This week the whole school has been looking at Anti Bullying in connection with National Anti Bullying Week. Our whole school assemblies have focused on why people bully and what can be done to stamp out bullying in schools. On Friday in the whole school assembly each class acted out their own anti bullying campaign performance and Mrs Messengers class sang thier own anti bullying song.
Monday 17th November saw the whole school take part in an 'Enterprise Day' in the style of Dragon's Den. Children in Key Stage 2 were organised into mixed age groups with Year 6 pupils taking the lead. Each group designed and created something to sell at the Christmas Fayre. They presented their ideas to 4 dragons who then chose one group to produce a Christmas shaker for the fayre. One of the dragons was Mr Patterson a Governor for maths and business enterprise.
Children sharing ideas on their product.
.
Children working together on their Christmas crackers idea.
The winning prototype.
Our school took part in National Road Safety Week last week in conjunction with Brake, the National Road Safety Charity. Throughout the week the whole school took part in a variety of road safety activities including learning a song to help us cross the road safely and listening to PC Dixon who came into school to raise our awareness of the potential dangers when crossing the road.
You can click on the link below to find out more information about Brake, The National Road Safety Charity.
Harvest Festival took place at Bill Quay Church at the end of half term. Children in both Key Stage 1 and 2 took part singing and performing to the community. Thanks to all the parents who attended and who donated food, which was given to the residents of Cromwell Court.
Reception 'The Little Red Hen'
Year 1 & 2 'Tattybogle'
Key Stage 'Harvest Rock & Roll'
To celebrate 'Everybody Writes Day' on Friday 24th October, a giant came to school!
The day involved children writing police reports, letters back to the giant and newpaper articles. PC Dixon and a photographer spoke to pupils about their jobs and Mr Stott, Mrs Brown and the school cook acted as witnessess. Clues such as a giant key, a huge biscuit and a giant footprint were used to stimulate pupils' writing.
Footprint left by the giant!
The Key the Giant left behind!
Money the Giant dropped.
To coincide with National Poetry Day and National Book Week, all pupils took part in their own book week which had a magic theme! Children listened to, read and wrote the own poems throughout the week, and produced work based on a magical story. All children visited Pelaw library to hear poems, and poetry recital winners from each class were chosen to recite their poems to the school. The book fair visited school and children were given the opportunity to purchase books of their choice, also on the Friday of book week everyone got the chance to dress up as a magical character from a book, it was great fun! Each class will display their work in the classroom or corridors.
On Friday 17th October our school took part in a national event happening throughout October called The Big Draw. This event is to try and encourage children to do more drawing. On Friday every child in school got the chance to design and draw their own super hero. Andrew Adams from year 3 said "I really enjoyed painting my super hero."
On Friday Dr Brendon Renwick came in to do a music workshop with key stage one. The children really enjoyed the music session with Dr Renwick investigating and distinguishing between high and low sounds. children were invited to try a variety of strange instruments, ranging from a carrier bag to a piece of garden hose. Dr Renwick also taught us some action rhymes.
The children look like they are having great fun
This week we had a visit from Operation Christmas Child which we support every year. It gives our children a great opportunity to share gifts that are personal to them with some of the poorest and most marginalised children in the world. All you need to do is follow the instructions in the promotional leaflet and send your shoe box into school with your child if possible, before the end of October.
Children listening to the story about Mungo the bear as he travells from a toy shop to a shoe box heading for Liberia.
In the main school hall, on Friday 12th September 2008, our school held a Heritage Open Day. People from within our local community had the wonderful opportunity to come into school and find out about Bill Quay's journey through time in a special talk by Mary Richardson.
.
Welcome to Miss Forster's Class.
The children in Miss Forster's class are intergrated throughout the school into there appropriate year groups.
Keystage 1 and 2 children had the fantastic opportunity this week of meeting Jose Hofstede, author of the children's books Brave Hunter, who came all the way from the Netherlands to visited our school. She talked to the children about writing her books (which took her about 6 hours to write just 3 pages). She also told the children about the characters in her books and showed them her website. Then she read them a chapter from the first Brave Hunter book she wrote. The children thoroughly enjoyed listening to the story and are looking forward to buying her book and finding out what happens next in the story in.
Children reading some of the characters in her books.
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!
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.
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!
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!
Bill Quay parents and children took part in International Job Week 19th - 24th May where parents were invited into school to talk about the jobs they do. We had a wide range of occupations from Tax Inspector to Model Maker. We also had a visit from the Northumbria Police and the Tyne and Wear Fire Service. Children also had the opportunity to visit thier parents place of work.
Model Maker Mr Tomlinson showing children examples of his work.
