Dear Families
What a packed week it has been here. I think staff and pupils have managed to fit 5 days into 4!
Student Ambassadors
Our first ever Student Ambassadors have been in training, ready to run tours of the school for the families of current pupils and ex-pupils, staff and their families. So far we have completed two practise tours, and I am extremely impressed at not only the literacy skills of the students (the 'script' is quite challenging), but even more by their willingness and how they conduct themselves. They truly are ambassadors of the school, and I am extremely proud of each and every one of them for volunteering for this important role.
Crunchy Munchy
Our fantastic chefs in the 6th Form have started cooking up a storm again! This week, the menu was enhanced by beetroot grown by one of our parents. Thank you to Mrs Hook for her kind donation.
Horticulture and Wellbeing Garden - Volunteering
If you have been past the school recently I hope you have noticed the development work going on in the Horticulture and Wellbeing Garden. Many thanks to staff, pupils and family members who came in on Saturday to donate their time and effort to the project: Miss Willis, Paige Hook, Beth Hook, Mr and Mrs Hook, Mike Jones and not forgetting Teddy!
If you would like to volunteer and support us with projects please email
meadow@meadowhighschool.org with 'Volunteer' as the title or call the school, and we will take your details.
Ballet
On Wednesday pupils were treated to an amazing performance by London's Children's Ballet Company. They performed Anne of Green Gables to a spellbound audience and the new bleacher seating and stage area really came into their own.
Community Learning
As you know, a lot of our learning takes place in the community. The trips this week alone were:
PE Leadership Academy; Local Walk linked to Geography; Under 16s football; Rural Activities Garden Centre (horticulture); West Drayton High Street (walking safely by roads); Iver Flowerland (communication); Home Management; Berkshire College of Agriculture (preparing for college); Heathrow Farm (animal care); Construction; Nathans Farm (Work Experience); Aldi (to plan, shop and prepare a simple meal).
Opening Ceremony
We were delighted to hold a small ceremony this week to 'officially' open the new provision. The Mayor, Councillor Becky Haggar, escorted by her husband and Mayor's Consort Mr Marios Kaikitis, gave a lovely speech to the pupils, cut the official ribbon, toured the school and planted a fruiting cherry tree in the Horticulture and Wellbeing Garden. The Mayor commented on how welcoming the pupils were and praised the new Head Pupils who accompanied her on the tour.
Head Pupils
Firstly, I would like to thank our outgoing Head Pupils, Ruby V and Jay N for their service and for being such great role models for younger pupils. We wish them every success at their college placements.
Congratulations to Jasmin and Elija our incoming Head Pupils. I know that they will represent the school with maturity and will be great examples of Meadow High School's pupil body.
Teaching and Learning
It would be remiss of me not to give you an update on the excellent work taking place in the classrooms and across the site. We have invited the Local Authority and SEND advisory service to come into school to scrutinise the teaching and learning that is taking place. The feedback was very honest and useful and the areas that we have identified to develop were agreed by the team.
As you know, we are seeking to support the pupils to the highest level of independence they can achieve. To this end, we are working this year to further develop pupils' metacognitive skills meaning that they will be able to recognise their own cognitive abilities, direct their own learning, evaluate their performance, understand what caused their successes or failures, and learn new strategies. If you visit the school you may notice that support adults are 'doing' less for pupils but are supporting them to think, assess, plan and problem solve themselves.
We will be offering sessions for family members to learn about how to develop and encourage pupils' independence at home and in the community. Please look out for dates in the bulletin and on the website.
Kind regards,
Mrs J Rigby
Headteacher
