It has been another wonderful year at Sybil Elgar School. Packed full of structured and engaging activities. As well as lessons inside school, the curriculum also focuses on risk-assessed community access and outdoor learning. To learn more about our vision, mission and values please follow the link.  

For the festive period our students enjoyed a range of Christmas-themed activities, planned to provide them with opportunities to feel part of the celebrations.  

A trip to Covent Garden 

Students visited the Christmas market at Covent Garden, explored the stalls and enjoyed a hot chocolate at a café. Real-life experiences in making choices and using money give our students the opportunity to build confidence and independence. As festive environments can feel overwhelming for autistic people, part of our teaching approach is to consider sensory processing needs. Our dedicated staff uses visual schedules, symbols and timetables that support students to feel empowered when facing unfamiliar environments. To learn more about autism and sensory processing, please find more information from the National Autistic Society here.  

Christmas Jumper Day 

Our school was full of colour and joy as students wore their festive jumpers for this annual event. They joined in creative arts and crafts, took part in a parade and received prizes for taking part in the planned activities.  

Christmas adventures in virtual reality

As part of Sybil Elgar School’s drive to include innovative technologies as resources for teaching and learning, our students had opportunity to step into Santa’s boots for a day. 

Using virtual reality headsets, they delivered presents around the world, rode snowy slides, and explored vivid winter scenes. This brought Christmas to life in a truly exciting way. 

Autism friendly performances at Sybil Elgar School

Our ever-popular annual performances were a big success. At Woodlands, students worked hard in music, art, and drama lessons to create props, music and movements that brought The Nutcracker to the stage. At Havelock Road students presented a nativity singalong, leading the audience in traditional songs and stories. Families joined us to celebrate their commitment, creativity and teamwork.  

A feast and celebrations at our annual Christmas lunch

 
We ended the term with our popular Christmas lunch. This is an opportunity for students and teachers to gather and enjoy a three-course buffet together. Thank you to our dedicated catering team for making this day yet another successful and memorable experience. Also, for the countless meals you prepare during the year that ensure our students are fed and ready to learn and enjoy their day. 

A closing note from our therapy team

To support our autistic pupils and students, especially during busy festive periods, at Sybil Elgar School we use Makaton signs alongside spoken language to make instructions clear and reduce anxiety. Please follow the link to our latest TDT newsletter to learn a number of relevant signs this Christmas. To find out more about communication and autism as well as get some  useful tips, please visit the National Autistic Society website for more information.