Rochester
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Module 3
Module 3
Wishing everyone a wonderful, restful break and a very Happy New Year! Be sure to follow our updates here over the coming weeks to stay informed about all the exciting events and student achievements in Module 3.
Module 2
Module 2
Cinderella Panto at Woodville Halls
Rochester Class had a magical time visiting Woodville Halls for a special performance of Cinderella. From the glittering costumes to the classic panto humor, it was a spectacular show that was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The students represented the school brilliantly and came back full of stories about the performance!
Festive Afternoon Tea Event
We were delighted to welcome friends and family to join us for a festive afternoon tea. Our students took the opportunity to showcase the enterprise products they have been developing, alongside a selection of tasty treats to share. It was a fantastic event, and we would like to extend a warm thank you to all the families who joined us and supported our students’ hard work.
Hospitality and Rochester Class Festive Tea and Market Preparations
The Hospitality Group and Rochester Class have been hard at work getting ready for our annual Christmas Market and Afternoon Tea. From baking delicious mince pies and gingerbread men to creating beautiful festive decorations, we can't wait to show off all our efforts.
Join us! We are excited to welcome parents and friends on Tuesday, December 16th, starting at 1:30pm.
Christmas Dinner Day
Today was a special celebration! Our annual Christmas dinner brought us all together to share a wonderful meal and enjoy each other's company.
It was a huge group effort to cook and cater for 57 people and ensure all dietary requirements were met. Thank you to everyone who pitched in! The meal was a great success and was finished off perfectly with pudding and a brilliant disco.
Christmas Dinner Day - Cinema Morning
As the aroma of the Christmas Dinner prep filled the air, M@W underwent a festive transformation into a three-screen movie theatre.
We created a fun, real-world experience for the pupils, requiring them to line up at the box office and exercise their agency by choosing their film from the available screenings. It was fantastic to observe the students making their decisions, receiving their official tickets, and then relaxing with popcorn to enjoy the film they had personally selected.
Preparations Christmas Dinner Day
The annual Christmas Dinner here at M@W is a highly anticipated and big event, and it truly takes everyone to get involved!
To ensure a smooth day, we tackled the huge amount of vegetables the day before. With all hands on deck, the massive task of peeling and preparing was done in no time at all. Every carrot, potato, parsnip, cabbage, and brussel sprout was ready to go! Thank you to all our volunteers for their fantastic work getting everything prepared.
Christmas Market at Mainsite
This Tuesday was a busy and rewarding day for our Wilmington students! After weeks of hard work, they carefully packed up all the products they had been making and presented them at the main site's Christmas Market.
The students were outstanding at the market, demonstrating excellent enterprise and communication skills. They confidently spoke to customers, explaining the process involved in creating each of the unique products. Crucially, they also put their math skills to the test, calculating the total prices for multiple purchases and accurately handling the change for customers.
It was a brilliant real-world learning experience and a proud moment for all involved.
Upcoming Christmas Events
Phase 4 is thrilled to invite all friends and family to two fantastic events celebrating the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of our students!
The first event is at Main Site. The Christmas Market on Tuesday 9th December, an open event where all Phase 4 classes will be proudly displaying and selling the enterprise products they have been diligently making from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
If you are unable to attend the main site market, we are also hosting a special Christmas Afternoon Tea and Enterprise Sale right here at M@W from 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM on Tuesday 16th December. Students have been working hard to create not only a selection of beautiful festive decorations and gifts for sale, but also a delicious Afternoon Tea menu highlighting seasonal favorites like mince pies and luxurious hot chocolate.
We would love to see you there to celebrate the fantastic efforts and creativity of all our students!
Panto @ Mainsite
On Thursday morning, Phase 4 students were treated to a special invitation: a trip to the mainsite for a traditional Pantomime from In A Nutshell!
The performance was a huge success and filled with lots of laughter. The children thoroughly enjoyed the silly antics and joyful chaos that make a traditional panto so much fun, shouting along and getting involved in the show.
It was a brilliant morning out for all!
Rochester Shopping Trip
This week, it was Rochester Class' turn to manage the weekly shop for the M@W Cafe, providing our students with valuable real-world skills.
The trip began with a stocktake in the cafe. The students worked together to assess what was needed, creating a shopping list. Key items included staples like bread and butter for toast, as well as ingredients for this week's special: a delicious Mac & Cheese.
