SPRING 2014 constantly focused on developing strategies whereby all our students achieve their full potential in a safe and secure environment. EYEOPENER There is nothing more important. I will mention the opening of our new Study The Spring Term, with the darkest and shortest Support Centre under the direction of Brian Edmunds. The ‘Log Cabin’ is already proving days, can sometimes seem the most difficult to be a haven for a group of targeted students who need particular support in aspects of time in the school calendar. their learning. I am confident this will go from strength to strength. It has been the wettest period we have ever during the Easter break, Year 10 historians The next few weeks are critical for all our Year known. We are acutely aware that the have just returned from the First World War 11 students as they prepare for their upcoming incredible floods on the Somerset Levels have Battlefields where I know they have had a exams. We are here to support them in seriously impacted on some of our families. very sobering experience as they reflect on the any way we can, they must remain focused, Our thoughts have been with them and the events of 100 years ago. We have recently determined and calm and we all wish them well students affected have had our understanding launched our Activities Week brochure. on the next stage of their journey. and support through this difficult time. Many There is no area of the curriculum where students have had long and tiresome journeys to Peter Hoare there hasn’t been a project of some kind, a school both at the start and end of the day. Head workshop, a performance, a competition, a trip, However, Spring is in the air and we look a display or whatever, that hasn’t, in some way WINNING forward to a glorious summer! or another, enhanced the richness of student’s POEM learning. There have been dozens of initiatives Please Mrs Butler Whatever the time of year, the momentum of and this second new-look newsletter offers school life never slackens and I cannot embrace Please Mrs Butler some glimpses of a busy school life. I thank here the vast range of opportunities that present This boy Derek Drew the staff for all their amazing efforts and the themselves on a daily and weekly basis. Keeps copying my work, Miss many students who give so much energy and What shall I do? As I write, a group are visiting the Czech commitment. Republic as part of our Comenius International Go and sit in the hall, dear. Our core business is teaching and learning and Links Programme, 45 students are eagerly Go and sit in the sink. striving for the highest standards and we are anticipating their ski trip to the Swiss Alps Take your books on the roof, my lamb. Do whatever you think. Please Mrs Butler This boy Derek Drew Keep taking my rubber, Miss What Shall I do? Keep it in your hand, dear Hide it up your vest. Swallow it if you like, love. Do what you think best. Please Mrs Butler This boy Derek Drew Keeps calling me rude names, Miss What shall I do? Lock yourself in the cupboard, dear. Run away to sea. Do whatever you can, my flower. But don’t ask me! The winning poem read by Joe Bassett, Lewis Howard andd Tyler Lovibond Year 11 poetry winners enjoy an early spring morning www.heathfieldcommunityschool.com 1 CEDAR CENTRE NEWS STUDY SUpport CENTRE Life in the Cedar Centre never stands still. We have welcomed two new staff, one new student and are planning transition for two year 6 students who will be joining the Centre in September. We have had numerous visitors, keen to see why the Cedar Centre is so successful. Students continue to rise to all the challenges they face, taking great satisfaction in being included with their mainstream peers at every opportunity. It is rewarding to have two students receive certificates for level 2 stable management. We are hopeful of having a student gain a level 1 certificate in touch typing very soon. It has been a challenging time for the Cedar Centre staff, building an exciting curriculum for the students when they are not attending mainstream lessons. Staff have been very successful in developing new and dynamic lessons. Besides the core subjects new life This new facility opened in early March. skills lessons have involved students visiting Even in these early days this is proving to be a very It provides a calm and measured environment town on the bus to manage their bank important means of support for a range of students on the edge of the campus which is ideal for its accounts, cooking, ironing and helping who have particular needs and challenges. purposes. to make their own aprons. Students have Students have already commented on how valued taken a great pride in developing their The Centre’s mission is to boost the enthusiasm they feel, they are comfortable in asking questions independence. Personal development lessons and self-esteem of a small group of targeted and look forward to their sessions. focus on giving the students the skills and students who for whatever reason find aspects of strategies to be successful in school and life. their learning difficult and who would benefit from Daisy, a Shetland sheep dog, visits every “I am delighted with the way 1:1 or small group work in a safe and relaxed atmosphere. Friday afternoon and is an attentive listener to students have responded so students who love reading to her. positively to this new initiative Attention is given to improving numeracy and literacy skills. The Cedar Centre would like to thank all and I am confident it will mainstream students who support the Cedar Some of these students may be disaffected and Centre, from wake and shake in the morning prove to be an extremely may also benefit from more practical activities both to the lunch time clubs including Film Club, valuable resource in helping inside and outside the classroom. A programme of Art Club, Sky Landers Club, Girls Club, students with their social skills indoor and outdoor activities is evolving. These are Pokémon Club and Football Club. Future designed to develop team skills. projects include enhancing the outdoor area and learning needs.” This term in particular there is a focus on providing with herbs, vegetables and flowers. We will Brian Edmunds, Centre Director be offering training to parents, staff and after-school classes for Year 11 students who are students in Somerset Total Communication and on the C/D borderline in English and Maths. This understanding autistic spectrum condition. is already proving to be very popular. Brian is supported by his assistant, Donna Venning. Stuart Owens, Centre Director We are confident that this centre will flourish and In the planning stages, Brian’s idea that the Centre will complement the other initiatives that makes should be a log cabin was an inspiration! Heathfield the inclusive community that it is. FELT WORKSHOP 16 Year 8 students who had worked really hard in Textiles during the past year were invited to take part in an exciting felt workshop morning with Andrea Coleman from ArtFELT. The workshop was designed to provide an exciting and practical session where the students would make their own beautiful felt textiles pot TECHNOLOGY using coloured fleece. The students arrived Year 11 Technology students on the morning excited to get started. Andrea show off their creations for the demonstrated how felt is made with the help of practical element of the course an old towel and a bar of soap! The students - the standard of their final worked very hard all morning and produced products was exceptional! felted pots from their own fabric creations. A great experience and our thanks to Andrea Dom Hodges (Mac book case) Flick Watts (mounting block Coleman. for stable use) Alice Browning (Art case) Dalton Barham (Electric ukulele) Amelia Fowler (Take-away sushi box) 2 HEATHFIELD COMMUNITY SCHOOL DECEMBER NEWSLETTER STUDENT Robots rule the classroom TEACHER I have been teaching at Heathfield School for 4 weeks as part of my complementary STEM training placement. Low carbon challenge day held at My experience here has confirmed my ability Bridgewater college on Monday to be a History Teacher and I feel that this Waiting for take off! is largely a result of Heathfield itself. The 17 March 2014 Humanities Department have supported me throughout my time here and it is credit to We sent 15 students to attend the event, along are slightly radioactive, not enough to harm them for increasing my confidence in my with 5 other schools. Chilton Trinity, Taunton you but the counter was certainly clicking. Both training. The whole school has been extremely School, Waddon, Bridgewater College the students and the EDF graduates were the welcoming and I am able to speak to any Academy and Robert Blake. real stars of the day and this event will also member of staff if I need assistance. But, what lead into the residential event taking place at is a school without the students? In my short On arrival the groups were welcomed by the Exeter University were 5 of our students will time here I have met and taught a variety EDF team who had sponsored the event, the of students with the majority outstanding be attending the four day event during the day was also being supported by 8 volunteer ambassadors of the school. Finally, I went Easter holidays. The charity Small Piece are engineering graduates and the Dr Cosby Small along to the Pure Imagination musical delivering the event at the University, where Peice Charity.