Latest News RoundUp

27th September 2024

The Burnside Book Sale

We are excited to announce that we would like to host a book sale this half term at school. To make this event a success, we are seeking donations of children’s books that are in nearly new condition.

If you have any books that your children have outgrown or no longer need, please consider donating them to our book sale. Once we have had the opportunity to categorise the books, we will schedule the sale.

Our hope is that the children will enjoy coming to shop and buy themselves a new book to read.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and support!

Macmillan Coffee Morning

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone for supporting our Macmillan Coffee Morning. Your generosity and participation made the event a tremendous success.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended the Macmillan Coffee Morning today. We are thrilled to announce that we raised an amazing £550 for this wonderful cause!

We would also like to congratulate our winners:

• Owen in 4MW, who correctly guessed the name of the teddy bear - Sydney.
• Laila A, who guessed the exact number of spots on the spotty cake as 154.
• Ann Dickson, who won the hamper. Your prize is waiting for you at the office!

Once again, a huge thank you to all. We hope you enjoyed the children’s wonderful performance as much as we did.

Out of School Club Halloween Party

We are excited to inform you that this year, Halloween falls during our October half-term holiday. As you know, our out-of-school provision offers child care during the school holidays from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm.

To celebrate Halloween, our staff will be hosting two parties/discos on Thursday, 31st October:

• Early Years and Key Stage 1: 10:00 am - 12:00 noon
• Key Stage 2: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

If your child is booked to attend the full day at holiday club on Thursday 31st October, this will include the party.

Children are welcome to come to the party in costumes if they wish. They can enjoy dancing, games, and various Halloween activities. The cost of attending is just the usual charge for 2 hours of child care, which is £7.

Years 3 and 4 - How can I support my child in learning their multiplication tables at home?

We want to ensure all our pupils in Years 3 and 4 feel confident and well-prepared for the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check.

By the end of Year 4, children should be secure in all tables 12 X 12 not just for the Year 4 Check but also for the following reasons:

• Building a foundation for advanced mathematics – mastering times tables makes it easier to tackle more complex concepts such as division, fractions, and algebra;
• Improve problem-solving skills – knowing multiplication tables allows children to solve math problems more quickly and accurately;
• Boosts confidence  - instant recall helps children feel more confident, leading to lessened mathematical anxiety;
• Practical life skills – multiplication is used in everyday tasks. Mastery of this helps children apply math in real-life situations;
• Enhances mental math abilities – improves mental arithmetic and fluency, allowing children to foster better mathematical thinking.
   

Your support at home plays a crucial role in helping your child succeed. Whilst pupils in Years 3 and 4 are practicing tables, rehearsing and reviewing material daily in school, we want to ensure a whole-rounded approach to build this repeated practice.

To assist your child in mastering their multiplication facts and getting ready for the check whether in Years 3 or 4, please ensure they are practicing their times tables on Times Tables Rock Stars at home, ideally for a few minutes every day.
 

As the check is completed online, we also recommend pupils practice this using a device which has a keyboard as this is how pupils will complete the check. This will improve their confidence in using keys and avoid making errors when typing answers.

Please see below the different game modes and ensure your child is not just playing in one mode. Our recommendations include:

• Garage – Questions will adjust to learner’s needs
• Jamming – To choose the table and  operation (x or ÷ or both) they want to practice.
• Soundcheck – Mirrors the Year 4 Multiplication Check, 25 multiplication questions (up to 12 X 12), allowing 6 seconds for each question.

Finally, it’s important to remind your child that the Multiplication Check is just one part of their learning journey. Reassurance and encouragement will provide them with the calm and supportive environment they need to help reduce any pressure or anxiety they may feel.

Goodbye and Thank You Mrs Lemin

Mrs. Lemin, School Business Manager, will be retiring on Friday. Mrs. Lemin has been a cornerstone of Burnside for almost 20 years, supporting and assisting many of you throughout the years. She is a valuable member of our team and will be greatly missed by us all.

I am sure you will join me in wishing Mrs. Lemin the best of luck in her future endeavors. Her daughter, who attended Burnside many years ago, is due to be married next year. Mrs. Lemin will undoubtedly be invaluable in helping with the preparations for the wedding.

Many of you may also know Mrs. Lemin’s husband, Alan, who has played a significant role in Cramlington football over the years. Alan has kindly donated the large set of goal posts currently on our school field and, along with a colleague, marks out our field for sports day. As you can see, the entire Lemin family has been an integral part of our Burnside school community.

