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Hi everyone,

Hello Yellow was last Friday, and there were some great things done for our听first Resilience Day of the year in support of听World Mental Health Day听and the charity听YoungMinds. There were activities including听a听Feelings Doodle Wall听and听Peer Support Pledges, as well as other creative ways to promote wellbeing and resilience

Students and staff wore yellow and took part in the fun, supporting and standing together for young people鈥檚 mental health. Well done to all involved!

There鈥檚 loads of things to see in the blog this week 鈥� the first three articles alone are really interesting, so I do hope you find something, whether it鈥檚 about music with Andy, PE with Nathan, Chocolate with Chris, the Ducklings with Kerry, some dates for your diary from Hannah and Eileen or just that you enjoy all the STARS mentioned 鈥� and there are quite a few this week! Don鈥檛 forget Eileen鈥檚 blog and the rest of the website too. Otherwise we are gearing up for Hallowe鈥檈n here and then half term 鈥� so I think next week will be a cracker

All the best!

John S

馃槉 from John & the PHS Team 馃槉

How the curriculum works & what鈥檚 important to us

• 3 Super-Steering Groups deliver our Key Drivers through our curriculum

• The Key Drivers are Communication, Wellbeing and Independence

• The Groups are Literacy, Physical Development & Personal Development

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• Literacy

Becky, our Literacy Specialist Lead, leads a team that improve all aspects of literacy, including writing, oracy, reading, phonics, books & the library! Here鈥檚 Becky!

News:

‘Spy’ Pups series – Important information for families

We’re starting this blog with a serious piece of book news, as we need to make听you aware of a recent issue affecting some popular children鈥檚 books by Andrew Cope, including the听Spy Dogs,听Spy Cats, and听Spy Pups听series

Some editions of these books include a printed web address at the back. This link used to go to the author鈥檚 website, but the domain is no longer under his control. It has since been taken over by another party and now leads to inappropriate adult content. The publisher, Puffin, has paused sales and distribution of the books and is working with schools, libraries, and retailers to remove copies from circulation. They have stressed that the website has no connection to the author or publisher

What this means for you:

• If you have any听Spy Dog,听Spy Cat听or听Spy Pups听books at home, please check the back for website links and make sure your child or young person does not try to visit the site
• It is safe for children to continue reading the stories themselves 鈥� the concern is only with the outdated link
• We recommend talking with your child or young person about the importance of not following web addresses in books without checking with an adult first

We have removed copies from our school library until further notice and will share further information as we receive it.

In other, more positive news

Our library will be getting an influx of new books this coming week, as we’ve had our first delivery of a ‘book subscription’ service that will be trialled this year. Each term we’ll get a box of recently published books, selected specifically to meet our ‘wish list’ of the Literacy Team (we’re a fussy bunch!). Things that are important to us include:

• Making sure we’re getting new books to suit a wide range of reading interests and reading ages
• A mixture of fiction and non-fiction
• Books are modern and the library doesn’t feel outdated
• That our library is diverse and听representative听of lots of different family set ups, backgrounds, cultures, disabilities, experiences….. the list goes on!听 We want our students to be able to see themselves represented in books they find in the library, or find characters they can relate to, but we also want them to be introduced to other experiences or perspectives than their own

Our first delivery definitely ticks those boxes, and on a much more light-hearted note – I already know that ‘Poo on a Pogo Stick’ is going to go down very well indeed in many classrooms!

Happy Reading!听

Becky Finn

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• Physical Development

Everything that is in the world of Physical Development, including physio, hydro, MOVE, PE, HI, VI, OT and other key areas for us, including Outdoor Learning, the John Muir Award & many other aspects. Steph oversees this. This week, let鈥檚 hear from Ash

MOVE to SPOOK

This week in school we have been combining spooky fun with physical progress in an exciting week of activities inspired by the MOVE Programme!听

The wonderful MOVE Team have transformed school into a Halloween haven where movement meets Spooktacular fun

In our MOVE sessions and all throughout the week Halloween-themed tasks have been in place encouraging movement and supporting healthy living through increased activity, such as Spooky Sensory Story hunts, Creepy Crawly Challenges , Broomstick Races & so much more!!听

Here is a sneak peek:

Logan transferred on to conventional chair to complete spider hunting using both his upper limbs.听

Stay tuned for next week when physio Mary will give us more information and an update on the 鈥淢ove to Spook鈥� photo competition winners!!!听

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• Personal Development

One of the best things about the school and one of the most important for our pupils, PD covers PSHE, Wellbeing, Careers, Social Moral Spiritual & Cultural, Online Safety, Behaviour & similar areas. Jo pulls it all together

PSHE

LSTE – Exploring and Engaging with Daily Living Routines

This term, our class has been learning through the theme Exploring and Engaging with Daily Living Routines. We鈥檝e been focusing on developing independence, communication and confidence through meaningful, everyday experiences that help us prepare for life beyond the classroom

