The focus of this week’s assembly was ‘Remembrance Day’ and we were helped to understand its meaning by Malcolm, Natasha, Aimee and Chantelle from the Nurture Group who prepared and shared the following:
Another name for the red poppy is ‘Flanders poppy’, this is because of what the flower symbolised during and after World War I. … When the war ended, the field was covered with red poppies which they took as a symbol for the end of the war.
The purple poppy is a symbol of remembrance in the United Kingdom for animals that served during wartime. The symbol was created in 2006 based on the principle of the traditional red remembrance poppy for Remembrance Day. … Historically the greatest number of animal casualties in conflict have been horses and ponies.
The white poppy is a flower used as a symbol of peace and pacifism, worn either in place of or in addition to the red remembrance poppy for Remembrance Day or Anzac Day.
The students went on to share the well-known poem ‘On Flanders Fields’
The Learning Centre will be holding a two minutes silence on Monday at 11.00am along with schools and colleges throughout the UK.
Throughout this week myself and Mr Barker have also been attending our Internal Management Boards where we’ve had to opportunity to reflect on some of our core areas including Maths, English and ICT, operational support and many of the pastoral and safeguarding aspects of Learning Centre life. With the busyness of everyday routines, it’s good to sit back sometimes and focus on our areas of strength, and those areas within which we would like to improve our offer, ensuring students become as independent as possible and ultimately reach their desired destinations. Over the coming months I shall be featuring different subjects and departments and I look forward to sharing our students’ successes and achievements.
A few weeks ago, I announced a new feature entitled ‘Spotlight on….’ and I’m pleased to highlight another of our amazing Learning Centre students who deserves recognition for all her hard work. Aimee from Year 12 joined the Learning Centre in September and she has made outstanding progress during her short time with us. It’s been a real pleasure to watch her grow in confidence and self-belief. Not only is she succeeding in all her lessons and activities, she is also becoming one of the students who is there to offer comfort and advice to other students who may be struggling to cope.
“When I first started the Learning Centre, it was great and the staff are just amazing, couldn’t be any better.
I love to help other students with their worries and Problems. I help, not just because I feel I need to, it’s because in the past few years I have struggled big time with my own problems and thoughts.
I used to think about giving up, but I knew that giving up would make me feel worse, so instead I challenge myself and defeat my problems. Because I can do that I also want others to know they can defeat their fears and problems, and to Never Ever give up!
I LOVE the Learning Centre; it has been a great new beginning for me. I love my lessons, staff and my friends.
I was a bit scared at first, but there was nothing really to worry about since it’s such a great place to be in.
I can’t explain the happiness the Learning Centre, and staff have given me, the support is just amazing.
Thank you to all the staff for your support and kindness.”[fvplayer id=”18″]
We’re immensely proud of you Aimee and I can’t wait to watch you flourish over the coming weeks and months.
Continuing the theme of ‘Five ways to Well-Being’ started at our recent ‘Well-Being Afternoon’, the recent Student Council meeting felt it was important to ‘care for’ and ‘give’ to others in need and unanimously agreed that the Learning Centre should support the BBC’s ‘Children in Need’ which takes place next Friday 15th November.
Students are not obliged to take part, however we hope that they will want to join in and enjoy the fun. We are encouraging everyone to show their support by coming into college wearing something ‘spotty’ or ‘Pudsey’ themed. A small donation of around £1 pound would be very much appreciated. We are also organising several money raising activities including:
- ‘Sponge a staff! – 50 pence for 3 sponges!
- ‘Find Pudsey’s Spots’ Treasure hunt – 50 pence per student
- ‘Sponsored Silence’ (I think most of the staff will be supporting this one!!)
Just a reminder that the Learning Centre Parents’ Evening will be held on Tuesday 19th November from 4.00pm – 6.45pm. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to welcoming parents and carers next week.
Dawn
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