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.

• Book Fair - Thank You

  Wed 06 Mar 2024

  Book fair- Big thank you!

   

  BIG thank you to everyone who visited us at the book fair last week. It is always great to see children excited about reading!

   

  Sales totalled £1356.75, therefore as a school we earned £746.21 rewards through commission to spend on books. This is wonderful! 

   

  The reading leaders have already selected some books from the fair to buy and will continue to work alongside Miss Turnbull to spend the remainder of the money this half term on stocking up the reading cabin and class libraries, to promote reading for pleasure. 

   

  Well done everyone!

• Easter Holiday Club

  Tue 05 Mar 2024

   As the Easter holiday approaches, we’re excited as we make our plans for keeping your children happy, energized, and engaged during this break. Our dedicated staff are here to ensure that every child has a fantastic time!

   

  Holiday Club Details:

  • Dates: From Tuesday 2nd April to Thursday 11th April 2024
  • Timings: 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM

   

  Program Highlights: We’ve put together a full program of exciting activities right here at school. Your children can look forward to a variety of fun experiences.

   

  1. Breakfast for Early Arrivals:

     • Children arriving before 8:30 AM will be offered a nutritious breakfast to kick-start their day.

  2. Healthy Snacks:

     • Mid-morning and afternoon, we’ll provide healthy snacks to keep their energy levels up.

  3. Lunchtime:

     • If your child is staying over lunchtime, please pack a healthy lunch (nut-free, please) for them.
     • Don’t forget to send children with a water bottle to stay refreshed throughout the day.

   

  Thank you for entrusting us with your children during this special time. 

   

• CHARITY CAKE SALE

  Tue 05 Mar 2024

  Burnside will be joining  thousands of other brilliant people in schools, workplaces and local communities to raise vital funds and create a more inclusive society for autistic people.

   

   

  The Toby Henderson Trust (TTHT) is an independently funded charity that provides essential support to autistic children, young people, and adults, along with their families and carers in the North East of England. Their mission is commendable, and they rely on community contributions to continue their valuable work.

   

  On Wednesday, March 27th, the Year 5 children will be hosting a whole-school cake stall to raise funds. The proceeds from this  event will be divided between the Toby Henderson Trust and the National Autistic Society. It’s heartening to know that these efforts will directly benefit those in need.

   

  If you’d like to contribute, please consider donating cakes to the school office via your child. To accommodate everyone, especially those with allergies and intolerances, kindly avoid sending cakes containing nuts. Gluten-free options would be greatly appreciated.

   

  At the cake stall, children will have the opportunity to select their favorite treats, and all cakes will be priced at 50p. You can contribute your donation either through the school’s money app or in cash.

   

  And there’s more good news! If there are enough cakes left, a second cake sale will be held on the following day, March 28th.

   

  Thank you for being part of this meaningful endeavor!

• Positive Well Being Drop In Sessions For Pupils

  Mon 04 Mar 2024

  I am writing to inform you that Mrs. Akram, our dedicated Mental Health Leader, will be hosting drop-in sessions for pupils once again this term. These sessions have been incredibly successful in the past, and we are excited to offer them again.

   

  Session Details:

  Dates: 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th March 2024

  Time: 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM

  Location: Wellness Room

   

  Mrs. Akram will be available during these sessions to chat with children very informally. Whether your child wants to share their feelings, seek advice, or simply have someone listen, Mrs. Akram is here to support them. If further assistance is needed, she can also provide guidance on additional resources.

   

  We encourage children to take advantage of this opportunity should they feel it is beneficial.

   

  You may  want to have a chat with your child at home and give them a little encouragement to come along if you feel having someone to talk to in school would be beneficial.  Good mental health is essential, and having a supportive space to talk about anything can make a significant difference.

   

  Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to seeing your children, should they wish to attend at the drop-in sessions.

• Find Out What Your Child Is Learning

  Mon 04 Mar 2024

  Thank you to everyone who completed our annual survey. From this we were able to  determine and 27% of parents completing this were unable that we share what your child will be learning in school on our website. Having insights from parents is crucial for continuous improvement.

   

  To ensure that all parents have access to detailed information about their child’s learning, our school website plays a vital role. Our website provides detailed descriptions of what your child will be learning in each curriculum area for every term. You’ll find comprehensive information about subjects, topics, and learning objectives.

   

  Each term’s curriculum content is outlined, allowing you to understand what your child will explore and study during that period.

   

  We encourage you to explore these pages and use them as an invaluable tool for discussions with your child at home. Understanding their learning journey will help you support and reinforce their education.

   

  Click the link below to take you directly to the page on our website where you will find this information.

   

  Curriculum plans

• Parent Survey Responses

  Mon 04 Mar 2024

  Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our annual survey. We are delighted that our main strengths have been positively recognised by parents/carers.

   

  Below is a summary of the responses.

   

  Question	Yes	No	Other
  My child is happy at school	98%	2%
  My child feels safe at school	95%	5%
  My child is well taught	95%	5%
  The school has high expectations for my child	90%	10%
  The school encourages the children to behave well	95%	5%
  The school deals effectively with bullying	32%	7%	62%
  The school supports my child’s wider personal development	90%	10%
  My child has SEND and the school gives them the support to succeed	22%	2%	76%
  I am aware that what my child will be learning during the year is on the school website	73%	27%
  I engage and use the School Website and The School App to keep informed as to what is happening in school	88%	10%	2%
  I find the School Money App to be an easy and convenient way to make payments to the school	83%	7%	10%
  There are a good range of subjects available to my child at this school in accordance with the National Curriculum	95%	5%
  The Burnside School run breakfast and after-school provision are invaluable services that schools provide.	63%		37%
  The trial that has taken place in Nursery to admit children once they have turned 3 years old has been a benefit to my family.	29%	7%	63%

   

   

• Is your child safe from online grooming?

  Mon 04 Mar 2024

  Over the past few weeks, during our school assemblies for Year 1 to 6, I have had the opportunity to engage with the children about our school motto: “Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Kind.” 

   

  During our discussions about BE SAFE y=the children brought up the need to be safe on line. As such we revisited the importance of online safety, and I am pleased to report that our children demonstrated an impressive awareness of what this entails.

   

  As our children continue to explore new ways of connecting with each other through various devices and platforms, it becomes increasingly crucial to guide them in making informed and secure choices regarding their online interactions.  

   

  The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) estimates that approximately 830,000 individuals in the UK could pose a threat to children. One concerning phenomenon is the manipulation of children. Incidents often occur during video chats or livestreaming sessions, and children may not even realise they are being exploited. Unfortunately, these videos can then be circulated.

   

  I urge you to watch the following video: Watch this video: Home Truths - Make sure your home doesn't have an open door to child sexual abusers (YouTube, 1min)

   

  It provides valuable insights and practical advice to safeguard your child.

   

  Additionally, you can find more information about research, risks, and strategies to protect your child by exploring the “TALK” resource. Download the useful 'TALK' resource here

   

  Thank you for partnering with us in creating a safe and supportive environment for our students

   

   

   

• No smoking, e-cigarettes or vaping products on site

  Mon 04 Mar 2024

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  We kindly request your cooperation in maintaining a smoke-free environment on our school premises. For many, many years smoking has been strictly prohibited within the school grounds. Signs throughout the school serve as reminders of this important policy.

   

  In line with Public Health guidance, we are now extending this ban to include the use of e-cigarettes or vaping products. Our aim is to reduce the risk of youth uptake of these products by ensuring a consistent approach across the school grounds.

   

  Thank you for your understanding and support in promoting a healthy and smoke-free environment for our students.