Farewell Sally! Hello Peter!
Head of Care Sally Mott has left School to take on a new job. We tha
nk Sally for all her hard work and dedication in looking after the pupils in her care. We would like to wish her the very best for the future. Don’t forget to come back and visit us sometime!
Peter Munro takes over from Sally as Head of Care. Good luck to Peter as he faces new challenges!
STAGETEXT Captioning
Geoff Brown, Peter Pullan and Merfyn Williams all enjoy the theatre, but found the current access prov
ision ofloop systems and sign language interpretation inadequate. They formed STAGETEXT to promote awareness of the use of captions (subtitles) to increase access to the theatre. Captions are shown at the same time as the words are spoken or sung. Sound effects/off-stage noises can be included. It is possible to use full or edited text in any language.
Since November 2000, we have captioned many plays, including “Twelfth Night” for the Royal Shakespeare Company, “Afore Night Come” at the Young Vic, “To Kill a Mockingbird” at Theatr Clywd, “Still Life” at the Etcetera Theatre and Bill Kenwright’s “Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” in Sheffield. We are continuing to plan captioned performances with theatres around the country.
To find out more, contact us in one of the following ways: 4 STAGETEXT, 75 Canfield Gardens, London NW6 3EA; Phone: 020 7372 1246 (v) or 020 7624 216l (text/fax); Email: enquiries@stagetext.co.uk. Please visit our website at www.stagetext.co.uk for details of latest captioned performances.
Merfyn Williams (Ex-pupil)
GARDEN FETE 2002
Saturday 25 May
10.30am – 3pm
JOIN US FOR A DAY OF FUN!
* Morris Dancers * BBQ * Games Raffle * Plants *
* Fire Engine * Ice-cream/candyfloss * Tombola *
AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!!!
‘Hear the Cheer’ Soccer Fun
Sports Minister Richard Caborn made a special visit to the school recently. He came to congratulate pupils on taking part in ‘
Hear the Cheer’, the first football training course of its kind for deaf children. Mr Caborn showed his enthusiasm by going in goal, heading the ball with great control and taking several penalties, although 15-year-old Harry Mook beat him hands-down!
During the course pupils were taught soccer skills by coaches of the David Campbell Celebrity Soccer School. The scheme, funded by Phonak UK and Sportsmatch, was such a great success that it is going to be rolled out nationwide to other schools for hearing-impaired children.
Miss Brown’s Silver Jubilee
Learning Support Assistant Miss Sally Brown celebrated 25 years of working at the school on 2nd May. Congratulations to Miss Brown on reaching this milestone and we offer our thanks to her for all the hard work she has put in over the years.
Jane Cooks VIP Treats
Born and raised in Windermere, former pupil Jane Petch (nee Cheetham) is the main cook at Kepplewray. Jane is an experienced cook who has fed members of the Royal Family at Holker Hall. Margaret Thatcher was another VIP who sampled Jane’s creations and survived to tell the tale! Jane has also lived in York, working at both Rowntrees and John Smiths. However, Jane wanted to return to the Lakes as she loves the area and her mother lives in an old farm at Ulverston, where she is staying at the moment.
Duffy Aims for Irish Hills
After a career spanning over 30 years, Tony Duffy retired from the Civil Service in July 2001. Tony left Birkdale in 1957 and gained his GCE’s at Wigan Technical College. He then gained a place in the School of Architecture at John Moore’s University.
On gaining his Diploma in Architecture, Tony first worked for a number of local architects before joining Warrington & Runcorn New Town Development Corporation in 1974, where he was responsible for the design and construction of a number of offices, factories and housing estates. On the demise of the New Town in 1987, Tony moved south to join the Property Services Agency branch of the Department of the Environment in London. With the privatisation of the Property Services Agency in 1992 Tony transferred to the Prison Services Agency branch of the Home Office.
Not content to indulge in a life of idleness, Tony is now hoping to gain extra qualifications. These would enable him to set up his own consultancy advising on the implementation of the Disabled Discrimination Act in its application to buildings.
A keen mountaineer and hill walker, Tony has in his time climbed all the high mountains in England, Scotland and Wales. He now has his sights set on the Irish Mountains for which he should now have plenty of time.
Tony Duffy (Ex-pupil)
Boy Joy for Samantha
Samantha Samuels (nee Peel) has a little boy, born in December 2000, and his name is James Oliver. He was born at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and weighed 7lb 9oz. Samantha and husband Peter are still living in Wrexham.
Samantha Samuels (Ex-pupil)
‘Friends of Birkdale’ Thanks
The School, the Home School Association (H.S.A.) and myself wish to record our appreciation of your response to our December 2001 appeal.
A total of £525 has been received and I wish to say a big ‘Thank You’ to all who sent in donations. I was told that December of any year is not the best time to ask for donations. If you were unable to respond in December, I would be delighted if you found it possible to respond at the present time.
The School Fete this year is on 25th May and we would be pleased if you would like to support us on that day.
Jack Henderson (Chairman, H.S.A.)
Website has a New Look!
The school’s website underwent a facelift in January this year. Those of you who were using the old website address will have found themselves directed to a new address (www.bshic.co.uk) and a different looking site. The new-look website is in keeping with current trends and ever-changing technology.
Don’t forget to let us know what you think of our website!
Birkdale Reunion Association
Announces BUFFET DANCE 2002
To be held at the Floral Hall, Southport
on SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER.
Tickets: £14 each – Cheques/PO payable to “Birkdale Reunion Association”
Send order/SAE to:
Steven Brayshaw
[address previously supplied]
CLOSING DATE: 31 AUGUST
Lights, Camera, Action!
Year 10 pupil Harry Mook appeared on ITV’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ in March. He was interviewed in relation tothe Soccer School he took part in last year.
Year 8 pupil Shazia Waheed has also been on TV. She was featured on the Channel 4 programme ‘Vee-TV’. She was filmed at the University Hospital in Nottingham during her cochlear implant.
Tracey is a Proud Mum!
Tracey Herbert (nee Martin) left school in 1989. She has a daughter called Andrea, who is 4-years-old and she is hearing. Tracey says she is a very bright girl and she is proud of her.
Tracey’s Mum, May Watkins (nee Martin), who used to work in the school kitchen, now lives in Derby and has married again.
Tracey Herbert (Ex-pupil)
World Book Day Success
The school held a Mufti Day and Book Sale on World Book Day last term. We raised £80 for Book Aid International, a charity which sends books to schools in very deprived areas.
We promoted reading in school by focusing on reading across the curriculum, reading for pleasure in bed and reading about interesting hobbies and stories. The pupils responded positively and we thank everyone who supported this venture.
Young Persons HOH Club
We have taken the first steps in forming a Young Persons Hard of Hearing group in Sefton for young people to meet and socialise with other young deaf adults. If you would like to meet socially, go out on trips or take up a new hobby, please let us know. We are meeting regularly and would welcome your ideas for this new group. We are arranging an inaugural social evening on 20th June.
For more details, please contact: Sue O’Malley OR Martin Murphy [phone numbers provided – please contact Editor if interested.]
Martin Murphy
News in Brief
Lorraine Carrington (nee Foster) gave birth to a little girl, Rachel Olivia, at Billinge Hospital on 8 December weighing 7lbs 13 ½oz.
Miss Anne McInnes returned to the school before Christmas after many years absence. Miss McInnes is teaching in the Primary Department.
Susie Storey married Rudo Rijken in Holland on 3 May.
Nicola Harding and William Richardson have set their wedding date for 15 June. Both Nicola and William continue to work hard on the farm.