Family Liaison and PTA weekly blog 11 March 2022

The mornings and evenings are getting brighter. I’m now on the lookout for signs of spring, which is my favourite season.

It was lovely seeing some tired and happy faces of the returning Post 16 students and staff who were on a residential at Calvert Trust Keswick this week. It brought back happy memories for me, when my own now 23 year old went on these. He was always anxious leading up to it, but settled quickly and enjoyed every single one.

E-Safety:

I have been asked by Philip Coates who recorded an E-Safety online session for parents/carers if you would kindly complete the feedback form on the link. E-Safety is so important and we take it seriously at school, ensuring that we are up to date with the latest guidance. We need your feedback too.

The link to the session is here

The Feedback form is here

Do you remember the Morrison’s “It’s Good to Grow” campaign last year where we collected tokens for gardening equipment? It has arrived and will be well used for the ongoing development of our outside learning space. Thanks to everyone who supported, shared the link and helped us with this venture.

Information

Reaching out to Families.

Please see attached link.

Reaching Out to Families updated flyer March 22

Newcastle Parent Carer Forum Online  2 workshops:

I have been asked by one of our parents, Marie Leddy to share the following

Activities

Autism friendly Comic Night. 

158 Ocean Road, South Shields, NE33 2JF, United Kingdom

Dino Den; South Shields

I know that Dinosaurs are very popular with many of our students and thought this looked interesting. Just opened on the site of the old Queen Vic pub on Victoria Road

“Once a popular music venue, the building now looks set to reverberate to the fearsome sounds of T Rex the dinosaur rather than tribute renditions of Get it On from its iconic namesake band from the 1970s.

Whitley Bay Playhouse: True Imagination production

I know this is early, but it was shared by Carol Brown, parent of one of our students sent this to us. It is during the summer holidays and “True Colours” who have been in school with Post 16 and are booked to come in for 2 days for the whole school are doing it. The feedback from Post 16 staff and students was very positive.

Accessibility information is here:

https://www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk/venue-information/accessibility/

PTA

We held our AGM yesterday and although we had a few more parent/carers attend still feel we have a way to go. The Chair and I, prior to the meeting had decided to propose a mix of day/evening meetings as 2 of the committee work full time. This has changed for the new committee, with 3 working full time. This was well received and will be reflected in the meeting list for the year which will be circulated once finalised.

Save the date:

Summer Fayre 2022 will be held on Saturday 16th July.

If any of our parents/staff are interested in booking a trade stall, please contact me, Eileen Robinson on e.robinson@percyhedley.org.uk or Jo Thomas on j.thomas@percyhedley.org.uk for further details.

Committee:

I’m sure you would like to know who the new committee is so here goes:
Chair: Donna Jones (parent)

Vice Chair: Chris Fewster Smith (parent)

Treasurer: Ros Holden (parent + parent governor)

Secretary: Kate Cordwell Smith (parent + parent governor)

Media + Events: Jo Thomas (staff)

Teacher/Student link: Claire Hayden (staff). School appointed

School link: Eileen Robinson (FLO, staff) School, role specific appointment

Co-opted positions:

Fund-raising link: Maria Hallett (staff)

Chair of Student Council: Harvey Heatley. (student)

We were delighted that our 2 parent governors volunteered to continue with (Ros Holden) or assume (Kate Cordwell Smith) committee roles which strengthens the PTA as a vessel for communication between parents/carers and school.

100 Club winners:

Harvey, Chair of Student Council drew the first 6 months draws for the 100 Club and the winners are as follows:

1. 39 Chris Fewster
2. 30 Lawrence Whitney
3. 43 Chris Fewster
4. 41 Donna Jones
5. 39 Chris Fewster
6. 26 Chris Fewster

Guesses on a postcard for the name of the parent who purchased 10 numbers!  It is never too late to join as we still have 6 draws left which will be done in July. I attach the subscription form and you can choose to purchase 6 numbers for £6, or 2 for £12. I don’t need to remind you who won 4 of the first draws, do I? The income from the 100 club covers our basic running costs and memberships.

100 Club Annual Subscriber agreement 2021-22

Percy Hedley School PTA Facebook group

Have you joined this closed group for parents, carers and staff of Percy Hedley School? As well as sharing PTA related matters, we use this as another communication tool. I use it when I receive information I want to pass on quickly and for reminders. I actively encourage families to share photos, suggestions and reviews for others as I know the power of parent information. Without lovely photos it would look a bit boring. So, please use it and share your ideas and to give feedback on activities I share and on posts. Let’s make it interactive.

The link to join is here:

Have a good week

Eileen Robinson; Family Liaison Officer

Email: e.robinson@percyhedley.org.uk

Phone: 0191 2161811 ext 3260