DRUMBEAT SCHOOL Weekly Newsletter Dear Parents and Carers Amanda Sharman, teacher in Victoria class, leaves us today to go on her maternity leave. We wish her all the best with her new arrival and look forward to meeting him or her very soon The Friends of Drumbeat have met for the first time this year and have come up with some wonderful ideas to bring parents together and raise money for the school. Watch this space for events and please think about joining the group. We have had a lovely half term with the theme of journeys well and truly embedded in the curriculum with visits all over London. It is great to see the students getting such fantastic opportunities and using their social skills to travel and be more independent. Have a good half term break. Marie Neave Executive Headteacher Please join us for a coffee and cake on Friday 24 February Brockley & Downham 11am 12pm Dates for the Diary. Monday, 20 February 2017 Students back at school Friday, 24 February 2017 Parents Coffee Morning Brockley: 11am 12pm Friday, 24 February 2017 Friends of Drumbeat Meeting & Parents Coffee Morning at Downham 11am 12pm Thursday, 2 March 2017 Primary & KS3 World Book Day Week Commencing 6 March 2017 Primary Arts Festival Week Exhibition on Friday 10 March (all parents invited) Thursday, 23 March 2017 Brockley Parents Evening from 5pm 7pm Friday, 24 March 2017 Mothers Day Afternoon Tea from 1:45 at Downham (details to follow) Wednesday, 29 March 2017 Downham Parents Evening from 5pm 7pm Please don t forget to look at the list of events for each key stage group. Drumbeat School & ASD Service 1
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Friends of Drumbeat is an organisation composed of parents, carers, teachers and staff. The goal of all parent-teacher groups is to support the school, encourage parent involvement, support teachers and organise family events. It has recently been given charitable status which gives us lots of opportunities for fundraising. This is an excellent way to bring together parents, teachers and others to raise money for the school. We therefore have an opportunity for everyone to work together towards a common goal. FRIENDS OF DRUMBEAT All parents and teachers can get involved even if they only have a small amount of time available. The school will benefit from the additional funds it will raise and the increased opportunity for parents to be more involved in school life. Friends of Drumbeat aims to: Raise funds to help the school provide extra resources for the pupils. Run social events for parents and children and therefore provide an opportunity for people to meet and get to know each other and have fun. Organise meetings and Workshops to inform parents about education issues and other topics parent s would like to discuss. We continuously get together with committee members to look at ways we can support activities for the children in school and also opportunities in which we can provide support for parents and staff. If you would like to join Friends of Drumbeat, please email us on adin@drumbeat.lewisham.sch.uk or contact Sheryl at the school office on 0208 698 9738. We are creating our own school cookbook. We know so many of you make beautiful food and it would be great if you would share a recipe with us. It could be a recipe from your heritage or one that your child really enjoys. To submit your recipe, please log on to the website www.thecookbookinitiative.com/log-in and use the parent access code b54550461b. We need all the recipes by the end of half-term please. We will send all the recipes we receive off to the printers and have our very own cookbook printed. This could make a really nice gift for family or friends. The cookbooks will be sold for 8.50 each. A letter and order form will be sent home. Drumbeat School & ASD Service 3
PE Events coming up Date & Time Event & Venue Students Football 23 February South London Special League of their own TBC 16 March South London Special League of TBC their own 20 April South London Special League of TBC their own 18 May South London Special League of TBC their own 15 June South London Special League of TBC their own Panathlon 8 March 11am Panathlon Plate Finals Jordan, Brendon, Pareise, Trevanie, Levi, (Crystal Palace National Sports Blessing, Donte, Traivonn, Agratha, Centre) Otugoma, Rae, Shaquille Swimming Gala 10 March 10am Inter Borough Swimming Gala 2017 (Westcroft Leisure Centre) Rowing TBC 17 March 10am National Youth Rowing Competition (Lee Valley Athletics Club) Andrew, Tony, Deresha, Joseph, Jordan, Traivonn, Agratha, Otugoma. Raeshaun, Donte, Levi, Ghulam (plus 8 students from KS3 TBC) Parents/Carers are welcome to come to the football and swimming gala but the other events are for students/staff only. Drumbeat School & ASD Service 4
