WOW, what a week to finish the half term on! This week was one of our busiest but most brilliant weeks to date. Lots of news and tips to share so let’s do it 🙂
This week started with the delivery of an Awesome Archie assembly that we have given many times now. It is an awareness and acceptance lesson named “See the able and not the label”.
It speaks of how we should never use our diagnosis as an excuse to not have a go. Life is going to be full of highs and lows for everyone, we wanted to share that all the lows can lead to a really exciting high, if you never give up💪 . Thanks to the kids at the Priory C of E School for sitting and listening so politely 😁
On Wednesday, I had a really awesome meeting with the SENco of Parkfield School, Miss Kim Tucker. What an incredible passion and love for the job Kim has! We discussed lots of little tweaks and changes to help support the SEND pupils of the school and I was lucky enough to have a little tour.
Miss Tucker took me to the “green room”. This is a beautiful space in which children who are struggling, for whatever reason, can come and complete their work. It is a quiet, calm and safe space where the staff make the kids feel very welcomed and supported. They also have a dark sensory den and sensory toys. Linwood training and support have been fundamental in some of these remarkable installations and so I would like to thank them for that support. Moving forward, we at Awesome Archie are delighted to be able to supply Parkfield school with more SEN tools , a pea pod seat, sensory mat and an Awesome Archie inclusion pack.
Wednesday afternoon was also the day that I was privileged to chat with Pasty Hallmey, the founder of the Dorset Children’s Foundation. As you know, Archie and I have been closely affiliated with the DCF for a little while now. It is something that we are immensely grateful for.
Pasty explained that a fantastic fundraising team called “Reggie’s Big Adventures” had cycled 1000 miles across France and raised a whopping £19,000 for the DCF!!! She then floored me by giving Awesome Archie non profit £1000 of the money raised to help the kids that we proudly support. Once I had stopped crying, I immediately started shopping for SEN equipment, tools, toys, dens, pea pods ⬇⬇⬇ , projectors.! You name it, we got it 🙂
So THANKYOU, to Reggie’s team , the DCF and to anyone who as ever donated . You are genuinely changing children’s lives !
Thursday saw me giving my usual volunteered Classroom support at William Gilpin school, but this time with a fantastic twist. We celebrated “Dress UP for Downs”.
My time at “Willy Gilly” is genuinely the highlight of my week. ALL of the staff, the Children and Head Teacher (Mr Croutear) are a joy to be around. There is always laughter, kindness, acceptance and understanding and I am truly blessed to be a small part of this magnificent school. Thankyou for all you do for for your pupils (and me) 🤗🤗🤗
Lastly, but definitely not least, was Thursdays “Dare to Believe” event at TGS. You may recall me telling you that, not too long ago, I had a fantastic meeting with Mr Dan Moody (strategic lead for sports and development) and Mrs Claire Tabor (children and young persons manager and school games county lead). In this meeting they explained to me all about the Dare to Believe program.
It’s a sporting event for children who find sporting events tough. It may be that they are really shy and reserved, they may struggle to make friends or maybe they find teamwork tricky. It may also be that they have a physical disability or have a neurological difference. Whatever the reason, all are welcomed and what a JOY it was.
Dan asked me to come to the event with a criticising eye🧐. He wanted me to spot any improvements that needed to be made or what they could do better moving forward. Well, I walked around the event, speaking to teachers, TA’s, parents/carers and the kids and had nothing but positive feedback. 🦾 The Event was beautifully organised, extremely welcoming, fantastically inclusive and, for me, very moving. What choked me up the most was the Dorset leadership team trained by Mr Moody himself. The team is made up of school pupils, some as young as year 7. They not only supported the kids but created a lot of the games themselves. Just EPIC!
At the end, each child was rewarded for their efforts with a certificate and medal, all with a personalised value chosen for them.
Thankyou Mr Moody and Mrs Tabor for your AWESOME work. The Awesome Archie team highly recommend the Dare to Believe program to all 🙂
Told you it was busy 😉
Have a wonderful half term break everyone and stay AWESOME!!!