Newsletters
October 16, 2009
Newsletter October 2009
June 6, 2008
Nursery Newsletter Edition 40
Butterflies, beans, tadpoles, peas, carrots, cress, radishes, potatoes and children are all growing and flourishing in our nursery. This period of Spring/Early Summer has given our children a wonderful opportunity to study growth inside the nursery, in the garden and in the pond (literally for one child!).
This week children have enjoyed their home grown cress in their own sandwiches and have shared the fascination of all of us watching the painted lady butterflies emerge from cocoons. Tadpoles borrowed from our pond have demonstrated another of these miraculous transformations of nature as legs develop and they change to frogs. Today will see the release of the butterflies and tadpole/frogs into the wild.
These very real early childhood experiences are often those we remember as our memories of the more routine fade with time.
Thanks of course to Lynn and Anna for the extra but essential effort it requires to provide these stimulating experiences for the children. I take this opportunity also to those of you—probably almost all—who have helped in the nursery this year.
Newsletter Issue 59
A collective cheer sounded from Year Six children on completion of their final (the 9th) SATs paper last Friday. Their attitude and commitment during the tests week and in preceding weeks has been outstanding. The children have every reason to be confident of excellent results later this term.
Nationally there has been considerable media and parliamentary interest in SATs this year. Issues have been raised around curriculum content in Year Six classes, the purpose of the tests and concerns about stress on children.
From our prospective … We retain a full, broad curriculum as long as is sensible in Year Six with full access to sport and the arts—their residential visit was in the second half of last term. Naturally we ensure appropriate teaching and learning, and revision and practice opportunities in the approach to tests.
The purpose of the tests? Do they test schools or children? I could write pages on this one. Within school we are assessing children and individual results are important to children, parents and teachers. There is no doubt that at a regional and national level results are used to rank schools (newspapers, etc.) and judge school performance (Ofsted, DCSF etc.).
We currently operate at a very high level in these crude rankings (5th Nationally in 2007), which is nice, but are such ‘league tables’ useful or necessary? Probably not.
Are the tests stressful? Well what test taken seriously isn’t? In my experience a combination of full curriculum coverage, expert teaching and massive commitment from children enables every child to enter the tests confident in their own ability to succeed. Our result bear witness.
It seems certain that SATs in their current form have just about outlived their usefulness. Another one, maybe two years left of the current system I should guess. I know that any teacher at Fellside can give an accurate assessment of levels for individual children without any test and we are currently refining this process. Equally I’m certain that government (of any political persuasion) will wish to retain a system for comparing schools and judging performance.
April 29, 2008
Newsletter Issue 58
By now all parents and carers will have had, and taken the opportunity to discuss children’s progress for the second time this academic year.
Doubtless you’ll have applied a simple test of progress, and one we encourage all children to use—”look back at your work in September and look at it now”.
In many cases, and this is often most obvious with our youngest children, this can and does show an astonishing rate of progress in writing and maths.
Expert teaching at school, combined with that essential support from home and of course the enthusiasm of our children enable almost all our children to achieve our aim of ‘learning to read’ in Foundation Stage and Key Stage One, enabling them to ‘read to learn’ and develop advanced skills in Key Stage Two.
We were delighted at the response from parents of younger children to our Phonics for Families workshops run by Mrs Armstrong and Mrs Balkwill. Similar workshops are sure to take place in the Autumn Term.
As you are aware we make every effort to enrich and enhance our curricular and extra curricular provision and always celebrate success and progress in the arts, sports and social aspects of school life. We never lose sight of one of our core purposes—ensuring our children are literate and numerate. The ‘nuts and bolts’ of primary education.
Nursery Newsletter Issue 39
By now all parents and carers will have had, and taken the opportunity to discuss children’s progress for the second time this academic year.
Doubtless you’ll have applied a simple test of progress, and one we encourage all children to use—”look back at your work in September and look at it now”.
In many cases, and this is often most obvious with our youngest children, this can and does show an astonishing rate of progress in writing and maths.
Expert teaching at school, combined with that essential support from home and of course the enthusiasm of our children enable almost all our children to achieve our aim of ‘learning to read’ in Foundation Stage and Key Stage One, enabling them to ‘read to learn’ and develop advanced skills in Key Stage Two.
