2024 Autumn Term 2

Dear Parents and Carers,

This term has certainly been busy, full of exciting curriculum opportunities for all of our pupils. There have been many worthwhile trips, including a three-day residential trip to Sayers Croft Activity Centre. Pupils had the opportunity to participate in lots of different outdoor and adventurous activities, both day and night, throughout this trip, proving to be wonderful team-building opportunities.   

Year 11 pupils took part in a University visit, going in person to the University of Sussex and giving pupils valuable experience and motivational encouragement in order to prepare them for the future path to university. 

Enjoy reading about just some of the fantastic things that have taken place this term. The achievements and progress that our pupils have been making across the school are truly remarkable.

I hope that you all enjoy some good quality family time over the holidays and a wonderful family Christmas!

Thank you all for your continued support of the school.

Merry Christmas!

Best wishes,

Mr Anderson

Principal 

This term, we were extremely privileged and honoured to receive a donation for a brand-new Variety bus. The bus was presented to us by David Welsh of Joie Baby Products Ltd, who has donated 30 buses over the years to various schools and charities. This variety bus will be an excellent addition to the school vehicle fleet and enable our pupils to participate in many more off-site activities.

Mr Anderson, Mr Barrett, and four pupils were invited to Walton Heath golf club to collect the bus. Many celebrities were there, and former footballers Steve Coppell, Alan Curbishley and David Beasant hosted the day.

Our pupils were introduced to Harry Redknapp, who spent time chatting with them about the school and, of course, football. The pupils loved this and had their photo taken with him as well.

When we were presented with the bus, we received two large boxes of lovely books, which were passed on to our school library. Pictured here is the new bus, the main presentation and the pupils with Harry Redknapp.

Thank you to the Variety Club for this generous donation. I am sure all of our pupils will benefit from many trips and residential activities. 

Barns Green Village kicked off the Christmas season in spectacular style with its first Christmas Tree Festival on the weekend of the 14th of December. Sumners Pond was transformed into a twinkling festive wonderland and 25 local businesses and organisations were invited to sponsor and decorate a tree.

When Muntham House School was asked to sponsor a tree, we didn’t just nod politely; we jumped around like Christmas elves on a sugar high. But we weren’t about to put a few baubles on and call it a day. We had BIG plans. We wanted our tree to embody everything Muntham House is about: education, kindness, and our Safe-Caring-Happy motto. Armed with education-themed decorations, boundless energy and, as it turns out, a lot of questionable maths, we dove in headfirst.

And here’s where the ‘fun’ truly began. As the self-proclaimed head of operations (yes, that was me, Mrs Perrodow), I took my role very seriously. Possibly too seriously. My calculations for how many lights a six-foot tree needed were, well, let’s say, ambitious. Instead of a soft, festive glow, I purchased enough lights to rival the Blackpool Illuminations. Undeterred, I summoned my trusty team: Mr Pusey, our ever-patient Estates Manager, and Oliver from Rabbits class, who was more than happy to untangle wires.

We wrapped and rewound, and then we wrapped some more. By the end, the tree was glowing so brightly that we feared it might become a navigational hazard. Passing planes probably mistook Sumners Pond for an extension of Gatwick Airport.

Finally, after countless loops of lights and a few debates about whether we’d created a tree or an electrical hazard, we stepped back to admire our masterpiece. And oh, what a masterpiece it was. The tree didn’t just twinkle. It beamed. It was less ‘festive centrepiece’ and more ’Christmas lighthouse’, visible from space.

We couldn’t have been prouder to be part of the Barns Green Christmas Tree Festival, and it was an honour for our fabulous school to be involved. We’ve already started brainstorming for next year, though one thing’s for sure, we might need to scale back on the lights.

On the 4^th of December, Oliver, Ryan, and Dylan visited Chichester University with staff to meet the Head of Partnership, James Martin. The pupils were given a tour of the university, which included the amazing technology building, the Robot Wars research centre, and the accommodation.

This was the first time Muntham House had taken a group of pupils to a university to give them a taste of university life. Many pupils have aspirations to go to university, and it is important that they get to see what it is all about.

