Category: Uncategorised

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Room 19

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Room 19 are working on their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award this year. So far, we have chosen our physical activity and are working on basketball, table tennis and yoga.

For our skills section we are fundraising through our sandwich enterprise. We are also volunteering by helping out in classes with younger pupils and supporting an older gentleman in his home and garden.

In outdoor education, we have learned how to use fire sticks to light the gas for cooking with the trangia stove, all in preparation for our residential expedition next year.

ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS

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As we are now entering the time for colder weather, we would like to remind you of the school information line available for adverse weather conditions.

You can access this service by dialing 0870 054 1999 (this is a national rate number which should cost no more than 10p from a landline). You will then be prompted to enter a six digit PIN. The PIN for Orchard Brae School is 011860. Once connected, a voice will speak out the name of the school and a series of prompts will guide you to the appropriate option.

Updates will also be posted on the Aberdeen City Council website (https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/school-closures) as well as on Northsound Radio.

Outdoor Learning: Transforming our outdoor learning space

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Outdoor Learning space

Last term we asked the council to come and cut down the weeds, to make an area where we can set up outdoor learning.  They then delivered a large load of bark, which the pupils helped to take down to the newly cleared area.  This area will now be developed over winter, to have bug hotels and hedgehog houses.

 

Making animals with natural materials

We used beech nuts and twigs to make scary spiders for Halloween.  We used string to make the web, and then added our spiders.

 

Bobath Scotland

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Bobath Scotland are launching a new project called ‘Right Start’.  The project is aimed at families of children between the ages of 2 and 6 with cerebral palsy.  Applications to participate can be sent to the projectcoordinator@bobath.scot

 

Applications are also open for Adult Outreach Therapy & Support, run in conjunction with Cerebral Palsy Scotland.  For further information, please email projectcoordinator@bobath.scot

Makaton Word Of The Fortnight – GO

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We have a new Makaton Word Of The Fortnight – GO!

Below you will find a short video clip demonstrating how to sign GO as well as an activity sheet with ideas for ways to incorporate the sign into a range of everyday tasks and games.

This has also been posted on the Orchard Brae School Makaton Support Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/orchardbraeschoolaberdeenmakatonsupport/

Happy signing 👐

Makaton Word Of The Fortnight – MORE

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We have a new Makaton Word Of The Fortnight – MORE!

Below you will find a short video clip demonstrating how to sign MORE as well as an activity sheet with ideas for ways to incorporate the sign into a range of everyday tasks and games.

We also have a new Facebook page for designated Makaton Support which can be found at https://www.facebook.com/orchardbraeschoolaberdeenmakatonsupport/

Happy signing 👐

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Final Expedition at Wiston Lodge

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The pupils from Howes Hoose successfully completed their final expedition for their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. They spent 2 days at Wiston Lodge set in the beautiful countryside beside Biggar,  staying in log cabins which were warm and comfortable. Just what they needed after spending lots of time outdoors in the lovely Scottish Summer weather! There was also a kitchen cabin where the young people prepared their own breakfast and packed lunches, and this cabin was used to chill in their PJs with a hot chocolate before bed.

All the pupils participated fully in all the activities despite the cold and damp weather. They cooked a meal for themselves outside on the first night and walked over 4 kilometres through the hills the following day. Thankfully the torrential rain forecast passed by and, although not sunny, it was dry. Everyone, especially Al, our D of E Assessor, was pleased with the way the pupils all worked as a team, helping each other over fences and gates, guarding against cows and generally keeping each other going. It was a brilliant trip.

Pupils and staff also enjoyed some outdoor activity around the Lodge, walking the trails and practising their route finding skills using the landmarks we’d seen. The second day saw us treated to a cooked dinner, with breakfast in the Lodge at the end of our stay.

The completion of the expedition, added to the other sections of the Duke of Edinburgh programme –fundraising, volunteering and learning a physical skill – means that all the “Howes Hoose Heroes” have now achieved the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Huge congratulations to them all and a special thank you to the PSA staff and Toby from D of E who supported them throughout the training and expeditions.

Seasons’ Change At The Lemon Tree

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Last night a group of pupils from across the school performed their piece, Seasons’ Change in the Lemon Tree Studio as part of Aberdeen Performing Arts ‘Light The Blue’ festival.

The pupils (along with some friends who unfortunately couldn’t make the performance) and staff members have worked extremely hard throughout a series of workshops in school, where we worked collaboratively with Kate from Aberdeen Performing Arts, class teacher Jessica and Emmeline our music therapist, in order to create our final performance.

There has been lots of fun along the way as everyone fully engaged their senses to develop a piece of drama which allowed the cast members and audience to move through the seasons.  We used a wide range of stimuli and there were lots of surprises along the way.

All of the pupils were a true credit to themselves and the school in last night’s performance and the audience’s participation was fantastic.  We are so proud of everyone involved and would like to thank them all for all their hard work and effort in performing a truly magical and unique performance.

 

 

 

Summer In The City Guide 2019

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Summer in the City Guide 2019

This year’s Summer in the City Guide of events for children and young people, is now available online at the following link:

https://live.cloud.servelec-synergy.com/Aberdeen/PublicEnquiry_YP/includes/SITC%202019.pdf

The decision was made not to print the guide again this year, it is only available as a pdf copy. This has allowed the creation of an interactive diary section and use colours and photographs with additional clarity, more so than previous versions allowing for easy viewing on computer screens, phones and tablets.