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

• Ding Dong Merrily On High!

  Mon 27 Nov 2017 M. Purdy

  I know! And I'm sorry for mentioning it so soon but Christmas will be well on the way at Seaburn Dene by Friday. Children in Years 1 and 2 are already rehearsing their production which has, I believe, quite a large number of mice! Let's hope they're not caught in a trap before 12th December (performance day).

   

  CHRISTINGLE AND THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY

  Today Mike Vallance, former headteacher and a voluntary helper in Years 4 and 5, is leading an assembly to kick off our coins for the Children's Society campaign. On Friday 15th December at 2.00pm Revd Watson is leading a Christingle service. This lovely tradition is to raise money to help children who don't have happy and safe home lives. Every child in the school makes a Christingle and joins in this very calm and touching service.

   

  To fill our Christingle candle collection boxes, we are asking you to check in pockets, down sofas and bottom of handbags and gym bags for loose lost coins. I've found lots of "lost" coins in pockets, handbags and bedside cabinet so I'll kick off the collection boxes today. It's amazing how quickly the copper coins and 5p pieces add up. It would be wonderful if we could fill all the candles.

   

  On Thursday this week we have our Christmas Fair with chocolate and bottles galore and much more besides. We look forward to seeing you win all these wonderful prizes after school on Thursday.

   

  Then on Friday the Posada  begins its journey around Seaburn Dene homes. If your child brings it home they are invited to write a diary of Mary and Joseph's experiences in your care-the diary entry can be real or imaginative. I only hope the donkey behaves itself!

   

  CONGRATULATIONS-to our Year 4 hockey players. Mr. Wilson's lessons last year developed ball and tactical skills beautifully. They beat the very serious school that was very much the favourite to win to become Sunderland champions. In the new year there will be a regional championship so Mr. Wilson will be working with the team to refine their skills and introducing hockey into Year 3.

   

  ATHLETICS

  The Year 6 athletes are heading off to Biddick for the next qualifier. Good luck everyone-you put in a very impressive performance at the last meet.

   

  VISIT TO THE NEW BRIDGE-Mrs Tough, our design technology  co-ordinator, has selected a group of children to visit the new bridge on Tuesday. I drive past it every day and it's most impressive.

   

  TODAY..Year 4 are visiting Jarrow Hall. Thankfully it's chilly but dry so we expect the children will have a wonderful day learning all about our North Eastern heritage.

   

   

  

• I Hear Bells!

  Mon 20 Nov 2017 M. Purdy

  Key Stage 1 Christmas Photographs

  As school gears up to Christmas activities, our children in Key Stage 1 are already learning lines and songs for their  musical play "Manger Mouse".  Very soon the costume department will be unearthing camel costumes and tea towel headdresses ready for their Christmas photographs by Duncan Spence. As they certainly had the "ahh factor" these proved very popular last year so we have decided to invite him in once again. Photographs will be available on the day of the production-Tuesday 12th December priced £11. 

   

  Photos With Robbie

  At the same time children who regularly read to our Bark and Read dog Robbie, will be invited to have their photograph taken with Robbie. These will be on sale after school on 12th December priced at £11.

   

  Jolly Hockeysticks

  At the very last minute we've been invited to take a Year 4 team or two to a hockey tournament today (monday 20th). Year 4 had excellent tuition last year, working with Mr. Wilson,  so we wish them lots of success and enjoyment in their very first hockey matches.

   

  Sex and Relationship Education Session

  This evening (Monday) we are holding our SRE workshop in classrooms. There, parents will be introduced to the vocabulary we will be using and finding out what we are teaching. The workshop will last no longer than 30 minutes. All parents have a right of withdrawal so should express this in writing. The first lessons will take place when we return to school after the Christmas break.

