Bulletin Number

6

ST THOMAS MORE PARTNERSHIP OF SCHOOLS (07900532)

When we welcome the child, we welcome the family

16 October

2015

Tel: 01207 270396 / Email: sacredheartgateshead@stthomasmore.org.uk / Website: www.sacredheartgateshead.org

Congratulations to Year 4/5 who had 98.2% attendance this week Well done to Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4/5 & Y6 who achieved our 95% target

This week our overall attendance was 96.4% Please ensure you make every effort to ensure your child gets to school every day to help us achieve our target

Class Reception Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4/5 Year 6

Attendance 93.9% 95.7% 96.3% 96.5% 98.2% 97.5%

Poor punctuality means your child misses valuable learning time and that lessons are disrupted for all other pupils. Please make sure that your children are in the yard by 8.45am every day.

Dear Parents, Grandparents & Parishioners

It gives me great, great pleasure to announce that Sacred Heart Catholic Primary in Byermoor, which is a St Thomas More Multi Academy Trust Partnership School is officially the first school in the North East of England to attain OUTSTANDING in all areas under the new Ofsted September 2015 criteria. We are the best school in the area by a country mile! It’s been a remarkable turn of events for this Catholic community that bravely fought an attempted closure from Gateshead Council only 4 years ago. The school has, in this time doubled its pupil numbers and gone from requiring improvement to outstanding. The last report as parents know had outstanding teaching and behaviour and good leadership which I was very proud of. This time it's outstanding across the board! This wonderful achievement is a great advert for the strength of Catholic academies in our Diocese. I have to put all the hard work down to the staff and Governors, particularly the strong partnerships with the Multi Academy of St. Thomas More and the support of Jonathan Parkinson and his team which has made all the difference. The resources that the academy has provided has enabled our brilliant staff to make those extra steps to succeed. The fact that in the last few years we have been in the top 1% of schools has supported the outcome. We have always had a great base here with such wonderful children and parents as well as such a supportive parish community at Byermoor. With this you can achieve anything! As parents know our fantastic pre-school is oversubscribed and although the school is rural it continues to be one of the most popular schools in Gateshead and possibly the best. We are trying not to look back but forward. However, it’s hard not too when you see where we were only a few years ago. This Parish and school community will never forget the efforts of so many when its future was in doubt. Although I am only one of two remaining members of staff from that period I am extremely proud of our journey to get the school to where we are now - so congratulations to everyone!

HMI Ofsted Inspector Mr Philip Scott graded the school outstanding in every area which was only the second time he had given this to a school in over 30 inspections. He commented strongly on the family feel the school had as well as the care and consideration that pupils had for each other. It was wonderful to see him recognise the outstanding progress that pupils make due to outstanding teaching. He also praised the dedication of governors and senior leaders as well as the partnerships that exist between the school and parents. Mr Scott also commented that the school benefitted from the expertise of staff from St Thomas More. He was very accurate in his comments having watched many lessons, scrutinised books from this year and last year, spoken to parents, over 49 on line responses, staff, governors, children, listened to children read, spoken to MAT directors, Local Authority inspectors...no stone unturned I can assure you!

This fantastic achievement signals us entering a new chapter in the life of Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School. We are extremely proud of what the school has achieved already - our next challenge is to keep our outstanding status and continue to grow as a school within our outstanding parish and School community - which we will!! NEWS

Mass: Can I encourage as many parents grandparents and parishioners to attend next weeks delayed mass on Friday 23 October at 9.10 am. Fr Kelly has apologised for two cancellations due to funerals and events beyond his control. The children will all attend from Little Hearts to Y6 so please come along. Parking/Disabled Bay: I would also like to remind everybody to please, please, please not park or block the disabled bay in front of school. We have a disabled child that really appreciates the short distance from the bay especially in poor weather.

Gateshead Council have been contacted and this space will be watched – offenders will receive a ticket! Parents are asked not to park in front of the school or stop in the middle of the road. We have a fantastic pedestrian path which is used for walking/dropping children off.

Tubs for Tablets: Finally, just a reminder to parents that the Flora’s Tubs for Tablets scheme started this week. This is a fab scheme from Flora, in partnership with Tesco, to provide schools with FREE Samsung Galaxy touch-screen tablets. Collecting tokens is as easy as 1, 2, 3…

1. Collect Tubs4Tablets tokens inside special 500g tubs of Flora Original or Light and Buttery 500g – available from Tesco stores only from 23rd September 2015

2. Hand the tokens into school – they will then submit them just before Christmas on the 18th December 2015

3. We will send them off to receive a brand new Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0” Wi-Fi 8GB for every 50 tokens collected

These tablets are a fantastic learning resource that will not only help prepare children for the exciting opportunities ahead, but will also bring a whole world of learning to life – allowing them to go on a host of educational adventures without stepping out the classroom.

