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!

 

 

Room 5 Visit The Library

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Room 5 had a busy morning, visiting our local library at Northfield.

When we arrived, we spent some time exploring the library.  We really liked the computers and colouring in table!  We then met the librarian who gave us a library card for our class and we chose some books to take back to school.

We can’t wait for our next visit to the library.

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 👐

Dates For Your Diary

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Please find below important dates for your diary for this session.

*Please note that the May In-service Day and local holiday have changed to Thursday 7th and Friday 8th May to coincide with the 75th VE Day celebrations*

 

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

Musical Fun with Drake Music and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra

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On Wednesday 4th September the staff and pupils of Room 16 attended a music composing workshop run by Drake Music and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

We arrived in the hall and took our seats as 2 cellists played a smooth and relaxing melody.  A third musician played various instruments and handed them out to pupils to join in.  My favourite moment was when he started playing a trombone and one very shy pupil simply grinned and said “Wow!”

The pupils (and staff) had the opportunity to play various percussion and wind instruments.  Pupils were given a sense of control as the cellos and trombone would repeat the sounds they had made.  You will see lots of big grins in the photos.

 

 

Makaton Word Of The Fortnight – STOP

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

Below you will find a short video clip demonstrating how to sign STOP 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 👐

Out Of School Care In Scotland Consultation

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The consultation on the draft framework for Out of School Care in Scotland was launched by the Scottish Government on Friday and will run until the 6th December 2019.

The Government is in the process of arranging a number of face to face consultation events to complement the online consultation working again with children, with parents and carers and with the out of school care sector. Details of these will be shared in due course.

To read the draft document and offer your views please follow the link below:

https://consult.gov.scot/children-and-families/out-of-school-care