Half Term is here…
What a busy week – where has the time gone this half term? The students deserve a well earned break after all their hard work.
Maths update
“I’d love to wish all our students, staff and parents/guardians a happy half term.
As ever, it’s been a remarkably busy one in the Maths department. We are still trying to aim most of our higher groups towards GCSE mathematics with a fallback choice being Functional Skills Levels one and two. Within our lower groups, all students will be ensuring they have the full range of Entry Qualifications and are progressing towards their Functional Skills Level one examinations.
Since I last wrote you a blog, our students have examined a range of topics. This has included Fractions, Ratios and problem solving. Higher groups have covered Algebra and Straight-line graphs as well as the higher-level work, in Fractions and Ratio.
Within the groups still covering Entry level examinations, Assessments, which will count towards the student’s qualifications, have already been undertaken. The students like the new system where, rather than sitting one large exam, at the end of the course, they complete assessments after each topic.
As a department, we are constantly looking for ways to supply the best chances and the best learning opportunities, for each and every one of our students. I hope that our students enjoy their hard-earned rest and come back ready to push on, once more.”
PHSE Update
“This week, in PSHE, students in Lumenus, Digit4ll, Activ8 & Pre-Interns have been getting involved in role play. #
The task was to work in pairs where one person is the therapist and the other is a patient.
The role play therapy was based off the students body outline template that they had completed the week before.
Students had to think hard about the skills and qualities needed for a therapist and had written out scripts in their pairs.
We spoke about different situations and how we might feel in these situations and the thoughts and feelings we’d have.
There are some lovely examples of the students work that I will leave for you all to enjoy.
The students across all the groups worked very hard this week in PSHE. After half term we will be looking at challenge 3 which is focused on mental health conditions and symptoms.”
BTG Manchester Metropolitan University Update
“Over the past few weeks our students have been settling into their work placements.
Morgan has started his placement with the facilities team in John Dalton, His main task has been to keep the outside areas of the university campus clean and tidy. It’s not Morgan’s preferred job, but he understands that it is part of the job role.
Josh has continued to impress the staff teams in his building by developing his independence skills while working and can now navigate the whole of the Business School on his own, emptying the bins and completing other cleaning duties. We are immensely proud of Josh as he came into college last Friday to complete his CV on his day off and is showing a deep commitment to gaining paid employment.
Peter has been working independently for a while now, but his manager has been impressed with Pete’s enthusiasm and professionalism, especially Peter’s approach towards other members of staff in different departments. Also, a massive ‘WELL DONE’ to Morgan and James. They completed and passed their Manual Handling and Safe Step Ladder Training at MMU on Wednesday with flying colours.
In the classroom sessions, the lads have been updating their personal profiles, looking at personal specifications for different job roles as well as working towards their Maths and English qualifications. It’s been a busy but productive first half term and our students certainly deserve next week off.”
BTG Royal Oldham Hospital Update
“Since starting placements each student has been getting to know their job role and work tasks as well as their new staff team. Here’s a little bit about each student on their placements and what they think of working.
Kai Lusty has settled in well working within the laundry and has worked on some of the different sections within the building. Kai is getting on well with the staff team and understands the job tasks which are asked of him, he is a very hardworking young man.
Kai is able to follow instructions from any member of the team and all feedback has been brilliant from the staff working with him. Kai tells me…“It’s really busy in the laundry and I like working there”.
Pete has worked within the kitchen and it’s as if he hasn’t been away. Pete is given a range of different job tasks and always puts a lot of effort in to making sure the work he does is to a high standard.
Pete tells me…“I enjoy working in the kitchens, I get a lot out of it. I learn new skills everyday”.
Kai Lister has been on placement at the ROH since our return in September where he is working in the Café. He helps serve food to customers which include hospital staff, visitors and also patients. He also restocks the fridges with drinks, the crisp shelves with crisps and wipes down all the tables and clears the pots into the kitchen.
He has been taught how to serve hot food safely and carefully onto the plates when on the counter and his customer service is excellent. Kai says he really enjoys working in the Café and the staff are very supportive of him, his favourite part of the job is serving customers at lunch time and he also has lunch in there which he says is always delicious.
Christian Ballard’s placement is in the post room where he helps sort the post for all around the hospital. He has been taught how to do this by the team there who have been really helpful in showing him the system.
There are different pigeon holes and mail bags that go to different areas around the hospital and some even go offsite to other hospitals and surgeries in the area. There has been a lot to learn and he has done really well, so well that he is now learning the post runs which picks up and drops off around the site during the day. This is his favourite part as he gets some exercise and gets to meet new people and visit different departments.
All four of the students working on Bridging the Gap at Royal Oldham Hospital have worked really hard on their placements and on building those working relationships with the staff members they are placed with, they are all looking forward to a well deserved break for half term. Brilliant start to the year, well done team BTG ROH!”
I hope you all have lovely half term break.
Rebeckah & the NBC Team
