Family Information and PTA News 29 April 2022

The weather was kind for the Easter holidays and we are now in the final term. There seems to be lots going on around school. No doubt, as is usual at this time of year the students will be out and about more.

Free School Meals

We have been asked by North Tyneside Council, who provide the (school holiday) vouchers for students eligible for free school meals to contact a few people who had not downloaded their vouchers. I thought it may help to give you the following information:

• Percy Hedley School provides meals at no cost to all students during the school term.
• Vouchers are provided by North Tyneside for those who meet the eligibility criteria for free school meals. These are to provide meals for the child during that school holiday. These are sent to you by email from a company called Edenred and not school.
• Vouchers will normally be valid from the first day of the school holiday/half term.
• When vouchers are issued, you need to download these within a week, or thereabouts of receipt. The purpose of these vouchers is to cover a meal for that holiday period only. Although valid for a few months, if they are not downloaded North Tyneside Council will cancel them and there is no way of re-activating.

If you believe you meet the criteria and don’t receive vouchers, you probably have not completed the form and provided evidence, your email address may have changed or the wrong email address was entered historically. Please contact me if you need more information or if you think you are eligible and don’t receive vouchers.

The Little Falcon

A heart warming story about true friendship and a little Falcon that can’t fly. Perfect for children aged 7 and under, although I’m sure a story that can be enjoyed by all 

Inspired by her son Toby, who has cerebral palsy and his wonderful friend Jodi from Illinois

Here is the link to pre -order  https://www.fiandbooks.com/preorder

Information:

Inclusion North: Reaching out to families event

I would be interested to know if anyone has joined one of these zoom groups. The next one is on Friday 6th May from 10.30-12.oo

Reaching Out to Families flyer May 22

Activities:

10 of the best family days out for those who use wheelchairs

I saw this on the Facebook page of “Northeast Family Fun” and although they have a website I was unable to find the link. I shared it on our Facebook page, but on discussion with a parent know that not everyone uses it. I promised to share it on this week’s blog. The link is below:

https://www.northeastfamilyfun.co.uk/2021/08/10-of-best-days-out-for-wheelchair.html?fbclid=IwAR3PoxQ_6_J-ante5yNK64Pcj6Dw17HvhgZfuoyNEaJBSVOGQwStslF3Nmo

Raby Castle and gardens

Thanks to Jo, mum to Lucy for this information. She visited over Easter and said most of the trail was accessible. There is also a Potters Forest and Playpark. Although there was a step, difficult for wheelchairs to get from the car park staff were very helpful and found a solution. Let’s hope her feedback leads to something more permanent. I attach the accessibility information and link to their website.

Just so that you know, there isn’t a “changing place” there.

https://www.raby.co.uk/whats-on/

https://www.raby.co.uk/raby-castle/your-visit/plan-your-day/parking-accessibility/

Pets Corner: Jesmond Dene. 

This has re-opened and the link to get more detail is here

It is open from 11-15.00 every day except bank holidays.

Holy Island: Lindisfarne Castle and Priory

Fully refurbished public toilets at Holy Island are now open ahead the Bank Holiday weekend.

The loos on Green Lane have been modernised and now include a new ‘Changing Places’ fully accessible disabled toilet facility.

Read more >> https://nland.uk/newloos

@ChangingPlaceUK

Accessible Booking Information

For further details or to make a booking, please give our team a call on 0191 243 1171. Our team are available to take calls between 10am – 3:30pm weekdays, with some additional hours around shows.

Alternatively, you can send an email to info@tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk.

PTA

Bet you have forgotten that we are planning a summer fayre

We will be accepting things for the tombolas and raffle. Whilst we need lots of volunteers to make this run smoothly we are aware that not everyone has extended family support. However, do you have a teenager who would benefit from some voluntary work? Let us know as we would love to involve them.

PTA News

With the lovely weather returning the PTA has now paid the annual educational subscription for National Trust. I have also established that schools can access English Heritage properties free of charge if the visit is part of their curriculum. I hope this enables our students to get out and about this term. Due to COVID these visits have to be pre-booked and we have no control over the weather but fingers crossed classes can make use of these properties.

PTA Meeting

Our next PTA meeting will be on Tuesday 17th May, 14-15.00. The link to join the meeting via TEAMS is here. I will check towards the end of next week to see if/when we are likely to resume face to face meetings.

PTA Facebook page

The link to join the Percy Hedley School Facebook page is here

Have a lovely bank holiday weekend.

Eileen

Family Liaison Officer

Email: e.robinson@percyhedley.org.uk

Telephone: 0191 2161811 ext 3260