Bursledon Windmill

This week the Oasis VIP club visited Bursledon Windmill. One of our pupils wanted to know what a windmill was when she came across one in her class work. Unfortunately, at the time Bursledon windmill was closed for important restoration work. However, not deterred Mrs Sampson got in contact with the Windmill and arranged the first visit available (even before the grand re-opening this coming weekend!) once restoration work was completed.

 We were taken through a hands-on story of the 'Grain chain'; how wheat becomes bread. This matched the work our Year R pupil has been doing about the story 'The Little Red Hen'. So first we planted the corn. All the pupils had a chance to explore the texture and smell of a bucket of corn.

 This then grows into a head of corn, long and thin with a spiky top.

 The corn is then beaten out with 'threshers'.

 Then to 'sort the chaff from the wheat', we go outside to do some 'winnowing'.

 The corn and flour was stored in this shed which was up on mushroom stilts to keep the rats out.

 We had a go at grinding corn by hand at first. With the smaller grinder, you could feel the corn rolling beneath the two stones, being crushed.

 Then we went up into the Windmill taking great care not to bump heads on some of the low handing beams.

 There were three massive grinding stones set into the windmill's floor. We explored the thick groves carved into the stone as well as the mighty turning beam running down through the heart of the windmill. 

 Outside on the sail deck we could appreciate the size of the huge white sails.

 The children were really sensible and careful inside the windmill; as well as brave and trusting in a very unfamiliar environment. They listened brilliantly and enjoyed exploring the hands-on elements on the ground floor of the windmill.

 A large touch screen interactive virtual tour of the windmill was a great resource.

 As were geared models which showed a simplified version of how the windmill works.

 Despite a chill in the air and a lot of wet weather we had a brilliant afternoon at the windmill. Thank you to all the staff at the windmill for making sure our visit could happen and for being so welcoming and kind. It was an excellent hands-on learning experience. The windmill re-opens to the public this weekend...

THANK YOU

Bread making

Some of the children in Reception made bread today. For our visually impaired pupil this provided a brilliant opportunity for some hands-on learning with friends.

She really enjoyed getting stuck in, sieving and mixing. Importantly this was amongst friends. Children learn so much more effectively when with their friends.

Eventually after lots of kneading and talk, a set of half a dozen rolls were rolled and shaped and ready to be left to rise.

Then it was time for snack and some play with friends.

Once the dough had risen, it was time for baking. Which gave the children time to retell the story of The Little Red Hen. For our VI pupil this was supported with figures from the story.

But rather than retell on her own, our pupil then joined with the rest of the children to act out the story script.

Then we carefully checked on our baking.

Mmmmm, smells lovely!

Firework In Reach

This months In Reach celebrated Bonfire Night with Firework biscuit making and Firework Music.

We had over twenty pupils attend this month ranging from pre-schoolers to Year 6. It was great to see the children dig in to biscuit making; rolling out pre-made biscuit dough, cutting in to a variety of shapes and then decorating.

There was some very careful close-up work to ensure the decorations were just right!

But that was not all that we did. We also had an open-ended music session in the Oasis room.

 Many children joined in together with friends to compose their own firework accompaniment.

There was also a fine selection of bubble-wrap, which provided us with a bot of pop and bang!

As well as providing the chance to make new friends.

It was a very busy In Reach this month, with a couple of new faces joining us. We had children coming as far as Fordingbridge and Havant joining us, as well as couple from Portsmouth. All are welcome.
Our next In Reach is on Friday December 12th, beginning at 1:30pm, when we will be having our Christmas Party.
(Sorry for delay in Blog - Mr C had technical issues!)

 

 

 

 



Hoople

This is one of the new things you may see if you visit Kings Copse, a VI pupil practicing using her 'hoople' around school. A Hoople is used as a pre-long cane tool, teaching the pupil correct body posture as well as developing an appropriate grip. 

For this pupil it is also providing increased independence; working with her mobility instructor and her VI LSA on routes around school has meant that she is able to make her own way to the dinner hall or the toilet.

Guide Dog - Pupdates 4

 

Pupdate 4

 

 

 

                                                

Our Guide Dog Puppies.  Top left: Harley, Top right: Flint and bottom: Fergie.

Lots of news for you regarding our puppies.  Firstly some sad news.  Unfortunately Fergie has been withdrawn from the Guide Dog programme.  Fergie had been diagnosed with 'high body sensitivity and was also lacking quite a bit in confidence.  Her lack of confidence in making decisions on her own meant it wouldn't have been safe for her or her guide dog owner.  Her high body sensitivity meant it was very difficult putting her training harness on.  However, Fergie has now been rehomed as a pet dog, and is living with her new owners Katherine and Phillip in Devon. 
Fergie has settled in very quickly.  She has lots of new friends in her new home, including, 4 ducks, 9 chickens, a cat and another withdrawn guide dog, Fleur!  Fergie is loving going on lots of long walks in the local woods with her new BFF, Fleur.  We wish Fergie all the very best in her new home.

Harley

Harley is now with a new Instructor, called Devon as he has moved on to advanced training.  He is learning lots of new skills, particularly working in busier pedestrian environments.  Devon has been working with Harley to locate new crossing points, pedestrian crossing buttons, bus stops and vacant chairs at the stops.  All this is to help prepare Harley for the future when he needs to guide his owner.
Once Harleys advanced training is complete, Devon will start to think about matching Harley to a person who is blind or partially sighted.
It is very exciting hearing about how Harley is doing in his training.


Flint

Flint has done excellent in his early training and he is now very confident with the obstacle course, narrow gaps and traffic.  Flint has mastered all different kinds of transport; trains, cars, vans, buses and his trainer Katie says he is confident with them all.  Unfortunately, just before Flint was due to move on to his advanced training he was very unlucky to catch his claw whilst playing and this has delayed him in moving on to the advanced training stage by a few weeks.
Kaite tells us that Flint is still very high in spirits and still working very hard.  He is very good at locating objects such as chairs and lifts.  This is really important as he will use these skills when he gets partnered with a blind or partially sighted person.

It is wonderful to hear about all our puppies and their progress and we are immensely proud of how they are all doing, including Fergie in her new home.



Royal Victoria Country Park

Just before half term the staff and pupils of The Oasis went to Royal Victoria Country Park to have a go on the new play park for children with disabilities. 

The facilities were fantastic, including the wheelchair accessible roundabout above.

However the 'zip-wire' was an absolute favourite for all. 

 

There were many activities that the children really enjoyed exploring. 

Including a hidden trampoline! 

Parents and siblings were invited to join us and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! It is great to provide our children with the chance to explore brilliant play equipment in a supportive environment, either from staff, family or friends.