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7. Summer Term 2006 Newsletters

Dear Parents / Carers,

Welcome back to the new Summer Term which is a little shorter than usual this year due to the timing of Easter. I do hope that you had an enjoyable time over the Easter period and that the children are keen and ready to go for what will be a busy and productive term.

As usual we have a number of activities planned and you may wish to note the following dates / information for your diaries / calendars:

Gardening Project:

This Thursday all of the children will be involved throughout the day as groups from each class work with the volunteers to plant bulbs in locations around the new themed area. Each child will plant a bulb as a living promise to stay "Drug Free" at all times now and in the future. Schools and parents are learning to face up to the facts that the threat to our children from illegal and often legal drugs is a danger that lurks right outside our front doors. We need to increase our awareness of the dangers presented by the availability of drugs here in South Shields and our knowledge of the effects of substance abuse - sometimes the children know and see more than we do, therefore if we are to be vigilant in supporting and protecting them then we do need to know more about the subject. South Tyneside Council has been proactive in this area and worked with staff in schools throughout the Borough for many years thus teacher knowledge and awareness has increased but parents / carers cannot be left out of the loop.

The South Tyneside Drug Action Team is helping to fund our garden project and can offer help and advice to parents who wish to know more - if only to raise their own awareness. (DAT: 4967963 or 4967964).

Thursday should be a fun day but a fun day with an important message "We promise to stay drug free". The local paper should be in attendance on the day and also on May 23rd when a National Day of Awareness will see a balloon launch / or similar from our school.

(Children in Y5 and Y4 should bring their "gardening clothes" as they may be on duty for some part of the morning or afternoon).

First Communions:

*Saturday May 6: Holy Rosary;
*Saturday May 13: St Gregory's.

Holy Days: Please join with us to celebrate Mass at the Holy Rosary Church on:

Thursday May 25 - Ascension Day;
Thursday June 15 - Corpus Christi;
Thursday June 29 - SS Peter and Paul.

Mass Times to be announced nearer the dates.

SATs Week / Timetable KS1 and KS2:

Our Y2 children will be working through a range of materials with their teacher and other school staff throughout May.

Our Y6 children will undertake the usual week of tests starting on Monday May 8 and ending on Friday May 12. The recent Easter break should ensure that the children are well rested and eager to work with key staff throughout he build up and during the week itself. Certainly there is nothing for our children or indeed parents / carers to be anxious about, as long as the children are present, fit and well then the week will fly past. The children will be well prepared and if past experience is anything to go by, will actually enjoy the week with afternoon activities designed to balance out the day - it won't all be hard work.

All other children will undertake a range of assessment activities during the week May 8 - 12 - these will be nicely paced and be a change from the usual class routine.

Parents / Carers should note that on no account will holidays be sanctioned during this period.

Post SATs we will again progress our Excellence and Enjoyment agenda which is proving to be most successful.

Open Evenings:

Monday - Wednesday evenings: July 10 - 14: 3.30 - 5.30. Specific appointments will, as usual, be agreed nearer to the date - individual class teachers will be in touch.

New Starters Induction Afternoons:

Tuesdays: June 13, 20, 27 - individual invitations nearer the date.

Leavers Mass / Liturgy:

WB July 10 - Father Cornforth / Father O Reilly to confer.

Sports / SAPA Day (s):

Tuesday and / or Wednesday July 18/19th - we hope to run events similar to last year with a mix of activities on offer and fun and games for all - more information nearer the date(s).

Thurston Week: May 2 - May 5.

Excitement is mounting in Y5 as the date for departure (May 2) draws closer. A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday April 26 to go over final details and ensure that our preparations are complete.

France Week: June 19 - 23.

Preparations for France / Belgium are well in hand and a full meeting is scheduled for Wednesday May 24 (3.45pm). This will be preceded by a comprehensive letter / itinerary the previous week.
Almost all of the children have returned their passport sized photographs as requested - a few have yet to comply, please ensure that this material is handed in to school immediately, along with the final payment. Thanks in anticipation of a prompt response.

The children will also need their E111 cards - for families who have travelled abroad in the past year this should be something you already have - if not we will have to apply immediately as the process takes longer now. I will try to find out the best approach and contact you again once I am possession of the information.

