Longcause Community Special School

Dear Longcause family, I’m really sad to share that at that start of the holiday Jessie our lovely loyal dog friend died. It has been so sad to lose her. She had a long happy 13 years and just loved being in school with the children. She was so gentle and patient with them. This video is a happy memory for me of her in school doing what she loved. The children and her found great ways of communicating without words.
I’ve felt a bit lost at times this holiday without her. I wrote a poem to help me process some of the sadness. I’ll share it here for those that want to read on. If any of the children want to come and talk with me or ask questions once we are back next week please let them know I’m happy to chat with them. Many of them loved being with her. Thanks Anne xx

She’s in her last days
Her legs are weak
She pants and pants not sure what to do
She looks at me
We look at each other
Our eyes seeking the other for an answer
What do we do?

Her eye brows raise she looks longing
Come over to me please
I can’t get to you now
I’ve spent my days following you
Room to room
Loyal in my search

I study her again
Her face so beautiful
She reminds me
Anne my eye is always on you
You were never alone
I let my sounds fill the air
Comfort of me to break those days and nights that were too quiet

Anne remember those years when you felt abandoned
I was always here
Here for the hug
The cuddles
The tears
Following you never alone
Never done
Never finished never too much

Your running friend
Your walking reminder
Your seaside lifeguard
Your moorland companion
Your faithful friend
Your happy welcome home

Come to me now Anne
My legs too weak to follow you
Too weak.

Remember me as the strong stone carrier
Fisher of fine pebbles
Lover of children
A calming balm

Remember the school days
I lay in the corridor
Waiting to wag
At the child lost
words stuck in
Remember the joy
As their sounds burst out
Communicating with me
Their squeals of delight as I waggled them
Notes of pure pleasure scampered out
As they responded to my bids
Keep stroking my head little ones
Mind my tail
Let’s chinwag together

Remember the day that loud boy came
The one with flapping arms
Shouty siren sounds
Little big boy running scared
I sat in the middle
Scanning the field
Sitting still I lent him my calm
I gave him a bridge of escape
Come with me little big boy
Chatter with me
Boss me
Focus on me
There
That’s it stroke my head
Feel my soft
Watch me crumble and roll
Look how you touch me and I turn
Relax as I relinquish
Here comes Anne she’ll join you too
Together you can cherish me
Puzzle over me
Pour wondering about me
minutes shared
Feels so much better
Your angry torrent has subsided
Now you can hear Anne
We can all
Walk together
You two chin chat and I’ll wag

I’ve had my last day now
What a day
I loved that day
Remember me
Brighter than I had been
Soft and happy
Us together
My people
We padded the softest grass
Took to the river shallows
You kindly handed me my stones
Too weak to jump and catch you fished for me
You placed them for me to hold
Still a strong stone carrier
I loved collecting my treasures on the shore
Granny and grandad park benched
Watched over us paddle
Sun dappling the trees

Our last hour at home
You 3 wept
You prayed
You thanked God for me
The gift I’d been to you all
You thanked me over and over for being so lovely
Reminding me I am loved
We ate chicken pie
Half a bag of treats
We all lay together on the cold garage floor
The heat of the day
Crazy summer heat
Too much for us all
We need rivers, streams, woodlands
The sea
It was a perfect last day

Remember how you finally passed me over
To the arms of the eternal one
He took my weight
Effortlessly held me
Welcomed me over
He looked lovingly at you
Of course I’ve got her
I’ll take great care of her
I created her and gifted her to you
For earthly moments with purpose
I knew just the dog you needed
Now let me take Jessie
Your girly
Let me give her new limbs
Let me set her free to run
the fields of heaven

Here I am now Anne
your Girly Whurley
Your Jessie J
Padding the streams, paddling the ripples,
Picking my pebbles
Pebbles of beauty are here
Pure turquoise, emerald treats
I’m pain free now
Jumping and diving
There are so many children here too
Little Paul
He’s good at picking pebbles for me
Today he found a whiter than white stone
Just like that lovely white pebble you found
On our beach the evening I left
We played it back and forth
He tossed it for me in the brook
I caught it, carried it, placed it by his feet
We didn’t get tired
On
and on we go
Perfect days, pain free fun

We will see you Anne when you come
That promise you believe
That he prepares a place for you
There is a home for you
Rooms prepared,
No more sorrow or tears
No more goodbyes and endings
No more loss

So go now and put your feet in the river
Feel the joy of life now
Embrace your season
your wrinkles
Hold our people
Lie in the grass
Look up at the trees
Listen out
Hear the eucalyptus swish step out our favourite walk
And know I lived a great dogs life

Our pupils had an amazing time on their trip to Gran Canaria! They attended a Spanish school, explored Holiday World theme park, enjoyed the sun at a beautiful beach, raced at a go-karting centre, and much more. Check out the video to see all the fun activities they experienced. We’re so proud of our pupils for making the most of this unforgettable trip!

🌞🎢🏖️🏎️

A very happy Easter to all of our wonderful Longcause Community!

Please enjoy this short video of our lovely service at St.Maurice Church yesterday afternoon.

Wishing everybody a safe, restful and fun break and we are looking forward to seeing you all upon our return to school on 15th April.

Please support us to raise money for PATH for part of our D of E volunteering.Draw to take place on 27th March 2024. Tickets available from school on the day- cash only Thanks to all who donated!

🔴🎉 Our Red Nose Day 2024 Assembly was a blast! From amazing musical performances by our pupils to our brave teacher getting gunged, it was a day filled with laughter and joy. Thanks to all who participated! Let's keep spreading smiles and making a difference!

Following our two fantastic residential trips to Heatree, it is our pleasure to share this video showcasing some of the many activities that we took part in.

It is an absolute pleasure to organise such trips and a real joy to see our wonderful pupils develop outside of their usual routines and comfort zones.

It is fabulous to see them develop their positive spirit, determination and resilience in the face of new challenges.

Enjoy and have a brilliant weekend!

Such a magical Christingle service yesterday at St.Maurice Church. The perfect prelude to the festive season.

Please enjoy our video of the event and we look forward to welcoming our families to the school at 1pm for next Tuesday's Nativity!