Family Information and FOPHS News Friday 8th March 2024

This week’s online safety blog is:

A parents guide to online influencers and can be found below.

If you are interested, the survey closes on March 12^th.

In the link below you will find:

• The Consultation Document
• Gender Questioning Guidance Document
• The online survey.

No date yet, but they are looking for people to interview. I thought it was very well presented and, though I know a lot about Autistic Spectrum Conditions I learned from it. If you didn’t watch but are interested it is available on BBC iPlayer.

“Following the success of last year’s acclaimed Inside Our Autistic Minds, which recently won best Specialist Factual series at the Broadcast Awards, the BBC has commissioned a second series, exploring what it is really like to live inside dyslexic and ADHD minds.”

If you read the link below, they are looking for people to interview.

Deanne Taylor, Head of SEND at Newcastle local authority will be joining us for a virtual Q&A session along with other key practitioners, including health and social care.

To submit your questions and/or register your attendance please email contact@newcastlepcf.co.uk

“Set in the little village of Nantglas near the Elan Valley, Mid Wales Lodges provides the ideal base to explore the breathtaking and beautiful countryside of Mid Wales”.

Visit their website for more information; I have included a link to accessibility too.

Here’s what they say:

Welcome to our Magical Days Out application page. We’re glad you found us!

Applications for Magical Days Out are open, with a current lead time of 8 weeks from the date of application. This is subject to change so please check back here for updates.

Applications from families looking to apply for Magical Days Out for children with terminal illnesses or diagnoses will be assessed within 10 days of applying.

Please read all the information in the link blow and click the Apply Now button to apply!

To say thank you for the £30 million raised for Good Causes every week by players, National Lottery funded venues are offering free entry, discounts, and special offers throughout National Lottery Open Week.

Free or discounted entry to lots of places including National Trust (1 adult & up to 4 children free with a lottery ticket) this and next weekend. The photo is Gibside, but there are lots of locations. You will find full details for North East locations on the link below.

The review below is from “North East Days out”. Link to their Facebook page is here.

I had a look to see where the nearest “changing place” is, and it appears to be the Sunderland Aquatic Centre. Here is the link to the changing place map.

Thompson Park in Sunderland has recently received a substantial £740,000 investment and is a fantastic place to spend the day.

Facilities include:

• Large, enclosed playground with equipment for all ages and abilities (including a swing and roundabout and seesaw for wheelchair users)
• An interactive football wall with LED lights to help improve aim. The wall offers a range of games and challenges for all abilities.
• A further adventure playground with climbing and play equipment, slides, and a zip wire (better for older kids I would say)
• A running track and trim trail / outdoor gym
• A dedicated cycling/scooting area with a mini road I’ve layout
• Sports courts including bowling green, tennis courts, basketball court & football pitches.
• A cafe which is open daily from 10am-2pm. The cafe also has shared public toilets which anyone can use during opening hours (accessible toilets available downstairs)
• Additional toilets can be found at Aldi across the road from the park.
• There is a free onsite car park, the park is accessible by bus (20, 9 and E2) and a 10-minute walk from Seaburn or Stadium of Light Metro Station. Postcode SR5 1PL
• Dogs are welcome in the open public areas (not permitted in the enclosed playground / sports courts)
• Plenty of seating and bins

Visit their website or Facebook pages for more information.

SEN ONLY Sessions Now Available!

What do our SEN only sessions include?

Access to both Sensory and Role Play Area freely.

These sessions are strictly SEN only and have been closed to other children. This is to ensure your child can freely play across both areas without lots of other little guests and we limit numbers in this session. This creates a calmer environment and more chance for them to explore the whole area.

Bookings available on a Thursday at 1.30pm and the sessions last 90 minutes in total!

Do you have any ideas for fund-raising? Could you help at an event in school?

The meeting will be hybrid, so we warmly welcome you to join us in person or online. The link to join online is here.

We were asked if FoPHS would consider purchasing a Metro pass for school, as there is a shortage of buses and drivers. Looking at the usage of the one we bought last year it seemed prudent to buy an annual one. The committee has approved this, and it has been ordered. As there are no Nexus travel shops the only way to order is a postal application payment by cheque.

In line with the previous committee, we have agreed funding for the Eggcited to MOVE day which will take place on Tuesday 19^th March. Students love these events.

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.