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

• Christmas Fayre Thanks!

  Mon 30 Nov 2015 S Baker

  Thank you to everyone who came along to the Christmas Fayre and most especially all the parents who helped label tombolas, price items and set up/ run the stalls. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes before an event such as this and we could not run the Fayre without the parents who support us.

   

  I am delighted to say that we raised over £1,100 on the day and, thanks to a Year 1 parent, we have applied for match funding from Barclays Bank. This will hopefully increase the total again, and we will update you as and when the funding comes through.  

   

  A full list of raffle prizes and the corresponding winning number is available to view on the Parents/Downloads and Letters Section of the website. All prizes have now been claimed or sent home with the relevant children. 

• The Calm Before the Tinsel!

  Fri 27 Nov 2015 M. Purdy

  A Working Week

  The Christmas Fair was an amazing success with tombolas selling out within the first half hour. Families were staggering out of the school, weighed down with prizes and purchases. Local businesses certainly did us proud this year! Thank you, of course, to all the Friends of the School and the other volunteers who put in hours of hard work to make the event a great success. Once the counting of coins is complete we will let you know the final figure but we are certain it's over £1000.

   

  Now it's back to normal for another week so let's all forget Christmas until the Christmas dinner on Wednesday 9th December, to concentrate on all the wonderful learning before us.

   

  Toys and Pencil Cases

  It is the school rules not to bring toys and other personal belonging, such as pencil cases, into school. Every class is well equipped with the correct pens and pencils so extras are not needed. If you bring any personal item into school without prior knowledge and approval of the teacher we cannot be held responsible for breakages, it becoming lost or arguments about ownership.

   

  Where Are They Now?

  When the mum of two former pupils contacted me last month to tell us what her two children, Ben and Beth, were achieving and studying we thought other parents would find it fascinating too. With one sibling training to be a dancer and the other an athlete, we couldn't fail to be impressed and so invite our former pupils to get in touch with us. Take a look at the website page "All Grown Up" in About Us to read about Beth and Ben.

   

  A Crib for a Baby

  Angel in Year 6 has a very skilled grandfather who used to create scenery and sets for television programmes. As a master craftsman he has made, especially to raise funds for the school, this adorable crib for a doll. Angel and her friends will soon be selling raffle tickets so that you can try to win this unique prize for someone in your family. At 50p a strip, not only will the money raise invaluable funds for the school, but also give someone a wonderful surprise. Watch out for Angel's stall before and after school very soon. (Crib photographs below).

   

   

   

  

• Christmas Has Arrived-a little early

  Mon 23 Nov 2015 M. Purdy

  Christmas Fair

  Because Father Christmas is so busy in December, preparing to visit children all around the world, we are having our Christmas Fair on Thursday after school. That means he can spend a lovely time with everyone who books to visit him in his grotto.

   

  The Christmas Fair begins at 3.30pm on Thursday and it's one of our favourite events. There's so much to win that our families usually stagger away laden with treasures and goodies. Bring all your friends to support us too.

   

  The Rotary Club Need You!

  Two weeks ago Mrs Halliday and I spent a lovely evening with our friends from Seaburn Rotary. We enjoyed a very pleasant meal at the Marriott followed by a talk from a forensic scientist expert. As many of you know, the Rotary Club have been our partners for many years and representatives will be at our Christmas lunch. Much of their work is based on charity fundraising and they have asked us to help them to find new members. I have attached a leaflet so click here if you are interested in their work.

   

  Where are they now?

  We love to hear about the successes of our former pupils and have created an All Grown Up page so you too can share our pride. We kick off with Beth and Ben Mitchell who are both following their dreams, Beth as a professional dancer and Ben as an athlete.  Click here to read their stories and if you have a story to tell about pupils that are all grown up please email it across to us.

   

  Read Our Blogs

  Children in Year 5 have created some amazing blogs so read them now by clicking here

   

   

• WEEKLY SPELLINGS

  Thu 19 Nov 2015 M.Purdy

  In our school we expect children to read every evening and weekends for around 15 minutes whatever their age. We also expect them to learn spellings and times tables at home. Every child in our school from Years 1 to 6 have spellings to learn EVERY week. We gather from our conversations with parents that some children claim they do not have spellings to learn-this is your child avoiding homework!

   

  Spelling lists are also on the website and we will find a way to indicate which lists apply to which week to help you. Children who really struggle will be given fewer, easier  words to learn but will have them printed for home learning.

   

  If, on repeated occasions, you cannot find your child's spelling list in school bags please contact the school office.

• Chilly Days

  Mon 16 Nov 2015 M. Purdy

  Get Wrapped Up

  Today must be the coldest day of the year, as I discovered at the school gate this morning. The school is toasty warm but children love being out in the fresh air. There's so little time to play out in the evenings before darkness falls that we take every opportunity to play outside and have lessons such as PE outside. Please make sure children have coats, hats and gloves for playtimes and layers for outdoor PE lessons.

