- MP Visit
- Newcastle City Finals
- Car Parking Around School
- Workshops for Parents and Carers
- Ducklings
- The Havannah Global Family
- NECC Run
- New Headteacher at GEMS
- Readathon and Book Fair
- Names in Uniform
- The Silent Discos
- Training Day Reminder
- Dates List
- Learning Gallery
MP Visit
It was great to welcome Catherine McKinnell to school before the Easter holiday. We had a Q and A session with Year 4 children and then a tour of the school with some of the school council. The children asked some well thought out questions about life as an MP and they also shared some of their views around living on the Great Park. Huge thank you to Catherine for her time and positive feedback about our fabulous children and amazing school.
Newcastle City Finals
On Thursday night this week, our Year 4 Boys Team played in Newcastle City Finals night, having qualified last term. After a roller coaster of emotions due to penalty shoot outs and some close calls, we won our group and eventually came fourth. Mr Richardson was extremely proud of the team, how they supported each other and how they represented Havannah First!
Well done!
Car Parking Around School
The area around our school has very limited car parking spaces, even for a quick drop off or pick up and we continue to hear from residents that parents and carers from both schools on site are blocking drives and parking on residents' bays. We also see parking every day on the school safety zone and double yellow lines. All of these are examples of illegal or inconsiderate parking and present a safety hazard to others, particularly young children.
If possible, please walk, cycle or scoot to and from school. If you need to drive, use the Park and Ride facility which is a five minute walk on a continuous and wide path to the school gates. We do restrict access to our car park at the start and end of the school day in order to keep our children and their preschool siblings safe on site. We expect that everyone understands that the roads outside of school also need to be safe. After lengthy discussions with NCC, we will now be having more traffic enforcement in the area. Please remember that you could be fined if you park on the school safety zone zig zags, double yellow lines or anywhere which is and obstruction or is considered to be unsafe. Thank you for your support.
Workshops for Parents and Carers
Thank you to those of you who have come into school for various workshops recently. We hope that you have found then helpful. Several people indicated an interest in the anti bullying workshop last term but only one parent attended. We are very grateful to the parent who did come along and we hope that it was helpful. We will continue to offer this in the future but we might have to work with another school in order to increase participation and value for money. Next half term, there will be workshops for transition into Year 1 and into Year 3. More details on the dates list.
Ducklings
Everyone in school loves the two weeks of the year when we get to hatch eggs and watch the ducklings grow and develop. It's fascinating and really brings out the best in everyone as well as providing a real world learning experience. This year's Duck Squad worked hard to look after the ducklings and keep them safe and healthy. We didn't let Maggie scare them, but she was very interested!
The Havannah Global Family
Thank you to everyone who has sent in a photograph which shows their cultural or geographical heritage. We are building a collection of pictures around our world map in the main corridor. It's not to late to send a picture, just email it to the office and we will add it to our collection!
Thank you!
NECC Run
The Greggs NECC Run takes place on Sunday 17th May at Gosforth Race Course. This is a well established tradition now for Havannah First and it is a very well attended event. It's not to late to join the fun - just visit the website and get signed up:
Look out for the image below (you can't miss it - it's Havannah children at last year's run!) and click to join!
For those of you already signed up, we have sent you the details you need for the day - Car park A, 9.35am start and look for our banner in the area opposite the Border Minstrel. Get your running shoes on, Team Havannah!
Some of our children attended the launch of this year's run earlier this week. They spoke to the press, had many photographs taken and returned to school with big smiles and goodie bags - what a great start!
New Headteacher at GEMS
You may have already heard that Mr Stout has retired and there is a new Headteacher in post at Gosforth East Middle School. The new Headteacher, Mr Adcock, was appointed last week and I was privileged to be part of the recruitment process, supporting the GEMS Governors and representing our Trust. The best part of the two days I spent in GEMS was seeing our former pupils (some taller than me now) and catching up with their news. I feel the need to make it clear that I was not there in any attempt to become the new Headteacher at GEMS and have no intention of leaving Havannah! I believe that my presence over the two days has sparked some rumours that I was going to be the new Head - absolutely not!
Readathon and Book Fair
Thanks to everyone who supported the Book Fair before the Easter Holiday. We know that there were difficulties around WiFi and payments, but otherwise it was a huge success and we raised enough money to buy lots of our own books from scholastic. The Readathon was also a great success - not only did the children do lots of reading, but we raised £1, 700 to spend on books for school. Thanks again for your support.
Names in Uniform
Now that the weather is getting warmer, children are regularly taking off their jumpers and leaving them in classrooms, the hall and the outdoor areas. Yesterday, we collected over 20 jumpers which were lying around and only 4 of them were labelled. Some of our TAs have been putting initials on children's jumpers so that they do not get lost but it would be much easier if you could do this before they come into school. Naming everything which children wear and bring to school means that things don't usually get lost and don't therefore need to be replaced. Thanks you for your support.
The Silent Discos
Our fabulous PTFA has organised two silent discos. On Monday 11th May the disco is after school until 5pm for KS2 children who have purchased tickets from the PTFA. All children in KS2 (whether attending the disco not) can wear non-uniform for the day. On Monday 18th May, the disco is repeated for KS1 and children in KS1 (whether attending the disco or not) can wear non uniform for the day. Reception had a fabulous Easter Egg hunt organised by the PTFA before the Easter Holiday. Thanks to the PTFA committee, parent/carer volunteers and staff who have planned and will be running the events.
Training Day Reminder
Please remember that Monday 1st June is a training day and so school is closed to children.
Dates List
We have attached the dates list - please keep an eye on upcoming events!
Learning Gallery
Credits:
Created with images by Richard Johnson - "Parking charge notice attached to car which is parked illegally" • fotogestoeber - "cubes with lightbulb symbols and sticky notes on cork background" • Kenishirotie - "People around world"