Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
MOVING UP and CHANGES
Today is a day of great excitement as all our children move into their new classes. Before the Summer holidays they will be involved in work around sea and rivers to coincide with the Tall Ships visiting Sunderland. We're sure everyone will settle quickly and get used to new routines and a new timetable before the Summer break.
Mr. Howe is trialling a new timetable which brings assemblies into the mornings, rather than last thing in the day. And teachers will be introducing a new scheme designed to help children to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes to keep themselves healthy and safe. It's written by the same author as our RE scheme which has been a tremendous success. Staff will be teaching PHSE during the first lesson every Monday to set the ethos for the week as it deals with areas such as friendships, determination and aims to help children know and value who they really are and how they relate to other people.
IN THE WEEK AHEAD...........
The new Yr 6 are rock pooling on Monday, new Year 4 are attending a River Story workshop on Tuesday and new Yr 6 being Sculptors on Wednesday.
On Tuesday we also have singing workshops in school for Years 1 to 6 to prepare for the record breaking singing event next Wednesday (11th)
The Nursery and Reception classes will be involved in RSPB workshops on Friday.
Reception inductions are on Wednesday at 4.30pm
The Meet and Greet for Years 1 to 6 takes place on Thursday starting at 6.30pm with a visit to your child's class to hear about the wonderful learning and challenges in the year ahead. Mr. Howe has distributed a letter with more information.
Did you know that... over the wekend 6-8th July there is a 250th Anniversary James Cook Festival in Whitby?
Here's the link https://www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com/whitby/cook250.aspx# Sounds like a good excuse to visit this beautiful little seaside town.
AND NOW I'M SIGNING OFF..... in preparation for next year, Mr. Howe has been gradually picking up my work so, from next Monday, he will be writing the weekly news. As a former journalist I'm sure he will bring his own special flair and style for you to enjoy.
Excitement is building as Sunderland prepares for the Tall Ships Race in July. Our school is very involved in the activities, attending many workshops with a whole school transition topic based on this prestigious event.
One of our former pupils Guy Errington, now aged 15, has so impressed his school (Monkwearmouth) with his attitude and determination to do well that he's been nominated as an ambassador to join the crew of one of the ships sailing to Denmark. Congratulations to Guy-we're all very proud of you.
Sun Safety
As we wake up to glorious weather for the next week or two, please put sun safety first. At the very least, apply sun cream to your child's arms and face (there are creams that will stay on the whole day) and equip your child with a hat or cap. We see so little of the sun that we'll all want to make the most of it and celebrate the chance to be outdoors.
This week.....
It's assessment week when we see how much progress your children are making.
Year 2 are visiting Castle Eden Dene for a natural world day.
Dance Club is on Monday, not Wednesday.
Mastermind SR6 takes place on Thursday. This is an inter-house quiz based on what children have covered this year in class and a whole section of questions on their geographical knowledge. So get learning those capital cities and thinking about everything you've covered in class everyone. It should be another exciting day.
See Less Plastic
For the rest of this term Year 5 are going to be working on a local project led by a team from OASES . The project is called "See Less Plastic" and workshops begin on Thursday morning. As they will soon be moving into Year 6, Mr. Smith is swapping with Mrs Houston so that he can follow the project through.
Your class teachers for 2018-19 are:
Nursery-Mrs Wilson and Mrs Berston
Reception-Mrs Taylor and Mrs Brown
Year 1-Mrs Tough
Year 2-Mrs Cruddas
Year 3-Miss Bliss
Year 4-Mr Ashton (am) and Mr. Traves (pm)
Year 5-Mrs Houston
Year 6-Mr Smith
SUNDERLAND FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS
As Sunderland 5-a-side champions, on Thursday Seaburn Dene Primary School football team played against the 7 -a-side winning teams to battle it out to see who would be the overall Sunderland Primary School Football Champions. This was a very challenging event with nine superb teams to play against. With talented and determined players in our team we made it through to the finals against St. Benets. That match not only resulted in a penalty shoot out but, as the two teams were so closely matched became a sudden death penalty shoot out. It was with great joy and celebration that Gabriel, persuaded to take the penalty by Mr. Traves, went forward and scored the winning goal. What joy and relief!
Gabriel would be the first person to say the amazing success of the team is down to every individual that has played this season. To understand how momentous this win is, Mr. Traves was told it is unheard of for the winning team of the 5-a-side to win the 7-a-side to become overall Sunderland schools football champion. So well done to all our players and to Mr. Traves and Mr. Ashton for organising, coaching and supporting the team on every occasion.
