Pupils in Arvalee School took part in a Sponsored Reading Challenge on Monday 23rd October to Thursday 26th October in partnership with Usborne Books.
Thank you! to our Parents/Guardians, Extended Family and our Staff who supported this programme. With your sponsorship money and commission earned from Usborne we received £3,287.20 worth of books.
These books will enable our pupils to have access to a range of books which suit their sensory needs, language development and reading fluency while developing Reading for Pleasure. Thank you!
A number of Post 16 pupils attending a Work Experience Training Day at Waterways Ireland Headquarters, Enniskillen.
The pupils enjoyed an tour of building and the various departments. They completed some work on completion of application forms and interview techniques.
In the afternoon pupils enjoyed a trip on Lough Erne on an electric boat.
Pupils in Key stage 2 through to Key stage 5 had the opportunity to visit Omagh library as part of Libraries NI Class Visits’.
This programme supported the following areas of the Northern Ireland Curriculum:
- Extending the range of reading beyond the school environment
- Developing reading preferences
- Reading silently for pleasure
- Using traditional and electronic sources to locate, select and borrow books.
The visits were informative and enjoyable. Most of our pupils are now members of Omagh Library and many of them are visiting the library out of school hours with members of their family.
Arvalee School hosted a visit from the award-winning Scottish author Stuart Reid.
The pupils enjoyed an enthusiastic and energetic book reading and creative writing workshop. The Scottish author engaged with the pupils, and they laughed throughout a very enjoyable learning experience.
It was an appealing way in which to inspire the pupils to read and write for pleasure.
Kathleen Gallagher-Arruda
Head of Literacy
Miss Conway's class are learning about the 'Polar Regions' and have been very lucky to hear and learn about the Arctic from Emma Denton who has been on an Arctic expedition. The pupils interviewed Emma about her expedition to the Arctic, as part of our Science topic 'The Polar Regions'. We learnt about the people and animals that live there, different modes of transport and how to keep warm in such a cold environment! We also talked about climate change and how we can look after our world better.
Here’s some fun classes to get you active when you can’t get out and about. https://blog.kidadl.com/articles/lockdown-lessons-led-by-celebs
Pupils from Arvalee and other local Special Schools attended the Ulster GAA Gaelic football tournament in Celtic Park, Derry. All pupils had great fun learning new skills and playing against other pupils. A huge thank you to all at Ulster GAA for organising.
Key Stage 3 pupils had great fun learning about a range of European languages, food and cultures during European Language Day celebrations.
Check out the list of FREE online education resources. A variety of resources for a range of ages and interests, hopefully something to keep everyone busy...
Stay Safe Keep Learning Have Fun
Khan Academy
https://www.khanacademy.org
Especially good for maths and computing for all ages but other subjects at Secondary level. Note this uses the U.S. grade system but it's mostly common material.
BBC Learning
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/coursesearch/
This site is old and no longer updated and yet there's so much still available, from language learning to BBC Bitesize for revision. No TV licence required except for content on BBC iPlayer.
Futurelearn
https://www.futurelearn.com
Free to access 100s of courses, only pay to upgrade if you need a certificate in your name (own account from age 14+ but younger learners can use a parent account).
Blockly
https://blockly.games
Learn computer programming skills - fun and free.
Scratch
https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/games/
Creative computer programming
Ted Ed
https://ed.ted.com
All sorts of engaging educational videos
National Geographic Kids
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/
Activities and quizzes for younger kids.
Duolingo
https://www.duolingo.com
Learn languages for free. Web or app.
Mystery Science
https://mysteryscience.com
Free science lessons
The Kids Should See This
https://thekidshouldseethis.com
Wide range of cool educational videos
Crash Course
https://thecrashcourse.com
You Tube videos on many subjects
Crash Course Kids
https://m.youtube.com/user/crashcoursekids
As above for a younger audience
Crest Awards
https://www.crestawards.org
Science awards you can complete from home.
iDEA Awards
https://idea.org.uk
Digital enterprise award scheme you can complete online.
Paw Print Badges
https://www.pawprintbadges.co.uk
Free challenge packs and other downloads. Many activities can be completed indoors. Badges cost but are optional.
Tinkercad
https://www.tinkercad.com
All kinds of making.
Prodigy Maths
https://www.prodigygame.com
Is in U.S. grades, but good for UK Primary age.
Cbeebies Radio
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/radio
Listening activities for the younger ones.
Nature Detectives
https://naturedetectives.woodlandtrust.org.uk/naturedetectives/
A lot of these can be done in a garden, or if you can get to a remote forest location!
British Council
https://www.britishcouncil.org/school-resources/find
Resources for English language learning
Oxford Owl for Home
https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/
Lots of free resources for Primary age
Big History Project
https://www.bighistoryproject.com/home
Aimed at Secondary age. Multi disciplinary activities.
Geography Games
https://world-geography-games.com/world.html
Geography gaming!
Blue Peter Badges
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/joinin/about-blue-peter-badges
If you have a stamp and a nearby post box.
The Artful Parent
https://www.facebook.com/artfulparent/
Good, free art activities
Red Ted Art
https://www.redtedart.com
Easy arts and crafts for little ones
The Imagination Tree
https://theimaginationtree.com
Creative art and craft activities for the very youngest.
Toy Theater
https://toytheater.com/
Educational online games
DK Find Out
https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/?fbclid=IwAR2wJdpSJSeITf4do6aPhff8A3tAktnmpaxqZbkgudD49l71ep8-sjXmrac
Activities and quizzes
Twinkl
https://www.twinkl.co.uk
This is more for printouts, and usually at a fee, but they are offering a month of free access to parents in the event of school closures.
Arvalee School and Resource Centre, Strule Campus, Gortin Road, Omagh BT79 7DH Telephone: 028 822 55710
