Issue 38: July 2016

Dear Parents and Carers, I am bursting with pride as I write this newsletter because it is packed full with news

of pupil achievements, events and developments at TreeHouse School that we are

really proud of. Pupils have enjoyed some amazing residential trips this year—lots of

which have taken place within the last half term. We’ve held three fabulous Sports

Days and celebrated the exceptional progress and achievements made by our

graduating Year 14 pupils throughout their time in school.

Graduation events prompt us to reflect on what exceptional young people all our

pupils are, how they have grown in character, skill and confidence, and the

remarkable things that they have achieved. Although we hold an event for our leavers, in this newsletter we

celebrate all of our pupils and the progress they have made over the course of another year in school. As well

as impressing us with their progress in English and Maths, they have also made progress with their social,

moral, cultural and physical development. We have regularly admired their persistence with their learning;

delighted in the communication skills they have developed; celebrated their increased independence with

keeping themselves healthy and safe (for example in activities of daily living including learning to shop and

cook for themselves, gaining confidence in attending medical appointments or developing an enjoyment of

exercise and community sports); been impressed by the resilience they have shown by learning to problem

solve, cope with change and ask for help; honoured the friendships they have developed with each other and

their positive relationships their teachers. We are incredibly proud of the positive contribution that our

pupils have made to their communities—through Pride Patrol, performing with a community performing arts

group, work experience placements at Shelter, Action for Kids, Sainsbury’s, Bread of Life Café and Freightliners

City Farm to name but a few, and through taking part in community sports events.

For me, there are two types of leaving or goodbyes. There is leaving from and leaving to. Nearly all our pupils

are leaving to continue their learning in Further Education in a number of different ways colleges and centres.

This is such a great achievement. They are leaving school to take the next exciting steps in their preparation

for adulthood. However like all our former pupils, staff and families, they will never really leave from

TreeHouse because they will always be part of our family and community.

It is with a heavy heart that I leave TreeHouse after 10 years, as Teacher, Deputy Head and Head teacher.

I am so grateful to the pupils, staff and families of the school and charity for the privilege of serving you. I am

thankful for all that I have learnt from you and for the wonderful memories that I have gathered over the years.

I will certainly always maintain a keen interest in the school and how it grows and develops. I am leaving to

enjoy my wedding celebration in Hungary in August and an extended honeymoon with my husband and upon

our return, anticipate that I will continue to work in the field of education and SEND.

It is with great pleasure that I hand over to my successor, Kerry Sternstein. Kerry and I have spent several

days working together since her appointment and I know that she is absolutely thrilled to be taking up the role of

Head teacher of TreeHouse School. I know she has plans to meet with you early in the new school year and is

very much looking forward to getting to know your children and yourselves.

My final words must be to my pupils: I am so proud of you. It has been an absolute privilege to know you and to

be your Head teacher. You are truly remarkable and I wish you the very best for your futures.

Becky Jones

Scout Park

Pupils in Years 7 and 8 enjoyed their overnight stay at Scout Park at the end of May. For some, it was the first time they had stayed away with school. Exciting activities included a campfire, art activities, a walk exploring the area and a brilliant bouncy castle! We were so proud of all of the pupils who took part, who showed great independence in staying away from home for night.

6th Form Sports Day

As ever, students in the 6th Form showed great resilience and team spirit during Sports Day. We were expecting rain in the afternoon, so we held Sports Day inside this year and used it as an opportunity to introduce lots

of new activities, including the reverse board Sprinting, which the students really enjoyed!

Michelle Beekharry, Head of P.E.

Year 11 ‘Caldecotte Xperience’ 13th—15th July 2016

This year we had our first residential trip to the Caldecotte Xperience in Milton Keynes. Our Year 11 pupils shone in a number of

new activities – we climbed, abseiled, sailed, canoed, built rafts, fenced, swam, learned bush craft skills and so much more.

It was brilliant to see how proud our young people were of their achievements.

We’re looking forward to next year already!

Janet Whiley

Behaviour Analyst, TreeHouse School

Upper School Sports Day

The Upper School (pupils aged 14-16) were very lucky and had great weather for their Sports Day, so held their event outside.

New to the competition this year were some pupils from Year 8 and 9 from LS4 class. They produced some phenomenal results to win Sports Day and worked together really well.

