Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Welcome Bishop Mark

  Fri 29 Apr 2016 M. Purdy

  Bishop Mark of Jarrow Visit

  Following in the footsteps of the new Director of Education, this week we will be welcoming Mark, the Bishop of Jarrow on Thursday afternoon. Bishop Mark will tour the school, meet some of our children to answer their questions and lead an assembly. Our thanks to Revd Child who spoke so kindly about our school that Bishop Mark felt he really needed to see us at work!

   

  A New Teacher

  On Tuesday we are interviewing for a new teacher with the help of Year 5. This teacher will start in September and will mainly work alongside the Year 6 teacher. It's a huge decision for us all so we are full of anticipation.

   

  Congratulations ..

  To Zak in Year 5. Zak took part in the Special Olympics in Scotland and was awarded a bronze medal in Judo. His mum was very concerned when she saw the size of his competitors, but like a true professional he showed true grit to win many of his matches.

   

  To former pupil Reece Amir who, at 16, played in the England Under 16 side against Wales, with the England team winning 38-37.

• Reminder for Year 5 Parents!

  Fri 22 Apr 2016 S Baker
  Once again Year 5 are swimming at Monkwearmouth Academy on Monday mornings as part of their PE lessons. Children need to bring in their swimming kits (suit/trunks, towel, swimming cap, goggles) and roll on deodorant if desired. Can we remind parents that children should not bring aerosol sprays. Twenty nine children all spraying at the same time is not good for their chests, or the environment!

• Dear Parents

  Tue 19 Apr 2016 M. Purdy

  Dear Parents-we need your help and support.

   

  Misuse of Technology at Home

   

  It's a fact that technology, whether it's computers, ipads, playstations or phones, play a major part in or lives and especially that of our children. Technology can be a wonderful tool but it certainly has a dark side too. When parents express concerns that children are perhaps not using them as they should, they tend to alert school so that we can help out. We are happy to do so but it can take us away from our core business of teaching and learning for many hours to unravel these issues.

   

  It is essential, in the first instance, for parents to become computer literate themselves so that they know age appropriate apps and sites and how to put in controls. Much of this advice can be found online. The legal age to join Facebook is 13 years old so please be aware of this and act accordingly.

   

  Whilst we all appreciate the power of peer pressure, if parents are uneasy with  their child is using technology, they must be strong enough to remove that technology e.g phone, either temporarily or until the child is older and wiser.

   

  Following recent conversations, we are planning to hold another session for parents to help them to put in controls. Meanwhile you may find the following pages useful:

   

  https://www.ceop.police.uk/   CEOPS provides wonderful advice to parents so please sign in to read their parent section.

  http://www.internetmatters.org/?gclid=CJWs5ce8mswCFUa4GwodCdEP5A- Internet Matters gives clear guidance about putting in parental controls.

  https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/ The NSPCC also have useful advice and filmclips about putting in controls and what your child can do online.

• What an Honour!

  Mon 18 Apr 2016 M.Purdy

  Two Palaces and An Archbishop

  Today I received a telephone call to inform me that our school had been chosen randomly to deliver the Sunderland Codex to London in June. One pupil with a parent will take the morning train to London, as an invited guest of the Archbishop of Canterbury, to Lambeth Palace. During the afternoon this very privileged pupil will visit the Palace of Westminster to meet MPs and take a tour.

   

  As Joe in Year 3 won our school's entry for CODEX, we feel it is only right for him to be the pupil representing primary schools in Sunderland. The teachers are very envious Joe so remember to take lots of photographs for us.

   

  New Director of Education

  For several years Sunderland has had a Director of Children's Services rather than someone dedicated to education in the city. We are delighted that there has been a u turn and that Simon Marshall, until recently a Sunderland headteacher, has been appointed and taken up the post of Director of Education. As we are so rarely visited by representatives of the Local Authority, I sent Simon an invitation last week and am delighted that he is able to join us next Tuesday (26th). I am sure that he will be impressed by the wonderful work, high aspirations and creative climate at SDPS.

   

  Skipping Festival

  Good luck to Year 4 who are taking part in a skipping festival tomorrow at Redhouse Academy. The offices have been bouncing to the beat of their music all week, faces have been pink with the exertion of the routine and it has all come together at last.

   

  Clean for the Queen

  Although it is the Queen's 90th birthday this week, the long range forecast looks "dodgy" so we are postponing our clean up until the last 3 weeks of term. By then the rain clouds will have blown seaward, the temperatures will be warm and the wind will become a glorious breeze. A headteacher can only dream!

   

  Spring Term Magazine

  With the Spring term being so short yet crammed with exciting activities, Mr Howe struggled to get the termly magazine out to you. However, it is almost ready and should be with you on Friday.

• Sad News

  Mon 11 Apr 2016 M. Purdy

  It is with great sadness that I have to begin this term by sharing the news that Susan Armstrong, a former member of our team and close friend to many of us, passed away peacefully last Monday. Susan had endured a very long and courageous battle against cancer but never lost hope and embraced everything life had to offer. She loved going to concerts, the theatre and eating out and some of our happiest memories of Susan will be of her enjoying her 60th birthday celebration last June.  We will remember her for her kindness, her giggle, the continual stream of Rington's biscuits (to keep staff morale up) and her love of Donny Osmond. We send our thoughts and prayers to Susan's sister Lucille, brother-in-law David and Katy, her niece.

   

  Susan's funeral takes place on Thursday morning. As so many staff wish to attend, if any parents with school DBS clearance can offer any help that morning, we would very much appreciate your support. The school office will be manned for urgent telephone calls only.