Homework Club: Please can I make it clear that homework club is not a punishment - homework is part of the schools policy in supporting every child's personal progress. We have lots of children that attend due to parents not being able to help their child for a particular reason due to events on one particular weekend or loss of/ no broadband or even because they would rather the school supported their child as they don't have the capacity to support their own children with homework (case by case basis as we only have two staff at this club) but it is an absolute necessarily that pupils complete homework...none completion of homework will not be completed in homework club this will be completed in school...homework club is purely for parents to request this option. Staff give up their lunch for this club and are applauded for their efforts. Parents need to understand that in all secondary schools non-compliance of school policy will result in detention. Please note that Homework club has changed to a Tuesday lunchtime with Miss Wise, this is to give the children the opportunity to get help in time for the homework hand in day which is a Wednesday. Being late: Can I remind parents that the gates close at 8.50am and lessons starts at 9am - to arrive after 9am is very unsettling for the child and the class - please be on time! Haircuts: A very tiny proportion of the school community have inappropriate haircuts and whilst our governors are not isolating pupils, as many schools do, can I please ask parents not to cut children's hair into styles that make them look different! This includes very short shaved areas, cut side partings and use of gel. Parents will be contacted and asked to take children home to wash out gel and address haircuts. Don't let your child look different and encourage comments that can make them feel different from their peers. Earrings: Again earrings or studs are not allowed in school and parents will be asked to come to school to remove them. No playtimes or PE lessons can take place with earrings - children will read in a supervised environment. The summer holidays are the time to do these things if that's what parents want to do. Please be warned this is school and council policy. Halloween Disco: A reminder that the Halloween Disco is Wednesday 21st October 5-7pm could all forms and money payments be returned to the school office no later than Monday 19th October 3pm. Please note we cannot accept any forms without payment unless this has been agreed with Mr Naughton. Pre-school children must be accompanied by an adult. Can we remind all Parents / Grandparents that children who attend Pre-school and School are the only children that can attend the disco. This is due to Health and Safety and Safeguarding. Parent Consultations: Don’t forget that you have two opportunities to meet your child’s teacher on Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 November. We operate a first come first served basis for appointments so please return the attached form as soon as possible. What's your child doing out of school? Please remember we celebrate all that happens in school and out of school - if your child achieves anything we will make sure everyone knows...e.g. Brownie badges, a swimming gala or football trophy for example. It all contributes to self-esteem of the child which contributes to their all-round well-being and impacts on academic attitudes. SOS! Mini -Vinnie’s would like to help the refugees who are arriving in Europe. In the lead up to winter, they are asking that

any unwanted warm clothes could be brought into school. These would be taken directly to the refugees in a few weeks’ time. Any children’s or adult clothes would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Mini-Vinnie’s! Kingswood Assembly: Today we showed what a fantastic time the children had at Kingswood only three weeks ago. The assembly contained action, play songs and photos...thank you year 5/6 for the memorable experience

Halloween Lunch: Carol is planning yet more tasty treats for the children with a ‘Halloween Spooktacular Lunch’ to be served on Wednesday 21 October. Head Lice: We have had a case of headlice in school this week, please take time to check your child’s hair and treat any unwanted pests. Please remember you can access free treatment solution if you ask your pharmacist. Enterprise Day & Cake Days: On Thursday 3 December we will hold our annual Christmas Enterprise Day. However, in order for classes to raise funds to purchase materials each class will hold a cake day on a Wednesday starting with Reception - Wednesday 14 October, Year One – Wednesday 21 October, Year Two – Wednesday 4

November, Year 3 – Wednesday 11 November, Year 4/5 – Wednesday 18 November and Year 6 – Wednesday 25 November. If parents can send in cakes in a sealed container we would appreciate your support.

Diocese Survey: ‘Forward Together in Hope’ is a renewal programme for the Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. Every Catholic in the Diocese is invited to be part of the discussion on the future shape of the Church in the area and to consider how best to enable viable and flourishing worshipping communities to thrive into the future. The Director of Forward Together in Hope, Fr Jim O’Keefe, is also seeking the views of anyone in the North East so that the Church can learn from ‘how others see us’. You can contribute your views by completing an online survey which is available at www.hope.rcdhn.org.uk

MEMOS AND REMINDERS Monies and Forms: Parents are reminded that dinner money should be sent into school every Monday morning. Also could parents please send all money for all activities and events into school in a named sealed envelope. Loose coins and cash should not be sent into school with your child or given in this way to staff. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Indoor and Outdoor Shoes: Sadly, it is now approaching the time to tell you that the school grounds have, since last week,

become very muddy, very quickly. As has been said before, we would like the children to be able to use the whole site throughout the winter months, and so are encouraging them to bring Wellington boots into school to wear during playtimes - if they’ve not already done so. Children will then be able to play in the small wood as well as on the yard itself. Boots can be stored in school overnight.

