Milestone Academy Newsletter

February 2024 - Term 3

Principal's Welcome


Dear Parents and Carers,


Welcome to our first newsletter of 2024 - a year that has so far brought snow, rain and gales! Hopefully you enjoyed our ‘new look’ letter at the end of last term and took some time to visit your child’s class pages. We have continued with this new format and hope that, after you have read the Phase round-ups below, you will follow the links to read more about the activities of your child’s class. If you have a problem accessing anything please contact us so that we can help. You can find the Phase page here:

https://milestoneacademy.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-by-phase/ 


Off the back of our wonderful Storytelling Week at the beginning of February, which saw classes immersing themselves in stories of all kinds, a theatre production in school, our youngest pupils dressing-up and lots of our Milestone community ‘visiting’ different classes to read aloud; we are looking forward to hosting a Reading Brunch in our library on Friday 23rd March. This is an opportunity for you to visit our marvellous library, share a book with your child and share your reflections on the experience. Please see the recent letter for details.


In our last newsletter I introduced our new parents forum, the ‘brew and chew!’ I am delighted that the inaugural event will take place on Tuesday 20th February. We will be running two sessions and I do hope to see as many of you as possible. 


You will have received a letter inviting you to complete the LAT Annual Parent Survey, this is your opportunity to give your view about what is going well and how the Trust can improve further. Please take some time to complete the survey on this ink: https://forms.gle/E1UCR4yiGokFND5K7. 


Back in October we moved to our new pre-booking payment system for school dinners. Since then there has been a period of transition and I would like to thank you for your patience and your efforts to familiarise yourselves with the system. I'm pleased to see that so many of you are now regularly pre-booking your lunches and this has made a huge difference. For those that may still be struggling to get to grips with the app, please do contact the school office for support. Please can I ask that, even if your child is in receipt of free school meals, you still pre-book the days when your child will be having a school dinner. This helps the kitchen to prepare accordingly and minimises waste. 


Please remember to check the Upcoming Events tab on our website where we publish everything that is happening at Milestone. There is lots going on and we want you to see and experience as much as possible! 


Term 4 already looks set to be busy and full, and we can’t wait! It remains for me to wish you all a wonderful half term break, in readiness to go again on Monday 19th February. 


Sarah Goosani - Principal


Phase 1


Phase 1 had a busy Module 3! This term, every class hosted a ‘Share our learning event’ for parents to visit and catch a glimpse of the exciting and engaging activities that make up our timetable. Leopard class has been accessing swimming offsite and will continue to do so next term, to catch up on their missed sessions. There have also been regular community participation visits to New Ash Green, the Co-op and the park. This has promoted the children’s independence and has familiarised them with crossing roads safely and interacting with others appropriately in the community. 

Through our inquiry learning sessions, we have been exploring animals and their habitats within the local area as well as our own habitats as humans and what we need to help us survive and remain safe. 

National Storytelling Week was a huge success in Phase 1, with many children choosing to dress-up as their favourite character from traditional tales. We were delighted to see many Little Red Riding Hoods, gingerbread men and more!


For more detailed information about our learning, please go to our class pages.


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 has had a wonderful Module 3 and we have thoroughly enjoyed collaborating to explore the key curriculum themes. We continue to host our Wednesday inquiry-based afternoon sessions, exploring different sensory activities to promote independence, social skills and language development. These sessions have been particularly successful and students have formed meaningful friendships within and outside of their classrooms. In Art we have all contributed to creating an Eric Carle inspired masterpiece, based on the different seasons. During our science sessions, we have explored different plants in addition to growing our own class plants. In PSPD we have worked incredibly hard on sharing our space and building relationships which have been reflected in our playtime activities and activity sessions. 

We thoroughly enjoyed Storytelling Week during which we all visited different classes to share a sensory session, filled with different props and exciting adventures. 

We are looking forward to Term 4, please visit our class websites to see what exciting activities we have planned. 


Please look at our class pages on the following link: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-2/home 


Aimee Anthony - Interim Phase 2 Leader

Michelle Hilton - Assistant Principal Phase 2


Milestone @ Dartford Primary Academy


M@DPA pupils have continued to work hard during Module 3. Nova class has been attending forest school and have been building their inquiry and communication skills whilst outdoors. Moonbeam class has been attending Fairfield swimming pool for weekly swimming lessons whilst also working on their road safety and awareness of others in the community. Comet class has been visiting Dartford library each week and been exposed to a wide range of texts available for them to choose from. The whole of M@DPA had a successful trip to Crayford Mosque, travelling on public transport there and back. Whilst at the Mosque, the children heard from a member of the Muslim community and were able to develop their knowledge of the religion of Islam.


