We have had three significant meetings with families this week.

On Tuesday we had Parents’ Evening at our Learning Centre. It is always great to attend and meet our young people (and yourselves) and hear all of your exciting plans. I learnt about college placements, New Bridge Horizons, Future Finders and employment. The evening was only spoiled later on when I rushed straight to Gigg Lane to watch the mighty Shakers lose at home to Scunthorpe! Colleagues who support the Latics said it could have been worse though, I could have ended up at Boundary (or should I say SportsDirect.com) Park…

On Wednesday we held an Open Evening at Hollinwood Academy. It was wonderful to see so many of our current families there, giving prospective parents their perspective on our newest school and describing how their children had settled in. I think, at times, families are able to give a much more powerful, personal and perceptive view. One of issues I said I would report back on is that of the Local Authority allowing us to take a number of children after Christmas. Sarah, myself and Rita met with the LA earlier that same day, and we are hopeful that the issue around funding has finally been resolved. Our team will be contacting the families that this may involve in the near future.

On Thursday we used our conference facilities at Hollinwood Academy to host our presentation about our newest building, Medtia Square. As you will be aware from this blog, discussions and negotiations have been ongoing for some time. We were able to present our exciting plans for the building to our families and young people from New Bridge Horizons, Future Finders, Digit4ll and Lumenus. There were, quite rightly, a number of questions asked relating to some of the logistics involved but I was delighted with the overall support for our latest venture. When we (finally) take possession and have added our ‘New Bridge’ touch I will post some pictures here. We are anticipating that New Bridge Horizons and Future Finders will be based at Medtia Square after the Christmas break, please keep up to date on all the developments both here and on the New Bridge Horizons website.

We have had our photographer in both New Bridge School and the Learning Centre this week. We are hoping to send the photographs home to families at the end of next week to give you time to order any copies that you may like before Christmas. We will also be sending home an order form from our New Bridge Printers in case you would like your child’s photograph printed on a canvas, a mug or various other items that might make nice presents! If you would like further details in the meantime or if you have another favourite image that you would like to have printed onto a product now, please email nbprinters@newbridgegroup.org or visit their page here – I’ve been told they are currently offering some Christmas specials!

A massive well done to Michelle Lane, our Year 14 Pastoral Manager, on receiving a ‘Passion for Parents’ Award from POINT (Parents of Oldham in Touch) at their annual conference last week.

I’ve a busy weekend lined up at Jump Nation – a birthday party for our son. I hope you all have a great weekend,

Graham