Monday, January 29th 2007
Last week a constant stream of pupils went down to their new school for their first visit since virtual completion. Their responses were all you could have hoped for. There were smiling faces, expressions of awe and wonder and we heard phrases like: “ this is fantastic”, “wonderful”, “I can’t believe it”, “I love my classroom”, “the playground is amazing”…. And so it went on.
All the groups visited their new classrooms and then had a general tour. Wheelchair users enjoyed the long corridor (staff are already threatening to install speed bumps and charge speeding fines)! There will normally be doors closed at intervals along this. Other groups played hide and seek in the wheelchair parking spaces!
The hydro pool gave rise to such excitement, especially when we turned on the special effects – lighting and sound. The soft play area was also very popular and the sensory theatre was a source of amazement. At the moment pupils on one site have access to what can only be called a large sensory ‘cupboard’ and so the contrast left them speechless.
The 6th form lift is now commissioned and they will be the next to visit. Those who have already been along have already seen the furniture that they chose and are looking forward to the arrival of the whitegoods. There is a lot of talk about sun umbrellas and easy chairs for the roof garden….
During the week beginning February 5th, all the class groups will meet up with their new staff and spend time in their classrooms getting to know each other a little more, not long now.