Trees

We've had an exciting and creative time in Trees Phase recently, and we’re thrilled to share what our talented students have been working on!

Stained Glass Windows (7T1 & 7T2)
Students in 7T1 and 7T2 created beautiful stained glass windows to represent the cross. These vibrant pieces reflect both their artistic skills and understanding of symbolism in religious art. The windows have brought a wonderful burst of color to our classrooms.

Makaton Story (8T2)
The students in 8T2 have been busy with an exciting project: filming a Makaton story! This fantastic initiative combines storytelling with sign language, enhancing both communication skills and creativity. The film has been a heartwarming collaboration for all involved.

Paper Mache Titanic (8T3)
The history of the Titanic came to life in 8T3, where students created paper mache replicas of the iconic ship. Their models show impressive attention to detail and demonstrate a growing interest in historical events. We are proud of their hard work!

Firefighter Visit
The Trees Phase had a special visit from our local firefighters, who shared important safety information and demonstrated their equipment. The students were captivated, asking lots of insightful questions while gaining an appreciation for these everyday heroes.

Andy Warhol-Inspired Portraits (7T3, 7T4, 8T4)
In Art, classes 7T3, 7T4, and 8T4 have been diving into the world of Andy Warhol. Inspired by his unique style, the students created their own portraits using bold colors and innovative techniques. The results were stunning!

Leaf Sculptures & Clay Leaves (7T1 & 7T2)
7T1 and 7T2 tapped into nature for their next project—crafting intricate leaf sculptures and creating clay leaves. These activities encouraged students to observe nature closely and translate their findings into artistic creations.

Bird Sculptures (8T3)
In 8T3, students continued their paper mache journey by sculpting beautiful birds. Their work is a testament to patience, attention to detail, and growing confidence in working with new materials.

Watering the Plants
Our young gardeners have been taking great care of the plants around the school, making sure they stay healthy and vibrant. This responsibility helps the students develop a sense of pride in their environment.

We are so proud of all the hard work and creativity that our students have shown. Stay tuned for more exciting updates in the coming weeks!

Hills

Welcome to another edition of our Hills news! We’ve got plenty of exciting news, upcoming events, and pupil achievements to share with you. Take a look at what’s been happening... 

9H1 took part in an exciting trip to the Black Country Living Museum. They explored different ways people lived in the past and how they lived without electricity. They also explored the mines and learnt about the children and men who would have been working in the dark dirty conditions. 

10H1 have been learning about renewable and non-renewable energy. As a practical learning experience, we made mini wind turbines. Luckily it was a windy day so we could test out our creations!  

11H1 have been working extremely hard towards their qualifications in their final year at Sutton, to reach for the best possible outcomes! They have been showing their amazing Maths skills across different topics, and even asking for extra challenges. In English, they have been excelling in both their Speaking and Listening and Reading Assessments. Some amazing learning happening in 11H1! 

Classes 9H2 and 10H2 have been working hard using Colourful Semantics to help them create their own class newsletters about all the fun and educational things that they have experienced this half term. 10H2 have also been taking part in hydrotherapy sessions and have been developing their skills in the water.  

Pupils had a great time learning all about Japan during MFL day. They tried different foods, learn some new Japanese phrases, practiced origami and learnt all about the history and culture of Japan. 

We hope you all have a wonderful half term break.

 

Rivers

As we come to the end of the first half term, we celebrate the hard work of our pupils. Their creativity and achievements continue to make us proud. From school-wide experiences to classroom highlights, this edition is packed with positive news!  

9R1 are proudly raising money for the Royal British Legion poppy appeal. We have been working hard at planning and organising when and how we will sell these during the school day. A ParentMail with more information will follow shortly. 

9R2 Have been exploring the local writer Benjamin Zephaniah they have learnt about his life and his wonderful stories, poetry, and songs. They have looked for similarities between Benjamin’s writing and the author Pamela M Tuck (As fast as words could fly) who wrote in a comparable way to Benjamin focusing on the rights of Black lives. Benjamin used a typewriter, and pupils experienced what it would be like to use this type of machine, which was also presented in the novel by Pamela. 