Michelle Beekharry

Head of P.E.

Lower School Sports Day

Due to rain, our Lower School Sports Day was held indoors but this didn't affect the great team spirit and fantastic sporting efforts from pupils. Before the event they had really enjoyed designing their own T- shirts and flags for the Euro themed day. At Sports Day itself they had a great time trying out the new activities that were introduced, especially Speed Bounce! Our incoming Head teacher, Kerry Sternstein, joined us for the event and took part in a penalty shoot out with Becky. Goal! Thanks to everyone who came to cheer us on.

New Early Years pupils in Chestnut, Oak & Elm class

We have loved extending a huge TreeHouse welcome to Yasser, Jessie & Alexander who have joined our school in recent weeks.

Chestnut class:

They are making such great progress—learning to share activities and

space and enjoying being in school. Here they are on their first school

outing to a local park.

Goodbye from Tom Bailey, Manager of AHP

This year has been my last at TreeHouse School. I will be leaving with a great deal of memories from working with an amazing group of children and young people across TreeHouse, Ambitious College and The Rise School. I have been very fortunate to meet pupils and their families who I have worked with in previous settings, which has been a real bonus! It has been exceptionally rewarding to be part of the Leadership Team within TreeHouse School, and to lead a fantastically dedicated team of staff. I have to give particular mention to the Allied Health Professionals team who continue to support our pupils to communicate and manage their sensory and emotional needs with such success. TreeHouse will be joined by Sudhasha Konar at the start of the new academic year, who will continue to lead the AHP to greater things. I wish pupils and families every success for the future!

TreeHouse School Graduation

On Friday 14th July, fourteen pupils celebrated their final year of school at the annual

Graduation ceremony, surrounded by their family and friends.

The event was hosted by Kevan Wayne-Morris, Deputy Head Upper School along

with Becky Jones, Head teacher, who joined the celebration via video link. These

pupils will be going on to a variety of colleges and other destinations to further

develop their skills.

All pupils followed a procession to centre stage, while their favourite song played.

The audience then watched a short video of their school highlights, and finally they

were individually presented with a framed certificate, a Class of 2016 hoodie and a

‘Goodbye Book’ from their friends and teachers at school. Jolanta Lasota, Chief

Executive, and Philippa Stobbs, Chair of Governors, gave each pupil their graduation

presentations. There was laughter, tears and joy at the event, as well as an

overwhelming sense of pride in the adults they have become.

One of our Year 14 parents said “We had an amazing time at the Graduation...

TreeHouse staff will be sorely missed.”

A great time was had by all. Some enterprising pupils also managed to set up a stall

and sell their wares to the family and friends of our graduates.

We will miss you Class of 2016. Good luck and stay in touch!

Clare Caccavone, Sixth Form Development Manager

EU Referendum Event

Well done to Dami Benbow (Participation Co-ordinator) for organising a great event for young people with autism to engage in the EU Referendum. Young people attended from Treehouse School, the Youth Council and ‘myVoice’ to ask questions of MP Julie Cooper on the impact of the EU Referendum for people with autism. Julie was really impressed by the questions young people asked and she also had a tour of the school from Bilal, who did a great job.

The event gave young people the opportunity to learn about the importance of voting and democracy.

S5 Celebration:

S5 went to Pizza Hut for lunch! The tasty trip was a big success for our stu-dents, who enjoyed eating foods and communicating in a new environment—something a few of them have found difficult in the past. It was a lovely way for us to celebrate the end of a great year together as a class.

Take on a challenge in support of Ambitious about Autism

Are you looking for an exciting challenge? Join Ambitious about Autism as we take on the Sahara Desert! We’ll trek for four days across the third largest and the hottest desert on the planet. As you trek across the Moroccan Sahara you’ll get an insight into this vast and diverse landscape as well as the Berber way of life. You will spend two full days and two half days trekking across ancient dried up river beds, past towering sand dunes and through vast sun baked plains. Camping out each night provides an opportunity to experience the stunning stars and enjoy traditional Berber cuisine cooked on an open fire.

The trek takes place on 23rd - 28th March 2017. For more information please contact Jennie events@ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk

Sports Disability Festival 2016

Seven of our pupils were able to attend the Sports Disability Festival at Westway Centre. The festival involved a lot of different taster sessions (athletics, dance, rock climbing, table tennis, martial arts and many more), and the opportunity to meet a

former para Olympian athlete. It was an excellent chance for our pupils to try out new sports and they loved it.

