Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
1
Dear Parents and Carers
This has been a very busy term for all at North Ridge. New pupils have settled well
into school.
Pupils have enjoyed super learning activities – Harvest assembly, Remembrance Day
assembly, learning about the Memusi Foundation, Anti bullying week and Christmas.
We are currently working very hard to prepare for our RRSA award, Healthy Schools’
Award and Open Futures award.
Year 11 leavers returned last week to collect their examination certificates.
We continue to run a successful shop and café on the Abraham Moss site. Sixth form
students have a weekly rota for working there. The food and coffee are delicious! We
have some great arts, crafts and preloved clothes for sale in the shop. I recommend
the homemade soup!
Be Proud Award 2017
Our café and shop were nominated for the Be Proud Award 2017 under the category
of “community project of the year”. The team went to Manchester town hall on 24th
November to a meal and celebration. We didn’t win but thoroughly enjoyed the event.
Well done to Laura, Sandra, John, Sarah, Deiniol and Whitney
Our Nightingale class are now very settled at North Manchester General hospital -
spending four days in the hospital working and learning, and one day in school doing
sport and leisure activities. I would like to thank the team at North Manchester for
continuing to support our students and making them feel like real members of the
staff team.
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
2
Our work with Lancasterian School has continued during the autumn term. This work
will continue into the new term. The staff from the school have benefitted from
leadership, management support and training.
Staff news – Mrs Stollar leaves at the end of the week to a new role at Manchester
College. We wish her every success. Mrs Roy has returned from maternity leave. Mrs
Roberts has given birth to a little boy.
Eleanor, our school nurse is going on maternity leave at the end of the week. We wish
her the best of luck. She will be returning in December 2018. Sarah Quigley will be
covering her work.
Thank you to those of you who attended the Christmas Fair. We made £1,035.42! The
Christmas disco was also very successful with lots of pupils and their families joining
us for the celebrations. As we start our final week in school we look forward to the
Christmas party on Wednesday and Christmas assembly on Friday at 1.00p.m. All
families are welcome to join us for the assembly.
Reminders for all parents and carers:
Pupils (except for 6th form) must wear school uniform – black
trousers or skirt, black polo shirt, royal blue jumper, plain black
sensible shoes. Pupils require a coat for activities outside of school.
Toys and games must not be brought into school. Mobile phones
must be handed to a member of staff during the day.
Dropping off and collecting pupils - we have had some incidents
where pupils’ safety has been put at risk. Pupils being dropped off
by parents and carers - vehicles must be parked in the designated
areas. Parents/carers must follow the guidance using the far car
park if their child is fit and able to walk to the school building.
Please do not attempt to park in an area with double yellow lines or
walk your child through the flow of buses driving into school.
Attendance – holidays will not be authorised during school time.
Please take your holidays during school holiday time.
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
3
I would like to thank the staff team for their hard work
supporting the pupils of North Ridge. On behalf of the staff I
wish all parents, carers and pupils a very happy Christmas and
healthy peaceful New Year. School reopens to pupils on Monday
8th January 2018.
Bernice Kostick
Head Teacher
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
4
Our English lessons this term have been based around our sensory
story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We have been
sequencing the story and describing the characters, but what we
have enjoyed most is feeling the chocolate river and tasting lots of
different types of chocolate.
In Health and Well-being we have
enjoyed our weekly yoga lessons. We
have been working very hard on our
targets and have even been creating
our own yoga poses.
As part of our cooking lessons we visit the local
supermarket each week to collect our shopping.
We have been using our own personal shopping
lists to find what we need. We have also been
learning to pack and pay for our own shopping
when we get to the till.
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
5
Class Peake Taking care of our environment
Class Peake have been learning
about Environmental Awareness
for their ASDAN qualification.
We have identified things that
harm the environment.
While on a walk to Tesco, Class
Peake identified things that spoil
our local environment.
Class Peake had a group discussion to
share ideas about what they could do
to help their environment. They
decided to do some general gardening
maintenance and pick litter from
outside school.
They did a great job and now our school
environment looks a little bit nicer!
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
6
Music
This term in class Fiennes we have been able to create our own Christmas song.
Students have been able to break down the different components of making a song
starting with making a beat and then adding music and words to our song.
Each student has been given their own role within the song whether that’s singing or
using instruments such as keyboards, base guitars, drums or tambourines.
