Contents
Message from the Headteacher(s)
Message from the Chair of Gosforth Schools Trust
Transition to new classes
Coffee Morning Flyer for parents and carers of children with SEN and/or Disabilities
Update to Car Park Access from September 2025
Sport at Havannah
Angels of the North at the Glasshouse
Sleep
Any Other Business
June and July Photo Gallery
Message from the Headteacher (s)
As the academic year draws to a close, I just wanted to express my sincere thanks to you all for your encouragement , interest and loyal support which have contributed to the success of the school this year. This really is a special place to work and learn and everybody who is part of the 'Havannah Family' deserves credit. I am incredibly proud of all of the pupils, staff, parents, carers and Governors who contribute to make Havannah such a wonderful place to be part of.
On a personal note, I would like to thank you for your support and encouragement whilst Ms McKenna has been recovering from her ankle surgery. I really do appreciate it! Good luck to the children, parents and carers who are moving on to middle school this year and for everybody else, we will see you in September for the new school year!
Have a fantastic summer and thank you again for your continued support!
Gary Burnett (Acting Headteacher)
Thank you again to everyone who has sent good wishes for my recovery following my accident at Easter. It’s hard to believe that such a small accident could cause such injuries and result in such a long recovery! I have missed school terribly and am desperate to get back and be part of the school family again. As you will have no doubt assumed, I won’t be returning to work this term but I am putting every effort into my rehabilitation with the aim of being back for the new school year in September. My physio is going well and despite my frustration, I can see improvements every day.
I have kept in close contact with Mr Burnett and have loved hearing how the children are getting on. I am planning a visit this week and although I might not have time to see everyone, I will certainly see the Y4 children to say goodbye as they prepare for their big move to middle school! They have been a tremendous group of children, starting school during covid restrictions as a cohort of 45 and then moving to the new school in Y1 and growing to a cohort of 60. During their time with us, they have all met their own challenges in their own way and in so many different ways. They have made strong friendships, worked as a team and learned so much. We will miss them but we know they are going to thrive through middle school and beyond!
Wishing everyone a wonderful summer holiday and I look forward to seeing you all soon!
Ms McKenna
Message from the Chair of the Gosforth Schools Trust
Dear Families and Carers,
As another school year comes to a close I would like to thank you, our families for your continued support and patience. Schools can not do the job they do without the support of our families. It is absolutely vital to our work with our children. This partnership between the schools and our families is something to celebrate and nurture.
I would also like to thank our wonderful leaders and staff of all our schools. It often seems that they are asked to do more with less. It is a constant juggling act. Yet they constantly offer our children innovative and exciting ways to engage them in their learning, making the experiences of school fun and memorable. They continue to provide wonderful learning environments in which our children thrive. This is very much appreciated.
Schools have been faced with tight budgets and expanding SEN needs. This presents so many difficulties for families and staff as they work together to find a path through what is an arcane and confusing system. The timescales are frustratingly slow for all concerned. I appreciate the patience and dedication of all involved in getting the right support in place.
I would like to congratulate Brunton First School, Archbishop Runcie Church of England, Archibald First School and Gosforth Park First School on their successful Ofsteds. It’s a tribute to our schools hard work and dedication.
The leaders and all staff have put wellbeing at the centre of all they do. Our children are being supported to be the best they can be. The importance of this cannot be overestimated. Happy and fulfilled children are what we all strive to have in our schools. I would like to personally thank head teachers and all our staff for their hard work this year. It is nothing short of outstanding.
I hope that you will be able to enjoy some time with family and friends over the summer and return refreshed for the challenges that are undoubtedly ahead. We are at our strongest when we work together. All our schools are unique and exceptional and we must celebrate this
I look forward to working with you all next year and thank you for continued support.
Karen Elliott Chair of the GST
Transition to new classes
It is with great sadness our Y4 children move onto their new middle schools in September. They leave us ready to start their next chapter at either Gosforth East Middle School or Great Park Academy. We are proud of their achievements and will miss them in September.
The rest of the school enjoyed meeting their new teachers in their new classrooms and were very excited, happy and some were a little surprised to see who was waiting for them. We can't wait to get started again in September!
Update on site access and parking arrangements for September 2025
With Great Park Academy opening in September 2025, I wanted to communicate with you the plans for car parking and site access to Havannah as quickly as possible so thoughts and arrangements could be made for when the children return in September.
However, the Local Authority have asked us not to share communication for September yet as there were some issues regarding the legalities of the parking arrangements and subsequent crossing and path from the Park and Ride facilities. They informed me that the situation was evolving each day and they will share relevant information when it is available.
As you are probably aware from previous newsletters and communication, it is highly unlikely that there will be parking on site from September unless you are a Blue Badge holder or are issued with a permit from school (breakfast club drop off etc...) Details will follow as soon as we have further information from Newcastle Local Authority.
As always, the health and safety of pupils and all site users are paramount to any decisions made regarding parking and on-site access. Thank you for your understanding and I hope to communicate in more detail in the coming days.
Sport at Havannah
Reception children from around the Gosforth Schools Trust were invited to take part in the annual Balance Bike Derby.
Parents from all classes in Key Stage One and Two were invited into school to watch and sometimes participate in our sports afternoons.
Even children who have been on holiday have impressed others with their sporting abilities.
Of course, our PE lessons are always enjoyable and develop our sporting skills whilst celebrating Havannah sporting values.
We are always busy and active at Havannah. Every class has two lessons of PE each week and these are some of our favourite lessons in school.
Angels of the North at the Glasshouse
Our Musical Theatre Club attended the Glasshouse on Wednesday 11th June to take part in an evening of performing musical numbers on stage. They joined other schools to perform to a sold out audience after a full day of rehearsing and lots of preparation in school. They were phenomenal and we were so proud of them all. Some had solo parts and everyone sang beautifully and with the enthusiasm you would expect. Mrs Ward, Mrs Lancaster and I were in the audience and we did have tears in our eyes at several points across the evening. It was simply wonderful!
Thanks to Miss Bommel for running the club in school and leading on the day - she was a superstar! To Miss Henderson and Mrs Jennings who helped on the day and evening, Miss Campbell, Mr Richardson, Mrs McMillan, Mrs Jones and Mrs McMeekan who also helped on the evening and to all of the parents and carers who came to support the event. We'd also like to thank the organisers for inviting us and enabling this opportunity for our children. But most importantly.... We must thank our children who were just awesome!
Sleep
Helping your child to get a good night’s sleep is probably one of the most important things you can do for them because achieving good quality sleep will not only improve your child’s physical health, but also their educational, social and emotional well-being.
Recommended sleep needs of children based on age.
Average sleep requirements per 24 hours:
3-5 year olds - 10-13 hours
6-13 year olds - 9-11 hours
A useful document with further information and tips about children's sleep can be read at: https://media.gosh.nhs.uk/documents/GOSH_Sleep_Hygiene_in_children.pdf
AOB
Congratulations to Mr Richardson who became the proud father of a little girl on Saturday 12th July.
Please ensure that all personal belongings are named when they come into school.
If children are riding their bikes to school would they please dismount before they get through the school gates to avoid any accidents.
Children should have water in their drink bottles for school unless alternative arrangements have been made with the class teacher.
Don't forget the book swap at the front of the school office - there are some great titles that may be of use on holidays this summer.
June/July Gallery
Please see below some of the things we have been getting up to... We have been very busy this half term!
Credits:
Created with images by Tanya Rozhnovskaya - "Cars in the parking lot." • puhimec - "Little cute girl in bed with toy"