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

• Secondary School Transition - Cancelled

  Tue 29 Jun 2021 Mr J Howe

  Secondary School Transition Cancelled

  Dear Parent/Carer,

   

  I have been informed by Monkwearmouth Academy that their planned Y7 transition fortnight, starting on Monday, July 5th has been cancelled - due to the increase in Covid cases in the city and following advice from Sunderland Public Health.

   

  I am sure that the children (and others whose transitions to various secondary schools have also been cancelled) will be disappointed. However, we view the opportunity as a positive - in that we get to spend more time with our Y6 class - before they leave on what is traditionally the end of term: Friday, July 16th.

   

  Mrs Houston will be writing to our Y6 parents about arrangements for the Leavers' Event on Friday. Please note, we are operating a strict protocol around social distancing between household bubbles - we must be adhered to for this event to take place.

   

  In the meantime, can I ask that as many parents as possible complete our short, annual survey - 

   

  https://forms.gle/hzULmZKWLmet17uN6

   

  The deadline for completion is the last day of term
  – Friday, 16th July 2021.

• Rise in Covid-19 infection in Sunderland

  Fri 25 Jun 2021

  As headteacher, I would like to pass on information to you from Public Health in the city, regarding a rapid increase in rates of Covid-19 infection. 

  Overall infection rates in Sunderland are rising, but there are also very high rates in the population aged under 25. In the last 7-days, positive cases per 100,000 population are:

  *185.1 for the whole population.

  *386 in the 11-16 group

  *177 in the 5-10 age group

  *61 in the 0-4 group

  Worryingly, in the 19-24 age group, positive cases are at 739.

  In line with Public Health advice, we are advising that all close contacts of a confirmed case take a PCR test - before the end of their self-isolation. Furthermore, please remember that any person who tests positive with either a LFT or PCR must self-isolate and close contacts identified and isolated.

  This is to further stop the spread of Covid-19. 

• Annual Survey

  Wed 23 Jun 2021 Mr J Howe

  Dear Parents and Carers
  Annual Parent/Guardian Survey
  It has been - and continues to be - a very challenging year, but our school family has been a constant source of strength.
  To help us improve and reflect, we need to hear your views in our annual survey.
  The School Management Team and Governors are
  relentless in the drive for school improvement and this survey will start the process this year.
  You may notice that the questions are the same as last year which enables us to assess our
  progress.
  Here’s the link to the Parent Survey:-
  
  https://forms.gle/hzULmZKWLmet17uN6
  
  The deadline for completion is the last day of term
  – Friday, 16th July 2021.
  Thank you for your time and support.
  
  This link will also be contained in a letter with your child's annual reports, due out on Friday.

• Get Your Grown Ups Growing

  Thu 17 Jun 2021 Mr J Howe

  Get Your Grown Ups Growing!
  We are appealing for help with a new garden project to engage pupils with learning outdoors.
  At school, we are fortunate to have lots of green spaces, but we are putting out a ‘garden SOS’ to green-fingered volunteers to support a new garden project.
  There are lots of children in school who are keen to do gardening/growing - but we need anyone with time to volunteer and an interest in growing to help.
  School would support with resources, link up with the RHS Get Your Grown Ups Growing and relevant clearance to work alongside the children.
  If you - or an older member of your family - is interested, free for around 45mins to 1hr a week. Please contact me via Class Dojo, tel: 0191 563 4101 or admin@seaburndeneprimary.co.uk

  

• Headteacher's Week 14.06.21

  Sun 13 Jun 2021 Mr J Howe

  I am writing to you after yet another busy week. I would like to congratulate our children  - particularly our Yr 6 children - for their continued maturity, resilience and growth mindset in commitment to their learning in these difficult times. Attendance has been superb since we returned in March and your support has been appreciated.

  The purpose of this message is to remind you again about the procedures which should be followed if we have feel we have to close a year bubble, as we had to on Friday for our Y6. Such a decision is a serious one and I urge you to ensure your children, if affected, follow guidelines. 

  In the event of a year bubble closing:

  • The parent/carers of that year group will be informed that there has been a confirmed positive case in their year group.
  • You will be informed initially by text/telephone message to collect your child and then emailed more details in a letter on the same day.
  • Children will be kept within their bubble whilst parents make their way to school to pick up their child.
  • You and your child will be given guidance about self-isolation and what to do if your child becomes symptomatic. You will be asked to book your child in for a PCR test (this doesn't affect the 10-day self isolation period.)
  • Children must self-isolate, they must follow this and it is parents’ responsibility to ensure this is done.
  • There will be a clear end date for this self-isolation and a return date which will be the day your child returns to school.
  • There will be reminders about the use of Google Classroom and the need for children to be logging in daily to attend  lessons, use materials posted by teachers via Class Dojo and/or to submit work.
  • Parents who do not have children in the year bubble that is closed will receive notification of the  closure of a year bubble. Their children will not need to self-isolate and must continue to come to school. If their brother or sister is in the affected class, they must continue to come to school unless they become symptomatic themselves or any of their siblings become symptomatic.

