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

• World Book Day

  Mon 27 Feb 2017 M. Purdy

  This week sees the annual World Book Day. It's on Thursday 2nd March. Mr. Howe's letter, sent to you just before half term, will have explained the classic books theme of the fancy dress and as always we are holding the Stories at Bedtime event. Click here to reread Mr. Howe's letter.

   

  Parents Evenings

  Letters were also sent to you so that you can book your appointment/s at the Spring term Parents' evenings. These consultations with your child's teacher/s will keep you up to date with your children's progress and ways you can support at home. Click here to download the letter.

   

• The Bottle Flip Challenge

  Fri 17 Feb 2017 M. Purdy

  SCIENCE IN THE HOME-Half Term Activity

  This afternoon all children from reception to Year 6 will have a science challenge to try out during the February holiday. There is a booklet in your child's bag. The Bottle Flip challenge has been designed by Mrs Houston and Mrs Wilson who are doing wonderful things with science throughout our school. The challenge is optional but, I am sure, many mums, dads and older brothers and sisters will want to become involved and, if you are able to film your attempt, we would love to see this. Have fun everyone!

   

  GOODBYE REV'D CHILD

  It is with joy that we celebrate Paul Child's new job as vicar of  St. Lawrence the Martyr at Horsely Hill yet we are very sad to say goodbye to him as our local curate. Paul has reformed our school's relationship with the church, introducing us to the projects and people within our local parishes, and of course to Mark, Bishop of Jarrow. We all hope he enjoys his inauguration on 26th February but it's not all bad news, as we will still see Paul as a parent dropping the children off. So the morning may still begin with a cheesy joke  and a groan! Our very best wishes Paul-we know you'll do a terrific job!

• The Winning Team

  Mon 13 Feb 2017 M. Purdy
  

• Heading Towards Half Term

  Fri 10 Feb 2017 M. Purdy

  Basketball-Team Loaded -the Sunderland Hoops for Health Champions

  What an exciting evening we had on Friday. For many of us it was the very first experience we had of a league basketball event so didn't know what to expect. Our first match in the semis was a tough match against St. Cuthbert's RC Primary School.  It was hard fought but we won 4-2. Having watched the first half of the main match in which Newcastle played Leeds, our hearts were thumping as Team Loaded took to the court for the final against Farringdon. They were magnificent, winning 6-0. A huge thank you goes to Mr. Ashton for arranging for the Newcastle Eagles to come into school to kick start the project and for Mr. Traves who has given up many lunch hours to manage and train the team. Next we play against other winning teams from around the region. Go Team Loaded!

   

  Nursery Offer

  From September 2017 our school will be offering free childcare for nursery aged children for 30 hours a week. The community room is to be altered to create a lovely nursery space.  If you know anyone who may be interested in the offer please tell them about our school. We will also be happy to offer 15 free hours to eligible children who access their other 15 hours entitlement at a different setting. All the forms and information you need are now online under Key Information. Click here for further details.

   

  Netball

  After a shaky start to the season, our netball team has found its form. This week both teams won against St. Benet's.  We are now waiting to see who our new opponents will be.

   

  Uniform reminder

  Please could I politely remind parents of girls that leggings, jeggings or other skinny/stretch trousers are not school uniform. Children wearing boots to school also need indoor shoes. Tailored grey trousers, culottes, skirts or dresses are all considered to be uniform.

   

  School Budgets

  I am sure you are aware that schools across the whole country are concerned about the predicted significant reduction in their budgets 2018-19. I believe the concerns of a group of Headteachers from the South were highlighted on the One Show this week. Seaburn Dene Primary School will not escape this in 2018-19 but, for now, we intend to ensure our school is the best it can be. Governors on the Finance and Premises Committee monitor school expenditure carefully and challenge decisions with the needs of children always foremost in their decisions.

• Deadline for handing in photo orders!

  Mon 06 Feb 2017 S Baker
  We have arranged for class/club photograph orders to be collected by Tempest Photography next Monday, 13th February. You may still place orders with Tempest after this date, but it will mean you will incur postal charges.

• Being Brave About Assessment

  Mon 06 Feb 2017 M. Purdy

  ASSESSMENT WEEK-CANCELLED!

  On Friday Mr. Howe and I asked the question-if we don't believe in testing children to produce national data than why are we assessing our children half termly? Neither of us knew the answer as it seems we've somehow become stuck in a wheel grinding around and around. So we took the brave decision that we are reducing our in-school half termly assessments to once a term only. Of course, spelling tests and in class assessments will continue. Teachers received the news with relief as assessment week eats up a whole week each half term out of the teaching timetable.  That means three more teaching weeks in the year. Wonderful.

   

  READING STATIONS

  This term we have had a massive refocus on hearing children read in school. I try to hear children read at least once a day and I can see a significant improvement already in the fluency and confidence of some of the children I hear. To make reading aloud even more special, the Friends of the School have invested in some really funky tub chairs which are now positioned in various places around school. One chair is adult sized and the other child sized. Thank you to all the parents and grandparents who have supported events like the Christmas Fair to make this purchase possible. Every child in the school will benefit.

   

  WORLD BOOK DAY THURSDAY 2ND MARCH

  We are continuing with our school tradition of celebrating World Book Day with fancy dress and Stories at Bedtime. This year the theme is children's classics so there are a multitude of outfits to choose from including the Narnia stories, Wind in the Willows,  Paddington Bear, Heidi, Alice in Wonderland, all the fairy tales, the Famous Five, Treasure Island and the list goes on and on. All I will say is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

   

  GOOD LUCK TEAM LOADED

  This Friday we are all rushing off after school to Northumbria University to watch Team Loaded in the semis before the Newcastle Eagles match then, hopefully, in the finals at the half time break when the Newcastle Eagles play Leeds. It's my first experience of basketball so the excitement is building. Let's channel all our nervous energy into playing the best we can. Good luck Team Loaded!

• Sapphire Jubilee 'Blue Day' - Monday 6th February

  Thu 02 Feb 2017 S Baker

  Reminder that we will be holding a 'Blue Day' next Monday to celebrate HM Queen Elizabeth reining for 65 years, the first British monarch to celebrate a Sapphire Jubilee.

   

  Children should come to school dressed in blue clothing and if they wish to wear crowns or tiaras they are very welcome! A raffle will be drawn (with a selection of blue items as prizes) during the school assembly on Monday, with tickets being  sold from now to Monday during morning playtime by Mrs Bannister and thereafter at the school office. Tickets are priced at £1 a strip or 20p each.

   

  Please remember children will need sensible footwear and a warm coat as playtimes and lunchtimes will go ahead as normal.