Washingwell Primary School

Washingwell Primary School
                                               Tel: 0191 4884400       Email: Admin@washingwell.org.uk
                                                                       Website: www.washingwell.org.uk
                                                                                     @washingwellsch
                                                                                   @washingwellschool

                                                         Newsletter Number: 20
                                                   Date: Friday 7 February 2020
Attendance
                                        Mars      Venus      Neptune      Saturn      Mercury

            Weekly Attendance %         91.5%      98.1%       96.8%       94.4%      85.2%
            Number of late marks           3         1           4            0         0
            Number of children late        1         1           2            0         0
            marks equate to
                         Well done to Venus who have the best attendance this week!

News

Children’s Mental Health Week/Time to Talk Day
We have been taking part in lots of activities this week linking to the focus of Children’s Mental Health
Week; ‘Find Your Brave’. Mrs Tough led an inspirational assembly at the start of the week and shared
stories with the children about how she has overcome some of her fears. The children were then tasked to
think about what their fears are and imagine what their super hero character would look like to help them
face their fears head on. There were super heroes chalked on the yard at break and lunch times, and
some very bright super heroes coloured in during rest and relaxation sessions! Throughout the week, staff
have been observing and have nominated certain children to receive a bravery award in Achievers
Assembly this afternoon! Thank you to everyone who came along to our Time to Talk coffee morning on
Thursday this week.

Skateboarding/Scooting Workshops – Friday 14 February 2020
We are delighted to be welcoming Team Rubicon in to school on Friday next week to host
Skateboarding/Scooting workshops for all children in school. Skateboarding, the newest Olympic sport,
and Scooters are a great way to engage pupils who will be put to the test as they learn a variety of key
skills. This will include balance, coordination and team work. Our aim is to help pupil’s confidence and
social development through sport. All skateboards, scooters, helmets and protective gear will be provided
on the day. Pupils do not need to bring anything from home.

Parent Consultation Appointments
We have recently signed up to an electronic parents evening appointment system. Further information
about how to book your parents evening appointment on either Tuesday 10 or Wednesday 11 March 2020
will be sent to you next week.

Internet Safety Day
Tuesday 11 February 2020 is Internet Safety Day. Mr Barnes will be leading a whole school assembly to
recap key internet safety messages, and there will be various activities taking place in classes throughout
the day.
                                                                                   Continued over …………

-2-
National Schools Breakfast Programme
Bagel Bar @ Washingwell
As you know, we were successful in becoming part of the National Schools Breakfast programme at the
beginning of last year, and our bagel bar has proved to be an extremely popular addition to our school days
at Washingwell. Unfortunately, funding through the National School Breakfast Programme is coming to an
end at the end of this academic year. We are currently looking at options to ensure its sustainability
beyond that of this year to maintain our fuel for learning stance. If you can support in any way, by
suggesting potential funders, or by providing us with a statement about the bagel bar/impact of the National
Schools Breakfast programme to support our funding applications we would greatly appreciate it.

Year 5/6 Visit to Whickham School
Year 5 and 6 children have been invited to Whickham School on Monday to watch the matinee
performance of Beauty and the Beast. Year 5 children in Saturn will therefore miss swimming next week.
This visit is covered under the Short Walks consent form that you signed on your child’s entry to school so
no further permission is required.

Nutri-Troops Captains
Last term, children in Venus and Neptune took part in a Nutri-Troops session as part of our
affiliaition to Gateshead Health and Wellbeing Service. In order to progress with the programme,
four children from Neptune have become Nutri-Troops Captains and attended a session on
Tuesday this week to learn more about their role in engaging KS2 children to lead healthy
lifestyles.

Stop Means Stop!
Gateshead Council have launched a road safety campaign called Stop Means Stop to remind
motorists that they must stop when they see a School Crossing Patrol raise their sign.

The campaign has been launched in response to a number of near misses where officers or their
signs have been almost hit by motorists. The safety of employees is paramount and the public
need to be reminded how dangerous it is for employees and those crossing the road when
motorists fail to stop.

Road safety officers will be attaching signs to lampposts and handing out leaflets in areas where
failing to stop is an issue. The signs give a simple message – ‘Stop means stop’ as motorists face
the same penalties if they do not stop if they see a raised crossing patrol sign in the middle of the
road as driving through a red light.

                                                                                  Continued over …………

-3-

Everyone in Gateshead needs to act to tackle the threat posed by climate change. Carbon
emissions need to be reduced to zero by 2030, it won’t be easy, but we can do this by working
together.
We want your views to help develop the Zero Carbon Gateshead action plan. Please take part
before 20 March 2020. www.gateshead.gov.uk/climatechange

Forthcoming Events and Key Dates
 Planned Staff Training and Arranged Class Cover for the week ahead.
 Staff Member           Class      Date                                                 Cover
 Mrs Erskine            Mercury    Tuesday 11 February 2020 – Afternoon                 Mr Walker
 Mrs McCue              Saturn     Thursday 13 February 2020 – Full Day                 Mr Walker
 Mrs Evered             Venus      Thursday 13 February 2020 - Afternoon                Mrs Girling

Monday 10 February 2020
Afternoon – Year 5 and 6 Visit to Whickham School (Matinee Performance of Beauty and the Beast)

Tuesday 11 February 2020
Internet Safety Day
Whizz Kids Valentines Disco 3.20 – 5.30pm.

Friday 14 February 2020
Whole School Skateboarding / Scooting Workshops
3.20pm – School Closes for Spring Half Term

Monday 24 February 2020
INSET Day

Tuesday 25 February 2020
8.55am – School re-opens for second half of Spring Term.
Afternoon – Saturn Forest School Session

Wednesday 26 February 2020
Morning – Animal Antics Workshop in Venus

Thursday 27 February 2020
KS2 MELVA Workshops – see information sent home today.

Wednesday 4 March 2020
9.15am – Mercury Showcase Event (Mercury Parents invited to attend)

Thursday 5 March 2020
World Book Day ….. In the land of make believe!

Friday 6 March 2020
Afternoon – Venus Visit to Gateshead Library (Liz Million Author Visit/Workshop)