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.

• Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Kind

  Fri 15 Mar 2024 Headteacher

  As we approach the end of another week at Burnside School, I wanted to take a moment to share some reflections with you.

   

  Our school motto—“Be safe, Be Smart, Be Kind”—has been at the forefront of our discussions in the classrooms. It warms my heart to see how our pupils embody these principles. Their behaviour is nothing short of exemplary, and I couldn’t be prouder.

   

  Visitors, external assessors, and new families joining our school consistently praise our children’s excellent conduct. Their positive feedback reinforces the strong foundation we’ve built together. However, it’s essential to remember that our children are still learning and growing. They will inevitably make mistakes and occasionally make poor choices.

   

  Recently, I’ve been engaging with our pupils about the concept of rough play. What may begin as innocent fun can sometimes lead to unintended consequences. Tears may flow without any ill intent, but it’s crucial for our children to recognise the impact of their actions.

   

  I’ve also emphasised the importance of thinking before acting ( Be Smart). This can be challenging, especially for our young learners. Yet, I was heartened to discover that even our youngest children, including those in Reception, have a solid understanding of our school’s behaviour policy.

   

  Let me reiterate: If a child intentionally harms another physically, their name will be moved to the red zone on the classroom behaviour chart. Additionally, they may be asked to spend part of the day in another class and, if appropriate, write a letter of apology to the injured child (taking into account their writing skills). Please note that children have the opportunity to move back up during the day and every day is a new start.

   

  As parents, your role is vital in reinforcing our school’s message at home. Please continue to discuss these principles with your children, promoting kindness, empathy, and responsible behaviour. Together, we can nurture a supportive and respectful environment for all.

   

  Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Kind

• Parking Outside School

  Thu 14 Mar 2024

  Recently, I was contacted by the nursing home adjacent to our school. They have been facing significant challenges due to vehicles obstructing the entrance to their facility. On one particularly critical occasion, access was completely blocked, and an ambulance that had been called to assist one of their residents could not get through. As a result, the patient’s transfer to the hospital was delayed.

   

  I urge all parents and carers to park respectfully and considerately when dropping off or picking up children. Let us be mindful of the impact our actions can have on others. Here are some essential guidelines to follow:

   

  Avoid blocking access: Ensure that your vehicle does not obstruct the nursing home’s entrance or exit. Leave enough space for emergency vehicles to pass without hindrance.

   

  Use designated parking areas: Avoid stopping on the cycle path, across the entrance to school or nursing home, on double yellow lines.

  Emergency vehicles need clear paths to reach those in need promptly either at the school or at the nursing home.

   

  Set a positive example: Teach our children about responsible parking habits. Remind them of the importance of respecting the needs of our neighbours, especially those in vulnerable situations.

   

  By adhering to these guidelines, we can contribute to the safety and well-being of our community. Let us show compassion and consideration to the nursing home residents and staff.

• School Attendance

  Wed 13 Mar 2024 Headteacher

  Today, we had an incredibly positive meeting with the Educational Welfare Office (EWO), and I am pleased to share some important updates regarding our school’s attendance.

   

  Overall Attendance: 94% Our school’s attendance rate is currently at 94%, which is commendable. While it is slightly below the national target of 96%, it reflects the commitment of our pupils and families to regular school attendance.

   

  Class 2T Exceptional Attendance: Well Done, Class 2T! I am thrilled to highlight Miss Turnbull’s Year 2 class for their exceptional attendance. Every student in Class 2T has maintained an impressive attendance rate of over 92%. Congratulations to the students and their families for this outstanding achievement! 🎉

   

  Support from Mrs. Lawson As part of our commitment to supporting families, we have Mrs. Lawson, our dedicated School Attendance Officer, available to assist anyone facing challenges with their child’s attendance. Mrs. Lawson can provide guidance, answer questions, and offer support. If you would like to schedule an appointment with her, please feel free to contact the school office.

   

  Remember, consistent school attendance is crucial for your child’s education and overall well-being. Let’s continue working together to promote positive attendance habits and ensure every student’s success.

   

  Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.

