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TEACHER LEARNING ACADEMY

Earlier this week I attended the evening launch of the new Teacher Learning Academy in London. The purpose of this Academy is to allow teachers to evaluate their practice in schools and then share any strategies which prove very effective

in raising standards. I am delighted to say that our school has been awarded a grant to develop links with the TLA this year, with a view to becoming one of only 100 schools nationally to be awarded the status of a Teacher Learning Academy Centre. I am

particularly excited about this development as not only does it recognise our excellent practice in training existing staff, but also it will provide an incentive to the very best staff to continue to apply for jobs at Sweyne Park. As I mentioned in a previous Sweyne Park Times, we are currently fully staffed, however, this week we appointed Christopher Stuart, who studied at the London Institute of Education, to teach Science next year in order to enhance our offer and help create even smaller class sizes.

GOVERNORS

Last term I advertised the positions of three Parent Governors in the Sweyne Park Times. Subsequently another position became available, bringing the total to four vacancies. Although people are sometimes wary of the commitment involved in becoming a Parent Governor, I am delighted to say that we received completed nomination/application forms from four parents and therefore we now have a full complement. The four successful candidates are:

Mr Stephen Hawkins, Mr Howard Rankin, Mrs Mary Roper, Mr John Staines

I am sure they will contribute a great deal to the work of the Governing Body and the school and, on a wider note, I would like to thank all the parents and guardians who help the school in a number of ways and give so freely of their time, be it on the Governing Body, the PTA or in donations to the school. It really does make a difference!

CAR PARKING

Please can I remind parents/guardians to drive very slowly when entering or exiting the school and in particular to take care not to block access to either entrance. I appreciate that the nearby roads are narrow: however, it is important that everyone is vigilant in terms of road safety.

Have a good weekend.

SIGN LANGUAGE CLUB

Amelia, Kathryn, Hayley, Michaela, Owen, Elin

During the Autumn term a new group of pupils attended our sign language club after school run by two of our Educational Communicators, Tina Cotgrove and Tina Holmes.

The pupils learned basic sign language and basic deaf awareness. They learned fingerspelling and signs about the family, colours, animals and greetings.

Congratulations to all of the pupils who passed a short exam and received their certificates in assembly. The pupils were:

Amelia 7Smn, Lydia 7JDa, Hayley 7SMy, Elin 7JDa, Michaela 7Smn, Owen 7JDa, Kathryn 7AGo

Well done!

OUR VISIT TO CHELMSFORD CATHERAL

Abigail and Rebecca 7SMn reporting

We went to Chelmsford Cathedral on Friday 14th December to a carol service for deaf people. Eleven deaf pupils went in the minibus and some support staff came along too. It took about 25 minutes to get there.

It was good fun as we could meet our old school teachers and friends from Glebe. We liked the plays and carols. When the organ played it made us jump because we were right in front of it. The little children looked really cute in their costumes.

Rebecca

There was an amazing deaf woman who was playing the flute. She played `The Snowman' and there was no other music, just her playing, and it was absolutely fantastic.

There were two signers who signed when someone was speaking and they signed the songs. They had brilliant signing skills.

Abigail

We felt really Christmassy. It is such a shame that Christmas is over, but it will come around quickly again.

SIGNS AT SCHOOL
In these photographs pupils are demonstrating how to sign some of the words that are useful to know in school. Try to learn some and use them with our pupils and staff. Any pupil who remembers 4 or more can have an A in their rewards record.	WELCOME




TELEPHONE
	SCHOOL
	SCHOOL
		TEACHER

PUPILS

	NAME

All pupils are welcome to attend the 6 week sign language course which is held every Monday from 3.15pm - 4.00pm in Room RB1.

SKILLS FOR LIFE

Three of our older pupils have written about the skills they are learning in school and at college to prepare them for life after Sweyne Park.

The Skills Base
Issaq 9NBa reporting

In year 9 I have started going to the school's skills base for two lessons every week. We learn about DIY and building skills. We have health and safety training and will get a certificate when we finish. We wear overalls and boots and work with staff who help us.

In the first week we started digging up part of the garden near the pupil entrance. We moved some of the heavy sleepers used to make flower beds. Then we worked in the caretaker's garden. We will be digging it over to get rid of weeds and dead plants.

Between the history building and the music building we have been painting the wood blue near the PE entrance to make it look nicer.

I have really enjoyed this. Now the new Skills Base building is finished we are inside to learn about brick building and decorating.

Eden College
Emma 10CRe reporting

My day at college

I go to college for two days a week. I show the children how to play games. I got a certificate for good work. When the day finishes you have to tidy up and the children get a sticker.

Childcare

At college, I learn about early years - childcare, play work, food hygiene, first aid and key skills. I like it because they are good things to learn about childcare.

Life in my College

I enjoy my college because I learn lots of things about childcare. I have new friends. I am happy travelling there by train. I am independent.

Hairdressing
Adrian 10CRe reporting

The college I go to on one day a week is called Central Hair Academy in Westcliff. There are lots of girls and 2 boys in the hairdressing salon. We have to wear a black uniform. We start at 9.30am and finish at 4 o'clock.

I learn about drying hair and use a doll's block. It is a doll's head with hair that you can wash, dry, style and cut.

We have lunch at 12.30pm and we have an hour for that so we come back at 1.30pm. I enjoy going to college and I would like to be a hairdresser.

	SPORTS RELIEF Basketball shoot out Years 8 & 9 boys and girls
When: Where:	Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th March during lunch time Sports Hall Come along and try to make the Sweyne Park record!! Try to beat the teachers! 20p a shot Year 8 Inter-tutor Football
When: Where:	Tuesday 11th March 3.15pm Astro 6 a side, Teams must have both equal boys and girls playing at a time
	`So you think you can Dance?' competition Years 8 & 9 Wednesday 12th March 3.15pm Venue TBC Group (max 10 people ) or solo Max of 1 minute song time Your song choice Your outfits See Miss Hurley for details

SLAVE GIRL

By Jackie French

The story of a young girl, Hekja, a survivor who becomes a slave when the Vikings capture her after raiding her home village. Follow her feisty adventures across the seas to new lands with new people. One of the 6 short-listed Essex Book Award books - will it be the winner?

SHORT-LISTED FOR THE ESSEX BOOK AWARD 2007/8