Author: Clare Russell

Room 12 Experience Halloween

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Room 12 have enjoyed celebrating Halloween. We have explored the insides of pumpkin, tolerating and experiencing the different textures, the bright colour and the smell.

We used paint to decorate our pumpkin, mixing the colours and using different sponges and brushes to create texture and colour.

We experienced the school Halloween disco. Some of us chose to dress up, whilst others enjoyed the lights and music.  There was a fun atmosphere.

Room 16 Make Bird Feeders

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In October we made eco bird feeders, by coating pine cones in bird seed. It was a sticky job and took a lot of concentration.  The next day we hung some in the school playground and took the rest to hang up at the duck pond.  We then gave the leftover bird seed to the ducks.

A Busy Term in Room 15

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This has been a busy term in Room 15, with lots of new experiences!

We have lots of fun with messy learning in Room 15. In our Secondary Department, all S1-S3 pupils complete the ASDAN New Horizons course – we have begun with building our communication of key information about ourselves.  We have hidden under blankets and revealed ourselves when our name is called (activating a switch talker to announce “I’m here!”), we have practiced our Makaton signs for our names (and those of our friends) and (best of all!) located our photos in sensory resources and written our names in mixed media.

We’ve also introduced bucket time to Room 15. This activity looks to build focused attention – and it seems we’re more focused the messier it gets!  We have used bucket time to build our spontaneous communication too – ready, steady and … “go!”

We have been using intensive interaction to build our communication skills in a variety of different contexts – we’re speaking and using more signs since the start of the year already!

We have been working a lot on life skills, particularly road safety. We use our eyes and ears to look out for traffic, and use our communication devices to say when to stop and when to go.

We have also begun to explore using talking mats to share our thoughts about our day – what we liked, what we didn’t like, and what we’re not sure about. On the whole, we’re liking our school day!

Work Experience in Room 19

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Room 19 follow a very practical programme to develop life skills and independence. This term we have young people out and about in school and the community on work placements. We are enjoying these opportunities and they are helping us to develop our confidence and social skills.

Moving Science in Room 14

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Room 14 have been honing their scientific and research skills.  We have been investigating things that move and what makes them move.  Earlier in the term we investigated wind power.  We tried blowing some things over and found that the hairdryer could blow harder than we could.  We decided that we did not want to stay in a windy hurricane town as it was dangerous.

We also looked at whether the shape of something made it easier to move.  We experimented with things we found in school.  The pen rolled if you took the cap off but not with the cap on. The scooter rolled when upright but not if we put it in it’s side. The box of tissues did not roll but the tumbler did.  We found a tyre in our playground and we all had fun rolling it.

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On Monday Room 18 and some friends from Room 16 and 19 watched Scotland play Samoa in the Rugby World Cup. The World Cup is being held in Japan. We learned about Japan in Drama with Sam. Scotland scored lots of tries and won the match! We enjoyed watching the game.

 

Macmillan Coffee Afternoon

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Howes Hoose, supported by their friends from Room 19, led a very successful coffee afternoon today. Well done to all of the pupils and staff involved in making this such a successful event, and thank you to everyone that came along to join in the fun and support Macmillan Cancer Support. Our pupils were very busy throughout the afternoon, setting up, keeping the tables cleared, and topping up the cups. Hopefully they all had time to have a chat with their guests too!

Thank you for joining us and making our afternoon such a success!

Norma Buist Swimming Gala

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Our senior pupils had a fantastic day at the swimming gala! We are very proud of them all for working hard to achieve the times required to represent Orchard Brae at the gala, and for swimming their best during their events.

They returned to school with a number of achievements. For some, it was their first gala and they swam brilliantly, doing their very best for the occasion. Another pupil, also at their first gala, attempted to compete but found the water was too cold … maybe next year.

Those fortunate enough to win medals came away with quite a haul between them:

Bronze Medal for 25 m Backstroke for a pupil competing in their first gala;

Gold Medal 25 m Backstroke for one of our more accomplished swimmers;

Gold Medal 25 m Front Crawl for a youngster at their first gala;

3 Gold Medals for 25 m Front Crawl, Backstroke and Breaststroke, again for a more experienced competitor;

and finally, 3 Gold Medals for 50 m Front Crawl, Backstroke and Breaststroke for an advanced swimmer.

Congratulations to each and every one of our swimmers for going to the gala and competing at a high level! You were all stars!

 

 

Movement Time in Room 3

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The children in Room 3 have been doing incredible work on their movement skills since returning to school! The children use their equipment daily as part of class routines and work so hard to stand up tall in their standing frames or take steps in their walkers.  Twice a week we do focussed movement sessions where we use a range of floor based positions as well as equipment.  On a Tuesday we focus on trying out activities in a range of positions, sometimes these are new or challenging but the children are so motivated.  On a Friday we have a music and movement session which is linked to our story.  We have been exploring all the animals’ movements from ‘The Animal Boogie’ while moving our bodies to different pop and Disney songs in a range of positions.  The children work together in pairs or small groups throughout the week in their equipment and are further developing their awareness of each other…sometimes there’s a real sense of competition while we throw/kick balls or try to press the computer first but likewise sometimes it is nice just to lie together during a relaxation time or even help encourage a friend by holding up a favourite toy for them.   Being active is great – amazing work Room 3!

Creative Learning Award for the Makaton Choir

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We were delighted to be invited to the Aberdeen City Council Children and Young People’s Services Awards today which were held at the Beach Ballroom.

Arriving at the Beach Ballroom

The Makaton Choir, led by Emmeline, our Music Therapist, had been nominated for the Creative Learning Award. There was tough competition with two other schools nominated so we were delighted when Orchard Brae were announced as the winners.

Our Makaton Choir delegation with the Lord Provost

Well done to our senior pupils for representing the school today. It was wonderful to be present at the Ceremony, celebrating learning and achievements from across the City. Congratulations to everyone that was nominated!

The obligatory Awards Selfie

Our Certificate and Award