Holidays / INSET Days.

Monday May 1 - May Day;
Summer Half Term: Monday May 29 - Friday June 2;
Friday June 16 - In Service;
Summer Holidays begin at 1.30pm on Friday July 21.

Out of School Activities:

Our new Sports Development Officer - Mr Adam Peacock, will be looking to continue and extend the range of activities on offer. Adam has been appointed via Big Lottery Funding for a period of 6 months to promote Sport and PE mostly via increased use of the MUGA. He will look to offer coaching sessions himself and to source coaches for other sports as well as liaising with current providers for sport and other classes.

Fundraising:

Thanks to your efforts the sum of £100 was sent to both the Meningitis trust in memory of Alana Eaves and to CAFOD as our Family Fast Day offering. Baby Alana is still in our prayers as are Michael Balfour and Mrs McNally Bell who are both fighting illness with the support of their family and friends.

Finally for now some other news which I know will cause some despondency across our community - Mr Outterside is to leave us at the end of this term. Mark has been successful in gaining a Deputy Head Teacher's post at a primary school in Newcastle - much closer to his home in Crawcrook. This promotion is well deserved and somewhat overdue in my opinion as he has worked hard for his chance and responded well to the challenges he has faced. Certainly, he will be missed, just when we were at last getting him knocked into shape! Seriously, he has been and is still a great asset to our school and we will all be looking to enjoy this Summer term prior to wishing him well in his new post.

The hunt is already on for a suitable replacement (E teach website) and I'm sure that some good candidates will emerge to carry the torch. Naturally I will keep you informed.

I look forward to seeing you as the term progresses.

Best Wishes.

Yours Sincerely,

K.J. Smithson.
Head Teacher. Back to top

Summer Term Newsletter 2: Friday May 13 2006

Dear Parents / Carers,

The past week has certainly been a busy one with a number of activities taking place. Last Saturday saw a record congregation at Holy Rosary to celebrate the children's First Holy Communions and we have St Gregory's turn to look forward to tomorrow. Please remember these children and their families at this very special time. Thanks also to Miss Smyth and Mrs Fenwick from our school who have done so much to help the children prepare.

Our Y6 children have really worked hard throughout the week tackling the KS2 SAT's and each and every one of them deserves a pat on the back for showing great stamina and aptitude throughout. The debate for and against SATs will continue to rage, certainly the quality of assessment and tracking procedures in schools such as our own sees the National Tests as just an additional tier, telling us nothing that we don't already know. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of staff, the importance attached to the results does impact upon the children and on the school generally, with some children rising to the occasion and performing slightly above expectations but with others discomforted by the process and performing below expected levels. Our children are by some way the most tested children in Europe and perhaps we should be spending more time "growing" the children rather than continually "measuring" them. However, whilst the system remains we will be attempting to ensure, as we have this week, that the tests are part of a balanced week, with fun, sport and activities taking part alongside the work element.

Many thanks to all concerned in ensuring full attendance - perhaps more tests, or even weekly tests could boost our attendance figures to record levels, after all this is another Government target - now there's an idea!

Y6 children need to understand that we have a lot left to do with them in the coming weeks - the SATs are certainly not the end of our Primary curriculum with a lot of learning experiences still to come.

Could I ask parents / carers of children who take Packed Lunches to raise awareness amongst them-selves of the fact that one of our children does suffer from Anaphylaxis (Allergy to Nuts). This condition is serious and indeed can be fatal - you can imagine that this is such a concern for the family. I recently spoke to a parent who did occasionally include nuts in her child's packed lunch and she was so understanding as to the issue and the concern. I would indeed be grateful if other parents / carers could respond in a similar manner. We have had one occasion already this year when one of our pupils was suddenly taken ill and though the care plan in place was successfully activated and all was well in the end, the in-between bit was quite stressful! Hopefully this was a one - off.

The recent hot weather prompts me to remind you that it is very acceptable for children to bring a cap or hat to school for use during playtimes / Sporting activities ? sun cream too is encouraged. In addition, all the children, every day, have access to water both inside and outside of the classrooms, however, some, a reasonable percentage, need to renew their water bottles (Available from Mrs Rochford at £1.20 per bottle). The children should also be reminded to bring their bottles home at least at the end of each week to be thoroughly washed, bottles can be rinsed each day but in the interests of hygiene action could be taken more regularly. Chilled water is available alongside good old tap water and it is important that all can take advantage as the warm weather arrives.

