Friends of St. Cuthbert’s Primary
School Language & Communication Classes
Spring Fundraising
The Language & Communication Classes at St. Cuthbert’s Primary School
provide education for children on the Autistic Spectrum. Autism affects
a child’s ability to communicate and socialise with others and these children
need lots of additional support in their school lives. That support is provided
by St. Cuthbert’s Language and Communication Classes and by the main primary
school where the children participate in as many activities as they can.
The children are capable of so much with support and encouragement.
We are hoping to raise funds for the Language Unit this Spring with three
main projects in mind:
• An overnight ‘holiday’ at Ratho respite centre. Each
year the children go on an overnight holiday to Ratho. This gives them an
opportunity to practice all the social skills they have been learning in
a fun environment with their school friends, and helps to develop their
independence.
• Play equipment for the playground. Playtime can be difficult
for children on the Autistic Spectrum. The playground is big and noisy with
lots of children rushing about letting off steam. We hope to purchase some
play equipment – bikes, scooters etc. to give the children a focus at playtime,
which helps them to interact with other children and gives them an opportunity
to share and take turns.
• Development of the school garden. This will allow the
children to plant some flowers and vegetables and see the results of their
efforts. We all learn best by ‘doing’. This is especially true for children
on the Autistic Spectrum where ‘seeing and doing’ can mean so much more
than language.