Milestone Academy Newsletter
March 2024 - Term 4
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Principal's Welcome
Principal's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to our term 4 newsletter - there are already some wonderful signs of spring to be seen and our Milestone community has been embracing the chance to get outside.
As I write, I am still marvelling at the fantastic performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ that our fantastic Phase 3 students delivered last week to over two-thirds of our parents. The response to their performance has been extraordinary, with parents telling us how incredible the show was and how much it has positively impacted their child’s confidence. All the students involved have worked so hard, challenging themselves and their communication skills as they prepared to take to the stage at The Woodville in Gravesend- a daunting prospect for any young person and therefore an even more impressive achievement for our students. I watched with great pride, alongside the Phase 3 team, as we agreed that it epitomises our commitment to cultivate happy aspirational learners!
There have been a number of trips, events and residentials this term. Thank you to all our staff who work tirelessly to plan and execute all of these, and ensure our students have the best opportunities to engage with a rich variety of activities and learning experiences beyond the classroom.
Once again, please follow the links to read more about what your child’s class has been up to this term, or find them on the ‘Class Websites By Phase’ tab on the main drop down Menu on the homepage of our website: https://milestoneacademy.org.uk/
Please remember to check the Upcoming Events tab on our website and be sure to check out the Frogspawn Diaries on our Latest News page.
Term 5 will soon be upon us and we have much to look forward to. I wish you all a restful Easter break and urge you to make the most of the first days of spring - don’t forget to put your clocks forward this weekend! I can’t wait to see you all on Monday 15th April for an egg-citing term 5!
Sarah Goosani - Principal
Shakespeare Schools - A Midsummer Night's Dream
An actor prepares...
On stage at The Woodville
"Sit back, don’t rustle your Maltesers and enjoy this charming piece of woodland chaos and magic. The action begins in Athens at the palace of Theseus..."
Phase 1
Phase 1
It brings us immense joy to report the remarkable strides Phase 1 students have made in their learning endeavours this term. Through our transdisciplinary themes we have been focused on oceans and sea creatures, as our young explorers have embarked on an exciting journey of discovery. Through a variety of exploratory and engagement-based activities, they have delved deep into the mysteries of the underwater world, fostering their sense of wonder and curiosity. As the weather begins to warm, we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to take our learning outdoors, where the natural environment will serve as a rich backdrop for further exploration and hands-on experiences. We are immensely proud of the enthusiasm and dedication our Phase 1 students have shown, and we look forward to the continued growth and excitement that lies ahead in module 5.
Please look at our class pages on the following link: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-1/home
Catherine McHugh-Moss - Phase 1 Leader
Claire Woolmer - Assistant Principal Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 2
Teaching staff within Phase 2 are immensely proud of the resilience and adaptability shown by our pupils this term. Many have tried new things, built new relationships and taken risks within their learning. All pupils have continued to work hard on their self help skills and personal development. Our enrichment and afternoon clubs on a Wednesday continue to provide valuable learning experiences and opportunities for social interaction that have proved fundamental in fostering friendships. Pupils have had the opportunity to enjoy sensory and messy play, music, arts and crafts and dance. As the weather has improved students have enjoyed more outdoor learning activities and we look forward to this continuing as we move through Module 5.
Lastly, we understand the importance of maintaining strong communication with our families. To facilitate this, we invite you to visit the class pages on our website, where you can find more details about your child's activities and achievements in this module.
Please look at our class pages on the following link: phase 2 class websites
Lucy Sparkes - Phase 2 Leader
Michelle Hilton - Assistant Principal Phase 2
Milestone @ Dartford Primary Academy
Milestone @ Dartford Primary Academy
M@DPA pupils have continued to work hard during Module 4. Comet class has been participating in forest school sessions to enhance their inquiry and communication skills in an outdoor setting. Despite the frequent rain, the students have thoroughly enjoyed their time and engaged in various activities. Meanwhile, Nova class has been attending weekly swimming lessons at Fairfield swimming pool. Alongside their swimming skills, they have also focussed on road safety and developing an understanding of community awareness. The progress and resilience shown by the students in the pool have made the staff immensely proud. Finally, Moonbeam class has been visiting Dartford library on a weekly basis, where they have been exposed to a diverse range of texts to choose from. Demonstrating excellent road safety skills, the students have walked to the library, showcasing their responsible behaviour.
Alongside this, students have been working hard across the curriculum and Moonbeam and Comet have enjoyed reading the story of 'Oliver’s vegetables' and completing activities to support their learning; whilst Nova have been reading the story 'The secret sky garden'. The students especially enjoyed comparing the characters in the story and writing a poem!
Lastly, we understand the importance of maintaining strong communication with our families. To facilitate this, we invite you to visit the class pages on our website, where you can find more details about your child's activities and achievements in this module.
Please look at our class pages on the following link: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-2/home
Faye Mendez - Satellite Director
Phase 3
Phase 3
It has been a full and eventful term in Phase 3 classes. Our students have overcome some real challenges and demonstrated that they are true risk takers.
