A meeting is to be held in our school on Thursday 9th February at 7.00pm to discuss the proposal to turn our school into a Primary school. We hope you can come along where you can hear more information about the proposal and ask any questions you may have.
It has been brought to my attention that some parents have been using offensive language on the school premises.
I know, as a parent myself, that there may be times when you feel strongly about something that has happened in school and you want to speak to someone about it. But I also feel very strongly that we all, parents and staff alike, should set a good example to the children.
As a school we pride ourselves in the fact that the children respect one another and respect all adults in the school.
Parents swearing at and shouting at staff will not be tolerated and anyone doing so will be asked to leave the school premises.
Staff are always willing to listen to your concerns but this should be done in a calm way, in private, with respect for those around you.
L.Mallin
Head Teacher
Can we please remind parents/carers not to bring cars into our driveway when dropping off and collecting your child. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
You should by now have received a letter from the County Council telling you about the proposed changes to our school, Cambois, Bedlington Station, the Junior High and the High School.
At the end of the document you were given, there is a questionnaire asking if you are in agreement with the proposals or not. Please fill this in - your opinions really do count. You can send the questionnaires back to the address given or bring them into school and we'll put them in an envelope and post them for you.
Unfortunately we still have a large number of children arriving late at school. Lessons begin at 9.00am prompt. I cannot stress enough how important it is for children to be at school on time. Every time they are late they are missing vital learning time. On Monday we will start our 'Beat the Challenge' stickers again. Children will receive their sticker every day they are on time for the first week then during the following weeks random days will be chosen. Mrs Mallin and Mrs Bruce will also be outside at the school gates on random mornings.
Our big focus this year in school is on improving children's reading. The children and staff are working really hard and there is a lot going on in school but we really need YOUR help.
It is very important that you listen to your child read at home - ideally every night. It doesn't have to be a full book - a few pages would be great. If you spend 5-10 minutes every day hearing your child read at home, the difference it makes to their confidence and ability is massive.
The children collect stickers/petals in school every time they read at home and are working towards achieving awards so please support them in this - they love the competition!
Reading is such a vital skill to have and we want our children to do the best they possibly can.
As you will be aware each class was given £10 and asked to 'make it grow' and donate to a charity. We have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity shown by all of you and are pleased to tell you that the following amounts are going to these charities:
Nursery- (amount raised not yet known) - donating to Age UK Northumberland,
Reception - £57.50 - donating to New Home Aids Orphanage in Kenya,
Year 1 - £111.83 - donating to the Owl Sanctuary,
Year 2 - (amount raised not yet known) - donating to Help for Heroes,
Year 3 - £90.00 - donating to RVI Hospital Children's Unit,
Year 4 - £210.42 - used to buy presents which the Salvation Army collected to distribute to local needy children.
Thank you all very much for your support and kindness. The children loved the challenge and it really paid off.
Thank you all very much for the support you have shown the school this term. The children have worked incredibly hard all term and I'm sure you'll agree, did a fantastic job with their Christmas performances.
It has been wonderful seeing so many of you at our events this term.
I can't believe that another year is almost over, but we'll see you all, rested (hopefully!) and raring to go in the New Year.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and I'm looking forward to a fantastic New Year at Stead Lane.
Louise Mallin
Head Teacher
Can we please ask that parents do not bring their cars into the school driveway when dropping off and collecting children. Thank you.
On Friday 16th December school will close at 1.30pm for the Christmas break. PLEASE NOTE: There will be no afternoon Nursery session on Friday 16th December. School will re-open on Wednesday 4th January 2012.
Can you please make sure when bringing your child to school they are safely inside the building before leaving as once the doors are locked your child could be left outside.
We will be putting a suggestion/comment box in the main entrance underneath the staff photographs. If you have any ideas of new things we could do in school or would like to make suggestions of things we could do to make our school even better, please write them down and post them in the box. You don't have to put your name on your idea. We will give all ideas/suggestions due consideration and let you know of any changes/improvements via the newsletter.
We have Christmas Chubbies on sale to raise money for St Oswald's Hospice. There are Santa's and Snowmen and they cost £1.50 each. If you would like to support St Oswald's and buy a Chubbie please call at the school office. Thank you.
The Pharmacist from Boots the Chemist in Bedlington will be in school next Friday morning, 2nd December, to talk to parents/carers about headlice and treatments. If you would like to come along please come to the main entrance at 9am after dropping your child off at their class. The talk will last between 10-15 minutes.
Our school will be closed to all children on Wednesday 30th November 2011 due to strike action by staff. We are very sorry for any inconvenience.
