We made it!
This week, we all sat down in the games room for a shared Christmas lunch made for us by our lovely cook, Sue. Thank you Sue – as usual you have looked after all of our foodie needs. From turkey to cheese pie and a vegan nut roast. Not to mention the lovely veg, gravy, veggie gravy, arctic roll and Christmas puddings. We all thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Thank you to Mrs Culhane, Miss Davies, Mr Southerington, Miss Loftus and, of course, the gravy queen for your assistance in serving our Spring Brook Family today.
There has been so much that we have packed in this half term. Lots of indoor and outdoor learning, reading, writing, maths. Interventions, reiki, IEMT, NLP, therapeutic stories. The list could continue. As you can see in the class blogs the students and staff have enjoyed a range of learning and being opportunities. We have started to populate our learning for life e-portfolio’s – they are beginning to look really great. Let’s read the class blogs….
SBU 3
“SBU 3 have had a great first term at Spring Brook Upper School! It has been great to see the student’s confidence grow each day as we settle in, having new experiences and meeting new people. We have enjoyed lots of fun activities, like cooking, trampolining, decorating our class Christmas tree (and asking if Mr Southerington can be the angel on top!) Merry Christmas everyone and let’s see what 2021 has in store!”
SBU 8
“And just like that, another half term is over.
We have worked incredibly hard in SBU8 – not just academically but around self-regulation, social skills and emotional wellbeing. Being in year 9 and having an awareness of transition year is not easy to comprehend… Throw in new Covid variants, uncertainty of restrictions and possible changes to daily life both at home and school, you could forgive staff for feeling the pressure, let alone pupils.
Yes, there have been ups and downs but the class are demonstrating an ability to reflect on behaviour and developing their awareness on how this impacts decision making/next steps.
Over the last few weeks we have produced letters; participated in role-play and hot-seated one another; made wonderful progress in mathematical concepts (which required a high level of perseverance); expanded our knowledge on climates, separating techniques and suffragettes to name but a few. We have even managed to squeeze in an introduction to a food qualification which will allow our pupils the opportunity to achieve accredited qualification ahead of their transition to KS4. All this whilst exploring the local area via the John Muir award and working towards certificates in trampolining.
I think we can all agree that they deserve a well-earned rest over the festive period!
Well done SBU8, you deserve huge credit for how you have applied yourself this term. See you in 2022.”
SBU 7
“In SBU7 we have had a good first term. In English we studied dystopian texts through Hunger Games and the Christmas truce of World War 1. The pupils really enjoyed learning about World War 1 and took a keen interest in the causes of war. Some of the pupils have built their confidence to read out loud. In Maths we focused on place value, I was very impressed how the pupils were able to share their workings and answers up at the board.
As a class, all the pupils have made lots of progress working towards their EHCP step targets, each of them should be proud of the fact they are improving every day.
This term we have focused on building resilience in difficult situations, the boys have realised how important this is and something we will continue to work on after Christmas.”
Mr Roscoe’s Class…
SBU 4
“This half term in SBU4, Carl and Harley have really settled into Spring Brook and the rest of the class have worked well on our classwork, building relationships and focusing on their individual targets.
In Science, we have been learning about states of matter and we have done lots of practical work. The class have engaged really well with this topic and have a really solid understanding of the particle model, well done. The class have begun working towards their ASDAN Foodwise award and we have been learning a range of techniques including chopping and pastry making. In English, we have been looking at Roald Dahl’s adult short stories including the Landlady and Lamb to the Slaughter. We have had some interesting drama based on these!
To finish the year we have done some Christmas activities such as making Christmas cards, and writing Kennings poems about Christmas Trees.”
SBU 1
“We wish you a Merry Christmas here in SBU1 where we are having a Silent Night in our new den – Do they know it’s Christmas from hidden inside there? We couldn’t wait to Step into Christmas and start Rocking Around the Christmas Tree for the last days in school before the Christmas holidays – One More Sleep! – we’re wishing for a White Christmas as Last Christmas disappointed on that front! It’s the most wonderful time of the year and we hope you all have A holly jolly Christmas, a Wonderful Christmastime and find everything you wish for Underneath the tree!
We’ll leave you with our favourite Christmas joke – What’s green, covered in tinsel and goes ribbit ribbit? Mistle-toad!”
Great work everyone. I love the shoeboxes that Mr Roscoe’s class have carefully put together for a local homeless charity. Lots of thought and care went into making these boxes, and boys, I’m sure they will be well received.
Can I thank all parents and carers for your continued support this term. I hope that you all spend a well deserved rest over this festive season. Communication has been sent out about testing on return to school and during the school holidays. As we get ready to say goodbye to 2021 let’s all look forward to new opportunities and hope in the New Year of 2022. We return to school on Tuesday 4th January 2022.
Happy Holidays Everyone, remember if you don’t believe – you won’t receive! There is still time to get yourself on the nice list so try to do a good deed. Stay safe and be happy. I will look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.
Miss Rodgers