Contents
- It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas
- Teaching and Learning at Grange
- Visitors in Year 1
- PTFA
- Superb Support Staff
- Staffing update
- Diary Dates
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!
We have been very busy in school getting ready for Advent, which begins on Monday! Our OPAL Team has been hard at work decorating our palette houses as an Elf Workshop, a Christmas House, a Stable, and a Winter-themed hut. We also have trees and glittery branches ready for the children to decorate with baubles and tinsel. Christmas trees and decorations are going up throughout classrooms and shared spaces. You will be able to see some of them when you come to watch your child in their Christmas performance during the last week of term. The children are busy practising their lines, songs and actions—costumes are being sorted and the stage is up!
We’ve also received some alarming news from Santa… He predicts mischief will unfortunately hit Grange again this year! We’d hoped that pesky elf had disappeared for good, but it seems we need to stay on high alert!
Our choir, led by Mrs Price, excelled themselves on Saturday when they sung at St.Oswald's Christmas Fair! We try to do whatever we can to support this fabulous local charity. A huge thank you to Mrs Crow who is our link with St Oswald's and who volunteered all weekend at their fair. Our Choir will be singing again this afternoon at 4.15pm at Gosforth Shopping Centre.
During our Christmas performances in the last week of term, we kindly request that you don't bring along younger siblings. In the past, we have had performances spoilt because families can't hear their child speak or sing because of younger children making a noise. I'm giving you advance notice of this so that you have plenty of time to put arrangements for child care in place.
Teaching and Learning at Grange
This week, all our teachers have attended a Pupil Progress Meeting with Mrs Kidd-Scannell, Mrs Gregory and myself. We talk about every child individually, reviewing the progress they have made socially, emotionally and academically. We also consider whether any additional support may be needed. Our teachers know their children exceptionally well, and it is wonderful to hear how much progress they have made from their starting points. We are also incredibly grateful for the support so many of you give at home with reading and KIRFs (Key Instant Recall Facts)—it truly makes a difference. All children at Grange receive high-quality first teaching. This includes Relational Practice, Sensory and Physical Support, Cognition & Learning, and Communication & Interaction Support. If you would like to know more, our 'Quality First Teaching Offer' is available on the Curriculum section of our school website.
Visitors in Year 1
We love welcoming parents into school, and over the past few weeks Year 1 has been lucky enough to have two visitors! Annie’s mum joined us to talk about premature babies for World Prematurity Day on 17th November. The children were fascinated to explore the differences between premature and newborn baby items, and especially enjoyed comparing the size and weight of premature and newborn babies using our “water bottle babies”.
As part of our science focus, Animals Including Humans, our role-play area has been transformed into a busy vets' surgery. We were delighted to welcome Astrid’s mum, who spoke to the children about her work as a dog groomer. The children loved learning how to care for dogs, what a groomer does, and exploring some of the tools she uses.
PTFA
Wreath Workshop: The deadline for booking is 8pm on 3rd December.
Karen Alexander, our PTFA chair and local florist will provide everything you need to make a festive wreath and will guide you through making it. All profits are being donated to the PTFA.
Christmas Raffle: The PTFA is looking for raffle prizes, particularly vouchers for local businesses. If you are able to help, please drop any donated prizes at the school office. Thank you for your support!
Celebrating Our Support Staff
We would also like to take this opportunity to celebrate the incredible work of our Learning Support Assistants and Admin Team. Grange simply would not run without them. They bring a huge range of skills to school life-first aid, teaching individuals, groups and whole classes, yard duties, setting up learning environments, organising trips and visitors, managing TreeTops… the list is endless. Most importantly, they support our children and families with warmth, empathy and dedication. A huge THANK YOU to our wonderful support staff! The children said, "They help us with anything." "If you're hurt or upset, they look after you." "If we lose a tooth, they keep it safe for the tooth fairies." "They help to keep us safe."
Staffing Update
As you know, Mrs Williams will be leaving us at the end of term to have her baby. We all wish her the very best and cannot wait to hear about her new arrival in the new year! I’m sure you will join us in congratulating her and thanking her for working so hard during such a fun but incredibly busy time of year. We have appointed an experienced Year 1 teacher, Miss Lightfoot, to cover Mrs William’s maternity leave. Miss Lightfoot comes highly recommended and has previously taught within the Gosforth Trust. She will be coming into school next week to meet Silver Birch Class and take part in a handover meeting with Mrs Williams.
Diary Dates
November
Friday 28th Choir to sing at Gosforth Shopping Centre 4.15pm
December
Thursday 4th Fire engine to visit Year 2 and Year 4 Victorian day Thursday 4th Year 3 to see the ballet at Dance City Monday 8th Year 1 Safety Works trip Wednesday 10th PTFA wreath making workshop Thursday 11th December Reception & Year 1 to visit St Hughes Church Thursday 11th December CHRISTMAS Dinner Day and wear a Christmas jumper/t-shirt or something that sparkles! Christmas Parties week beginning 15th December (more info to follow) Christmas performances: Monday 15th 9.15am Year 4 Monday 15th 2.15pm Year 2 Tuesday 16th 9.15am Year 3 Tuesday 16th 2.15pm Year 1 Wednesday 17th 9.15am and 2.30pm Nursery Thursday 18th 2.15pm Reception Thursday 18th December Year 2, 3 and 4 go to church in Newcastle Christmas holidays 22nd December – 2nd January Back to school on Monday 5th January 2026
Credits:
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