School Rebuild
The new designs have been completed, landscaping planned and costs finalised with the Department of Education. We are just waiting for Bowmer and Kirkland to agree a consultation date, we have been advised we should have this next week. At the consultation event you will be able to see the new school layout and discuss any questions you have with the design team. We are hoping to run this from 3pm to 7pm so it gives lots of opportunity for people to call in from the local community. There will also be a webpage where you can share your feedback.
I will share the confirmed date with you as soon as I am given it. If you live locally you will also receive a letter through your door with details of this event.
We hope you like the design and can share in our excitement about this amazing project!
Tesco Stronger Starts
We are delighted to announce that our bid to be part of the next round of Tesco Stronger Starts has been successful and our project will be put to a customer vote in three local stores (including the large Kingston Park Tesco Store) beginning in July. There will be a voting station near the front of the store for you to post your blue coins, which can be collected from the tills. If you are doing any shopping there please don't forget to ask for a token and cast your vote!
We are trying to help raise money to support our amazing Eco Stars who work hard around school to improve the grounds and care for different habitats. They would like to purchase some additional resources, plants and large bug hotels to help make the garden an even more inviting place for children to learn and play.
Summer Fayre
Don't forget it is our summer fayre on Wednesday 3rd July. It will start after school and run until about 4:30pm. We are hoping to have a cake stall again and would welcome any donations on Wednesday morning to the school office. Please ensure cakes are nut free and many thanks in advance for any cakes donated!
We are hoping the sun will shine and the majority of stalls will take place outside. We will use the dining hall for the food stalls / hot dogs etc. In the event of poor weather, we will move other stalls inside! In addition to our usual year group stalls, tombola and raffle we will have Richardson's Amusements on site hopefully with an assault course, castle and some hammer games. All stalls are cash only, and if you have any change this will be hugely appreciated.
All the funds we raise at the event will be added to our total from the last two fayres and used to create an amazing library in our new school. Please remember the doors and gates to school will be open throughout the fayre and children must be accompanied by an adult.
All clubs are cancelled on Wednesday with the exception of Bumblebees afterschool club.
Dogs on School Site
Please remember that dogs are no longer allowed on school grounds at anytime, this includes being carried. If you are collecting your child after a club, or dropping them off outside of the normal times, this rule still applies. Whilst many children and adults love dogs, we have a number of children who are very frightened of dogs and they must not feel afraid when walking in or out of school.
Important Messages
The Bookfair will be in school next week, set out in our library. We will open it before and after school should you wish to make any purchases.
We have an increasing number of children who are late to school. Please remember the doors open at 8:40am and the gates locked at 8:45am. All children should be here before this time unless in exceptional circumstances. If you child is late to school, you must sign them in to the office. Please do not allow your child to walk in themselves and wait by the gate.
In August, the new statutory attendance document must be followed by all schools. Any child who has attendance below 90% (without medical evidence) may be legally monitored. This could result in a fine of £160 per child, per parent. Please work with us to avoid your child falling into this persistent absence category.
Curriculum Information
Our whole school topic this half term is 'Healthy Inside and Out' and the children have been taking part in a wide variety of activities. They have learnt about keeping their bodies healthy through sports, movement and nutrition. Reception visited Farmer Thompson's Dairy Farm and looked at the journey their morning toast takes from the wheat fields to our plate and answered our big question "Where does our milk come from?" Some of our children have been making healthy meals and exploring what foods they could include and why.
The children have also be learning about the importance of a healthy mind and how we can help keep ourselves happy on the inside, or deal with any worries we might have. We have been learning some mindfulness techniques and many have been enjoying some more yoga sessions around school.
Sports Week
Our Sports Week was absolutely fantastic and the children were a credit to you all. They showed great determination and team work as they took part in a different sporting event each day, and had a lot of fun! We had a different theme to each day: Motivation Monday, Teamwork Tuesday, Workout Wednesday, Throwing Thursday and Family Fun Friday! Thank you to all the adults who came to the family fun sports day; it was a joy to see so many people taking part in exercise together. The whole school also took part in a collaborative art project using their throwing skills to launch paint at a large canvas - we will share the finished artwork with you very soon!
Linking to our work on refugees, we also learnt about some Olympic athletes who will be competing in the Games this summer. We heard about their life story and how they needed to leave their homes for safety elsewhere.
Dates for Half Term
- Monday 1st July - Nursery visit to Kirkley Hall
- Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th July Year 4 Transition Visits to Middle Schools (Great Park Middle School transition is 12 July)
- Wednesday 3rd July Meet New Class Day (we will also write to all parents with this information)
- Wednesday 3rd July After School Summer Fayre
- Thursday 4th July End of Year School Report will be sent home
- Monday 8th July - Kenya Day
- Thursday 11th July - Y3 Visit to St Nicholas Nature Park
- Friday 12th July Best Attendance Treat Visit for the class with the highest attendance over the year
- Tuesday 16th July Year 2 and Year 4 Visit to Newcastle Safety Works
- Wednesday 17th July Nursery Garden Party 2:00pm
- Thursday 18th July Year 4 Graduation Event 4:30pm
School Breaks up for Summer on Friday 19th July at 3:15pm
The children return on Tuesday 3rd September 2024 (Monday 2nd September is a Teacher Training Day)