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.

• Autism Family Drop In Sessions

  Wed 15 May 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 19th June 2024 1-3pm

  Ashington Family Hub - Alexandra Road, NE63 9EF

   

  Wednesday 3rd July 2024 10am-12

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

   

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

  adelle.hicks@northumberland.gov.uk

• Burnside School’s Commitment to Safeguarding Children.

  Tue 14 May 2024 Headteacher

  I am writing to reaffirm Burnside School’s Commitment to Safeguarding Children. The safety and well-being of our students are paramount, and we wish to keep you informed about the proactive measures we implement to ensure their protection.

   

  The Role of Adults in School

  Our dedicated staff undergo comprehensive training to attentively listen to the children and promptly relay any concerns to our designated safeguarding leads, Mrs. Williams or myself. Rest assured, we address every concern with the utmost seriousness and, when necessary, collaborate with parents and/or external agencies to ensure the safety of our students.

   

  Risks Online and in the Home

  In today’s digital age, it is crucial to educate our children about the potential risks they face both online and in their daily lives. Our RSHE and computing curriculums are designed to empower students with knowledge about these risks. Additionally, we utilise our assemblies to discuss acceptable and unacceptable behaviours, fostering a culture of respect and safety inline with our school motto, Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Kind.

   

  Encouraging Open Communication

  We believe in the importance of open communication. Our students are encouraged to voice any worries they may have with our school staff, whether in person or through our worry box system. This approach ensures that no concern goes unheard and that our students feel supported at all times.

   

  Risks in the Community

  The safety of our children extends beyond the school premises. We actively monitor and assess ‘school safe’ alerts from local schools. Should a risk be confirmed by the police, we adhere to our internal procedures and promptly.

   

  Our regular drills for ‘invacuation’ and evacuation are meticulously conducted to ensure that our children are well-prepared to respond in the event of an emergency.

   

  We thank you for your continued trust in Burnside School. Together, we create a secure environment where our children can thrive.

   

  Miss Ramsay

   

• Summer Term Assessments

  Mon 13 May 2024 Headteacher

  We are writing to inform you about the national assessments that will be taking place this term for children in various year groups.

   

  Year 6 Assessments (SATs): This week marks an important period for our Year 6 students as they undertake the End of Key Stage assessments. These tests assist in evaluating the progress and understanding of our students in their primary education.

   

  Year 2 Optional Assessments: Throughout May will see our Year 2 students participating in optional national tests. These assessments are designed to support teacher judgements and provide additional insights into the learning achievements of our students.

   

  Year 1 Phonics Check & Year 2 Retakes: During the week of 10th June, Year 1 will have their phonics screening check, and Year 2 will have the opportunity for retakes. This is a vital step in ensuring our students are developing strong foundational skills in reading.

   

  Year 4 Multiplication Check: During June, our Year 4 students will undergo the Multiplication Check, an assessment that helps us understand their proficiency in this key area of mathematics.

   

  The outcomes of these assessments will be shared with you in the school reports which you will receive on Wednesday 17^th July.

  NFER Tests for Literacy and Mathematics: Children in Years 1, 3, 4, and 5 will be completing their second round of NFER tests for literacy and mathematics during June and July. These tests are an integral part of our ongoing assessment process.

   

  Assessment of Writing Skills and Knowledge: Throughout the term, our teachers will also be assessing your child’s writing skills and knowledge across all year groups. This continuous evaluation helps us tailor our teaching to better meet the needs of each student.

   

  Reception and Nursery Assessments: Our dedicated teachers in Reception and Nursery continue to work closely with children daily to assess what they know and remember, fostering a nurturing environment for learning and growth.

   

  We appreciate your support and cooperation during this period and are committed to providing the best educational experience for your child. We would like to stress that we do not put pressure on our children and repeatedly tell them all they need to do is their best.

• Burnside Family Picnic Night 26th June 2024

  Fri 10 May 2024 Headteacher

  We are thrilled to invite our Burnside families to our first Family Picnic Night.

   

  Please join us on the school field on Wednesday, 26th June 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:45 PM.

   

  This event is a wonderful opportunity for families to socialise in a relaxed setting while the children enjoy our playground and expansive field. We encourage you to bring a picnic, along with a blanket or comfortable chair for seating. Please note that disposable BBQs will not be permitted.

   

  For those with a sweet tooth, an ice cream van will be present, offering a variety of treats which you can purchase directly from them.

   

  Safety and supervision are our top priorities. Therefore, all children MUST be accompanied by an adult ( over 18 years ) who will be responsible for their supervision and care throughout the event. You must not drop your child off and leave. 

   

  You can secure your tickets from  the school office either in person or by sending an email to admin@burnside.northumberland.sch.uk

   

  The staff and I look forward to seeing you and your family for an evening under the sky, filled with fun and community spirit.

