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.

• Pupil Voice Christmas 2 - Secret Santa

  Tue 21 Nov 2023 Headteacher

  During whole school assembly on the theme of Christmas, Ava also made a super suggestion of having class Secret Santa.

   

  Ava explained that this would mean that instead of the children buying presents for their friends in class, they purchased 1 gift which would be wrapped and placed into a box.

   

  On the last day of term all the children who had chosen to participate in the Secret Santa would select one gift. I thought this was a wonderful idea and as such would like to invite all the children interested an opportunity to participate.

   

  If your child would like to participate they can bring a wrapped gift into school from 4th December and give them to the class teacher for safe keeping. Gifts must be suitable for either a boy or a girl and must cost less than £2

• Pupil Voice Christmas 1 - Elf on the Shelf

  Tue 21 Nov 2023 Headteacher

  Yesterday I delivered my weekly whole school assembly and I discussed with the children the events we had on offer over the Christmas period at Burnside.

   

  As always the children wanted to contribute some ideas of their own and as always I love to hear their ideas.

   

  I would like to thank Layton who suggested each class had their own "Elf on the Shelf" who would get up to mischief and provide fun for the children in the class. I thought this was a wonderful idea and have booked 16 Elves to arrive at Burnside for the 1st December!!!

   

   

• Carol Concert Ticket

  Tue 21 Nov 2023 Headteacher

  We have sent out tickets for the Carol Concert. Should you not need your ticket(s) we would be most grateful if you would return them to the school office so we can re allocate them. 

   

  We have started a waiting list for those hoping for an extra ticket. Should you like to be placed on the waiting list for another ticket please contact the school office. 

• Autism Family Drop In Sessions

  Mon 20 Nov 2023

  Autism Family Drop In Sessions

   

  Come along for a cuppa and chat. 0-19 years. No diagnosis needed!

   

  Join us at:
  Blyth Central Family Hub – Monday 20th November 2023 & Monday 15th January 2024    9.30am-12pm

  Hexham Family Hub – Thursday 30th November 2023 & Tuesday 16th January 2024    1pm-3.30pm

  Ashington Family Hub – Monday 4th December 2023 & Tuesday 13th February 2024   1pm-3.30pm

  Berwick Family Hub – Tuesday 12thDecember 2023 & Thursday 8th February 2024   1pm-3.30pm

   

  Facilitator - robyn.mcgregor@northumberland.gov.uk

  

• Mental Health Drop In Sessions- KS2 children

  Thu 16 Nov 2023

  Mental Health Drop-in sessions for KS2 children

  
  Could you do with someone to talk to?

  
  Come along to chat with our Mental Health Lead, Mrs Akram.
  She will be happy to listen and can advise on further support where required.
  Tuesdays: 21st November, 5th December, 19th December 12.30pm – 1pm in Wellness Room.

• Key stage 2 attainment: National headlines/Burnside Headlines

  Tue 14 Nov 2023 Headteacher

  Headline facts and figures

  2022/23

   

  These statistics cover the attainment of year 6 pupils who took assessments in summer 2023. These pupils experienced disruption to their learning during the pandemic, particularly at the end of year 3 and in year 4.

  Unfortunately, not all our pupils attended school on the day on the test. They therefore are recorded as not achieving the national standard and as such lower our overall score, as had they attended and taken the test we are confident they would have passed.

   

  READING

  73% of pupils nationally met the expected standard,

  77% of Burnside pupils met the expected standard

   

  MATHS

  73% of pupils nationally met the expected standard,

  87% of Burnside pupils met the expected standard

   

  WRITING

  71% of pupils nationally met the expected standard, 

  85% of Burnside pupils met the expected standard

   

  Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling

  72% of pupils nationally met the expected standard

  85% of Burnside pupils met the expected standard

   

   

  In all of reading, writing and maths

  59% of pupils nationally met the expected standard

  72% of Burnside pupils met the expected standard

   

  

• New Times Table Rock Stars Parent/Carer Page

  Tue 14 Nov 2023

  Times Table Rock Stars  have recently introduced a new parent page on their website to help parents and carers better support their children's learning at home. The page is full of some really useful information and features including;

  • Rationale of the importance of times tables
  • TTRS introduction video
  • PDF Parent Guide
  • Free downloadables
  • FAQs answered.