KS3 & KS4 Inter School Table Cricket competition KS3 & KS4 have been receiving table cricket training in school since January from the Kent County Cricket Organisation run by Dom Taylor. This cumulated in an inter school competition on Tuesday 7 th February at the Beckenham County Cricket Ground. Drumbeat students got to practise the skills of cricket in a safe and relaxed environment and also competed against other schools from different boroughs. The day was a great success and students are keen to compete again and attend the next event. Drumbeat School & ASD Service 5
EYFS & Primary Annual Reviews Annual Reviews and EHCP meetings are due to start at the end of February. When you receive your letter of appointment, please complete the form and return it to the school as soon as possible. We encourage parents/carers to please try and attend on the allocated dates & times due to staff and teacher availability. If, however, you are unable to attend the meeting please let Hendrina Smith know so the meeting can be rescheduled for later in the summer term. EYFS & Primary events coming up Tuesday, 21 February Zebra class horse riding (pm) Thursday, 23 February Zebra class trip Golden Hinde Tuesday, 28 February Zebra class horse riding (pm) Wednesday, 1 March Koala class trip to The Natural History Museum Wednesday, 1 March Kangaroo class trip to The Natural History Museum Week 6 March Primary arts festival week Tuesday, 7 March Zebra class horse riding (pm) Friday, 10 March Primary Art Exhibition parents invited Tuesday, 14 March Koalas bus trip (pm) Tuesday, 14 March Zebra class horse riding (pm) Wednesday, 15 March Stay and Play in Kangaroo & Koala classes (9:15 10:15am) Friday, 17 March Zebra class trip to London Transport Museum Friday, 17 March Kangaroos bus trip (pm) Tuesday, 21 March Koalas bus trip (pm) Tuesday, 21 March Zebra class horse riding (pm) Thursday, 23 March Zebra class trip to Tower Bridge exhibition Friday, 24 March Mother s Day Morning Tea Party in Kangaroo & Koala classes (10:00 11:00am) Friday, 24 March Kangaroos bus trip (pm) Tuesday, 28 March Zebra class horse riding (pm) Drumbeat School & ASD Service 6
Kangaroo Class It has been a very busy 2 weeks in Kangaroo Class. On Friday 27 th January Kangaroo Class hosted their January Stay and Play session. Three of our families attended and it was a very enjoyable session for the children as well as the parents involved. The children are getting used to their parents and other adults coming into class and other areas of their day and joining them for child initiated play as well as feeling comfortable enough to interact with each other. We are always so happy with the support our parents give their children and to the class as a whole. This term Kangaroo Class are continuing to look at the topic of Animals. On Friday 27 th January Kangaroo Class paid a trip to a local pet shop in Downham. We had a look at the gerbils and goldfish as well as the various foods and toys available for them. The children were particularly interested in the goldfish. Continue on next page Drumbeat School & ASD Service 7
On Wednesday 1 st February Kangaroo Class spent the whole day at Surrey Docks City Farm. The weather was not great but we did not let this spoil our day. After visiting the farm we decided to take a walk along the River Thames. We saw a few boats as well as lots of large buildings. Before we headed back to school and since the class were so good we decided to take them to McDonalds for a treat. Look how well our little Kangaroos sat and ate. Well done to Kangaroo Class for a busy half term. We look forward to next half term. Wishing all our Kangaroos and their families an enjoyable break. Drumbeat School & ASD Service 8
Koala Class Keeping up with our topic about animals, Koalas Class went to visit the Surrey Docks City Farm to have a closer look at what kind of animals live there. We walked around singing Old MacDonald had a Farm and saw pigs, rabbits, sheep, ducks, donkeys and goat. We also had the opportunity to have our morning circle time and we had a lovely lunch at the coffee shop. We enjoyed our visit. Drumbeat School & ASD Service Continue on next page 9
The Koalas Class had their monthly Stay and Play session this week. The children were absolutely delighted to have their parents at school with them. The parents also joined us for our breakfast time. All the team members would like to say a big thank you for a very successful morning. Drumbeat School & ASD Service 10
Zebra Class Zebra class visited Chartwells National trust property and gardens by minibus, linking with our topic on Journeys. It was an extremely cold day but we have a fantastic time walking around the path by the frozen lake and playing in the little house that Churchill built for his granddaughters. We have also been reading the story The journey home from Grandpa s. Zebra class have made lots of vehicles and printed small houses and trees for our lovely display. Continue on next page Drumbeat School & ASD Service 11
