Over the final term of the academic year, our students and education teams across both our Schools have been busy! The flurry of school work and celebrations keeps everyone on their toes, embodying the perfect mix of challenge and achievement.
As we bid farewell to this academic year and to some of our students too, in this blog we take the time to reflect, and take a look back at some of the activities our students have been involved with over the last few months both in and out of the classroom.
Hatching and raising the ducks
Our Willow Tree Park students were able to care for and hatch some baby ducklings offering a unique hands-on educational experience that goes beyond the classroom.
Over the last few months, this project has not only taught our students the science behind incubation and animal development, but also instills important life skills such as responsibility, empathy, and teamwork.
As they nurture the ducklings, they learn about daily care routines, the importance of a clean environment, and how to nurture growing animals. Once the ducks were old enough, the school sent the ducks to an animal sanctuary farm for them to continue to grow and enjoy their life. This provides a sense of accomplishment and teaches students about sustainable and ethical animal care practices, fostering a deeper respect for nature and wildlife.
The School Games Bronze Mark Award
We were delighted to hear that our Ash Meadow School had been awarded The School Games Bronze Mark Award 2023/24.
This Government-led scheme, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust, rewards schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and the community.
Taking part in this initiative has given our students the chance to compete and socialize with other schools in the area, and encourage them to try a range of different sports and activities. Not only that, but the benefits of team sports can help to develop additional soft skills like building confidence, teaching self-discipline, and learning about resilience and perseverance. It’s been a great scheme to be involved in and look forward to being able to continue this next year too.
Arley Hall and gardens festival
At Willow Tree Park, our students have created the life cycle of a butterfly made entirely out of flowers as part of this year’s Arley Hall and Gardens Festival.
They’ve been hard at work since April, learning how to plant, grow, and take care of the flowers in the school gardens to become part of the display. All the hard work that went into growing the flowers truly paid off; the display looked wonderful and they had even managed to craft a caterpillar and a butterfly made from lettuce and flowers to really seal the deal.
A Jewish Synagogue Visit
At Ash Meadow, students got the opportunity to visit a local Synagogue in Liverpool. They were given a guided tour and an opportunity to explore the historical significance of the building, alongside Jewish traditions, rituals, and values firsthand.
Students enjoyed learning more about the Jewish religion and gained a broader perspective on world religions, and celebrate cultural diversity and awareness.
Duke of Edinburgh
Weekends filled with camping, hiking, and singing by the campfire; our students have been working towards achieving their Duke of Edinburgh Awards joined on their travels by their education and care teams.
Over the last few months, our Silver Duke of Edinburgh students set off in Llandegla, North Wales on a 3-day walking expedition. Two nights of camping in the tranquil fields of Llyn Rhys campsite and even a ghost walk too, the students had an absolutely amazing time.
Our Bronze Duke of Edinburgh students took a 2 day trip to Chirk, exploring the breathtaking views of the aqueduct and local scenery. After a full day of walking and racking up those steps, they spent the night at a local campsite, making the most of the on-site swimming pool.
Prom
As a final celebration to end the School year, it was time for the students to bust out their best party outfits, collect their awards, and enjoy an afternoon in the sunshine for the annual School Prom.
Across both Ash Meadow and Willow Tree Park, the students enjoyed a day of music, entrainment, and time to celebrate their achievements.
We know that the change in routine during the summer holidays can sometimes be difficult on our students. Check out our blog ‘Navigating the Summer Holidays‘ for support, tips and advice.
We look forward to welcoming our students back after the summer holidays, refreshed and ready to embark on the next chapter of their journey ahead.
