Animal Discovery: Live Webcams

Some of our pupils show an interest in animals and nature. There are Live Webcams at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park that the children may enjoy.

https://www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/webcams (Highland Wildlife Park)

https://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/webcams/ (Edinburgh Zoo)

For our Secondary pupils, the National Geographic Kids website can provide more information. Although not all pupils can access it fully independently, there are pictures to look at and discuss, and some interesting video clips to watch:

https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/category/discover/

Have a look and find out what your favourite animals are.

 

 

Navigating the School: Room 14

Room 14 have been working on their Geography skills as part of our ASDAN work. Their task was to give directions to find familiar parts of the school. We found lots of places including the nurses office, the P.E cupboard and soft play.

 

Sport Relief 2020

Many thanks to Amanda, Salvi, Sam and Scott for organising fun activities for us all to join in with to support Sport Relief 2020. We kicked off the morning with a select band signing up to Run a Mile. Thanks to Room 19 for braving the cold throughout our challenge, the spectators that cheered us on from the warmth of the classrooms and those that came out for playtime, supporting with cheers as we ran our loops. Each of us did 5 loops of the playground in total.

At lunchtime we enjoyed dance sessions with Sam. We all had lots of fun!

Finally, the whole school joined in for the afternoon to Walk a Mile with a Smile. We were grateful that the sun came out and warmed up the playground nicely for us. We also had some special visitors – the sumos!

Our day was just for fun, but we also received generous donations towards Sport Relief, raising a total of £165! Well done to everyone for taking part!

Clothing Exchange

Room 16 have been doing a great job, supporting the Clothing Exchange scheme. Pupils are regularly tidying up the area, washing, sorting and folding new clothing. It’s good to see an increase in sizes available too. Please keep sending items in if they’re in good condition and no longer of use to your child. Do also feel free to pop in and browse any time or let us know via the home school diary if you’d like the class team to have a look on your behalf.

Friends of Orchard Brae Fun Run: 28th April 2020

Many thanks to the brother of one of our pupils who has asked if he can fundraise individually through sponsorship for the 5k Fun Run for Friends of Orchard Brae. If anyone else wishes to raise money through the Fun Run or any other sponsored activity in future, sponsor forms can be obtained via the Friends of Orchard Brae by contacting school, or a sponsorship page can be set up at: https://wonderful.org/charity/friendsoforchardbrae

Lisa Thomson (Chairperson of the Friends) is the normal point of contact for any fundraising. Clare Russell can also be contacted regarding the Fun Run.

Full information regarding the Fun Run can be found here: https://scottishrunningguide.com/race/fun-run-for-friends-of-orchard-brae

or check out the Friends of Orchard Brae Facebook page.

Please remember, all participants must be over 12 years of age to enter, and must be accompanied by an adult at all times if under 16. Donations are optional – the event is free to run for everyone!

If we have wheelchair users who wish to participate, an adapted course that avoids the rooty / muddy trail section will be available.

Room 14 Feeding the Birds

Room 14 have been making bird feeders as part of their ASDAN work. We all enjoyed feeling the bird seed and playing with it. Then we covered pine cones and cardboard tubes with lard and rolled them in the seeds. We have hung them up so we can see them from our classroom window and have been having a great time watching the birds enjoy the treats!

Support Orchard Brae via your local Coop!

If you shop with Co-op, please consider choosing us as your cause to support when you shop.  Join here…

https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/41483

 

Fundraising for the Archie Foundation

Room 14 have been learning about the Archie Foundation in the last couple of weeks. They decided they want to make and sell chocolate fudge to the staff to help the charity. Recently we went round all the classes doing a taste test survey to see if there would be interest in our product. It was a success – everyone said yes! We are looking forward to raising lots of money for a good cause!

Young Leaders Of Learning

The Young Leaders of Learning programme has been developed by Education Scotland with the aim of enabling and empowering pupils to have an increasing say in their education and school. As a school, we have been in the fortunate position of working alongside Maxine Jolly, Senior Education Officer for Education Scotland, in adapting the programme for use in ASN schools.

Yesterday, a group of secondary pupils participated in a training day at the Beacon Centre alongside colleagues and pupils from Bucksburn Academy ASN Wing.

The students worked together in identifying the key skills required to be an effective young Leader and had great fun designing their Leaders.

The students also spent time identifying and comparing key areas of the two schools and sharing their likes and dislikes.

We’re absolutely thrilled to be the first group of pupils and staff trained from specialist settings and we look forward to participating in the programme with Bucksburn Academy ASN Wing over the rest of this term.

Lots of Learning in Room 14

In Room 14 we have been working really hard this term and enjoying a range of learning opportunities.

 

Home Economics

In HE we practise literacy through following recipes, practise our number skills in a practical context, and learn about healthy eating. We enjoy cooking and taking home what we have made to share with our families. Our HE instructor is very good at adapting things to ensure that everyone can be involved.

 

Literacy and Communication

We have regular opportunities to practise our communication skills and often move around the school to interact with other people and practise our skills outside the classroom. We also enjoy books and are encouraged to read for pleasure.

 

Science

We have been investigating the properties of materials. We enjoyed mixing cornflour and water. If you’ve never tried it, you should – it’s great fun and a very interesting learning experience!

 

Numeracy

Some of us have been practising our money skills. We have enjoyed setting up a play shop in class.

 

Life Skills

We’ve also been doing jobs around the school and practising life skills, such as recycling and looking after our homes.

 

P.E.

We’ve continued to enjoy our PE sessions. We all like being active!