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“Tough times don’t last but tough people do”

Robert H Schuller

As I write this edition of the ‘Whistle’ there are only two days of teaching until the half term break. What a busy seven week period it has proven to be – it seems like only yesterday that we were engaging in our collective professional development on 1 September at the Crowne Plaza (Primary) or in our schools (Secondary).

Through Term 1 we have focused on our four key school improvement priorities:

  1. Embedding a culture of curriculum
  2. Reading – automaticity and fluency
  3. SEND
  4. Assessment – and how it supports the 'curriculum as the progression model’

These priorities will continue through the year as we seek to avoid spreading ourselves too thinly and thus loose impact.

A reminder that Monday 31 October is a training day across WeST and thank you to everyone in advance for either leading a session or hosting colleagues from other WeST schools.

Enjoy the half term break and make sure that you grab the opportunity to rest, re-charge and spend time with family and friends.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO

To complete your survey visit: https://forms.office.com/r/U8nve7zcU

We are pleased to launch our new staff survey for all colleagues at WeST to provide feedback!

Initially the survey will be open until 7 November and offers the opportunity for you to share your views and help shape our positive wellbeing culture and strategy as a employer.

The short survey has 16 questions to share your perspective. You can access this link on any internet enabled device. Results will be anonymous and every entry will be reviewed centrally. A summary of the results will be published in future editions of the Whistle.

Please take part and let us have your feedback!

Get into teaching with WeST Learning Institute!  

"Training with WeST Learning Institute gave me the confidence I needed to become a well rounded teacher. Their supportive ethos really helped me overcome any challenges I faced and use them to better myself."

If you're looking for a rewarding career inspiring the next generation of children and young people, drop in to one of our information sessions to find out more about our education-based degree courses and routes into teacher training.  Contact itt@learninginstitute.co.uk for more information.

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Arena Supports the National Literacy Trust Launch in Cornwall and features on BBC Spotlight TV !!

At the end of last month Arena supported The National Literacy Trust with the launch of their Cornish Project Chat, Play, Read. This was launched on Portreath beach for the under 5s. Arena developed a programme ‘Little stories by the sea’ and delivered activities in story telling through our unique version of ‘We are going on a Beach Hunt’, pebble poetry and interactive sports activities and parachute games. The project is aimed at engaging parents in reading to and with their children. The day was a great success and we had very good feedback. Jo Knuckey Project Manager for Cornwall Literacy trust stated, ‘The National Literacy Trust’s Cornish project Chat, Play, Read; Camborne Redruth highly recommends the Arena Sports Partnership. Michelle engaged fully with the brief for our Early Years event on Portreath Beach and tailored activities to suit desired outcomes.  The full schedule and risk assessment ensured our organisation went smoothly. On the day, Michelle and her team arrived early to set up and ran a fully engaging set of activities, encouraging reluctant parents and nurturing children of all ages.  Pack down was quick and efficient and they even helped with our collateral too.  Thank you so much Arena Sports Partnership for a wonderful day’.

If you think we can help you to deliver parental engagement workshops in a fun and interactive way at your school do not hesitate to contact us  info@arena-schools.co.uk – Arena Team. 

WeST continues to support staff wellbeing and is pleased to offer staff access to flu jab vaccinations this autumn.

We have partnered with Boots pharmacy to deliver a limited number of flu vaccinations to staff who do not already meet the NHS free vaccine eligibility. We encourage all staff to take up the offer of a flu jab via one of these pathways.

Path 1: NHS free flu jab

Available to:

· people aged 50 years old or over (including those who will be 50 years old by 31 March 2023)

· have certain health conditions

· are pregnant

· receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick

· live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system

· are in long-stay residential care

· are frontline health workers

· are social care workers

More information on the importance of getting a flu vaccination & eligibility is available from NHS Free Flu Jab Eligibility

Path 2: WeST Flu Jab Voucher for Boots

Available if:

· You are NOT eligible for NHS Free Flu Jab

Vouchers can be sent directly to you via email or text message. 

Vouchers are provided at no cost to staff members.

Vouchers are redeemable at any participating Boots Pharmacy, click here for details: Store Locator

To request a voucher please visit: Request Form. 

 

Continuing the theme of summer Estates projects 

After a safety inspection at Oreston, there were a number of areas highlighted which needed an uplift to improve their general appearance and create a safer environment within the early year’s play facility. These works involved the clearance and removal of the old sandpit, decked area, old and broken play equipment and a new safety floor.

Funds from the WeST Estates Schools Capital Allocation (SCA) budget were used for this capital project. The old sandpit and all the marked equipment beyond repair were the first items to go. Thanks to the fantastic premises team the remaining equipment was uplifted and stored, to leave a vacant area for the remaining works. The old decking was removed and replaced with a new composite replacement to increase it longevity, this also incorporated the sealing up of an old doorway to make the outer shed watertight and provide a safe and secure storage room. Finally, the whole floor was replaced with a wet pour rubber play surface which created a safe level nonslip surface. The whole project cost £19,000 and was delivered on time for the new term.

