Vranch House

Date added: Tuesday 16th September 2014
Latest updated: Thursday 23rd February 2023

Dear Parents                                                                                   

Welcome to the 2014-15 academic year!

Hope you all had a fantastic summer and enjoyed the sunshine!

Thank you for all your support in the past year, we hope to see you at our school events this year as well!

New pupils

We welcome three new pupils to Michelle's Class 1 - Isabel, Misia and Harvey J

Staff changes

Nurse Ellen has sadly left us at the end of the Summer term. Nurse Ruth is now with us full time.

We welcome Philip Stopher-Walker, our new Music Therapist.

Topic

Our topic this term is ‘Space'. Again, we are dividing it into smaller topics: planets, space travel and aliens. We are calling on all parents, relatives and friends who have an interest in this subject and would be happy to come to school and hold a short assembly.

If it is possible could you let your child stay up a little bit longer one evening and have the opportunity to observe the sky at night?

Coffee Morning

Our first coffee morning will be held on 11^th October (Saturday) 10-12pm. We have invited a talented textile artist to work with parents to create special bunting by up-cycling your child's old clothes. Please bring along baby grows, old clothes or any colourful material. Or why not make ‘family bunting' by including clothes from the whole family? No sewing knowledge is necessary, only enthusiasm! As usual, Vranch staff will look after and entertain your child whilst you are snipping away.

Parent Partnership - DAF, EHC

I have invited Parent Partnership to introduce parents to the new Devon Assessment Framework (DAF) and the changes from Statements to Education, Health and Social Care Plans (EHC). All parents are welcome to attend on 30^th September, 10.00-12.00.

Informal chat with Fiona Boorman

On the 25th September 2.00-3.30pm the specialist bladder and bowel nurse, Fiona Boorman, will come to Vranch and talk about all things toilet related - from promoting continence and the importance of drinking, to products for use when out and about. It will be a great opportunity to get together for a chat and share advice/information/toilet related stories. Please write a quick note in your child's diary to say whether or not you would like to attend. Please get in touch if you have any suggestions for the day.

Free loan service of Play Therapy Pods

Michaela Wood, our parent Governor brought the Newlife Foundation to my attention.  They offer a free loan service of Play Therapy Pods to children with disabilities. There are four available pods; tactile, auditory, visual and interactive play.  Each pod is available for under or over five year olds and contains a selection of age-appropriate toys etc.  The pods are offered for a 12 week loan period and is delivered to/collected from the family - all without charge!  Please see below the links to the flyer explaining the scheme and to the application form.

PDF outlining the scheme:

http://www.newlifecharity.co.uk/docs11/publications_pdf/play_therapy_pods.pdf

Application form:

http://www.newlifecharity.co.uk/docs11/publications_pdf/therapy_pods_application.pdf

DCC change of protocol

DCC Transport department notified us that their Emergency Medication Protocol has changed.

From the 1st September 2014 they will not be keeping any protocols in their office or in the escorts' route folders on the vehicle. However, parents will be responsible for a copy of the up-to-date medical protocol to travel with the child. It will be parental responsibility to ensure that any change to the child's medication is communicated to the escort on the vehicle to ensure they are fully trained. If you need any help please contact Nurse Ruth at Vranch.

Disability Equality Scheme

We are updating our three-yearly Disability Development and Accessibility Plan. I would like your input in this process and I am therefore seeking your views on how to improve our accessibility for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. The current policy can be viewed on the Vranch House website. Please contact me with your ideas.

Dates for your calendar

8^th September 2014: first day of Autumn term 2014

25^th September, 2.00-3.30pm: Informal chat with Fiona Boorman

30^th September, 10-12pm: Parent Partnership talk on the DAF process and EHC plans

11^th October, 10-12pm: Coffee Morning

21^st October, 2.30pm: Harvest Workshop

27^th - 31^st October: Half term

Your feedback is much appreciated; please do not hesitate to contact me ([email protected]) or any member of Vranch House if you would like to discuss any aspect of your child's schooling.

Hope to see you at the forthcoming events at Vranch House!

Viktoria Pavlics

Head Teacher

Parent's Newsletter September 2014[pdf]