After consultation with a number of parents, Mrs Rochford has organised a new uniform supplier for the school - prices are maintained but smaller orders will be processed more quickly. Our recent supplier wouldn't countenance any less than 20 garments at a time and this only worked on two or three occasions per year with some parents / carers waiting ages for PE wear etc. We hope the new firm will prove reliable and good value for money.

On the subject of uniform could parents / carers please ensure that the children are correctly turned out - school shoes are imperative and regular offenders who persist in turning up in trainers will see contact made and the culprits sent home to change.

School photographs should either be purchased or returned as soon as possible please and did you realise class and team photographs are for sale (£6.50) and on display at the main entrance? Please come along to view them.

Our school garden project, the subject of a lovely article in the Gazette earlier this week, continues to thrive. The children have been planting this week and we look forward to our first summer crops - strawberries included. Well done to all involved.

I look forward to seeing you all as the term progresses.

Best Wishes,

Yours Sincerely,

K.J. Smithson.
Head Teacher. Back to top

Summer Term Newsletter 3: Wednesday May 24 2006

Dear Parents / Carers,

Last Friday afternoon we saw an event take place that just encapsulates all that is good about our learning community. Our Sponsored Walk and Fun Session at Redhead Park was a resounding success with every child contributing backed by a huge turnout of family supporters. I was fortunate to accompany Mrs Pat Bell, one of our grandmothers and a lady currently undergoing treatment of a similar nature to Laura and Michael's. Despite this she was there doing her bit - tremendous stuff!

The weather just about held off and the older children organised activities for their pastoral care families showing great maturity, common sense and kindness. On the way through the cemetery 60 children and their leaders came upon a funeral. Their reaction and behaviour was impeccable - not a word was spoken as they silently and respectfully walked past the family assembled at the graveside. After the event we all returned a little tired but all rather uplifted by being part of a day when we all pulled together to show support for people we care about.

To date we have raised £1468 in sponsor money with a further £600+ due from St Gregory's parishioners and this attracting £ for £ support from Barclays (Thanks to Mrs Moss), means that our grand total will be somewhere in the region of £2,700, which is, I'm sure you will agree, a fantastic amount. Well done to everyone!

Yesterday we had another exciting afternoon as our school partnership with the Drug Action Team saw 1000 balloons launched as part of our children's promise to stay drug free. Each balloon contained a seed and a message ? when the biodegradable balloon rots away the seed will have the chance to germinate many miles away from the launch site. This also ties in with our plant a bulb promise and I'm looking forward to seeing the fruits of this in springtime 2007 when the new garden area should be filled with snowdrops. The Gazette was here again yesterday - we have had a bit of a series recently and every one a good news story.

The balloon launch was just one activity that took place on another busy day with the afternoon session seeing governors meet to interview for a new teacher to join our team from September. Unfortunately we cannot clone Mr Outterside but we have appointed a very good candidate, Mrs Tracey Watson, who can and will bring a lot of energy and expertise to our school. Mrs Watson has worked in two previous schools, both in the region and comes highly recommended with impeccable references. I was impressed when I saw her teach at her Gateshead school last week and I'm sure she will be a good addition to our KS2 team. Certainly she was absolutely delighted when she heard she had been successful and can't wait to start.

Après School our pre and post school care providers will be on site from 07.30am ? 17.45pm throughout the Whit Holiday and ask me to remind you that space is available for any family who wish to take advantage of their services. It may be that you require a day for shopping or even a half day and need to drop the children off somewhere where they will be safe and secure. This short term, flexible care may well appeal and should you be interested please contact Claire Leonard (5193072 / 07879 271369) for further details / costs etc.

Tomorrow is Ascension Thursday and we will be attending Mass as a school at Holy Rosary church - All are welcome to attend, particularly those who can help staff accompany the children across to church from 10.45am for the 11.00 Mass.

At close of school Friday we will begin our Spring Half Term holiday or Whit week as we used to call it, this being the case may I wish everyone an enjoyable break with some sunshine, before we return for the final half term of this academic year on Monday June 5th.