Thank you to everyone who donated to either or both of the above, it is greatly appreciated. You raised nearly £500 in the fun run which will be spent on new books for the children.
Thank you very much for your cooperation regarding the resurfacing of the pathway leading to school. Please make sure you leave a few minutes earlier to walk around to the side gate as this work will continue over the coming weeks. While making the pathway safer for all who use it, we are also supporting students from Northumberland County Council Adult Learning Services who are carrying out the work.
Your child has now received their school photographs. If you would like to buy any please make sure you return your proof card and payment on or before Tuesday 22nd November 2011, any late orders will incur an extra £5.00 late charge. Delivery of photographs will be in approximately 3 weeks from this date, although this does not include late orders
Can you please make sure your child and/or yourselves do not ride bikes, scooters etc; in the school grounds for safety reasons. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Could we please remind all parents of our Year 4 children that their applications for middle school have to be applied for before 31st October 2011, the children risk not being allocated the school of their/parents preferred choice when the forms come in late.
Please be aware that we monitor lateness at all times. Your child being just a few minutes late can have a huge impact on their learning as by the time they get into class and settled they could have missed vital information. Please try and ensure your child arrives in school before 9.00am. Thank you.
As a school we strive to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our children at all times and as part of this we always make children aware of how important it is to be kind to each other. We remind children regularly about what bullying is and that we do not tolerate it in our school. We all work hard, staff and pupils, to make sure of this and feel our hard work should be rewarded. We are therefore taking part in the 'Big Award' this year. This award has a list of criteria which our school must meet and if so we will receive this award. As holders of this award we must then continue to adhere to the criteria and therefore as parents you can rest assured that we are doing everything we can to continue to have a bullying free school.
Children are encouraged to bring water bottles into school so they can have a drink throughout the day. Please note: bottles must contain water and not juice.
We appreciate how hectic home time can be and we need to ensure the safety of the children at all times. Can we please ask that if your child comes out of school and has forgotten something that they wait until all of the other children have been collected by their parents before coming back into school. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
This year we will once again be taking part in the Samaritan's Purse appeal and we are asking for your support. Today you will receive a leaflet with all the information about the appeal. We would be very grateful if you could fill a box and bring it to school before Monday 7th November. If you cannot fill a box we would be very grateful for any of the items suitable to fill a box or wrapping paper, donations or empty shoe boxes. Any queries please see Jen Little. Thank you.
Any parent/carer who would be willing to give up time on a regular basis, starting in September, to come into school and listen to some of our children read are asked to inform their child's class teacher as soon as possible. Thank you.
Could you please make sure your child has returned their school home reading books and any library books they may have at home as soon as possible. Thank you.
Reception will be displaying their lost property items every night from Monday outside the classroom. Lost property from main school will be displayed in the school hall at 3.00pm on Wednesday 20th July and again at 9.00am on Thursday 21st July, if your child has lost items please feel free to have a look! Any items left after Thursday will be
used for spares by school. Thank you.
A black coat has gone missing from Year 1. Please check your child's coat at home in case it has been taken by mistake. Thank you.
While main school re-opens on Wednesday 7th September 2011 our Nursery does not re-open until Monday 12th September 2011.
School will close after lunch on Thursday 21st July at 1.00pm for the summer break and there will be no afternoon Nursery session on this day. Thank you.
A named PE kit and bag is missing from Reception and a jumper and cardigan is missing from Year 2. Please check your child's clothing etc; at home in case items have been taken by mistake. Thank you.
Could we ask that parents sending money into school for lunches, trips etc; please place it in a named purse or envelope especially if it is being handed in at Breakfast Club. Staff deal with money on a daily basis and need to make sure it is handed to the correct person for the correct reason and this is much easier if it is named. School cannot take responsibility for any lost money. Thank you for your cooperation.
On Tuesday 19th July 2011 from 2.00pm until 6.00pm there is a Communtiy Fair at Cambois First School. There will be pony rides, windmill making, circus skills, football, face painting and much more plus from 5.00pm until 6.00pm there will be a music extravaganza. Everyone is welcome to go along!
Your child will receive their milk form today. Please complete and return it as soon as possible. Thank you.
Nursery need some raffle prizes for their Sports Day Raffle, if anyone could donate they would be greatly appreciated. Please hand to any member of staff. Thank you.
Thank you to everyone who donated vouchers to our school, with the Sainsbury's vouchers we have ordered sports equipment and with the Tesco vouchers we have ordered IT equipment. Thank you again.
Unfortunately there have been cases of head lice in school this week. Please check your child's hair regularly and treat where necessary. Thank you.