• Government Free Childcare for 2 Year Olds

  Fri 10 May 2024

  I am writing to express our gratitude to all of you who have shown interest in our proposed provision under the government’s new initiative for free childcare for two-year-old children. We have received expressions of interest from over 20 families, which is a testament to the community’s enthusiasm and support for this project but also the trust and confidence they have in Burnside Primary School.

   

  The governors and school leadership agreed to the idea in principle. This is a significant step forward, and we are excited about the potential benefits this provision will bring to our children and their families.

   

  To ensure that we are fully prepared and in a position to implement this initiative effectively, we will having further meetings next week. 

   

  Following the meeting, I will be in a better position to provide you with more detailed information. We are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. 

   

  Thank you once again for your interest and support. We look forward to the possibility of embarking on this exciting journey together.

• Wear Green 16th May to support Mental Health Day

  Thu 09 May 2024 Headteacher

  We are excited to announce a special event at our school that underscores our dedication to nurturing well-being and mental health. On Thursday, the 16th of May, we will be hosting our Wear it Green for Mental Health Day.

   

  Green symbolizes mental health acceptance, embodying hope, strength, and support. By participating in Wear it Green Day, we can collectively show our commitment to fostering a supportive environment where mental health is prioritized and discussed openly.

   

  We encourage all children to come dressed in green on this day as a vibrant expression of solidarity and awareness for mental health causes.

   

  Together, let’s make a positive statement and contribute to the well-being of our community.

• Greggs Cancer Run

  Wed 08 May 2024

  Good Luck to all the parents & children who are taking part in the Greggs Cancer Run on Sunday 19th May.

   

  We have been allocated a run time of 10.45am and to park at Car Park B.

   

  Please arrive early as parking and access to Newcastle Racecourse will be very busy.

• STEM Communities workshop - Year 4

  Wed 08 May 2024

  Museums Northumberland will be visiting our school this half term and working with Year 4 today to discover what life is like underground in a salt mine near Whitby and how this is related to sending spacecraft to Mars. 

   

  Children will be designing ‘Mission on Mars’ challenges during the session and later in the term  (see list below with dates) they're inviting you to join them to show off their work.

  Working with your child, together you will code our robots and solve the challenges created by your child and their friends. No prior experience needed! 

   

  Your children will become our Mars programming experts who will guide you on your journey and staff will also be on hand to give you all the support you and your family need. Refreshments and snacks will be provided at family sessions. 

   

  These sessions are part of a longer-term project from Museums Northumberland to create a community of people, adults and children who explore areas of science, technology, engineering and maths of their choosing together and we hope that you will join us! 

   

   

  Date/ time:  Monday 20^th May – two sessions for families with children in Year 4 ONLY

   

  1.30 Arrive and set up hall space

  2 – 3.15pm Session 1

  3.30 – 4.45pm Session 2

  4.45 – 5pm Tidy and depart

   

  Please inform school office staff which session you would like to attend, places are limited, please book ASAP.

• Nursery Places September 2024

  Fri 03 May 2024 Headteacher

  We are delighted to inform you that Burnside Nursery has received a significant number of applications for the upcoming academic year starting in September 2024.

   

  The number of families interested in our Nursery reflects the trust and confidence our community places in our commitment to providing an outstanding early learning environment.

   

  To ensure that all interested families have the opportunity to experience what Burnside Nursery has to offer, our deputy headteacher, Mrs. Williams, is continuing to conduct tours of our school. These tours are a wonderful opportunity for prospective families to see our facilities, meet our staff, and learn about our curriculum and ethos.

   

  If you or someone you know is considering Burnside Nursery for their child’s early education, we encourage you to contact the school office at your earliest convenience to schedule an appointment for a tour. Spaces are filling up quickly, and we would love to have the chance to show you why Burnside Nursery is such a special place for our youngest learners.

   

  We thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to welcoming new families to our community.

   

• Enhancing the Nursery Outdoor Space - Work to start soon!

  Fri 03 May 2024 Headteacher

  We are thrilled to announce that the long-awaited project to enhance our nursery outdoor space will commence in the week beginning 13th May 2024.

   

  This development includes the construction of an obstacle course, akin to the one currently enjoyed by the older children on the school field.

   

  This addition to our nursery has been a dream for many years, and we are now fortunate enough to see it come to fruition. The new obstacle course will provide a stimulating and dynamic environment for our young learners to explore and develop their physical skills.

   

  Please be assured that while we undertake this exciting project, we will make necessary adjustments to the nursery children’s outdoor schedule to ensure their safety and continued enjoyment of outdoor activities. We anticipate no disruptions to the daily routines of the rest of the school.

  We appreciate your support and understanding during this time and are confident that the new garden facilities will greatly benefit our children.