As we approach the last days of 2018 I’d like to reflect on the amazing achievements Hadrian School has experienced throughout the last twelve months.

Two of the main highlights of the year have to be our fantastic fourth consecutive ‘Outstanding’ OfSTED Inspection and the opening of our much longed for Rob Armstrong Rebound Therapy Centre, both of which happened in the space of one week in February!  To say we spent the February half term holiday in a bubble of exhaustion, elation and excitement is a bit of an understatement!   We are indebted to Rob and the many, many other people who contributed to the planning and funding of the Rebound Centre and who continue to support us in so many ways.  If you haven’t already seen this amazing facility please make a note in your diary to come in to one of our Viewing Days in February.

Aside from these two events we have continued to provide the very best opportunities for our children from sporting events both in and out of school, arts projects including FLOW, the Shakespeare in Schools Festival at Northern Stage, sensory sessions, visits into the local and wider community, visitors into school including animal handlers, story tellers, theatre and pantomime companies and Pudsey Bear to mention but a few.

Hopefully you will have received the autumn edition of the Hadrian Herald this week which will highlight some of the above mentioned events along with many other activities our children have been involved in this term.

As you will know we also received national coverage due to the unfortunate vandalism we suffered earlier in the year.  Whilst this was a very distressing event for everyone concerned, we have managed to put it all behind us due to the overwhelming support we have received from our own friends and families as well as complete strangers.  We have all been touched and humbled by this universal show of encouragement and we are very grateful to each and every one of you.  We must also say a huge ‘Thank You’ to the kindness people have shown during the run up to Christmas – we have been inundated with gifts and selection boxes for all the children.  As you will appreciate, as our budget is extremely tight these days, it is good to know that Santa’s purse is always open and every child has received a gift.

Many thanks to everyone who attended our Christmas Show last Friday – I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.  Our children and staff never cease to amaze me with their creativity and commitment to making the most of every single opportunity.

As we begin to look forward into 2019 we are starting out on plans for our next big dream – a new hydrotherapy pool which we hope will eventually be built adjacent to the Rob Armstrong Rebound Therapy Centre.  We know this will be a huge undertaking and will be years in the planning but…….. as the song says, ‘If you don’t have a dream……. how you gonna have a dream come true?’

Merry Christmas one and all and very best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Chris