A huge welcome back to the school year of 2019-2020: our 50th Anniversary Term. It was fantastic to see the children around school -  they all looked  so smart. I hope all our families and the children had a wonderful time during the summer making happy memories and spending some much needed down time together.

We had another amazing successful and busy year and as we are determined (as captured in our school vision) to do even better. We very much look forward to leading the children in their learning this year and seeing their development grow once again -both academically and socially. They did incredibly well last year and I am truly proud of their positive attitudes, excellent behaviour and wonderful manners.

There will be a letter coming home tonight, updating you on the new term, diary dates, clubs etc.

Next week, teachers will complete their information for parents to provide you with an overview of the things we teach in the autumn term.  Some areas are changed due to the impact of the new national curriculum.  The national curriculum is set by government and is statutory for all children in community schools, like ours.

I will provide you with advice around homework, also this week, so you know when to expect your child to bring work home.  Reading is a key part of school and life.  We promote 'Everybody, Every Night', which means your child should read at home to an adult five times per week and at least once on a weekend to ensure they make the greatest amount of progress in all areas.  Research suggests that by doing this children will have vastly superior outcomes/results/success than those who don't.

NEW FAMILIES TO SEABURN DENE

We would like to extend a particular welcome our new nursery and reception children and their families - and other families who have chosen to join us in Yrs 1 and 2... We promise to guide, nurture and teach your children to be the very best that they can be!

OUR AIMS & PRIORITIES FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR

"We always try be that little bit better..."– our growth mindset vision and kindness, one of our four school values, will be the overarching themes for the year and the children will be learning much about what this word means in terms of our relationships with friends, families, communities, countries and our place in the world as global citizens. We will use our other values- respect, determination and aspiration to guide the children.

GREATER INDEPENDENT LEARNING

We are once again on a mission to help all our children develop even greater strategies for being independent learners and to become more resilient as their learning becomes more challenging. Throughout their learning journey over the children’s 7 years, our ultimate aim is that children have greater and greater success for themselves, thus being truly proud of their own achievements and progress.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is hugely important and we can only do this in partnership with you. We believe every school day counts and we know it does. We hate being ‘average’ so we have set the target of 96%-plus again this year. We will continue to present children children with 100% certificates and book vouchers at the end of each term, as well as rewarding those children with good attendance. Please be reassured that we will continue to work in partnership to support you and your child in attending school as much as possible.

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS

Look out for the letter detailing some of the after school clubs we will be providing this term. These include: rugby, football, gymnastics, Minecraft, reading, karate. We will be also offering musical tuition, which will be outlined on the same letter. But please return your letters to show interest so that I can sort the choices by the end of this week - some popular clubs will be limited by numbers.

ALDI STICKERS

We are taking part in the Aldi Kit for Schools until November 3. If you shop at Aldi, please bring in the stickers you will be collecting, to help us get the chance of winning £20,000 for school and a free sports kit. There will be a collection box in our reception area.

IMPORTANT DATES.

Wednesday 11th September – Reading Plus - Yrs 4,5 & 6.

Week beginning 16th September - Clubs/music lessons start.

Tuesday 17th September - Y3 Farm to Fork - visit to Farm.

Thursday, 19th September - Reception and Early Years Open day.

Friday, 4th October - Nasal flu spray immunisations.

Thursday, 10th October - Yr 4 class assembly 2.45pm.

Wednesday, 16th October - 5oth Anniversary open day - all day. Times to follow.

Tuesday, 22nd October -Newcastle Eagles - Yr 5/6.

Week beginning 28th October - HALF-TERM

Tuesday, 19th November - Parent's Evening.

Thursday, 14th November - Y3 Class Assembly.

Wednesday, 20th November - Non-uniform day - chocolate tombola.

Thursday, 21st November - Parent's Evening

Thursday, 28th November - Christmas Fayre - 3.30pm - 5.30pm.

Thursday, 5th December - Whole school Carol Concert at Fulwell Methodist Church - 10.30am./

Tuesday, 10th December - Yr 1/2 Nativity.

Wednesday, 11th December - Christmas jumper/Christmas meal.

Thursday, 12th December - Evening with Santa - 5.30pm - 8pm.

Week beginning 16th Decemer - Christmas parties.

Tuesday, 17th December - Yr 1/2 party.

Wednesday, 18th December - Yr 3/4 party.

Thursday, 19th December - Yr 5/6 party.

Friday, 20th December - School breaks up.

There will of course be more dates and information sent to you via school comms so please keep us up to date with any email changes.v We try to not change too much as we are aware of the implications for you as families. Be rest assured that throughout the year, the children will experience a great range of learning and teaching opportunities. We have lots of exciting things booked and planned for the forthcoming year.