Newsletter
Autumn 2015
Getting Out and About
Dear Parents, Carers and Friends,
Subtitle
The new school year is well and truly under way now, the year 7 starters have settled in well after a few 'wobbles' and new staff
teams from September are fully established and in touch with most of you by phone, home-school book or text. I hope you also feel like
we got off to a good start this year, and I look forward to seeing many of you in school at some of the traditional events that make this end
of term fun. I would like to tell you about some of the big changes that have been happening within The Southfield Grange Trust this term:

Paul Burluraux is retiring after 33 years distinguished public service here, most recently as Chief Executive of the Trust;

The Trustees have appointed me to take over running the business of the Southfield Grange Trust as CEO from January, but I will
also continue to serve as Headteacher of Southfield School;

Because these additional responsibilities will have an impact on my time, the Trustees have appointed Jacqui Hill as Head of School,
so that parents and staff will always have someone to go to for support, or if they have any concerns about the school or their
child's education;

Additionally Viki Potter will take on the role of Deputy Head, to support Jacqui and ensure that the school continues to focus on
developing staff expertise, and improving our provision;

Former parent governor Peter Thompson has been elected as Chair of Governors for Southfield School and has taken over from
Professor Donna Pankhurst, with a specific role to support and challenge the senior leaders and look after the interests of students
and their parents/families.
This is a very significant time for the school, as both Paul and Donna have worked together tirelessly over the last 5 years to support Southfield, first as we went through the building of the new school and then once we opened by making sure our campus and our Trust are built
on the foundation of an inclusive vision "One campus - Two schools - One community". I would like to record my thanks to both of them
for their expertise and their wisdom that contributed to get us to this point in our school's development.
Finally I would also like to remind all parents that we are looking forward to seeing you in school this term for one of our community
events; the children love showing off their work and sharing their experience with family and friends, so please don't be shy - come and
join in. We will write separately to invite you to these events.
Best wishes, Dominic.
Going Outdoors in The Lake District
On Monday 14th September seventeen Key Stage 4 students
left school to embark on a week long outdoor
activities residential to the Calvert Trust in Keswick, The Lake
District National Park.
The students were filled with
excitement and anticipation, because for most of them it was
their first time away from home. Led by Mrs Miller and Mr
Gilbody, they arrived at the centre early afternoon and after
taking in the breath taking scenery and making the most of
every photo opportunity, enjoyed a spot of lunch before
meeting their group leaders and heading out on their first
activity of the week, a walk around the local area. Later on
they settled in their rooms and before they knew it, day two
had arrived and they said an emotional farewell to Mrs Hill as
she returned to Southfield for the rest of the week (most of
the emotion was on Mrs Hill’s end!) The show must go on and
the activities carried on at a pace.
The group had a fantastic time throughout and took part in
some amazing activities including climbing, ghyll scrambling,
canoeing, mining and bush craft to name a few. The students
gave their all on each activity and it was great to see them so
happy and active. A great moment was welcoming Joshua Tur-
pin on the Thursday, who unfortunately couldn't make the full
week but did have a great day with us. This is always an excellent trip and we would like to thank the team at The Calvert
Trust for making this year as successful as ever. It is a fantastic
location and programme of challenging activities.
“All in all it was a fantastic trip full of smiles and even more selfies. The students were a
credit to the school and an absolute pleasure to work with.” Tom Gilbody, Teacher
Southfield School Newsletter Autumn 2015
Visiting Friends in Hamm
From 9th to 13th September a group of students and staff from
Southfield School visited our partners at the Alfred Delp School
in Germany. This was the first visit since the partnership
agreement was signed between the two schools earlier this
year. Also taking part in the visit were colleagues from
Bradford Disability Sport & Leisure and Bradford Disability
Football Club. On the first day the group took part in a range
of practical lessons including metalwork, woodwork, textiles
and catering. At lunch there was entertainment by the
excellent ADS choir, who sang sections of the performance in
English. In the afternoon we visited a radio station. We visited
the studio and some pupils were recorded. Some of these
were broadcast as jingles the next day on the radio. This was
followed by a city tour by bus which included a visit to the
memorial of the Bradford Football Stadium Fire.
Day two was dominated by sport. This included a visit to a
swimming pool for some races. The Germans were very good
swimmers so Southfield only won one race. Well done Emma
Wilcox! There was also a football tournament in the afternoon
in perfect weather. Unfortunately the standard was a bit high
for us but Harvinder Singh scored two goals. In the evening
ADS hosted a disco and buffet meal.
celebrations. In the afternoon the group went to a high ropes
course which saw all of our pupils achieve something as there
were courses of different heights and difficulties.
On day three there was souvenir shopping at the Allee-Centre
with a stop in town to take in some of the Hamm 40th birthday
On the final day the group visited the Maxipark, a very large
park with several features, built on the site of a former coal
mine. We had a reception in ‘the elephant’ (a converted mine
building made to look like an elephant) with the mayor of
Hamm, the Headteacher of ADS and other dignitaries before
setting off to return to Bradford.
The pupils very excellently behaved throughout the trip, very mature. Our German hosts were
extremely friendly and helpful throughout. This was my second visit to Hamm and it felt
like going to see friends.
Dave Dixon
Check our term dates on the website:
www.southfieldgrange.org.uk/southfieldholidays
Southfield School Newsletter Autumn 2015
Supporting MacMillan Cancer Care
On Friday 25th September, the Pathfinder Vocational Centre catering department were
busy baking for the national Macmillan Coffee Morning. To live up to the phrase ‘Cake
taste better together’ the event was moved to the afternoon so that parents and carers
were able to attend. The catering department baked cakes and buns in the weeks leading up to the event and opened their café for the afternoon. There were also games and
prizes to raise further funds for this great cause. Thanks to everyone who attended, donated, helped out and bought items. In total we raised £75.15. Well done everyone!
Work Experience for PVC Students
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This half term, students from the Pathfinder
Vocational Centre catering department have been
taking part in work experience placements across in
catering outlets at the Southfield Grange Campus.
This included time spent working in Grange’s Sixth
Form Café Bar, on the bridge in the main campus.
Cameron (pictured) spent time learning customer
service skills, which he picked up really quickly. By
the end of his first one hour session he was able to
speak to customers, take orders, make drinks and
use the till. More opportunities have been planned
over the coming year.
“Cameron was a credit to the school working in the Café and is looking
forward to enjoying further work experience opportunities in the coming
year.” Tim Rushworth, Catering Teacher.
Dates for the Diary
Saturday 12 December (12-3pm)
Campus Christmas Fair (information across)
Tuesday 15th December
Christmas Showcase Performance
Wednesday 16th December
School Christmas Lunch!
18 December
Christmas Carol Concert and last day of term
Tuesday 5th January
School reopens after Christmas Break
Contact us:
Write to:
Call:
Email:
Southfield Grange Campus
Haycliffe Lane
Bradford
BD59ET
01274 779662
[email protected]
Website:
www.southfieldgrange.org.uk
@southfieldbd5