After our tour, we ate in the pupils’ dining hall, where James answered all the pupils’ questions.

This will now be a permanent partnership, and we look forward to showing more pupils what university life offers.

I want to thank James for his time and hospitality and for showing our pupils another fantastic option for their futures. Oliver has already pencilled in a tour of the sports Campus with James!

Oliver, Ryan and Dylan were all fantastic ambassadors for Muntham House. Last but not least, I would like to thank Miss Rutherford for supporting me on the trip.

Pupils from Lower Primary had a magical outing to Horsham to attend a special Makaton pantomime, Santa’s New Sleigh.  The pupils were captivated by the lively characters, colourful costumes and interactive moments that had everyone laughing and clapping along.

The excitement didn’t end there. After the pantomime, the children had the chance to meet Santa himself! Each pupil enjoyed a personal moment with the jolly man in red and left with a present!

Travelling together by minibus added to the sense of adventure. Staff commended the pupils for their exemplary behaviour throughout the trip. It was a memorable experience, full of joy, inclusivity and festive fun, leaving everyone with smiles and holiday spirit!

On Tuesday, the 3rd of December, the Upper Primary classes went to The Capital in Horsham to watch a Pantomime performance as part of a Christmas treat and to support their ongoing work in performing arts for Drama. The pupils watched a performance of Jack and the Beanstalk with a modern twist, and they loved it, with many of the pupils asking what the show will be next year!

This also followed the work the pupils completed in their English last half-term, during which we created our own twisted fairy tales and read different versions of Jack and the Beanstalk.

On the 5th of December, the Primary Unit took part in an immersive WWII day, focusing on the lives of evacuees. The day began with pupils gathered in the main school hall, where they were "sorted" into groups, echoing the experience of evacuees being assigned to host families. Each pupil wore a name tag to bring the historical theme to life.

Throughout the day, pupils engaged in hands-on activities that offered a glimpse into wartime life. A first-aid workshop taught them basic skills, reflecting the importance of preparedness during air raids. They also explored trench building.

The grand finale of the day was a whole-school VE Day party. The hall was transformed with bunting and music from the 1940s, creating a festive atmosphere. Pupils enjoyed sandwiches, cakes, and dancing, celebrating as wartime children might have done when peace was declared.

The immersive day combined education and fun, offering pupils a rich, interactive way to connect with history. It emphasised the resilience of those who endured WWII and ended with a joyful reflection on the triumph of hope and community.

We are excited to share that the primary unit at Muntham House School recently embarked on a delightful visit to the local parish church. The pupils had the pleasure of meeting a lovely couple, Carole and her husband Ian, who warmly welcomed us and shared their knowledge about the church's rich history.

During our visit, the pupils were fascinated to learn about the church's architectural features, including its beautiful stained glass windows and the significance of the bell tower. Carole shared stories about the church's role in the community over the years, highlighting various events and traditions that have taken place there.

This experience enriched the pupil's understanding of local history and fostered a sense of community connection. We are grateful to Carole and Ian for their hospitality and for making our visit memorable. We look forward to more educational outings in the future!

The residential pupils have been making the most of the festive period and one of their favourites has been enjoying a Christmas movie on the big screen by the tree. Hever, Bodiam, and even a couple of Arundel pupils (although they are far too old and mature to enjoy a Christmas film!!) attended and enjoyed the shared experience along with the popcorn and hot chocolate.

A number of pupils expressed their interest in cybersecurity as a career. With this in mind, the careers team invited a top expert in this field to visit our school. Iain Gibbons works at Foxtrot Technologies and helps to keep some major companies and businesses safe from cyber-attacks.

Ben, Arthur and Ryan spent the morning listening to advice about working in the cybersecurity industry. Who better to mentor them than Iain, who has helped protect major banks and companies and worked in counterterrorism?

All three pupils were interested in Iain’s stories and advice and enjoyed talking to him. We would also like to thank Iain for giving up his time to see us and sharing his knowledge and advice.

Coming to the classroom: resources to support dyslexic pupils 

The Toolbox: Using a low-tech approach to support learning 

Every classroom has received a toolbox to help support our dyslexic learners. The toolbox contains a range of low-tech resources to support pupils in developing their literacy skills. These resources will also benefit our non-dyslexic pupils. 