Alongside this, students have been working hard across the curriculum and have enjoyed reading the story of Rapunzel and completing activities to support their learning. The students especially enjoyed writing lists and making potions that the witch might have used! 


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


We wish you all a restful break and look forward to the exciting times ahead in Module 4!



Faye Mendez - Satellite Director


Phase 3

Students in Phase 3 have worked hard and had a brilliant Module 3.  They have demonstrated maturity in their behaviour and learning, engaging in lessons and taking risks when this has been a bit of a challenge.  Students have been out to various places to develop their community participation, this has included residential homes and local initiatives to support carers of family members with Alzheimers.  Students enjoyed the refreshments and winning prizes in the raffle!  It has been a busy term with visitors talking to them about careers as a nurse and security guard. National Storytelling Week also provided students the opportunity to learn about traditional tales and link this to relationship education as well as stereotyping.  Phase 3 has also been working really hard with learning their lines, actions and parts for the Shakespeare Festival on Thursday 14th March at Woodville Theatre, Gravesend.  Tickets are available at the Box Office.


Please feel free to explore the learning and experience of the Phase 3 Students documented on the Milestone website using the link below.


Please look at our class pages on the following link: 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


M@L students had a fantastic Module 3! Our students have demonstrated determination and resilience, and we could not be prouder of their efforts. Many of them recently sat for their functional skills exams in both Maths and English. We are pleased to share that their performances were truly outstanding. The dedication and hard work they put into their exam preparations truly paid off, resulting in deserved success. In addition to their academic achievements, we are also excited to inform you that some of our students had the incredible opportunity to participate in work experience at Russell Court Care Home. This experience has been enriching for them, providing valuable insight and teaching them the importance of empathy and care. We are immensely grateful to Russell Court for their partnership and the invaluable learning experience they provided for our students. 


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-3/home


We wish you all a restful break and look forward to the exciting times ahead in Module 4!


Sofia Pinto - Satellite Director

Phase 4


The students in Phase 4 have been working hard this term, continuing to focus on their independent living skills through a variety of functional activities, including working in the flat, visiting Beams to cook their own lunch and work-related learning at Bore Place. In addition to this, the students have continued to focus on their ASDAN accreditations, exploring sequences in a variety of activities, including following a sequence to wash their hands, to make toast or to load the washing machine. During our enterprise sessions the students have participated in a variety of new creative activities including making soap and candles in preparation for Mother’s Day and Easter. Over the course of this term we have explored more ASDAN life skills challenges, including engaging in personal hygiene routines and focusing on completing this with increased independence. 


It has been wonderful to see the fantastic learning that has occurred across the whole phase this term, and we look forward to continuing this hard work into Module 4. Please take a look at our class sites on the website to see more of our outstanding learning.


Please look at our class pages on the following link: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-4/home


Have a lovely half term and we look forward to welcoming you back in Module 4.


Katy Morez - Phase 4 Leader

Noleen Donaghy-Parkhouse - Assistant Principal Phase 4

Milestone @ Wilmington Academy

Milestone at Wilmington have had a very productive term 3. Our students have continued to work hard towards their accreditations and some of our students also sat their Maths and English exams, impressing us greatly with their effort, maturity and resilience. Our Business Enterprises continue to grow, following our very successful Christmas market, we are now planning on holding an Easter event so please watch this space for further information! Our students have continued to develop their life skills and independence, through running our daily cafe, and exploring new, healthy recipes to make and serve to their peers. 


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 

Students from Milestone @ DPA attended a Literacy and PE event as part of the Kent School Games. The students were introduced to the game of Dragonball which appears in the 'Sonny Rambles' series of books written by the author J T Scott. The students took part in an active warm-up with students from schools across the district, before taking part in a Q and A with the author. Afterwards they completed a creative writing exercise where they had to write their own dinosaur story. In the afternoon students took part in a competitive dragonball tournament and experienced playing a new sport for the first time. It was a very enjoyable day for the students and they benefited hugely from the experience. 


Students in Phase 3 have been taking part in specialist Cricket sessions delivered by coaches from Kent Cricket. They have been learning how to play an inclusive game called table cricket. They have also been making good progress in the ongoing work with Dartford District FA in their weekly football sessions.


Students in Phase 4 benefitted from a Dance workshop delivered by Christina Marks School of Performing Arts. Our students thoroughly enjoyed taking part in this event as part of the phase inquiry day.


