Blog 01.04.2022
Roughly just over two years ago, on the 23rd March 2020, the Prime Minister announced the first UK lockdown due to COVID 19, coronavirus. Over the past two years, we have endured several more lockdowns as new variants emerged and cases soared, causing unprecedented disruption. During this period, we have learned a lot and the children, young people and families were and have been a great support to Hollinwood Academy.
What really makes things special is when our children, young people and families recognise all this hard work and dedication that the staffing team showed prior to COVID, during COVID and post COVID. So I was delighted when I received a lovely email from Sharon Davies, POINT Business manager, to state that Lesia William, our primary pastoral manager, had been awarded the Passion for Parents Award 2020 – Education Category, from one of our families, as they stated:
“She is very supportive and helpful. Is always there for us as a family. I am very grateful for all the support she’s given both me and Chris in different aspects of life. Thank you.”
Due to COVID the Passion for Parents Award 2020 ceremony did not take place however the staff who were nominated two years ago received their awards this month…
Miss Williams was invited this month to accept her award from Andrew Robinson, CEO POINT and Andrea Greenwood, Oldham Parent Carer Forum Development Manager. It was a fantastic opportunity to thank Miss Williams for her fantastic support to our children and families at Hollinwood Academy.
We are so proud of Miss Williams and she thoroughly deserves this recognition and award. Congratulations and thank you POINT.
Let’s see what Mrs Lerigo’s reception class have been doing…
“Well another extremely busy week in reception class, jammed packed and full of fun.
This week we have been looking specifically at Spring. We have drawn spring flowers and looked at baby animals that are born at this time of year. We have painted daffodils and tried some real life drawing of daffodils and Chinese blossoms.
In Attention Autism we held up our umbrellas as we experienced the blossom falling from the trees. The children loved it. The photos show this with all their smiles.
In phonics we have been focusing on the sound ‘l’. We have drawn l’s and drawn around our l-l-l legs. We have tasted l-l-l limes and made l-l-l lollies in cookery and practised our pouring skills. We have also been learning about the jungle and this week we have looked at the prowling l-l-l leopard. In our story ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ the leopard comes out at night and prowls around the jungle looking for food. We made some beautiful pictures to represent this part of the story, we practised our cutting and sticking skills and now know the difference between night and day. In another attention autism we had a jumping leopard that popped out of the jack in a box, the children did really well trying to catch the leopard as it pounced.
We have been busy displaying some of our beautiful work and now have some cheeky chimpanzees, some gangly giraffes and our beautiful daffodils up on show in class as masterpieces.
In maths we have been practising some mathematical vocabulary, using words like full, empty, almost full etc. We have practised filling cups half full and full. We have worked hard on with our counting skills and using our pointy fingers to slowly count ‘how many?’ without rushing and getting the answer incorrect. If we count slowly we are more accurate.
Well as always, it is an absolute privilege to be in reception class and work with these amazing young people who astound me every single day.”
Now to our amazing SUPER STARs and SEALs
Mrs Lerigo’s STAR of the week is Euan for amazing number work, using a pointy finger to count objects.
Mrs Lerigo’s SEAL Superstar is William for taking on a job role in class of getting the toothbrushes from the windowsill for his friends.
Miss Pietraszewska’s STAR of the week is Mysha for requesting what she wants and needs by using full sentences. Well done!
Miss Pettigrew’s STAR of the week is William for having a great week.
Miss Parkinson’s STAR of the week is Rayyan for a much more settled week in his new class and becoming independent following instructions.
Mr Corrigan’s STAR this week is Logan for a great act of kindness.
Mr Corrigan’s SEAL Superstar is Jacob for having a lovely time on Outdoor Ed.
Mr Corrigan’s WOW moment goes to Xander, Isaam, Blaire, Logan and Oscar. Well done!
Mrs Halkyard and Miss McDonald’s STAR of the week is Sofia for always putting in 100% effort with her work particularly in Art and Maths this week.
Mrs Halkyard and Miss McDonald’s SEAL of the week is Tyler for his contribution to our ‘staying positive’ lesson today and sharing his experiences.
Mrs Halkyard and Miss McDonald’s DOJO winner is Christopher. Well done!
Miss Prescott’s STAR of the week is Ebon for making good choices and always being kind to his teachers and friends.
Miss Prescott’s SEAL of the week is Fatima for understanding that her friends sometimes need time alone.
Miss Prescott’s DOJO winner is Madison. Well done!
Miss Simms’ STAR of the week is Ivy for being in control of any negative thought.
Miss Simms’ SEAL Superstar is Elliott for being brave and trying out a new after school club.
Miss Tootill’s STAR of the week is Daniel for accepting losing in PE.
Miss Tootill’s SEAL of the week is Zachy for solving problems.
Miss Tootill’s DOJO winner is Thomas. Well done!
Now to our ‘Commitment to Learning Stars’:
Can I remind our families that we finish for the Easter holidays on Friday 8th April 2022 and we return to school on Monday 25th April 2022.
Hollinwood School Council has curated the ‘HWA Easter Library Fundraiser’ which will take place next Friday 8th April. In aid of this, if you have any unwanted books that may be suitable for our school community, we would greatly appreciate donations.
In addition, some of the activities that the School Council have planned include:
· an Easter Egg Hunt
· an Easter Raffle
· a Bake Sale
· an Egg Decorating Competition
Hollinwood School Council looks forward to seeing everyone getting into the Easter spirit.
As we come to the final week of the Spring term we say goodbye and good luck to Miss Rudge and Miss Collinge as they will be taking up new teaching posts after Easter. I am sure you will join me and the rest of the staff, Governors and Trustees of Hollinwood Academy and the New Bridge Group in wishing them both well as they begin their new chapters in their career.
I hope you all enjoyed a lovely weekend.
Mrs Millard