Goodbye George!

The end of the school term has meant that we had to say goodbye to George.

George has been with us so long he feels like part of the furniture! When speaking to members of staff about George, it was impossible for anyone to comment without smiling. I've heard stories of George being picked up and carried around the school in a blue plastic bucket (that definitely could not happen now!), using wonderful vocabulary in his English lessons and hearing about him being the most helpful student in the kitchen.

George is leaving us to study a level 2 course in carpentry.

Congratulations!

We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you and to wish you all the best for your future.

Activity Week 2017

Everyone at Blue Skies enjoyed a fun-packed activity week. A huge thank you to Sammy for organising the following events:

• Bowling and beach at Whitstable
• Lazer tag and park games
• Swimming at Larkfield
• Body zorbing, The Cavebus, archery and disc golf at Lower Grange Farm
• Soar and BBQ

Everyone is already looking forward to next year!

Parents' afternoon 2017

A huge thank you to all the parents who were able to make our parent's afternoon/evening. We were all really pleased with the turnout.

A special thank you to Louis and Tyler who worked hard with Viv to cook a variety of foods for everyone to enjoy.

Brighton 2017

Our annual, whole school trip to Brighton was a success - yet again! Fun was had by all students (and staff!).

Our trip to Brighton is always spoken of fondly by all who attend; the day is filled with laughter and excitement. We started our day at the Sea-life centre learning new facts and seeing lots of baby Seahorses! This was followed by games and lunch on the beach where we were all lucky enough to observe Dean doing a push-up in the sea!

It was then time for arcades and rides on the pier!

We finished the day with fish and chips on the beach before heading back to school.

Thank you to all the students and staff for making it a lovely day for everyone.

Wheelchair Rugby

The other day we went to Medway park leisure centre to watch the wheelchair rugby. When we got there Lauren signed us in and then bought us to our seats, once we were seated the game kicked off. It seemed ok at first but after England had scored 3 tries, Wales where determined to score so it got very rough and there were people in the wheelchairs flying everywhere. There were players without any legs and one player kept flying out of his wheelchair. I wondered how they got their injuries, I was surprised that the rules were that you could have at least 2 fully able players on your team at once. At half time we had lunch then the game kicked off again. At the end we met all the England team and had our picture taken with them. Then we went back to school.

-Brandon

We went to Medway Park building/Sports center. As we walked in Lauren had to sign in after we did that we walked down the stairs to the hall. As we got closer I heard the sound of applause and cheering, the hall was jam-packed with people, mostly children from schools like ourselves. We walked to the end of the hall where our seats were and I sat on the back row next to Kai and George.

The game started just after we sat down, all the players went to their half, England on the left and Wales on the right. The sound of the buzzer was deafening, but it meant the game was under way.

Lots of people fell out of their chairs and bumped into each other.  The smell of burning rubber stuck in my nostrils, making me feel sick. At half time England was far ahead and were sure to win. The second half was drawing closer and the players were entering the pitch whilst fans rushed back to their seats.

The second half had begun, the buzzer had sounded. Wheels were screeching and the smell of burning rubber becoming more fragrant and that made the game more intense.

At the end of the second half England had won.

I had a WHEELY good time there.

-Charlie

On Friday 25th September 2015, we went to watch wheelchair rugby with staff & students from Blue Skies School. We left school at 10:30, our transport was the Blue Skies School bright Blue with a dark tinge mini bus, with outstanding white clouds on the side making sure you cant miss it, also there was bright red golf, dirty black juke, silver chrome VW Touran all these car were full up bags, staff & students. Getting there was a pain with all the busy traffic of cars in a massive pile up of traffic.

We finally arrived at the Medway Park sport centre, to watch rugby, England VS Wales. When we arrived they were all training ready for a tough match to see if they could qualify into the semi final, when we sat down at the stand there was an awful smell going around which was the smell of burning rubber coming off there wheels as the they shot past with a tackle then it lets of the terrible smell.

England were in red & white they were much more ahead of wales as they were doing awful with only 6 points to 36 points to England, both teams were really strong & fierce with there passing & shooting to score as many goals as possible before the buzzer goes off which would be half-time or full-time. 

-George

The rugby was amazing, I expected it to be outside but it was inside on hard wooden flooring. The game started the wheelchairs shot past us like bullets the crowd was like a riot of school children kicking off. The rugby ball soared into the crowd like a seagull diving down for a chip. One Welsh player crashed down and hit the floor like a fallen God. The ball zipped passed all the players and flew into the goal like a giraffe getting away from a tiger. It was half time and we were winning.

-Harrison

Kayaking

Every Tuesday we go kayaking with the school. This Tuesday I faced my fear of cold things. I went out on a kayak for about 40 minuets. Then I got out because I hurt my pinkey finger with the paddle. After I got out of the kayak I was out for about 5 minutes. Then all the rest of my group got out of the water. I was helping a boy called Harry get out but I tiped him in the water. About 5 minutes later I jumped in with him. The water was as cold as a frozen lake. When I got out I was freezing. So I ran to the car and got my stuff. Then I ran to the toilets and got in to some warm clothes. Then we went back to school.

I would recommend kayaking because it is fun. I enjoyed it until I jumped in but it was fun but cold. I think if you enjoy outdoor activates you will enjoy kayaking.

-Aaron

On Tuesday we went kayaking like we do every Tuesday but this Tuesday Charlie, Harrison and George fell in and the water was as cold as Roger’s soul. I expected to fall in but luckily I didn’t. I was surprised Harrison fell in because he was saying that he wasn’t going to do it but then he did. At kayaking we learnt how to stop our kayak in 3 paddles. All I could smell was the duck poo and all I could hear were the ducks and Bailie screaming because she thought she would fall in. We then were done and went back to school.

-Brandon

Kayaking was fun because we got to use the boats to go further in the water and plus we were doing it for free. The water was totally freezing it was like stepping into a freezer. I didn’t really like the water because it looks dirty but apart from that I really did enjoy kayaking it’s basically trying something new. Last of all it’s basically funny when people capsize in the water but the one thing I really enjoy is you get to learn different things while you are in the water. The thing I like about kayaking is that you’re in the water controlling your boat and plus you can either make the boat fast or slow.

-Kye

Kayaking is a great exercise, allow me to say! Learning how to paddle my way to safety on a miniature boat is the start of something I would never have thought of doing in the first place. Put it simple; I despise water. I was never a fan of taking a bath, not at all. However, kayaking with the lads, (me, Charlie, George, Aaron, Brandon) made it more interesting, where I thought I would be tipped into the water.

The instructor, is named Stuart, who as far as we know, is from London, and has been kayaking for many years. I think what lets this experience down is the fact I have water in the kayak- and I wear smart clothes, because I’m classy like that. And the stench! Smells like a sea-life, that’s for sure. I am sure my granddad would be proud of me.

Working with the kayak is like working with a horse. If you treat it right, it sails you to where you like to go. Do it wrong, and it will capsize, and it’s not pretty getting cold in the shivering water. Not one bit. I remember taking a lesson on capsizing, IN SHORTS, on a freezing cold day. The water was just about warmer than the atmosphere. It was truly intolerable, and I was screaming when I reached the surface. Of course, in a panic, I rubbed it like crazy, chanting, ‘RUB IT LIKE A GENIE!!!!’

Overall, I have cherished these moments, from the good and bad of kayaking. Things just can’t be the same without Stuart and the lads.

-Morgan.