Our first stop was Aldi. The students were organised into small groups, each taking a specific part of the shopping list. They demonstrated great independence and responsibility, navigating the aisles and focusing on the crucial skill of value for money, making smart choices to ensure we picked up the best deals for the cafe.
After completing the bulk of the essential shopping, the class enjoyed a well-deserved treat at Ali's Cafe, where everyone chose a snack.
The students then had the opportunity to choose additional shops they wished to visit. This led to stops at Poundland and The Card Factory, allowing them to practice budgeting and selection skills while choosing birthday and Christmas presents for their friends and family.
Hospitality Group - Restaurant Review
This morning, the Hospitality group conducted a review of the restaurant service at a local pub. The assessment focused on four key areas, each ranked out of a possible score of five: Service, Quality, Food, and Value for Money.
The group reported a highly positive experience, specifically praising the food and service. The overall consensus was excellent, with the group confirming a strong desire to return to the establishment.
Mock Exams
This week, on Tuesday and Wednesday, students at M@W completed their mock Functional Skills exams, including English reading and writing, as well as Maths (calculator and non-calculator). We were pleased with each pupil’s maturity and dedication over the two days.
UK Parliament Week
This week marks UK Parliament Week, during which students engaged in learning about the parliamentary system and the law-making process in the UK. They explored how laws are created and amended through the different houses of Parliament and participated in a virtual tour. Each student proposed their own ideas for a law, creating a ‘Bill’ that was debated in class. Acting as the opposition, classmates suggested amendments to enhance these proposals. Notable ideas included the suggestion of no school on Mondays, free school lunches for all children and increased bus services in the local area.
Preloved/Reloved
The Preloved/Reloved group is making excellent progress this week, continuing the exciting revamp of their furniture pieces. The workshop was a hive of activity, featuring a full spectrum of restoration techniques, including detailed sanding, skillful painting, and careful polishing. Each piece is well on its way to a beautiful new life!
Festive Enterprise
The momentum behind Rochester's enterprise activities has continued this week, showcasing increased student creativity and product development. Teams are now finalizing their products in preparation for the upcoming Festive Market. This inaugural event is scheduled for next Thursday, November 27th, at Wilmington Village Hall.
Hospitality - Laying a table and making Mac & Cheese
Our hospitality group had a highly productive week! They not only perfected the art of table setting but also successfully hosted the cafe. Demonstrating superb teamwork, they collaborated to create a delightful mac and cheese dish for guests. The entire event was a resounding success!
Nicky's Signing Session
Rochester students are now participating in Nicky's Signing Sessions, held every Wednesday before lunch. This initiative is designed to promote total communication and enhance inclusion across the school. As an added benefit, students successfully completing the course will also achieve a valuable ASDAN qualification.
Visit to Link19
This week, our students took a fantastic trip to Link19 College to get inspired and plan their next chapter. It was an opportunity to explore the campus, see some familiar faces among the ex-pupils, and ask all the important questions about life in a college setting.
Preloved/Reloved project Update
The Preloved/Reloved group continued their projects with enthusiasm this week. Students tried their hands at a number of activities like sanding, putting on fresh coats of paint, and getting creative with new plans. With each session students can see a successful transformation of their pieces.
Christmas Enterprise Production
The Rochester class was abuzz as students prepared for the upcoming Christmas markets. The classroom was a hive of activity, with each student engaged in creating and refining their individual or group projects.
Friday Afternoon Rec Choice - Art
The Friday Art Rec Club pupils have been utilising this time as a creative outlet, enjoying complete autonomy to produce their artworks. This has proven to be very popular, resulting in beautiful pieces and fostering a wonderful mindful afternoon.
M@W Alumni Event
We welcomed back M@W leavers for a special Alumni event. During this gathering, a panel was hosted, allowing current students to engage with alumni and inquire about their experiences at college. Questions varied from work experience opportunities to new friends and what happens at lunch breaks. Witnessing the success of our alumni in both college and employment serves as a remarkable inspiration to our current cohort.
Rochester Cafe Special
This week in the M@W Cafe, the Rochester Class voted to prepare Chicken and salad wraps, with students undertaking all aspects of preparation and cooking. Additionally, we received a generous donation of carrots, leeks, onions, and chillies, enabling us to create a delightful soup for Friday’s special. Both dishes were delicious, showcasing the class's excellent teamwork.
Hospitality Short course
As part of their short course, Hospitality have been learning about Fair Trade. They have discovered the benefits of Fair Trade to workers and their communities, as well as various products that can be certified Fair Trade. Additionally, they engaged in a taste test comparing Fair Trade bananas and chocolate to help support their understanding.
