We would like to share a fantastic feature that is available on Microsoft devices to support your child with reading and understanding Word, PowerPoint and PDF documents. We hope that it will further support home learning.  

Word 2010 and upwards has built in text to speech. You can add the Speech button to the Quick Access Toolbar so you can easily select text to read and click the speech button.

Text to speech can be used to support learners who struggle with print-based information. This might include learners with specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, though it helps all learners. 

Text to Speech can be used to improve reading accuracy and understanding. Improve your child’s concentration by switching from reading to smaller manageable chunks of spoken text. 

This text to speech solution takes less than 5 minutes to install and learn to use. Once installed it will remain on the Quick Access toolbar. Just select some text and then click the button to activate. We hope that you will find the enclosed installation instructions relatively easy to follow.

Alternatively, use the following short YouTube clip to guide you through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFznemOKQ44  

We hope that this helps your child whilst using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and PDF documents.

 We hope everyone is still well and able to enjoy the slightly relaxed lockdown measures, whilst keeping safe. We understand that working at home is going quite well for many of our pupils, but that some days are hard. Do not worry, you’re not alone. As long as our pupils are trying their best, getting in touch with teachers if they are stuck, then that is more than fine in the current climate. 

In this edition, we have tried to include lots of helpful tips to support pupils with their studies, but also to help you find interesting things to do when your children need a break from their work. 

Whilst May half term is usually an opportunity for students to rest, during these unprecedented times our students may require additional projects to keep them occupied. With this in mind, please find below the link for our PSHE half term challenges. The students do not have to complete these activities however should they wish to do so they will be rewarded with DEC points and recognition.

• Home Learning PSHE Overview
• Year 7 Food Evaluation Sheet 1
• Year 7 Food Evaluation Sheet 2
• Year 7 Friendship Scenario
• Year 7 How to write a letter of thanks
• Year 8 Fundraising Worksheet
• Year 8 How to write a letter to a friend
• Year 8 Language Devices

I hope you are all well and managing as best as possible during these unprecedented times.

All DECS staff are carrying out their safeguarding duties daily and with this in mind I wanted to bring your attention again to Online Safety and the checking of your son/daughters phone, IT equipment and social media accounts. This is now more important than ever as so many young people may be spending additional time within the online world. As you are aware this itself can lead to additional risk. Sadly we are aware of at least one DECs pupil who has been targeted online by a person who is dangerous to young people.

Here at DECS our pupils and staff have worked alongside a charity called the Breck Foundation. They have created in my opinion, a fantastic resource that was made in conjunction with the police. The video link below is something you as parents can watch and then maybe spark conversation with your children if you feel that’s appropriate. It’s a true story, hard hitting and if shown in a cinema would carry a 15 certificate and a great resource to help initiate conversation around online safety, gaming concerns, screen time concerns and social media activity.

I have also attached some information and resources HERE regarding parent and family wellbeing which I feel are of use currently. If you wish to discuss any concerns regarding online safety please contact me on c.walton@decschool.co.uk

Stay safe and kind regards,

Mr C Walton

Assistant Head Teacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead

We may not be able to celebrate how we had planned but Dame Elizabeth Cadbury will be celebrating 75 years of VE day.

Please join us and send in pictures to enquiry@decschool.co.uk on how you celebrated VE day.

You can view our informative powerpoint for VE Day HERE.

What is VE Day? – CBBC Newsround By the beginning of 1945, the German army had been weakened and defeat looked likely. Tuesday 8 May, 1945, was an emotional day that millions of people had been waiting for.

www.bbc.co.uk/news

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes

At Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School, we are lucky to work with a wealth of professionals who have sent through lots of useful links to share with you during your time away from school.

In addition, I have scoured the internet and found a variety of websites, which should supplement what the individual faculties are directly supplying.

The list can be found HERE and is a collection that I hope will offer free resources for our pupils to use. Many will be time-limited so please take advantage of their generosity now.

Also, please continue to look on the school website for other support and advice.

I hope that you find something here that you can use during these unprecedented times.

Keep safe and well.