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
7
Art
This term class Fiennes have been about Amazing Animals in art. The pupils studied the
different patterns found on moths and spiders and produced sketches of some of the
patterns they observed in their art journals. They then made models of spiders and
moths using card and papier mache and created the patterns using oils pastels and
paints.
English
The topic covered in English this half term has been Journeys. Pupils have been able to
read, identify and understand the key features of a non-fiction text. Students have
learnt about the story of The Titanic and the first moon landing and in their own words
re-told the story or wrote a report using adjectives and conjunctions.
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
8
Film It
Every Thursday a group of Key Stage 4 pupils take part in Film It. Students complete a
short vocational film making project which helps them develop the following skills:
Team work - Creative thinking – Leadership - Problem solving – ICT
This term Class Bonington students have been have been learning how to plan, record
and edit a short advert for school.
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
9
Class Nightingale
Fathiya is responsible for replacing cutlery, napkins, condiments, loading drinks and
food items into the fridges. She is very well liked by her placement staff and enjoys
her job role.
Mostafa is currently working in the Pharmacy department which he is really enjoying.
Some of Mostafa’s responsibilities include, sticking tape the medication boxes,
putting the correct labels on the medication and placing the medication into the
Robot.
Bailey is working in the Porter’s department and has settled in the team exceptionally
well. Some of Bailey’s responsibilities include supporting his colleagues with
transferring patients to different wards, making sure all cages are stored in the
correct area and collecting the wheelchairs from various departments throughout the
hospital.
Jordan is a valued member of the G4S team. Some of Jordan’s responsibilities
include, making sure the corridors and wards are clean. She does this by using various
cleaning techniques such as high dusting, Kexing and damp dusting.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Class Nightingale are enjoying their work experience at North Manchester General
Hospital. This opportunity has given our students an amazing insight to what it is like
working in a busy environment. The student’s in class Nightingale enjoy a variety of
roles working in different departments across the hospital. These include The Gallery
Café, Porters,G4S and Pharmacy.
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
10
In my world we have
been learning about
Judaism. We tried on
the different
traditional clothes
and we ate some
traditional food!
In creative we have been
enjoying cooking a range
of different healthy
foods. We have developed
our chopping skills and
followed step by step
instructions for recipes.
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
11
This half term in maths
we have been learning all
about shapes.
We have been counting
the sides and corners to
figure out which shape it
could be.
We all loved the sensory
shape game, we had to
search inside a tray to
find different shapes and
name them.
In English we have been reading the
story called Treasure Island. We
have all enjoyed exploring the
different props we may find on a
treasure hunt.
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
12
Class Ross have had a very busy Autumn term. We have worked really hard across the
curriculum. We really enjoyed learning about ‘Treasure Island’ in English. We have listened
to the story and completed lots of written activities. We have also followed instructions to
make a treasure map and a hand print parrot.
In Class Ross we really enjoy maths and all pupils have worked really hard over the Autumn
term. We have been developing our number skills through a range of sensory and practical
activities. We have been working on counting, ordering numbers, addition, place value and
number bonds. We had great fun learning about different 2D and 3D shapes and their
properties. The staff team are really proud of the pupil’s hard work and achievements.
On behalf of all the students and staff in Class Ross, we wish you a very Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year for 2018.
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
13
For Children in Need this year, Class
Scott had a ‘winter games’ day. We
took part in a variety of games
throughout the day; including boccia,
kurling and parachute games.
We had lots of fun and, needless to say,
it became quite competitive!
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
14
At the start of this term Class Flinders went swimming as part of
our carousel lesson. Pupils visited North City Baths every Wednesday
for their lesson. Everybody tried really hard to better their
swimming skills. Breathing skills, arm movements and distance has
been our focus during these lessons. Our class really enjoyed their
swimming lessons and should all be very proud of the progress they
made.
Class Flinders
This half term our English topic has been Treasure Island. We
enjoyed learning about Jim Hawkins adventures. We have dressed up
as the characters from the story and enjoyed acting out the scenes
during a role-play lesson. We have some fabulous actors and
actresses in our class!
In DT we have been cooking healthy food. We have made leek and
potato soup and roasted butternut squash soup. We have also made
falafel burgers and coleslaw, roasted vegetable cous cous and bread
rolls. We will continue to make healthy food during DT as part of our
healthy school initiative.
The Class Flinders team would like to wish you all a
very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
15
In Maths, we have been learning about numbers and shapes. We have
been counting objects and sorting them into number order.
This term, in our My World lessons, we have been learning about
Judaism. Here is Usama and Campbell trying on the Kippah and Tallit.
