BLOG 4TH NOVEMBER

Weekly Round up

After the half term break, classes were straight back into their learning with 1T visiting Foxrush Woods on Tuesday, experiencing the features of autumn first hand.

A group of Year 5/6 children were able to visit Durham University as part of the introduction to the Scholars programme led by The Brilliant Club. This gave the children a taste of university life and will be followed up by a programme of work led by a PhD student. We hope that this will develop their knowledge, skills and confidence to progress to the most competitive universities and raise their aspirations for the future.

Our assembly theme focused on personal safety and responsibility, linked to Bonfire Night, and we had Rita Richardson, Schools Education Co-ordinator from Cleveland Fire Brigade in on Wednesday to support this

Clubs resumed this week with football, choir and art and crafts club. Choir have begun learning their songs for the Trust Carol Service on the 5^th December and art club made poppies that are going to be shared with patients in the Therapeutic Care team at James Cook University Hospital next week for Remembrance Day. We will be observing the two minutes silence at 11am next Friday.

We look forward to welcoming parents and carers into the academy next week for Parent Consultation meetings with teachers.  Everyone should have received their appointment time, and please contact class teachers if there are any problems with these.

Class Showcase

This week, our featured classes are 5H and 6A so please enjoy reading what they have been learning about.

5H

Last half term, Year 5 visited the Teesmouth field centre. The children learned about the River Tees from its source, in the Pennine Hills, to its mouth. The children got to visit the Transporter Bridge, and took part in an activity spotting different objects and landmarks along the River Tees. As a whole class, we created a model of the River Tees using different fabrics and other materials, before heading down to South Gare beach to create their own models of the river on the sand, in small groups. The children loved exploring the beach for natural materials to make their models of the River Tees! 

6L

As part of our ‘Show Racism The Red Card’ day on 21^st October, Year 6 had a visitor who came into school to work with them to raise their awareness of why we ‘wear red’. Richard talked to the children about inclusion of all and what we mean by racism. The children were involved in many activities and games to help improve their awareness and understanding. The children wore something red for this day and they were certainly motivated and inspired by our guest. 

Marvellous Me

You will notice that teachers are sending lots of Marvellous Me messages to share your child’s achievements.  We would be really grateful if you would “High 5” the messages to show that you have received them.  Also, please ask your children about what they have been doing in class as they would love to tell you.

Headstart

We are so proud to announce that we have achieved our HeadStart Gold award.  

We have been working with HeadStart for around 2 years and are the first school in Redcar and Cleveland to achieve this status. 

Some of our HeadStarters were presented the award by Andy Appleyard- HeadStart Programme Officer earlier this week.  

HeadStart supports us by delivering sessions on a range of topics linked to well-being to groups of children. The children work to complete an award which enables them to support themselves and their peers. 

Please follow the link to the latest HeadStart Newsletter below:

https://wakelet.com/wake/fazttjgsfsjb9ZJk58pN9

Power of Women

 On Thursday, some of our year 5 children participated in interviews to become a Power of Women ambassador. They were interviewed by Sonia Herlingshaw, Amelia (Head Girl) and Joshua (Head Boy). All children should be extremely proud of themselves for getting to the interview stage, we are delighted for them. The final 4 children were Anthony, Lucia, Noah and Harper and we wish them every success in their role. 

School Gateway

Thank you to all our parents and carers who have started to use our School Gateway app, we hope you have found it beneficial. For those yet to join, please use the instructions below to download and sign up for the app.

Apple iPhone users, download the app here: schoolgateway.co.uk/iosdownload

Android phone users, download the app here: schoolgateway.co.uk/androiddownload

Click on the SIGN UP link and use the email address and mobile telephone number to register. You will be sent a PIN number directly to your mobile, once entered you will see your home screen.

To consent and pay for a trip, please go into the payments section and choose the correct visit. Please be sure to give consent and any required comments in the comments box. Once these are completed, add to basket and checkout. You are able to use most debit or credit cards to make payment.

All after school clubs are available to book on the app, please go into the clubs section showing on your home page, then choose make a booking, choose all sessions available for the club and click Make a Booking. Your child will be required to attend all sessions of the club.

If you have any issues with the Gateway app, please call into the school office with your device and we can assist you. Remember you can have the app on your phone, tablet or laptop. Thank you for your continued support.

Diary Dates and Reminders

Lunch Menu

The menu next week will be Week 2

Awesome Attendance

Each week we have an ‘Awesome Attendance’ competition for the class or classes with the highest attendance. The class with the highest attendance will receive a letter and the first class to spell out ‘Awesome’ receives a treat for the whole class.

Which class will be the first to receive that treat?

This weeks winners are B1R, B3G and 4H Congratulations

Missed Learning

8 days of missed learning occurred this week due to unauthorised absences. Unauthorised absences are for holidays, parents/carers not contacting the academy or any other unexplained absence. With most minor ailments, children can be in school, so we really encourage you to think about keeping your child at home.

Attendance Reporting on School Gateway

As you will be aware we are using a new app service called School Gateway to communicate with parents. You can now report your child’s absence through the app. If we have not heard from you, we will be sending out attendance messages which you can reply to, which will come directly to the team.

Links to support our children and families

CAMHS TRAINING

Community School Clothing

A North East based organisation offering a range of free, non-branded school uniform to families. Please follow the link below for more information:

Free Generic School Uniform | Community School Clo (communityschoolclothingscheme.org)

Lollipops Schoolwear

You can also get your children’s uniform here.

Lollipops have a preloved rail out on the shop floor with various items on including polo tops, trousers, sweatshirts/cardigans, shoes, plimsolls, summer dresses etc. All items on the rail are free for anyone to take, they just ask for customers to be considerate of others when taking items. There is a box for anyone who would like to make donations which we then add to the rail.

Facebook – @lollipopsmiddlesbrough

Twitter – @LollipopsMiddl1

Instagram – @lollipops_middlesbrough

Lollipops
20 Norfolk Place
Berwick Hills
Middlesbrough
TS3 7PA

Action for Happiness