The Hive News

Welcome back! I hope you've all had a lovely summer. The weather was very hot over the summer period and we are quite looking forward to some cooler days this term. We are so looking forward to having your child in Post 16 and have lots of exciting things planned for this term.

Term 1 Theme is ’Animal Care’

We will be looking at lots of different themes in Post 16 to give your child the opportunity to explore different work based roles and encourage them to find activities they are passionate about. During animal care we will look at how we look after others and keep ourselves and animals safe, fed and nurtured.

RE - This term in our assemblies we will be covering: Welcome to our new school, European day of Languages, Harvest (Redland Green Church), World Animal Day, Black History Month, Bonfire Night/Halloween themed assembly

RSE - this term we will be looking at Relationships and Body Awareness

Swimming - Our swim day this year is Wednesday

Our swim session will commence when all the relevant assessments have been completed. Please can you send in swimming kits (costume/trunks swim bottoms/pad, 2 x towels, tegaderm and shower toiletries) each Wednesday. If your child has any of the following presentations on the day they will not be able to swim: open wound, menstruation, diarrhoea or vomiting.

Sirona information

As you are aware there have been many changes with the way Sirona are organising their services. Below is a list of the various contact details for you to contact the relevant services directly. If you could also let us know of any issues you are experiencing, we will then be aware if the relevant specialist arrives at school or contacts us about your query.

Email address for all queries/concerns related to Sirona - sirona.otptclaremontschool@nhs.net
The wheelchair service - Wheelchairs@nbt.nhs.uk (any issues with the wheelchair the pupil travels to school in e.g. broken or ill fitting straps, brakes, changes needed due to growth etc)
Medequip for equipment maintenance issues (seating and standing frames, usually will have a medequip sticker and barcode label – bnssg@medequip-uk.com or 0330 0533655
CYPS OT’s – Bristol Social Care OT’s – who assess for and provide slings and home seating and other home adaptation and equipment – DCSOT@bristol.gov.uk or 0117 9038250
Bristol orthotics service – if orthotics are rubbing, marking, changing colour of limbs or broken , contact orthotics direct to let them know asap and also cc therapy email address in - Orthotics@nbt.nhs.uk (cc sirona.otptclaremontschool@nhs.net)

Home-school contact - diaries and VOCAs

We share home news each day - please record your childs news using their VOCAs/big mack switch. News may include - something they have experienced (a story or song, a toy or activity, a visitor at home, a trip out or TV programme etc) - If you are running late pop a note in the diary and we can record the message before our communication group.

Please let us know if your child may be out of sorts - i.e. had a bad/late night, has had any additional medications (eg paracetamol/antibiotics) etc, especially if additional medication may be required in the day - we would need to know what time they have had their previous dose. I am also happy for you to email me with an update.

If you need to let us know any urgent information please phone the school office - Redland campus: 01173533450. We will not always see our emails during the school day. If your child is going to be absent for any reason we really appreciate an early morning phone call to the office and a message left on the answering machine, as this greatly helps us plan our staffing. Thank you.

Reminder of what is needed in school

Change of clothes kept in school, AND A SPARE SLING
Snacks and squash if your child needs these.
Weather appropriate clothing- a hat and sunglasses as well as sunblock - which should be applied BEFORE school, you may also wish to send in a blanket if it is chilly and a rain cover if it is wet!
A supply of pads, wet wipes (x2 for bathroom and general use) and creams if needed. (We will write in the diary if these are running low.)

Notices:

Reminder - please send in new syringes and extension tubes ready for use each Monday.
If your child is unwell please do not send them into school as we do not want illnesses spreading to other vulnerable students (and staff), and if you are not sure if you should send them in please contact the school to ask.

Dates for your diary

Parents/carers coming into class - Wednesday 30th September am (timings TBC)
Last day of term: Friday 24th October 2026

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us

Thank you for your continued support

Marcia and Gwen

Class teachers