REGIONAL RUNNERS UP IN BASKETBALL
On Friday our very successful Year 6 basketball team were regional runners up in the Year 6 Hoops for Health tournament. During the two years they've played as a team they have been dedicated and focused. Congratulations to them for all their successes and we hope that they continue to play as they move into secondary education.
SPORTS DAY AND FAMILY PICNIC
Right at this moment the weather forecast is not looking positive with rain forecast from 9.00pm on Tuesday to 8.00am on Wednesday. Let's hope, on this occasion they forecasters are wrong and the winds blow away the rain clouds or dry up the wet grass so we can have a fantastic day.
Just a few reminders.
PARKING OUTSIDE SCHOOL
Parking is always an issue around schools as the majority were built before children were driven to school. However, I receive the complaints from the police and neighbours fairly frequently. Please be considerate of our neighbours by not blocking drives when you park and leave the car. And if you are asked to move to let people into their homes, we ask that you please show respect and behave in a manner we would expect of our children. May I also point out that there are yellow zigzag lines for a reason and that you do not pull up or park on them. I noticed the CSOs checking this out on Wednesday.
SCIENCE IN OUR SCHOOL -Visit by representatives of the Standards and Testing Agency
We are honoured and delighted to have been chosen by the Local Authority to host two members of the Standards and Testing Agency on Tuesday. They are researching science in primary schools and, as this is one of our many strengths, our two guests have been recommended to visit us to see science in action, talking to staff and find out about children's learning.
R.E IN OUR SCHOOL
Religious Education teaching in our school has improved to be outstanding over the past year, thanks to the introduction of Discovery RE which challenges children, requiring them to retain their taught knowledge to apply it to a big question presented to them every half term. Because we are so delighted with the progress our children are making, on Friday we were asked to do a presentation at a local Headteachers' conference. Mrs Houston, in her usual vibrant style, explained how the scheme has impacted on the work in her class and the delegation were very impressed.
ALSO THIS WEEK.....On Tuesday Year 6 are off to Tyneside Cinema to make a film around the story of Macbeth. On Thursday, Year 5 will be attending the same workshop. On Friday the Friends of the School are holding a non uniform day called A Day on the Beach-so get out your shorts and shades everyone!
The Mystery Trips-first prize winners announced
The winners of the mystery trip in Years 4, 5, and 6 have been announced. The criteria was published on our website in September with a few adaptations made this week due to the nature of the trip. It included:
*96% attendance equates to no more than 7 days off school over the whole year so the chances of anyone taking a week or more off school for holidays and winning a place on the trip are minimal.
The lucky winners will be travelling to York by train, visiting an attraction in the morning then going to the pop up Shakespearian theatre to see a blood curdling performance of Macbeth.
Congratulations everyone-we hope you enjoy your special day in July.
The prize winners for Years 1, 2 and 3 will be announced soon. We are in the process of arranging a wonderful day out for you and waiting for replies from our destination. The criteria for these year groups will be as announced in September:
SPORTS DAY is next Wednesday (20th) and now Accuweather in forecasting rain on the Tuesday but fine on Wednesday whilst the BBC forecast changes daily. As always, we'll deal with it nearer the time and will push ahead if it's safe to do so as it's such a wonderful and popular family event.
This week: Year 1 have their phonics screening, a group of children are visiting the Centre for Life for a workshop as part of the school's Gifted, Able and Talented programme and Year 6 are at Durham Cathedral on Wednesday for a Leavers' service.
Derwent Hill Photographs
Click on the link here to enjoy an album of photographs portraying a wonderful week at Derwent Hill.
Here we are at the beginning of the last half term of the year with dreary weather and only 12 degrees! Looking at the forecast for the remainder of the week, I don't think I need to talk about being sun safe with caps, hats and sun tan cream. However, it's just as well for us all to be prepared as the sun will, I'm sure, appear at some time before the end of term. When it does, we'll definitely make the most of it!
Workshops
There are two visits out of school for workshops. Year 6 will be going to The Fire Station on Tuesday for the Live Tales writing workshop. This is the first time we've attended these workshops but the reviews from other schools suggest it is an amazing experience.
Year 5 are going into Newcastle for a computing workshop at the Apple store on Thursday. Again, Apple provide these free of charge and they are highly recommended by other schools.
Change of Date for the Moving Vehicles
We have decided to move the date for the parents/children moving vehicles workshop should be moved to the Autumn term.
Sports Day
Just to remind you that our Sports Day and Family Picnic takes place on Wednesday 20th June. The long range forecast indicates that it will be mostly sunny and 19 degrees, which are perfect conditions. We look forward to seeing you there.