Best Wishes,

Yours Sincerely,

K.J. Smithson.
Head Teacher. Back to top

Summer Term Newsletter 4: June 14 2006

Tomorrow is hte feast of Corpus Chirstie and we will be attending 11 a.m. Mass together at Holy Rosary Church. Please feel free to join with us to celebrate this feast of the church together. Parents who can assist with escorting the children to Mass should arrive at school for 10.40 a.m.
The children have been enjoying hte summer weather this week and I have notice tha many are following advice and coming to school with suitable headwear/sun screen etc, howeer many are still not following this advice and it is sensible that parents assist the children in ensuring they are sun safe. Drinks bottles are available all day, every day, with children taking responsibility for keweping bottles topped up - younger children are assisted with this task. This helps to keep the children hydratd and as mentioned several times in newsletters over past year - aids learning. New bottles can still be purchased from Mrs Rochford.
Another feature of the pleasant weather is the number of dicarded sweatshirs, cardigans and coats currently filling our lost property cupboard. Next WEdnesday (June 21) Mrs Wright will display items, in the REception play area - parents/carers will be welcome to claim what they feel is theirs. Difficulty does arise when names are missing - perhaps a reminder to remark children's clothing again to minimise difficulties in the coming weeks.
Our Sonsored walk, featured in detail in a recent newsletter, has so far seen £3,300 raised for the two good causes - a wonderful effort - Very WEll Done to All who have supported our efforts. We are looking forward to handing over the cheques very shortly.
The Y6 children's long wait is almost over with the trip to France / Belgium scheduled to leave at 5.15 on Monday June 19th. Could parents park at the Eastern edge of the yard near to the Muga to enable the coach to be able to trun - this would be helpful. Hopefully Harton House Road East will be accessible also or we may have to carry the bags down the street! Please arrive promptly, no later than 505 a.m. - we hope to be away by 5.20.
Prior to theis could I receive all medicines, clearly packaged and marked wiht the child's name by Thursday 3.30pm - Many Thanks. 25 Euros from each child to cover admission costs etc are also awaited in 50% of cases - Thursday is the deadline for all monies. Finally, 3 children have failed to return their consent fomrs - No Form = No Go. Please return these immediately.
The schgool has been selected for a Section 5 inspection on Monday and Tuesday 26/27 June - immediately on my return form France/Belgium. This is additional, "luck of the draw" and will be useful in many respects. However, staff are disappointed that the interminable waiting ro the Inspection Proper goes on and on!
Miss Carrahar will as usual, successfully manage the school in my absence and in the first instance parents quieries that cannot be dealt with by Mrs Rocheford or other members of staff should be directed to our Deputy Head Teacher. Any other issues I will deal with on my return. I look forward to seeing you in the near future.
Best Wishes,
Yours sincerely,
K.J. Smithson.
Head Teacher. Back to top

Summer Term Newsletter 5: Tuesday June 27 2006

Dear Parents / Carers,

The Y6 educational visit to Belgium proved to be a most successful and rewarding trip, with the children proving once again to be excellent ambassadors for our school and the region.

I was very pleased not only with their behaviour but also the way they interacted with their new friends from St Wilfrid's Primary in Bishop Auckland and their enthusiastic participation in all the planned activities.

Residential experiences can be fraught and the preparations are intense with very careful account taken of health and safety issues - it is not an easy option, but the rewards for the children can be great - certainly our boys and girls had a wonderful time and I am so pleased that the school could organise this opportunity for them.

Preparations are already tentatively in place for 2007 when we hope to take a group to "Le Chateau", Ebblingham, France, with NST travel group - a company we have travelled with regularly in the past and a good location close to the border enabling the WW1 visits to take place without too far to travel.

This week we are coming together again to celebrate the feast of SS Peter and Paul and all are welcome to join with us at the 11am Mass at Holy Rosary on Thursday. Parents / Carers who wish to assist by accompanying the children on the short journey to church are asked to attend school at 10.40am. Many thanks in anticipation.

Our School Meal Staff are getting into the World Cup spirit the Friday with a special themed lunch. Staff will be kitted out in team colours and to mark the day and the occasion prior to the quarter final v Portugal all children are invited to attend in England colours - £1 donation to school fund. I hope this is acceptable to you and that you are happy for your children to participate.

