Harvest Collection
Please remember to donate, if you can, to our harvest collection. All of the food that we collect will go to the Salvation Army in Newcastle. They will use our donations to support families in crisis in our city. Everything which you donate makes a difference.
As well as food, you can donate toiletries such as shower gel, sanitary products, toothpaste etc.
There is a table outside of the main office where you can leave things each day until Wednesday morning.
Thank you for your support and generosity.
Year 4 Parents and Carers, you are invited to join the Y4 children for a Harvest Assembly on Wednesday 22nd October at 9.00am.
New Chair of Governors
Rhonda Crosby has been our chair of Governors for the past two years and stood down from her post at the end of the summer term. Mrs Crosby has provided both challenge and support to the school and has worked hard with other Governors and School Leaders to secure our growth funding which has allowed us to expand to 90 in Reception and provide well needed school places. Mrs Crosby will carry on as a Governor, and of course, as our resident artist! She will also continue to be our Safeguarding Link Governor. Thank you, Mrs Crosby, for everything you do for Havannah First School!
Our new Chair of Governors is Mrs Roksana Rutherford. Mrs Rutherford has been a Governor for many years, originally starting as a Parent Governor when her children attended Broadway East. She was very supportive of the school's relocation in 2022, despite living close to the old site and having children attending at the time. Her commitment to the development of the school has been invaluable. We are looking forward to working with Mrs Rutherford in her new role.
Mrs Ward's Absence
Following the half term holiday, Mrs Ward will be serving as a juror. We have already delayed the service and there is no way to avoid it. During her absence, her days in Hazel class will be covered by a supply teacher. We have made requests for one of our familiar supply teachers. Mrs Walker will continue to be in Hazel as usual on the Wednesdays and Thursdays. We expect this arrangement to be in place for two weeks.
Class teachers, Mr Burnett and Ms McKenna will be around as usual and we can support with any SEN questions or matters during those two weeks. Mrs Ward will be doing her best to make sure that any ongoing and time sensitive matters are managed and communicated to the appropriate people. If you have any concerns as a parent of a child with SEN, please get in touch.
Designated Safeguarding Leads
We now have 4 designated Leads for Safeguarding:
Helen McKenna (Headteacher) - Designated Lead
Gary Burnett (Deputy Headteacher) - Deputy Designated Lead
Sue Ward - (Assistant Headteacher and SENCO) - Deputy Designated Lead
Rebecca Storey - (Early Years Lead) - Deputy Designated Lead
Our new Safeguarding Policy for 2025-2026 will be on the website on Monday 20th October, once it has been ratified by the Governors.
If you have any safeguarding concerns please come and talk to one of the DSLs above. If you cannot locate us, please ask at the office and one of us will be available as soon as possible. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and we are always ready to listen to your concerns and take the appropriate actions.
The School Council
We have new School Councillors who have been democratically selected to represent their classes and work with school staff to make our school the very best it can be. We know that they will work hard to help us and will be a very strong pupil voice!
Y4 Poetry for Black History Month
As part of their learning during Black History Month, Y4 been looking at the poet, Maya Angelou and exploring her life and what makes her poem, 'Still I Rise' so important.
They have used the poem to explore feelings of sadness and feeling powerless. They then wrote poems in the style of Maya Angelou's to show that we are strong and we can overcome anything!
What superb poets we have in Year 4!
Black History Month Workshops
Key Stage 2 classes also had the opportunity to partake in some special workshops. They enjoyed finding out about the lives and achievements of black British people from TV presenters to astronomers and many others.
They participated well and showed tremendous teamwork. Well done, everyone!
Happy Half Term!
It's been a long half term and we have achieved so much! You can see some pictures below which show how busy the children have been. Some highlights include making banana bread in Reception, outdoor learning in all year groups, hockey coaching, planting, playing and just SO MUCH learning!
I hope everyone has a well earned rest in the half term holiday when it comes!
Don't forget that next Friday, 24th October, is a training day and so school is closed to children.
Learning Gallery for October
Credits:
Created with an image by Dmytro - "Food donation box with food assortment on the table"