Newsletters

Weekly Bulletin - Issue 24 - Friday 17 March 2023

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Issue 24 - Friday 17 March 2023


Dear Families

Thank you for your support on the two days of NEU strike action this week.  I am sure you join me in hoping that the Unions and the Government can come together to successfully resolve this conflict so that there is no further disruption to pupils' education.

This week has seen another group of pupils head off for a Pathway 2/3 residential trip to the Calvert Trust in Devon. If you don't already follow us on Twitter, please consider doing so, as we share lots of visuals about the activities and learning that goes on during the school day and in particular this week, what's been happening in Devon!  From climbing and abseiling to horse riding and archery, pupils have participated, communicated and bonded during this fun (tiring and dirty) week! 
 

 @MeadowHighSch 

 
 
In May, there will be our second annual residential trip to Centre Parcs. This residential for Pathway 1 pupils is much closer to school so has less travel time, the pupils and staff are grouped together in lodges to ensure good supervision and support of pupils. Also, pupils are encouraged to put into practice all the home skills they have learned at school as well as taking part in lots of fun activities. I was lucky enough to visit last year's group for a day, and we made breakfast together, completed an archery course in the forest and had great fun at the indoor pool complex. I discovered that the pupils were much braver than I am when it came to flumes! In the evening we prepared, ate and cleared up dinner together. 
 
Our Scout group will be completing their first camp at PACCAR this summer, and we are planning that our Duke of Edinburgh Silver groups will also complete an overnight stay as part of their expedition this year.
 
Our intention is that all pupils, at some point during their time at Meadow, will take part in a residential experience. For many pupils, this will be the first time they have spent a night away from home and family.  As well as the physical health benefits, school residential trips have been proven to have a positive effect on children's self esteem and confidence levels, thereby improving their emotional health and well being. This is especially important for pupils who are anxious about being away from familiar settings and people. 
 
We are happy to support families in building up pupils' confidence and resilience so that they are able to participate in a residential school at least once during their time at Meadow.  For families where a child is in receipt of Free School Meals, we fund all or part of the cost, and we would rather families speak to us if money is a barrier to any pupil taking part in a residential trip or any other activity. 
 
We are now waiting for our soggy and tired staff and pupils to return from Devon, and we look forward to the many stories and experiences they will have to share with us, their friends and their families. Good luck with all the washing families!
 
Best wishes to everyone.
 
Kind regards,
Jenny Rigby
Head Teacher

Schemes of Work

Due to strike action and inset days pupils following some schemes of work may have fallen behind.  If you have any concerns over the stage of your child's learning, in regard to their course of study / Learning Matrix, please contact the appropriate faculty leader through the school email:  meadow@meadowhighschool.org

or telephone School Reception: 01895 443310.

Ms C Caddell
Deputy Headteacher


Today in school it was

Comic Relief Non-Uniform Day

Pupils and staff wore red.  We had some fun activities and assembly and a cake sale !

https://www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday


Dear Parent/Carers,

Pupil Premium and Free School Meals

Given the cost of living crisis faced by many, we would like to remind you as a parent to check your eligibility for pupil premium funding and free school meals.

Pupil premium funding from the government is given to schools to help pupils reach their full potential, regardless of their background or financial situation. It’s provided for pupils who:

  • Are registered for free school meals
  • Have been registered for free school meals at any point in the past 6 years
  • Are, or have been, in care
  • Have parents in the armed forces

The funding enables the school to enhance or purchase additional resources or intervention to support pupils academically, socially or emotionally.

Your child might be eligible if you access:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
  • Working Tax Credit run-on
  • Universal Credit, provided you have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 (£616.67 per month)

Your child might also be eligible if you’re in a household with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), subject to a maximum income threshold. This is for children of:

  • Zambrano and Chen carers (non-EEA nationals caring for a British citizen residing in the UK)
  • British National (Overseas) passport holders
  • Spousal visa, work visa, or student visa holders
  • Those with no immigration status
  • Families with a right to remain in the UK under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights
  • Families receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 who are subject to a no recourse to public funds restriction
  • Certain failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Does my child have to eat the free school meals?

No. Pupils who are registered for free school meals don’t have to eat them. If you’re eligible, but you want your child to have packed lunches you should still register because the school will receive the funding which can support your child in other ways.

How do I register?

You only need to register once at the school.

If you would like to apply for Free School Meals, please provide the following information by emailing it to pheffernan@meadowhighschool.org

Child's name:
Class:
Parent's First Name:
Parent's Last Name:
Parent's Date of Birth:  Day / Month / Year
National Insurance Number:
(or National Asylum Seekers Service Number)

More information

For more information about pupil premium go to our website, which contains details of how the pupil premium has been spent in the past academic year and how it will be spent this year.