On 14th March, 28 students from Phase 3 were given the exciting opportunity to perform an adapted version of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at The Woodville in Gravesend. This was part of the Shakespeare for Schools Festival - the UK's largest youth drama event. The three month rehearsal schedule (part of our Performing Arts curriculum) and evening performance gave our incredibly talented students the opportunity to shine, connect with new characters, and explore the extraordinary world of Shakespeare's text in a musical comedy. The students raised the roof. Their performance was OUTSTANDING! Parents, carers and staff were so proud of the cast and crew's achievement. Our budding student cast and crew thoroughly enjoyed the experience, which will now be an annual Milestone event.
More recently, from 20th March until 22nd March, some students took part in a residential at the Skreens Residential Centre in Chelmsford. Students were impeccably behaved and challenged themselves to participate in new and adventurous activities that involved heights, sharp objects, team building and trust. It was a hugely successful trip enjoyed by all.
Students from the Stream pathway have been swimming at Fairfield in Dartford, the staff have been extremely proud as students managed changes to their day and enjoyed a splash in the pool.
All our students are enjoying learning through the IB programme, which has allowed them to demonstrate excellent attributes for learning and helped our young people to make connections across the curriculum. The tuck shop provides in-house work experience and continues to take place each Wednesday, please remember to send in up to £2 for your young person to spend. We are finishing the term with an inquiry day to learn more about healthy living.
We invite you to look at Phase 3 class pages to share and celebrate your young persons achievements in learning on the Milestone Website: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-3/home
Maria Steer - Phase 3 Leader
Kyle Marsh - Assistant Principal Phase 3
Milestone @ The Leigh Academy
Milestone @ The Leigh Academy
We are excited to share the outstanding achievements and enriching experiences of our students throughout Module 4. This module has proven to be exceptionally productive and successful, with our students demonstrating exceptional resilience and ambition on their learning journeys.
Our students excelled in their speaking and listening functional skills exams, showcasing their communication abilities and laying a solid foundation for future success. As they prepare for the upcoming exams in April, we are continually impressed by their dedication and proactive approach to their studies.
A highlight of this module was the memorable visit to The Gurdwara in Gravesend, where our students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Sikh culture and traditions. This visit not only provided valuable knowledge about Sikhism but also fostered acceptance and understanding of different cultures and religions among our students. Such experiences are integral to our commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within our school community.
Additionally, our trip to the Natural History Museum offered an enriching educational experience, sparking curiosity among our students as they explored the wonders of the natural world.
In line with our commitment to promoting holistic wellbeing, we celebrated Health Day, when students engaged in various activities aimed at promoting physical and mental wellness. We were delighted to have students from the main site join us for this event, nurturing a strong sense of community.
Furthermore, the exemplary teamwork demonstrated by our students during their work experience at Russell Court Care Home reflects their maturity and readiness to make positive contributions to society.
Lastly, we understand the importance of maintaining strong communication with our families. To facilitate this, we invite you to visit the class pages on our website, where you can find more details about your child's activities and achievements in this module. Please look at our class pages on the following link: Milestone Academy
We wish you all a restful break and look forward to exciting times ahead in Module 5!
Sofia Pinto - Satellite Director
Phase 4
Phase 4
The students in Phase 4 have all worked extremely hard this term, particularly during their enterprise sessions where they made some amazing products to sell at the recent spring time tea. It was lovely to welcome so many parents to celebrate with us and showcase the outstanding work the students have completed. The students have continued to work on their ASDAN life skills challenges, providing them with the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities to support them to become independent learners, including household cleaning activities and going shopping. Students have been encouraged to think about what they need from the shops, using a symbolised list to find the ingredients in the shop, before using these ingredients to make some delicious recipes back in school!
As the weather begins to improve we have enjoyed the opportunity to generalise some of the skills learnt in the classroom to outside, including tidying up the outside areas during horticulture and identifying places that we can plant some new flowers next term. The students have enjoyed the chance to use the school bikes, focusing on their gross motor skills and coordination, as well as having great fun! Well done to all the students for their amazing attitude towards their learning this term, and we look forward to continuing this during Term 5!
Please look at our class pages on the following link: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-4/home
Katy Morez - Phase 4 Leader
Noleen Donaghy-Parkhouse - Assistant Principal Phase 4
Milestone @ Wilmington Academy
Milestone @ Wilmington Academy
The Milestone @ Wilmington students have had another very busy and successful module. The students worked hard to complete their speaking and listening exams and continue to work towards their ASDAN accreditations, in Personal Progress and Employability.
Students in Rochester Class ran a stall at a local coffee morning and sold various Easter products, all made by the students - it was a huge success!
Auditions are now underway for our end of year production, which is being led by our students that are completing the performing arts accreditation, and we look forward to sharing more details with you regarding this in Module 5.
Our students who have chosen to study History have continued to learn about World War I and enjoyed a visit to the Imperial War Museum, as well as using their art skills to build their own trenches.
