Keep up to date with all the news happening in the school at the moment. Articles are added during the week. Parents are encouraged to check regularly. Our weekly newsletter, emailed directly to parents, summarises content for the week.

• Attendance and Punctuality

  Fri 26 Apr 2024

  We often communicate the critical importance of regular attendance and punctuality at our school, and today, I must address this issue once more.

   

  Our current attendance rate for pupils of statutory school age stands at 94.4%. While this is a testament to the commitment of the vast majority of our families, it unfortunately falls short of both the government’s and Northumberland Council’s targets.

   

  We fully appreciate that everyone can be poorly from time to time and take this into account when we analyse the data. Both we still need to be mindful of the fact that regular attendance is not only a legal requirement but also a foundational element for academic success and overall well-being. It is concerning to note a specific issue with a number of pupils arriving late, which results in them missing the attendance mark for that session. This not only disrupts their learning process but also affects their ability to integrate smoothly into the day’s activities. It can also be distracting for the other pupils in the classroom.

   

  Arriving late means a child may miss crucial teaching moments, leaving them uncertain about the tasks at hand and unable to fully participate in the lesson. This is particularly detrimental as Literacy or Mathematics are often scheduled as the first lesson of the day. Hence the children miss the same subjects. Persistent lateness can lead to significant gaps in learning over time.

   

  We urge you to ensure that your child arrives at school on time and regularly. For those whose attendance is a particular concern, please expect direct contact from our attendance officer or the Educational Welfare Officer to discuss ways we can support you and your child.

   

  Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued support in fostering an environment conducive to learning and growth for all our students.

• Keeping your children happy and safe

  Fri 26 Apr 2024 Headteacher

  At Burnside, the safety and well-being of our children are the cornerstones of our ethos. It is with great pleasure that I share with you the positive feedback we have received from the children. When asked, they unanimously express feeling safe within our school environment.

   

  We continuously strive to empower our children with the understanding that their happiness and safety are their inherent rights. We encourage them to recognise that any concern, no matter the size, is valid and deserves to be heard by a trusted adult.

   

  In our ongoing efforts to fortify our commitment to safeguarding and well-being, we have initiated a new practice. Today, children from Year 1 will be asked to identify two adults within the school whom they feel comfortable approaching should they need to discuss any concerns. They will make a bookmark which will provide a constant reminder they have someone to talk to.

   

  This exercise is crucial in ensuring that every child knows they have a support system within our school community.

   

  Should any child find difficulty in selecting two adults, please rest assured that we will provide them with the necessary support to make these important choices.

   

  Your continuous support and involvement are invaluable to us, and together, we can maintain a secure and nurturing environment for our children to thrive.

   

  Thank you for your unwavering trust and cooperation.

• Heartfelt gratitude

  Fri 26 Apr 2024

  I am writing to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming response we received following last week’s request for donations.

   

  Your generosity truly knows no bounds, and it is with immense appreciation that we inform you that the microwave, pram, and bicycle have been very gratefully received by the family in need.

   

  These items will undoubtedly make a significant difference in their daily lives, and it is all thanks to your willingness to help and support members of our community. Your kindness serves as a reminder of the incredible community spirit that we are so fortunate to have.

   

  Once again, thank you for your generous contributions and for coming together to support a family during their time of need. It is actions like yours that build the strong, caring community we are all proud to be a part of.

• Safeguarding Measures

  Thu 18 Apr 2024

  I would like to address a matter of safety concerning our some of our children's school bags.

   

  It has come to our attention that some children have their full names displayed on their Burnside School bags. While we understand that labeling belongings is important, we must also consider the safety and privacy of our students

  .

  In school, we take precautions to ensure that all displays, name tags, and shared work around school only feature the child’s first name and the initial of their surname, or just initials. This is a safeguarding measure to prevent visitors in school from easily accessing personal information about our students.

   

  We urge you to consider the implications of having your child’s full name visible on their school bag, especially when it also identifies the school they attend. To address this concern, we recommend using iron-on stickers to cover their name on the outside of the bag. Additionally, you can mark their full name on the inside of their school bag where it is not publicly visible.

   

  We believe these steps will help protect our students’ privacy while still ensuring their belongings are properly identified.

   

  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. 

• Free Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshop From Public Health and Community Services

  Thu 18 Apr 2024

  Free Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshop

  From Public Health and Community Services

   

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  We are pleased to extend an invitation to you for a free Mental Health and Wellbeing workshop. This event is designed to support your own mental health and provide you with the tools to engage in meaningful conversations about wellbeing with your child.