What’s in the resource box, and why? 

Pens and pencil grips 

By establishing proper finger placement, these grips allow for better control and precision of the utensil while writing or drawing. They guide fingers into the tripod grasp, encouraging ideal finger positioning for improved penmanship. 

Writing finger spaces

They are a great alternative to a pupil having to use their finger for word spaces. Simple and easy to use, they are the perfect size for the space between words when writing sentences.  

Phonic cards 

Phonics cards help pupils learn to identify the sounds that letters make and how words are made up of those sounds. 

High-frequency word fans 

These fans are designed for the classroom to help all pupils learn to spell common words. 

Reading Rulers

A reading ruler can help pupils with dyslexia to focus on a specific part of the text and stay on the correct line while reading. This can improve reading skills, reduce eye strain and increase confidence.  

Coloured overlays

Overlays are a type of tinted filter. They are plastic reading sheets tinted with a colour that dyslexic pupils place over text to eliminate or alleviate a wide range of reading difficulties, such as low reading rate, accuracy, or comprehension. 

Page Markers 

When working or studying, these markers make it easier to keep your place. 

Sticky Notes  

Sticky notes support memory through colour, summarising the main points of longer text, or providing low-pressure ways of recording ideas and answers as you go.  

Highlighters  

The simple highlighter pen can be a great tool for picking out keywords, supporting memory and organising a text. Associating a specific colour with a meaning can act as a really useful shorthand to support learning and retention of information.

Fidget toys  

• Improving focus  

• Reducing stress  

• Improving fine motor skills 

• Helping with self-regulation 

• Helping with mindfulness 

Sand timers

Teachers may use timers to help with time management and other tasks. 

Did you know these facts about dyslexia? 

Time blindness and Attention Span 

Some pupils with dyslexia have trouble sensing the passage of time, making it difficult to manage their time and meet deadlines. That’s why sand-timers are a key part of the classroom toolkit. 

Timers can help with attention span and distractions. For example, the Pomodoro method uses a timer to help with studying. The Pomodoro Technique is  a time management method based on 25-minute stretches of focused work broken by 5-minute breaks. Longer breaks are typically 15 to 30 minutes after four consecutive work intervals. 

Short-term memory: Pupils with dyslexia may have short-term memory challenges, making recalling information and allocating tasks difficult.  

Organisation: Pupils with dyslexia may have organisational challenges.  

Processing information: Pupils with dyslexia may have challenges processing information. 

After having a lovely two-week break, which we all enjoyed, it was back to work. All the pupils have been busy learning new skills, particularly Primary. Learning a skill takes practice, which is why we vary the dish the pupils are making in Food Tech, but the skill, e.g. making pastry or cooking pasta, will be repeated. We have also looked at how to cook different types of pasta and made lasagna, chicken pasta bake, and sausage pasta. Some of the older pupils have been investigating the differences between noodle types, using both egg and rice noodles. However, we have been making Mince Pies, Sausage rolls and Christmas Tree Spinach Bread to celebrate the Christmas season.

Mrs Apicella and Mrs Barratt wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to welcoming you back for the Spring Term.

Hello, everyone. I would like to share some comments from the Eco-school's feedback with you. It was extensive, very complimentary, and a pleasure to receive. 

"The Eco-Committee decided to work on the topics energy, Global Citizenship and marine, selecting those topics that would make the greatest impact in your school. When creating your Action Plan, your Eco-Committee has thoughtfully considered how their Eco-Schools activities can involve and benefit their entire community. We truly appreciate this ambition to create a whole-school movement."

"Your curriculum links come from various year groups and subject areas; they are good examples of innovative and engaging cross-curricular environmental education. Thank you so much for sharing examples of the pupils' work and 'children at work' in your application, giving the Eco-Schools Team a clear insight into their work. We love to see the children involved in the pond dip."

"You have created passionate young environmentalists excited about protecting our planet and empowered to make a difference."

"Your Eco-Code is a motivational, direct call to action for protecting our planet."

"We recognise your efforts with an Eco-Schools Green Flag with Distinction 2024."