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
16
Class Mallory have been busy
getting in the festive spirit this
term. Campbell is looking very happy
with his hard work on this Christmas
card, during our Life Skills lessons.
This term, our topic for Creative Skills,
is Amazing Animals. We have been
using a variety of techniques to
produce a range of animals. Here is
Aristhote showing off his beautiful
butterfly.
In Science, we have been exploring the
skeleton. We have been learning about
which species have a skeleton, and the
names of each of the bones. Here is
Aristhote putting together his skeleton.
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
17
P.E
This term in PE, Class Armstrong, have
been doing circuit training. This has
involved completing various exercises,
such as press ups, lunges and star jumps,
in a circuit. They have also been learning
about why exercise is good for the body
and what muscles we use in our body for
exercise. Pupils have worked really hard
during PE and thoroughly enjoyed
themselves.
Cook It
Throughout this term pupils have been
taking part in the Open Futures
curriculum, Cook It.
In Cook It pupils learnt how to make new
dishes like Quorn Chilli and Banana Bread.
They have been following step by step
recipes to help make the dishes. Pupils
have been able to gain cooking skills as
well as develop their team working skills
and independence.
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
18
Vancouver have been attending the
Incredible Edible allotment in Heaton Park
working on their gardening skills. They have
developed skills in weeding, sowing seeds and
planting bulbs/ plants. We were recently
given the task of making scarecrows for the
allotment which the students had lots of fun
making. I’m sure you will agree that they look
great!
We have also been really busy building bird
boxes for the local cemetery. The students
have developed skills in measuring, sanding
wood, drilling using hand drills and pillar drills
and designing. Staff have been really
impressed by the attention to detail that our
students have shown.
Our Vocational learning days
We wish you a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
19
This half term, MacArthur have been building their
work related learning skills both in school and at the
Manchester Dog’s Home.
At the Manchester Dogs Home, pupils have been
taking dogs for a walk; making sure they get plenty of
exercise.
In school, pupils have been producing a wall display for
the Manchester Dogs Home new building by following
instructions and using speaking and listening skills.
Recently, MacArthur participated in a fund
raising event for Children In Need. Pupils decided
to raise money by completing as many total
minutes possible of a trampoline. Pupils really
enjoyed this!
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
20
North Ridge School Council
Christmas News
By Tyler Nuro Butler and Emmanuel Balogun
The School Council election took place in October. All the pupils could vote for who
they wanted to. These pupils were elected to the School Council - Tyler, Emmanuel,
Muram, Michael, Emma, Amy, David and Callum. The job of the School Council is to
make sure that all pupils have their ideas and opinions heard by the staff.
This term the School Council completed questionnaires about healthy snacks at
break time with the pupils. You can see the results in the graph below. The school
council have also interviewed teachers and teaching assistants.
89
20
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Yes No
Nu
mb
er
of
pe
op
le
Do you like healthy snacks at break time?
Healthy Snacks At Break Time Pupil Responses
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
21
It’s that time of year as we get festive and prepare ourselves for the
wintery Christmas period, from Northridge 6th form and the staff we
would to share our fantastic year so far…
We have been extremely busy preparing our products for Christmas and
our students have worked very hard making products to sell at the shop
including Christmas Eve packs which have proved very popular.
Our biggest achievement is the confidence that our students have
developed working in our shop, including the ability to deal with the public
and the development of mathematical and literate functions in a daily
living environment.
The students continue to grow and develop and we at Northridge are
very proud of all our students and are excited as we observe the ever-
growing confidence and brilliance of the students. The hard work and
the determination is wonderful to see.
As we finish for Christmas we would like to extend festive wishes and
wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all the
students and staff at 2nd handmade.
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
22
This year’s Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award pupils have had the opportunity to
complete a six week water sports course as part of their skill section. The group
attended Helly Hansen Salford Water Sports Centre on Friday mornings in some very
interesting, or should that be, very cold conditions!
The pupils were split into two groups, one group have spent the six weeks working in
kayaks and developing the basic kayak skills, while the second group have been trying
a range of different water sports activities including: canoeing, bell boating and
paddle boarding.
Pupils have been following the Paddle Power Passport Award program and have
progressed from individuals who have never been out on the water before and who
were not aware of what a kayak was, or even how to put on a water suit, to individuals
who have developed a range of skills and were able to complete their level 1, 2 & 3
qualification.
The entire group developed their skills to a level that they were able to achieve their
BCU One Star Paddle qualification.