   

  The most difficult aspect of the situation we are in, is the limits we have to place on parents coming into school. Sports Day, for example, will be very different this year - no family picnic or parental support. But as we have seen in Sunderland and school, we are not out of the woods and the virus is still a reality. We will try and share as many images as possible from the day.

   

  Anti-Bullying Team

  Our Anti-Bullying Team have been working really hard on communicating the key messages that we would like our  children to remember. I lead the team and during our meeting last week, the children (from Y2 up) have sent out to pull together important information from our school community. They have done a fantastic job, creating surveys, researching helplines, buddy bench designs and books about bullying

  In our school, we are using the "STOP" to help describe bullying – as Several Times On Purpose is a clear way of explaining how bullying can hurt people emotionally or physically.

  We want to make sure children feel that they can ‘Be an Upstander’. That means that when they see something that they know is wrong they act to make a difference, whether that be themselves or by telling a member of staff or an anti-bullying team member in their bubble We all want school to be a place where we are kind to each other and the team are driving this forward.

   

  This week's events: Theme: Aspiration

  Monday	Year 1 Class Trip to West Boldon Environmental Centre (all day)
  Tuesday	Year 2 Class Trip to Castle Eden Dene. After school: Cycling, Rugby, Crafty Minds clubs.
  Wednesday	Sports Day (Covid secure). See Class Dojo message re: treats.
  Thursday	After school: Football Y3/4
  Friday	Celebration Assembly - theme - Aspiration.

   

  Admissions:

  Please do let friends and family in the community (or further afield) know that we are still accepting pupils this year and from September onwards. Please follow the admissions tab on the website to register your interest.

   

  Bikeability:

  A massive well done to Yr 5 who displayed fantastic progress in their cycling proficiency around Seaburn in the first half of the week. 

   

  School Uniform for September

  We know how expensive uniforms can be, and that some parents like to get started early for their children’s return to school in September.

  Below is just a reminder of our school uniform. A full PE school kit (including hoodie, tracksuit bottoms, white t-shirt, pe shorts) is available to order/purchase from Total Sport in Hendon. Hoodies start at £9.75, with PE t-shirts at £4. Football shirts/kit are NOT school uniform. All items need names in.

   

  BOYS: 

  Grey tailored trousers or shorts (no jeans/tracksuit bottoms.) 

  Long/short sleeved white shirt (tucked in.)

  Navy blue jumper.

  Black shoes - no trainers. 

  School tie.

   

  GIRLS

  Grey tailored trousers, pinafore dress or skirt (no leggins, jeans or joggers.)

  Long/short sleeved white shirt (tucked into trousers)

  Navy blue cardigan or jumper.

  Black flat shoes (not trainers.)

  Grey or white socks or grey/navy/black plain tights.

  Blue checked dress (summer.)

  White sandals or socks (summer.)

   

  Children’s PE Kit:

  Navy or Black Shorts,

  White T-Shirt,

  Plimsolls (Elastic or Velcro) trainers,

  School PE hoodie,

  Tracksuit bottoms.

   

   

   

• Covid - Positive Case update

  Fri 11 Jun 2021 Mr J Howe

  Unfortunately,  we have had to close our Y6 class bubble, following contact with one positive case from earlier in the week.

  We understand that this is a worrying time, but would like to reassure you that we are working closely with Public Health and following all national guidance.
  All people who may have had close and sustained contact with the case have been contacted and will need to self-isolate had ask to have a PCR test for Covid-19.

  Enhanced cleaning and infection control measures are in place in line with national guidance. The school is safe and remains open.  This message is for information only, but serves to remind us that the virus is still out there and we need to remain vigilant.

  Until restrictions are lifted, can we politely remind you to continue to ensure social distancing, while awaiting collection and drop-off and mask-wearing whilst on our premises. Additionally, should anyone in your household display covid19 symptoms, or require a covid19 test, the whole family should isolate until a negative result.

  Please do not send ill children into school, nor send them in if they have been in contact with anyone with symptoms.
  In the event that you or your child test positive for Covid outside of school hours,  I can be contacted via email: john.howe@seaburndeneprimary.co.uk or via direct message on Class Dojo.

  Thank you for your understanding