School Build Update
Work on the new building has gathered real momentum this month, with almost all of the ground floor walls now in place. Installation of the steel framework has also begun, and over the coming weeks the second floor structure will be added, ready for the upper-level walls to be craned into position. The halls are particularly impressive, with all walls and ceilings now installed, and the spaces are really beginning to take shape. We are excited to see the building progressing so quickly.
Great Athletes Event
Last week, we were delighted to welcome Paralympian Anna Nicholson to school as part of our Healthy Inside and Out Week. Hearing Anna share her journey to winning an Olympic bronze medal was truly inspiring, and we all learned valuable lessons from her hard work, resilience and determination. The children saw first-hand how 'small steps, big dreams' can lead to remarkable achievements. They also enjoyed taking part in a fun and energetic exercise circuit led by Anna. We would like to say a huge thank you for your generosity and support. Together, we have raised an incredible £5,058 – a new Regent Farm record! This fantastic total will help Great Athletes provide much needed sports equipment for our school and other communities where it is needed most.
Staffing News
On Wednesday 8 July, the children will have the opportunity to meet their new teacher and spend some time in their new classrooms. On the same day, a letter will be emailed to all families through our app, confirming your child's teacher for the new academic year. In preparation for this, I would like to tell you about some staffing changes from September.
- As I mentioned earlier this week, Mrs Freeman has been successful in securing a Headship. She will continue to work at Regent Farm on Mondays and Tuesdays during the Autumn Term and will begin working full-time at her new school after Christmas. This is an amazing achievement and a wonderful testament to her leadership.
- Mrs Mitchell, who works in Mrs Middlemas' class, will be retiring when we break up for the summer holidays. I would like to thank her for her many years of hard work and dedication to Regent Farm.
- As you may have noticed, Miss Blanden and Mrs Sisk will both be on maternity leave for the majority of next year. We wish them both all the very best for this exciting new chapter in their lives. Miss Blanden will begin her maternity leave imminently, while Mrs Sisk will be with us for a few weeks in September before starting her leave.
- Miss Morgan will continue her maternity leave during the Autumn Term and will return to school after Christmas.
- We have therefore recruited some new teachers for next year: Miss Tweddle and Miss Prentice will be joining our staff team. They have spent time visiting us over the last few weeks, and we are very confident that they will be a valuable asset to our school. We are also delighted that Miss Black, who many of you will know from her time in Early Years, will be joining us as a class teacher in September. In addition, Mr Brown will continue to work at Regent Farm for two days each week.
Tales on The Tyne Trail
The Peter Rabbit™: Tales on the Tyne Trail launches on Wednesday 15th July and running until Monday 14th September, the free trail will feature over 40 large Peter Rabbit sculptures across Newcastle and North Tyneside, alongside lots of mini statues, including our very own Binky Brightwhiskers. The trail has been organised by St Oswald's Hospice, in partnership with Wild in Art, to celebrate the hospice's 40th anniversary while raising vital funds for local families. You can download the official Tales on the Tyne app to help locate each sculpture, unlock fun facts, collect rewards and keep track of their discoveries along the way. Printed trail maps will also be available at Trail HQ, based at The Space by St Oswald's Hospice in Ouseburn - this will also be the home to our rabbit. To support this wonderful local charity, our school will also be taking part in a Summer Readathon to raise money for St Oswald's Hospice. Children will be encouraged to enjoy reading throughout the summer holidays while collecting sponsorship to help fund the incredible care provided by the hospice. The books can be picture books, short stories, non-fiction texts or longer chapter books; and the children can read independently, or families can take on the challenge together. Readathon information and sponsorship details will be sent home in book bags soon. We hope lots of our families will enjoy exploring the trail together while supporting such an important local cause. Happy reading and happy exploring!
Free School Meals
If you are usually eligible for income related free school meals, please be aware this system is changing across the country from September 2026. There will be two types of Free School Meals across schools; we strongly recommend you apply if you think you could be eligible.
- Targeted Free School meals are available for children whose parents/carers meet the government's eligibility rules. You will need to apply for these dinners using the link below.
- Expanded Free School meals are for children whose parents/carers receive Universal Credit - again you need to apply for these.
