Bill Quay Primary School

Junior Engineers for Britain

2008-07-23T18:17:45Z

This year, Aidan and William from Year 5 took part in the Gateshead area final of the Junior Engineers for Britian Knex Challenge, against Katie and Alisha from St. Aidans Primary School. The children had to design a lifting mechanism made from Knex, the model was then judged and tested on its strength, frame and cranking mechanism. Geoff Clack from the Engineers Employers Federation judged the competition and announced Aiden and William the winners.
They went on to represent the Gateshead area in the Regional finals at Sunderland University on 27th June 2008.

Well Done both of you the school is so proud of you!

Science Storytime: The Lighthouse Keeper's Catastrophe

2008-07-23T17:08:52Z

Year 1 visited the Discovery Museum in Newcastle to take part in 'Science Storytime' linked to their Science and Literacy topics. The pupils listened to a story ' The Lighthouse Keeper's Catastrophe' by Ronda and David Armitage. Then they participated in a series of group activities to develop the central themes from the story; exploring light, electricity, pulleys, life processes and floating/sinking.
The children had great fun while taking part in all these activities.

St. Mary's Lighthouse

2008-07-23T16:58:54Z

Cloudy skies and summer showers did little to stop Year 6 children having fun when they visited St. Mary's Lighthouse in Tynemouth linked to their Georgraphy topic Coasts. They took part in a 'Rock Pool Ramble' and spent time looking at creatures found around the coast in the aquarium inside the Lighthouse. The rain didn't even stop them from making a beautiful mermaid from seaweed they found on the beach!

Children taken part in a 'Rock Pool Ramble'.

Children looking at creatures in the aquarium.

How beautiful does the mermaid look made from seaweed?

Writing Competiton

2008-07-23T16:23:13Z

Five children from Year 6 Lucy, Amy, Holly, Natasha and Jordan had a fantastic opportunity this week as they visited Lord Lawson School in Birtley to represent Bill Quay in a writing competition. They met Peter J Murray, award-winning author of Mokee Joe, as he launched the writing competition. He read an introduction to a story then the children were asked to come up with a fantastic ending to it, in no more than 1000 words. The top three story endings were then to be selected by the judges. Unfortunately Bill Quay didn't get chosen but, this challenge certainly ignited the children's imagination and they had great fun sharing ideas for their story.

Well done to everyone who took part.

Robin Wood

2008-07-22T18:31:56Z

Year 6 have had a fantastic time at Robin Wood Activity Centre. They integrated and developed as a team throughout their stay through problem solving, team challenges and orienteering. The giant swing was great fun, relying again on fantastic teamwork to give each team member a fabulous swing at the height they were comfortable with.

An unforgettable time was experienced by all!

Summer Fayre 2008

2008-07-22T18:05:53Z

Initially cloudy skies did little to cast a shadow over the fun we had at our annual Summer Fayre. We had lots of attractions for everyone’s amusement including stocks, coconut shy, hoop-la, netball shoot, nail painting, decorate a biscuit, cake stall, adopt a teddy, tombola, raffle and a penalty shoot-out game amongst many others.
A big thank you is given to everyone who gave their time, energy and enthusiasm to help out on the day and indeed to everyone else who came just to be part of the fun and help to raise approximately £1,000 towards our school fund.

We hope to see you all again next year!

Sports Day

2008-07-22T08:21:11Z

Children enjoyed taking part in the annual sports day this week, representing different countries around the world. Key Stage 1 children had to complete a circuit of PE activities where they accumulated points as they moved from one activity to another with Portugal, winning overall.
Key Stage 2 children took part in a more traditional sports day based on athletic-type competitions with Brazil hopping their way to victory in the sack race.

Well done everyone!

The Portugal and Brazil teams receiving their medals.

