Message from Caroline

Headstart Herald

Dear Parents/Carers

Welcome to our Easter newsletter. I hope you will agree we have had a very busy

start to 2016. The students have been disappointed I am sure with the lack of snow

however there were plenty of other activities going on around the school to keep

them occupied.

Our Key Stage 3 students have been particularly busy this term with various outings

and activities ranging from a trip to Drusillas to look at different Eco-systems and

habitats to Sport Relief where they took part in a sponsored swim. I will not spill the

beans here on how well they did with this I shall let you read on to find out. Our

Sport Relief day raised a massive £255, so well done to Key Stage 2 and 3 who

amassed the majority of this vast amount.

The Key Stage 2 students were fortunate to be able to take a trip to Canterbury to

the Roman Museum to enhance their learning as their curriculum area of study has

been Romans and their way of life. Key Stage 5 students have been feverishly work-

ing away on their Independence and Work skills which incorporates some volunteer-

ing, travel and enterprise of which, I have been impressed with the products pro-

duced and their representation of our school in the community.

We look on now to the final push before the summer closure. You will note we have

included some upcoming dates for your diaries on the front of this newsletter.

With best wishes.

Caroline Belchem

Head Teacher/Senco

Dates for your Diary:

Term Dates for Term

5—11th April—20th

May 2016

INSET Day– 11th April

2016, students return

12th April.

Bank Holiday—2nd

May 2016

Last day of Term 5—

20th May 2016

24th March 2016

Volume 16, Issue 2

Inside this issue:

Message from Caroline 1

Primary Roman Trip 2

World Book Day 3

KS3 Alice in Wonderland 3

KS3 Sponsored Swim 4

KS 3 Drusillas 5

KS4 English 6

KS5 Volunteering 7

KS5 Trip to Ashford 7

Enrichment Programme 8

Headstart Herald Page 2

Primary Roman Trip

This term Primary have been studying the Romans, they have been researching how the Romans

lived and comparing them to our life today.

As part of our topic pupils have had to opportunity to visit Canterbury Roman museum. Pupils were

able to experience some of the cloths and armour Romans would have worn, as well as seeing part

of a Roman house.

All Primary pupils were very enthusiastic about the visit and were able to ask questions to continue

to expand their knowledge about the Romans and what they brought to England when they invaded.

World Book Day is a national event in which students and staff are given the opportunity to dress as

their favourite characters from books. It is also intended to encourage everyone to engage in more

reading for pleasure. Headstart School participated in this event and registered with the official site.

Posters were displayed around the school advertising the latest books for the varying age groups. We

were also sent £1 book tokens for students to use when purchasing new books.

Students and staff dressed in the costumes of their favourite characters from books. This resulted in

a spectacular array of colours and characters. Prizes were given to the best dressed and it was won-

derful to see how everyone entered into the spirit of World Book Day. Characters ranged from Saint

George to the Karate Kid.

Can I please say a huge “Thank You” to all parents/carers who helped to make this event so success-

ful. Please ensure everyone makes use of their book tokens as they cannot be used after 27th March.

Escape into a good book and happy reading everyone!

World Book Day—3rd March 2016

Page 3 Headstart Herald

KS3 Alice In Wonderland

During term 3 KS3 students all worked on the

amazing project of Alice in Wonderland as a

cross- curricula project with the Art and Eng-

lish departments. The students were inspired

by the imaginative writing of Lewis Carol and

produced an amazing display of characters ,

sets and writing inspired by imagery from Tim

Burton`s film. The work is on display in the

barn and hopefully parents and carers will be

able to witness the creative talents of the stu-

dents when they visit the school.

KS 3—Sponsored swim

On Thursday 17th March, KS3 students

took part in a sponsored swim for Sport

Relief managing to raise over £180.

Staff were very impressed with the seri-

ousness that students undertook their

task. The event was split into two

groups and whilst one group swam, the

other group cheered them on. Each

student excelled themselves, smashing

the targets that they and their Swim-

ming Instructor Tony, had set for them.

Tony said, “I am very impressed, it just

goes to show how committed they are

in making this afternoon a success!”

Page 4 Headstart Herald

Billy P was awarded the prize for

the most consecutive full lengths

swum (28) and there was also an

award for the most sponsor money

raised. There will be a reward cere-

mony to recognise the achieve-

ments of all those who took part

coming up very soon. I would like

to say thank you to KS3 for showing

everyone what you can do. The

KS3 staff (and I’m sure your parents

and carers) are very proud of you!

