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Dear Parent,

As you will be aware from the media, the combined teacher, support staff and school leadership trade unions will be taking industrial action on Wednesday 30th November. The action (a one day strike) will result in class or whole school closures across the country.
The decision to close the school or send pupils home is never taken lightly, but in this instance, where staff have elected to take lawful industrial action, I will have no choice but to close the school.
This means that the school will be closed to all pupils for the day on Wednesday 30th November, as we cannot run the school, nor ensure the safety of children with the number of staff we will have available.
We are aware that school closures inconvenience parents and carers and so I am writing to give you advance notice of the impact of the action on this school so that you can make childcare arrangements. Please note the breakfast and after school club will not be operating on this day either.
I am sorry for the inconvenience this will cause you. If there is any change to this, I will notify parents.
Thank you for your patience and understanding
Yours sincerely,

P M Bailey
Headteacher

Please click on the link below to view this weeks newsletter.

Possible Industrial Action
I am sure that many of you will be aware that many public sector unions are involved in negotiations with the government over pensions. Some of these unions are promising to take strike action on Wednesday 30th of November 2011 if the current negotiations fail.

In the event of a strike by public sector unions then school will be affected. However, at this stage I am unable to tell you the extent of the disruption as not all of the unions have made their position clear. It may be that only some year groups in school are affected or it may result in the whole school being closed. I will complete a risk assessment once we have a clearer picture and contact you as soon as possible.

Please click on the link below to view this weeks newsletter:

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Dear Parent/Carer,

Welcome back to the start of the new academic year. I hope you all had a lovely summer holiday. It was lovely to welcome the children back to school on Tuesday. They all looked fantastic in their smart uniforms. I would like to thank everyone for supporting us in our new policy regarding uniform, hairstyle and earrings.

During the holidays the school underwent a mini-transformation which included:
• Painting of the KS1 and KS2 hall
• Painting of the classrooms and corridor areas in KS2
• Painting of some internal and external doors
• New carpets in the KS2 corridors and entrance
• New blinds fitted
• New tarmac in the car park
• Painting and refurbishment of ‘In the Jungle’

This has really brightened up and improved the learning environment for the children.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Miss Bedford and Miss Taylor, In the Jungle, who were married in the holiday and are now Mrs Higgins and Mrs Armstrong. I would also like to welcome Mrs Broadfoot who has joined our teaching team and is teaching in Year 5.

As always we have a busy term planned and we will let you know key dates in our next newsletter.

House Captains
The following children have been chosen to represent the house teams:

Baltic: Jackson Knox and Nicole Postlethwaite
Sage: Georgia Smith and Isaac Tarrant
Millenium: Georgia Kelso and Ewan Frazer
Angel: Caitlin Maughan and Matthew O’Regan

School Council
All of the children voted this week to elect two school council members to represent their class, in working with Mrs McDermid to help us drive forward improvements in our school. We very much value the views of the children and the school council is one way in which they have the opportunity to be involved in many aspects of school life and make sure their ‘voice’ is heard and their ideas and contributions are taken into consideration.
The following children will be representing their class:

Y1 M Sophie Blanden
Dan Peart
Y1 Moffat Zoe Hakizimana
Corey Lane
Y2 H Faye Johnstone
Daniel Frazer
Y2T Lucy Donnelly
Sam Newton
Y3 S Stacey Watson
Ben Keenan
Y3 AG Alex Mason
Jack Cummings
Y4M Kira Quinlan
Emile Tarrant
Y4S Layla Nicholson
Matthew Toward
Y5J Courtney Christer
Damien Jackson
Y5B Laine Bennett
Ryan Bolton
Y6 Shackleton Ellen Birdsall
Isaac Tarrant
Y6 Sharpe Kelsie Perkins
Lewis Ritchie

I hope your child has enjoyed their first week back at school and settled into their new class. We are all looking forward to the term ahead and building on the successes we have achieved so far. Through working in partnership with you we can ensure all of our pupils enjoy their time at school and achieve the very best they can.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns or matters you would like to discuss.

Yours sincerely,

Paula Bailey

Dear Parent,

As you will be aware from the media, colleagues in NUT and ATL will be taking industrial action on the Thursday 30th June. The action (a one day strike) will result in class or whole school closures across the country.
The decision to close the school or send pupils home is never taken lightly, but in this instance, where staff have elected to take lawful industrial action, I will have no choice but to take appropriate steps to ensure the health, safety and well being of all pupils.
This means that the school will be closed to all pupils for the day on Thursday 30th June, as we cannot run the school, nor ensure the safety of children with the number of staff we will have available.
We are aware that school closures inconvenience parents and carers and so I am writing to give you advance notice of the impact of the action on this school so that you can make childcare arrangements in advance. Please note the breakfast and after school club will not be operating on this day either.
Thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter.
Yours sincerely,

P M Bailey
Headteacher

6 children were drawn from the highest attendance list to watch the Newcastle game against Bolton last Saturday. One lucky winner was the ball boy for the whole match! They had a great time watching the match and taking part in a penalty shoot out at half time with Byker Primary.

8th December 2010

CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES

Dear Parent /Carer

Your child’s Christmas parties and activities will take place on the following dates during school time.

Foundation Stage party 15th December
1pm

KS1 Christmas party 13th December
1.30pm

Year 3 / 4 Christmas party 13th December
1.30pm

Year 5 / 6 Christmas party
15th December
1.30pm

Pupil Christmas Lunch
14th December

There will be an opportunity for children to get changed into their party outfits in school on the day of their party. We would be grateful if you could contribute £1 towards the party food on the day (school are providing the food). Thank you to all the parent helpers in our School Parliament for help organising these activities.