Each morning begins with familiar routines that support understanding and anticipation 鈥� greeting friends, checking the daily schedule, and preparing for the day ahead. Using our VOCA devices, symbols, and Objects of Reference, pupils are encouraged to make choices, share preferences, and take an active role in their routines. These moments promote mutual respect and individual liberty, helping everyone to recognise that their voice and choices matter

A real highlight this term has been our work with The Movers and Shakers Band, where pupils have explored how music can be part of daily living and emotional regulation. Through shaking instruments, drumming, rhythm and movement, pupils practised waiting, turn-taking, and following familiar patterns 鈥� skills that link directly to daily routines such as taking turns at snack time or waiting for help during transitions. The sessions have supported wellbeing and teamwork, helping pupils build confidence, express themselves, and connect with others through shared music-making

Across the week, pupils have also been encouraged to take more ownership of their self-care routines 鈥� helping to tidy up after activities, collect equipment, or prepare for mealtimes. Each of these experiences helps build independence and a sense of responsibility, while reinforcing British Values such as respect and community participation

We鈥檝e seen lovely moments of personal achievement 鈥� from pupils using communication devices to indicate 鈥渇inished鈥� or 鈥渕ore,鈥� to others recognising their role in classroom routines. These small but meaningful steps show how each learner is developing awareness, choice-making, and self-regulation

As we continue exploring daily living routines, our focus remains on promoting wellbeing, communication, and confidence 鈥� helping every pupil to feel empowered in their day-to-day activities, and proud of the part they play in our classroom community

ELTBA and Upper School Appropriate Accreditation 鈥� 4KH World Food Day

To celebrate World Food Day, recently 3KJ have been trying, smelling and feeling different fruits. These have included cucamelons, coconuts and carrots. The cucamelons particularly received mixed reviews some people loved them and others. Our favourites have been green apple, cucumber and carrots

4AJ have been learning about food from different countries around the world too!

PE with Nathan!

Well now, what does Nathan have for us this week

PE Life Skills Option for Post 16 Students 鈥� Building Mindset Through Movement

Building confidence, teamwork, and resilience 鈥� one PE lesson at a time!

This year, we鈥檝e launched our exciting new PE Life Skills lessons, helping students grow in confidence, teamwork, and emotional awareness while staying active. Each lesson focuses on the four key areas 鈥� Cognitive, Social, Physical, and Emotional 鈥� and builds on our TREDS values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship听

It鈥檚 been fantastic seeing students like Dominic, Bobbie and Kacey working together, communicating brilliantly, and I鈥檝e really noticed progress with the students in the lesson, especially in how they manage their emotions when challenges arise听

These lessons are already shaping confident, resilient learners both on and off the field!

Russell鈥檚 Class!

It鈥檚 new from Russell this week. Do you remember that every year Russell organises the Book Fair 鈥� what a star he is! Well, here is Russell鈥檚 update

Earlier in the half-term, we hosted our Book Fair. As always, it proved to be a great success. This, of course, is because we have such wonderful support from our families. The takings for the fair totalled in excess of 拢530 and this enables us to choose more free books from the commission. Thanks go to everyone who helped to make the event so successful

Totally worth seeing this picture again! Cheers all! Books! Reading! All good鈥�

Therapy Star of the Week

Joshua and Edward!

They both worked so well in Antonia鈥檚 Craft/Fine Motor Therapy Group and made some amazing Halloween paper bag puppets

They worked on developing their cutting, stenciling and sticking skills this week, as well as following verbal instructions. Joshua has improved his ability to use scissors and Edward was almost fully independent throughout the full task and followed instructions so well- so big well done to them both!

They made some cute but scary bats and cats and have promised they will use them as Halloween decorations this year to scare the visiting trick or treaters!

Scary! But Great stuff! Well done boys!

Andy鈥檚 Class!

91首发 School of Rock!

Another update from Andy鈥檚 new Class Band, Movers & Shakers? Here鈥檚 the latest update plus a video! Enjoy! Mover & Shakers! Woohoo! OK, let鈥檚 hear from Andy鈥�

鈥淲e Will, We Will… Shake You!鈥� 鈥� Movers and Shakers Expand Their Repertoire

This week, our听Movers and Shakers听band turned up the volume (and the fun) in rehearsal as we added another classic to our growing repertoire 鈥� the rock anthem听鈥淚 Love Rock and Roll鈥�听(check it out听)

It didn鈥檛 take long before the room was听rocking and rolling听in true Movers and Shakers style. Tambourines jingled, shakers rattled, and there may even have been a few dramatic air-guitar solos making a surprise appearance!

