Family Information and FOPHS News Friday 30th June 2023

Social Coffee morning: Wednesday 5^th July 9.30-11

KS4/Post 16 Enterprise Fayre: Thursday 13^th July

This is Me Carnival: Friday 7^th July

Letter to be sent out today.

Wednesday 12^th July: Transition Day

Final off timetable day which will be similar to last year. Further details will follow.

Prom: Friday 14^th July 18.30-21.30

School photo letters were sent out. Please see FoPHS section for more information.

We occasionally encounter problems at the front of school where parents/carers and some home to school providers drop off and collect students. We also have Horizons hub traffic passing as it is a one-way system. Signage has been put up advising drivers of the speed restriction of 5mph on site. There are also 2 zebra crossings, used by staff, students, and visitors. We also have some vehicles try to enter via the exit gate despite clear no entry signs. Everything we do is to ensure the safety of students and visitors on the school site. Despite signage and the staff presence some drivers continue to drive too fast and do not pay enough attention to the zebra crossings. Please, for the safety of all reduce your speed. It could be your child and those of us who are normally outside have been asked to collect registration numbers of those who ignore these instructions. In my opinion, this is common sense, and we should not have to remind anyone of hazard perception in a school safety zone.

Recording without consent

This week’s blog from Maria is information on “Recording without consent”. It can be found in the blog section of the E-Safety information and is dated 29/06/2023.

Visit from the local media.

There was a lot of excitement on Monday, when we were visited by the BBC, ITV, and The Evening Chronicle. Some of our students got involved, cycling with Jonny, who is “cycling to space” to raise funds for Percy Hedley Foundation. We also had one of the first PHF students Jenny, who resides in one of our residential homes come along and talk to the media. It was good to hear things from her perspective. She said that back in the day people thought that those who were in wheelchairs shouldn’t be out and about but should be kept indoors. She also talked of the fact that, aged 6 she moved into a residential school, how scared she was but how happy her family in Sunderland was to hear that she was happy in a letter she sent a few months later. This got me thinking as to how things have changed for the better over time. She recounted a recent visit to South Shields and the enjoyment of using one of the BANE beach accessible wheelchairs. I’ve shared their information previously.

The PHS students involved in this visit were a credit to the school and their parents. You may have seen the coverage on the different channels.

In case you missed it, here is a link to the article in The Chronicle. I can’t find links to the local news coverage.

Reason to – Disability Triathlon

On Sunday 25^th June, the annual triathlon was held at the David Lloyd Centre in Jesmond. Taking part were current and former students of PHS & Hedley’s College. This is a favourite of mine, with some students returning year after year, meeting up with old friends while making new ones. Every child entering can do as little or much as they wish or are able to do. Siblings can join in too and it is a lovely day where they all receive medals.

Friends of Hadrian School Summer Fayre

SATURDAY 8th JULY. 11am-2pm
Date for your diaries! Their Annual Summer Fayre is back with a BRILLIANT BANG!!!

It may be of interest to some of our families too. There’ll be plenty of food & drinks, activities, and fun games for all to enjoy. You can see the poster for it at the front of this section.

Spread this far and wide as everyone is welcome as everything is to support Hadrian School and the children that attend

Tim Lamb Centre:

Last week I shared information about potential 1:1 support at the centre over the holidays. I would be interested to know if anyone uses this, and how well it goes.

This week, they have advertised their summer schedule. Please note that these sessions are available only to members, no guests can be accommodated due to increasing numbers.

Please see poster below and the link to their website is included too.

The Alan Shearer Centre, which is free to join has some activities on offer over the summer holidays.

Durham and District Leisure Group: DADLG

Providing sports, leisure & social opportunities for children and young people with disabilities living in Durham and the surrounding areas

This charity offers weekly and holiday clubs/activities. I’ve had a look at their summer programme which includes:

• Animal Antics (Gilesgate, Durham)
• Hall Hill Farm visit (Lanchester)
• Krazy Kingdom (soft play/activity centre in Stanley)
• Pink gym (Spennymoor)

There is a small charge and membership is required and most includes free food for the child.

Smile through Sport

There are lots of activities from this group over the summer holidays. Their funding comes from different places and there are some restrictions. This information is just being released and more will probably be shared in the coming days/weeks. I will share as I become aware of it, but invite you to:

They will have an information stand at our Autumn fayre too.

North Tyneside residents:

If your family live in North Tyneside and you have a child with a disability or SEND you can access our FREE activities this summer and autumn. Sign up via info@smilethroughsport.com. Places are limited and will be given on a first come first served basis.

This summer we are running sessions in #Cramlington for children and young people who have disabilities and SEND. Want to come join us for some sports, activities and games. Book now via info@smilethroughsport.com.

Sessions funded and supported by Cramlington Town Council

Tesco Blue Tokens

From 1^st July to 30^th September 2023, we have the opportunity to help us obtain £1500 via the blue token voting in store in some local Tesco stores. See poster for details. If successful, the money will fund equipment to support the MOVE programme at Percy Hedley School. Please share this information with anyone you know who can support.

“We want to purchase a monkey roller climbing equipment & climbing wall so that all the children in the school can access it to increase their movement, motor skills, confidence, and life skills.”

Junior and Mini Great North Run

This is your last chance to grab a space for the Mini or Junior GNR! The deadline shuts on July 10th.

Here is a message from Hannah, our Vice Chair:

School Photographs

We are excited to be moving forward with our school photographs and have had an overwhelming response – thank you!  Photographs will be taken over the course of next week and order form proofs sent out as soon as possible.  If you like the photographs, please return the form with the information required and your chosen donation (Pay as You Feel) to Friends of Percy Hedley School (FoPHS) which will be used to fund enrichment activities and resources for our students.  We aim to get the photos to you as soon as possible, and certainly before the end of term, via email.  Please be patient with us, as this is a new initiative, and we are learning as we go!  For those who have already sent a donation, thank you so much for your generosity. It is very much appreciated, and we will be able to fund some fantastic events from the proceeds.

As we seem to be racing towards the end of the school year, I feel as though I’m chasing my tail with arrangements for our Autumn Fayre. I’d greatly appreciate support from parents, carers to make this one even better. That’s what we aim for each time, that we learn from the past, iron out any issues, listen to everyone involved. Although I have had offers of help on the day, we are still a few bodies short on the sub-committee which currently stands at one! You will have noted that we have more staff members in officer roles which were previously held by parent/carers. As the person who first set up the PTA in 2013, and the first Chair (I was both parent and staff member then), I appreciate the offer from staff to take on these roles. If they hadn’t the FoPHS would not continue; I know the difference we make and how much it is valued by students, parents, carers, and staff.

The final FoPHS meeting will take place on Wednesday 19^th July from 9.30-11.00.

The meeting will focus on the Autumn Fayre, and we would really appreciate your support with arrangements, suggestions etc. You may not be able to come into school but can join, even for a short while online.

This is also a good time to share with you planned meetings for the next academic year.

Please see poster below:

Finally, here is the poster to remind you of the date of the Autumn Fayre. We hope, as we have done in the past to welcome back students who are leaving in July or have left previously. I have copies of A4 and A5 posters/flyers for distribution too and think September will be the best time to action. If you could help distribute and/or share information with your friends and family that would be marvellous.

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.