During African Week we were visited by Heather and Colin who told us all about the Mercy Ships. A global charity that operates a fleet of hospital ships in developing nations to promote health and well-being. It does this by serving the urgent surgical needs of the people. The Anastasis and the African Mercy ships serve the poor countries in Africa helping to give the people who live there a better quality of life.
Heather telling us all about the Mercy Ships.
Linked to our African week in school Mr Treherne came in to do some African drumming with us. We learnt how to sound out our names on the drums, play some different rhythms together and how to do an African dance.
Mr Treherne showing us different African drums.
We had great fun playing them!
Taffy Thomas, a storyteller from Grasmere, and his wife Chrissy came into school to tell us some stories. Key Stage 2 children spent an hour with him first then it was the turn of Key Stage 1. Taffy told us some riddles and some stories which some people got to join in with. He then showed us his £4,000 ‘Tale Coat’ and ‘Porky Pie Hat’ which was made by Paddy Killer, a textile artist from Gateshead. Each picture on the coat refers to a story in Taffy's repertoire and some of the children were able to choose a story by pointing at a picture. Each class were also left a picture of Taffy in his coat to colour in.
Finally, Taffy reminded us that if speaking was more important than listening we'd have two tongues and only one ear!
Wow Taffy's coat looks amazing!
Key Stage 2 children were visited last week by the 'Nowt As Strange As' music workshop. Each class spent an afternoon with Lily and Dave learning about music from the North East. They listened to 'When the boat comes in' more commonly known as 'fishy on a dishy' and learnt to sing the chorus. Children in Year 5 had a go at step dancing to the Morpeth rant before finding an instrument each to join in playing along to a flute tune from Durham called the Rusty Gully. Year 6 children had the opportunity to accompany Lily and Dave on the penny whistle playing along to the tune of Hot Cross Buns.
There's most definately some budding musicians in the making!
A big thank you to all parents, grandparents, relatives and friends who joined us on Friday for our Science Fair. All our classes enjoyed these extra special science lessons and were involved in some super investigative experiments.
Children enjoying carrying out their investigations.
On Friday 14th March 2008 the whole school took part in Sporting Friday. Children came to school dressed as their favourite sporting personality in order to raise money for Sports Relief.
A big thank you to everyone for their effort and support!
Ewan and William looked brilliant dressed as Lance Armstrong one of the worlds best cyclists and France Klammer former Austrian alpine ski racer.
Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 pupils performed at this year's Gateshead Dance Festival at Gateshead Leisure Centre on Thursday 13th March 2008 as well as children from other schools around Gateshead. Mrs Hilton worked with the group during the spring term in preparation for the evening. Their performance to 'Fever ' by 'Peggy Lee ' was outstanding.
Well done to everyone who took part!
Reception Class Mrs M Lewis
Year 1 Ms D Calder
Year 2/3 Ms C Gaffing
Year 4 Mrs J Ferguson
Year 5 Mrs B Dick
Year 6 Ms V Ender
Children at Bill Quay, along with nearly 300,000 students from around the world, took part in 'World Maths Day' on 5th March 2008. This year World Maths Day broke the record and became the largest ever educational event! It's aim was to raise numeracy standards in a fun and meaningful way through children taken part in a global online maths challenge. The children united to set a world record in answering mental arithmetic questions in four categories: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
At Bill Quay we took the event even further and had a whole day of mathematical fun! All the children enjoyed maths activities that incorporated other areas of the curriculum such as art, outdoor games, design technology and literacy.
Victoria and Lucy just about to take part in the global online maths challenge
Children enjoying maths activities outdoors.
12 Araucana Chicken eggs have arrived in Year 5. They are being incubated and are due to hatch on the 18th March 2008.
Check this space for news on the chicks arrival.
Children from Years 5 & 6 took part in a Skipping and Cheerleading Festival at Gateshead Leisure Centre on 27th February 2008 along with children from other schools around Gateshead. Their performance to 'Jump' by 'Girls Aloud' was absolutely brilliant!
A big cheer to everyone who took part!
Since September Key Stage 2, on an afternoon, have been engaged in a variety of sports activites. They have had the opportunity to work alongside professional coaches in Karate, Tennis and Ball Skills.
Dates for your diary
Wednesday 6th February Year 6 at 9.10am
Wednesday 13th February Year 5
Wednesday 27th February Reception
Wednesday 5th March Year 1
Wednesday 12th March Year 4
Wednesday 19th March Year 2/3
The following after school clubs are taken place this term:
• French
• ICT
• Dance
• Skipping and Cheerleading
• Board Games
• Drama
• Outdoor Games
• Art and Craft
Christopher McKitten from Year 4, was chosen by the school, to attend an exclusive day out in a premier executive box at the Stadium of Light on 13th January 2008, courtesy of The Teacher Suppy Agency North East.