Looking ahead our Open Evenings are scheduled for Week Beginning Monday July 10 and again will be staggered over 3 days with individual appointments, as is usual, sent nearer the date by individual class teachers. However I can inform you now that:

Monday / Tuesday July 10 / 11 will see Y6, Y5, Y2 and Reception available to Parents;

Tuesday July 11 - All Classes available: R ? Y6 / Sibling Night;

Wednesday July 12 - Y1, Y3 and Y4.

Sports and Social Day is scheduled for Tuesday July 18th alongside the official opening of our new garden area.

Looking further ahead, Aprés School will have places available for pre and post school childcare from September, however the situation is more complicated because of the role we play in the Local Authority's Extended School agenda. The new facilities for all round care at the new Sea View Primary School may not be Ofsted Accredited in time for the beginning of the school term in September. This being the case the LA will look to utilise our service if places are available. Parents / Carers who are contemplating taking advantage of the excellent arrangements in place here should contact the school or Aprés School (Mrs Claire Leonard: 5193072. M 07879 271369: www.apres-school.com)
The school also has details of a very good childminder: Mrs Julie White (4565634).

The school has undergone an Ofsted Section 5 inspection today and yesterday with the focus on Mathematics. Mr Williams, HMI has very much enjoyed his visit and I am delighted to report that he confirms standards to be high in Mathematics, both in attainment and achievement, with some outstanding practice observed. Once again an official visitor commented most favourably upon the caring ethos of the school and the behaviour, interaction and good attitudes to learning exhibited by the children. This is good news and I look forward to receiving written feedback and further building upon any advice offered to see standards and practice categorised as outstanding across the board.

Our new parents and September starters are with us today on the third of their visits - an excellent turn out. We very much look forward to welcoming them full time in the near future.

Best Wishes,

Yours Sincerely,

K.J. Smithson.
Head Teacher. Back to top

Summer Term Newsletter 6: Thursday July 13 2006

Dear Parents / Carers,

The end of term is approaching rapidly and it has been my intention to get most of this information to you last week but the time has just flown by. Many established parents will be aware that around this time each year I send home the Governors Annual Report and notification of the Annual General meeting. Our report was particularly comprehensive and covered a wide range of issues in some detail including developments around the curriculum and the ways we as a school were implementing sections of our School Improvement Plan. The Annual General Meeting has for all schools been more of a burden than an opportunity with DfES rules changed in recent years to see a meeting held only if one is requested by a minimum of 10 parents. As we only had one request in each of the last few years the meeting was deferred to the following year.

This year the DfES have changed the rules again. Now all schools need to produce an On Line School Profile - essentially this requires schools to complete a restricted report (in our case) touching on a number of areas in reflecting upon the past year. The DfES pre - populate the sections pertaining to Statutory Assessment for the last reported year. So the official figures in the Profile this year are from 2005 (KS2 only) and the written sections refer to the 2005 / 2006 academic year.

The written sections are restricted and the result is less satisfactory than I would have liked but it may be that we have just got to get used to the format.

Our Profile will be published very shortly and will be accessible from the following web address:

Step 1: Go to http://schoolprofile.parentscentre.gov.uk
Step 2: Enter St Gregory's RC Primary School
Step 3: Click on Search (You may have to Refine Search and enter postcode - NE34 6DZ);
Step 4: Click on St Gregory-s Primary (purple)

Parents who do not have access to the internet can request a paper copy - a paper copy will be in our newsletter book stored at the main entrance. Please complete and return the slip at the end of this newsletter should you need a paper copy - hopefully the numbers will not be too great as the cost to the school in time / paper etc is something to consider.

The need to hold the Annual General Meeting has been scrapped.

From September there will be some reorganisation of classes / teachers as we bid farewell to Mr Outterside and wish Mrs McMullen a very successful conclusion to her pregnancy. In addition, Reception class organisation will be in place also from September as Mrs Smithwhite may not be ready to return - we certainly wish her a speedy recovery.

