Children In Need
Every November, Children in Need Day shines a bright spotlight on the importance of supporting young people facing challenges worldwide. It’s a heart warming reminder that every child deserves a chance at a healthy, safe, and educated life.
This year, Woodthorne Primary School recognised ‘Children in Need 2024’ in style! Children and staff dressed up in their own clothes and also enjoyed a fabulous talent show, where individuals showcased their incredible talents in front of over 300 children.
Children at Sledmere, Mesty Croft, Dunstall Hill, Tillington Manor and Stanley Road Primary joined in with the fun by coming to school wearing something spotty or yellow, raising over £1100 between them! Well done everyone and thank you to all of our families for their amazing support!
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is an important memorial day observed in the United Kingdom and by many other countries across the globe. It is a day to commemorate the contribution and loss of British and Commonwealth servicemen and women in the World Wars and all worldwide conflicts since.
Perry Hall pupils commemorated Remembrance Day by producing some beautiful artwork which was displayed in windows across school.
On Wednesday 8th November, all the children and staff from Bird’s Bush spent the day at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas. Children were challenged to use their spotter skills to investigate the memorials and learn who they were remembering when placing poppies on and around the 11th November. Some pupils found memorials with links to their own family heritage and cultures and were keen to share their stories with their friends and teachers. During the trip the behaviour and engagement of the children was superb!
On the 11th November, Bird's Bush's Headteacher, Mrs Day’s own children were on parade with their Army Cadet unit in Bedworth, Warwickshire. Bedworth has held an act of Remembrance on the 11th November for over 100 years and children watched some of the parade live online and paused to remember at the 11th Hour. At the end of the day, one of the Army Cadets visited to school to talk about the importance of remembrance.
At Woodthorne, Mesty Croft and Tillington Manor Primary School, children listened very carefully during assemblies around Remembrance day and learnt about why the day is still so important today. Two-minute silences were observed and children and staff took the time to remember those who died in both World Wars and any worldwide conflicts which have taken place since. Mesty Croft invited pupils to attend school in their service uniforms (which included representation from Squirrels, Rainbows, Cubs, Beavers, Brownies and Guides).
Each Berrybrook class brought a wreath to their special Remembrance assembly and took part in a two-minute silence to show their respect for the soldiers who had died in battle. In classes, each year group also had a Remembrance Day History lesson where children took part in several activities to mark the occasion.
Anti-Bullying Week
Anti-Bullying Week 2024 took place between Monday 11th - Friday 15th November, with the theme: Choose Respect. Odd Socks Day took place on Tuesday 12th November, with adults and children being encouraged to wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us all unique.
During Anti-Bullying week, children at Bird's Bush Primary attended a special assembly for the whole school as well as classroom activities to reinforce the importance of being kind. With a focus on this year's theme of 'respect’, children made a ‘pledge’ to each other. At the end of the week, all staff and children came into school wearing odd socks to mark ‘Odd Socks Day’. Again, this celebrated the diversity in everybody but also highlighted the importance of respect for all.
Berrybrook recognised this year’s Anti-Bullying Week theme of 'Choose Respect.' By taking part in a range of activities, which also link closely to the school Core Value 'Respect'. Key Stage Two children took part in a 'live' lesson and completed a Respect pledge. Pupils in Key Stage One carried out acts of respect in action role-play scenarios. In EYFS, pupils created paintings of themselves or friends. They discussed friendships and focussed on the meaning or 'Respect'. Children of course also took part in 'Odd Socks Day' to celebrate that we are all different and we respect each other’s individualities.
Children at Stanley Road and Mesty Croft Primary School also celebrated Anti-Bullying Week by attending school wearing odd socks to celebrate everyone being unique and different. In addition to Odd Socks Day, Mesty Croft children explored drama and role-play to bring to life various scenarios, each child designed a sock with an Anti-Bullying message that features on their whole school display and each class completed an anti-bullying pledge.
World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is about coming together to encourage people to talk and show that mental health matters. This year Mental Health Day took place on 10th October and the theme was 'Hello Yellow. Wear it loud, Wear it proud’.
Staff and pupils from schools across the Trust embraced the opportunity to participate in this year's mental health celebrations by wearing yellow clothing and accessories to show support for young people’s mental health, increase awareness, create conversations and encourage togetherness. The campaign, partnered with 14-year-old Joe Whale (aka The Doodle Boy) this year is organised by Young Minds, - the UK’s leading mental health charity for children, young people and their parents. Schools who took part managed to raise over £650 between them for the Young Minds charity. Well done everyone!
