Keystage 1 children took part in a Water Safety Assembly. John came into school to talk to the children about how to stay safe near water. The children learnt the top 10 reasons people have accidents e.g: - diving in shallow water, being silly and thinking you are abetter swimmer than you actually are.

Year 1 recently visited the Centre for Life as part of their space topic. The children took part in an 'alive in space' workshop and planetarium visit. The children went into space on their very own shuttle and explored the planets in our solar system. They had lots of fun and learnt interesting facts about the stars and the universe.

Rebecca from Nexus spoke to Keystage1 children about the dangers of playing near the metro and how to be safe when using the metro.

Owen said he would remember some of the rules to help keep him safe.
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Year 1 visited Broomhouse Farm. First they walked around the farm on a treasure hunt looking for things a bird would use to make his nest. After the treasure hunt they went to the orchard to see all the fruit trees and had a smell of fresh rhubarb. They checked for hens in the hen house and Mrs Rutherford held a hen for them to stoke. Then they saw baby piglets with their mums, smelly cows and new born lambs that had been born that day! After learning how the farm made food for their animals and other people, they had a play in the forest where there was amazing climbing frame areas.

Year 1 went to Gateshead City Learning Centre to learn how to make electronic sounds. The children thoroughly enjoyed it and made their own compositions to take home.

Year 1 and Year 2 took part in Multiskills Competitions at Heworth Grange School. Year 1 enjoyed competing in the competition against Wardley School. The children all tried very hard, although Wardley did manage to beat them in the competition this time! Year 2 were split into 3 teams and enjoyed taking part in all the sports challenges along with 2 other schools. One of our groups came 2nd!!

Everyone had a great time.

Year 1 stepped back in time this week with a visit from Richard, from St. Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead. As part of a Victorian workshop, Richard talked to the children about Victorian Homes and he showed them the different kinds of toys that children in the Victorian times would have played with including the Jacob's ladder, Jacks and the cup and balls.

The children had great fun playing with all the toys and learning about them!

As Year 1 arrived at the synagogue they were greeted by the Rabbi and were offered the choice of wearing a kippah (Jewish scull cap). All of the boys wore a kippah and even some of the girls!
After taking their seats in the temple of worship, they were told the story of Moses and how he led the Jews out of Egypt. Year 1 then acted out the story which helped them remember what happened. They were then told what happens during Jewish festivals like the Passover and got to have a look at the magnificent Torah (Jewish sacred book). The Rabbi showed them how he wore his tallit shawl when reading the Torah. They also learnt the symbol of the Jewish people which is the Magen David, also known as the Star of David. The Rabbi showed them the Menorah which holds the seven candles displayed in a Jewish synagogues. It symbolises the burning bush as seen by Moses on Mount Sinai. He also told them about the nine candle- holders which are only used during the Jewish festival of Hanukka. They leant how the Jewish holy day of the Sabbath starts at sunset on Friday and continues until sunset on Saturday. During which time the Jews do nothing that might be counted as work. After the Rabbi kindly answered all their questions, they thanked him for inviting them into his place of worship. The children had a fun filled morning learning all about Judaism.

Year 1 visited the CLC at Gateshead where they had great fun using the software programme 'Photo Story' to write a recount of the seaside.

Children working hard on their recounts.

Year 1 pupils visited the Centre for Life this term as part of their topic, ' My Body' . They were given the opportunity to and compare finger prints, as well as looking at hot and cold effects on the body.

Children building their skeletons.

Year 1 met with Firemen from the local Fire Station to learn about Fire Safety in the home. They took part in a wide range of activities including watching a short Fireman Sam DVD , playing Guess the Hazard and learning rhymes to help them remember the main fire safety messages, The talk was delivered in a fun way which enhanced the children's knowledge about fires and fire safety. The rhymes were catchy and the children were still chanting them on exit of the classroom!

Children having fun taking part in the activities!

Year 1 enjoyed a Body Workshop at the Centre for Life. They got the opportunity to and compare finger prints as well as looking at hot and cold effects on the body.

Children enjoying building skeletons!

Children having fun while visiting the centre.

Year 1 stepped back in time on Wednesday with a visit from Richard, from St. Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead. As part of a Victorian workshop, Richard give them the opportunity to guess the use of a range of household objects. He went on to talk about toys they play with today and showed them the different kinds of toys that children in the Victorian times would have played with including the Jacob's ladder, pick up sticks and the top and whip. The children had great fun playing with all the toys and learning about them!

Children having great fun playing with all the toys!

This week our pupils have been performing their Christmas Shows and they have all been a great success.

There are certainly some budding stars in the making!

Reception Class performed 'Jesus in a Manger' a traditional nativity play, their acting and singing was tremendous!

Year 1 and Year 2 performed 'A Creepy Crawly Christmas' a thoroughly entertaining show along with brilliant acting and singing from all of the children!

Year 3 performed 'A Tale of two Birthdays'. This tale had action, adventure, magical characters, lots of laughs along with a superb performance from all the children!

Year 4 & 5 performed 'Dick Whittington and his Cat' a popular and well-loved story about Dick, who was down on his luck and decided to head for the city of London to see if the streets were really paved with gold. The show had catchy songs, lots of laughs and of course a 'happy ever after' ending. Providing a great recipe for a thoroughly entertaining show along with fantastic acting and singing from all of the children.

Year 6 performed 'Hansel and Gretal an adaptation of the popular fairytale. Hansel was imprisoned while Gretal 'force fed' him in order to, as the old witch put it 'fatten him up for the Christmas pot! It was great fun to watch with its witty script, catchy songs and some real 'character acting' from the children.

Children rehearsing for their shows!

This term, Year 2 pupils were treated to an alternative Nativity when Zoo Lab visited school! Pupils were given the opportunity to hold some of the animals which may have been in the stable in Bethlehem, but are often forgotten. These included: cockroaches, snakes and rabbits! Lucy Strophair said, "It was really good, because the man brought in some creepy animals. We got to hold a few and learnt about the story of Jesus. My favourite animal was the bunny rabbit, but I was scared of the tarantula!"

Year 2 pupils getting the opportunity to hold some of the animals.

Year 1 were also treated to a visit from Zoo Lab, they learnt in a fun way about the animals that live on the forest floor in the Rainforest.

The children enjoyed touching and holding everything from millipedes to snakes!!!

Year 1 visited Broomhouse Farm and thoroughly enjoyed picking turnips, feeding the pigs and even collected free range eggs for the farmer!!!

Children having fun picking turnips.

Children collecting free range eggs for the farmer!

Children enjoying riding around on the farm