Previously some children may have been eligible for free school lunches for many years - this is set to end in September when the new rules come in therefore you may need to apply again. Eligibility now lasts for one academic year. The cost of a school lunch in September is £3.10
Newcastle City Council SEND Department
Newcastle City Council have been notified by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission that they intend to carry out a joint area inspection of the local partnership arrangements in Newcastle for children and young people aged 0 to 25 with SEND. Inspectors will evaluate how effectively local education, health, and social care services work in partnership to improve the outcomes of children and young people with SEND. This is a three-week process and Newcastle City Council have asked us to share a survey to enable parents to share their views - the link can be found below. (Please note, this is not an Ofsted inspection for our school - we will let know when we receive this call.)
Curriculum Information
In a couple of weeks, we will share our final newsletter of the year, celebrating all that the children have achieved and learned during this final half term. Our topic this half term is “Healthy Inside and Out”, and children across the school have been exploring the many different ways we can look after both our bodies and our minds. Through a range of engaging lessons, discussions and practical activities, pupils have been developing their understanding of physical health, mental wellbeing, healthy lifestyles and personal safety. This whole-school theme encourages children to think about how healthy habits can help them lead happy, balanced and successful lives. In English, the children have enjoyed a variety of texts linked to our theme. Some classes have explored Penguin Pig, which has supported learning around online safety and making sensible choices in the digital world, while others have been reading The Very Sleepy Sloth, using the story as a starting point to discuss the importance of sleep, exercise and healthy daily routines. Across school, these texts have inspired thoughtful discussions, creative writing and opportunities to reflect on how we can take care of ourselves and others. The children have also been learning about healthy eating and the importance of making balanced food choices. Some classes have designed and created their own healthy wraps, carefully considering which ingredients provide the nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy and active. These practical experiences have helped children develop valuable skills while learning more about where food comes from and how healthy choices can support our wellbeing. We have also had a big focus on dental health; some children have been learning about effective tooth-brushing routines, the importance of regular dental care and the impact that sugary foods and drinks can have on our teeth. In Year 4, pupils have been carrying out a fascinating science investigation to explore the effects of sugar on tooth enamel, helping them understand first-hand why making healthy choices is so important for lifelong dental health. Supporting children’s emotional wellbeing has also been an important focus this half term. Through PSHE lessons and class discussions, children have explored themes such as mindfulness, responsibility, balance and self-care. They have been encouraged to think about simple strategies that can help them manage their emotions, stay positive and build healthy relationships with others. Last week, all of our children took part in a fantastic Sports Week, enjoying a wide range of athletics activities and sporting challenges. From running, jumping and throwing events to teamwork-based activities, the children demonstrated great determination, resilience and enthusiasm throughout the week. Despite the very warm weather, they showed excellent attitudes and represented the school's values brilliantly. It has been wonderful to see the children embracing this topic and making connections between their learning and their everyday lives. We hope they will continue to use these important lessons to help keep themselves healthy inside and out throughout the summer holidays and beyond.
Dates for Half Term
- Wednesday 1st July Year 3 Greek Play to Parents 9:15am Performance for 3GM Families 2:45pm Performance for 3RH Families. Each child can bring a maximum of 2 adults to watch the play.
- Thursday 2nd July GEM Education working with Year 2
- Thursday 2nd July End of Year School Report will be sent home
- Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th July Year 4 Transition Visits to Middle Schools Children will need to be dropped off and collected at their new Middle School by parents.
- Wednesday 8th July Meet New Class Day All children from our current Nursery, Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 will meet their new teacher.
- Wednesday 8th July Nursery Garden Party 2pm
- Friday 10th July Best Attendance Treat Visit for the class with the highest attendance over the year
- Wednesday 15th July Fun Day Fayre - Due to the building work, this replaces our usual summer fayre this year. All children will take part during the school day with bouncy castles, a disco and ice creams. Full details will be sent out soon.
- Wednesday 15th July Year 3 morning visit to immersive Van Gogh Experience Year 3 will have time on the bouncy castles etc in the afternoon.
- Thursday 16th July Year 4 Graduation Event 4:30pm
School Breaks up for Summer on Friday 17th July at 3:15pm
The children return on Wednesday 2nd September 2026 (Monday 31st August is a bank holiday and Tuesday 1st September is a training day.)