It really is noticeable how much darker it is both before school and particularly in the evenings. Although we are having mild days, Winter is definitely stealing a march on us. While we have installed lights on the main yard to help when we dismiss clubs, this is a good time to buy reflective strips for coats and bags so that children are visible to motorists on the walk to and from school. Quite a number of children at the top end of the school walk home alone after school activities but, if you wish to change that arrangement during the Winter, please let the office know.
This weekend and on Monday, we have the excitement of Bonfire Night. I know that most of you go along to organised events, which is a great way to see the best displays. We have welcomed Northumbria Police into school to speak to our Y6 children about the dangers associated with fireworks. In Monday's assembly, we will be reiterating that message as well as preparing children for events to mark Remembrance and the Centenary of the end of World War 1. Next week, we will be selling poppies in school to raise money for the British Legion.
Fundraising - in the current climate - is something all schools need to be more proactive about. At Seaburn Dene, we are fortunate that our Friends group do an awful amount of work to generate much needed funds for school. Mr Ashton has already spoken to them about using money raised in events to mark out the main school yard with a new surface and lines for football, netball and running. Watch this space. On Monday, our non-uniform day will support the bottle tombola in our Christmas fayre and last week the Halloween hunt was also used to raise vital funds for all children in our school. The money, in the past, has been used to support whole-school needs such as "reading stations", ICT and sports equipment. Every penny is reinvested for the benefit of the school, so your support is vital to raise funds for school, for all the children. Without this fundraising, the simple fact is, we wouldn't be able to support some extras and enhancements. School trips - which we pride ourselves on offering to add to all the children's education - come at a considerable cost. The school bears much of the cost (transport, activities), but we ask parents for a contribution towards it. The sad reality, in the challenging circumstances that schools like us face, is that unless all parents make a contribution -as requested - some trips may not be possible in the future. For many children these are precious opportunities to bring learning to life and create lifelong memories. Without parental support contributions, we may be limited in what we can offer in the future.
Dick Whittington
On Friday we welcomed back M & M Productions with their interpretation of Dick Whittington. We have been so impressed with this highly professional company as their performance is lively, imaginative and energetic and, in my experience of pantomimes, is equal to or better than any I have seen. It's a wonderful experience for the children without paying for expensive theatre seats. This year, the school paid for the cost of the performance, but for future performances scheduled in next March and September we will be asking if parents can support us by offering a donation of £1.50, which would be much appreciated.
In the week ahead...
Even as I write this, I can reflect on one of the busiest week's this term at school. 90 children received their Everybody, Every Night certificates on Thursday, Street Dance returned alongside the English Speaking Union's Discover Debating programme. We held parent showcases for our STEAM car building project, Y6 were out swimming, while the NSPCC popped into thank the children for raising more than £1100 in their Buddy's Big Workout.
Next week, (on Monday) we have our first Christmas Fair non uniform day when you are invited to send in bottles for our very popular bottle stall, with a Remembrance Assembly on Thursday. Year 6 are also preparing to draft their Christmas Lunch invites. It won't be long now...