Spring Term 1
It is amazing to think that we are at the half way point already this year. So much has been achieved already by the pupils at Muntham House School. The consistent high level of effort in behaviour and learning across the school have really impressed me. It has been wonderful to see so many of our pupils turning their behaviour around and enjoying their learning.
We are having a focus on attendance after half term to ensure that all pupils are attending school. Please can I remind all parents and carers of the importance of getting your children into school every day. There will also be class attendance competitions running after half term across the school.
I hope that you all have a great half term and enjoy some good quality family time together. I very much look forward to the pupils returning after half term on Tuesday 25th February.
Best Wishes
Mr Anderson
Principal
I am delighted to confirm that entries for the engage in their future 2020 Football Tournament can now be submitted.
This is an exciting new national tournament for special schools, with our region heats taking place at
Muntham House School
on Wednesday 22nd April.
For the schools that qualify, the finals tournament will be held on
Thursday 30th April
at
St George’s Park, home to all 27 England teams. St George’s in Burton on Trent, provides world-class facilities
The winners will receive a trophy and there will also be awards presented to players/teams that demonstrate sportsmanship and embody the spirit of the game.
To find out more infomation Eitf National Football Tournament 2020 and Eitf 2020 Football Tournament T&Cs
A Leader, Unlocked!
You know him for his hard work, quirky hairstyle, epic sock choices and amazing drumming. But outside Muntham House School, Leigh Killick lives a totally different life where 'works for a cause' which is widely respected by government ministers, education professionals and youth workers. Here, Leigh is dedicated to spending his spare time working to change the lives of others – the lives of young people just like those who are students at Muntham House School. Indeed, you might call him Muntham’s ‘Ambassador for Justice and Change’!
And how has Leigh done this, you might ask? Well, about 5 months ago, Leigh sent off an application form and was selected from a large group of young people from across the country to take part in the ‘Leaders Unlocked’ programme. As a successful candidate, Leigh embarked upon his work travelling up to London and back once a month to explore and stand up for injustices in the welfare state and for worthy causes.
During his time as a ‘Leader Unlocked’, Leigh has worked at a national level in the areas of Health and Wellbeing, Education, Criminal Justice, Talent and Diversity, and Policing where he has tried to develop leadership, social action and giving young people a stronger voice on issues that matter to them. He has now been promoted to the next level and has been given clearance to facilitate workshops in youth groups, community settings schools and colleges. Leigh is delighted to be doing this as he is passionate about addressing and rectifying inequality.
Keep an eye out – Leigh may well be appearing at a venue near you in the future!
Muntham House School have teamed up with The Sussex Swim School so our pupils can experience success in a watery classroom.
This term in our Primary unit we have started swimming lessons in a lovely private pool in a nearby village. Not only is this social activity a fun way of getting to know each other and all our different strengths and weaknesses, but it also might one day save a life!
The Sussex Swim School not only teaches our pupils the different swimming strokes, floats and dives, but they also educate the pupils in water safety. It is important that every pupil is confident in the water but to also know how to react in an emergency so they can help save someone else. Luckily, the private pool (5 meters by 12 meters) we use, caters for this by having a shallow end where the pupils can touch their feet down and a 2 meter deep end – plenty of depth to allow for diving practise.
In addition to all this, learning to swim is also incredibly good for your physical and mental health and wellbeing, a top priority at Muntham House School and we’re very proud of the positive way all our Primary pupils are treating this opportunity – well done boys!
In Pre Primary we have been learning all about explorers this term such as Ernest Shackleton, Tenzing Norgay and the hardships they faced reaching their goals. We have been working on the artwork of Frances Hatch who visited the Antarctic. We have made our own seascapes.
In the spirit of the brave sailors who made the treacherous journeys we wrote and performed our very own Sea Shanty as a class.
Well done boys, excellent work!
An EEU pupil who started Muntham House School in 2017. Over the last couple of years Nyirrone has worked on managing situations he has in the past, found impossible. He has built strong relationships with staff enabling him to trust their guidance and strengthen his resilience in a world he finds challenging.
He now attends Brinsbury College studying subjects relating to life skills needed for living independently and accessing employment in preparation for leaving school this summer.
During his time at school, he has shown a talent for arts and crafts including his work in Graphics. He has designed various pieces and been delighted to show them to staff on completion. This work has been a huge confidence builder for Nyirrone and is displayed in his signature broad smile, showing the pride he has in successes. Currently studying a BTEC L1/L2 in Art & Design, where he has completed his Component 1 to a very high standard on the theme of “Hybrid”. The brief was to design an object that fits in an exhibition based on the above theme, where his idea was fusing his love for STAR WARS and chocolate to produce a Limited Edition Chocolate Box.
