Message from Caroline
Headstart Herald
Dear Parents/Carers
Welcome to our Easter newsletter. I hope you will agree we have had a very busy
start to 2016. The students have been disappointed I am sure with the lack of snow
however there were plenty of other activities going on around the school to keep
them occupied.
Our Key Stage 3 students have been particularly busy this term with various outings
and activities ranging from a trip to Drusillas to look at different Eco-systems and
habitats to Sport Relief where they took part in a sponsored swim. I will not spill the
beans here on how well they did with this I shall let you read on to find out. Our
Sport Relief day raised a massive £255, so well done to Key Stage 2 and 3 who
amassed the majority of this vast amount.
The Key Stage 2 students were fortunate to be able to take a trip to Canterbury to
the Roman Museum to enhance their learning as their curriculum area of study has
been Romans and their way of life. Key Stage 5 students have been feverishly work-
ing away on their Independence and Work skills which incorporates some volunteer-
ing, travel and enterprise of which, I have been impressed with the products pro-
duced and their representation of our school in the community.
We look on now to the final push before the summer closure. You will note we have
included some upcoming dates for your diaries on the front of this newsletter.
With best wishes.
Caroline Belchem
Head Teacher/Senco
Dates for your Diary:
Term Dates for Term
5—11th April—20th
May 2016
INSET Day– 11th April
2016, students return
12th April.
Bank Holiday—2nd
May 2016
Last day of Term 5—
20th May 2016
24th March 2016
Volume 16, Issue 2
Inside this issue:
Message from Caroline 1
Primary Roman Trip 2
World Book Day 3
KS3 Alice in Wonderland 3
KS3 Sponsored Swim 4
KS 3 Drusillas 5
KS4 English 6
KS5 Volunteering 7
KS5 Trip to Ashford 7
Enrichment Programme 8
Headstart Herald Page 2
Primary Roman Trip
This term Primary have been studying the Romans, they have been researching how the Romans
lived and comparing them to our life today.
As part of our topic pupils have had to opportunity to visit Canterbury Roman museum. Pupils were
able to experience some of the cloths and armour Romans would have worn, as well as seeing part
of a Roman house.
All Primary pupils were very enthusiastic about the visit and were able to ask questions to continue
to expand their knowledge about the Romans and what they brought to England when they invaded.
World Book Day is a national event in which students and staff are given the opportunity to dress as
their favourite characters from books. It is also intended to encourage everyone to engage in more
reading for pleasure. Headstart School participated in this event and registered with the official site.
Posters were displayed around the school advertising the latest books for the varying age groups. We
were also sent £1 book tokens for students to use when purchasing new books.
Students and staff dressed in the costumes of their favourite characters from books. This resulted in
a spectacular array of colours and characters. Prizes were given to the best dressed and it was won-
derful to see how everyone entered into the spirit of World Book Day. Characters ranged from Saint
George to the Karate Kid.
Can I please say a huge “Thank You” to all parents/carers who helped to make this event so success-
ful. Please ensure everyone makes use of their book tokens as they cannot be used after 27th March.
Escape into a good book and happy reading everyone!
World Book Day—3rd March 2016
Page 3 Headstart Herald
KS3 Alice In Wonderland
During term 3 KS3 students all worked on the
amazing project of Alice in Wonderland as a
cross- curricula project with the Art and Eng-
lish departments. The students were inspired
by the imaginative writing of Lewis Carol and
produced an amazing display of characters ,
sets and writing inspired by imagery from Tim
Burton`s film. The work is on display in the
barn and hopefully parents and carers will be
able to witness the creative talents of the stu-
dents when they visit the school.
KS 3—Sponsored swim
On Thursday 17th March, KS3 students
took part in a sponsored swim for Sport
Relief managing to raise over £180.
Staff were very impressed with the seri-
ousness that students undertook their
task. The event was split into two
groups and whilst one group swam, the
other group cheered them on. Each
student excelled themselves, smashing
the targets that they and their Swim-
ming Instructor Tony, had set for them.
Tony said, “I am very impressed, it just
goes to show how committed they are
in making this afternoon a success!”
Page 4 Headstart Herald
Billy P was awarded the prize for
the most consecutive full lengths
swum (28) and there was also an
award for the most sponsor money
raised. There will be a reward cere-
mony to recognise the achieve-
ments of all those who took part
coming up very soon. I would like
to say thank you to KS3 for showing
everyone what you can do. The
KS3 staff (and I’m sure your parents
and carers) are very proud of you!