• SEND coffee morning and planned 1km run

  Wed 13 Mar 2024

  First and foremost, thank you to everyone who participated in the recent coffee morning for parents and carers of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

   

  The meeting was a wonderful opportunity for us to come together, share information, and provide support to one another.

   

  During the meeting, a fantastic suggestion was made: organising a fund raising event to raise funds for enhancing our school’s resources dedicated to supporting pupils with additional needs. Both Mrs. Burnip and I wholeheartedly embraced this idea, recognising its potential impact.

   

  Our plan is to host a sponsored pupil and parent 1km run during the upcoming summer term. 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.

   

  We are currently working on finalising the date for the run, and we will share this information with you soon. In the meantime, consider this your cue to start your training! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

  We are genuinely excited about this initiative and  appreciate your unwavering support. Together, we can make a positive difference for our pupils with additional needs

  

• Greggs Childrens Cancer Run

  Tue 12 Mar 2024

  Children's Cancer Run

  Sunday 19th May 2024

   

  Please join us for this year's Greggs Children's Cancer Run (please remember all children must be accompanied by a parent)

   

  The cut off for our early bird rate for runners is 31^st March so get your school signed up now and promote the run to your school community to ensure they can take advantage of those early bird rates.

   

  This year we have a new feature that allows your school to have an online team fundraising page with a shared school total. Please encourage your pupils to sign up online, anytime from now, and select your school name as their team when they enter. They can sign up here: 

  https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/ChildrensCancerRun2024

   

  Support around safeguarding and online fundraising pages:

  This year we have a feature where all participants can join their school team fundraising page, which we think is a great tool for encouraging the school community to come together. However, we would advise that once your pupils have registered, that on their fundraising page they go to ‘edit display name’ and change their display name so that it does not include their full name. So for example, just first name or initials. If they do not do this then it is possible for external participants to see a child’s full name and the school they go to. Here is an article that may help: 

  Logging in and editing/ updating your personal fundraising page | Enthuse Help Centre.

   

  We would appreciate if you could spread this message with families planning on attending the run. Please do let us know if you have any questions around this and we look forward to seeing you in May!

   

  Run Pack

  Your run pack, complete with run numbers, start times and children's t-shirts, will be sent direct to your home address or via your school (if you have said you are running for a school) in late April/early May. If you have any queries in the meantime please check out our FAQs on the event website or feel free to contact the team at contactus@childrenscancernorth.org.uk

  T-shirts

  All children's t-shirts, which are included in their entry fee, will be enclosed in their run packs.

  If you have purchased an adult technical t-shirt for £10, or other merchandise with your registration, we will post these out separately to your home address. If you haven't ordered an adult technical t-shirt yet they will be available to purchase on the day.

   

  You can also find our paper sponsorship forms here: Childrens-Cancer-North-Sponsorship-form.pdf (childrenscancernorth.org.uk)

  

• Digital Leader Video

  Tue 12 Mar 2024

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  We are thrilled to share with you an exciting initiative led by our Digital Leaders at Burnside Primary School. These remarkable students have created a captivating video to promote internet safety among our school community.

   

  In today’s digital age, it is crucial that we equip our children with the knowledge and skills to navigate the online world safely. The internet offers incredible opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection, but it also presents risks. As responsible adults, we must work together to ensure our children’s online experiences are positive and secure.

   

  The Digital Leaders have put together an engaging video that covers essential topics such as:

   

  Privacy and Personal Information: Teaching children to safeguard their personal details and be cautious about sharing information online.

  Cyberbullying Awareness: Recognizing signs of cyberbullying and promoting kindness and empathy in digital interactions.

  Online Etiquette: Encouraging respectful behaviour, empathy, and good manners in virtual spaces.

  Safe Social Media Use: Providing tips on using social media platforms responsibly and understanding the impact of online posts.

  We invite you to watch this informative video with your child. It serves as a valuable resource for discussions about internet safety at home. You can access the video on our school website:

  Digital Leaders Internet Safety

   

  As always, we appreciate your partnership in fostering a safe and supportive learning environment for our students. Together, we can empower our children to make informed choices online and navigate the digital landscape with confidence.

   

  Thank you for your continued support.