This year, our Eco-committee want to visit the Ford recycling plant, invest in a giant composter for food waste, arrange litter picks in local villages, arrange a clothes swap at the end of term and encourage teachers to have plants in their classrooms.

Below is a link to 'A mural for Matilda'—a fantastic and passionate young environmentalist who sadly passed away. You will find it a humbling and moving read.

To Honour Matilda - Eco Schools      

Happy Green Holidays from The Eco-committee.  

Team Science has had many great lessons this half term.

Our GCSE pupils have studied topics such as nuclear radiation and crude oil and used formulas to solve physics problems like velocity and acceleration.

Year 9 pupils have mastered the topics of cellular organisation, pathogens, disease, medicines, and immunity.

Year 8's pupils have greatly enjoyed building electrical circuits, especially with our new, high-tech electronic kits. The teachers have also been very excited by the kit's arrival and might even get some sets for personal use.

Year 7s have covered more animal adaptations and visited the farm to see how our donkeys, pigs, goats, and chickens have adapted to survive in their natural environment and how humans have selectively bred them. They have also started their journey towards becoming mad Scientists by learning about acids and alkalis, which have many colours, sights and smells!

We would also like to celebrate the arrival of our new subject-specific LSA, Mr Duncan. He is keen to get to know the pupils and help us keep the lab tidy. WAHAY!

Happy holidays, everyone. 

Year 7 pupils have been learning to use tools in the workshop this term and have been busy making wooden key racks.

Pupils have been learning to mark out, measure, cut and drill the materials to build on their basic skills.

The pupils have produced some amazing work.

Some Year 9 pupils have shown an interest in the Motorcycle mechanics course next year, and we have been running a trial for this to see how they get on.

In the DT lesson, pupils worked on mini-moto bikes, learned to use hand tools, and understood how they worked. They will strip the bikes down and disassemble the engines as part of the activity. We hope many of the pupils will select this course in Year 10.

This year's mechanics pupils have had a very positive start to the year. Their units are coming along and the projects are taking shape. 

Some more experienced pupils have begun the more technical units, such as rebuilding a carburettor and replacing a wet clutch. While doing these modules, pupils also use the skills they have previously learnt to help build the next Malle Mile race bike. 

We look forward to continuing the hard work after Christmas and into the New Year.

This term, our post-16 residential pupils have enjoyed many evening activities. They have played Ten-Pin Bowling, participated in Open Mic Music nights, cooked and baked, played Nintendo retro Wii games, gone to restaurants for Birthday celebrations, and enjoyed a wonderful Christmas trip to the O2 in London for an evening of TOCA Social interactive football.

Our pupils also have to learn everyday life skills. They all know how to use laundry facilities and how to maintain a clean and tidy flat. We focus on independent train travel, and our pupils have been developing their skills and are doing very well with this.

Next term, we are pleased to announce that one of our Music pupils, Matthew, will perform a few songs at a local open mic evening. Another of our pupils, Alfie, has independently applied for a part-time match-day stewarding job at his local football club and has succeeded.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and look forward to welcoming our pupils back in the New Year.

KS3 & KS4

Hands:	Enhancing stamina for a long, healthy, active lifestyle
Head:	Focus and concentration in pressured sports situations
Hands:	Importance of flexibility for body and mind

This term, both our key stage 3 and 4 pupils have been working towards completing their trampolining proficiency awards. They have shown great resilience and determination in learning and mastering new moves. The levels start at level 1 and go through to more advanced moves at level 15. Pupils have demonstrated seat landings, front landings and back landings. Some pupils have been able to incorporate these moves with a half twist and even a full twist.  

KS5

Our key stage 5 pupils have also been working towards their Trampolining proficiency awards this term. Our key stage 5 pupils have been learning and mastering some more advanced moves, and some have achieved a level 10 award, which is very impressive. We have also been working towards our BTEC certificate in sport. Pupils have been able to plan a sporting trip and find out how much money it will cost, how to get there and what to bring.  