We have two unwanted raffle prizes from our fair - they are: a voucher for 4 free dance classes at Hunter Theatre Arts in Bedlington Station and: a month's gym pass for June for Hirst Welfare Health & Fitness Centre in Ashington. These prizes are at the school office, if anyone would like them please call there to collect them - first come first served!
Can we please remind all parents/carers not to use the school driveway when bringing and collecting your children from school. We thank you in anticipation of your support in this matter.
Today is the last day for handing orders in for the Puffin books, if you have not done so and would like to still order, our online ordering is open until Tuesday 26th May 2011 at www.puffinbookclub.co.uk then have your order delivered free to our school.
Every year schools send questionnaires out to parents to ask them their views on school life. If your child is in main school and you have not received a copy please pick one up from the school office and take 2 minutes to fill it in and send it back to school with your child. Thank you.
Please could you make sure your child has their P.E. kit in school on the following days:-
Reception-Mondays & Thursdays
Year 1-Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Year 2-Wednesdays & Fridays
Year 3-Wednesdays & Thursdays (plus swimming kit on Thursdays)
Year 4-Tuesdays & Thursdays
P.E. lessons will be held both outdoors and indoors so please make sure they have the correct kit and footwear. Thank you.
Our school will be taking part in National School Sport Week from 27th June until 1st July 2011 where we will be learning how to do some of the sports from the Olympic Games. Sports Day will be held during this week on Wednesday 29th. As part of the National School Sport Week Lloyds TSB are offering schools the opportunity to attend the Olympics or win money towards sports equipment for our school. So we are in with a chance of winning all parents, families and friends of Stead Lane are asked to pledge their support to us by logging onto the website at www.lloydstsb.com/nationalschoolsportweek and entering our school name and postcode - NE22 5JS. Please spare 2 minutes to pledge your support. Thank you.
Can we please stress the importance of naming your child's uniform and PE kit, we always have items going missing and a lot of the time those items are not named. As you can appreciate getting 30 children to change for PE and keep their belongings altogether is a challenge so having named items is a big help. Thank you.
In our school we teach all our children good manners and how to speak appropriately to other children and adults. At all times we treat your children with respect. We would appreciate it if you would support us by ensuring that whenever you are on school premises you speak to children, parents and staff with respect. Thank you.
School closes next Friday, 15th April at 3.00pm for the Easter break and re-opens on Tuesday 3rd April at 9.00am (8.00am for breakfast club).
There will be no healthy tuck shop next Friday, 15th April due to our Royal wedding celebrations.
If anyone has, or knows of anyone, who has a Wii for sale (or to donate) could you please let the school office staff know as we would like one in school. Thank you.
Can we please remind everyone that our Nursery & Reception play area is not to be used as a shortcut through to the main school yard for parents/carers dropping off or collecting children. As you can appreciate there are already a lot of Nursery and Reception parents needing to come and go in here and there just isn't the space for everyone. Could parents/carers also remember that the children should not be using the outdoor equipment before 9.00am and after 3.00pm for health and safety reasons. Thank you for your cooperation in both of these matters.
Mr Whitehead is leaving to start a new job at Easter, we wish him every success for the future - Mrs Robson will be teaching Year 4 for the summer term. Mrs McLean and Mrs Olsen are both retiring at the end of the summer term. We have appointed Mrs Bruce as our new Deputy Head from September.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our recent fundraising events. Our 'Orange Day' raised £176.33 for the Blyth All-Weather Life Boat Appeal and last Friday we raised £195.16 for 'Comic Relief' - Well Done Stead Lane!
Could parents bringing and collecting children from school please remember not to cut through our Nursery and Reception playground area, this area is for Nursery and Reception parents only. Could we also remind you to make sure that your children stay off all outside play equipment when waiting for the school doors to be opened.
After half term we are making a potting shed in school. If you have any indoor unwanted plants, big or small, we would appreciate them. Thank you.
Please remember when sending money into school to make sure it is in a named container eg; purse, envelope or similar. As you can imagine a lot of money for dinner money, trips, breakfast club etc; is handed in every day and if it is not clearly marked it is often impossible to sort. Thank you for your help in this matter.
We are once again collecting Sainsbury's Active Kids and Tesco vouchers, please send any into school with your child and they can post them in our collection boxes. In previous years we have saved for lots of exciting sports and ICT equipment and would like to do the same again. Thank you.
All main school children now have their house badge in the colour of their team. Could you please remind your child to wear this at all times when in school. Thank you.
A child has lost their named school jumper in Year 1. Please check your child's jumper at home and if they have taken it by mistake please return to school. Thank you.