• New Family Visits

  Mon 11 Mar 2024

  Over the past few weeks, we have been delighted to receive numerous inquiries from families interested in visiting our school. These requests have come from families considering enrollment for their children in various year groups, including Nursery and Reception classes.

   

  What we really appreciate is that many of these families have been referred to us by parents who already have their children attending Burnside. Your positive experiences and kind words about our school have reached the ears of others in the local community, and for that, we are immensely grateful.

   

  At Burnside, we strive to create a nurturing and stimulating environment where every child can flourish. Your support and advocacy play a crucial role in building a strong school community. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to welcoming new families through our doors.

   

  If you know anyone else who might be interested in joining our Burnside family, please don’t hesitate to share your positive experiences with them. Together, we can continue to make Burnside a place where learning thrives and friendships blossom.

   

  Thank you for being part of our journey, and we look forward to many more shared moments of growth and achievement.

• Coffee Morning for parents/carers of pupils on the SEND register

  Fri 08 Mar 2024 Mrs Burnip

  As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting our students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), I would like to extend a warm invitation to you.

   

  Coffee Morning Details:

  • Date: Wednesday, March 13th
  • Time: 9:00 AM
  • Location: School premises 

   

  This informal coffee morning will provide us with an opportunity to discuss current SEND practices within our school. Your insights and feedback are invaluable, and we believe that open communication is essential for creating an inclusive and supportive environment.

   

  In our recent parent survey, an overwhelming 98% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the support provided for their children with SEND. This positive feedback reflects the dedication and hard work of our staff in meeting the diverse needs of all our pupils.

   

  The coffee morning is not only a chance to discuss educational practices but also an opportunity for parents to connect with one another. We encourage you to attend, share your experiences, and form a supportive network within our school community.

   

  RSVP: If you are able to join us, kindly telephone the school office 01670 736052 to confirm your attendance. This will help us cater to the correct numbers and ensure we book an adequately sized space for the event.

   

  We look forward to welcoming you on Wednesday, March 13th. Your presence will contribute to the success of this gathering, and we appreciate your commitment to our students.

   

  Thank you, and I eagerly anticipate seeing you there!

   

  Mrs Burnip

• World Book Day

  Thu 07 Mar 2024

   

  I am thrilled to share that our World Book Day celebrations were an absolute success! The enthusiasm and creativity displayed by our children (and yes, even the parents!) were truly commendable. The costumes this year were nothing short of exceptional, transporting us into the magical worlds of literature.

   

  Kudos to everyone who participated! 🌟

   

  Now, let’s turn our attention to the exciting results of the “Are You a Reading Star?” competition. Drumroll, please! 🥁

  • EYFS Category: Robbie G Robbie’s great start at becoming a reader shines brightly, and we’re delighted to award him with a well-deserved victory.

  • KS1 Category: Evie Mc Evie’s love for books has truly captured our hearts. Congratulations, Evie!

  • Lower KS2 Category: Olivia W Olivia’s dedication to exploring new stories is inspiring. Way to go, Olivia!

  • Upper KS2 Category: Jess W Jess’s literary adventures have earned her the top spot. Fantastic job, Jess!

  Each of our winners received a £5 book token, which they can use to select a book of their choice. Let’s continue nurturing their love for reading and imagination.

   

  Thank you to all the parents and carers for supporting our young readers. Your encouragement makes a world of difference.

  Happy reading, everyone! 📚✨

  

• PE Uniform

  Thu 07 Mar 2024

  We’d like to remind you about our PE uniform policy.

   

  On days when your children have PE lessons, they are welcome to come to school dressed in their PE attire. It’s important to note that branded clothing is not required; however, all students should adhere to the PE uniform guidelines.

   

  The PE kit, or ‘uniform,’ is worn for the entire day on a child’s allocated PE day. This approach helps minimize lost property and maximizes the time spent participating in sports and exercise, rather than changing clothes. Here are the specific items that constitute the PE uniform:

  1. Black T-shirt or plain white T-shirt
  2. Black jogging bottoms
  3. Black PE shorts
  4. Trainers

   

  Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring that the children are well-prepared for physical education activities.