Family Information and FOPHS News Friday 17th November 2023
Welcome to 51视频 School's Family Liaison Blog!
17.11.23
This week has been a busy one. It is Anti-bullying week, so lots has been done around it.聽 The week began with Odd Socks on Monday, celebrating inter faith with desserts each day linked to different religious affiliations, culminating with Children in Need today. You will have received a letter with more detail. The excitement around Children in Need celebrations is palpable, although we know some students don鈥檛 cope with changes to routine. Just a reminder that on non-uniform days it is always optional. Some of our older students don鈥檛 think it cool. Remember, it鈥檚 their choice and we respect it. Thanks to those who have sent in donations for Children in Need.
Online Safety
The link to the Online safety information can be found on the school website under the heading 鈥淧arent and carers area鈥, then 鈥渙nline safety鈥 from the dropdown menu.
Toby Henderson Trust: Webinars on Understanding Autism.
They have announced a brand new seminar - Understanding Autism!
Parents and carers are often overwhelmed when the term autism is mentioned to them, especially in relation to their own child. Fiona and Lynda will come together to help you begin your journey into a better understanding of what it means to be autistic and how you as a parent/carer can feel more confident in supporting and understanding your child.
We will cover key areas and dispel common everyday myths using a range of materials and drawing on lived experience from autistic individuals. This webinar has been co-produced by our staff with support from our A Team (Autistic Advisory board) and the children and young people we work with.
Please take a look at the poster below for upcoming dates which are also available to view on our website. If you would like to register for this session, please complete our .
Note from Eileen: This is open not just to parents/carers but also to family members. My own experience with some members of my own family when my son was diagnosed was:
- They didn鈥檛 understand.
- They didn鈥檛 believe it.
- They didn鈥檛 know how to support him or me.
Over time we all learned, and I have always had excellent support from most; I thought this might be a good way to get extended family on board.
Belsay Hall: English Heritage
Festive stories with Father Christmas
LOCATION – Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
SUITABLE FOR – Children
DATE – Weekends from Sat 2 Dec until Sat 23 December 2023
TIME – 10:30am, 11.10am, 11.50am, 12.30pm, 1.20pm, 2pm, 2.40pm & 3.20pm
Limited availability and 10% discount for online bookings.
Tickets to Festive Stories with Father Christmas at Belsay Hall cost 拢9.50 per child. This includes the group storytelling session and a small present.
CJ鈥檚 Funhouse: SEN session with Santa Claus
A soft play centre in Cramlington is offering an SEN session to visit Santa Claus.
A little early for many people I think, but for those who have early birds and for whom it is accessible the contact details are:
Telephone: 01670 238502.
The Alnwick Garden: Winter Light Trail
In just a matter of days the Alnwick Garden will be lighting up The Garden with their sparkling, annual Winter Light Trail.
The award-winning experience starts on Monday 13th of November and runs until the 7th of January 2024 with tickets selling fast! Don’t miss out on the ultimate festive adventure, book your tradition today.
Northumberland College Zoo: Kirkley Hall
A Very Kirkley Christmas - Back for 2023!
“Santa is busy in the North Pole getting ready for the big night on Christmas Eve so come and keep his Elf team company for a wonderful Kirkley Christmas time helping the keeper elves with their jobs. Start off with a zoo tour with one of our elf keepers delivering some food presents to our animals. After your festive tour head to the elf workshop where you鈥檒l get to help make some Christmas crafts and animal enrichment to give to our animals and listen to a story round the fire and receive a lovely animal themed present per child.”
Times:10-13.00
Dates 2, 3, 9, 10 (1-4pm added), 16 and 17 (1-4pm added) December.
Price 拢20 per child (one adult free with each paying child then any additional adults 拢7.50)
Elf School!
Taken from a post by North East Autism Society.
You’re invited to Elf School!
Eldon Square, which has achieved our Gold Acceptance Award, is opening its doors for a very special festive event this Christmas.
Children of all ages are invited to attend a 30-minute 鈥楨lf School鈥 session at the shopping centre across four days this Christmas – and the first session of each day will be a quiet session with no music or singing.
Sessions are free to book and will take place on: Saturday 25th November, Sunday 26th November, Saturday 9th December and Sunday 10th December.
Tyneside Cinema
Tyneside Cinema are offering relaxed screenings this festive period.
“RELAXED SCREENING – THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL, Sun 26 Nov
Our relaxed screening programme is open to all, but is particularly mindful of neurodiverse audiences, with adjustments in place to create an inclusive, relaxed environment for everyone.
After booking a ticket, you鈥檒l receive a Social Story document to outline what to expect at the screening, including information about the film, our building and how the day will run.”
PaddlePod
If you love swimming but prefer a quieter, more relaxed environment, then these sessions are for you!
鈥淗ave you tried our pool sensory sessions yet? We dim the lights, keep the numbers low, and add lots of toys, floats and sensory toys to the pool. Everybody is welcome but these sessions are particularly popular with SEN families and young children.
Why not come along and give them a go one day? Advanced booking essential. Spaces cost just 拢3.50 (plus booking fee) per person and can be booked via our website鈥.
Sunday, 8.45am, Shiremoor.
Sunday, 3.45pm, Killingworth.
FoPHS News
We held our meeting this week on Thursday 16th. As part of the constitution, we are required to give 6 weeks鈥 notice of the AGM, so this is it.
The AGM will take place on Thursday 25th January from 9.30-11. I, and I am sure I speak for the committee as well as many parents, carers and staff truly feel that what the FoPHS does makes a difference. It is why many of us gave up a day off to run the Autumn Fayre, support initiatives like the 100 club, IQ cards etc. It is why parents/carers are generous with their time and donations for the fayre and other events. Funds raised by us are used to enhance the learning environment for all students. I am parent to a former student and fully understand the challenges being a SEN parent brings and I appreciate everything done to support FoPHS. I would like to ask more of you to join us; it doesn鈥檛 have to be onerous but that saying 鈥渕any hands make light work鈥 is so true. We may need help with different things in school, so offers would be great.
聽FoPHS 100 Club聽
If you haven鈥檛 yet joined, and are able would you consider doing so please? If we get to the magic 100, this means the FoPHS will raise 拢600, and each winner of the monthly daw would win 拢50. To enable us to reach 100 we do these draws in 2 batches: with the first 6 being drawn at the AGM.
We will get the form revised to include BACS details and the Just Giving QR code but here is the form.
Facebook page:
This is a closed group for family and friends of 51视频 School, where you can share news聽and updates about school life. It is not for external professionals who may be working with families. To join, you need to answer the question stating your link with school.
Please note: this group is for sharing news and updates about school life and is not intended to discuss any issues around individual students, and as such all comments are moderated. If you have a particular issue or concern, please contact school directly on 0191 216 1811.
Contact details
Eileen Robinson: Family Liaison Officer
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0191 2161811 ext. 3260.
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