The focus this week was on听expanding our repertoire听鈥� learning to play together across new rhythms, exploring dynamics, and keeping our timing tight while still having fun. 鈥淚 Love Rock and Roll鈥� proved to be the perfect pick: it鈥檚 upbeat, instantly recognisable, and gave everyone a chance to join in the groove听

There were a few classic rehearsal moments along the way 鈥� an enthusiastic false start, a few creative tempo interpretations, and plenty of smiles when we finally nailed that iconic chorus听

By the end, the beat was solid, the vocals were confident, and the shakers were shaking with serious style听

The Movers and Shakers are truly living up to their name 鈥� one rehearsal at a time, one rock anthem at a time. Next stop: world tour鈥� or at least the school hall!

Chris Carr鈥檚 Cool Class!

Brilliant stuff as we鈥檝e come to expect from Chris鈥� Cool Class! Well done everyone involved! Let鈥檚 hear about chocolate! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

The Science of Chocolate! 馃И馃崼

This week we became scientists. We put on our lab coats and got ready to investigate how things change.

First, we listened to 鈥淐丑辞肠辞濒补迟别鈥� by Michael Rosen. During the poem we held pieces of chocolate in our hands and made our predictions. What do you think happened next? That鈥檚 right, it melted! It turned all sticky, gooey and messy. Of course, we couldn鈥檛 resist having a little taste… yum! 馃崼馃構

Next, we explored with coloured ice and warm water. We made predictions again and guessed that the ice would melt. We were right! But something amazing happened. The colours began to mix together, making new and surprising colours. 馃寛

We used some fantastic describing words to talk about the ice: hard, cold, slippy and wet.

We had so much fun being scientists and discovering how things change! 馃Г馃Й鉁�

Behaviour for Learning (BfL)

Aylisha and Corin have developed the BfL Team and are working on supporting our pupils all the time, in all situations. They鈥檝e been joined by Nicola and Nat, Sarah and Andrea this year to make a really important team for the school

If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact the BfL Team

• holland@percyhedley.org.uk
• orr@percyhedley.org.uk
• 馃摓Call us:0191 216 1811

Early Years 鈥� The Ducklings!

Well, our Ducklings have entered their second year as a class in the school, and they seem to be going from strength to strength. It鈥檚 great to get these updates and pictures

What a busy week we’ve had in Ducklings 鈥� lots of shining examples of our core values in action! We continued with our Autumn story and make some lovely jam tarts. We were surprised there was any jam left as the children couldn鈥檛 resist sneaking a few spoonsful before making the tarts

Alli has been an absolute superstar, showing amazing resilience! She spent a whole hour in her stander outside, having fun playing in the water and with the ball. She also had a go with the walking hoist and had a brilliant time exploring the soft play

Amy and Rowan worked together to move the swing. There were so many giggles 鈥� they had the best time!

George used his fine motor skills this week, making patterns with the pasta

Hayden dived into water play (not literally!) and had so much fun transferring water from one place to another 鈥� he was completely engaged and loved every minute

It鈥檚 been a week full of fun, friendship, and proud moments to go on our proud cloud鈥� well done, Ducklings!

Preparation for Adulthood with Hannah

PfA is a key part of the School Improvement Plan. Let鈥檚 hear below what Hannah & the PfA Team have been working on 鈥� PfA is one of our very biggest priorities!

(Stolen from Darlington!)

If you are the parent or carer of a child in Year 7 upwards, we are really looking forward to welcoming you to our first Parent Carer Forum.听 If you haven鈥檛 replied yet, don鈥檛 worry!听 There is still time to attend.听 The focus of this session is to support you with planning for the future, and in particular transitions from school to the next destination. Louise Finlay, our Careers Officer will be leading the session, with opportunities for discussion afterwards.

There will be more sessions during the year, so here are the dates for your diary, and an idea of the topics of discussion.听 Please make a note and look out for our reminders:

21.1.26 鈥� Social Care: planning for the future

11.03.26 鈥� Benefits 鈥� how can you support your child/young person with their money?

06.05.26 – Making decisions 鈥� the Mental Capacity Act, deputyship and Lasting Powers of Attorney

10.06.26 – Supporting Independence:听 Travel and Independent Supported Living听

We are very keen to help you in making the best decisions around planning for the future and these forums are a great place to have informal discussions, ask questions and find out more听

Remember, we have a Family Liaison Officer and a Careers Officer who are always happy to offer support and guidance

If you would like to speak to someone about something PfA-related, please do contact

• Hannah Fuller – PfA Lead
• Eileen Robinson – Family Liaison Officer
• Louise Finlay – Careers Lead

We look forward to meeting and planning with you over the coming year

And finally鈥�

Some lovely stuff in STEM, from Terry鈥檚 class鈥�

3TW have been working in stem on birds and their habitats they drew some amazing birds today

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鈥�..from John & the Team here at PHS

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Our Key Drivers

Communication, Wellbeing, Independence