FIVE ACRE WOOD SCHOO L NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 2013 INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Message from Peggy 1 A MESSAGE FROM PEGGY... Robin class trip 2

Signing Choir Welcome to a new school Post 16 class to Boughton Litter picking 3 year. I hope you all had an Lane. This means that enjoyable summer and are Acreside, one of our Key 400m badge looking forward to the term Stage 4 classes, is now able Sparrow class ahead. to be based at Aylesford. This is a fantastic opportunity for Reymun’s birthday 4 Last term was a busy and them, although they will still fun packed term; in this keep strong links with the Zumbathon newsletter you can read all Boughton Lane site and will Panathlon about the many events that visit every Wednesday. took place. Sports Days 5 We also welcome many new Upper School There is also a lot to update members of staff: Karen, Performance you on for the term ahead. Naomi, Kirsty, Laura, Leanne, equipment and an We have many new pupils to Dave, Adel and Louise have additional people carrier Five Acre Woodsctock 6 & 7 welcome this term; Joseph, joined us as Teachers; Zena is vehicle. The charity is Felicity, Emilia, Stanley, our new Outreach Teacher; Post 16 prom 8 called Friends of Five Acre Kaden, Cameron, Kyle, Joanna, Jack, Mandy, Jane, Wood School and our George’s bike ride Freddie, Joel, Ruby-Jane and Meg, Janine and Giorgia are registered charity number Eddie in Owl class, Jason in out new Teaching Assistants is 1153151. For more DATES FOR YOUR Otter class, Marcus in and Kathryn has joined the information and details on DIARY: Dormouse class, Charlie in finance department. how to donate, please visit Squirrel class, Jamie in Fox Monday Class coffee our website, class, Vinnie and Kaddeisha Last but not least, I am very 16th morning (Key www.fiveacrewood.org. in Sparrow class, Jamie in excited to announce that Five September Stage 2) Roedeer class, Kairen, Acre Wood School has been Finally, I hope that the Wednesday Class coffee Sapphire, Danny, Oliver and approved for charitable coming academic year is 18th morning (Key Matthew in Holly class, status. The aim is to provide successful and enjoyable September Stage 3/4) Stephanie, Christopher and educational and recreational for all of us and I look Sarah in Woodside class and opportunities for children forward to seeing you all Wednesday Class coffee Mikey, Adam and Jessie in and young people with soon. 18th morning (Post Oakside class. I hope that special needs and disabilities September 16) you all enjoy your time here at Five Acre Wood School, as Best wishes, at Five Acre Wood. well as training and Friday 20th Class coffee supporting associated Peggy. September morning (Key In previous years, our Post persons for the specified Stage 1) 16 department has been purposes. Three of the areas Monday Harvest festival based at Aylesford. This that we are aiming to raise 30th year, we have made the money for are for play September decision to move our PMLD equipment, communication FIVE ACRE WOOD SCHOO L NEWSLETTER Page 2 ROBIN CLASS BEDGEBUR Y T R I P

On Tuesday 2 July Robin uninvited guests!! class went to Bedgebury Pinetum for our school trip. After lunch we carried on with We have been working hard our adventure into another part this year going out in the of the forest. We walked along community, to behave in a secret trails that lead to more socially appropriate way and small secluded areas. to become aware of our surroundings, and as we all We had so much fun on the love to be out in the open giant rope swing, working Begdebury was a perfect together to make it move, we choice for us to visit. climbed up spiders webs, played the jungle drums, and scaled the We were all very excited to heights to reach the tree house. be going out for the day and Sadly the fun had to come to an we had invited Tim come destination at 11am. We accomplish more where they end, and we made our way back along with us to enjoy the parked the buses before would not normally do so. to the bus but not before a quick experience. We left school venturing out into vast They were able to climb ice cream!! An extremely fun around 10am and arrived at forest where the fun ropes to reach the top of the packed day, enjoyed by all. our began. ship, explore down below deck, and experience more After walking a short while, independent learning which we came to the first play was fantastic to see. area, the Ship Wreck. The wreck was perfect for the We then returned to the children to explore, and to visitor centre to have our push themselves to lunch, with a few extra