Volume 16, Issue 2 Page 5
KS 3—Educational Trip to Drusillas
That was the question that KS3 students had to answer as
part of the cross-curricular links taking part last term in Hu-
manities, Science and ICT. Students had been exploring Eco
-systems/Habitat and Adaptation in Humanities and Science
and been designing their own animal parks/environments in
ICT using photographic/editing software.
The day was a bright sunny one, and students were able to
interact with a number of the animals up close and personal
during two educational lectures designed for the students
by the educational team at Drusillas; ‘The Rainforest’ and
‘Adaptation’. Meerkats, snakes and millipedes were just a
few of the animals that students met, along with a bit of
dressing up as animals along the way! KS3 staff and staff at
Drusillas were very impressed with the knowledge that stu-
dents displayed during the questioning session.
After an educational morning, students were able to relax as they explored the rest of the Animal
Park, got active on the climbing equipment/soft play and after eating their lunch, took in a bit of
recreational retail therapy. Behaviour from all students was exemplary both during educational ses-
sions and afterwards. Thank you to all staff involved for your support. I look forward to our next
adventure!
Examples of student work in ICT using Green Screen and photo integration software
Students about to take their GCSE’s in KS4 took part in an ‘English Extravaganza Day’ recently. The
purpose of the day was to allow the students to complete one of their Creative Writing Controlled As-
sessments. Students had to use a line from a poem as inspiration for their story. The poem was
‘Limbo’ by Edward Kamau Braithwaite, and this expressive piece of writing allowed the students to
write some fantastic pieces, picturing themselves as African Slaves and expressing very movingly what
they were going through and the events they had experienced. The day was a real achievement for
them; starting at 9.00am, students worked right through until 2.15pm when they celebrated their
achievement with Pizza. Some students were so keen, they continued writing as they ate their lunch!
English as a subject can be a real struggle for some of our students, so they should be very proud of
what they achieved. Once again our students showed that the only thing that will ever really hold
them back is themselves and once they have the confidence, there is nothing that can get in their
way. Very well done to all concerned. Keep up the good work, you’re nearly there!
Page 6 Volume 16, Issue 2
Limbo And limbo stick is the silence in front of me limbo limbo limbo like me limbo limbo like me long dark night is the silence in front of me limbo limbo like me stick hit sound and the ship like it ready stick hit sound and the dark still steady limbo limbo like me long dark deck and the water surrounding me long dark deck and the silence is over me Limbo
limbo like me stick is the whip and the dark deck is slavery stick is the whip and the dark deck is slavery limbo limbo like me drum stick knock and the darkness is over me knees spread wide and the water is hiding limbo limbo like me knees spread wide and the dark ground is under me down down down and the drummer is
and the drummers are praising me out of the dark and the dumb god are raising me up up up and the music is saving me hot slow step on the burning ground. Edward Kamau Brathwaite
“Limbo” by Edward Kamau Braithwaite
Volume 16, Issue 2 Page 7
KS 5—Volunteering and Work Experience
Key stage 5 students have been fully in-
volved with volunteering and work expe-
rience this year. Placements range from
animal sanctuaries, shops, services and
gardening projects. Students have devel-
oped a wide range of skills and all have
enjoyed their experiences and hope to
continue into next academic year. The
pictures show Bohemia Walled Gardens where Key stage 5 have their own
plot and take part in a range of tasks from clearing bushes and weeds to
helping with compost and soil. They also are learning gardening skills and
growing their own vegetables.
KS 5—Easter Trip to Ashford
Key Stage 5 are studying BTEC Independence and Works Skills and as part of their course took part in a visit to Ashford outlet centre. Some students travelled by train from Bexhill and enjoyed shopping and having a Hot chocolate in one of the many cafes. The trip was an early start and all the students thor-oughly enjoyed the experience.
Headstart School was established in 1999 and has
a proven track record of success with learners on
the Autistic Spectrum and with Complex needs.
Places are available for students from age 7 to 16
and following onto our Post 16 courses up to the
age of 18.
Crouch Farm
Crouch Lane
Ninfield
East Sussex TN33 9EG
Phone: 01424 893803
E-mail: [email protected]
Heads t ar t S c hool
Enrichment programme at Bedgebury Pinetum
Every Wednesday afternoon from 2pm -5pm a group of students visits Bedgebury Forest as part of the enrichment programme studying forest school and Adventurous Activities. Students this term have been enjoying mountain biking and developing their confidence riding off road and working together as a group.
Volume 16, Issue 2 Page 8