Fellside Community Primary School

It all began when several children pledged to create a healthy tuck shop in their election speeches. Mrs Lamb thought this was an excellent idea so decided to help the children do something about it.
Mrs Lamb contacted 'Fruit to Suit', a company that specializes in healthy snacks for schools, and arranged for Lisa to come in and give us some training.

We thoroughly enjoyed our training day! The children were given jobs from marketing directors to finance managers. We learned how to check an invoice, stock take, make an order, balance a float and most importantly... we sampled the snacks and picked our favourites!
The children then worked very hard to promote the tuck shop. They made posters, wrote letters to the children's families and gave an assembly to all of Key Stage Two.
The big day finally arrived and the first tuck shop took place on Friday 2nd December. All the hard work and preparation paid off and the children are now eager to continue the hard work.
The tuck shop will be open every Wednesday playtime from now on, in the Key Stage Two yard. All snacks are 40p, contain no traces of nuts and are healthy too.

If you would like further information about the company please click on the following link Fruit to Suit

  Training Day.

Presenting our ideas to KS2 in our assembly.

 The big day! Our healthy tuck shop.

On Friday 23rd September, superb speeches were made by candidates from Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 who wanted to to be part of our 2011-2012 School Council. It was a very difficult decision, however after careful consideration by the rest of the pupils... please meet our newly elected School Council.


They've made some excellent pledges and promise to be a fantastic and proactive council.

We wish them good luck in their important role. If you have any ideas or suggestions for them post them here- remember they're working for you! 

Here is our BUG! (Bike It User Group)

Just a reminder, children in Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 start school Tuesday 6th September. For children in Reception and Nursery, please see packs given out at the induction meetings. Thank you.

Well done to everyone who took part in the Kensho Karate Club competition today at Whickham School. All competitors represented our school incredibly well, the success of every child who took part throughout the day has meant that Fellside has once again won the trophy and come first in the competition. If anyone has photographs from the day, we would love to have a copy for school.

Thankfully the weather was kinder this weekend than last and the Pedalling Picnic took place this morning. With about 60 riders in total, it was another super event, well done to all families who came along. It was wonderful to see children from Nursery to Year 6 cycling together. Thank you to Alan Barlow and Gary Haley for organising this event.

Year 6 reached their target. A huge thank you to everyone for their support.

On Friday 24th June, we discovered the nest had not changed from the previous day. The beasts had not returned and had fled elsewhere. Community Police Officer Toni arrived and in our assembly she wrote up the daily happenings at the nest site as evidence. Also the children were happy to assist her with her inquiries. She wore a crime scene suit as she took samples of the shell, skin, bones and an unhatched egg which she bagged and labelled ready to be taken to a science lab in Gateshead to be analysed,

 What a week it has been! Several children had over the last few days reported strange circumstances in their back gardens - loud flapping, heavy footprints and a child from Year 1 even reported he had seen glimpses of a dragon's tail!

What was the creature that had roamed Whickham and made temporary home in our school grounds?

Perhaps the Scientist will shed some light...

Leave a comment if you have any seen anything mysterious in the Fellside area!

Community police officer, Toni arrived with some serious and important information for the whole school. In morning assembly, we were told that after some disturbances were reported early in the morning and the police had arrived to investigate. They discovered an enormous nest with five huge eggs in the centre. We were informed that we must not touch the nest as the area might be contaminated. Toni asked if we could collect evidence and clues that might help her investigate the scene later in the week. Scientist had advised her to leave the nest intact until the identity of the mother had been found.

 
Each class went to the scene to take a look for themselves. The eggs were huge. Later in the day children reported that they has seen one of the eggs moving slightly? Who could have laid such enormous eggs?

Day Two

We were keen to discover what had happened overnight. Had the mother returned to visit her clutch of gigantic eggs? When we went to take a look at the nest, we discovered that one of the babies had hatched! A broken shell was left behind but whatever had come out of it was nowhere to be seen. Blue and green slime surrounded the egg shell.

Mrs. Maitland had arranged Kay, a zoologist, to bring in some of his pets so that we could find out more about animals that hatch out of eggs. Reptiles, birds, fish, insects and spiders, amphibians and just three mammals hatch out of eggs we discovered. A Bearded Crested Lizard, a Blue Tongued Skink, a Red Kneed Tarantula, a Meerkat, a Blue Frog and a Python were some of the amazing animlas we met, Jay also brought in the most adorable baby ferrets.