Volume 16, Issue 2 Page 5

KS 3—Educational Trip to Drusillas

That was the question that KS3 students had to answer as

part of the cross-curricular links taking part last term in Hu-

manities, Science and ICT. Students had been exploring Eco

-systems/Habitat and Adaptation in Humanities and Science

and been designing their own animal parks/environments in

ICT using photographic/editing software.

The day was a bright sunny one, and students were able to

interact with a number of the animals up close and personal

during two educational lectures designed for the students

by the educational team at Drusillas; ‘The Rainforest’ and

‘Adaptation’. Meerkats, snakes and millipedes were just a

few of the animals that students met, along with a bit of

dressing up as animals along the way! KS3 staff and staff at

Drusillas were very impressed with the knowledge that stu-

dents displayed during the questioning session.

After an educational morning, students were able to relax as they explored the rest of the Animal

Park, got active on the climbing equipment/soft play and after eating their lunch, took in a bit of

recreational retail therapy. Behaviour from all students was exemplary both during educational ses-

sions and afterwards. Thank you to all staff involved for your support. I look forward to our next

adventure!

Examples of student work in ICT using Green Screen and photo integration software

Students about to take their GCSE’s in KS4 took part in an ‘English Extravaganza Day’ recently. The

purpose of the day was to allow the students to complete one of their Creative Writing Controlled As-

sessments. Students had to use a line from a poem as inspiration for their story. The poem was

‘Limbo’ by Edward Kamau Braithwaite, and this expressive piece of writing allowed the students to

write some fantastic pieces, picturing themselves as African Slaves and expressing very movingly what

they were going through and the events they had experienced. The day was a real achievement for

them; starting at 9.00am, students worked right through until 2.15pm when they celebrated their

achievement with Pizza. Some students were so keen, they continued writing as they ate their lunch!

English as a subject can be a real struggle for some of our students, so they should be very proud of

what they achieved. Once again our students showed that the only thing that will ever really hold

them back is themselves and once they have the confidence, there is nothing that can get in their

way. Very well done to all concerned. Keep up the good work, you’re nearly there!

Page 6 Volume 16, Issue 2

Limbo And limbo stick is the silence in front of me limbo limbo limbo like me limbo limbo like me long dark night is the silence in front of me limbo limbo like me stick hit sound and the ship like it ready stick hit sound and the dark still steady limbo limbo like me long dark deck and the water surrounding me long dark deck and the silence is over me Limbo

limbo like me stick is the whip and the dark deck is slavery stick is the whip and the dark deck is slavery limbo limbo like me drum stick knock and the darkness is over me knees spread wide and the water is hiding limbo limbo like me knees spread wide and the dark ground is under me down down down and the drummer is

and the drummers are praising me out of the dark and the dumb god are raising me up up up and the music is saving me hot slow step on the burning ground. Edward Kamau Brathwaite

“Limbo” by Edward Kamau Braithwaite

Volume 16, Issue 2 Page 7

KS 5—Volunteering and Work Experience

Key stage 5 students have been fully in-

volved with volunteering and work expe-

rience this year. Placements range from

animal sanctuaries, shops, services and

gardening projects. Students have devel-

oped a wide range of skills and all have

enjoyed their experiences and hope to

continue into next academic year. The

pictures show Bohemia Walled Gardens where Key stage 5 have their own

plot and take part in a range of tasks from clearing bushes and weeds to

helping with compost and soil. They also are learning gardening skills and

growing their own vegetables.

KS 5—Easter Trip to Ashford

Key Stage 5 are studying BTEC Independence and Works Skills and as part of their course took part in a visit to Ashford outlet centre. Some students travelled by train from Bexhill and enjoyed shopping and having a Hot chocolate in one of the many cafes. The trip was an early start and all the students thor-oughly enjoyed the experience.

Headstart School was established in 1999 and has

a proven track record of success with learners on

the Autistic Spectrum and with Complex needs.

Places are available for students from age 7 to 16

and following onto our Post 16 courses up to the

age of 18.

Crouch Farm

Crouch Lane

Ninfield

East Sussex TN33 9EG

Phone: 01424 893803

E-mail: admin@headstartschool.co.uk

Heads t ar t S c hool

Enrichment programme at Bedgebury Pinetum

Every Wednesday afternoon from 2pm -5pm a group of students visits Bedgebury Forest as part of the enrichment programme studying forest school and Adventurous Activities. Students this term have been enjoying mountain biking and developing their confidence riding off road and working together as a group.

Volume 16, Issue 2 Page 8