Football Fixtures  

South London Special League

13/11/2024 - Year 11

The year 11s again took a strong team to South London to continue the good form they showed earlier in the term. Again, facing some strong opponents, the team represented themselves really well and worked together as a team to try and achieve the desired results. Having been put into a stronger league this year, the team continued to perform well and, despite a mixed bag of scores on the day, still ended the Autumn term in second place in the league. A good start to the season.   

20/11/24 – Years 8 & 9 

It is a very competitive Wednesday for the years 8 and 9. A tough round of fixtures, resulting in three draws and a win, keeps them in a good position for the season after Christmas. 

21/11/24 – Muntham House College 

The MHC Team took to South London full of confidence after coming out on top last time around. With a changed team and some younger pupils stepping up to help out, the form continued, with the team winning all but one game on a very cold day at Long Lane JFC. Mentions must go to the two younger pupils who stepped up, who held their own brilliantly and contributed well to the team. 

Albion cup  

This year's key stage 3 Albion cup fell on an inset day for our Muntham pupils. However, that did not stop us from participating. We still took a strong team of pupils to the event. Muntham had an impressive start where we won 7 out of our 8 group stage games. Unfortunately, we had some injuries in our team's semifinal and narrowly lost the game 2-1 to a strong ST Marys side. Well done to all our pupils who participated well and represented the school well on the day, and thank you to the parents and carers who were flexible in facilitating pupils' attendance at this event.  

Basketball Friendly  

Wednesday 4th December.  

8 Muntham House pupils made history as they embarked on the first-ever basketball fixture the school has played in. The pupils made the short trip to New Barn School for a friendly Wednesday afternoon. All pupils represented themselves expertly throughout the afternoon and were a credit to the school. It was a very close game for the majority until some strong players from New Barn found their groove, resulting in a win for New Barn. A mention must go to 3 of our younger pupils, some of whom were playing boys up to 4 years older than them and held their own. Well done all. 

Year 11 BTEC pupil refereeing  

One of our year 11 BTEC P.E. pupils refereed a Sussex Schools football match this term. This was an under-13s match between two mainstream schools: Steyning Grammar vs. Cardinal Newman. The match ended 9 - 0 to Cardinal Newman. Well done to this pupil, who demonstrated assertiveness and brilliant knowledge of Football. 

Primary PE

In addition to cricket, during this half term, the pupils have taken part in various sports and activities. In upper Primary, the Rabbits class has participated in weekly dodgeball sessions. The pupils have focused on hand-eye coordination, movement and communication. It has been fantastic to see the pupils actively participate in a different sport and showcase a range of new skills and effective communication on the court!   

Primary Sussex Cricket Disability   

In Cricket this half-term, the pupils have had the opportunity to work closely with a coach from Sussex. Throughout the sessions, they have examined batting, fielding, bowling technique, and the skills required to strike the ball and field effectively. There has been a strong focus on teamwork and communication. The pupils have participated in weekly sessions over the half-term and enjoyed learning various new skills and playing team games! 

Basketball Academy 

Basketball Academy has been growing and growing, and we have now had our first Basketball Fixture. All the pupils have been working hard at Basketball Academy and brought what we learned into the games. Worthing Thunder has been coaching our sessions, and their focus has been on Small-sided games in basketball and how to defend and attack effectively. If you are interested in your child attending the academy, please contact [email protected]    

Please see below the dates for our Academies next term: 

Basketball

14/01

21/01

28/01

4/02

11/02

Football Academy

We have had another successful term in Football Academy. The focus this term has been on different types of shooting. The players have learnt how to perform the finesse shot and volley with the correct technique. We have also trained our goalkeepers to defend shots and have the correct angle to where the ball is to save a shot. The players have all worked hard and have taken what they have learnt into the Albion Cup and the South London Special League. If you are interested in your child attending the academy, please contact [email protected]    

Please see below the dates for our Academies next term: 

Football

9/01

16/01

30/01

6/02

Trampolining Academy 

This term, we have had a new academy: the trampolining Academy. This academy is exclusive to our Muntham House boarders. All the floors, Post 16, Arundel, Bodium and Hever, have had an opportunity to participate in this academy. All the pupils have been working towards achieving their trampolining proficiency awards. They have been learning seat drops, front/back landings, and how to perform these moves with a half twist.   