We were delighted at the response from parents of younger children to our Phonics for Families workshops run by Mrs Armstrong and Mrs Balkwill. Similar workshops are sure to take place in the Autumn Term.
As you are aware we make every effort to enrich and enhance our curricular and extra curricular provision and always celebrate success and progress in the arts, sports and social aspects of school life. We never lose sight of one of our core purposes—ensuring our children are literate and numerate. The ‘nuts and bolts’ of primary education.
March 28, 2008
Nursery Newsletter Edition 38
It’s all go! In the two weeks since half term so much has happened to enhance life at Fellside.
Year Six have had their residential outdoor activity visit to Robin Wood Centre near Alston. Wild country and some pretty wild weather but hugely rewarding with our children attracting many positive comments for their immaculate behaviour, enthusiasm and positive attitude.
Many of our Karate Club members are now proudly wearing new coloured belts. Our swimmers competed at Felling Pool last week. Year Five children have now had two days working with a professional film crew on a film project to be screened later this year at the newly refurbished Tyneside Cinema.
… And what about last Thursday? World Book Day with Friends of Fellside Discos after school. Newcastle Utd’s well practised goalkeeper, Steve Harper was here in the afternoon promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles. A real bonus arose after a phone call from London on Thursday morning. A BBC Match of the Day TV crew travelled north to film the whole event for a slot on this weekend’s Match of the Day*. While all this was happening at Fellside I was heading south (staff say escaping!) to London to 10 Downing Street at the invitation of the Prime Minister. So all in all an exciting day for everyone.
What I’m well aware of is that all these events which excite, enhance and enrich school life require the extra effort of teachers, support and admin staff and others, often volunteers.
Sincere thanks to all.
* Sunday morning Match of the Day
Newsletter Issue 57
It’s all go! In the two weeks since half term so much has happened to enhance life at Fellside.
Year Six have had their residential outdoor activity visit to Robin Wood Centre near Alston. Wild country and some pretty wild weather but hugely rewarding with our children attracting many positive comments for their immaculate behaviour, enthusiasm and positive attitude.
Many of our Karate Club members are now proudly wearing new coloured belts. Our swimmers competed at Felling Pool last week. Year Five children have now had two days working with a professional film crew on a film project to be screened later this year at the newly refurbished Tyneside Cinema.
… And what about last Thursday? World Book Day with Friends of Fellside Discos after school. Newcastle Utd’s well practised goalkeeper, Steve Harper was here in the afternoon promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles. A real bonus arose after a phone call from London on Thursday morning. A BBC Match of the Day TV crew travelled north to film the whole event for a slot on this weekend’s Match of the Day*. While all this was happening at Fellside I was heading south (staff say escaping!) to London to 10 Downing Street at the invitation of the Prime Minister. So all in all an exciting day for everyone.
What I’m well aware of is that all these events which excite, enhance and enrich school life require the extra effort of teachers, support and admin staff and others, often volunteers.
Sincere thanks to all.
* Sunday morning Match of the Day
January 28, 2008
Fellside Nursery Matters Issue 37
On behalf of everyone at school, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a belated Happy New Year. The start of a new calendar year it may be but we are close to half way through the academic year and in the term where we often see the most rapid progress by children.
I note from last January’s Fellside Matters that I gave an indication of some plans and expectations for 2007—the introduction of a childcare facility, the new Primary Strategy and increasing awareness of sustainable energy, ideally through the installation of wind and solar energy. Well … Fellside Funclub has been in operation since September as has the Primary Strategy (revised guidance for teaching of Maths and English). The installation of wind and solar power has not been as straightforward as we’d hoped for. We submitted plans in October for a wind turbine close to Burnthouse Lane, the ideal location for wind. The proximity to a road and the likelihood of bats (a protected species) in the neighbourhood has necessitated further work to move these plans forward. Similarly a structural survey of our roof is needed to determine suitability for solar energy.
Any structural engineers or bat expert parents please get in touch!
Sustainable energy plans roll forward into 2008 alongside the introduction of foreign language teaching from September. The installation of interactive whiteboards in all classrooms is planned as are further improvements to outdoor learning and play facilities. Lots to anticipate.