 
The large python was very long, heavy and friendly. She felt smooth to the touch.A snake skin is left behind when a snake grows. Snake skins have the most amazing patterns

Everyone in school is writing about the nest from children in Year One to pupils in Year Six.

We look forward to your comments about the nest!

Apologies, cancelled today, taking place Saturday 25th June.

Year 6 are doing their Enterprise Project starting Monday 13th June - Friday 24rd June. Please click on the following link to see their Enterprise Project Newsletter -

Year 6 Enterprise.doc

is the target the children have set and they are working together in groups to try and raise the full amount. The list of activities are as follows- 

support Year 6. Help them reach their target, so they can achieve their dream, and have the best Year 6 school leaver's party ever!

We are all really proud of our rugby team who played today in the 'National Tag to Twickenham Rugby' regional finals at Kingston Park Rugby Club. Our school came second, out of over 900 Northern schools who originally entered which means they now qualify to go on to the National finals which will be held on 13th July 2011 at Rugby School in Warwickshire. As usual their performance was exceptional, they showed great sportsmanship and passion. As always they were a credit to our school. Thanks to Mr Machin and Mrs Nevin for their assistance today. Please show your support to the team by leaving them a good luck message in the comments box below.

Further details will be issued nearer the date.

This morning the BBC have just announced that they have discovered an amazing new breed of penguin. We are so lucky to be one of the first schools to see these extraordinary

'Polar Foil' Penguins.

(BBC video) Looking forward to your comments regarding the 'Polar Foil' Penguins!

Don't forget to cycle to school as much as possible over the next three weeks to meet the Big Pedal challenge. Click on the following link for the website The Big Pedal Challenge 

Hope everyone enjoys a safe and happy holiday.

There are lots of nice things to look forward to when school opens again.

Monday 28th February  - Year 6  to Robinwood for 3 days

Tuesday - Book Fair

Thursday  - World Book Day

The Website Character - who got the most votes?

See you then

To make the most of our school website each class took part in a questionnaire.

Watch this space for the launch of our new Fellside character!

Friends of Fellside (FOF)
Friends of Fellside are a group of people with a child in the school who want to be involved in raising money for the school.
Every year the school, needs money for various extras
e.g. trips to the pantomime, sports trips, travel expenses,
school council, new resources etc.
Throughout the year we organize fundraisng events;
Christmas / Summer fairs, B-B-Q, Social Nights,
children's discos etc. and we provide refreshments
at various class assemblies and concerts.
We would love to hear from you if you would like to be involved or can help in any way. Our next meeting is Friday 11th February at 9am in school
It would be great to see you there.

* * * * * * 

On Monday 10th January 2011 Steve Cram came to our school to collect a cheque for the charity COCO.

Friends of Fellside provided a coffee morning where parents were invited to meet, and listen to Steve talk about the charity COCO. Steve stayed for our school assembly and spoke to the children too. Steve was then presented with a cheque from Mrs Maitland and Mr Baines for £2,024.00.

The money was raised by pupils who took part in a Sponsored Sports Circuit last year. Steve thanked everybody for their time and effort doing the sponsored circuit. He was also very grateful to everyone for their generous contribution to the charity.

School is open today and school dinners are as normal. 
Please be very careful in the snow.

We will continue to keep you up to date via the website or texting service.

Due to severe weather conditions and the interests of Health & Safety, the Friends of Fellside Christmas Fair on Friday 3rd December has unfortunately been postponed.

We intend to hold a fair in the spring term, dates and details to follow.

Thank you to everyone who has already made donations.

Please note, we will be updating the website as and when required with any relevent information for parents / carers regarding our school during the adverse weather conditions.

Karate is cancelled Thursday 2nd December - many apologies. 

School is so delightful, and since we've no place to go

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow !!!

25th November ? it feels more like 25th December.

Hats, gloves, scarves, cold feet, wet hands (but warm hearts) and 420 wellingtons later... they started to appear, the first snowman, followed by another. Then one by one at least twenty giant snowballs!

   

Here is our BUG! (Bike It User Group)

They will be organising "BIKE IT" events and encouraging more children to cycle to school this year. Please let them know if you have any ideas by leaving a comment on the website site or speaking to them at school.

shoe boxes.

      

 

 

 A few weeks ago two GPs came to visit Year 3, infact they liked it so much they are still there. 