He enjoyed a fun packed day including a pre-match meal, refreshements while watching the Sunderland game, a free match day programme and the chance to meet the Sunderland stars both past and present.
Christopher said he had a fantastic day and to top it all off Sunderland won!
Christopher receiving his tickets for the 'Exclusive Day' from Anthony Kirtley, Buisiness Development Co-ordinator of The Teacher Supply Agency North East.
Bill Quay Primary School had a very special visitor who popped into school just before Christmas.
Can you guess who it was?
Yes your right it was Santa, he came into school with presents for all the children then he set off on his sleigh, with Rudolf and all his reindeers, to deliver presents to children all over the world on Christmas Eve.
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 5 performed 'Santa's on Strike'. In their show we heard from the elves that Santa had gone on strike as he no longer believed that children deserved a visit from him on Christmas Eve. The elves in their desperation to save Christmas showed Santa the comically frantic time families can have leading up to the big day and helped Santa to see children more than doing their bit to ease the pressure.
It was a fantastic performance from all the children!
Year 1
Year 5
Year 2/3 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.
Year 4 performed 'The Stars Come Out For Christmas'. In their show we were transported to Holly-wood in Tinsel-town for a Christmas awards ceremony to find out which of our favourite Christmas 'stars' would be presented with the 'Cracker'. The most prestigious award for 'Outstanding Contribution to Christmas'.
The acting and singing was brilliant!
Year 6 performed 'Snow White'. This traditional tale had action, adventure, magical characters, 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.
Bill Quay School would like to say a great big 'THANK YOU' to everyone for all their support in making the Christmas Fayre a huge success. The amount raised was a staggering £800.
On Wednesday 11th December the children of Bill Quay School were transported to the magical setting of Pantoland by Chaplin's Gold Pantos where, they meet Jack and all his friends. The children cheered their hero Jack, booed the evil Mayor Botchett, sang along to some well known songs and even had the opportunity to dance alongside Barmy Bosworth and Dimples the cow.
All the children enjoyed some good old fashion fun!
Meeting the characters was fun!
Singing along to the songs was brilliant.
Dancing with Barmy Bosworth was great.
The school choir have been entertaining many people throughout the area this week. On Tuesday they sang in Eldon Square to help raise money for the Children's Foundation. They sang a mixture of modern and traditional carols.
On Wednesday they went to Pelaw Library to give some festive music to the coffee morning. Many people commented on the choirs lovely singing .
The school and Mrs Messenger are very proud of their efforts!
Our whole school assembly this week was held by visitors from the Discovery Museum in Newcastle. They explained all about Christmas traditions from the past that have led to the way we celebrate now.
Did you know Father Christmas traditionally wore green?
Coca-cola changed his outfit to match their advertising!
Children taking part in the assembly.
Children from Reception Class through to Year 6 took part in a craft morning on 7th December 2007. They invited their relatives into school where they worked alongside them, making lots of lovely Christmas crafts and gifts that will be sold at the Christmas Fayre on Friday 14th December commencing 1.30pm.
Parents and children in Year 5 working together making beautiful Christmas houses
.
Chilren in Year 2/3 working alongside parents to create fantastic glittering decorations
.
The whole school took part in Fab Food Funhouse Roadshow Day to raise awareness of healthy eating.
In the morning, Key Stage 1 helped to sort food into different food groups using a big food wheel.
Pupils in Key Stage 2, in the afternoon, had to complete physical activity challenges to score points for their team and played games such as 'Play your Cards Right', 'Meal or No Meal' and 'Strike it Lucky'. To score points they needed to answer questions about healthy food choices. The team with the highest score in Gateshead will go on to represent Gateshead at a regional roadshow.
Fingers crossed we make it through!
Key Stage 1 children helping to sort the food into the right food groups.
Keystage 2 having great fun!
On Friday 23rd November Year 6 children took part in 11Million Change Over Day. They worked alongside adults in school for part of the day finding out about their world of work.
Emily and Natasha enjoyed working alongside Janice and Janet in the kitchen.
This week the whole school has been looking at Anti Bullying and our whole school assemblies have focused on why people bully and what can be done to stamp out bullying in Bill Quay School.
On Friday the whole school joined in 'Blue Friday' and came to school wearing blue clothing also, during assembly each class acted out their own anti bullying campaign performance.
Y2/3 acting out their performance.
Mrs Hilton and Mrs Messenger have recently visited Budapest in Hungary, as part of the Comenius Project.