   

  Event Details:

  • Date: Monday, 29th April
  • Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am
  • Location: Burnside School
  • Facilitator: Miss Natnaree Kaewhin, Health Improvement Practitioner, Northumberland County Council

   

  During the workshop, Miss Kaewhin will share valuable resources available to parents, carers, and children. The session will also explore practical strategies for nurturing your wellbeing.

   

  The workshop will include a 60-minute presentation, followed by an opportunity for personal interaction, where you can discuss any concerns or questions with Miss Kaewhin.

   

  RSVP: To help us prepare for the event, please indicate your interest in attending by contacting the school office by Friday, 26th April.

   

  We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your family’s mental health and wellbeing.

   

  Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to your participation.

   

  Yours sincerely,

  Mrs. N Akram
  Mental Health Lead

• Autism Family Drop In Sessions

  Wed 17 Apr 2024

  Do you have a child aged 0-19 years? Come along
  for a cuppa and chat and to meet other parents.

  No diagnosis needed!

  Join us on:

  Wednesday 8th May 2024 1-3pm

  Ashington Family Hub – Alexandra Road, Ashington, NE63 9EF

  Thursday 23rd May 2024 2.30-4.30pm

  The Community Hub at Cramlington – Forum Way, Manor Walks
  Shopping Centre, Cramlington, NE23 6YB (Next to Concordia)

  Facilitators – robyn.robinson@northumberland.gov.uk and

  adelle.hicks@northumberland.gov.uk

• Cake Sale Raised £243

  Thu 28 Mar 2024

  I am thrilled to share with you the wonderful success of our recent fundraising event. On Wednesday, March 27th, our Year 5 children demonstrated remarkable initiative and community spirit by hosting a whole-school cake stall. Their hard work and your generous support culminated in a fantastic total of £243 raised.

   

  This impressive sum will be shared equally between two very deserving charities: the Toby Henderson Trust and the National Autistic Society. Both organisations play a crucial role in supporting individuals with autism and their families, and our contribution will aid them in continuing their invaluable work.

   

  I would like to extend a special thank you to Elliot, whose thoughtful letter sparked the idea for this event. His suggestion to raise funds for autism awareness and support was not only insightful but also brought our school community together for a cause close to our hearts. The cake stall was not only a fun and enjoyable experience for all the children but also a meaningful way to contribute to the wider community.

   

  Thank you, once again, to everyone who participated, contributed, and helped make this event a resounding success. Your involvement is a testament to the caring and supportive environment we foster here at our school.

  

• Easter Family Quiz Winner

  Thu 28 Mar 2024

  I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who participated in the Burnside Easter Quiz. It was a pleasure to see such enthusiastic engagement from our community.

   

  I hope that the quiz provided an enjoyable and interactive experience for all.  A winner was chosen at random from the group of participants who achieved full marks. The lucky winner has been notified via email and is invited to collect their prize from the school office at their convenience.

   

  As we approach the Easter break, I want to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a very Happy Easter.

   

  We look forward to welcoming the children back after the holidays, refreshed and ready to embark on the next chapter of learning

   

  Happy Easter

  Miss Ramsay

• Burnside Easter Family Quiz

  Tue 26 Mar 2024 Headteacher

  Happy Easter! 🐣 It’s that wonderful time of year again when we can kick back, relax, and engage in some delightful brain teasers for a bit of fun.

   

  I’m excited to invite you to our First Easter Quiz! This is a fantastic opportunity to test your knowledge, share a laugh, and fully embrace the bank holiday spirit. So gather around with the family, and let’s dive into the fun.

   

  Remember, the winner will be chosen randomly from those who answer all the questions correctly on Thursday 2pm. And what’s at stake? A delicious Easter Egg!

   

  The link below takes you straight to the quiz

   

  Burnside Easter Family Quiz

• 23rd May Sponsored Run

  Mon 25 Mar 2024

  I wrote to you a little while ago following the SEND parent coffee morning. I shared the fantastic suggestion of organising a fund raising event to raise funds for enhancing our school’s resources dedicated to supporting pupils with additional needs. 

   

  We plan to hold the sponsored run on 23rd May. Here are the details:

  • Pupils: Students can either complete the run alongside their classmates.
  • Parents and carers: You are invited to join your children in this fun and meaningful event. If you are joining your child for the run please come to the school reception area 5 minutes before your child's year group time slot and we will escort you to the school field. 

   

  Nursery Run         9.15am

  Reception Run     9.45am

  Year 1                  10.45am

  Year 2                  11.15am

  Year 3                  1.15pm

  Year 4                  1.45pm

  Year 5                  2.15pm

  Year 6                  2.45pm

   

  We are genuinely excited about this initiative and  appreciate your unwavering support. Sponsor form will be send out this week and we kindly request that sponsor money is sent to school no later than 7th June.

   

  Together, we can make a positive difference for our pupils with additional needs.