Best wishes,
Peter Heffernan

Here is a copy of the letter which is being sent home:
PDF:  PP Letter


 Coming up soon  ......

Tuesday 21 March 2023

World Downs Syndrome Day
Lots of Socks Campaign

We will be celebrating ‘World Down Syndrome Day’ on Tuesday 21st March 2023 by taking part in the Lots of Socks Campaign.

All you need to do is choose some socks that are going to be noticed - they might be mismatched or your craziest and most colourful socks!

This is NOT a non-uniform day, so please send your child in their full school uniform, showing off their fun socks!

https://lotsofsocks.worlddownsyndromeday.org/

Please follow the link above if you would like to learn more about this campaign raising awareness for Down Syndrome.

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This Week on
Meadow Twitter

 https://twitter.com/MeadowHighSch

Our Meadow High School Twitter account is updated regularly with news, photos and information.

Lots and lots of photos of the
Devon Trip
BCA College - Lambs

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Calendar, Lunches and Letters Home

Tuesday 21 March 2023

 

World Downs Syndrome Awareness Day

Lots of Socks Day !   Wear your crazy and colourful socks to school.  

This is NOT a non-uniform day, so please send your child in their full school uniform, showing off their fun socks!

Friday 24 March 2023

 

New School Tour

Parents, Families and ex pupils are welcome to join us for a look round the new buildings.

Meet at 12.00 for 12.15 start

Week Commencing
27 March 2023

Easter Egg Hunt

Friday 31 March 2023

Last Day of Term - School finishes at 2pm 

1 April 2023 - 16 April 2023

Easter School Holiday 

Monday 17 April 2023

Back to school - 9am start

Wednesday 19 April 2023

 

Keeping Pupils Safe Online
9.30am - 11.00am


Information Session for parents around keeping their young people safe at home.

To view the school calendar visit the website
NEWS/CALENDAR

Here is the latest full list of Term Dates
Term Dates for CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR - 2022/2023  - Issue 2

Term Dates for NEXT SCHOOL YEAR - 2023/2024

Here is an updated copy of the
School Calendar document (updated November 2022)


LETTERS HOME

Letter to Class JE and SM - Trip to Windsor

Letter to Class 8HA - Airport Bowl

Letter to VL - Trip to Madame Tussauds

Letter to Whole School - Pupil Premium and Free School Meals


SCHOOL LUNCHES

Monday 20 March - Friday 24 March 2023

Week 2

AUTUMN / WINTER LUNCH MENU

The Menu is below and can also be found on the School Website.    
Visit  PARENTS/SCHOOL MEALS AND LUNCH MENU/LUNCH MENU

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Here is a printable version of the menu:      PDF:  Autumn / Winter 2023


Keeping Pupils Safe Online

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News & Events in the Community

Support for Families

Please click on the link below to visit the Hillingdon Council website where you can access information regarding Winter Wellness, Hillilngdon Warm Spaces and more information to support families.

https://leap.hillingdon.gov.uk/article/10352/Winter-Support-for-Families-2022

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DFN PROJECT SEARCH
Hillingdon Hospital and Civic Centre

Do you know someone aged 17 to 24 years old with a learning disability or autism? Do they have an ECHP and are looking to transition into paid employment?

If so, Project SEARCH could be exactly what you’re looking for!

HACS recently announced the expansion of our highly successful DFN Project Search Supported Internship Programme with the opening of a second site based at Hillingdon Hospital, in partnership with The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Orchard Hill College and London Borough of Hillingdon. We are looking for interns for this programme for a September 23 start! We are also looking for interns for our existing Hillingdon programme based in the Civic Centre in Uxbridge.

To find out more about these very exciting opportunities, come along to our virtual open evening on 28th March at 6pm to find out more. Here is the link to book your place Supported Internship Virtual Open Evening | HACS Charity

If you would like to arrange an informal discussion about the programmes, please get in touch with our Employment Specialist Niamh Steed Niamh@hacs.org.uk / 0208 606 6780

Kind regards,

Hillingdon Autistic Care & Support
HACS Resource Centre
Dudley Place, Off Pinkwell Lane
Hayes
UB3 1PB


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School Website:   www.meadowhighschool.org

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MeadowHighSch

Youtube:  meadowhighschoolhello

Email:  meadow@meadowhighschool.org

Reporting Pupil Absence:  attendance@meadowhighschool.org

Telephone:  01895 443310