Inset/training days and Occasional Day closures are decided at the Full Governing Body Meeting in the summer term. This meeting was arranged on Wednesday 6th July with Local Authority representatives.

The following dates of Inset (training days) days was agreed at this meeting;

Monday 5th September 2011
Friday 21st October 2011
Tuesday 3rd January 2012

The date of the Occasional Day was as follows;

Friday 20th July 2012

Please note, there is an additional Bank Holiday has been agreed to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee (included in June). We will inform you of this date when we have further information.

If you have any queries on this matter please contact the school.

Numeracy

Here is a brief list of numeracy website addresses which will help to reinforce pupils' school work.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/maths/
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/
http://www.ictgames.com/resources.html
http://www.mathszone.co.uk/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks1bitesize/numeracy/

We hope you find these websites useful.

Schools in Gateshead will be able to take an extra day off in the current academic year in lieu of the royal wedding taking place on the 29 April 2011. The DFE has confirmed schools can have an alternative day off if they are already on holiday on that day due to the 2 week Easter holiday break as is the case in Gateshead. The Governors and staff have agreed the extra holiday is Monday 27th June 2011.
Governors and staff have also agreed to the extra Inservice Day, suggested by the Government to discuss the Government's new white paper on education and any modifications to the curriculum that may be needed. This will be on Monday 11th April 2011.
After half term, we will be asking you to help us develop our creative curriculum by letting us know the topics and themes that your children are interested in.
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to include all of your suggestions when planning future topics but where we can we will keep the children's interests in mind.

Following the Dunston and Blaydon swimming pool refurbishments, the Swimming Gala has been delayed this year until the summer term.

We will let you know when we have been informed of the new date.

World Book Day

We will be celebrating World Book Day on Thursday 3rd March.

Pupils will complete a book quiz per class and do book related activities on this date.

Pupils may wish to bring in their favourite book on this date.

Sponsored Cycle Ride Event

We have arranged a sponsored cycle ride event for pupils and parents to participate in, to take place on Sunday 6th March at 2pm.

Parents and pupils will cycle along the Derwent Walk for three miles. If your child enters this sponsored event, their name will go into a draw and Alan Barlow (Sustrans Officer for Gateshead) will pick out the winning pupil on Monday 14th March. The wonderful prize is a bike, generously donated by Alan Barlow.

There will be 3 prizes for the pupils who have raised the most funds. We wish to raise some funds to support the school in purchasing school equipment (e.g. laptops) and to cover the outdoor play equipment area in the KS2 yard with rubber matting so pupils can play on the equipment in wet weather.

If your child wishes to participate, the sponsorship forms will be distributed shortly.

'Bike it Breakfast - Friday 1st April 2011

Alan Barlow is arranging a 'Bike it Breakfast' on Friday 1st April. Parents and pupils who cycle to school on this date will get a free breakfast! (Contact the school if your child has allergies.)

The Royal Wedding - Friday 15th April

The School Council has decided to celebrate the Royal Wedding Day on Friday 15th April by wearing red, blue and white. Pupils can design a crown to wear on their head on this date.

The cooks will prepare a 'party feast' on that date!

Please find a link below to an introduction letter from our new uniform supplier. Please do not order any more uniform from The Uniform Store. If you have any outstanding uniform orders, please contact Mrs Hodgson in the school office to give further details of items outstanding and payments made.

Uniform Introduction Letter

On Thursday 8th July 2010, some of the Year 2 pupils took part in the 'KS1 Skipping Festival Project' at Ryton Comprehensive School.

The competition involved various 'challenges', some individual and some group:

'Double bounce' (1 boy and 1 girl)

'Speed bounce' (1 boy and 1 girl)

'Face-to-face pairs' (2 girls)

''Run-under Team' (1 team of 12)

'Run-jump-out' (1 team of 6)

We were pleased to win the following medals:

•  silver medal for 'double bounce', Beth White
• bronze medal for 'speed bounce', Joey Davidson
• bronze medal for 'face-to-face pair', Lucy Barker and Ciara kemp
• silver medal for 'run under' team: Harry Miller, Christopher Charlton, Liam Erskine, Isaac Nolan, Sam McGrey, Bobby Hope, Mitchell Ledger, Lucy Simpson, Charlotte Boag, Lauren Shearer, Sophie Graham and Edie Mills
• bronze medal for 'run-jump-out' team: Ysobel Lloyd Payne, Tameryn Gill, Joseph Mayne, Francis Redhead, Eliza McCall and Mia Orrick.