We are deeply grateful for all that Mrs. Lemin and her family have contributed to our school, and we wish them all the best for the future

Latest News RoundUp

20th September 2024

Create Your Pupil Password - SAFEGUARDING

I am writing to inform you that Mrs. Lemin, our School Business Manager, will be retiring at the end of September. I am sure you will join us all in wishing her a very happy and fulfilling retirement. We are incredibly grateful for her dedication and hard work over the years.

We are pleased to announce that Mrs. Ramsey will be taking over the role. Please join us in welcoming her to our school community.

Due to the changes in the office, it is essential that parents collecting children for appointments during the school day use a password. This password will also be required at our out-of-school provision and anytime you send a friend or relative to collect on your behalf. This measure is part of our ongoing commitment to child safeguarding.

Please use the link below to complete your password, which we will retain for our records. We suggest that families with more than one child in school use the same password for all of their children.

You will need to inform your relatives of the password, but we recommend keeping it as confidential as possible to ensure the safety of your children.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Create your pupil password

Flu Immunisations

The Imms team will be in school on Wednesday 20th November for children in reception up to and including year 6.

In order for your child to be immunised you need to complete the below form:

https://www.northumbriaimmunisations.co.uk/Forms/Flu  

The school code is: NB122266

Year 6 CLV Open Evening

Cramlington Learning Village Open Evening
Tuesday 1st October 2024
5-7pm

Dear Parents and Carers,

In order to support your choice of secondary school for your child we are pleased to invite you to our Open Evening where you will find information on what your son or daughter can expect if they select Cramlington Learning Village as their school of choice.

On the evening of Tuesday 1st October 2024 the Junior Learning Village will be open so that you can tour the school and gain an overview of our curriculum. You are welcome to visit the school between 5-7pm.

There will be an opportunity to find out more about the school during the welcome address from our Co-Head teacher, Mrs Irving.

The presentation for parents from your child’s current school begins at 5.15pm.

Throughout the evening we will provide information our approach to the following areas:

• Pastoral Support and enrichment opportunities
• Meet Subject Leaders who will introduce you to the curriculum experience
• Year 7 students and how they have settled into life in the JLV
• Our SENDCo (Special Needs and Disabilities Coordinator) will be available to discuss general enquiries about our provision

You will also have access to our school prospectus which gives further details of life in our school. We hope that you find this opportunity useful and helpful with your choice of secondary school.

There is no need to book a place for the open evening but if you have any questions about the admission process or would like to discuss your individual application please contact us at: admin@cramlingtonlv.co.uk

All applications for middle, high and secondary schools in Northumberland must be submitted using their portal before 31st October. You can find more information using their website linked here:

https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Education/Schools/School-admissions-places-appeals-1/Yr-5-Middle-Yr-7-Secondary-Yr-9-High-entry-applica.aspx

Yours faithfully,
Mr D Clark
Deputy Head

The European Day of Languages

The European Day of Languages’ takes place on Thursday 26th September. This day provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate languages and learn about other European countries. Language learning brings lots of benefits! Even if you only know a few words of the language of the country that you visit (for example on holiday), this enables you to make new friends and contacts.

At Burnside, we have planned lots of fun activities for your child to take part in to celebrate ‘The European Day of Languages.

• Whole School assembly
• EYFS-taster session in Spanish
• KS1-taster session in French
• Lower KS2-taster session in Portuguese
• Upper KS2-taster session in Italian
• Interactive Quizzes
• European food during lunchtime (see our menu)
• Learn how to say ‘Hello’ in ten different languages

We hope that your child enjoys learning about ‘The European Day of
Languages’ and can tell you all about the languages they have learnt on this day.

To celebrate this special day the school catering company will be having a special menu on Thursday 26th September.

Spaghetti Bolognese or Chicken & Rice and

Crepes with Fruit & Cream or Polvorones

(spanish shortbread)

Charge for school lunch for children in Nursery, Years 3,4,5 & 6 is £2.60, please pay on School Money App.

Please note there will be no Roast Dinner choice on this day but there will be Jacket Potato options.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all as we begin a new academic year. It was lovely to see all the children back at school, looking refreshed and ready to embark on their learning journeys.

We are particularly excited to share that our school has expanded, and for the first time, we are welcoming our 2-year-olds to the Burnside Budding Explorers Provision. This is a significant milestone for us, and we are thrilled to have these young learners join our community.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be finalising events for our school calendar and will provide you with all the necessary information. We look forward to a year filled with growth, learning, and memorable experiences.

Thank you for your continued support.

Out of School Provision Goes from Strength to Strength

As our out-of-school breakfast and after-school provision continues to thrive, we are delighted to see a dramatic increase in the number of children attending. This growth is a testament to the enjoyment your children have in our setting.

