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January 27, 2007

Bringing History to Life

This week Year Six have been working with Richardson Stevenson from Beamish Museum. He helped us to learn about the life of a local miner James Harris and how his life tragically ended in a mining disaster in The Lamb Pit in 1899. He told a fantastic story in assembly about a farmer and some soup (ask any of the children to tell you about the fairies in the hedges!)

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Year Six were set the challenge of working in teams to move a piece of coal through a working coal mine!
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We then used drama to show the emotions that we felt on our visit to Beamish, as well as those the miners may have felt whilst they were working. Can you guess what they are?
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January 25, 2007

Year Six Detectives!

What a fantastic day! We visited Beamish Museum to develop our problem solving and enquiry skills. Our morning activity was to try and find out who killed the body that we found at the railway station! We had to establish who the victim was, who the murderer was and what had been the motive.
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The children had to come up with their own lines of enquiry and become detectives in the town to find the clues to solve the crime.

January 16, 2007

Friends of Fellside Committee Meeting 8th December 2006

The full minutes of the meeting are available to view below.

One of the main topics for discussion was to canvass parents for their opinions on what best to spend the money raised on. We are keen to ensure that the money is spent for the benefit of all the children in school so if anyone has any suggestions please fill in the slip which will be on the next newsletter and return it to the school office. Alternatively fill in the comment section on the website.

MINUTES OF F.O.F. COMMITTEE MEETING – 8/12/06

1. Present – Marion Rutherford, Elizabeth Walton, Sarah Jones, Sarah Caithness, Helena Hill, Laura Robinson, Emma Casey, Annette Oma, Amanda Weatherill, Sarah Balkwill, Marie Thom

Kevin Doran joined to discuss spending the funds.

2. Apologies – Lesley Lynch

3. Secretary - Thanks to Pam Coates, outgoing secretary, for all her hard work over years in FOF. Flowers presented to Pam from FOF at Xmas Fayre. Marie Thom, incoming secretary, nominated by Laura Robinson, seconded by Helena Hill.

Treasurer to alter signatories accordingly.

4. Money – Need to spend some of money raised, leaving a sum in account as buffer. Things to benefit whole school rather than individual year groups. KD to ask teachers for ideas at Jan staff meeting.
Ideas from FOF/KD – fund panto, subsidise school trips, sustainable energy resource e.g wind turbine, big cushions for library, play equipment for yard, foreign language resources, computer software and different systems, curtains for hall.

First purchase - add website address to school sign.

5. Charity Ball – Raffle prizes left; Stobo Castle, weekend in Cornwall. Use at event in March/April 07. Thank you letters for all donated prizes done by EW and LR.

Reasons given by parents for failure of Charity Ball – cost, venue, charity, dress code, babysitter. Try next year in pub/social club/hall, with the band, not for charity, no formal food, no dress code, social rather than money making. Charity raffle on night.

Sub committee – EW, Steve C, AW, AO, SJ

6. Xmas Fayre – Profit made £1347.03
Suggestions for next year:

- raffle stall needs 4 adults. Glebe club to lend raffle machine.
- activity stalls e.g. sand, together in separate room e.g classroom
- on day of Fayre teachers requested not to use library to allow FOF to prepare
- need more help on day, jobs allocated earlier and have rota on actual day
- need checklist of everything that needs doing – in the run up and on the day

7. Chocoholics – Thanks to Marion for organising this. Profit made £150 +

8. FOF Events - Need calendar for year to avoid last minute organsation
e.g coffee for assemblies, concerts etc

9. Next Meeting – Friday 19th January 9.00a.m, in school. MR to let KD know
date, need ideas for spending money from staff by this date.

10. AOB – Treasurer – can’t give out blank cheques, come with a receipt to be
reimbursed. To avoid spending own money, if you know amount roughly required in
advance SJ can give you cash.

Minutes posted on web-site with comment section added, LR to collate
these. LR to speak to KD & VH. Suggestions required from parents on how
to spend the money.

Chairperson – Marion will be stepping down at end of school year. Need replacement by September. Marion to remain on FOF as staff liaison.

Fellside Matters 44

It seems an age since the summer holiday … it is!
It’s sixteen weeks since this term began. It’s been another busy, productive period with hard work from pupils and staff.
You’ll see from the attached letter from Schools Minister Andrew Adonis that we are among the top 100 schools (approx 0.5%) for value added this year.
There’s no doubt in my mind that this level of achievement owes much to the skill and work rate of teachers and support staff in providing the conditions for children to flourish. Combine this with the drive from governors and the support from families we experience at Fellside and it’s a sure recipe for success. Everyone associated with the school can take some pride from recent achievements.
I take this opportunity to say thank you and wish everyone a well deserved break, Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2007.

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