As the Spring term comes to an end we reflect on the range and variety of activities that our young people and staff have shared since returning from half term in February.

As a staff group we have spent much of this half term reviewing the curriculum we offer to the pupils and consulting with them about what this should look like in the next school year.  This work is progressing well and we expect to be offering a significantly more ‘personalised’ provision from September onwards. We will be consulting with parents in the course of the Summer term with respect to these proposed developments.

A number of our older pupils have been preparing for examination and have ‘enjoyed’ sitting a number of tests and controlled assessments.They keep coming back and asking for more! Final examinations and modules will be sat in the Summer Term.

We have also been involved in a number of swimming galas in Liverpool and nationally, at Worcester, where our young people acquitted themselves well and brought back a number of medals. Well done everybody!

This term we have also worked closely with Hope University to raise awareness with their students with respect to pupil need and disability.  They have found these experiences most beneficial and informative and are now aware of a much wider range of career options and pupil need.  Two students are doing an extended placement, outside of their taught university time, as part of a project with the Training and Development Agency.  This raises both the profile of St Vincent’s School as a forward thinking training establishment and as a high quality provider of special education.

We continue to develop the schools international status and will welcome a Mrs Thapa from Nepal, early in July.  She is headteacher of a school for the blind in the foothills of the Himalayas. Hopefully, in due course we can reciprocate this visit.  This link has been established through our partnership with the Pahar Trust.

Finally, we will be meeting with parents and carers at our Monitoring Evening on Thursday 29^th March but the young people appear to be looking forward more to the ‘Mad Hatters Tea Party’ that we are holding on the afternoon prior to Monitoring Evening.  This will be a cross curricular adventure for all.  On Friday before our end of term assembly we will also be holding a fundraising event for ‘Sports Relief’ in which we will be joined by staff from one of our partners in industry Capita.  A busy end to a busy half term.

Last week 7 pupils and 3 staff were fortunate enough to enjoy a residential experience at the Calvert Trust, Keswick on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake, in the Lake District National Park.

With the weather on their side, they enjoyed a diverse range of outdoor activities including; Horse riding, archery, challenge courses and orienteering. A favourite with our group was the Trapeze swing.

“Would you dare leap from a suspended bar? Is it an optical illusion or can you really abseil that high? Do you trust the person holding your safety rope? A great personal challenge! How high do you dare go before pulling the release cord on the big swing? Well our pupils not only achieved this, they all achieved it TWICE!!!!”

To conquer the range of obstacles the challenges tested balance, skill and teamwork. Though great fun was had by all, the staff have many prize bruises as evidence of their participation.

The true spirit of the Lake District and views of wonderful scenery were enjoyed by all. Mr Roberts came to visit on Thursday and took part in the challenge assault course and was very impressed with all involved. Tory our designated leader helped everyone to achieve a measure of success.

There were tears when we left; Tory said ‘I have never worked with such amazing people with heaps of energy and personality’.

‘All of our pupils have experienced personal goals and success, which has led to substantial increases in their self esteem and social development. The experience will last a lifetime.’ Jackie B / Jan B

Marnie “The vertical jump was hair raising I had to walk the narrow plank before jumping down into open space.”

“I absolutely loved the swimming pool and jaccuzzi. You could press a button and a waterfall would pour down on you. It was amazing.” Paris

 Marla “The abseiling was awesome; I dropped down from a great height like a stone”.

“Zipwiring across the river was amazing, I whizzed through the air and crashed into a tyre at the end.”  Caleb.

“I’ve never been horse riding before. I loved the sensation of wobbling from side to side. It was so much fun.” Jordan.

Though very tired on the return journey all agreed that they would have loved to have stayed longer.

On Friday 30^th March we are holding our “Take the Challenge” activity morning to support Sport Relief.  Our pupils will be participating in a number of  individual and team challenges to raise funds for this worthy cause.  As you may be aware the projects supported by sport Relief not only benefit international projects but also sponsor projects in the UK.  Over 250 of those projects are related to supporting children and young people.

Please sponsor your child with a donation of £1 to “Take the Challenge”.  It would be best if they could wear sports or leisure wear with trainers for the challenges.  Wearing something Red is in keeping with the Sport Relief theme, even though Mr Roberts is an Evertonian and would prefer blue!).  Children will bring home a sponsor form to collect sponsors for the number of challenges they complete.  There are 7 in total, please support them to “Take the Challenge”, have fun and support local and global communities across the world.

If you would like to come and cheer on your child.  Our activities will begin at 11am on Friday 30^th March.  You are most welcome to join us.  Don’t forget your red!