Fellside Community Primary School

Today we saw creativity at its best. In amongst the heaps of snow grew snow dragons, icicle sculptures, forts, volcanoes, The Angel of the North, snow tunnels, Buckingham Palace, snow crocodiles, the list is endless!

The new Reception class have enjoyed many activities during their first week at Fellside. They have shared a variety of experiences both inside and outside and have made new friends already.
We hope they continue to flourish during their time at Fellside.

As part of out Trains, Planes and Automobiles topic this term Year 3 and 4 visited 'The Locomotion Museum' in Shildon.

We had a great time making a rail transport timeline, looking at engines and carriages from early railways to the present day and even climbing aboard the footplate of a steam locomotive!

 Here is a display made after visiting St. Mary's Heritage Centre, Gateshead. Year One have created their own city of Gateshead burning in the year 1854. This was inspired by a workshop led by Mr. Richard Stephenson. The children learned all about the terrible, great fire that devastated the quayside that year and of the people who were involved.

Here the children are seen examining and handling artefacts from the past. These related to the main groups of people who were affected. From the housewives who had to flee from their homes grabbing their children as they ran to the over worked firefighters who came to the rescue. From the miners, who as far away as Monkwearmouth heard the blast of the explosding warehouses to the poor policeman who discovered the fire in the early hours. 

 "Hands up all those who can tell me facts about how far the fire spread and how it was able continue for so long!"

Below, Richard, dressed as Charles Bertram, a key character in the event, explains to the children just how far the fire spread - over to the Newcastle side of the Tyne!

Using interactive computer imagery, dramatic portrayals, handling artefacts and walking the actual route of the fire from the Gateshead riverside to Newcastle Quayside, the children were introduced to this local historic event. The day was rounded off with some song writing - 'London's Burning, London's Burning' became 'Gateshead's Burning, Gateshead's Burning!'

Our thanks to Richard Stephenson for a very enlightening day! As one of the children remarked - we learned so much and didn't even have to write a thing!  

To support our Trains, Planes and Automobiles topic work this term, Year 3 and Year 4 visited the Locomotion Railway Museum in Shildon, County Durham. Read on to find out more about our trip and view some more digital photographs of the day's activities.

Children studying the Bo-bo electrified Locomotive

Year 5 will be performing their class assembly at 9:15am on Tuesday 25th of November. Family members of all the children in Year 5 are invited. Refreshments will be provided by Friends of Fellside.

Any help in providing 'Tudor' costumes will be much appreciated. I look forward to seeing you on the 25th!

Sally Moore

In literacy this term, Year 3 have been writing their own spooky story settings. The children then typed up their stories using MIcrosoft Word during ICT lessons to practise their combining text and graphics skills. Read on to take a look at some spooky tales - prepare for the fright of your life!

On Tuesday 4th November Year Six travelled back in time to 1939. They had the opportunity to experience a little of the life of an evacuee from World War Two when they visited Home Farm at Beamish Open Air Museum. They carried out a variety of jobs at the farm in the hope that the farmer would let them stay there during the evacuation.

Cleaning shoes!

Making cottage cheese.

Pickling eggs!

Making mats.

Many thanks to all the staff at Beamish who made the evacuation possible and ensured the children all had a great time.

Watch this space for more photographs of the evacuees. 

Our children from Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 took part in the Athletics Festival at Gateshead Stadium on Friday 27th June. Girls and boys from the school claimed a bumper crop of medals, including five gold and four silver. A fantastic time was had by all and many thanks go to Mrs Bowren and Mrs Potts for all their support on the day.

Click to enlarge images from the event below:

Click below to see further images of the event.

On Saturday 14th June around 60 children and parents took part in our annual Pedalling Picnic (the eighth event).

The majority of participants opted for the long ride - 10 miles from Consett to Swalwell - riding at a cracking pace (for children as young as 5) to reach Swalwell in just over an hour.

The sun shone for the picnic element of this enjoyable event.

Thanks to all who took part and particularly to Gary Haley for his work on the organisation of what has become a traditional summer event at Fellside.

Remember the Newsreels which were once such a major part of a trip to the cinema? Year 5 have been recreating these mini-films as part of the new Film Narrative topic for Literacy. Our pupils have learnt all about the film-making process including: writing a Production Sheet; planning different camera angles and assigning roles within Newsreel teams. We also researched and watched numerous Newsreels from the 1930s through to the late 1970s.

'Elmer The Patchwork Elephant' is a favourite in nursery. Everyone painted an elephant and glued on coloured squares.Can you see lots of elephants hiding in the jungle?

