So this is Christmas and what have we done …. well, what haven’t we done at Dean Street??? We can’t believe that it’s finally the end of the Autumn term and the calendar year.
December has been a fun-filled month, as always, with our young people not just thinking of themselves but very much of others.
So here we go into the Dean Street December bumper Christmas joint blog from Mrs Tootill and Miss Rodgers.
On the first week of Christmas our students celebrated … a birthday, as our very own Mark celebrated his birthday..
.. and Joshua produced some amazing pieces of art for Miss Mercer..
On the second week of Christmas we wrote to all our families – wishing them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
On the third week of Christmas we celebrated the theme of the ‘Gift of Giving’ which turned into lots of activities which centred on the theme of giving to others. Mrs Burrows’ group made fantastic chocolate hampers for families as part of an enterprise unit for Prince’s Trust. When Mrs Warren arrived this project managed to turn ‘viral’ and was publicised to the rest of the Group..
..and the class began making their orders (including ones for Mrs Tootill and Miss Rodgers who are partial to a bit of chocolate every now and again)..
We also sent a hamper to Mrs Thompson (who came to us from Hawthorns – like an angel from above) as she’s on our ‘nice list’. Not to leave anyone out, we sent one to Mr Quinn. We think he’s on the ‘nice list’ too..
The Royal Mail also got involved with our enterprise through Mr Wilkes (and Mrs Wilkes – also on the ‘nice list’) and the class took a trip to Bolton to deliver some parcels to some extra special people. They even braved the lift!
Mrs Burrow’s class have been collecting for the Barnabus Charity. We have previously supported this charity as they look after people who are less fortunate and live on the street. We need to say ‘thank you’ to staff from the rest of the Group who contributed to our massive collection of food, clothes and sleeping bags..
On the third week we had our Christmas dinner. We talk about Dean Street as our ‘family’ and so we all sat down to dinner – as a family. A massive thanks to Sue (our amazing cook) and to Lyndsay and Natalie who served the ENTIRE school a delicious turkey or cheese and onion pie lunch. We were even graced by a few elves (we’re not sure what list they are on…)
As a result of all the students’ hard work, both Key Stage 3 and 4 went to the pictures. At Dean Street we are all boxing mad (more about this in the New Year) so it was an obvious choice for everyone to go and see ‘Creed’. The students had a brilliant time and loved the whole movie experience.
Mrs Young’s class were the bomb on Thursday, making lovely smelly bath bombs to give to people they care about. Connor gave his to Natalie and Connor gave his to Lyndsay, so they are definitely on the ‘nice list’..
On Thursday, Miss Rodgers told the story of the ‘Godly Play and the Mystery of Christmas’ to the Nurture Group. The story is told all over the world and narrates the story of the prophets, the holy family, the shepherds and the wise men. Jesus in the story is referred to ‘Emmanuel’ which translates to ‘God is with us’. The group listened beautifully to the story and at the end enjoyed a hot chocolate and received a gift. Definitely on the ‘nice list’..
All the students were happy to receive their gifts from us to them. Kyle loved his, another one on the nice list..
On Friday, our last day, Cameron bought gifts to say ‘thank you’ to the staff who work with him – Mr Wilkes, Mr Murray and Mr Oughton..
Definitely the ‘nice list’ for that lad.
So, from everyone at Dean Street, it’s a massive ‘Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year’. From Miss Rodgers and Mrs Tootill – a HUGE THANK YOU to the Dean Street staff who work tirelessly to get the BEST possible outcomes for our students. And to our administrators (nice list), site staff (Harvey is definitely on the nice list) and catering staff (definitely nice – we love food here!) who look after all us all every day. Please enjoy your break and the festive period.
From the Dean Street Family, to all our families and carers..
PS these guys are definitely on the ‘nice list’..
Ms Rodgers & Mrs Tootill
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