To ensure we can accommodate everyone safely and effectively, we kindly ask that bookings be made in advance. We fully understand that last-minute changes to your schedule may necessitate last-minute bookings, and we will continue to do our very best to accommodate these requests. However, please be aware that due to strict staffing ratio guidelines, it may not always be possible.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to another fantastic year with your children.

New arrangements for Nursery pick up and drop off

The first week of term has flown by, and I am delighted with how well the children have settled into their routines. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and adaptability.

To better support parents who have children attending both nursery and main school, I am pleased to introduce a flexible drop-off and pick-up schedule. This new arrangement will begin on Monday, 9th September.

Morning Drop-Off:

• The nursery gate will be open for drop-off between 8:50 and 9:00 am.

Lunchtime Pick-Up:

• For parents whose children stay for 15 hours and are collected at 12:00 noon, you will have the opportunity to collect them between 11:50 and 12:00 noon.

Afternoon Pick-Up:

• The gates will be open for collection between 3:00 and 3:10 pm.

We hope this new schedule will make the drop-off and pick-up process more convenient for everyone. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

Best regards

Mrs McCaw

EYFS Leader

Fines for parents for taking children out of school

I am sure you have heard in the media that from August 2024, the government has increased fines for taking your child(ren) on holiday during term time. The fine for school absences across the country will be £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days.

I would like to stress that this is a government decision and not something I was consulted upon, have any power or authority to change or use my discretion to apply only in certain circumstances. We are fortunate enough to, on the whole, have very good attendance at Burnside. Although there is a little work to do, we are proud of our overall school attendance figure last academic year of 95%.

We agree with the government  that regular attendance is crucial for your child’s educational success. Consistent attendance helps children build strong foundations in their learning, develop good habits, and maintain continuity in their education. Missing school can lead to gaps in knowledge, making it harder for children to keep up with their peers and achieve their full potential.

The government guidance does not allow me to make exceptions or use my discretion based on your child's historical good attendance. Nor does it allow for discretion for any circumstance you may wish me to consider. 

Having studied the opinions expressed by parents in the media I fully understand that many of you may have strong feelings regarding this ruling. Many educators have shared their opinions about it too. However, I am obliged to follow the guidance set out by the government. 

Thank you for your continued support in ensuring that our students receive the best possible education through regular attendance.

Government Guidance

First Monday Drop In Sessions

Just a quick reminder that our First Monday Drop-In Sessions will resume this academic year. The first session will be held on Monday, 9th September, starting immediately after school until 4pm.

We kindly ask you to vacate promptly to allow the cleaning staff to get inside the classrooms to clean them for the following morning.

For those of you who are new to Burnside, this time allows parents to pop into their child’s classroom, say hello to their class teacher, and have an informal chat. It provides an opportunity for you to see where your child sits and the environment they work in.

We look forward to seeing you there!

High School Application for Year 6 children

The citizen portal has opened today 12^th September 2024 and will close on 31^st October 2024

All children in a First, Middle or Primary school that are due to transition to Middle, Secondary or High in September 2025 will need to make an on time application

Citizen Portal - Sign in (northumberland.gov.uk)

Any parents experiencing difficulty applying or needing advice, please call the school admissions 01670 624889

The link to the school admissions website is below, this can give parents advice and information

Thank you

Link to School Admissions website where you can find useful information eg how to apply for school places and appeals

https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Education/Schools/School-admissions-places-appeals-1.aspx

Medical Healthcare Plans and Allergies

I hope this letter finds you well. As we progress through this term, we are committed to evaluating, streamlining, and making our healthcare plans at school more efficient. This is to ensure that we provide the best possible care and support for all our students.

New healthcare forms will be issued soon to reflect these updates. However, in the interim, it is crucial that you contact the school office immediately if your child has received a recent diagnosis or if they have outgrown a previous allergy. This information is vital for us to maintain accurate and up-to-date records and to ensure the safety and well-being of your child.

To strengthen our existing practices, we will be issuing wristbands to children who have allergies to wear while they are in school.  The wristbands will serve as a visual reminder to all staff members to exercise caution and take necessary precautions, particularly around food and other potential allergens.

We believe that the majority of parents and carers will welcome our vigilant approach. However, should you not wish your child who has an allergy to wear these wristbands, please write to the school office to inform us that you would prefer we remove this precautionary measure.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Macmillan Coffee Morning

Please come & join us on the morning on Friday 27th September for our coffee morning, all are welcome.

Children from Year 4 only will be performing a short assembly.