World Autism Acceptance Week is held during the week coinciding with Autism Acceptance Day. This year, it takes place from 27^th March – 2^nd April. Autism – Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), affects mental, behavioural, and social development. The degree to which autism impacts an individual is unique to them since each person’s circumstances are unique. Symptoms appear as early as the first 12 months of life and can last throughout life. Many people with autism can have their symptoms and quality of life improved over time due to strong support networks and coping mechanisms and routines that work for them. 

At Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School we endeavour to support all of our students who have an ASD diagnosis or are currently awaiting an assessment through a range of resources including outside agency support from our Communication and Autism Lead Link teacher, Anne Seymour, Pupil School Support Services and the Educational Psychology Service. We also offer ‘in house’ support ranging from RSPCA therapy, Social Interaction Groups, Mental Health support and Success counselling.  

World Autism Acceptance Week first started as Autism Awareness Week back in 2007. It happened in a time of great need for more awareness of autism and what it means. Before autism became as understood and recognised as it is today, many misconceptions surrounded it. 

This Week is a global chance to raise awareness of autism and, more importantly, the week is spent advocating for the acceptance of autism and those who fall into the spectrum.

What is Unifest?  

UniFest Summer Schools take place at six universities across the West Midlands. UniFest gives you the chance to spend time exploring university life, meeting students and staff, making friends and having an action packed, fun experience.  

What will pupils do at Unifest? 

That depends on which UniFest event you choose. Some explore university life and study in general, and others focus on certain career or study options. All UniFest events include lots of hands-on sessions and a fun-packed programme of social activities 

Who is Unifest for?  

UniFest is for students in Year 10 at state-funded secondary schools in the West Midlands who are from backgrounds and communities that are less likely to consider university as an option.   

In July we will be applying for a selection of places for our year 10 pupils who are eligible to attend Unifest, this is a great opportunity for those who are selected. If you are in year 10 and are interested, please speak to Ms Faulkner.  For more information see the following link https://aimhigherwm.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Aimhigher-Parents-and-Carers-Guide-2020.pdf. 

Since October 2022, selected 6^th form and Year 10 pupils have taken part in Aimhigher Mentoring. Aimhigher is a scheme that helps young people make inspired choices about their future. Aimhigher West Midlands is a partnership of universities working to support learners who face a number of challenges to broaden their horizons and make informed decisions about their future educational and career choices.  The Aimhigher West Midlands partnership has been funded by its university members since 2009 and has a strong reputation across the region for providing quality, impartial information, advice and guidance (https://aimhigherwm.ac.uk/) 

Twelve Year 10 pupils from Dame Elizabeth Cadbury have been accessing weekly sessions with mentors from local universities who are working within the Aimhigher scheme. They have been targeted to help raise their aspirations and give them areas to focus on in terms of future targets, as well as identifying key areas of work they are interested in.  Each week, the mentors have discussed with pupils how they are enjoying and progressing in certain subjects, as well as their future goals. Mentors have then fed back and given detailed actions for each pupil to focus on for the following week. The feedback from pupils is that have enjoyed their sessions and they feel more confident and inspired about their future and higher education.  

“Feedback from students indicates that the opportunities provided have increased their knowledge of higher education, raising awareness of the benefits and the importance of choosing a path that is right for them. A West Midland’s student said, “I thought there was one set route but now I know there are lots of ways to get into it.”  We appreciate young people’s individuality and the value of different strengths and skills, while working to identify how these skills could enhance future careers“. 

https://aimhigherwm.ac.uk/about/.

You can find more information and resources for all pupils on the following link https://aimhigherwm.ac.uk/resources/ .

After a rigorous selection process, we are pleased to announce that thirty nine Year 10 pupils have been chosen to represent the school as Prefects.  The Prefect team is the largest Leadership team in the school. The number of pupils who want to support Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School and represent us is incredibly humbling. Our Prefects are pupils who not only want to give something back to their school but want to provide a support network for their peers. They are role-models and ambassadors for the school in every way. The role develops them as leaders and builds confidence and self-esteem, as well as developing their ability to work as part of a cohesive team.  Their next steps are to attend Level 1 safeguarding training and teambuilding training at Ackers. We are excited to see them develop in their role.  