Friday 14 October saw the first Westcountry Schools Trust Arena event of the year, Morley Meadow hosting the football event with the superb 3G pitch saving us from the elements in a morning of rain which didn’t dampen spirits. This comprised of a 7 a side format with mixed teams and 2 sessions, a morning for 1 form entry schools and a much brighter and dryer afternoon slot for 2 form entry schools. We saw some fantastic football being played with ‘worldie’ freekicks, spectacular saves and over exuberant knee slide celebrations. Congratulations to all schools who took part and our winners Morley Meadow (1 form) and Oreston (2 form). Many thanks to Morley Meadow for hosting and Coombe Dean with providing us sports leaders who acted as officials for the day.

Participating Schools were: 

  • Morley Meadow
  • Wembury
  • Sheford Vale
  • Yealmpton
  • Oreston
  • Woodford
  • Woodlands Park
  • Stowford

Well done to all those pupils who took part !!  We look forward to seeing you at our next event on 2 December which will be touch rugby !!

WeST continues to offer an employee assistance programme for all colleagues. As part of the service a range of free webinar sessions are available. Including:

‘Introduction to Stress Awareness’

Friday 4 November 2022 at 12pm for 30 minutes

Recording available for those unable to attend live.

To register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4660388212703974157

Please be assured that registrant information is held confidentially and the Trust is not notified of your attendance/non-attendance to these webinars.

Please be aware software ‘GoToWebinar’ is needed to join/view these webinars.

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Recruitment update:

We are delighted to inform you of the following exciting career opportunities within our Trust:- 

Austin Farm Academy are seeking to appoint a skilled Teaching Assistant to join their very supportive, hardworking and successful team. Austin Farm are looking for someone who is flexible, a team player and able to use their initiative in the classroom. For more information, please go here. Closing date: noon on Friday 28 October.  

Chaddlewood Primary School would like to recruit a Learning Support Adviser to its KS2 team. Chaddlewood is a school that is passionate about delivering an effective and engaging curriculum that meets the needs of our children and community and enables their children to meet their potential. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Monday 7 November. 

Coombe Dean School are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

English Learning Mentor - The focus is on supporting individuals and small groups of students from Year 7 to Year 11 with catching up on work in English. You will work closely with the English department. Closing date: 30 October 2022. 

Maths Learning Mentor - The focus is on supporting individuals and small groups of students from Year 7 to Year 11 with catching up on work in Maths. You will work closely with the Maths department. Closing date: 30 October 2022. 

Post 16 Academic Mentor - The focus is around supporting students to manage the demands of Post 16 study and support their wellbeing. Closing date: 30 October 2022. 

Teaching Assistant - You will be the adult keyworker for a Year 7 student, supporting their learning both within and outside the classroom and during unstructured times to support the development of their social skills. Closing date: 30 October 2022. 

For more information on the above vacancies, please go here. 

Eggbuckland Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Temporary Teaching Assistant - SEND Base - Required from November 2022, or as soon as possible. The role also includes working with individual students or small groups of students with special needs, preparation and maintenance of resources and whole college duties such as break time supervision. Closing date: 8am, Monday 31 October 2022. 

Temporary Teaching Assistant – Learning Support - Required from November 2022, or as soon as possible. This role will provide support with their SEND students with accessing learning in the classroom, under the direction of a teacher, and leading small groups or individual interventions. The role also includes preparation and maintenance of resources and whole college duties such as break time supervision. Closing date: 8am, Monday 31 October 2022. 

For more information on the above vacancies, please go here. 

Ivybridge Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies:

PE Assistant - The post holder will work under supervision and direction as part of a professional team to support learning by providing assistance, through the preparation and day-to-day maintenance of teaching resources and administrative support. Closing date: 9am on Monday 24 October 2022. 

Sixth Form Administrator - The main purpose of the post holder will be to provide a high quality administrative and clerical support service across a variety of administrative tasks and functions and to provide supervision of the Sixth Form study space to support learning. Closing date: 9am on Monday 31 October 2022.

Deputy Examinations Officer - The post holder is responsible for supporting the Examinations Officer in the efficient and effective running of all internal and external examinations within the school.  Providing a comprehensive administrative and clerical support across a variety of tasks and functions. Closing date: 9am on Monday, 31 October 2022.

Examinations Administrator - The post holder will be responsible for providing a comprehensive administrative and clerical support service across a variety of administrative tasks and functions. Closing date: 9am on Monday, 31 October 2022.

For more information on the above vacancies, please go here. 

Oreston Community Academy are looking for an enthusiastic Play Worker and Meal Time Assistant to join their friendly and supportive team. As a Play Worker for their Lighthouse Club, your primary role is to ensure that children have a safe and secure environment at the same time as providing a high level of care for the children attending the club. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Monday 7 November at noon. 

Westcountry Schools Trust is seeking to appoint an Attendance/Assistant Data Protection Officer to join our School Improvement Team. This role will support the Education Information Analyst/Data Protection Officer to facilitate the work of the school improvement team in meeting trust strategic priorities and legal requirements and promoting excellent attendance across WeST schools. For more information, please click here. Closing date: noon on Monday 14 November.