Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
Dates for Parents' Evenings are as follows:
Tuesday 14 November 2017 - Nursery to Year 6
Wednesday 15 November 2017 - Year 6 only
Thursday 16 November 2017 - Reception to Year 5
Thursday 16 November 2017 - Nursery Play and Stay Sessions
Letters regarding parents' evenings are being distributed to pupils today. Copies of the letters can also be found in the "Downloads and Letters / Whole School Events" section of our website.
CINDERELLA
This Friday we welcome back M & M Productions with their interpretation of Cinderella. We have been so impressed with this highly professional company as their performance is energetic, colourful and, in my experience of pantomimes, is equal to or better than any I have seen. It's a wonderful experience for the children without paying for expensive theatre seats.
The school will pay the vast proportion of the cost of the performance and all children will benefit but, if parents could support us by offering a donation of £1.50, we would be very appreciative.
SPORTING SUCCESS
Our Year 6 athletics team is going from strength to strength. Having qualified for the second round of trials and come second overall in this event, the team is now moving forward to the Sunderland City Athletics Final. Well done everyone-this is the best result we've had in athletics ever....and thank you Mr. Traves and Mr. Ashton. Their passion is now paying off.
The school football team is playing the best football we've seen for years and remains unbeaten this term. Mr. Traves has extended Friday afternoon training sessions to bring out the very best in the players. We wish the team well for the whole season.
FREE DANCE OPPORTUNITY
On Wednesday this week we welcome dancer Alex Rowland from Newcastle's Dance City. For 6 weeks Alex will be working with Yr 4 during the school day, then with a group of children between 3.30 and 4.30pm. The sessions are free of charge and we still have places in the after school workshops for children in Years 4, 5 and 6 . Please get in touch with Mrs Baker or Miss Bell in the school office if your child would like to join the dance sessions.
MR. HOWE
Due to a family bereavement, Mr. Howe will not be returning to work until Thursday. Mrs Tough will take the Year 4 class for the three whole days during Mr. Howe's absence. We send our thoughts and prayers to John and his family.
As I look out of the office window this morning the skies are dark, gardens gloomy and children hardly visible on the playground (although I can certainly hear them at play). However, whilst it looks stormy outside, it is all excitement and activity inside our lovely warm school.
On Thursday last week,Key Stage 2 led the harvest assembly with gusto. Thanks you to everyone for sending in food for the Foodbank-it is very much appreciated by those that need it.
On Friday last week, Years 5 and 6 worked with outreach workers from Opera North to develop their understanding of the French opera they will see in November. Two hour workshops, including movement, chanting, singing and listening to the story, were enjoyed by the two classes.
Also on Friday the school football team beat the reigning champions Townend 3-0. Congratulations to the team which maintains it's unbeaten record. Already Mr Traves has announced that he will be leading the campaign to be the new champions of 2018 so has extended Friday football sessions to ensure that all the team's skills are top notch.
Also last week, Year 6 athletes came a very respectable second in their competitions so will be moving forward into the next round. Let's hope they have wings attached to their trainers!
The Eagles Have Landed!
Today Years 5 and 6 are working with the new Eagles basketball team as they prepare for the Sunderland tournaments. I understand that there are lots of changes on the Eagles team but our favourite player Drew and head coach Fab Flournoy will be leading the Hoops4Health tournament. Mr Traves, always expecting the best out his teams, has already been working with individuals during lunchtime in preparation for this. He certainly works them hard-they're always flushed and thirsty when I see them staggering back to class. I am certain that all this hard work will result in a successful season.
Monkwearmouth CSI Project
On Wednesday this week, Year 6 will be involved in a CSI type of investigation at Monkwearmouth Academy. This is the first day of the the children's transition into secondary education.
Don't forget that Friday 20th October is a training day so only staff are in school. We will be redesigning the Sex and Relationship/Personal Health and Social Education curriculum. Please note that because the new resources are not yet in school, the parent workshops have been postponed until Monday 20th November.
We return to school on Monday 30th October (and before we know it it'll be Christmas!)
New in November:
Alex Rowland, a contemporary dancer from Dance City will be working in school on Wednesday afternoons. During next half term he will teach Year 4 dance then, after school, hold an hour's dance class. Invitations to this prestigious class will be sent out next week then, depending on take up, we'll be opening the sessions up to other aspiring performers in the school.
On Thursday we will be celebrating Harvest with a whole school assembly led by classes at Key Stage 2. As our focus this week is kindness, we are collecting food for a local charity, Streetcare. They work from St. Gabriel's Church and provide food parcels to people in need in addition to a free three course meal twice a month. We welcome all donations of in-date non perishable food such as tinned food, pasta, biscuits, tea and coffee.
SCHOOL COUNCIL CONFERENCE
This week we will be represented by four of our School Councillors at the annual Sunderland conference. Thank you to Mrs Crossley from Bark and Read for giving her time to accompany our representatives. Throughout the year they will be working with Mrs Taylor and Mrs Tough to help us to make key decisions to further improve our school.
FRENCH OPERA WORKSHOP
Before Years 5 and 6 travel to Newcastle to see Opera North perform a children's opera in French, they will be working with an outreach team on Friday this week. Not only will they be developing their French, but also an appreciation of the skills and drama involved in an operatic production.