   

  SUPER SPLASH HEROES

  On Thursday afternoon Northumbria Water will be presenting their play aimed at appreciating how precious water is and how we can all do our bit to save it. Their website has some very useful downloadable activities for children that you can access at home.

  https://www.nwl.co.uk/your-home/learn-about-water/water-efficiency.aspx

   

  Next Week:

  Monday-Yr 4 trip to Jarrow Hall (formerly Bede's World)

  Tuesday-Jane, a research scientist speaks to Yrs 5 & 6 about her work

  Wednesday-meeting of the full Governing Body

  Thursday-Christmas Fair

  Friday-Posada assembly and Production and Robbie photographs

   

• A Kinder World

  Mon 13 Nov 2017 M. Purdy

  This week our theme is Kindness and, as it's World Kindness Day, we're all finding lovely things to say about each other. It's also Anti Bullying Week with the theme of All Different, All Equal. The School Council are well equipped to lead the way with several members having been trained at the Anti Bullying Conference in October.

   

  PARENTS' EVENINGS

  This week most classes are holding parents' evening on Tuesday and Thursday. It's the perfect time to discuss how well your child is doing at school and how you can support at home. The Foundation Stage a re holding their events in the classrooms but all other class teachers are in the main hall. We look forward to seeing you there.

   

  Dance City are giving Year 6 a free dance workshop on Tuesday afternoon. Our Dance Club are having a wonderful time on a Wednesday after school and Alex really impressed his Year 4 group during the first session by walking across the floor on his hands. That takes great core strength as well as amazing flexibility. 

   

  The Mystery of the Morrison's Shopping Trolley-It was a bright yet breezy October morning when we discovered a shopping trolley in our playground...... A great story starter I'm sure but we'd like to return the trolley back to Morrisons. If anyone is walking that way in the next week or so and would be able to wheel it down to its natural habitat we'd be very grateful!

   

  SDPS Public Speaking Competition-coming up for Key Stage 2 is a new exciting competition designed to develop children's confidence in speaking before a large audience. You'd be amazed at how nerve wracking this is even for teachers and, as we are aspiring to create leaders of the future, it's a skill we feel we can help to develop at a very early age.

   

  In the competition, Years 3 and 4 will be invited to speak for 3 minutes and Years 5 and 6 for 4 minutes on one of the following themes:

   

  • The Magic of Christmas
  • Someone Who Has Really Inspired Me
  • Making the World a Better Place

   

  Children will be expected to speak without props, Powerpoints or  notes. 

   

  Children have about 4 weeks to prepare so it's time to start thinking through the themes and planning speeches.

   

   

• A Week to Remember

  Fri 03 Nov 2017 M. Purdy

  Remembrance Assembly

  Every year our school marks Remembrance Day with a special assembly and this year we will continue the tradition. Because classes are out on trips on Thursday and Friday, our Remembrance assembly will be held on Wednesday afternoon. Children will watch the Red Cross video, sing traditional songs including "Abide With Me" and read extracts and poems.

   

  The school is also selling poppies from today. If any parents would like to buy a poppy for themselves our seller Chloe will be on the playground before school on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Chloe will also be selling them to children at playtime.

   

  French Opera Theatre Trip-Yrs 5 & 6

  Years 5 and 6 will be going to the opera at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Thursday afternoon. Opera North are performing "L'enfant et les Sortileges (The Child and the Magic Spells) and, after our half day workshops with Opera North, the children know the story and have become familiar with new French words so should have a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. Thank you Mrs Houston for organising such an amazing experience. 

   

  Oriental Museum Visit-Yr 3

  On Friday, Yr.3 will be boarding a coach and heading to this famous museum in Durham. There they will be handling Stone Age artefacts and, through exciting Stone Age tasks, will be learning all about this fascinating period in history. Today is the last day for volunteers to express an interest. Thank you to Miss Bliss for organising a superb day.

   

  Free Dance City After School Club

  This term we are delighted to be working alongside Dance City to promote contemporary dance in our school. The highly knowledgeable and innovative teacher, Alex Rowland, worked with Year 4 this week and the children I spoke to thought it was superb. There is also an opportunity for any child in Key Stage 2 to join after school dance lessons on a Wednesday free of charge. Please notify Mrs Baker in the school office if your child would like to join in.

   

  Welcome Newcastle University Students

  The school has been very fortunate in linking with Newcastle University to provide nine students interested in becoming teachers. These students will work a day a week for many weeks supporting teachers and we are delighted to host teachers of the future. 

   

  We are also welcoming two trainee Teaching Assistants-Ms Harris and Miss Antoniou who will also be spending one day a week with us.