My last blog of the year is all about celebration and success….and there has certainly been a lot to celebrate down at Dean Street!!! We said a sad goodbye to our Year 11 – both Lewis and Jordan enjoyed listening to staff celebrating Year 11 and acknowledging the hard work they have put in throughout their time with us. This was topped off by a meal which both staff and students enjoyed and spent time reminiscing..

At the awards we also acknowledged the hard work put in by our off-site provision. These schemes range from horticultural projects to work done with MAHDLO and Mr Miah’s outreach team. This week I was fortunate to meet one of young men, Marcell, who attends his project at Chadderton Park. Marcell received his ‘Gold Award’ for the work he has done over the past year and he tells me he wants to continue working with animals and attending projects which focus on building vocational pathways such as gardens and horticulture. We continue to support all our young people and encourage them to carry on engaging with us..

I have also been involved in some reviews with our young people and their parents and carers. It has been brilliant to hear about all the good work being done at Dean Street and the prevalent theme that has come through these meetings has been the relationship between staff and students. It is so good to hear comments such as ‘the staff really know my child ‘and ‘they are happy at Spring Brook’.

Thursday saw Sports Day at New Bridge and it was brilliant to see our young people meet up with the rest of the Group. A massive ‘well done!’ needs to go to Jake who won the ‘marathon run’..

A big thank you needs to go to the staff and students at Roman Road who made us all feel most welcome. Same time again next year?!

We also managed to fit in a final Duke of Edinburgh’s outing, much to Patch the dog’s delight..

Our football team have been back in action, this time with an exciting match against Trafford High School (PRU) at the Manchester Power League..

Some staff in Key Stage 4 are also moving on. We say ‘adieu’ to Miss Daniels who has been at Dean Street teaching Science and form tutor to Key Stage 4 for the past 5 years. Miss Daniels is moving to work within the rest of the Group, to teach Science at Hollinwood Academy and New Bridge. Both staff and students were really sad on the last day as Miss Daniels has made a massive impression on the Dean Street family and she has been a main organiser of coffee mornings and charity events (including our Manchester Bees ). Good luck and don’t be a stranger! We were happy to welcome back Miss Cairnes to our Key Stage 4 Nurture Group. Miss Cairnes will be returning from a maternity leave of absence and next year will be supported by both Mrs and Miss Roberts (2 ladies called Roberts in the same class!!!!). We also say ‘hello’ to Mr Riding who has worked at New Bridge Learning Centre and joins us in Key Stage 4..

Our final goodbye was to Chrissy Emerson who will be sorely missed by all our staff and students. Chrissy was one of the first members of staff I was fortunate to meet at Dean Street and her beaming smile and infectious laughter is famous throughout the Dean Street building. We will miss Chrissy but wish her all the best in her new role as Business Manager at Kingsland..

So this is my last blog of the year and what a year it’s been!!! I need to say a massive thank you to all the staff and students for welcoming me into the Dean Street family. To our families and carers, thanks for all your support and to our young people, have a great Summer and we will see you back on Tuesday 5th September.

Happy Holidays!

Mrs Tootill
Head of Springboard Project

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