2014-2015 Family NEWSLETTER Friday 27th March 2015 No 13 Dear Parents and Carers, I would like to thank all families for their continued support over this last term. Next term, the Annual Reviews will continue and for those of you who have already attended, I hope you found the session informative and useful. Dates 2015 Friday 27 March – Last day of Term th Mon 13 April – Pupils Return Mon 11th May – PTFA Plant Sale Sat 27th June – Summer Fete th The Bidwell Brook Parent Group for Learn to Live continues to meet regularly and this term, we have held another successful conference for schools across Devon and Cornwall. If you are interested in finding out more about Learn to Live, please let me know. We have lots of exciting trips and activities planned for the students in the Summer Term, but I hope you have a restful Easter break and look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks. It was so lovely to see so many parents at the recent parent’s lunch; we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Thank you for all of your positive comments about the food and thank you to Tony, Lorna, Michelle and Sally for all their hard work on the day. For those of you who didn’t get the opportunity to come along we hope to hold another one in the summer term. On to other news: SAFEGUARDING ALERT New technologies have become integral to the lives of children and young people both within schools and in their lives outside school. pg 1 2014-2015 Family NEWSLETTER However, the use of these new technologies can put young people at risk within and outside the school. A recent serious safeguarding incident has occurred in the Exeter area where children have used the internet to access unsafe messaging sites. This happened outside of school where the use of mobile phones and tablets was not being monitored. One child has been 'groomed' as a result. The particular sites in question are 'Omegle' and 'Kik'. They are messaging sites that allow you to upload videos and photos. Do you know what sites your young people are using? Have you talked to them about keeping themselves safe? We are sending home with this newsletter a handy guide for staying safe online. We hope you will find this useful for both you and your child. Orthotic Clinic Dates Thursday 23rd April Thursday 21st May Thursday 11th June Thursday 2nd July If you would like your child to be seen at any of these clinics please let the Therapy Team know. Many thanks Selina, Raegan & Rachel First Aid for parents South Western Ambulance Station Foundation Trust is running a First Aid for Parents Course in Exeter. Details of the course are below: Date: 14 April 2015 Time: 17.30 – 20.30 Venue: South Western Ambulance Headquarters, Abbey Court, Eagle Way, Sowton Industrial Estate, Exeter. EX2 7HY Cost: £25 per person or £40 per couple For further details please telephone 01392453842 or take a look at the website www.firstaid-swast.co.uk pg 2 2014-2015 Family NEWSLETTER This week’s Snippets Easter Holiday Adventure Club – Hannah’s Seale Hayne Monday 30th -Thursday 2nd April and Tuesday 7th – Friday 10th April (closed for the Bank holidays) Costs £20 per day per child with the option to stay until 6pm with a hot dinner for an extra £6.50. The activities over the two weeks may include, but are not limited to: Archery Laser combat Bushcraft (fire lighting, shelter building, outdoor cooking), Bug hunting Arts and crafts Music workshop Sports in our Sports Hall Gardening Contact: Tim Moss, Outdoor Pursuits Generator on: 01626 325864 or email: [email protected] Hannah’s Seale Hayne Roller Disco Family skate 25th April 2015. 3.30pm – 5.30pm and 7.00pm – 9.30pm open skate. £4.00 entry / 50p skate hire. To make a reservation contact 01626 325825 Challenge Ahead! Outdoor activities for children and young people with acquired brain injury on April 8th at Hannah’s Seale Hayne 10.00am – 2.00pm. A variety of activities on offer and please bring a packed lunch. Contact Penny Weeks M: 07929 265 225 or email [email protected] pg 3 2014-2015 Family NEWSLETTER Lego Club Open Day Tuesday 7 April Hannahs at Seale-Hayne will be holding an open day to introduce families to a Lego Club for children with social and communication difficulties. This club offers an opportunity for children to meet friends, socialise and develop social skills in a supportive and engaging environment. The Lego Club will be delivered by an experienced assistant psychologist and occupational therapist. 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm. Free. To book your place please email [email protected] The Donkey Sanctuary – Ivybridge Love a donkey days 1st April and 10th April a hands on experience of caring for a donkey. Session times vary see contact details below to make a booking Holiday Club – this free service will run on Tuesday 31st March and Tuesday 7th April 2015 Sessions are from 10.00am – 1.00pm. See contact details below to book a space. Easter fun week end – 3rd,4th,5th & 6th April 2015 from 10.00am – 3.00pm Join in with the Easter egg hunt, fun activities, craft corner and spend time with the donkeys. Refreshments available, everyone welcome. Free parking and free entry. Contact 01752 690200 or email [email protected] Snowdon Trust The Snowdon Trust gives grants to students who are physically disabled and/or have a sensory impairment. Applicants must be in higher or further education and/or be in training for employment. Their aim is that ‘everyone must have the opportunity to achieve their full potential'. To do this they offer grants for all for those extra costs of having disability can bring, that can put barriers in way for someone in education. You can get help with funding for: pg 4 2014-2015 Family NEWSLETTER •Human Help - sign language, interpreters and note takers •Computer Equipment •Adapted or additional accommodation •Travel Costs •Mobility Equipment •Other costs which relate solely to disability Apply via the website - Click on ‘Get a grant' www.snowdontrust.org Over The Wall Over the Wall offers free therapeutic recreational activity camps for children and young people aged 8-17 years with a wide range of life limiting illnesses and conditions. The camps aim to build self confidence, self esteem and resilience through popular activities such as abseiling, canoeing, archery, swimming, drama, music and arts and crafts. Over the Wall also offer camps for siblings and family weekends. All are free of charge. There are 3 programmes: •Seriously ill children aged 8-17 years for 5 nights •Siblings of seriously ill children aged 8-17 years for 4 nights •Family groups where there is a child with a serious illness for 2 nights Applications can be made on line. A medical form will be required for completion by the child or young person's medical professional. www.otw.org.uk pg 5 2014-2015 Family NEWSLETTER Totnes Children’s Centre NEW FIRST AID DATES AVAILABLE Wednesday 29th April, 6:30-8:30pm, waiting list for Saturday 20th June, 10:00-12:00 A two hour First Aid session for carers (parents, grandparents, friends...) The session will boost confidence in dealing with emergency first aid; what to do when a child is choking, has a burn or cut, how to do CPR... Booking is essential and places fill up fast. Contact: 01803 864737 Totnes Children's Centre, Pathfields, Totnes, TQ9 5TZ [email protected] www.southhamschildrenscentres.org.uk Just a reminder: Parent newsletters and attachments also go on our school website: http://bidwellbrook.devon.sch.uk/ Accessible from the scrolling news-feed links on the front page of our website or on the Newsletters page. Kind Regards Jacqui Warne Executive Head pg 6