Year eight have been making LED lamps in the design technology lessons, with pupils researching lamps designs, working with electronic components and making their own designs from wood , metal and plastic with some fantastic results.
It has been excellent to witness the pupils enjoying the subject and making projects which they can take home. This will hopefully provide great foundations for our pupils to start their GCSE in Design & Techology in the near future. Design & Technology provides the opportunity for practical learners to excel and really succeed.
Below are some examples of their work.
Forest School
Here at Muntham House School we have a designaged Forest School. This is used by the pupils as an outdoor classroom at least once a week.
All lessons are part of the planned outdoor curriculum that crosses all core subjects. Through using the woods, land, wildlife and imaginative creative and adventurous activities, the pupils get to build fires, eat shmoores and just enjoy the outside.
The Forest School is an inspirational process, that offers ALL our pupils regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in the woods. The Forest School is a specialised learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education.
All the pupils look forward and enjoy the outdoor classroom whatever the weather.
The Student Council have met twice this term. They have decided to take an indepth look at Respect and Behaviour as a focus and have come up with some great ideas.
They have ensured that all areas of the school are spoken about including Education, Boarding, Health & Safety and Rewards.
All of the Class Reps have contributed in an insightful and productive way to ensure that all views are represented and heard.
The Council would like to thank Eileen Vose for her support and dedication to the Council ensuring their voices are always heard and for her very generous donation to buy games for break times.
Following on from the excellent work already completed by Mr Hellyer, Mrs Beales and Miss Farminer last year, we continue to work towards achieving the Quality in Careers Mark. This accreditation is in recognition of the increased amount of careers, external employer days and work experience which our pupils now receive. All of this is towards helping prepare our pupils for adulthood and employment ready for when they leave.
100% of our pupils participate in work experience and this is a valuable opportunity for all pupils. Work experience this year takes place during the first two weeks in March.
Muntham House School works with professionals who specialise in different subjects and come into support pupils on a 1-1 basis. Muntham House School has been working with Gavin McCall who is a professional Music Producer / DJ, as he supports one of our musical talents, Callum.
Callum achieved The Engage Awards 2018 where he and the band Replaay were invited to perform at The Engage Conference. Since then, Callum has started Collyer’s College where he is studying Performing Arts. He also attends Showdown Theatre Arts where he is able to explore his passion for drama. Callum works with a group of talented students alongside professionals working towards presenting performances on stage.
Gavin has been teaching Callum DJing and Music Production fortnightly after school at industry level using the latest professional equipment available today. This support has given Callum a great knowledge of the industry and with the skills he has learnt, given Callum the confidence to produce a couple of dance tracks.
Gavin said, “Since working with Callum, I have seen him grow from a teenager to a talented young man. He has shown passion and intelligence with his music, which shows in the tracks he has produced. I can see him going far in this field as he has the right attitude and mind set.”
Gavin McCall will be releasing his dance track “Open Up Your Eyes”, with his music production group CO_DE, James Shires, Paul Emanuel and vocalist Yasmin Jane later this year. Gavin and CO_DE paid a surprise visit to Muntham House School on Wednesday evening to see Callum.
Cooking has been part of the rewards choices at the end of the week for pupils for some time. It originally started as a Silver reward and proved to be so popular, that it was then made into a Gold reward with pupils aiming to get the highest possible points over the week just to be on it. There are now two cooking sessions one starting at 1:15 and the other at 2:00 pm.
Apart from using Maths and English, the pupils use communication and artistic skills, as well as being given the opportunity to make new friends throughout the school. Pupils are included in the choice of recipes (although anything using chocolate is always asked for!) and cook both sweet and savoury dishes. The aim is to practice as many different techniques as possible, to build their self esteem and competence in the kitchen whilst learning a life skill.
Pupils learn to use equipment and workspace appropriately, wash and clean up and then make a cup of tea whilst relaxing in others company talking or playing cards. This is a wonderful way to end the working week for both pupils and staff. Long may it continue!
Reverend Sandra Hall came into school on Tuesday 4th February to provide a whole school assembly. The assembly focused on perseverance and motivation and used Dame Kelly Holmes as an example for pupils to relate to. As always the Reverend’s assembly was well received and appreciated by our pupils. They all sat and listened beautifully throughout the assembly. The assembly finished with a short prayer which encouraged our pupils to think and consider others. We are very grateful to Reverend Hall in bringing together all pupils so well into collective worship.
Wednesday 4th March 2020
10 until 12pm
Parent Workshop
All are welcome, we will be serving refreshments.
If you are interested in joining us please contact FIT
on 01403 739413 to book a space.