Visit from Artist Pippa Bell

2008-07-20T17:21:36Z

Year 6 children enjoyed a visit from artist Pippa Bell, they spent time with her looking at Maritime paintings. Pippa discussed the different techniques the artists had used to create the sea in their paintings such as ' Divisionism’ a technique used by artists which involves breaking colour into its basic elements and painting in very small and regular dots. From a distance the multiple dots form an optical mixture of colour. She also showed the children the way in which the artists had used oil or watercolours, blending, different brush sizes and brush strokes to create the surface of the sea and the formation of the waves.

Children helping Pippa show the class different painting techniques.

Gateshead Primary School Athletics Festival

2008-07-19T17:13:47Z

A team of 22 pupils from Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 represented the school at the Gateshead Primary Schools Athletics Festival on Friday 27th June 2008. Events included the cricket ball throw, javlin throw, long jump, sprint, relay, skipping as well as the long distance run.
Well done to all the children that took part it was a fantastic team effort from everyone of which the school is really proud!

Our Fantastic Team!

School Council Quiz

2008-07-19T16:12:48Z

The school council organised a general knowledge quiz between Bill Quay and our link school Colgate Primary. Six children were chosen to represent their schooI in each team, answering 20 general knowledge questions from our very own quizmaster Mrs Clark. Bill Quay won the first round at Colgate school on 13th June they then went on to win the big re-match held in school on the 24th June.

Well done BIll Quay!

Children taking part in the first round at Colgate school on 13th June.

The big re-match with our very own quizmaster Mrs Clark!

Stadium of Light

2008-07-19T16:02:16Z

Year 5 and 6 had a fantastic day at the Stadium of Light. They spent time with Phil Cowler, one of the resident teachers at the stadium, working on 'Healthy Living'. Everyone produced a beautiful poster incorporating tips for keeping fit and healthy. The highlight of the visit was the stadium tour and the chance to run through the tunnel onto the edge of the pitch. Newcastle fans were nearly tempted to change their team!

Visit to Poland

2008-07-18T13:25:37Z

Sixteen pupils from Years 5 & 6 spent 4 days near Krakow, along with pupils from Hungary & Poland. They visited the famous Salt Mines and Krakow city. Despite mislaying the passports for 10 minutes the trip was a fantastic success. A great time was had by all in Poland and we are looking foward to visiting Hungary and Spain next year!

This was part of the Comenius project.

Lego NXT Robotics Competition 2008 Final

2008-07-04T13:55:16Z

Joseph, William, Megan and Kayleigh from Year 5 represented the school in the Robotics Competition Final against 5 other Gateshead schools at the City Learning Centre on Friday 4th July 2008. The children were given the challenge of programming a robot to do 3 different movements using a light sensor, ultrasonic sensor and a sound sensor. The children then worked together, rising to the challenge with 'The Bill Quay Robots' winning overall. The children won individual prizes and Mindstorm Robotics for the school. Well done!

Kayleigh and Megan rising to the challenge.

Joseph, Megan, Kayleigh and William receiving their winning prize from Mr McKenna.

Visit to Durham

2008-06-27T15:34:01Z

The beautiful city of Durham was the destination of Year 2/3's latest visit. They went to the Archaeology Museum on the banks of the River Wear to take part in a Greek Workshop.
Pupils learned about the Ancient Olympic Games and the events included within them. They then made laurel wreaths - the sign that someone had won their event. No gold medals in those days!
Greek artefacts were handled and examined, while children tried to determine what they were used for. They then had to work out what this object told them about Greek life.
In addition to this, the children learned to write their names using the Greek alphabet and to make some lovely posters decorated with Greek designs.
After lunch they all went on a walk through Durham to admire the Cathedral, Castle and the beautiful cobbled streets.

Emma having great fun taken part in a Greek Workshop.

Life Centre

2008-06-27T13:24:09Z

Whilst the rest of their classes were in Poland, Years 5 and 6 went to the Life Centre to link in with Year 5's Science topic - Keeping Healthy. They looked around the museum and took part in a workshop where they had a go at making a plaster cast for a broken arm, making fake scabs, looking at skulls and planning a healthy diet. They all had a great day.

Aidan had great fun making a plaster cast.