During Wellbeing week this year, the DEC community focussed on their mental health and well-being by taking top tips from the NHS and structuring our activities to promote a different top tip each day. Each day of the week had a theme and designated activities to promote mindfulness and stress relieving techniques.

Monday​ 20 March – Keep learning​: 

Take up a new hobby or skill and try out one of our extra-curricular clubs​

‘Learn a new language’ sheets available at lunch 

Tuesday​ 21 March – Give to others​: 

Motivational postcards ​to share with staff/peers available at lunch 

Bring a donation for the Trussell foodbank – tins and dried goods ​etc.  

Wednesday​ 22 March – Take notice​: 

Mindfulness session during form time/break time​ 

Mindfulness colouring sheets available at lunch 

‘Gratitude journal’ sheets available at lunch​ 

Thursday​ 23 March – Connect​: 

Wellbeing drop-in after school in the Art room (G16) 

Staff Workload and Wellbeing forum  

Friday​ – Be active​: 

Just Dance at break in the Dance Studio

Table tennis at break in the playground

Futsal at break in the Sports hall 

To celebrate Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2023, DEC form tutors delivered a session on ‘Celebrating our unique strengths and differences’. Pupils learnt more about what neurodiversity is, why we celebrate Neurodiversity Celebration Week, and what they can do to help others.  Pupils watched videos to give them a greater insight into Autism and Dyspraxia and were signposted to additional resources on the Neurodiversity Celebration Week website – https://www.neurodiversityweek.com/introduction 

One of our DEC Values is Respect, and it is important that our pupils understand that neurological variations in the human brain are natural and that we must be respectful of other people and their unique strengths and talents. 

Reading is important for pupils in so many ways. At DECS reading is seen as ‘first amongst equals’ as we understand all other subjects rely on strong, academic reading. Increased fluency and comprehension have been linked to higher outcomes, increased earning potential, and even improved health. This is why pupils are encouraged to read every day at DECS, which is reflected in our whole school strategy being called ‘Read to Succeed’

DEC are very proud of all of the work that we are doing to support with reading.  In February, we hosted a book fair in the library and were delighted by how many pupils took the opportunity to visit the book fair and buy themselves their next read.  Every week, pupils have time in form set aside to read as part of our Read to Succeed programme where the focus is on developing reading fluency and comprehension as well as the love of reading through carefully chosen class texts.  We are also very proud of our Year 10 students who have demonstrated amazing student leadership in volunteering to be our DEC reading ambassadors who support paired reading in the library during form time and are helping to support the whole school culture of reading at DEC. 

LGBTQ+ Ambassadors – this is a new initiative launched within school for students to work alongside the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors to provide further support to their peers. Our LGBTQ+ Ambassadors have just received training to support them in this role so they have the knowledge and skills to offer supportive conversations and point students towards supportive external agencies. The training also ensured that our Ambassadors know what members of staff they should talk to if there are concerned and the importance of looking out for each other and staying safe by talking to our Safeguarding team. The role of the ambassadors is to ensure that all children in school feel supported, represented and included and we are very proud of our pupils who have taken on this leadership role.

School is open as normal (21.03.2023). We now have a generator up and running.

20.03.2023 – Due to a power grid issue, we unfortunately have no power.  Pupils will be dismissed for safety reasons.  We await a generator from national grid to get us back working for tomorrow.  Updates will follow.  Due to the power cut our phone lines are down, if you have any questions please email enquiry@decschool.co.uk. We apologies for the inconvenience. 

To coincide with Random Acts of Kindness Day on 17^th February, the Year 11 Prom Committee organised the sale of chocolate gift bags to raise money for the four House charities (Help Harry Help Others, Wythall Animal Sanctuary, The Trussell Trust and St Basils) and the Prom Committee.  Pupils were able to purchase a chocolate gift bag for a friend or a member of staff and attach a note. Alternatively, pupils could choose to simply send a note and a kind message. Prom Committee organised the delivery of the bags and the notes to pupils in form time on 17^th February. There was a great buzz around the event, and it was lovely to see pupils and staff celebrating and thanking their friends and colleagues.  We successfully raised over £100 and this will be divided between the charities and the Prom Committee.