We are currently in the process of organising our much-valued work experience which takes place in Module 6; if you have any work related opportunities that you would be able to provide for our young people please do get in touch with me at nicola.mccarthy@milestoneacademy.org.uk
Lastly, we understand the importance of maintaining strong communication with our families. To facilitate this, we invite you to visit the class pages on our website, where you can find more details about your young person's activities and achievements in this module.
Please look at our class pages on the following link: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-4/home
Nicky McCarthy - Satellite Director
PE News
PE News
We have had a busy term of Kent School Games extra curricular activities offsite. At the end of February, five boys and five girls from Phase 3 took part in the Sportshall Athletics competition which took place at Cobham Hall. The students enjoyed competing in their different events against students from different schools around the local area. A mixed group of seven girls from Milestone mainsite and Milestone @Leigh took part in a self-esteem workshop and football tournament at Legends in Gravesend to celebrate International Women’s Day. The girls had a great day making new friends from different schools, learning some new skills, and competing very well in the round robin competition.
Steve Devereux - Head of PE
Dates for Your Diary
Dates for Your Diary
15th April - First day of Term 5
15th April - School photos for satellites
19th April - Phase 1 Inquiry Afternoon
29th April - School photos for mainsite
16th May - Phase 3 Inquiry Day
23 May - Friends of Milestone Coffee Morning
24th May - Last day of term 5
Friends of Milestone - Charity No: 278677
Friends of Milestone - Charity No: 278677
Another busy term for the Friends. This term we ran our annual Mother’s Day wrap. We hope you were happy with the gifts your children selected, all the children love coming to do their shopping and buying presents for their loved ones. We are currently in the throws of planning for the summer fete which will be on Saturday 22nd June, exact times to be confirmed. If anyone has any availability to support stalls/activities please do let us know.
We have been very fortunate to receive generous support from some local Freemasons Lodges recently and equally generous donations. These donations will all contribute towards the purchase of a new school bus to replace the one which was stolen last year.
Dates to remember:
Thursday 18th April - Friends meeting at Milestone mainsite 9.30am
Monday 10th June - Father’s Day wrap
Saturday 22nd June - Summer Fete
If there are any parents that would like to join the Friends or are curious to find out more, then please do join us at one of the meetings.
We hope you have a fantastic Easter break
Faye Warman – Chair
Sarah Spiers – Co-Chair and Treasurer
Lyn French – Secretary
Friends of Milestone
Medical and Therapy Team News
Medical and Therapy Team News
13th March was National Swallowing Awareness Day. This is a RCSLT’s campaign to raise awareness about the work speech and language therapists do to support children and adult’s eating and drinking. Here at Milestone, we acknowledged all the work our staff do to support the children’s eating and drinking on a daily basis which ranges from making sure they are seated comfortably and safely, making sure they have the right equipment, making sure food is a safe consistency for each child, encouraging children to eat a wider range of food, supporting them to develop their skills, supervising them while eating and drinking and when needed, seeking assessment from a speech & language therapist.
The MenACWY and Td/IPV immunisations were given at Mainsite on the 12th March and the session went well. There was an HPV catch up carried out at The Leigh on 26th and 27th February and again that was a successful session. The usual clinics have been held over the term and have gone well. Dr Field has joined the Community Paediatric Team.
All daily and emergency medication is being sent home on the last day of term and needs to be returned on our first day back after the Easter break please.
In order to support children’s needs, we work very closely with colleagues from health and social care. If you have arranged or would like to arrange for a professional to visit your child in school, please let someone in school know so we can facilitate their visit. If we do not know in advance, we may not be able to support the visit on the day.
It was so wonderful to see our Phase 3 students perform in the Shakespeare Schools Festival. We laughed and cried because they were all brilliant. I was blown away by the friendship I saw as students prompted and helped each other. I was so impressed by the amount of learning that went into this production. I was delighted to hear students saying they felt proud of themselves. I cannot thank Keren and her team enough for all their hard work and providing this wonderful opportunity for our students.
Regrettably we said goodbye to Ruth Coenen, Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist this term. We are grateful for Ruth’s contribution and expertise in AAC. I will keep you updated about our recruitment plans. If you would like to contact a speech and language therapist then please do get in touch.
Wishing you all an enjoyable Easter break. Liz & Therapy & Medical Teams
From Liz Skilton and all in the Therapy & Medical Teams
Pupdate
Toffee & Fudge continue to enjoy being part of the Milestone family. They have been making lots of new friends and strengthening their existing friendships more and more. The 'pups' are now 17 months old and are fully grown, though Toffee still thinks he is a tiny puppy and can have the cuddles he got when he was small!! At home they love new experiences, they recently went shopping to Gravesend market and were very well behaved and made new friends along the way. They also absolutely love their time at the dog park too!
Useful Websites
Useful Websites
Useful websites with information and resources for schools and parents to support toileting are:
ERIC at www.eric.org.uk
Bladder and Bowel UK www.bbuk.org.uk
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Also look at the Facebook page for Kent Community Health as they also have information of sessions offered for parents on various topics.
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