10R1 This term we have been focusing on the story ‘Wonder’. We have been looking into character growth and the way emotions change throughout the story. From looking at events within the story we have been able to empathise with Auggie and understand his emotions and actions with reason. 

This term 10R2 have been looking at festival celebrations in RE. We are currently learning about Yom Kippur a Jewish celebration which focuses on the theme of forgiveness and cleansing. We will be doing some role play this week to show the benefits of forgiving others and understanding why sometimes this can be difficult. They have also made a positive start to their speaking and listening assessments and have been transferring these skills to make a podcast on our novel ‘Wonder’. They’ve been working in small groups to recreate a scene from the book. The pupils will be recording these podcasts next week as they continue to build their confidence using their speaking and listening skills. 

This half term 11R1 have been exploring the solar system. After lots of patience with papier mâché, we have finally been able to decorate our balloons, bringing our previously designed planets to life! Not only have we named them, we have also selected a habitat and population size. We are looking forward to learning more about the solar system from Brian Cox’s new documentary series after half term! 

11R2 have been working hard and completed their speaking and listening assessments and their reading assessments in English. They have developed presentation skills and confidence. We are very proud of them all for their hard work and determination! 

This week, our pupils have been exploring the fascinating culture and history of Japan. They learned about traditional customs, tried their hand at origami, and discovered the beauty of Japanese art and calligraphy. The children were excited to learn a few Japanese phrases and even got to taste some authentic Japanese snacks! It’s been a wonderful experience broadening their understanding of this unique and vibrant country. 

We hope you have a wonderful half term break.

Holiday Activates and Food Programme

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme - Dudley Half-Term

We are excited to inform you about the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) initiative running across Dudley this half-term. Keeping children active and in a routine during the holidays is incredibly beneficial for their physical and mental wellbeing. The HAF programme offers a range of fun and engaging activities, alongside nutritious meals, at no cost.

In addition to HAF, there are other free activities available throughout the Dudley borough. Click the link to explore the full list and plan your half-term!

Black Country Foodbank

We understand that with the current cost of living crisis, feeding children during the holidays can be a daunting and costly task for many families. If you are struggling to feed your family at any point, please know that the Black Country Foodbank is available to help. Sutton School is a voucher holder for the foodbank, and we can make referrals on your behalf if needed.

As a pastoral school, we are committed to working closely with parents and the wider community to support our pupils' wellbeing. Please don't hesitate to reach out for assistance.

To self refer please click here.

Thank You for Your Continued Support with School Attendance

We would like to sincerely thank parents and carers for their continued support in helping improve school attendance. Attending school regularly is not just about meeting targets—it plays a key role in supporting your child’s mental health and overall wellbeing.

A special congratulations to 11R2 HDN for achieving 97.1% attendance this half term!

However, we remain concerned about the number of children arriving late to school. This is something we will continue to monitor. If you are finding it difficult to get your child to school on time, please let us know so we can work together to find ways to support you.

For a reminder, please see the attached information on the new government guidance around school attendance.

Once again, thank you for your ongoing support.

Dudley Performing Arts (DPA) and Dudley Special Schools Orchestra

We are proud to share that the Dudley Special Schools Orchestra recently performed at the prestigious Birmingham Symphony Hall!

As a SEN school, we have seen first hand the incredible benefits that performing arts have on our pupils' confidence, creativity, and overall wellbeing.

Please take a moment to watch their amazing performance and celebrate the talents of our wonderful students.

Click here.

Throughout the month of October, we have been celebrating Black History Month in school. Our pupils have explored the lives of historic figures such as Rosa Parks, the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and also learning about more recent influential figures from the Black British community, including Marcus Rashford, Dianne Abbott, and many more.

At Sutton School, we pride ourselves not only on embracing the diverse needs of our SEN pupils but also on being a place that celebrates the richness of all ethnic backgrounds. Together, we continue to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.