Fellside Matters - Issue 56
On behalf of everyone at school, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a belated Happy New Year. The start of a new calendar year it may be but we are close to half way through the academic year and in the term where we often see the most rapid progress by children.
I note from last January’s Fellside Matters that I gave an indication of some plans and expectations for 2007—the introduction of a childcare facility, the new Primary Strategy and increasing awareness of sustainable energy, ideally through the installation of wind and solar energy. Well … Fellside Funclub has been in operation since September as has the Primary Strategy (revised guidance for teaching of Maths and English). The installation of wind and solar power has not been as straightforward as we’d hoped for. We submitted plans in October for a wind turbine close to Burnthouse Lane, the ideal location for wind. The proximity to a road and the likelihood of bats (a protected species) in the neighbourhood has necessitated further work to move these plans forward. Similarly a structural survey of our roof is needed to determine suitability for solar energy.
Any structural engineers or bat expert parents please get in touch!
Sustainable energy plans roll forward into 2008 alongside the introduction of foreign language teaching from September. The installation of interactive whiteboards in all classrooms is planned as are further improvements to outdoor learning and play facilities. Lots to anticipate.
December 21, 2007
Fellside Nursery Matters - Edition 36
With the temperature in recent days hovering around zero, it’s difficult to believe that this term started with some of the best weather of an indifferent summer.
Sixteen weeks since the start of term. Lots of hard work from children and staff and an Ofsted Inspection to keep us on our toes. No surprise in this last week there are some flagging faces among staff and children.
It’s time for everyone to take a well earned break and spend some precious time with families and friends. On behalf of all at school I take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year.
We start back for the new term on Monday 7th January 2008.
… and coming in the New Year.
Fellside Matters - Issue 55
With the temperature in recent days hovering around zero, it’s difficult to believe that this term started with some of the best weather of an indifferent summer.
Sixteen weeks since the start of term. Lots of hard work from children and staff and an Ofsted Inspection to keep us on our toes. No surprise in this last week there are some flagging faces among staff and children.
It’s time for everyone to take a well earned break and spend some precious time with families and friends. On behalf of all at school I take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year.
We start back for the new term on Monday 7th January 2008.
… and coming in the New Year.
November 29, 2007
Fellside Matters - Issue 54
There’s something of the calm before the storm about school this week. It will be clear from the diary of events in this Newsletter that there’s lots happening in school before the end of term—Pantomime, Christmas Fair, concerts, carol service, Christmas Dinner, parties etc., etc.
Lots to look forward to in the next four weeks, including some ‘big occasions’ such as the Carol Service—our single biggest gathering of the year.
Fellside Nursery Matters - Edition 35
There’s something of the calm before the storm about school this week. It will be clear from the diary of events in this Newsletter that there’s lots happening in school before the end of term—Pantomime, Christmas Fair, concerts, carol service, Christmas Dinner, parties etc., etc.
Lots to look forward to in the next four weeks, including some ‘big occasions’ such as the Carol Service—our single biggest gathering of the year.
November 6, 2007
Newsletter issue 53
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.
September 18, 2007
Fellside Matters Issue 52
What a pleasure it was to welcome your children back to school last week. May I extend a particular welcome to those families new to Fellside either in Reception or as new starters in other years.
We fully expect your children to settle quickly and enjoy a happy, productive learning experience throughout their time with us. Having visited every classroom a number of times already, that’s precisely what’s happening throughout the school.
It’s been great to hear from the children of their holiday venues and experiences. A five year old described her holiday to California to Mrs Balkwill. She particularly enjoyed ‘France Dance Disco’, a west coast city north of Los Angeles! … Brilliant
July 11, 2007
Fellside Nursery Matters Edition 34
Next week we say goodbye to our Year Six children and around half of our nursery children. Whether they’ve been with us one year or, as for may of our Year Six children, eight years we thank them for their contribution to our school and wish them the very best for the future.