Steve Devereux - Head of PE 


Online Safety

Teaching children about online safety (e-safety) is extremely important and is a large part of child protection and safeguarding, especially considering the technology that is available to our students both in school and outside of school.


We will be hosting an in-person Online Safety Seminar on 20th February, from 5.00pm-6.00pm. All family members, friends, and/or carers are welcome and encouraged to attend. Your young people are also very welcome to join. 


In addition to this, the National Online Safety is a multi-award winning digital training provider, with extensive resources in online safety, developed in line with the Department of Education’s statutory requirements.

As part of our membership with the National Online Safety, we are pleased to share with you access to this resource. Please register here as a parent.

The package provides e-courses, resources and updates for the whole school community – including all school staff, governors and parents/carers – to support us in making the internet a safer place for children.

The following short course(s) is/are a good place to start:


You can read more on our website: 

https://milestoneacademy.org.uk/safeguarding/online-safety/

Dates for Your Diary

19th February - First day of term 4

20th February - Brew and Chew either 1.30pm - 2.30pm  or 4pm - 5pm at mainsite

20th February - Online Safety seminar for families at mainsite 5pm-6pm

23rd March - Reading Brunch 9.30am - 11.00am

6th March - Phase 1 coffee morning 09.30am - 11am

15th March - Red Nose Day

21st March - RSE Seminar (Virtual) 5.00pm - 6.00pm

22nd March - RSE Seminar (In-person) 9.30am - 10.30am

28th March - Last day of Term 4 

15th April - First day of  Term 5

15th April - School photos for satellites

29th April - School photos for mainsite

24th May - Last day of term 5


Horticulture News

 This term Phase 4 have been developing their enterprise skills in horticulture.  Phase 3 have focused on sowing and pruning linked to the IB theme of 'How the world works'.

For more information about horticulture please follow this link:  https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-3/home/horticulture 


Friends of Milestone - Charity No: 278677

Hello from The Friends of Milestone,

Since our last newsletter contribution, it has been a seemingly quiet term but we have been busy planning behind the scenes.  We have been fortunate to receive some very kind financial donations.  In particular from The Gravesend Freemasons lodge and Wilmington Patrilocal Association, as well as some individuals and anonymous donations, for which we are extremely grateful.

If anyone has any unwanted new/unopened gift sets/toiletries you would be willing to donate, these can be used within our gift wraps for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas wraps. Please send any donations into school with your child, clearly marked for ‘The Friends of Milestone’.

Our next meeting is Thursday 22nd February at 9.30am in Trac 3, it would be lovely to see some new faces as well those who have already offered their support to the Friends.  If you would like to join the Friends committee or find out more about us and what we do for the school then please email friendsofmilestoneacademy@gmail.com  or you can find us on Facebook (we have the logo as the profile picture if you wish to find us)

We look forward to providing more events throughout the year.

Thank you all for your continued support.


Faye Warman – Chair

Sarah Spiers – Co-Chair and Treasurer

Lyn French – Secretary

Friends of Milestone

Medical and Therapy Team News


During National Storytelling Week, Canyon class enjoyed Tim & Teigan’s sensory story version of 'My Many Coloured Day' by Dr Suess.  The story links actions and emotions to colours and animals.  The children enjoyed joining in with the actions and music - on red days we kicked like a horse, on blue days we flapped our arms like birds, on brown days we relaxed and were lazy like hibernating bears and on yellow days we were buzzing around like bees.  



Use of Gesture 


Non-speaking children use gesture as a way to communicate. Recent research by a speech & language therapist has looked at the different types and functions of gesture used by preschool Autistic children.  What we now understand is that Autistic children do follow a sequence of gesture similar to that seen by neurotypical children. These are categorised into:  

Overall it is important that we recognise all interaction is potentially a way that children are trying to communicate.  Here at Milestone, we follow a Total Communication approach where gesture, sign, pictures, symbols, sensory cues as well as communication systems are all used to help children understand and to develop their expressive language and functional communication. 


Medical News 

Two new clinics started this half term 1) a joint NHS Physio, OT & Paediatrician clinic and 2) ADHD clinic.  We are pleased to host these clinics in school to support children and families. We hope you find these useful. Appointments are sent by the NHS professionals so if you are not able to attend a clinic appointment in school, families need to contact the appropriate NHS service.  Contact details can be found on the appointment letters and reports.  

   

From Liz Skilton and all in the Therapy & Medical Teams




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.