They took a tourist guide of our local area made by Year 6 to give to each country within the project and received a tourist guide about Leon in Spain, Krakow in Poland and Budapest in Hungary.
The teachers were introduced to the Hungarian school system and the similarities and differences to our own. Pupils begin at the age of 6 or 7 and continue until the age of 16. They had a tour of the school, observed English and Music lessons and even took part in their own handcraft lesson where they made Christmas cards. They were made to feel very welcome and had a fabulous time.
The next project meeting will be held in Bill Quay in March were pupils and teachers from each of the countries will be coming to take part in many activities within our school.
Reception Class
Classroom in the Budapest school they visited.
Can you spot the difference between our classrooms and theirs?
On Friday 16th November 2007 the school council organised a non-school uniform day in support of Children in Need. A final cheque was sent to Children In Need for £60.00.
Thanks to everyone for their support.
Bill Quay School Choir had the privilege of singing at the opening of the local Aldi store this week. They performed 3 songs, to the customers delight and had the opportunity to meet the mayor and mayoress of Gateshead and have their photograph taken with them.
A fantastic performance!
Children within Keys Stage 2 who took part in the NUFC coaching sessions, were given the chance to visit St James' Park on a guided tour. They saw the player's luxurious dressing room and showers, Sam Allerdyce's heated seat, the poor quality away team changing facilities and how they compared to the home team's. Children were shocked to discover that corporate boxes cost from £10,000 - £40,000 and that the special lighting for the pitch to make it ultra green costs at least £200,000. What a lot of money!
The poor quality away team changing facilities.
Children were invited to take part in the 'Community Soccer Challenge' this week. This sponsored fund day involved the children taking three penalties into an inflatable goal with an integral radar that recorded the speed of each shot. Each child received a certificate and there were medals for the fastest shot by a boy and girl in each class. Monies raised for the school, will go towards school funds to provide much needed resources.
What a brilliant shot!
Harvest Festival took place at Bill Quay Church at the end of half term. Children in both Key Stage 1 and 2 took part singing and performing to the community. Thanks to all the parents who attended and who donated food, which was given to the residents of Cromwell Court.
Reception Class
Year 1
Year 2/3
Year 2/3
Open Nights
Week commencing Monday 15th October
One of Mrs Hilton's open nights will be after half term on Monday 29th October
Spooky Disco - Friday 2nd November 5.30pm - 7.00pm
Christmas Events
Christmas Art and Craft Morning - Friday 7th December 10.00am
Christmas Fayre - Friday 14th December 1.30pm
Christmas Pantomime
Wednesday 12th December 1.30pm (Jack and the Beanstalk)
Christmas Plays
Reception and Year 1 - Monday 17th December 10.30am
Year 5 and Year 6 - Monday 17th December 1.45pm
Year 2/3 and Year 4 - Tuesday 18th December 1.45pm
Christmas Parties
Reception and Year 1 - Wednesday 19th December 1.20pm
Year 2/3 and 4 - Thursday 20th December 1.20pm
Year 5 and Year 6 - Friday 21st December 1.20pm
Trish and Carol from the Operation Christmas Child appeal, talked to the children about the importance of collecting items for their shoe boxes which, will be delivered to needy children in Romania. Trish gave examples of the sorts of things which the children would appreciate in their shoe boxes.
We would like the boxes to be returned to school during the week after half term.
The children in Reception and Years 1 & 2 enjoyed taking part in sports day this week, representing different countries around the world. They had to complete a circuit of PE activities where they accumulated points as they moved from one activity to another.
The overall winner was Sweden, well done!
This is our yard today.
Plans and meeting are going to be held shortly and this could be our yard in the future.
A team of 20 pupils from Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 represented the school at the biggest ever Gateshead Primary Schools Athletics Festival. A massive 47 schools took part and events included the cricket ball throw, javlin. long jump, sprints and skipping as well as the long distance run!! The children had great success, with many of the pupils getting through to the semi finals and finals. Alice Cassidy (sprint), Libby Sinclair (sprint) and Sarah Morris (1800m) were all medal winners in their events, well done girls!!!
A fantastic team effort from everyone of which the school is really proud.
KS2 took part in a Record Breaking Walking Bus. We walked from school, along the River Tyne to Hebburn Quay. Our community policeman P.C Dixon accompanied the 'bus' and Gateshead Road Safety Officer Maureen Laverick, adjudicated for the Guiness Book of Records breaking attempt.