   

  School Closure

  The newspapers are warning us of "the worst Winter on record for years" so yesterday the leadership team met to go through arrangements for heavy snow conditions. Those of you with a long history in our school know that I never close the school willingly and, despite some quite extreme conditions a few years ago, we managed to stay open even when other local schools were forced to close.

   

  We are fortunate in that several staff live in the local area so are available to greet children while the rest of us take our time to drive to school safely. If we are forced to close you will receive a message by SchoolComms and radio station messages will also be released. Torver Crescent can be very dangerous and slippery so I suggest parents and children either walk or leave their cars on Dovedale.  If the children are well equipped with wellies, gloves and coats we will have a wonderful lunchtime on the field making snowmen and igloos. I am always the first out there!

   

  Drama Club

  Drama Club will be taking place as usual this week. We have a lot to achieve in a short time to get "Robin and is Sherwood Hoodies" ready so are making the most of every spare minute. The script is an absolute hoot but there's so much to do it's quite a challenge.

   

  Christingle Service

  This year, Revd Child is working with us to hold a Christingle service in school. It is the most magical of Christmas festivities and we both hope we can "pull it off". It is expected to take place on Thursday 10th December in the morning and we are hoping to invite parents to join us.

   

   

• What a Turnout!

  Mon 09 Nov 2015 M. Purdy

  Armistice Day Assembly

  The atmosphere was sombre as children took this morning's assembly very seriously indeed. Looking smart, complete with poppies, and with a real understanding as to why the country comes to a halt at 11.00am on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, I was immensely proud of the children's attitude and behaviour. Rev'd Child led us with a story to help us to consider our own small behaviours to create a more peaceful world and Isobel and Sarah recited their poems "The Soldier" and "Invictus" with honesty and emotion. Well done everyone and thank you to the parents who joined the school for the assembly.

   

  Open Hour Surprise

  You took us all by surprise on Friday but in a lovely way. When we decided to open the school for an hour we expected forty or fifty adults through our doors but at 2.20pm the line was weaving its way around the car park . Absolutely wonderful and thank you for your support. How proud the children were to guide you around their school, explaining what they do and how things work. Of course, the next big event is Parents Evenings so we will see you all once again next week. Remember to return your slips so an appointment is guaranteed.

   

  Year 6 Class Assembly

  There's nothing more enjoyable than a class leading assembly and this week Year 6 will be showcasing their work and ideas during a class assembly on Thursday afternoon.

   

  Training and Trainees

  This week is a very serious week in terms of staff development. Mr. Howe is training all the Blue Sky students on the theme of breaking down Barriers to Learning, Mr Ashton and Mr. Smith are continuing with their Inspire maths training in Wakefield, I am away at the Sunderland Head's Conference for two days mainly learning about recent updates to school inspections and Mrs Wilson will be working with other heads of Early Years to keep abreast with their continual changes.

   

   

• You are invited....

  Mon 02 Nov 2015 M. Purdy

  School Showcase

  We are flinging our doors open for you to discover and explore our whole school on Friday  (6th November) between 2.30pm and 3.30pm. It's only natural that most of your visits into school are based around your child's class but we are proud of every year's achievements so invite you to take a whole tour with your child/grandchild.

   

  You will be able to look at our displays, see Year 6 in music, talk to children in classes about their work and get to know us really well. Should you know a parent with a tiny tot who will soon be looking for a school, please feel free to bring them along too. It should be a lovely and lively hour.

   

  Parents Evenings

  This week you will be receiving your Parents Evenings letters as they are to be held on 17th and 18th November. We know that it is so easy for your child to leave letters in school so you can find copies if you click here. We take pride in the excellent turnout and appreciate your interest and support. Drama Club will rehearse as usual between 3.20 and 5.15pm on the Wednesday evening so you are very welcome to drop by to see how we pull our fabulous musical plays together.

   

  Remembrance Assembly

  Reverend Child will be leading our Remembrance Assembly on Wednesday 11th November. Parents are invited to join us. It will begin at 10.45am.

   

  University Partnership-The Power of Yet

  Towards the end of the half term we met with Judith Hills, Associate Dean for Recruitment and Development, Faculty of Arts , Design and Media at the University of Sunderland. We are designing an exciting joint student/pupil project which will involve filming our work on the impact of Growth Mindset on pupils' aspirations. As such a creative school in terms of the arts, this will stretch us even further in develop media literacy skills.

   

  Drama Club

  In the lead up to Christmas by Candlelight at which Drama Club will perform "Robin and His Sherwood Hoodies", Drama Club will run from 3.20pm until 5.15pm. Don't forget to bring comfortable clothing and a snack. (No crisps please).