On our return after half term, with little to do in the garden, we explored the grounds and woods, hunting for mushrooms and toadstools. We were lucky to find some common Inky Caps, jelly ears, Shaggy Parasol, and Southern Bracket fungi. The pupils did some great pencil sketches of the ones we found. The pupils then had the opportunity to handle, smell and taste some supermarket-bought edible mushrooms. They tried chestnuts, buttons, and some large, flat-open ones. Everyone agreed that mushrooms are best when cooked! 

We then planted sweet peas, carrots, and cabbage in the polytunnel. However, they may not do as well as we hoped, as Storms Bert and Darragh caused some damage. One side now has a very large rip, which will be fixed in the new year. 

The pupils have all told me they like tasting vegetables and fruit, so without anything to try from the garden, I purchased a box of tropical fruits. Mango was a firm favourite, closely followed by pineapple. The pupils weren't so keen on lemons and limes, although they all had a try. Passion fruit was a curve ball, as they all loved the scent but were put off by its appearance, and many wanted to avoid tasting it. 

We have enjoyed foraging for evergreens in the school woods to make the traditional table decorations. The pupils all worked hard to make them look good and are proud of their achievements. When you have enjoyed them over Christmas, please return the plastic parts so we can recycle them for next year. 

Pigs

What a wet and cold term we have had at Muntham House Farm. Not that it affects Bangers and Mash; they love hanging out in the mud. The pupils enjoyed breaking up ice from the water buckets and feeding it to Bangers, who likes to crunch it. The pupils have been learning the importance of giving the pigs activities to do during the days to keep them from boredom (and stop them from eating the fence). Although Mash is very happy relaxing in the pigloo, Bangers is much more sociable and loves to snuffle in the fallen leaves for treats left by the pupils.

Goats

Often, the pupils comment on the goat’s weight, so this term and following onwards, we are all trying to help reduce the goat’s weight and increase their exercise. One of the goals in the sessions with the goats and pupils is to get them both active and working together as a team. The goats often get sidetracked out on a walk, and it is then the pupil’s responsibility to build a relationship and guide them back on the path, not just to the next yummy bush. The goats are keen to eat anything and everything they can get their hooves on. The pupils have been working their way through different healthier alternatives and determining which type of fruit or vegetables are their favourite. Gizmo, Spike, Wallace and Gromit are also very happy with the new tyres in their enclosure. They are often seen jumping onto them while the chickens have a dust bath.

Donkeys

Buzz and Woody are growing their thick winter coats back again and look fluffier than ever. The thicker the coat, the more hay and straw that gets stuck in it, though, meaning lots of grooming and pampering time for both donkeys. Due to the sun setting so early, most animals are being put to bed just before school finishes. This enables some of the pupils to participate in the poo picking, dinner feeding and water bucket filling. When the rain holds off, the pupils and donkeys have many adventures around the school grounds, the village, and the Muntham mile. Buzz is very chilled and relaxed, but Woody is not keen on the muddy tracks; he often plays up to try to get out of the muddy directions. The pupils use calm language (and sometimes bribery) to persuade him to follow their lead. This can take patience as he can be one very stubborn donkey.

Chickens

Good news in the Muntham House chicken coop! Marmalade is back, laying eggs! She is the only chicken to start laying again after their moult. Let’s hope we can begin to supply full Muntham egg boxes soon. The pupils have been very patient and have not disturbed the chickens whilst they moult, which can cause stress. Many pupils have been picking up and hugging the chickens again, a firm favourite activity to do in sessions. Two of our orange chickens are not as tame as the rest, so some pupils have set their own challenge to pick these up more often and spend positive time with them, hoping they will become friendlier.

This half-term is always quite challenging for outdoor experience and the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Why? Because it gets extremely wet and cold! But this provides an excellent opportunity to get used to being out in the elements. All the year groups have been practising their group dynamics on small hikes, some choosing to carry full kit to keep up their fitness. 

It wasn’t all hard work, though, as you can see with 10A enjoying a lesson in open-fire cooking (turkey burgers) and making paracord bracelets to bring home for the Christmas break. 