Thank you to all who made this day possible.

Plant Sale

Well done to our pupils who made summer plant pots to sell

as part of a Sixth Form Enterprise project.

Ramzy went to a Coffee Morning at St. James

Church in Muswell Hill and sold the plants

that had been grown in our garden at school

to a very welcoming community group. We

made £45 in less than half an hour!

Thank you to all pupils and staff who have

been involved in this Enterprise project so far.

Look out for more exciting enterprise projects

next year.

Arts Afternoon

This year’s TreeHouse Summer Art Exhibition exploded

into the training suite of the Pears National Centre for

Autism this July! The artists from the Sixth Form Arts pathway along with pupils

from the Upper School taster sessions, all displayed their portfolios of work from

the year. There was a large range of

artwork on display this year and

thanks to a funded gift we were able

to purchase some brand new display

boards to show off our artists

achievements. Pupils supported with

the instillation of their own work,

making choices over placement within

the gallery space and helping to hang

their pictures. On the day of the

exhibition staff, pupils and parents

were invited to view. Some pupils

even provided tours of their work to

visitors. The exhibition was also on

display as part of our leaver’s

graduation and made a colourful

addition to the celebrations.

Congratulations to all the artists who took part for working so hard and being

brave to try new things. Naomi Delamore, Art Specialist

Dates for your diary

29 July Last day of School

01—26 August Summer Holiday

29 August Bank Holiday

30 August Inset Day (staff only)

31 August Term starts. Pupils welcome from 9am

21 October Inset Day

24—28 October Half-Term

31 October Half term starts. Pupils welcome from 9am

Staff Updates and Developments:

Welcome to…

Charley McLean—temporary EA to the Head Teacher Anna Kent—ABA Trainee Tutor Kate Golding—ABA Trainee Tutor Lucy Nicholls—ABA Trainee Tutor Christina Kalegerou—ABA Trainee Tutor Rae Binger—ABA Trainee Tutor Claudia Adade—ABA Trainee Tutor Gilda Yorandi—ABA Trainee Tutor Congratulations to.. Clare Caccavone—Head of Learner and Family Engagement Sue Slynn— Director of Quality and Improve-ment Kevan Wayne–Morris—Deputy Head Bonita Davies—ABA Tutor (graduate pro-gramme) Lottie Lowther—ABA Tutor (graduate pro-gramme) Goodbye to.. Rebecca Jones—Head Teacher Tom Bailey—Manager of AHP Allison Knight—Assistant Head Lower School John McCahill—Behaviour Consultant Barbara Graf—Behaviour Consultant Joss Clinton—Behaviour Consultant Franki Williams—Deputy Head 6th Form Poppy Bonsor—Class Teacher Katie Whitworth—Class Teacher

Eftychia Prodromiti—Class Teacher Gina Skourti—Senior Behaviour Analyst Laura Hewitt—Play Specialist Hemmy Hardwick—Vocational Specialist Office Skills Simon Wright—Vocational Specialist Horticul-ture Indira Ramraj—Vocational Specialist Digital Me-dia Magdalena Apanasionok—Senior ABA Tutor Joel Pearson—Senior ABA Tutor Maria Mina—Trainee ABA Tutor Charlie Barnett—Trainee ABA Tutor Sian Kelly—Trainee ABA Tutor Erin Cosgrave – ABA Tutor (graduated July 2016) Sam Mullin—ABA Tutor Kushel Valji—ABA Tutor Irene Kounnou—ABA Tutor Michelle Griffin—ABA Tutor Francisco Urbistondo—ABA Tutor Christopher Liu—ABA Tutor Chloe Vincett—ABA Tutor Maria Apostolaki—ABA Tutor Nompumelelo Mdziniso—ABA Tutor Nathan McCalla—ABA Tutor Timothy Laing—ABA Tutor Danielle Udogaranya—ABA Tutor

Address

The Pears National Centre for Autism Education,

Woodside Avenue, London N10 3JA

Telephone 020 8815 5424

Fax 020 8815 5420

Email Enquiries@TreeHouseSchool.org.uk

Website www.TreeHouseSchool.org.uk