 numbers for £12.

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.