One of the highlights for many of the group during the six weeks came when they
were able to convince the staff, Mrs Galbraith and Miss Doherty to jump in the water
with them at the end of the last session, which took place on a very cold Friday 8th
December!
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
23
On Tuesday 12th December, 24 pupils took part in the Manchester
School Indoor Rowing competition with the aim of qualifying to represent
Manchester at the Winter School Games.
The pupils competed in year groups and this year the school entered
teams into the following categories.
Boys: Year 8, 9, 10 and 11
Girls: Year 8 and 11
Pupils were placed into teams of four with the event taking the form of a
relay race. Each pupil had to row for two minutes. The remainder of the
team supported each row by securely holding their feet in place. The
event challenged the pupils stamina, power and teamwork, as the change
over from one pupil to the next was vital to allow each pupil the maximum
time available for them to record the best distance.
As we go to print we do not know if any of the teams qualified for the
finals but we will find out towards the end of the term. However the
performance of every pupil was excellent, with them all giving 100%
effort, but not only that the support and encouragement they offer each
other while performing was fantastic to see, and was commented on by
the event organisers. Well done to all involved, fingers crossed we get
through to the School Games Final.
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
24
Cooking
Every Monday Class Henson take part in cooking lessons.
This half term, pupils enjoyed making a variety of snacks and dishes including:
Troufakia, shortbread biscuits, rice crispy cakes, pizza & sandwiches.
Pupils set up a stall and sold cakes at the Christmas fair.
Class Henson also enjoy eating the food we made!
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
25
In English we have been learning about the story of Treasure Island. We
dressed up and had lots of fun listening and taking part in our sensory
story, exploring characters and learning through lots of sensory
activities.
In science we have been learning all about our bodies, focussing on the
heart, lungs and our skeleton. Even the staff had lots of fun in this topic!
In maths we have been developing our skills in number, learning about
shape, position and sorting items.
We have been working hard this term in a number of lessons. Here is some
of the work we have done…
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
26
In English, class Hillary have had lots of fun
learning about Treasure Island. We even imagined
we were pirates and made our very own treasure
maps!
Last half term, we went along to Blackley Crematorium to do some
planting. We worked hard despite the rain and planted 350 daffodil
bulbs! We look forward to visiting in the spring to see them all in
bloom.
We worked
well as a team
on our Christmas
fair stall and made
lots of money selling our
cards, raffle tickets and
dog biscuits.
In maths, we have been developing
our skills in number, including counting,
sequencing and adding. We have also
started looking at measure and time.
We’re getting more confident every
day.
In science, we have enjoyed
learning all about our heart, lungs
and bones.
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
27
Attendance
This term, pupils have been working hard to come into school on time
every day. Pupils who reach 100% attendance, receive an individual
attendance certificate and take part in a special treat when they return
to school after the Christmas holidays.
Here are the pupils who have achieved 100% attendance
this term!
Congratulations and keep up the Good work!
Congratulations and keep up the good work!
Pupils who achieved 100% attendance this Autumn term will also be
placed into the big prize draw at the end of this year for a special prize!!
Hamza Akhter
Emmanuel Balogun
Aristhote Bosimo
Arman Bosimo
George Brophy
Olivia Bucknall
Miranda Chareka
Matthew Clarke
Natasha Clarke
Natasha Clarke-Davies
Tiger Lily Collins
Giorgia Marsden
Amy Davies
Huy Duc Hoang Osamede Eguakun
Whitney Fatai
Jakub Gliniecki
Charlotte Gray
Abbey Heywood
Samuel Ilangakoonge
Abdul-Rehman Iqbal Eryk Kaminski Mckenzie Yeoman Andrzej Latko
Afzal Miah
Brian Moyo
Naila Naseem
Pamela Nyarko
Simon Parkes
Martin Poland Shahnawaz Qamar-Ul-Hassan Aman Tahir Heraldas Vilimas Precious Adeboye
Head Teacher Bernice Kostick / Deputy Head Teacher Gill Foord
http://www.northridge.manchester.sch.uk
28
This term students from class Bell have been given the
exciting opportunity to support the Macmillan charity at
North Manchester General Hospital to create information
packs.
Students were given the task of
putting together a number of
different information packs
designed to provide vital
information to people who are
dealing with Cancer or know
somebody who could be
suffering with it. Class Bell students worked
really hard and all of their
help was greatly appreciated
by the staff working for
Macmillan. Students showed
excellent communication and
independent work skills to
create lots of packs!