Redwood School

Year 7 Reviews
Our first Y7 Annual Reviews started this week and they have been really positive. Many thanks to parents / carers for your support and input into the process and particularly those students for giving their view.

6th form residential
I know that those 6th form students on residential this week are having a great time in Bendrigg in the Lake District. What a good week weather wise also.
Student Council

Our council members met this week and took part in the election of the Rochdale Youth Parliament member. Other issues discussed included plans for the Winter Olympics Day on February 14th and Sports Relief on March 21. Full details can be found on the school`s website.

Redwood School and Spiral Dance
A fantastic new club started this week which will give our youngsters the opportunity to take part in a Spiral Dance project with pupils from Oulder Hill resulting in a performance in Gracie Fields Theatre in March. Those who are taking part are Faye, Lillie Rose, Heather in KS3, Jolene, Rachael and Regan in KS4 and Tanzila and Sandra in the 6th form! I look forward to hearing about the progress.

Whole School Inclusive Rowing Event
We had a whole school inclusive rowing event taking place in the hall. Pupils of all abilities took part in specially modified rowing machines where needed, and the total distance covered will be looked at this week. Well done to all those who took part.
After School, Youth Clubs provision

A reminder that the After School Clubs ( 3.15pm every night except Tuesday ) and Youth Clubs programme ( Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings 6pm – 8pm and Saturday morning 10am ) started this week. It is vitally important that these are well attended this term and I would urge parents / carers to support the clubs where possible.

Key Stage 3
8/9 Orange are making a road safety video in ICT. They all went to the pelican crossing at the bottom of Hudsons Walk as part of their lesson.

Year 8/9 Red are looking at different shapes around them. They enjoyed making circular biscuits.

Year 7 Red went to visit an old fashioned sweet shop as part of their History topic; the pupils chose some sweets and paid for them independently.

NStage lighting solutions came in to deliver training on the studios lighting system. Mrs Lansom-Smith is looking forward to sharing her knowledge with the students and providing opportunities for them to learn technical skills in theatre lighting.

8&9 Green came up with an amazing list of animals that share a river habitat in in different countries. Staff and students shared their knowledge and we all learnt something new.

Mr Hall’s R.E classes are learning about Pilgrimages. Next week Sunderland fans maybe preparing for a Pilgrimage to Wembley! Mr Pidgeon might not be.

Student comment: Some pupils went to watch the Manchester City vs. Blackburn Rovers football game and they got on TV. Shane said through the microphone “come on City, we are going to win 5-0” and amazingly they did win 5-0.

Luke said: “I am tired, got in at half 11”

Staff profile: Mr O’Neill joined Redwood school in January from Piper Hill School in Manchester. He said he likes a variety of music, lots of Dance music. Indian is his favourite take-away. He has a daughter who is nearly 1 year old called Orla. At the weekend he likes long dog walks with his Border terrier, seeing friends and chilling out with family.

Key Stage 5
6th Form’s Pre-Internship group based at Rochdale Town Hall are working really hard on their programme. Follow the students and share in their experiences.

Name of Intern: Nathan
1st Rotation Placement: Environmental Health Department based at No 1 Riverside.
Job role – My duties consist of scanning and linking documents into different folders; disposing of the confidential waste, generating job tickets onto the system, matching daily sheets with the job tickets and filing into appropriate filing cabinets.

Intern’s comments – “I‘ve really enjoyed working at Riverside”
Colleague comments – “Nathan has used his initiative with all tasks and has built up excellent relationships with his colleagues.”

The Internship group returned after the Christmas break and got stuck right in to their new placements; Joshua in scheduling and bookings, Declan at Coffee Ami, Nathan and Maddiya at Café Aroma, Jade in Domestics, Maria at the Eye Department, Sophie at the Pharmacy and not forgetting Jake at the CAU ward. Last Friday the entire pre-internship group went up to the Rochdale Infirmary to get a feel of the Full Supported Internship programme, they went around with the interns who very proudly showed them all the different jobs that they currently do. The Pre-Interns were very impressed and all had a great day.

On Wednesday morning, 6th Form students took part in a rowing tournament to enter the county finals. Students enjoyed using the rowing machines and tried to compete against each other to be able to row the furthest and fastest. Everyone had a great time and really enjoyed the sessions.

Matthew’s Vocational Education group, have been learning about the emergency services. Dayle, Polly, Qudsiyyah, Louis, Robert and Nicole have been looking at what clothing is worn, for example, High Vis jackets, goggles and helmets. The group enjoyed dressing up and taking part in role play.

5CD has been working with Mandy and Aimee on their Scruffy documents. The group have been looking back to what they wrote last year and have been comparing how much their likes and dislikes have changed. This week the group have been discussing what hobbies they enjoy and their favourite lessons. So far the group have worked really hard and have enjoyed completing their individual documents.

The Student of the week this week is Aqsa. Aqsa has been very helpful with the laundry. She always has a smile to offer and is very enthusiastic.

Most Improved Student of the week is George. George has been very cooperative both in lessons and during social times.

Special mention to Kenny who is continuing to do really well using his walker. This week he has been especially enthusiastic and motivational.

Key Stage 4
Bridging Year have been visiting several Colleges and Training Centre’s as part of their Transition Programme. This week they have Visited Rathbones Training Centre in Bury and the Skills Centre in Rochdale.

Key Stage 4 are lucky enough to be working alongside the Commando Joes team to promote fitness, team work and positivity with both staff ...and students. Here are some of the staff being put through their paces before school starts.

This term SEBs theme for wheelchair dancing is Russia. At the moment they are rehearsing a dance to ‘Rapsutin’ by Boney M.

Some students from the SSC have been making cottage pies in their Monday afternoon cooking session.

Meanwhile in art students have been looking at reflections using Monet. We have also begun to look at Aboriginal culture and the use of dots and lines in their art work.

To start the New Year in Friday afternoon craft we have made an Owl Calendar. During the next 5 weeks the group will continue with the ‘Owl’ theme and produce owl packaging, owl key rings and owl sculptures.

On Wednesday 8 January paralympian swimmer and double London 2012 silver medallist visited Redwood as part of the schools Sky Sports Living for Sport project. Clare spent the day working with Redwood’s young leaders helping them to plan, prepare and lead school and community activities.

The young leaders taking part from Key Stage 4 were Gary, James, Kallum and Sheraz. By all accounts our students were an absolute credit to our school.