SIGNING CHOIR

Since their formation in Wives Choir. November, the Five Acre Wood signing choir has gone They were also recently from strength to strength; selected to perform at growing from 15-33 pupils. the Music on the Hill festival, where they On Saturday 22nd June, the performed alongside choir performed in Maidstone other acts such as town centre (left) as part of Stooshe, Gareth Gates the Maidstone Arts Festival. and Joe McElderry. The following weekend, they performed at the Big Military Well done to everyone Jam up, alongside the Military involved! SEPTEMBER 2013 Page 3 LITTER PICKING 4 0 0 M

On Tuesday 11th June, BADGE Cedar Class and Holly Congratulations to Class went litter picking Charlie in Roedeer class in the park. We made for achieving his 400m the hedges much swimming badge. cleaner by picking up crisp packets, tins and After bringing his badge other into school, Peggy rubbish that had been presented it to Charlie in dropped on the ground class (below). and not put in the bin. This is a fantastic Thank you Monika for achievement - well done organising all the equipment. Charlie!

SPARROW CLASS

Sparrows have been Jamie and Alishea have Ethan has also worked hard Kostas walking greater continuing their theme of made fantastic developing his distances in his walker Summer Days alongside a achievements with their understanding of on body getting to where he wants celebration of all their communication using photo signing and anticipating to go! successes and achievements books to request what they what's going to happen over the year this last would like. next. As well as other skills term. Adam has made super Sophie has made fab Nothando and Kostas have progress with making progress with her been working very hard on friends and really communication learning on their mobility with enjoys going out to play body signing and working Nothando and taking an interest in really hard to develop her much more confident his classmates and new independent by exploring walking upstairs and looking friends! things herself! where she's going and FIVE ACRE WOOD SCHOO L NEWSLETTER Page 4 HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZUMBATHON REYMUN! and everyone involved Tim Williams and Maggie Camp We would like to thank in organising and taking were lucky enough to be invited Reymun’s family for their part in the Zumbathon. to the 7th Birthday Party of generosity and also everyone Reymun in Dormouse class. The who donated. We are glad that The event was a success party had a royal theme, with we were able to be part of and we raised an amazing £1000! Reymun dressed as a prince. The Reymun’s special day. party began with a photoshoot, followed by dinner, singing and On Tuesday 18th dancing. June, Five Acre Wood held a Zumbathon to raise Instead of giving gifts, guests money for Five Acre were asked to make charitable Woodstock. donations. A staggering £400 was raised, which has been Thank you to donated to Five Acre Wood’s Rebecca Signing Choir, of which Reymun Robertson, is a member. Michael Garcia, Badger class PANATHLON CHALLENGE

Polybat, a Sprint Relay and Ashford. team; Tony, Table Cricket. In the latter, we Kenneth, Rebekkah, Asia, went down in the Panathlon It was a great day with many Josh, Danielle, George, record books for the highest outstanding performances and Stephen. For more ever total runs scored, with and a real team spirit. on Panathlon visit record breaking innings from www.panathlon.com Following qualification to both Rebekkah and Asia. Our Congratulations to the FAW the County Final, Five Acre medals were awarded to us by Wood and Grange Park Sean King, a GB Olympic Water teamed up once again to Polo player. represent the Malling and Sevenoaks School Sport Without any power chairs to Area and compete in the compete in the athletics it was Kent Final of the 2013 always going to be tough to win Panathlon Challenge. the overall Title, however our fantastic performance in the We competed in Boccia, other events meant we came a Polybat, New Age Kurling, very commendable second Athletics and Table Cricket, place, just two points behind taking the Gold in both the winners from SEPTEMBER 2013 Page 5 SPORTS DAYS

The Five Acre Wood Annual walking race, running race, Sports Days were held on 9th wheelchair race, egg and and 10th July, with Post 16 spoon and relay. holding theirs on 15th. There were also races for All classes took part in a staff and parents/carers to range of events, including a take part in!

Thank you to everyone involved in organising the events.

It was great to see so many parents/carers come along to cheer on our pupils!

