The Trekker Breeze is a new orientation aid that pupils of St Vincent’s have been utilising as part of their Individual Mobility Programmes.  It is a similar technology to that of satellite navigation used in cars, in that the geographic position of the Trekker device is located and announced to the user audibly. However, the Trekker differs in that it doesn’t in itself direct or navigate – when used on an outdoor route, it informs of significant features in the immediate vicinity of the user.  This is beneficial in terms of mobility and orientation training as it still demands a certain proficiency from the user, requiring a pre-established level of route memory and ‘mental-mapping’.

For the user, the Trekker adds understanding and interest to a journey – by pressing the ‘explore’ or ‘info’ buttons, the device will provide details on the current position, such as a house number nearby, the road name, or multiple road names at a junction/intersection.  A former teacher at St Vincent’s, himself visually impaired and a user of the Trekker, remarked on the benefits of this function, in that he had recently been surprised to learn of the existence of a road that he passed everyday on his way to work for thirty years, and had been totally unaware of it until recently when the Trekker had informed him so.

Another feature of it, and of great value to mobility lessons, is the facility it has for creating personalised/customised routes.  A ‘record’ function on the Trekker allows the user to place a marker at where they are stood (becoming an announced ‘land-mark’ for subsequent journeys on the same route), and to leave a message/direction for themselves e.g. “turn left onto Grange Avenue and locate second lamp-post”.  This process can be repeated at multiple points on the route, and is then stored internally on an SD card for future journeys, and announced audibly when the user nears that point.  This can greatly assist in achieving an independent and successful completion of a journey.

The Trekker is small and relatively light and can be carried by hand, clipped to clothing or worn by an adjustable lanyard to keep hands free for long cane/symbol cane use.

Robert, one of our post-16 pupils, has greatly enjoyed the use of the Trekker and is currently undertaking the process of recording his own ‘land-marks’ and directions.  Robert said of the Trekker  “It adds to my independence because I can record my own directions and choose my own landmarks.  I liked being able to keep my hands free so I can still use my long cane as well.  I liked it so much I am actually going to get one for myself as a combined Christmas and birthday present”.

Our Spring term started earlier than normal this year on January 4th, which allowed us to celebrate the Epiphany in school on January 6th and properly end the season of Christmas. Some of our year 11 pupils presented a thoughtful assembly on the possible meaning and significance of the Wise Men’s gifts. Well done to them!

Looking ahead, our term will end the week before Holy Week commences on the Christian Calendar. This is the most important week of the year for Christians and in school we will be teaching the children about the significance of this week in their RE lessons and in collective worship.

Some Religious Festival Dates and Special Days this term:

January 18th - Start of week of prayer for Christian Unity

January 27th - Holocaust Memorial Day

February 2nd - Candlemas

February 14th – St. Valentine’s Day

February 21st - Shrove Tuesday

February 22nd - Ash Wednesday

March 1st - St. David’s Day

March 16th - Mother’s Day

March 17th - St. Patrick’s Day

March 25th - The Annunciation

April 1st - Palm Sunday

We will be remembering and celebrating all of these days in school either through Collective Worship, the curriculum or through special liturgies.

RE in the Primary Department

The following topics will be covered:

• Celebrations
• Thanksgiving
• Self-giving

Once again, we are updating Individual Education Plans for all pupils. The IEP targets reflect general key skills, which will be of use across the whole curriculum.

The targets are not for specific subjects. Subject targets are set throughout the year and are noted in this term’s Annual Review reports.

Pupils have helped to devise their own targets with Form teachers, LSAs and, in some cases, Care Staff.

We set 3 targets per term.

Targets may be drawn from the four following broad areas:

• Literacy
• Numeracy
• Communication skills
• Behaviour

These are nationally agreed criteria for IEPs. However, at St Vincent’s we have also devised specific targets for Visual Impairment. Copies of IEPs will be sent home with pupils, as it is important that we work together on achieving these goals. Targets are assessed at the end of the IEP term.

If you wish to suggest a target for your child, please return the slip enclosed to the form teacher by Monday 6th February 2012.

If you have any queries please contact: Mrs J Armstrong.

In March, the students completing the BTEC in Music will have the privilege of travelling to the new home of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra at MediaCity in Manchester. The pupils will be able to observe the professional players rehearsing for a concert and be able to ask them questions.  Two weeks later, all Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 pupils will travel to the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall to watch the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra perform their annual School’s concert. The title of which this year is “Trading Places”, an exploration of Liverpool’s maritime trade and the Olympics.

On Thursday 19th January the whole school have been invited to attend an audio described pantomime at Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool.

The show begins at 1pm and will finish at 3.55pm. the children will return to school by 4.30pm. Parents will need to inform their child’s  transport regarding a later pick-up.

A warm and sincere Happy New Year to everybody associated with St. Vincent’s. We welcomed all staff and pupils back to this first school term of the 2012, following one of the mildest winters on record. The weather however, welcomed us back with some quite violent winds and torrential rain but we nonetheless have got off to a good start. The staff started the term with a training day that sought to update our skills and again further raised our awareness as to our pupil’s sensory needs.

The pupils followed us in the next day, 4^th January and we got straight down to lessons, after a period of reflection in the chapel, regarding the Christmas message. The week concluded with an assembly presented by our Key Stage 4 pupils to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, the arrival of the Three kings.

Happy New Year.