Stars in our Schools

As part of UNISON's annual national celebration day for all school support staff, I along with the branch's Local Organiser, Jo Spires, visited the catering staff at Kepier Academy. Mrs Cooper, the Principal, invited us to meet with the catering staff, whom she called 'wonderful'. Children learn better if they are provided with a decent and healthy meal. Over three weeks, the branch had visited each of the 117 schools across the city and meeting Kepier catering staff was the highlight of the week and a great note on which to end our visits. Thank you to the lovely ladies we met and to all of the Kepier school support staff for the fantastic work done in making the place a safe and healthy environment in which children can achieve their greatest potential.

Diane Wright, Education Convenor, UNISON City of Sunderland Branch

Children In Need

As ever, Kepier learners and staff did their utmost to raise money for Children In Need on Friday gone.

Organised by Miss Allen, but with the learners helping out both before and on the day, we managed to raise over £1300 through a variety of events, including having a non uniform day, face painting, a hair and nail beauty parlour,a raffle for a giant jar of sweets, asking year 11 learners to donate as they went out for their lunch and a photo booth where learners (and staff!) could get dressed up and have their photos taken, and purchase a copy.

Miss Allen said "I'm so proud of the efforts made by all the learners who helped with the organisation and running of the day, plus the generosity of learners and staff who helped us raise this fabulous amount."

Kepier Inter Faith Week

This week at Kepier our learners have been taking part in 'Inter Faith Week', the aim of which is to increase understanding between people of non religious and religious beliefs to celebrate diversity. At Kepier during Inter Faith week our learners have been involved in a number of events. On Monday we had a visitor in to create Diya lamps with our year 7 and 8 learners to build on their knowledge of Hinduism; on Monday afternoon our year 11 dancers, and a group of year 7 learners learnt how to Bollywood dance, and on the Tuesday the Gideons were invited in to take our year 7 assembly and present our learners with a bible. The Wednesday involved the Islamic Diversity Centre visiting Kepier, to discuss the religion of Islam and topical issues seen in the media. Our year 7 learners were all involved in workshops, whilst year 9 had a group assembly with a question and answer session. 

DT Creations at Kepier

Our Design and Technologies teacher, Miss Holden, has been working with learners from across our year groups on a project to show them how to run a small business, designing, making and selling to other learners and staff a range of products.

With Christmas fast approaching, they are now taking orders for these items, including an engraved wooden box, which for only £20 includes reindeer feed, Santa's magic key, chocolate nibbles, a personalised letter to Santa and a poem. As well as these, they are also offering other Christmas goodies such as baubles, personalised mugs, Santa magic keys, and so on.

Miss Holden said "this project has been invaluable in not just allowing the young people to design and make these products, but also teach them the importance of pricing up products against costs to ensure a small profit is made and we can continue to run the project in future years."

Pictured with an example of the engraved wooden box and the personalised letter and poem are learners Leah, Lauren, Hannah and Megan.

2017 Run Sunderland events now open!

The Siglion Sunderland City Half Marathon and 10K will take place on Sunday 7th May 2017 at Keel Square after a successful move into the City centre in 2016.

The Start and Finish will be at Keel Square for a second year, with superb public transport links close by.

Whether you set your sights on a PB, reach your fundraising target, or just take in the atmosphere at this flat and fast Spring Half Marathon & 10K, you will receive a bespoke medal, goody bag and technical t-shirt at the finish.

Why not make the most of the EARLY BIRD OFFER, which will be available until Nov 30th 2016?  Entry Prices will rise on December 1st by £3.

www.sunderlandcity10k.com