All of the children performed their best and thoroughly enjoyed taking part, well done to all of you!

On Thursday 8th July 2010, some of the Year 2 pupils took part in the 'KS1 Skipping Festival Project' at Ryton Comprehensive School.

The competition involved various 'challenges', some individual and some group:

'Double bounce' (1 boy and 1 girl)

'Speed bounce' (1 boy and 1 girl)

'Face-to-face pairs' (2 girls)

''Run-under Team' (1 team of 12)

'Run-jump-out' (1 team of 6)

We were pleased to win the following medals:

•  silver medal for 'double bounce', Beth White
• bronze medal for 'speed bounce', Joey Davidson
• bronze medal for 'face-to-face pair', Lucy Barker and Ciara kemp
• silver medal for 'run under' team: Harry Miller, Christopher Charlton, Liam Erskine, Isaac Nolan, Sam McGrey, Bobby Hope, Mitchell Ledger, Lucy Simpson, Charlotte Boag, Lauren Shearer, Sophie Graham and Edie Mills
• bronze medal for 'run-jump-out' team: Ysobel Lloyd Payne, Tameryn Gill, Joseph Mayne, Francis Redhead, Eliza McCall and Mia Orrick.

All of the children performed their best and thoroughly enjoyed taking part, well done to all of you!

On Thursday 8th July 2010, some of the Year 2 pupils took part in the 'KS1 Skipping Festival Project' at Ryton Comprehensive School.

The competition involved various 'challenges', some individual and some group:

'Double bounce' (1 boy and 1 girl)

'Speed bounce' (1 boy and 1 girl)

'Face-to-face pairs' (2 girls)

''Run-under Team' (1 team of 12)

'Run-jump-out' (1 team of 6)

We were pleased to win the following medals:

•  silver medal for 'double bounce', Beth White
• bronze medal for 'speed bounce', Joey Davidson
• bronze medal for 'face-to-face pair', Lucy Barker and Ciara kemp
• silver medal for 'run under' team: Harry Miller, Christopher Charlton, Liam Erskine, Isaac Nolan, Sam McGrey, Bobby Hope, Mitchell Ledger, Lucy Simpson, Charlotte Boag, Lauren Shearer, Sophie Graham and Edie Mills
• bronze medal for 'run-jump-out' team: Ysobel Lloyd Payne, Tameryn Gill, Joseph Mayne, Francis Redhead, Eliza McCall and Mia Orrick.

All of the children performed their best and thoroughly enjoyed taking part, well done to all of you!

Today the children in 1/2 T enjoyed their visit to the Thornley Woodland Centre, as part of their topic on `plants and animals in our local environment`.

We had a great morning learning about the woodland habitat, visiting the bird observation hide and carrying out a pond dip. We also said hello to `The Old Man` (275 year old tree)! 

Take a look at our photographs!

Today the children in 1/2 T enjoyed their visit to the Thornley Woodland Centre, as part of their topic on `plants and animals in our local environment`.

We had a great morning learning about the woodland habitat, visiting the bird observation hide and carrying out a pond dip. We also said hello to `The Old Man` (275 year old tree)! 

Take a look at our photographs!

Today the children in 1/2 T enjoyed their visit to the Thornley Woodland Centre, as part of their topic on `plants and animals in our local environment`.

We had a great morning learning about the woodland habitat, visiting the bird observation hide and carrying out a pond dip. We also said hello to `The Old Man` (275 year old tree)! 

Take a look at our photographs!

Today the children in 1/2 T enjoyed their visit to the Thornley Woodland Centre, as part of their topic on `plants and animals in our local environment`.