Sledmere Primary children enjoyed an art-based afternoon, with each year group delving into diverse techniques and artistry in the creation of sunflower-inspired masterpieces. This symbolic activity aimed to foster awareness and empathy towards mental health, emphasizing the significance of nurturing and cultivating well-being. Each child went home with a sunflower seed, symbolising the ongoing care, growth and attention required for mental wellness.
Tillington Manor Primary children learned about positive mental health and how this can be encouraged by doing things they love or that help them to relax.
Children at Dunstall Hill explored the importance of raising awareness of mental health within school and at home.
Perry Hall and Berrybrook Primary children took inspiration from The Doodle Boy and embraced the joy of doodling, creating their own drawings of things that make them happy and sharing positive messages with each other in a creative way. The Reflexions service visited Berrybrook Primary School and delivered several workshops across the the school to discuss what mental health is as well as sharing strategies that the children may be able use in different situations.
Black History Month is celebrated every year during the month of October and it is an opportunity to share, celebrate and understand the impact of black heritage and culture. The very first Black History Month in the UK took place in 1987 on the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the Caribbean. The month of October was chosen partly because it's traditionally a time when African leaders gather to talk about important issues, and partly because it was at the start of the school year. The theme this year is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ and calls on Black people to take ownership of their stories, making sure that their voices are heard, their experiences acknowledged, and their contributions recognised.
Schools across the Trust have celebrated Black History Month in a number of ways
Mrs Arshad, the History lead at Tillington Manor led an assembly on inspirational black women who have achieved in fields such as sport, science, music and politics – both recently and throughout history. Each year group has also an inspirational black woman that they will be learning about.
Perry Hall Primary children have used their reading lessons to learn about significant people relating to Black History Month. Many children have also created wonderful homework all about what Black History Month is and why it is celebrated.
All year groups at Woodthorne Primary have spent time focusing on famous, innovative black people who have helped to change or shape history in some way. Each year group focused on a different person and researched their background, their job roles, the impact they had on changing an element of history. Children also explored the importance and value of equality and diversity in our world and how differences should be celebrated.
All year groups at Berrybrook Primary have been learning about key individuals from around the world as well as some from Great Britain. Year 3 and Year 5 children have been studying Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks and were able to take part in ‘Now Press Play’ interactive experiences to learn more about these people. During these sessions, Year 3 helped to organise a boycott of the buses to try and improve civil rights for Black Americans forever, whilst Year 5 helped slaves to find freedom on the Underground Railroad and then they helped Abraham Lincoln to free 700 slaves during the Civil War. Some classes also joined the Primary News Live assembly on Tuesday 15th October where the focus was ”Black History Month Reclaiming Narratives” and a BBC Radio presenter (Swarzy) shared her life experiences with over 370,000 children all across the country (and some from around the world).
Each class within Mesty Croft Primary School has been busy studying the contributions and achievements of one black individual from the West Midlands throughout the month. This learning was cumulated in a special assembly on Wednesday 23rd October, with each class showcasing and celebrating their figure which included poet, Benjamin Zephaniah, chef, Rustie Lee; footballer, Jude Bellingham and Olympic Heptathlete, Denise Lewis!
Christmas Celebrations
On Wednesday 11th December, a selection of children from Perry Hall and Berrybrook Primary School were selected to attend an exciting Christmas celebration with the Mayor! They travelled to the Mayor's Parlour to be greeted by Dicky Dodd and the Mayor. The children played party games before welcoming Santa and Rudolph! Surprise guests, Giant and Belle from the Grand Theatre, also came to help Santa give the children presents and wish them a Merry Christmas. The staff and pupils had a wonderful morning and were filled with festive cheer on their return to school.
Tillington Manor Primary Key Stage Two choir performed at St Mary's Church in Stafford for the Christmas Tree Festival and school had their own tree that the Art club made decorations for.
On Tuesday 10th December Stanley Road Primary held their school Winter Fayre and it was amazing! Thank you to all staff, parents and volunteers to help make it such a success! Funds raised with ongoing Christmas Disco tickets sales is a staggering £1,076
Mesty Croft Primary began their celebrations early this year with their annual Christmas fayre whereby children and their families came into school to enjoy Christmas crafts. Children also enjoyed a visit to the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre to watch the pantomime of 'Beauty and the Beast'. Thanks to funds raised by the Mesty Croft school community, Key Stage One nativity performances this year will be enhanced by a brand new stage, sound and lighting! The Mesty Croft Choir have also performed twice within the local community this half term; first, after school on Friday 15th November at the 'Crankhall Lane Christmas Light Switch On' and then on Monday 2nd December, for a local over 65's charity- 'Let's Dance Again' where they performed a series of carols at their Christmas Coffee Morning at Wednesbury Town Hall.