Let's fight them together - 'once a week, take a peek'.
Unfortunately we seem to be experiencing an ongoing problem with head lice and need everyone's support in this matter. Can we please ask that everyone checks their child/children's hair on a regular basis to help combat this problem. Head lice are a normal part of young family life and are nothing to be embarrassed, panicked or ashamed about. They are an established part of school life. Head lice are live insects, their empty eggs are called nits. Lice are wingless insects that hold onto the hair, feeding from the blood on the head. They spread through close contact but contrary to common belief, they do not jump. They do not spread disease and can pass from adults to children and back again. Can we thank you in advance for your continued support and ask you to follow the advice of 'once a week, take a peek'. If you need further advice please contact our school nurse on 829889 or go to the website: www.onceaweektakeapeek.com
We have been advised by the education welfare officer to request that if your child needs time out of school for appointments such as dentists or hospital, that you bring their appointment card to the school office so we can authorise the absence. Thank you for your cooperation.
Over the past couple of weeks we have been doing a lot of work with the children on bullying. We have talked about what to do if you are being bullied or if you think someone else is being bullied. We have talked about what bullying is:
• Intentional - not an accident, a bully hurts someone on purpose.
• Repetitive - this means that the bully hurts someone over and over again.
• Where someone acts like they have more power than another.
The children all know that they must tell an adult so that something can be done.
Food Local Food is once again offering to deliver produce bags to school on a weekly basis for parents/carers to purchase. If you would be interested please let the school office know so we can pass on more information. You can also visit their website at www.foodlocalfood.com.
If you're looking for gifts this Christmas and like using local suppliers then Food Local Food is offering parents and families of Stead Lane an exclusive 10% discount! As well as online gifts which start from £5 you can also place your weekly grocery order and have it delivered to your door with the knowledge that everything is from quality, local suppliers. If you like the sound of this more details can be found on the leaflet available from the school office. Your 10% discount code is SCHOOL
A parent has informed us that if your child has head lice you can get free lotions from the chemists. You must take your child with you and the pharmacist will check their hair and offer you a treatment.
We have had a case of head lice in school this week, can we remind parents of the importance of checking your child's hair regularly and treating any if found. Thank you.
Can we please remind parents that water bottles should only contain water. Research has shown that drinking water throughout the day will hydrate your child and help to maintain concentration. If your child sips on juice throughout the day they are more likely to suffer from tooth decay. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Can we please remind all parents/carers of the importance of bringing children right up to the school door and collecting them from their teacher at 3.00pm especially as the mornings and evenings are often quite dark with the cold winter weather drawing in. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
We have recently had a visit from the fire service. The children's homework is to see if your home is fitted with a smoke alarm. If your home does not have a smoke alarm fitted, the fire service will provide and fit one free of charge. If you are interested please call at the school office then we will forward your details on to the fire service, then someone will be in touch with you to arrange a convenient time to call.
Thank you to everyone who supported our coffee afternoon last Friday, we raised over £40 which has been sent off to Macmillan Cancer Support. Well done!
We are hoping to set up a new parents and friends association here at Stead Lane. If you are interested in finding out more details or becoming involved please give your name at the school office and we will be in touch. Thank you.
Your child's class teacher would like to invite you into school on the evening of either Tuesday 12th or Wednesday 13th October to discuss your child's progress. From Tuesday 5th October there will be appointment sheets outside your child's classroom so you can sign up for an appointment.
Could we remind parents to send children to school with a coat, sometimes it is warm in the morning but the weather changes and we try to play outside unless the weather is extremely bad. Thank you.
Could we please stress the importance of checking your child's hair regularly for head lice and treating anything found immediately. This is an ongoing problem in all schools but with your cooperation we can hopefully limit the number of cases at Stead Lane. Thank you.
Congratulations to all the children who cycled to school on Wednesday. This week 32 children (8 more than last week!) collected a raffle ticket from Mrs Mallin and are now entered into the prize draw to be drawn at the end of half term. We hope to see even more entries next week!
Our class teachers for next year are:
• Nursery - Mrs Rowley
• Reception - Mrs McLean
• Year 1 - Mrs Wing
• Year 2 - Miss Haywood
• Year 3 - Miss Stephenson
• Year 4 - Mr Whitehead
As you will notice we will have new teachers in Years 2 and 3 from September as Mrs Mallin will be acting Head Teacher and Mrs Lockie retires after 28 years at our school. Also retiring is Mrs Paynter after 22 years looking after us at lunch times and Mrs Hunter is leaving us for another job, as is Mr Jones.