I am delighted to welcome 2 new members of staff, Miss Tracey Watson who will teach Year 5 and Miss Joanne Simpson who will teach Year 4 from September (Covering Mrs McMullen's Maternity Leave). I am also very pleased to welcome back Mrs Olwen Pickering who will work with Mrs Douglas and Mrs Johnson to give our Reception children the best possible start. This is to be a long term arrangement in the best interests of the children.

Miss Smyth will remain in Y3 to build on KS1 performance and continue the great work she does with our First Communion children and Miss Carrahar, befitting her experience and expertise will move up with Year 5 to Y6 - always a demanding year.

The Governors are very pleased with the reorganisation and I am certain that the children will enjoy the year ahead and confidently deal with the challenges they will face.

Events to come next week include:

* Y6 Leaver's Mass and Celebration of Achievement - Monday July 17 at 9.30am;
* Reception Choral Performance: 2.40pm;
* Y5 Recorder Recital: 2.30pm (You are in for a treat if the Y5's can match the Y6 performance yesterday - brilliant!);
* Sports and Fun Day - Tuesday July 18 from 9.30 am until 3.15pm.

Our Sports and Fun Day will incorporate the official opening of our new Narnia Garden Area (1.20 approximately) and SAPA activities including the legendary "Wheel of Fortune" - at least 50 "items" to win!

It would be a huge help if every family could arrange for a bottle to be delivered to school by Monday afternoon - the bottle stall is always a good fundraiser. Also any gifts, raffle prizes or just items you may want to donate - unwanted gifts etc, would be gratefully received. SAPA are also requesting assistance on the day if you have a spare hour - the afternoon will be busiest and the 6 volunteers who turned up at the pre meeting will have their work cut out otherwise.

Our usual sponsored fun run has been postponed until the Autumn Term as all our recent efforts have been geared towards supporting Cancer Relief. Yesterday we handed over cheques to the value of £3,635.20 divided equally between the Children's Cancer Unit at RVI and the McMillan Cancer Fund - a magnificent effort from our community, raised mainly during the fantastic afternoon event at Readhead Park. Thankfully both Michael and Laura have had very encouraging news of late and we pray that this continues until the "All Clear" is issued.

Sadly, our prayers are also needed for our pupil Joseph Peterson who is currently recovering from major surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital, at the minute Joseph is very poorly and I ask you to join with us in praying for his full recovery. I will try to keep you informed of developments.

A reunion re De La Salle Duke of Edinburgh Award winners at all levels is to be held on Saturday September 2 2006 - as a number of our past pupils are involved it may be something they would like to attend? Please see the notice board for further information.

Mr Peacock, with Mrs Rochford's help is currently putting in place a number of after school club courses etc for the new term in September. Some are recruiting now, others will be announced in the new term. Many of the established courses such as Card Making / Computers / Digital Photography / French / Karate etc will continue and new courses will come on line as the term progresses.

In addition a number of activities will be in place during the Summer - these are advertised around the school and should prove attractive.

Open evenings this week were as usual very well attended with over 95% of parents / carers visiting - the events were most enthusiastic with all parties delighted to celebrate the progress our children have made - Well Done!

Finally, as you are aware both Mr Outterside and Father O Reilly are to leave us shortly after wonderful service to the School and the Parish - we are collecting for a present for both. Anyone who would like to donate something should send the sum in an envelope clearly marked: Mr Outterside or Father O Reilly. Many Thanks.

I look forward to seeing you all in the next week prior to school closing at 1.30pm on Friday July 21st.

Best Wishes,

Yours Sincerely,

K.J. Smithson.
Head Teacher. Back to top

7. Summer Term 2006 Newsletters

Summer Term Newsletter 1: Wednesday April 26 2006

Summer Term Newsletter 2: Friday May 13 2006

Summer Term Newsletter 3: Wednesday May 24 2006

Summer Term Newsletter 4: June 14 2006

Summer Term Newsletter 5: Tuesday June 27 2006

Summer Term Newsletter 6: Thursday July 13 2006

Summer Term Newsletter 1: Wednesday April 26 2006

Summer Term Newsletter 2: Friday May 13 2006

Summer Term Newsletter 3: Wednesday May 24 2006

Summer Term Newsletter 4: June 14 2006

Summer Term Newsletter 5: Tuesday June 27 2006

Summer Term Newsletter 6: Thursday July 13 2006