Bird's Bush were lucky enough to welcome members of the Tamworth Wind Band into school this term, ahead of their well attended Christmas concert which took place in the school on Saturday 30th November. Children were treated to a sneak preview of some Christmas Carols on Monday 18th November when instrumentalists from the band introduced children to the instruments and played some festive favourites to the school in assembly. Alongside the trombone, trumpet, saxophones, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute and piccolo which was exciting enough, children even got to see an instrument most of the band had never seen before as we saw and heard a Theramin. The sound of this instrument controlled by moving your hand closer or further away from the body, featured on the Dr Who theme tune.
Forest Hills children enjoyed a visit to the Rugeley Rose Theatre to watch Dick Whittington and the Pi-Rat of the Caribbean – oh yes they did! Children had a fantastic time and Dean class even met the stars of the show at the end of the panto.
As part of the Forest Hills Design and Technology curriculum, in Kinver class, children made and decorated gingerbread. How delicious and perfect at this time of year. Yummy!
On Tuesday 10th December the Berrybrook Primary School Council from Reception - Year 4 were invited to our local Nursing Home Wulfrun Rose, to enjoy a breakfast with Santa. Pupils were greeted by Santa Claus alongside residents and staff from the nursing home. Children were treated to a breakfast with Santa and given reindeer food, candy canes, hot chocolate cones and a present to take home. Children also sang and danced to Christmas songs with Santa, residents, and staff.
Sledmere Primary Library Opening
It was an incredibly exciting day in school on Thursday 28th November for Sledmere Primary School, as the brand new library was officially opened!
The Mayor and Consort, Councillor Hilary Bills and Mr John Bills arrived at school to cut the bow and open the new Sledmere library, alongside school Governor, Mr Khan. They were then serenaded on entry by the amazing Sledmere school choir, before chatting to the school reading ambassadors. The Mayoress even scanned out the very first of our library books to Key Stage Two children. It was such a wonderful experience to have and the school reading ambassadors are really looking forward to recommending books and encouraging reading for pleasure across the rest of the school.
“It’s very exciting that we have a library, as everyone can now read more books!” – Oscar and Malacai, Year 6.
“Now we have a wider variety of books to read, if you can’t find one that you like in class.”- Coby, Year 6.
Perry Hall Spelling Competition Success
Perry Hall Year 5 pupils represented their school at an MFL Spelling Bee at Aldersley High School. Competing in both French and Spanish, with quizzes on France and Spain too, the event proved both competitive and very fun. Perry Hall were delighted to come second. Well done to all that took part! Buen trabajo (good job) Perry Hall!
Wolverhampton Game 4 Reading Book Quiz
Congratulations to both Dunstall Hill and Woodthorne who both reached the final of the Wolverhampton Game 4 Reading Book Quiz, organised by the Education Library. The teams, made up of six children from Years 5 and 6, had to read six books and remember as much information as they could, being asked questions, like what colour was Queen Victoria's dress at the beginning of the book. There were around 27 teams in the competition and to reach the final, the teams had to gain one of the top nine scores in the first round and then beat the other two teams in their semi-finals, with Dunstall Hill scoring the highest score of all the teams who reached the semi-finals. In the final, the teams visited East Park Library and competed to be the overall winner, with D'Eyncourt (who have won the competition for the last three years in a row) also making the final. It was a hotly contested final with Dunstall Hill coming second and Woodthorne winning the competition! Congratulations to both teams for doing so well and for their dedication and wonderful representation of their school and PHMAT.
It has been a truly fantastic start to the year with an Autumn Term which has been jam-packed with exciting activities and incredible achievements to celebrate across all of our schools. Well done to everyone!
This term has also presented some challenges with some school buildings being affected by flooding as a result of extreme weather conditions. Despite this, it has been wonderful to see teams of staff really pulling together to make it possible for children to come back into school as soon as possible in order to minimise the impact on their learning. This has not gone un-noticed so thank you to all involved.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our families for your ongoing support throughout 2024 and sincerely wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Amarjit Cheema (CEO)