During our spring term parent consultation evenings each parent was invited to complete a parent questionnaire to let us know what they liked about our school and what could be even better. The response rate was very high with 95 questionnaires completed. Teachers then consulted with our children to complete a pupils' questionnaire. The results from both groups were extremely positive.Please click on the links below to view the results.
PARENTS Questionnnaire 2010 %.doc
Pupil Questionnaire 2010 percentage.doc
![fact con 2010 004[1].jpg](http://www.steadlanefirst.org/fact%20con%202010%20004%5B1%5D.jpg)
Our Creative Partnerships Banner
On Friday 18th December school will close at 1.30pm for the Christmas break. PLEASE NOTE: There will be no afternoon Nursery session on Friday 18th December. School will re-open on Tuesday 5th January.
Our children enjoyed learning about the environment in school during 'Eco Week'. Visits included Plessey Woods and Rising Sun Country Park. Children also enjoyed a range of activities within school from decorating cotton bags to making music using junk instruments. Congratulations to those children who were winners of our junk modelling competition and received prizes in our celebration assembly. Everyone made a great effort dressing in green on the Friday and we raised a lot of money to sponsor a tiger in Bengal from our cake sale.
We have been asked by Northumberland County Council to inform you that road works will be taking place on the main road outside of our school commencing on Wednesday 11th November. Please do not park on the main road during this time and expect delays. Thank you for your cooperation.
The school photographer is re-scheduled for Tuesday 10th November 2009. Prior arrangements remain the same ie; parents who wish for younger/older siblings to be photographed together must come to school at 8.30am - first come first served basis.
Please click on the link below and look at the tables which show just what your child may be missing through missed days or lateness.
This year we will once again be taking part in the Samaritan's Purse appeal and we are asking for your support. Please pick up a leaflet for more information about the appeal from our school office or look online at www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk. If you can help please send completed boxes into school on or before Friday 20th November 2009.
Our Harvest Festival services will be held on Friday 16th October at Bedlington Colliery Methodist Church. For our KS2 children (Years 3 & 4) the service will be at 10.00am and for Reception and KS1 (Years 1 & 2) the service will be at 1.30pm. Family and friends are welcome to attend either service, please meet us at the Church. We hope to see you all there!
Your child's class teacher would like to invite you into school on the evenings of either Tuesday 13th or Wednesday 14th October to discuss your child's progress. From Monday 5th October there will be appointment sheets outside your child's classroom so you can sign up for an appointment.
Please click on the link below to see the results of our parent and pupil questionnaires for May 2009.
As a staff, we are very keen to reward good work and celebrate excellent behaviour. Following the Easter holidays, we will be introducing a new 'house point' system at Stead Lane. The children will be divided into four 'houses' or teams. Each week merits will be earned for good behaviour, effort, work etc. Individually children will work towards earning Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates. Collectively each team will be competing to win a house treat which the children will choose.
TEAM NAME COMPETITION
We have chosen a 'Space' theme for our teams. Each team will be represented by a different coloured rocket. And now for your cooperation - can you or your child think of four imaginative names for our teams. If so, please complete the slip attached and return to school. A prize will be awarded for the winning suggestion
School will close on Wednesday 23rd July at 1.30pm for the summer break and there will be no afternoon Nursery session on this day. Please fill out a reply slip (available from the office) so we know you are aware of this. Thank you.
Today you will receive your child’s annual written report. While every effort has been made to check each report, if a mistake has slipped through, please accept our apologies and return to school to be corrected. Please sign and return the acknowledgement slip on the back of the report to let us know you have received it. All feedback is appreciated, so if you have any comments (especially positive ones!), that would be great.
Parents may be aware that some schools are closing next Wednesday and Thursday due to industrial action taken by Unison. Stead Lane will not be closed, business as usual!
Our brand new summer lunch menu has been finalised, it will work on a three week rota.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
At this rate the Multi-Sensory Garden will be finished in no time! 03/04/08
Continue reading "Business Enterprise Multi-Sensory Garden - Work in Progress." »
The cost of milk for the Summer Term is £7.50.
If you wish your child to have milk would you please return the Milk Order Form to school by no later than Monday 31st March. Failure to do so will mean that your child does not get milk at the beginning of next term.
Water will be available for those children who do not have milk.
At Stead Lane First School we have a very active school council. Each class has two representatives who have been nominated and elected by their class mates. They meet once a fortnight to discuss issues raised by the children. To help gather ideas, each class has its own suggestion box where children are encouraged to contribute. The council has a secretary and chair person, an agenda is set for each meeting and minutes are recorded. These are displayed in school.
