What has been going on at Dawn House...

• New Animal Care and Veterinary Science Course

  Fri 30 Jul 2021 Donna Smith

  Animal Care and Veterinary Science is a brand-new course which will initially be offered only in 6th form, as we will only have a small number of animals to begin with. 

   

  The photos are of our Baby female rabbits and male Guinea Pigs. The Guinea Pigs already came to us with names, these being Stevo (long haired white and ginger) and Gary ( short haired black), they are named after current and former staff.  There will be a competition in September for students to name the rabbits. 

   

  The animals have all settled really well into the Dawn House School lifestyle, and are starting to show their own personalities.  The students were really excited to meet them and have enjoyed helping to care for them and cleaning them out. 

   

  Watch this space for more animals to come! 🐰🐹

   

   

  

• Very Tasty Cake!

  Tue 27 Jul 2021

  This lovely cake was made by a student who has found the last couple of months difficult. It has been a pleasure to see her accessing school again.  A member of staff said 'I’m going to be honest the sponge cake is one of the best I’ve tasted in a long time, can’t wait until September when cooking is back on!!'

   

   

  

• Aidan Sparx Returns

  Mon 26 Jul 2021

  Staff and pupils welcomed former student Aidan Baker to Dawn House on Friday.  Aidan has raised £1,046.50 for the school through organising a benefit wrestling show he facilitated in memory of his late granddad, Edward South.

   

  Aidan, known as Aidan Sparx when he steps through the ropes, first came to Dawn House School aged five.  At that time his speech was profoundly impaired.  Aidan worked hard to overcome his difficulties and took full advantage of the opportunities and support on offer including evenings in the residential facility, to help with his independence and social skills.

   

  Aidan’s initial interest in grappling came from a wrestling video his Nanna Kath picked up at a car boot sale. Grandad Ted took Aidan ringside from the age of nine.  Aidan’s trainer, the late Chris Travis, a former elite British wrestler, encouraged Aidan to channel his anger into his wrestling.  Wrestling made a remarkable difference to Aidan’s confidence and wellbeing and gave him focus and discipline that helped him to do well in other areas of his life.  Structure is important for Aidan and with support he has established routines which help him to effectively navigate his journey through life. Aidan, now aged 26, volunteers at the Samaritan’s Charity Shop and continues to access specialist support whilst living independently.

   

  The wrestling event took place at Pursuit Pro Wrestling in Sheffield.  In the final event, Sparx fought Nottingham based Stixx (Paul Grint) - who has dominated the heavyweight scene for some time and has won international championships.  Spectators sat transfixed as Stixx immediately grabbed hold of the lighter wrestler and threw him all over the ring.  Stixx was rightly jeered by an animated crowd - who taunted any wrestler who displeased them or hurt their heroes through foul means.  The officials also received short thrift.  The resilient Sparx began to turn the tables on his muscular nemesis as the bigger man began to tire and at the end of the fight, it was Sparx who held the belt aloft for his cheering fans.

   

  Aidan has had a challenging journey so far and his future will certainly throw up new challenges.  In the same way that he overcomes opponents in the ring, he works hard and is determined to overcome any difficulties that may emerge.  Ted, without a doubt, will be very proud of his grandson and would have enjoyed every minute of the show.  

  

• Mum and Son's Skydive for Dawn House

  Fri 23 Jul 2021

  When Helen contacted Dawn House School to ask if we minded her doing a skydive for school, we jumped at the chance (excuse the pun). 

   

  Helen said "Call me insane but my eldest son, Jack and I are going to do a skydive. We thought that if we are going to throw ourselves out of a plane that we may as well raise money to benefit Dawn House School! 

   

  I’ve done a tandem jump before for charity (albeit 20 years ago) and it was exhilarating, so when Jack said he wanted to do it, I of course jumped up in excitement as I’ve wanted to do it again ever since. Plus I would be an awful mum if I didn’t jump with him in a show of solidarity!"

   

  Weather permitting the brave pair will be jumping on the 23rd August. If you would like to pledge your support, please visit GoFundMe.