Preloved/Reloved Enterprise Group - New Projects and Shopping Trip
This week, the Preloved group ventured into local shops to purchase items essential for their upcycling projects.
They conducted research and planned their designs, then identified the shops to buy the necessary materials for their creative projects.
Welcome back to the new term. This is my favourite module, and it's all hands on deck as we gear up for Christmas! The enterprise hubs will be busy with activity, organising festive markets and showcasing creativity through delightful gifts and products. We can't wait to see you at our events later in the module!
Module 1
Module 1
Preloved/Reloved Enterprise Group
Last week, our Preloved/Reloved group had a brilliant morning at the boot sale with just a £5.00 budget! The challenge was to unearth hidden treasures perfect for upcycling, and they succeeded. Today, teams got together to brainstorm exciting ideas on how to transform their finds. They considered potential buyers, practical uses, and the most attractive colours and designs.
Grow 19 Visit
We were visited by Rob from Grow19, who introduced the college to our students. The videos he presented, showcasing the Grow19 students (including ex-M@W students) and the various opportunities available, were truly inspirational. His engagement encouraged students to consider their future paths and the possibilities that lie ahead of them.
Enterprise - Seasonal products
With Christmas round the corner we have begun production of our products for this year's Christmas markets. There are exciting new ideas, utilising the skills and interests of all students in Rochester Class Please watch this space for further updates and product developments as we progress.
Hospitality Course - Cafe Special
On Friday, the Hospitality short course successfully operated the Café, offering a selection of cheesy beans on toast or vegetable soup. Each pupil undertook one or two distinct roles, during which we discussed our key strategies for effective café service management.
Coffee Morning
Today, we hosted our first coffee morning of the year, warmly welcoming our students' families to the school. It was a great morning, fostering positive relationships within our community. Each class collaborated to prepare a selection of sweet and savoury treats, which were shared amongst students and their families. The atmosphere was relaxed and fun, highlighting the strength of our school community. Thanks to all those who attended, making this event a success.
Coffee Morning Preparation
This week, students have been preparing for our first coffee morning of the year. The Rochester class has been assigned the task of creating cheese scones and pinwheels. They have collaborated effectively, demonstrating their ability to follow instructions while preparing the necessary ingredients. This practical activity not only allowed them to enhance their skills in the kitchen but also fostered teamwork and communication. As a result of their hard work, they have produced some exceptionally cheesy treats for the guests. We are looking forward to sharing their creations at the upcoming event.
Shopping trip to Dartford
This week was Rochester's turn to shop in Dartford, students were stocking up supplies for our onsite café. This experience provided an excellent opportunity for students to apply their mathematical skills in real-life scenarios, as they followed a shopping list, located various items within the store, and learned essential skills for independent living.
The trip culminated in a visit to Ali's Café, where students practised ordering and paying for their food and drinks. Such practical experiences are valuable life skills and help greater their independence.
Graffiti Stars Workshop
We had an amazing time here at Milestone @ Wilmington! Graffiti artist Leon from Graffiti Stars joined us to run a workshop with our young people, and it was a blast. Together, they created two vibrant pieces of art. The first was an inclusive welcoming sign for the main building, and the second was a fun new sign for the M@W café. Each student had the opportunity to get involved in the creative process, choosing colours, shapes, and words that truly reflected their ideas. It was inspiring to see them collaborate and express themselves through art. A massive thank you to Leon and everyone who participated!
Welcome to Rochester's site! We are nearing the end of a successful first week, during which our pupils have settled in exceptionally well. They have begun to explore their choices for the year regarding their employability pathways, selecting from options such as Preloved/Reloved, Computing, Woodwork, and Horticulture. Additionally, there will be choices available for our Friday morning short courses, including Hospitality, Computer Science, Expressive Arts, Sports, Science, and Construction.
The highlight of this week is the trip to Dartford to shop for our onsite café. Pupils followed shopping lists to locate and gather all necessary items, ensuring they counted out the correct money before proceeding to bag the groceries. They also enjoyed a brief walk around the shops, culminating in a delightful treat at Ali's café for snack time. We look forward to another exciting week ahead!
Welcome back to the new term. This is my favourite module, and it's all hands on deck as we gear up for Christmas! The enterprise hubs will be busy with activity, organising festive markets and showcasing creativity through delightful gifts and products. We can't wait to see you at our events later in the module!
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