Thursday14th June 2007 Year 4 - 9.00am
Wednesday 20th June 2007 Year Reception - 9.00am
Thursday 28th June 2007 Year 1/2 - 9.00am
Thursday 5th July 2007 Year 3 - 9.00am
Thursday 12th July 2007 Year 5 - 9.00am
Thursday 19th July 2007 Year 6 Leavers Assembly - 2.00pm
Year 1 through to Year 6, enjoyed a visit by the Theatre of Today Company who performed a show called 'Hansel and Gretel.' The very well known tale of a little girl and boy who came across a house made of candy was very entertaining. It also had a moral that you should never talk to strangers, don't be too greedy in what you want and always listen to a responsible adult.
On Thursday 19th April 2007 Years 4, 5 and 6 took part in the 'Young Engineers Project'. Working in pairs they designed and made various structures using K-NEX such as Cam, vehicles and fairground rides. The children's models were then judged and 2 pupils from each year were awarded a prize.
Year 4 working towards the challange.
Year 4 Winners!!
Year 5 working alongside Mr Brown from the the Young Engineers Project.
Year 5 Winners!
Year 6 working in pairs sharing their ideas.
On Thursday evening 14 children from our school represented Bill Quay at the Felling Swimming Gala. We enjoyed a successful evening, our girls won the shield, coming 1st place and overall we came second.
Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 pupils performed at this year's Gateshead Dance Festival on Thursday 15th March. Pupils performed 2 dances titled 'Planet Earth and 'Nightmare'. Mrs Messenger and Mrs Hilton worked with the groups during the spring term in preparation for the evening. Staff received lots of praise for both displays.
Nightmare
Planet Earth
Brake, The National Road Safety Charity
Helpline for people affected by road crashes: 0845 603 8570
A death on the road is sudden, violent and unexpected - bereaved victims deserve Government-funded support. But Home Office funding for Brake’s bereavement pack is being withdrawn. Sign Brake’s petition to save our bereavement pack. Click here for more details…
VISIT OUR WEBSITES TODAY!
www.brake.org.uk
www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk
COULD YOU HELP EDUCATE OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY ABOUT ROAD SAFETY?
BRAKE PROVIDES FREE ROAD SAFETY TRAINING TO VOLUNTEERS!
EMAIL
IWANTTOHELP@BRAKE.ORG.UK TODAY!
COURSES INCLUDE COMPANY DRIVER SAFETY, COMMUNITY CAMPAIGNING AND FAMILY SAFETY.
Our multicultural project culminated in an assembly at the end of the week. Each class took it in turn to present their work about countries they studied. This included music, singing and dancing.
Reception
Year 1/2
Year 3
Year 4/5
Year 5/6
Helping you child with SATS.
KS1 Presentation
Download file
KS2 Presentation slides1 to 10
Download file
KS2 Presentation slides 11 to 21
Download file
Year 4, 5 and 6 are currently studying the Aztecs / Mexico. As Part of the topic, they visited Chiquitos restaurant to sample a range of traditional Mexican food.
Musicians played a range of music from countries around the world including China, Brazil, Trinidad and India. The children thoroughly enjoyed singing along and playing on a range of percussion instruments.
Bill Quay Primary School had a very special visitor just before Christmas. Santa popped in to see all the children and gave them a present then he set off on his sleigh, with Rudolf and all his reindeers, to deliver presents on Christmas Eve.
The Christmas Choir have been out and about in the community this month singing their hearts out and impressing the public with their sweet melodic voices. They sang a variety of carols at Pelaw library, Cromwell Court and Gateshead Indoor Market.
BILL QUAY PRIMARY SCHOOL - After School Clubs
The following after-school clubs will take place next term from 3.10 – 4.10 unless otherwise stated.
Tuesday Dance 29th Jan - Easter Rec/Y1 Mrs Hall
Tuesday Technology 29th Jan - Easter Y3/Y4 Mrs Bone
Wednesday ICT 29th Jan - Easter Y1/2 Mrs Welsh
Wednesday Dance 19th Jan - 9th March Y3/Y4 Mrs Messenger
Thursday Chess 1st Feb - Easter Y5/Y6 Mr Jones
Friday Dance 19th Jan - 9th March Y5/Y6 Mrs Hilton
There is a charge (as shown) for the clubs detailed below.
Monday Hockey 29th Jan - Easter Y4 - Y6 Hockey Coach
£12 for 8 weeks
Thursday 3.10 – 4.40 Cookery 18th Jan - 8th March KS1 R - Y2
Gateshead Services £25 for 6 weeks (Includes all ingredients)
The following clubs are for Early Risers and are from 7.50am to 8.50am
Tuesday Hip Hop Dancing 16th Jan - 13th Feb KS2 Y3 - Y6 Dance Teacher <