  

• Horticulture

  Fri 16 Jul 2021

  Look what we have achieved in our horticultural lessons.  The students made the ground more fertile by digging an organic product into the ground to enrich the soil ready for the plants to go in.  

  

• Sports Day 2021

  Fri 16 Jul 2021

  We have a sports day every year at Dawn House School, but this year had an added incentive.....The new House System! As pupils attempted each activity, they were doing it for house points for Elm, Birch, Pine or Oak. 

   

  There was an atmosphere of team work and a shared pride in all of their achievements. Despite having restrictions to the day - no visitors and no summer fair - it was a great event and finished with medals for all and congratulations to the winning House.........Birch! 

   

  Pupils (and staff, of course) took part in a wide range of activities:

   

  1. Tennis targets (Hit the ball over the net and land in the hoops positioned on the floor)
  2. Football targets (Shots from different positions - as many goals as possible in set time)
  3. 50 metre sprint 
  4. Throwing hoops over cones from different distances
  5. Javelin throws
  6. Throwing at cricket wickets (as many hits as possible in set time)
  7. Basketball shots 
  8. Football golf (closest to the cone)
  9. Bowling
  10. Relay races - (only event to be completed in houses)

   

   

  

• Fine Motor Skills and a Sensory Scavenger Hunt

  Fri 16 Jul 2021

  Our play theme this week was scavenger hunt bingo.  Pupils made pieces of art with what they found.

  

• Speaking Up for the Covid Generation

  Mon 12 Jul 2021

  1.5 million children are at risk of being left behind with their speaking and understanding
  
  Children’s education has been severely disrupted by Covid and the lockdowns it has involved. They have lost months of being in school and nursery and missed out on daily chances to interact with the outside world. Now we are seeing the true impact this has had.
  
  Our new report, Speaking Up for the Covid Generation, paints a worrying picture of nearly 1.5 million children struggling to speak and to understand what other people say to them.  Both primary and secondary school teachers are concerned that without further support from the Government, the Covid generation are at risk of being left with poor skills, fewer job opportunities and more mental health concerns. 
  
  Without help, children‘s prospects look bleak. It is time to raise our voices to give children theirs. The Covid generation need us to defend their future.
  
  Download and read the full report now.

   

  BBC News are talking about the issue: Lockdown: 'Children behind in speech and understanding' - BBC News.  You can too - use our Social Media Toolkit to share the findings and help spread the word. 
  
  Let’s #SpeakUpForCovidGen

• Residential News

  Mon 12 Jul 2021

  There's no time to sit still in residential...

   

  We have been working hard this term to look after and spruce up our garden.  We have made hanging baskets, sanded and painted the garden furniture, created a signpost showing how far away we all live and in which direction, recycled tin cans and jewellery to make wind chimes and planted fruit, veg and flowers in the raised beds.  We have also been on top of the general upkeep of the garden (weather permitting!). 

   

  To find out more about what we do in residential, click here.

  

• 73 Miles for the 73rd Anniversary of the NHS

  Fri 09 Jul 2021

  On the 5th July 2021 staff and students at Dawn House School celebrated the 73rd anniversary of the NHS. Students learnt about the history of the NHS, its role and value in our society. They discussed times when there was no healthcare provision and compared it with how well people are looked after nowadays, especially now during a global pandemic. Following that, students worked in groups brainstorming ways they can show their gratitude to the NHS staff for their courage, compassion, and dedication in the most difficult times. It was lovely to hear so many great ideas like saying ‘thank you very much’, clapping, drawing or looking after each other’s wellbeing and physical health to name a few. 

   

  During our Assembly, students also learnt about the George Cross, instituted by King George VI in 1940 during the height of the Blitz in World War Two. The George Cross is awarded for “acts of the greatest heroism or of the most courage in circumstances of extreme danger”.  Queen Elizabeth awarded the George Cross to the National Health Service to honour them for demonstrating the highest standards of public service. 

   

  On Friday 9th July, pupils will walk 73 miles around the school grounds to celebrate the 73rd anniversary.