Blog week ending 16th December

What a truly amazing build-up to the Christmas break, and the culmination of an extremely busy and exciting term!  The students and staff really embraced the festive spirit this week.  We are all particularly grateful for the donations and beautiful hampers that have been produced to spread a little Christmas cheer amongst families in our community for whom the hampers will mean so, so much.  We enjoyed a carol service at our local Stone St Mary’s.

We all thoroughly enjoyed the many wonderful costumes and outfits sported on Thursday to coincide with our Christmas lunch.  Of special note, Adam of Year 10 who makes an excellent Father Christmas and Mrs Bassant, our Inclusion Manager as The Grinch, an inspired choice!

As you can see from the below photos our special Christmas lunch was a hit!  Students and staff shared a delicious meal prepared by our amazing catering team – who certainly did us all proud – thank you so much (the team are pictured below)

Pictured, just a fraction of the wonderful hampers forms made to support our local community.  Congratulations to the winning forms for their splendid hampers

10 B Overall Winners - Prize of Chocolate to share in their Form

9A Runners up

8 B Runners up

And just look how wonderful they all look under the tree at St Mary’s Church (which our Governor and local Councillor Mr Oliver posted on Facebook!)

This term, Year 10 Health and Social Care students have been learning about development through the life stages, from infancy, through to later adulthood.  In a recent lesson, students made Christmas cards for residents at a local care home, reflecting on how small gestures like this can have a big impact on a care home residents’ emotional wellbeing.

Congratulations to Flourish of Year 10 who has successfully been appointed a member of the Kent Youth County Council for Dartford!  Flourish has already had her first Youth Council meeting at Maidstone, and I don’t doubt will make a positive and meaningful contribution on behalf of the children and young people across Dartford.

The winners of our MFL Christmas card competition have been announced!  Congratulations each winner was presented with a chocolate selection box.

1^st  Lily D 7H

2^nd Ellie-May 7E

3^rd Emily 7D

Our Science Technicians are certainly feeling Christmassy!  Pictured below, they made and decorated an alternative Scientific Christmas tree!  Very impactful!

KCC have shared the below information to support positive mindfulness and wellbeing for young people.  If you would like any further advice or support, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our Student Managers.

Winter Mental Health Support Guide for Young People (office.com)

On behalf of all our staff and PTFA at Stone Lodge School  .. we hope you have a very merry festive break, and we will see students back for the new term on Tuesday 3rd January.

Best wishes,

Gavin Barnett

Head Teacher