PE Kit: A gentle reminder on the theme of PE kits, as the weather becomes colder and damper all children need outdoor kit (trainers, long bottoms and a sweater) as well as shorts and t-shirt for wearing indoors. Please also remember to pack socks for girls who usually wear tights to school. Secondary School Admissions: If you live in Gateshead and your child was born between 1 September 2004 and 31 August 2005 you can apply online for admission to secondary school in September 2016 from Friday 11 September 2014 at www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions. The closing date for applications is 31 October 2015. Little Hearts Pre-School: Admissions into preschool are from when children turn three years old. Please contact Little Hearts. Infant/Primary/Junior School Admissions: If you live in Gateshead and your child was born between 1 September 2011 and 31 August 2012 or 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009 you can apply online for admission to Infant/Primary/Junior school in September 2016 from Friday 11 September 2015 at www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions. The closing date for applications is 15 January 2016. In our Prayers - Prayer booklet: Fr Michael Corbett from St Andrew’s in Newcastle who is very poorly at the moment. We also continue to pray for Isaac Dawson and his family. If there is anyone you would like us to pray for in our school community please drop comments into the prayer box or email the school office and we will remember those intentions in our prayers.

Taken from the Gospel for 18th October 2015 (Mark 10:35-45): A Life of Service (shorter version) READ: James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached Jesus. “Master,” they said to him, “we want you to do us a favour.” He

said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Allow us to sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.” “You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup that I must drink, or be baptised with the baptism with which I must be baptised?” They replied, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “The cup that I must drink you shall

drink, and with the baptism with which I must be baptised you shall be baptised, but as for seats at my right hand or my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted.” When the other ten heard this they began to feel indignant with James and John, so Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” REFLECT: . How does Jesus envisage leadership in

the Church? How may we all live better lives of service?

Happy Birthday: Many happy returns to Josh Manning (14 Oct), James Smith (16 Oct) & Sophie Brennan (17 Oct)

Weekly Assembly Awards:

Little Hearts Star of the Week – Faith Nattrass Brilliant Manners – Hollie Summerside

Mathematician of the Week – India McVeigh Writer of the Week – Finley Gargan

Ms Sloan’s Award – Dolly Ball Head Teacher’s Award – Lily Ball Pupils of the Week: Eliza Adamson-Hopper, Isaac Dawson, Hannah Summerside, T-Jay Slater, Ava Laws, Ruby Sheen and

Roni Doka FORTHCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Wednesday 21 October: Y1 Cake Day – children can bring in £1 & Halloween Disco, 5-7pm.

Thursday 22 October: Individual and Family Group Photographs

Friday 23 October: School closes for half term

Monday 2 November: School re-opens

Wednesday 4 November: Y2 Cake Day – children can bring in £1 & Y6 Liturgy @ 9am

Monday 9 & Tuesday 10 November: Parent Consultations. 3.30-5.30pm.

Wednesday 11 November: Y4/5 Liturgy @ 9am & Y3 Cake Day – children can bring in £1

Friday 13 November: Children in Need. More information to follow

Wednesday 18 November: Y3 Liturgy @ 9am & Y4/5 Cake Day – children can bring in £1

Wednesday 25 November: Y2 Liturgy @ 9am & Y6 Cake Day – children can bring in £1

Wednesday 2 December: Y1 Liturgy @ 9am

Thursday 3 December: Enterprise Day

Wednesday 9 December: Reception Liturgy @ 9am

Monday 14 – Friday 18 December: Class Christmas Parties

Monday 21 December: Carol Service at the Church, 1.15pm

Tuesday 22 December: Advent Liturgy @ 1.15pm, Gold Book Assembly @ 2.15pm & School Closes for Christmas Hols.

On behalf of Fr Kelly, staff and governors may I wish you a happy weekend – have a small glass to celebrate our success!

God Bless. Mr Naughton

NETBALL – JOIN OUR TEAM!!! (YEAR 4/5)

We need another 10 Year 4/5 children to join Netball Club on a Thursday after school. If your child would be interested

please complete this form and hand into the office.

Child’s Name: ……………………………………………………………………………… Class: ………………………………………………..

- My child would be interested in joining Netball Club □

Signed: …………………………………………………………………………………. Date: ………………………………………………………………