UPPER SCHOOL PERFORM ANCE

On Monday 22nd and dancing along to July, upper school music dating back to pupils staged a the 1920s. ‘Music and dance through the Songs included Decades’ Everybody’s Surfing performance. (inspired by the children’s love of Pupils had fun swimming), Cotton Eye Joe, singing, signing Dancing Queen and School’s out for Summer!

Well done to all pupils for putting on such a fantastic performance and thank you to Loose church for letting us use the hall and to Jonathan and Oak class for organising it. FIVE ACRE WOOD SCHOO L NEWSLETTER Page 6

FIVE ACRE WOODSTOCK

On Tuesday 23rd July, we winning song with , held our Five Acre ! She Woodstock music festival, later tweeted about us which was thoroughly (below). enjoyed by both pupils and staff!

A wide range of bands/ artists performed alongside many other As if this wasn't enough, pupils activities that were going were also entertained with on throughout the day. stiltwalkers, jugglers, hula So much hard work, time and hoopers, balloon makers, effort went into the event. Performers included the magicians and circus acts from

Five Acre Wood Signing organisations including AJ the Thank you to all performers Choir, Boughton Ocarina Entertainer, Sharna Rose, Zoe and organisations that made Group from Boughton our pupils' dreams come true, Monchelsea Primary including (but not limited to) School, the winners of Five NSP recording studios for Acre Wood's got Talent, providing the sound alternative rock band Hey, equipment we need for the Joni, acoustic duo from day, Panache Audio Systems Maidstone Girls Grammar for providing the mobile stage School Katie Town & Maya for the day, Greggs the Bakers Leagas, singer Rachel G, for sponsoring the event and The Dualers' Tyber very generously providing Cranstoun, R&B singer masses of food and drink, The Rajiv, singer/songwriter Royal Engineers and local Lola James, musician Craig Scout Groups for providing Shephard, duo marquee areas, Recognition MisUnDeRStooD and Express in Rochester for acoustic singer/songwriter providing lanyards, ID cards Fred Clark. and holders for our

performers, Popi for providing There was even a Sparkle and Juggle it All. the poster designs and of performance from the course, not forgetting all Spice Girls, in the form of The field was set up with those who raised money lead- our Senior Leadership various stalls, each of which ing up to the event to make it Team! had been decorated by all possible. individual classes and included

sponge throwing and face We are now looking forward painting, plus additional stalls to next year’s event! iith candy floss, popcorn and bubble machines. On top of all this, pupils received a visit from Pudsey Bear and Peppa Pig (who both joined Rajiv on stage!)

Cheryl Baker made a surprise appearance (right) and chatted to pupils and staff and even got on stage to sing her Eurovision SEPTEMBER 2013 Page 7 FIVE ACRE WOOD SCHOO L NEWSLETTER Page 8 POST 16 PROM

On Saturday 6th July we Wood School. said goodbye to 16 students from Five Acre The leavers stood at Wood by having a prom at the prom and sang the Hilton Hotel. summer holiday to the audience. Everyone The evening included a was beautifully three course sit down meal dressed in their gowns and individual PowerPoint and suits. It was a presentations for each wonderfully happy leaver, highlighting their The Prom King and Queen time but tinged with achievements at Five Acre were crowned as Dan and sadness. Wood. Holly-Ann, as voted for by the students.

These were followed by heart- warming speeches by the students talking about their time at Five Acre

GEORGE’S BIKE RIDE A bike ride and fun day held able to communicate using to raise money for his eyes. An in-built camera equipment for a Five Acre tracks the position of the Wood pupil has raised an eyes, allowing users to move amazing £12,000! a cursor and select things on a screen. The event was organised for George in Woodpecker The amount raised is enough class by his mum (below), to buy one computer for who wanted to raise money home and contribute to- for Eye Gaze computer wards one for school. equipment. This equipment will enable George to be The bike ride was held on This was followed by a fun sent in to Five Acre Wood Sunday, July day with auction. School with the reference 21, starting ‘Eye Gaze fundraising’. at Five Acre Well done to everyone Wood and involved in organising the ending in event and to all of those who Eastchurch, took part! Isle of Sheppey. Any further donations can be