We have had great fun in Hopetoun this term as we have settled in to our new class. We have enjoyed lots of different activities like gardening, going on the wheelchair bike and art. We have been exploring new foods during our messy play food group and some of us got messier than others! We are looking forward to seeing what the winter term will bring.
What a busy first term we have had in Ochiltree, we’ve really enjoyed making the most of the last of the sunny weather!
We particularly enjoyed our beach themed sensory sessions out in the garden which has now been swapped for a lovely cosy Autumn sensory session which we’re enjoying just as much. We’ve been busy focusing on our health and wellbeing through our weekly health group looking after our bodies and we have been keeping fit and healthy through our cross class PE groups where we have been exploring music and movement, team games and ball skills.
We’re looking forward to next term where will begin working on our ASDAN challenges so we’ve got lots more exciting things to come!
Team Ochiltree wish you all a healthy October break.
Our athletes in Hopetoun, Lomond, Pentland and Glendevon have been working hard, training towards our first ever MATP Challenge Event on Monday 1st December. They can’t wait to showcase their unique achievements to family and friends (more details will be shared closer to the time, but I am excited to see everyone supporting their athlete with posters, banners or maybe even personalised t-shirts!).
What is MATP?
The Special Olympics Motor Activity Training Programme (MATP) is a unique programme specifically designed for athletes of all ages with Profound and Multiple, Physical and Intellectual Disabilities and/or Complex Support Needs.
It focuses on developing individual skills and abilities rather than direct competition, ensuring each athlete can achieve personal bests and celebrate their achievements.
MATP enables our athletes to increase physical activity, improve motor skills, build confidence, increase participation in sport activities and foster a positive self-image.
Lomond Athletes
Pentland Athletes
Glendevon Athletes
Wow – our first term together is almost complete!
The last few weeks have gone by in a flash, with so many fun and varied activities both in school and out in the community.
We’ve been working hard in class on our targets, and coming together for groups exploring our senses, enjoying music, story and song, and learning about looking after our bodies as we grow up too.
Keeping active has been very important both in and out of school as well as increasing our independence and developing skills in communication, and growing in confidence. Cross class PE groups have been lots of fun, working together with friends and adults from across the secondary school, and learning new skills. Some pupils have also been back on the Innowalk, and quite literally making great strides in progress here!
We’ve also contributed to whole school celebrations and events including Global Goals Week and Fairtrade Fortnight. We’ve been cooking up a range of healthy snacks, meals, and tasty treats in the pupil kitchen, and enjoying trying hard with some messy, bold art creations too.
Many of our pupils have been very happy to welcome back our clown doctor friends as well as our fabulous music therapists, Ellie and Sophie – who have led some really lovely sessions with our pupils – and our dance therapist, Charan.
We’ve definitely made good use of our busses this term, and have also enjoyed some lovely walks in this lovely Autumnal sunshine. We’ve enjoyed collecting items to explore as well as visiting local shops, cafes, the library, and attending a range of community groups including Musically Active Dudes, the Young Adults’ social group at Broxburn United Sports Club, and Gentle Exercise classes in Polbeth. These are brilliant opportunities to develop our life skills and meet new peers and adults too. One pupil has been particularly delighted to get back to his much loved gym visits too, and is working exceptionally hard!
I look forward to what’s in store in the times ahead with our fabulous Duntarvie stars!
Thanks to everyone for a brilliant start to the school year!
Well done to our first group of swimmers who just completed their block at Bathgate Xcite.
They worked so hard, gaining confidence and developing skills in the early stages of buoyancy, co-ordination, spatial awareness, breathing, and entering and leaving the pool safely.
3 swimmers achieved their Beatlie Aqua Bronze Award and 1 swimmer was presented with a Beatlie Swimming Progress Award. Well done everyone ⭐ we are so proud of you 😊
On Monday afternoons athletes in Ochiltree and Duntarvie have been coming together to develop their physical activity and motor skills.
Then we finish off with a whole group cool down and relax.
Striking & Kicking Activities
Music & Movement Activities
Boccia & New Age Kurling
Today 4 of our athletes represented Beatlie at the ASN Fun Run at Cedarbank School.
The boys took part in the 0.5km walk/run 🏃♂️➡️ and placed 4th, 9th and 12th out of 20 competitors.
In the 1km wheelchair race our female athlete came 1st!! 🥳
We are super proud of them as this was a really busy event with lots of new faces and an unfamiliar route.
On Wednesday we all took part in a fun filled sports afternoon. Lots of our families joined us and they also had the opportunity to meet next year’s teacher.
Warm-up with the parachute
Skittles
Kurling
Boccia & Throwing
Dancing
Movement
Golf
Beat the Goalie
A little bit of rain hasn’t stopped us from getting out there on our walks this week! For our final week of walking week, each class went on a walk and collected some natural materials in the environment, experiencing all of the sights, smells and feelings of all of our findings. When we got back to school we put our materials to good use and made a lovely display board at the front of the school with our wonderful creations! What do you think? We think it looks great!
Well done everyone on another successful walking month of May!