The exemplary attitude to learning of our current Year Six has been evident as they’ve moved through the school. This attitude and their ability when combined with high quality teaching and learning opportunities with a number of teachers has enabled these children to record the school’s best ever SATs performance—surpassing last year—with 100% reaching the government target of Level 4 in all three subjects and stunning results at level 5 (the highest level) English 70%, Maths 93% and Science 100%. Wow! As ever what is important is that children fulfil their potential whatever their ability.
Maximising potential is a central value to us. Job done again by all concerned—not just on the academic front but also the lighter side of school.
For the second year we’ve run a business enterprise project in Year Six. With a loan of £3.00 per child, Year Six pupils have operated a number of small business schemes this half term—the advertising directory accompanying this newsletter is one example.
They’ve repaid the loan of £90.00 and made a clear profit of £458 for their leaver’s party—a disco and buffet at Blaydon Rugby Club with transport to the venue by stretched limo!
Great attitude, tons of hard work, astonishing results, lots of laughs. Enjoy the party—you deserve it.
Children return to school on Tuesday 4th September (Nursery and Reception have their own induction arrangements). Fellside Funclub, our new childcare facility has an open evening for interested parents and children on Monday 3rd September from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm.
It remains for me to wish everyone an enjoyable, well deserved summer holiday.
Fellside Matters Issue 51
Next week we say goodbye to our Year Six children and around half of our nursery children. Whether they’ve been with us one year or, as for may of our Year Six children, eight years we thank them for their contribution to our school and wish them the very best for the future.
The exemplary attitude to learning of our current Year Six has been evident as they’ve moved through the school. This attitude and their ability when combined with high quality teaching and learning opportunities with a number of teachers has enabled these children to record the school’s best ever SATs performance—surpassing last year—with 100% reaching the government target of Level 4 in all three subjects and stunning results at level 5 (the highest level) English 70%, Maths 93% and Science 100%. Wow! As ever what is important is that children fulfil their potential whatever their ability.
Maximising potential is a central value to us. Job done again by all concerned—not just on the academic front but also the lighter side of school.
For the second year we’ve run a business enterprise project in Year Six. With a loan of £3.00 per child, Year Six pupils have operated a number of small business schemes this half term—the advertising directory accompanying this newsletter is one example.
They’ve repaid the loan of £90.00 and made a clear profit of £458 for their leaver’s party—a disco and buffet at Blaydon Rugby Club with transport to the venue by stretched limo!
Great attitude, tons of hard work, astonishing results, lots of laughs. Enjoy the party—you deserve it.
Children return to school on Tuesday 4th September (Nursery and Reception have their own induction arrangements). Fellside Funclub, our new childcare facility has an open evening for interested parents and children on Monday 3rd September from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm.
It remains for me to wish everyone an enjoyable, well deserved summer holiday.
June 29, 2007
Fellside Nursery Matters Issue 33
A glance at the Diary of Events to the end of term in this edition of Fellside Matters gives an indication of just how busy the end of the school year is. Just two days without a significant visit, performance or social event.
Many of our children are ‘out and about’ this term and as ever we expect them to exhibit the highest standards of behaviour and manners.
Last night and today we have received plaudits for Year Four’s performance and exemplary behaviour at a concert at the Sage. Not just from our justifiably proud parents, but Mrs Ducker reports from total strangers and teachers from other schools. Well done Year Four.
Many (not all) of the visits this term require a sometimes considerable parental cash contribution. We are aware that, particularly if you have two or three children in school, this can be an expensive time of year. Indeed this issue has been discussed at governors meetings and by the F.O.F. committee.
There’s a tricky balance here—yes we want our children to experience some of the North East’s unique venues (Vindolanda, Beamish etc.) but costs, particularly transport have rocketed recently. As a school we already subsidise or pay completely for some visits—e.g.. weekly swimming transport. It may be that prior to this time next year we look to extending the school’s contribution to visits. This would impact, of course, on provision in other areas. Be assured we’ll give this issue due consideration.
Please also be aware that no child would ever be excluded from a visit for the inability to pay. If there are insufficient parental contributions a visit cannot actually take place. In reality, experience shows that parents make the full contribution requested for all visits, though in isolated cases of genuine hardship the school has and does discretely help with finance.
Fellside Matters Issue 50
A glance at the Diary of Events to the end of term in this edition of Fellside Matters gives an indication of just how busy the end of the school year is. Just two days without a significant visit, performance or social event.