The thing is, they are not like the GPs you and I know,  they are different, very different!

Take a look at the clues below to see if you can work out what kind of GPs they really are...

Can you guess yet?

You got it... Guinea Pigs.

Please welcome to Year 3 Daisy and Rosie.

    GREAT JOB FOOD AT LAST !!    

Hope you enjoyed the photos, please leave a comment if you like the pictures of Rosie and Daisy, also if you would like to see more of them. Rosie and Daisy are excited because each weekend, they are going for a   "Sleepover " with someone out of  Year 3.

On Friday 24th and Monday 27th  September, Key Stage 2 met in the hall to hear speeches previously prepared from candidates wanting to be part of our School Council.

Competion (as always) was tough, however after a long, gruelling conference voting began and choices were made to elect the following School councillors. 

They now all face an important role during the year ahead. They will be working hard with staff and pupils to ensure they carry out what they promised in their speeches and working together to make school an even better place.

Don't forget the cycling challenge ends this week, how many miles can we cycle as a school by Friday? We'll welcome Kevin Doran back at the Bike it breakfast and MacMillan coffee morning. Will we have cycled 1008 miles to match Kevin?

Friday....Home, having completed 1008.9 miles arriving at John O'Groats at 1335 yesterday

I'll update on Day 13 Wednesday and my final day Thursday -

Day 13 Wednesday.

Out to dinner Tuesday night with Pete at neighbouring big house with wonderful host in her eighties who cooked for and entertained nearly 20 guests for dinner (me being the only one in tracksuit, T-shirt and crocks). 25+ lobsters piled on the vast dining table will give you something of an idea of the scale and quality. Wonderful hospitality.

Violent winds with wintery feeling squalls on Wednesday, with similar forecast for Thursday. As we were heading north to fish it made sense to get a few miles of progress on the bike in such challenging, and frankly dangerous (big fish and logging trucks on the A9) conditions. So did 19 miles before Pete caught me up. Climbed the Ord of Caithness and Berriedale Braes, battling into a wind so strong at times that on a relatively flat section one gust had me standing on the pedals in bottom gear to maintain 2 mph.

Anyway we chucked the bike in the back of Pete's car donned waders etc and went fly fishing. River level rising rapidly and water increasingly coloured so not ideal. No luck for me as a novice but an 8lb salmon landed by Pete. Abandoned fishing as river became unfishable and had lunch in hut, designed for such purposes on the river. A fabulous and different day.

Day 14 Thursday. The final day

Up early and really keen to get cracking on the final short leg of 38 miles to J O'G. Strong headwind with vicious and frequent squalls.  Jacky and Nige dropped me and the fully laden bike off where I'd stopped Wed. 35 of the miles into gale force and rising wind.  At 1000 miles Fellside sock monkey (my companion throughout) and I celebrated with a lollypop!  Cresting a hill on the single track minor route taken, the Orkneys were in view, briefly illuminated across a boiling Pentland Firth, confirming the journey was almost done.  Turning east for the last 3 miles was like being fired from a gun with the gale on my back.  As I turned the final bend for the last 400 yards I simply and surprisingly started to cry and continued to do so for a minute or two after crossing the line.  I hadn't bargained for feeling so emotional.  A result of an accomplishment, for sure at a very personal level, but with such wonderful support from so many people. Those of you reading this for starters; Jacky in particular; the money raised, the target for that money; the lovely people I've met on the way; the good fortune and necessary health to have the opportunity to do this... all those things and more.

Final thoughts.

I feel, and presumably am very strong after cycling 8 hrs a day for a couple of weeks; to the point that propulsion of the bike wasn't a problem.  Wind and hills became just part of the ride, not a chore. I've enjoyed the whole experience of seeing our country unfold slowly around me.  Such a variety of topography, dialect, building styles.  From Devon to Dumfries my nose indicated cow country. I'd never appreciated the extent of the dairy industry in the west of Britain before.  Most pleasant surprise was Shropshire. A long weekend in Bishop's Castle (2 breweries) is on the 'to do' list. Biggest shock was South Ayrshire.  Very poor, depressed and rather depressing area.  I wasn't aware of that prior to this trip.

I'd recommend this to any reasonably fit cyclist who can afford to take a couple of weeks maximum. Thanks so much for all the messages of encouragement and generous donations.  Apologies if I haven't responded since Monday when my phone died in the rain.

