News Archive

Ecclesbourne Lodge Festival – Summer Fun

Ecclesbourne Lodge Summer Festival

What a Great Event! On Wednesday the 12th July Ecclesbourne Lodge hosted the second “Ecclesbourne Festival”.

The event was coordinated and organised by Laura Barron, Sam Mathers and Lucy Vickers – the team arranged lots and lots of activities and events for our residents and young people. This included a bouncy castle, karaoke, reptile and pets corner, reiki and special performances by the staff and young people of ONE NINE FIVE.

Staff and services users from across the group were invited to take part in the festival and camp overnight, offering them a chance of experience what has become a UK summer tradition.

We would like to say a special thank you to the following people for their support and hard work in making this event such a success

  • Karaoke and Bouncy castle man Gordon Parkin
  • Local band called Grey and White
  • Jenny and Richard (from head office) helped with organising the stage and PA system
  • Kerry and her team for the amazing food and service
  • Rob and Malcom from maintenance who went above and beyond
  • Anne from the garden centre without being asked got stuck in helping us get set up.

A final thank you to all those that attended.

Find out more about Ecclesbourne Lodge

Australia Day for Alderwasley Hall School Students

Australis day at alderwasley hall school

On the 22nd June Alderwasley Hall School organised and hosted a Australian Theme Day.

This was part of the global diversity day which included Australian themed activities throughout the day. Angela, Andrew (pictured), Sue and Joan created a Australian theme menu: Ozzie Burger with Beetroot Snags (Sausages) Salt and Pepper Squid Variety of Salads including Avocado and Seafood Salad and Asparagus Salad. The young people at really enjoyed the whole event and enjoyed trying new foods and flavours.

The Group Catering Manager works with all the schools to deliver relevant theme This includes curriculum linked events, specific school focuses and national diary events such as “World Book Day”.

Here are a few theme events we have worked on in the last few months:

Japanese Day – A school cultural day, we produced a Japanese themed menu and decorated the dining room.
French Themed Tea
National Pie Week – The young people helped to create the menu and even helped make some of the pies and fillings.
Comic Relief
Easter Lunch

When creating the menus we try to source authentic recipes and ingredients, we then encourage the young people to try new flavours and textures.

Sea Legs Puppet Theatre Visits Rowden House School

Young people at Rowden House School enjoyed their first professional puppet show, which was held on Friday 26th May.

Local company Sea-Legs puppet theatre show were invited to join us and entertained everyone with their fabulous adaptation of ‘Peter & The Wolf’. Rob’s fantastic story telling & puppetry had everyone engaged for the whole duration of the show.

Peter and the Wolf

Welcome to Russia! Travel with Rob and his suitcase full of surprises into deepest darkest Russia, to old man Prokofiev’s house in the woods, where lives the big, hungry Wolf.

Meet Sergei Prokofiev’s world famous characters: young Peter and his Grandfather, the supercilious Cat, the silly Duck, quick-witted Redbird, Ivan and Boris the blundering hunters and of course…. the big hungry Wolf.

Find out more about Sea-Legs puppet theatre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bromyard Scarecrow Festival 2017

Bromyard Scarecrow Festival

Bromyard Scarecrow Festival took place on Friday 9th June. Everyone from the West Midlands Learning Campus played a part in making this year’s entry and we were not disappointed. The Scarecrow theme this year was ‘Weather’ and our entry was Yellow Submarine/Rain by the Beatles.

Well done to all the residents at Winslow Court for your fantastic creation.

We congregated at St Peters Churchyard just before 7.30pm to witness an extraordinary array of scarecrows who were taking part in the grand parade through the town.

We were joined by Peder Nielsen, Bromyard Town Crier and current Champion Crier of Europe and the fantastic Tenbury Town Band and our new Mayor and escort. They lead the procession as it made its way along Church Street through Market Square, along Broad Street and High Street and into Cruxwell Street ending up on the Town Green for a BBQ and entertainment.

The young men of Winslow Court were supported by staff to help parade our entry through the town, they enjoyed waving to all the people who came out to line the streets and encourage everyone along the way.

Whilst we were congregating in the churchyard and parading through the town the judges were looking to award prize money totalling almost £100 to the best entourage accompanying their scarecrow entry, a little later in the evening the winners would be announced and presented with their prizes.

Once we had paraded through the town, we ended up on the town green for judging and although we did not win this year, everyone had a great evening and we all decided we cannot wait to do it all again next year!

Rowden House School Summer Fair 2017

 

 

 

Our Summer Fun Day and Open day took place on Saturday 17th June and I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this year’s day such a wonderful success.

We all enjoyed ourselves, the sun shone, Graham, Matt and Floyd of the ‘Floyd Earl band’ played all afternoon, It was lovely to welcome all guests for the day to our campus; it was lovely to see so many familiar faces during the afternoon.

This year we had lots going on, sweet treats were served from the decking area on the top lawn and Legges of Bromyard, served up their delicious hog roast, complete with apple sauce and stuffing. Our bar tenders were truly on form and managed to sell out of all beverages this year. Ice creams were definitely in order and went down extremely well during the afternoon.

We had local store holders on campus selling an array of delights for everyone. Back for a third year was Emma from Creature Class Animal Encounter, giving everyone the opportunity to hold and look at her animals.

For the first time this year, we held a time-trial challenge, which took place on the main lawn. It was a huge   success and I am sure it will be returning next year. Thank you to David for running this throughout the day, along with more traditional activities, such a wellie wanging.

Joe and Gus ran the coconut shy which was enjoyed by all who had a go and the stocks made a comeback this year; I think it was a relief getting wet on such a hot day! To close the day we had a traditional Punch and Judy show.

We had had some truly amazing donations for prizes this year, from Dudley Zoo tickets, Weston’s Cider tour to a big box of delights kindly donated by Tyrrells crisps. So many local businesses have been very generous and we will be very busy writing thank you cards next week!

The reaction when people look around our beautiful grounds is always so positive, everyone is amazed by how much space we have and how tranquil and inviting our woods are, especially when the sun shines!

On behalf of everyone at West Midlands Learning Campus, thank you for spending the day with us.

 

Alderwasley Hall School Summer Open Day 2017

Alderwasley Hall School Open Day 2017

The sun shone for Alderwasley Hall Schools Summer Open Day and summer fair which took place at the beginning of July.

Staff, students and parents and friends took part in making items to sell and creating games Entertainment was provided by the school band.

Sporting Success at Pegasus School

Pegasus School

In June Pegasus School took part in National Sports Week ,as championed by the Youth Sport Trust.

Derby County Community Trust visited the school on Monday, the school held their sports day on the Tuesday and the schools Occupational Therapy team led a gymnastics session Wednesday and young people enjoyed professional Boccia coaching on Thursday.

The week ended with a visit from Cycle Derby on the Friday. The staff worked really hard to help all the young people engage and take part. We are using the experience to join a community cycling club and to start playing Boccia, which is a new sport for Pegasus. (if successful in taking off they hope to set up a team and challenge other schools to friendly Boccia matches).

Pegasus Students Enjoy Summer Garden Party

 

 

On Monday 10th July Pegasus School held their very own Garden Party.

It was a lovely sunny afternoon for the students as they enjoyed a disco and party games before bouncing around on a bouncy castle and by the look of the photos they staff had just as much fun.

After an afternoon of fun and games they tucked into a buffet provided by the   catering team who also made them some lovely fresh scone served with jam and cream followed by fresh strawberries and ice cream.

The only thing missing from this lovely garden party was the Queen who I believe was busy on Monday. I bet she didn’t have as much fun as we did at Pegasus.

Pegasus School Summer Garden Party