Many of our children are ‘out and about’ this term and as ever we expect them to exhibit the highest standards of behaviour and manners.
Last night and today we have received plaudits for Year Four’s performance and exemplary behaviour at a concert at the Sage. Not just from our justifiably proud parents, but Mrs Ducker reports from total strangers and teachers from other schools. Well done Year Four.
Many (not all) of the visits this term require a sometimes considerable parental cash contribution. We are aware that, particularly if you have two or three children in school, this can be an expensive time of year. Indeed this issue has been discussed at governors meetings and by the F.O.F. committee.
There’s a tricky balance here—yes we want our children to experience some of the North East’s unique venues (Vindolanda, Beamish etc.) but costs, particularly transport have rocketed recently. As a school we already subsidise or pay completely for some visits—e.g.. weekly swimming transport. It may be that prior to this time next year we look to extending the school’s contribution to visits. This would impact, of course, on provision in other areas. Be assured we’ll give this issue due consideration.
Please also be aware that no child would ever be excluded from a visit for the inability to pay. If there are insufficient parental contributions a visit cannot actually take place. In reality, experience shows that parents make the full contribution requested for all visits, though in isolated cases of genuine hardship the school has and does discretely help with finance.
May 25, 2007
Fellside Nursery Matters Issue 32
Music in the Nursery
Following on from the success of last year Dr Brendon Renwick will be coming into nursery next term to do several music workshops called Musical Discoveries with your children.
Children explore the elements of music through a fun range of singing, playing & movement activities. Each session provides good opportunities for children's creative development and fully supports related Early Learning Goals.
Fellside Matters Issue 49
A huge collective sigh of relief emanated from Mrs Maitland's classroom on Friday morning as Year Six completed their final SATs paper, the last of nine tests in a tough week.
The attitude of the children has been exemplary throughout and we expect their efforts, not just in recent weeks but throughout their time at Fellside, will be appropriately rewarded with results reflecting their ability and effort.
Academic success of course has to be a priority for us and whatever one’s feelings about statutory tests for eleven year olds, SATs performance is a measure used by DfES, Ofsted and Local Authorities.
Equally important is that children are given the opportunity to flourish, achieving their potential in other areas: sport and the arts for example. We’re committed in this respect with both curricular and extra curricular provision through the variety of clubs we offer. Wherever possible we support those who demonstrate talents away from school. Just last week Newcastle United Academy Player, Steven Hindmarsh in Year Six, has been chosen to play in a tournament in Rome in June with squads from the likes of Manchester Utd and Barcelona FC.
Can he have a week out of school to further develop his footballing talent? Of course he can! - Congratulations Steven.
May 2, 2007
Fellside Nursery Matters Issue 31
The first entry in a weighty leather-bound log book in my office reads “School opened on Monday 5th June 1967?. Effectively Fellside is forty on Tuesday 5th June this year—Something to celebrate we think.
Friends of Fellside and Staff are developing ideas for how we can mark this day (the second day back after the half term break) making it memorable for our current children, and equally for adults who actually worked here or who attended Fellside in the past—possibly even in 1967.
We’ll be in touch again about ‘Fellside at Forty’ before half term. In the meantime, if you, family members or friends attended Fellside in the past, know anyone who did, or who has taught here please alert them to this milestone and the likelihood of events at school on Tuesday 5th June. Photographs, memories, memorabilia will all be welcome. Look out for further information during May.
Fellside Matters Issue 48
The first entry in a weighty leather-bound log book in my office reads “School opened on Monday 5th June 1967?. Effectively Fellside is forty on Tuesday 5th June this year—Something to celebrate we think.
Friends of Fellside and Staff are developing ideas for how we can mark this day (the second day back after the half term break) making it memorable for our current children, and equally for adults who actually worked here or who attended Fellside in the past—possibly even in 1967.
We’ll be in touch again about ‘Fellside at Forty’ before half term. In the meantime, if you, family members or friends attended Fellside in the past, know anyone who did, or who has taught here please alert them to this milestone and the likelihood of events at school on Tuesday 5th June. Photographs, memories, memorabilia will all be welcome. Look out for further information during May.