Calais to Cote d'Azur next year!  Kevin.

 Day 1 Friday Sept 3rd
Warm but windy, unfavourably so. Given wind and countless climbs, some on the limit for gears and my legs, I'm pleased to have 75 miles under the belt. Didn't get away from Lands End until 1100. Aiming for Taunton area tomorrow.

Day 2 Saturday
90 miles in hilly and pretty Devon to Wellington near Taunton. There must scarcely be a 100 yards of flat land in Devon, a real test. All prepared to camp out for the night as couldn't find accommodation. Just before dark found classic hotel of the English genre.

Day 3 Sunday
86 miles to Tintern just north of Chepstow. Easier day but wet for the most part. Somerset Levels ... level of course. Cheddar for lunch and unbelievably no cheese. Tricky navigating round Bristol to Severn bridge and am now in nice accommodation with pub across the road. Heading north tomorrow and feel like I have turned the corner. Photo taken at 17.15 on Severn Bridge.

Day 4 Monday 6th Sept
87miles to Bishops Castle Shropshire. Stayed ahead of the rain until last 5 miles. Wind favourable for most part. Beautiful ride throughout the day. Wye Valley then Golden Valley. Finally the quiet rolling hills of Shropshire. All very Edward Elgar. Fell off bike outside this B&B...forgot to unclip from pedals! Must take more care. Lucky not to break something on me or bike. North towards Lancashire tomorrow.
Thanks for all support. Kevin

Day 5 Tuesday 7^th

Day 5 shorter day today 68 miles to Chester to stay with Colin with whom I shared a room at college back in 71. He's in good form.

A stop and go day with torrential thundery showers and warm sunshine. Tricky route finding on narrow roads.  419 miles in total.  Aim to be through Lancashire tomorrow.

Day 6 Wednesday 8th

107 miles to S Lakes.

It's grim up north...not yesterday it wasn't with cloudless windless warm conditions. Working through Merseyside and s Lancashire is a challenge but helpful open people all the way. It seems true that northern folk are more friendly, excluding my Devon relatives of course! Slept under stars on a river level monitoring device. Thanks sincerely for all the encouraging messages.

Monday 13th September FOF Welcome to Reception Parents
Friday 24th September Bike-It Breakfast
Friday 24th September FOF MacMillan Coffee Morning
Thursday 21st October FOF Halloween Discos
Friday 22nd October Break up for Half Term
Monday 1st November Training Day
Tuesday 2nd November Pupils return to school

Thank You

Thank You

Thank you....

To everyone who made contributions to the Year 6 Enterprise Projects. They have made a staggering £1175.26 profit, a school record! The end of term party will certainly be one to remember!

Texting / Email Service
Before the summer holiday we will be trialling a texting and email service to communicate with parents and carers. This service can also be used by parents to communicate with school. For example, school will send a text message to your mobile phone in the event of a sport event or club being cancelled and parents will be able to send a text message to inform school of a child's absence. It will of course rely on us having up to date email and mobile phone details for us to use this efficient system which is already in use at Whickham School. Please ensure all Personal Detail forms are returned to us as soon as possible if you haven't already done so.
Further details will follow the half term break.

Receipts
We currently issue receipts for all payments made to school. However to ensure administration time is more time effective following Local Authority guidance we will in future only issue receipts for any payments over £15.00. We will of course continue to maintain records in school for all money received.

Academies
As you may be aware, the new government intends to extend the academies programme to
primary schools. Schools rated as 'outstanding' by Ofsted are the first schools invited to leave Local Authority control and become academies. As a school in that category we have already received such an invitation from Michael Gove.
Our Governing Body meets for its regular summer term meeting on Wednesday 9th June and will give this matter due consideration.

Primary Review
Cabinet met on Tuesday 25th May and approved the recommendation outlined in the report distributed last week. Formal consultations involving those schools proposed for closure (Marley Hill and Sacred Heart, Byermoor) will begin next month

Over the last few weeks Year 6 have been planning, researching and developing ideas for their enterprise projects this year. They have had some fantastic expertise and guidance from Louise Levy, a governor and parent, and Mike Wood from Gardiner Richardson. They have been guided through the process of developing ideas, teamwork, planning, marketing and advertising. They are hoping to make a substantial profit this year to pay for their end of year party. Watch this space for more details.

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!

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.

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

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.