Zebra class have made a Zebra! Roger and the children have made a brilliant Zebra with papier maché. It is awaiting a few more stripes but will soon be finished. Last week we went aboard HMS Belfast which is a huge ship on the Thames near Tower Bridge. The children climbed up and down lots of ladders to go to the different decks. We looked at all the models of the people working and living on the ship. Here is Ahlaam making sure the man in the hospital bed is ok! Drumbeat School & ASD Service 12
KS3 life skills In KS3 Life skills group some of the children have been learning to wash their hands. They have had to follow timetables, learn about germs and find the difference between clean and dirty. Here are some pictures. Drumbeat School & ASD Service 13
Issue 19 10 February 2017 Waterloo Class Waterloo class have been learning about money this week. This children have been naming the coins, adding them together and then roleplaying using them to purchase their snack. Waterloo class will continue to use this skill on future trips to help the children become more aware of why we need money and how we use it. Drumbeat School & ASD Service 14
Djembe Class Independence and life skills Djembe class have been working hard to develop independence through life skills. Small groups have been learning to prepare a healthy breakfast in the flat on a Tuesday morning. We are particularly pleased with the progress John has made following visuals to prepare porridge in the microwave. Mariam is able to make a boiled eggs using the timer. Leo has made very good progress working on his fine motor skills to make himself a cup of tea. He can now use the kettle to safely pour the boiling water into a cup. Maritsa is using a toy kettle to get used to pouring. The class made apple crumble last week in Thursday cooking lesson and they enjoyed eating it with custard. Students have also done some excellent learning in the local community shopping and crossing roads safely. They have learnt about finding items on a visual shopping list, handling money, packing and getting a receipt, well done Djembe class. Ghulam putting the finishing touches to the apple crumble and Stephanie enjoying every last bit. Leo and John making porridge and tea and Maritsa pouring. Continue on next page Drumbeat School & ASD Service 15
Ghulam and Levi finding the items on the shopping list and using the zebra and pelican crossing. KS4 Home Learning Ideas In the KS4 department there is an emphasis on the learning of independence skills. All teachers will write in your child s Home School contact book the different areas that your child is working on. This may be road safety, teeth brushing or showering independently amongst other skills. It would be really helpful if these skills can also be worked on at home. Your child s class teacher will supply visual checklists for these skills if required. Class and subject teachers may also send home more formal homework tasks for your child. These may include spellings to learn, maths worksheets to complete and reading books to share. If you would like any personalised activities relating to your child s personalised plan target please speak to the class teacher. Drumbeat School & ASD Service 16
KS5 Ideas for home learning Spring 2017 Independence is key in KS5 so home learning must focus on the following: Using money - buy something at the shop and work out or ask for the change Independent travel - walk to a friend s house or to the shop, supervised from a distance where necessary. Use the bus and train, with support where necessary. Using your own door key Practice texting to family when out: I m coming back now Life skills practice at home - help with the cooking, washing up, cleaning and laundry Practice telling the time - times of the day for meals, bus arrival times, etc. Please ask class teachers if you want any symbols to support any of the above areas you would like to focus on. Drumbeat School & ASD Service 17
Class 6F3 6F3 have been attending Bromley College every Tuesday and taking part in a media transition course there. This week they have been working in a studio environment and filming each other as news and weather reporters. They have been learning how to use a professional cameras, how to record and edit sound as well as presentation techniques whilst on screen. They ve had a lot to learn and are continuing with this project for the next few weeks. Drumbeat School & ASD Service 18
Useful websites for information Aspergers United - www.aspergers-united.co.uk/ Autistica- www.autistica.org.uk Autism Education Trust www.autismeducationtrust.co.uk Autism Speaks - www.autismspeaks.org Barnados www.barnardos.org.uk Burgess Autistic Trust - www.burgessautistictrust.org.uk Carers Lewisham - www.carerslewisham.org.uk Lewisham Autism Support - lewishamproject@nas.org.uk National Autistic Society www.autism.org.uk Scope - www.scope.org.uk SENDIAS - www.family-action.org.uk SIGNAL - www.signalonline.org.uk St Michael Associates - www.stmichaelassociates.org.uk Teen Autism- www.teenautism.com The Curly Hair Project http://thegirlwiththecurlyhair.co.uk/ Wrong Planet http://wrongplanet.net/ Drumbeat School & ASD Service 19