Millwood Primary Special School, Bury

Science Week

This year for Science Week, we did lots of activities based around this year's theme "TIME".

We took part in Busy Body sessions every morning on the MUGA (Article 31: Leisure, Play and Culture). During Busy Bodies, we looked at the effect exercise had on our bodies and made connections with moving fast and our hearts beating quickly (Article 24: Health and Health Services).

In Attention Autism, the bucket was themed around plants. We used our senses to explore real plants. Stage 2 was exciting as we painted with flowers and Stage 3 was fascinating as we made a sensory flower using junk modelling (Article 28: Right to Education).

We also had a sticky situation in class, when we made sensory mud for the “Three Little Pigs” using cornflour and cocoa powder (Article 3: Best interest of a Child). Curious Critters also came into school this week and we all took part in a critter workshop which was amazing (Article 13: Freedom of Expression). We also went on a minibeast hunt around school and found lots of creepy crawlies on the school grounds. We read a sensory story called the "Superworm" and then painted worms using spaghetti (Article 23: Children with a Disability) .

We were also planting this week. We made a garden in a glove. Once we had planted the cress seeds, we looked after our plants all week, making sure they had plenty of air, light and water (Article 6: Life, Survival and Development).

We had a very special visitor in school during Science Week. It was our very own Mad Scientist Catherine Jackson. We used our senses to explore the different seasons. The children enjoyed working with Catherine and had a fantastic time being little scientists (Article 29: Goals of Education).

We had some new additions to our Millwood family during Science Week. They were yellow and fluffy. Can you guess what they are? The children watched the eggs hatch, then dry out and become the fluffy chicks we all recognise. The children were so EGGcited and were thrilled to take the chicks under their wing (Article 29: Goals to Education)

Communication Day

As part of our whole school Communication day, we asked each class to take part in a “Communication Challenge”.

We would like each class to join with another to celebrate some amazing communication. Classes took part in activities including sensory play, songs and story sharing. They joined to together to play games and share resources.

In addition to this, we held Easter themed Signalong sessions on each wing and focused on the Easter themed songs that were led by the Singing and Signing choir in the Easter celebration assemblies.

Links to RRS:

article 1 (definition of the child) Everyone under the age of 18 has all the rights in the Convention.

article 2 (non-discrimination) The Convention applies to every child without discrimination, whatever their ethnicity, sex, religion, language, abilities or any other status, whatever they think or say, whatever their family background.

article 3 (best interests of the child) The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all discussions and actions that affect children.

article 6 (life, survival and development) Every child has the right to life. Governments must do all they can to ensure that children survive and develop to their full potential

article 12 (respect for the views of the child) Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously. This right applies at all times, for example during immigration proceedings, housing decisions or the child’s day-to-day home life.

Article 13 (freedom of expression) Every child must be free to express their thoughts and opinions and to access all kinds of information, as long as it is within the law.

Article 23 (children with a disability) A child with a disability has the right to live a full and decent life with dignity and, as far as possible, independence and to play an active part in the community. Governments must do all they can to support disabled children and their families.

Article 28 (right to education) Every child has the right to an education. Primary education must be free and different forms of secondary education must be available to every child. Discipline in schools must respect children’s dignity and their rights. Richer countries must help poorer countries achieve this.

Article 29 (goals of education) Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage the child’s respect for human rights, as well as respect for their parents and their own.

Article 31 (leisure, play and culture) Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.

Big Me Day

On Friday 19^th April we had Big Me Day at Millwood to raise money for Action Aid. The children dressed up as what they want to be when they grow up, it was amazing to see doctors, comic strip writers, footballers and astronauts in classes. We raised ..... for children living in difficult circumstances around the world. Take a look at the pictures to see how much fun we had.

ARTICLE 12 RESPECT FOR THE VIEWS OF THE CHILD- Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously. This right applies at all times, for example during immigration proceedings, housing decisions or the child’s day-to-day home life.

ARTICLE 13 FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION- Every child must be free to express their thoughts and opinions and to access all kinds of information, as long as it is within the law.

ARTICLE 14 FREEDOM OF THOUGHT, BELIEF AND RELIGION- Every child has the right to think and believe what they choose and also to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Governments must respect the rights and responsibilities of parents to guide their child as they grow up.

ARTICLE 15 FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION- Every child has the right to meet with other children and join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights.

ARTICLE 19 PROTECTION FROM VIOLENCE, ABUSE AND NEGLECT- Governments must do all they can to ensure that children are protected from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and bad treatment by their parents or anyone else who looks after them.

ARTICLE 20 CHILDREN UNABLE TO LIVE WITH THEIR FAMILY- If a child cannot be looked after by their immediate family, the government must give them special protection and assistance. This includes making sure the child is provided with alternative care that is continuous and respects the child’s culture, language and religion.

ARTICLE 22 REFUGEE CHILDREN- If a child is seeking refugee status, governments must provide them with the appropriate protection and assistance to help them enjoy all the rights in the Convention. Governments must help refugee children who are separated from their parents to be reunited with them.

ARTICLE 23 CHILDREN WITH A DISABILITY- A child with a disability has the right to live a full and decent life with dignity and, as far as possible, independence to play an active part in the community. Governments must do all they can to support disabled children and their families.

ARTICLE 24 HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES- Every child has the right to the best possible health. Governments must provide good quality health care, clean water, nutritious food, and a clean environment and education on health and well-being so that children can stay healthy. Richer countries must help poorer countries to achieve this.

History Day

On Wednesday 7th February, we held a History Day. We had lots of fun looking at our family history, and the time that our families were children in. We dressed up, listened to music, looked at important events from that time, and we even interviewed our family member about their childhood!

In the afternoon we had a retro picnic / sensory food play session, where we tasted some foods our family members might have had. These included paste sandwiches, pink wafer biscuits and crisps. These were met with varying levels of enthusiasm!

We all had a fantastic day, and learned lots about different times.

Links to RRS—1, 2, 5, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 23, 28, 31.