Explorer, Captain, Sherpa 

To promote engagement and learning in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, a term-wide award scheme that rewards three outstanding pupils. Three awards consider all DofE participating pupils: the explorer award (a pupil who shows an outstanding attitude to learning and pushes themselves to learn more); the captain award (a pupil who leads by example and takes on the roles given to them with conviction); and the sherpa award (a pupil who shows support of their fellow pupils either in lessons or on the expeditions).  

Congratulations to the following pupils who have been awarded the titles for this term: 

Scott S – Explorer Award 

Will F – Captain Award

Charlie S – Sherpa Award 

As the term and the year draw to a close, we have reflected on the many achievements, the fun we've had and milestones passed. It has been a term of positivity, individual growth, learning, building of community spirit, feeling a part of Muntham and understanding what makes it so special.

Our evenings have been full of cooking or baking, after-school clubs, trips to the cinema, chess and pool games and celebrating two 12th Birthdays!

As we approach the last week of term, our pupils look forward to our floor Christmas trip to Bowling and dinner at Nandos. They also have our Christmas party tea and, of course, fit in as many Christmas movies as we can!

All the Hever floor staff and pupils wish you a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year.

Fun, Festivities and Friendship

This term on Bodiam has been full of fun and excitement for everyone. The pupils kicked things off with an ice skating trip despite the cold weather. It was a chilly adventure, but everyone enjoyed gliding around the rink and warming up with hot chocolate afterwards.

Baking always brings out the pupils' creativity; this term was no exception. With just a little help from staff, the pupils baked some delicious cakes and quickly shared them with peers and staff on the floor and in Education. The treats were so tasty that they barely made it home.

Another highlight was a spooky walk around the Muntham grounds. Wrapped up warm and equipped with only head torches, the pupils had a blast hiding from each other and jumping out to surprise staff. It was a great way to embrace autumn's chill and enjoy playful thrills.

Preparations for Christmas also became a fantastic floor activity. The boys helped put up and decorate the Christmas trees, and the fun continued with classic Christmas movies to round off the day,

In the afternoons, board games, card games, and Legos provided hours of entertainment. The boys built some truly impressive models proudly displayed for all to admire.

The highlight of the term was our Christmas trip to Playzone in Portsmouth. The pupils showed no fear as they bravely took on the high slides, and even staff joined in for the fun. Everyone then enjoyed a festive dinner at the Harvester, where the pupils were on their best behaviour and truly appreciated the experience.

As the term comes to a close, we would like to wish all the pupils a safe and happy Christmas. We look forward to seeing everyone back in the New Year, ready for more adventures and fun.

It has been a very productive half-term on the Arundel floor. The pupils continue to produce at least one hour of homework in the evenings. We have been focusing on the core subjects in preparation for their mock GCSEs in the new year. The pupils are growing in confidence regarding their exams and are showing the effort and dedication required to give themselves every chance of success.

It's not all work, work, work. There is plenty of downtime; we know how to have fun and let our hair down. We enjoyed a cracking evening's entertainment courtesy of Vroom in Brighton. This is a spectacularly realistic driving simulator, where we all got to drive a Formula 4 racing car around an Italian motor circuit. As you can see from the photos, the pupils had a blast, and it appears we have a few budding racing drivers in the group.

We also went to the cinema to watch Venom 3. It was another great evening. We had the cinema to ourselves so we could stretch out, kick back, and immerse ourselves in the world of DC.

One pupil visited the Batman Exhibition in Covent Garden. He caught the train with his Key Worker, using his train travel training and map reading skills to arrive on time and return on the correct train. The exhibition was excellent, and the pupil was very thankful and appreciative of the opportunity.

So, it's been a jam-packed half-term, full of learning and relaxing as we begin to wind down for the Christmas Holidays.

Thank you to all pupils and staff on Arundel floor. See you in the New Year.

PLEASE NOTE THAT PUPILS RETURN FROM

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS ON:

TUESDAY 7TH JANUARY 2025

Term dates are on the school website, link below.

 Term Dates

Inset Days for Spring Half Term are:

Monday 6th January 2025

Friday 24th January 2025

Monday 27th January 2025