   

  As you know, we ask that children in KS2 are practising their times tables on TTRS. Not only does practising online support children's ability to fluently recall multiplication facts, practising using a keyboard allows them to become more familiar with the format which children in Year 4 will be taking in the summer term.

   

  Check out the link below for the new TTRS parent and carer page and have fun supporting your child's maths learning at home.

   

  https://ttrockstars.com/parents/

• Children In Need - Friday 17th November

  Tue 14 Nov 2023

  Just a quick reminder that BBC Children in Need is back this year on Friday 17th November 2023

   

  The National theme is SPOTacular and the children are invited to wear something with spots and donate to the charity should they wish to do so . You can donate by either sending money into school or by using the School Money App.

   

  You can also donate directly by visiting BBC DONATE

  

• Anti-Bullying Week

  Mon 13 Nov 2023

  Make a Nosie About Bullying
  Mon 13th Nov – Friday 17th Nov

   

  From the 13th – 17th November, our school will be taking part in Anti-Bullying Week 2023.

  
  This is a nationwide initiative that highlights the issue of bullying and encourages us all to take action against it. It highlights the importance of fostering a culture of respect and support, where bullying is not tolerated, and where every individual is valued.

  
  Anti-Bullying Week is an amazing opportunity for Burnside to help prevent bullying and promote our school wide strategies for wellbeing and positive mental health for all of our children and staff.

  
  This year’s theme is ‘Make a Noise About Bullying’ and we will be raising awareness throughout this coming week and will share a number of strategies that will help our children
  understand what bullying is and how it affects us.

  
  The week begins with a whole-school virtual assembly about ‘World Kindness Day’ led by the inspirational, Greig, director of kindness from School of Kindness at 52 Lives charity. The children will be encouraged to think about spreading kindness. They will be learning about
  the impact being kind will have on their own physical and mental health.

  
  Each day, some classes will be watching a short Anti-Bullying video and / or have a class assembly where there will be some discussion points linked to bullying. Children throughout the school will complete ‘Acts of Kindness’ during the week that have been carefully designed by our dedicated School Council members and Year 6 Anti-Bullying Ambassadors.

  
  Anti-Bullying Week 2023 is a fantastic opportunity for us to encourage our children, our teachers and our parents, to speak up against bullying, seek help when needed and be
  proactive in creating a safer environment for our Burnside community.

  
  We’re encouraging our children to support the campaign and here’s how your child can get involved.

   

  Poster competition
  Children can enter our competition by creating a ‘Make a noise about Bullying!’ themed poster. To be in with a chance of winning a gift voucher, we’re inviting children to think about how they can raise awareness about bullying. Will they tell a friend to be kind? Or write a song / poem about bullying? We can’t wait to find out! Entries must be submitted by 4pm on 20th November and please remember to include the name and class of the child who made the poster.

  
  If you would like more help and advice dealing with bullying, you can find information, suggestions and support by reading through the following links:

  
  https://www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk/kids.html
  https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/tools-information/advice-and-support/advice-parents-and-carers

  https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/bullying-and-cyberbullying/

  Mrs Akram
  Year 2 Teacher
  Mental Health Lead

  

• World Kindness Day - Monday 13th November

  Mon 13 Nov 2023 Headteacher

  Happy World Kindness Day everyone!

   

  Mrs Akram placed a little slip on all staff desks/work place areas with 5 random acts of kindness for us to try today. I thought I would share them with you as you may want to join in wherever you are today.

   

  1. Tell your family members how much you love and appreciate them.
  2. Make someone laugh
  3. Make a cup of tea for a colleague, friend or family member.
  4. Tell someone you know that you are proud of them.
  5. Let a fellow driver merge into your lane.