We had a great morning learning about the woodland habitat, visiting the bird observation hide and carrying out a pond dip. We also said hello to `The Old Man` (275 year old tree)! 

Take a look at our photographs!

Today the children in 1/2 T enjoyed their visit to the Thornley Woodland Centre, as part of their topic on `plants and animals in our local environment`.

We had a great morning learning about the woodland habitat, visiting the bird observation hide and carrying out a pond dip. We also said hello to `The Old Man` (275 year old tree)! 

Take a look at our photographs!

Today the children in 1/2 T enjoyed their visit to the Thornley Woodland Centre, as part of their topic on `plants and animals in our local environment`.

We had a great morning learning about the woodland habitat, visiting the bird observation hide and carrying out a pond dip. We also said hello to `The Old Man` (275 year old tree)! 

Take a look at our photographs!

School will be open as normal on Monday 11th January

Due to weather conditions school will be closed on Thursday 7th January

Due to weather conditions many teachers cannot get to school today, therefor school is closed for the day wednesday 6th January, please listen to metro radio and check our website for tomorrow.

On the 9th of December 2009 Year 5 and 6 performed in front of an estimate of 250 people.All of these talented children had only 3 weeks to learn their lines and practice their dances. It took great courage for them to enter the stage knowing how many people were watching and with the red hot lights beaming down on them.
All of the children had an extremely nerve racking time but also thoroughly enjoyed their experience. Here's what they had to say.....
Harriet Wilson said :"I was terrified when I went onto the stage, I was mostly scared because I was one of the first people to go on! Backstage it was incredibly hot and stuffy and that made it feel even scarier!"
Our teacher Mrs Mitchell said: "It was a flawless performance and everyone worked hard as a team. The soloists sang with confidence and enthusiasm."
Hannah Grey said : "The play took alot of planning and on the night all the hard work payed off! All the parents loved it."
Mr. Nolan very kindly videoed our performance which is now on sale for any of the children and parents to buy. That was the year 6's last Christmas performance so to make it more memorable for them they did the acting whilst the year 5's did the singing and dancing. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the night.

By Sophie McDermont and Olivia Best

Last week Year 1/ 2 met Samuel Pepys, who gave us an eyewitness account of The Great Fire of London. This gave us an understanding of how and where the fire broke out and the correct sequence of events. Samuel also told us about his life and his job, giving us some insight into life in London at the time (1660's during the Restoration).

Some children were dressed up in costume of the period to represent a variety of characters and their place in the history of The Great Fire of Londom. We sang 'London's Burning' and had a merry Stuart dance.

Check out our photographs to see the fun that was had!

Reminder.
Key Stage 1's Harvest Festival takes place tomorrow at 9.15 in the hall. Why don't you come along and watch our performance. We would love to see you.
Reverend Bradley will be there as will Joe from the People's kitchen the organisation that will be receiving our harvest contributions.
Thank you

Sats dates are still under discussion. I will inform parents on the website if there are any developments.

Mrs Mitchell.

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Our fabulous athletics team were taking part in the Hookergate cluster athletics competition. May I just say firstly that the children were a delight to take to Hookergate and they did us proud behaviour-wise and talent-wise.
All the children did a great job, with some of the children taking first place in some of the events. It was pointed out to me that Francis Atkinson had completed the hurdle race in an amazing time. Very impressive! But there were many more that did really well.
Sarah Needham, the organiser of the event, deserves a massive thanks for putting on the event that was enjoyed by everyone. A team of 16 will be going on to the Gateshead Arena for our cluster. Fingers crossed that some of our children will be on the team. Sarah will tell us later next week.

We are pleased to let you know that the PTA has recently donated £2,000 to the school. This will be used by all key stages to purchase resources which will help enrich our children's learning at school.

This year's Christmas Fayre was a huge success, raising almost £1,600 for the PTA; a notable increase on 2007.

Particular thanks go to everyone who helped to make the fayre so successful, both organising the event and running stalls and to everyone who came along on the day. Your continued support is much appreciated!