The children have also been painting 'Elmer' on the interactive whiteboard.

The second half of the autumn term is traditionally very busy both in school, and I'm sure at home, and this year is no exception. Please find below a list of the events up to Christmas.

Download Diary of Events (Word 27KB)

Year 5 have created some fantastic bar charts and line graphs this term. Firstly, the class collected their data using tallies and frequency tables. Next, the children plotted both bar charts and line graphs by hand and then, in later lessons, they linked this numeracy work with ICT to present their charts using Microsoft Excel.

Click below to see some more examples of their super graph work.

The children in Reception Class have settled into school life so well.
They have learnt new routines and love all the different areas in their new classroom.
Look how busy we've been...

This term, Year Two's Design and Technology topic has been 'Puppets'. First, the children made moveable stick puppets which they joined using paper fasteners.Here are some of them:

Next, the children made simple finger puppets with holes for their fingers to wiggle like legs. They designed their character, then added colour and paper decorations.

Here are some of their wonderful characters:

Dear Parents and Carers

On behalf of the Board of Governors we commend this OFSTED report to you, and would like to congratulate every member of the Fellside team in their outstanding achievement. Such inspections shine a spotlight on the entire team and highlight a snap shot in time of a team who continuously strive to give their very best for our children, each and every day.

The outcome of the inspection is of no surprise to the Governing Body who are acutely aware of the strong and purposeful leadership of Mr Doran in transforming vision into action, together with superb teaching and learning delivered by all staff, which makes Fellside a truly exceptional environment.

This achievement is a result of the professionalism of everyone within the Fellside team, all of whom have contributed significantly to the development of our school. I am certain you will agree with me when I say that the professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm of all staff at Fellside make our school a truly unique and inspirational environment in which our children can, and do, flourish.

Furthermore, this report recognises the efforts of all partners within the Fellside community; staff, parents, carers, Friends of Fellside, Governors and supporters within the local community, who together have assisted in achieving our vision of “providing an inspiring and caring environment in which we are all challenged to maximise our potential”. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the continuing support that you give to Fellside and look forward to your ongoing support as we strive to maintain these exceptional standards and further develop both the learning environment and curriculum.

Together we really are making a difference.

John Baines
Chairman
Fellside Community Primary School

Download Report (Adobe 166KB)

Phew! A busy week for us all—nothing new there—but yesterday of course we were subject to the close scrutiny of an Ofsted inspector.
At this stage I am not able to give you any detail of the judgment as the findings are not yet within the public domain. You can look forward to receiving the full report in two or three weeks time.
From the feedback we’ve received it will certainly be a report to look forward to.
Your children, as ever, were exemplary yesterday, as were all staff. May I take this opportunity to thank the many of you who extended your best wishes to us in the last few days. It’s much appreciated.

Download Newsletter Issue 53 (Adobe 264KB)

Parents

Need to buy a musical instrument for your child? The Arts Council has introduced a loans scheme, details of this may be found at:

http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/takeitaway/

Jane Armstrong

We intend to go ahead with Sports Day this afternoon.

BBC weather for the North East indicates the possibility of "showers, heavy and thundery in places".

Postponement until tomorrow offers little advantage from available forecasts - more heavy showers.

Fingers crossed for this afternoon - an umbrella is probably sensible.

For our 40th birthday celebrations we decided to visit our favourite places at school. We took lots of photographs. Come and have a look at them!

On Friday 22nd June children from Years 3 to 6 travelled to Gateshead International Stadium to take part in this years Gateshead Primary Schools Athletics Festival.

Everyone competed brilliantly and a good day was had by all, the journey home was accompanied by the tinkling of the various medals won, from bronze through to gold.

40th Anniversary Evening Celebration

Tickets for the Fellside School 40th Anniversary Evening Celebration at The Coachman on Friday 8th June 2007, are selling quickly. Numbers are limited, so get your tickets as soon as possible from the school reception desk!
Time: 7.30pm till 12 midnight
Price: £6.50

There will be entertainment from the Dads’ band, Take Cover, as well as a buffet supper, quiz & raffle.

Fellside will celebrate it's 40th Birthday on 5th June 2007. There will be a number of events organised on or around this day to mark this auspicious occasion - watch this space for details.

If anyone has photographs or memorabilia of past events that they would be prepared to share with us they would be warmly welcomed. Please contact Mr Doran or any of the committee members of Friends of Fellside.

Children from Year 5 have been involved in an event aimed at encouraging Fair Trade products. Players from the Newcastle Falcons also attended the event, much to the delight of the children.

One child has written a report to explain exactly what happened.