10th December 2010

CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES

Dear Parent /Carer

There are several extra events taking place next week in addition to pupil Christmas lunch and the children’s Christmas parties in the run up to the Christmas holidays.

On Tuesday 14th December Foundation Stage had planned to sing for senior citizens in the hall, unfortunately this has been cancelled due to the disruption with the weather over the last few weeks.

The Choir will be singing in the Key Stage two hall, Christmas songs, for all parents and families on Wednesday 15th December 2010. The event will start at 5pm and everyone is welcome to come and have a cup of tea or coffee and cake before the singing starts at 5.30pm, finishing at 6pm.

Finally on Thursday our last day at school, Year 1 and 2 will be singing ‘Carols around the Christmas tree’ in the Key Stage one hall. Please come and join in!

We hope you enjoy your Christmas break and remember school is closed on Friday 17th December.

Happy Christmas!

Please click on the link below to see the dates of the Christmas performances and events.

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School is open today Tuesday 7th December 2010

School is closed today - Friday, due to the icy conditions around the site. Please ring 0191 433 5618 for further information about Monday.

School will be closed today due to the weather conditions. Please listen for further information on the main radio stations and also on Gateshead.gov.uk and check our phone line 0191 433 5618 tomorrow morning for information on whether we will be open on Friday.

School is open today - Wednesday 1st December 2010. After school club is open and will close at 5pm today.

School is open today - Tuesday 30th November 2010.

Due to weather conditions school will be closed today Monday 29th November. Please check the website and real radio, newcastle radio, metro and galaxy radio for further updates. A message will be posted on the school main phone number 0191 433 5618 on any further closures or when school is open. Thank you.

Due to weather conditions school will be closed today Friday 26th November. Please check the website and real radio, newcastle radio, metro and galaxy radio for further updates. A message will be posted on the school main phone number 0191 433 5618 on any further closures or when school is open. Thank you.

KS1 and KS2 had fun at the Halloween disco today. They all looked wonderful in their costumes and enjoyed dancing and games throughout the afternoon. Thank you to all the volunteers for helping and the staff for organising it all.

The school organised a fun day for all the children on May 20th and 21st.The weather was lovely and the children had lots of fun! The children completed a range of activities led by the teachers:
Bouncy castle
Mini-beast hunt
Snack stop (made biscuits and had ice lollies)
Penalty shootout
Parachute games
Problem solving
Scavenger hunt
Giant weaving

School is open today - Monday 11th January as normal. All breakfast and after school clubs will be operating as usual.

Our newly resurfaced key stage 1 yard has.....

Please find attached our timetable of holiday clubs this week. All children are welcome to attend. Remember all Parkhead families and children are welcome to come along to our fun day on Friday 31st July. There will be inflatables, bouncy castle, ice cream van, face painting, refreshments, the school shop and activities on the school field!
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Our school hall was packed with parents who came to see each year groups' digital video project live on the big screen!

A teaching vacancy has arisen due to the promotion of one of our teachers. If you would like to join our team please read our job advert by clicking on the link below. You can apply on line by using the link https://jobshop.gateshead.gov.uk/vacancies/view.aspx?wr=9886&ct=22&kw=

Our film club has now.....

The final swimming session at Prudhoe Waterworld takes place....
Click on the link here for all clubs summer timetable...
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Children of all ages enjoyed activities during May Half term at our holiday club. There was circus skills, action and adventure, High School Musical performing arts workshop, rugby, arts and crafts, football and multisport. We have been running holiday clubs since February and they have been very successful. Children have experienced cookery, magic, mad science, karate, film making and many other activities. If you have any suggestions for what activities you would like to see us run in the Summer Holidays please email us on parkheadcommunityprimaryschool@gateshead.gov.uk or call us on 0191 4335618.
Please note Parkhead will be hosting Gateshead council 'Active Kids' scheme at our school for 5 - 14 year olds during the week commencing 17th August. If you would like to register interest for a place please call us on the number above. Click on the link below to see some of our photographs.

Despite the threats of the rain to dampen our spirits we were blessed with brilliant sunshine for both days. Everyone enjoyed the visits; see the fun we had at the Sage! from Mrs McDermid

Children from Year 4 , 5 and 6 enjoyed an outdoor activity week at Whithaugh Park in the Easter holidays. All 53 children and 11 teachers had a brilliant time. Activities included canoeing, raft building, high ropes, gorge walk and many other adventure activities.

Year 5 and 6 visited Seahouses last week as part of their coastal studies project

We are trialling activities for all children at Parkhead School this February half term. There is a variety of sessions on offer such as ‘Learning to be a magician’, 'American Sports' 'Junior First Aid ' a variety of sports sessions and much more! Sessions can be booked by half day, full day or any combination over the week and is open to all ages. Please click on the link below for more information and the full timetable for the week.
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Please find the list of after school clubs for Spring Term. Click on the link to see the timetable and letter sent to parents last week. To book a place either email , phone or pop in to school.
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Download file

Would you like your child to have a love of reading?
Would you like your child to be heard read every day?
Would you like your child to improve their reading skills?
Click on the link below to find out more...................
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We are now operating a breakfast club, every morning of the week, free of charge.
Monday , Tuesday and Thursday Breakfast club starts at 8am. Wednesday and Friday start at 7.45am.
The breakfast club operates in our KS2 hall and is open to all children attending Parkhead.
All children will get provided with toast and juice at 8.45am after their activity session.
To reserve a place for your child, please download the form on the link below and drop it into the school office.
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We are currently recruiting for a Lunchtime Supervisor to join our team.
Please click on the link below to find out more information. If you wish to apply for this post please download an application form and email it to parkheadcommunityprimaryschool@gateshead.gov.uk

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Download file

Please remember that all schools now meet the Nutrient based standards.This will mean that menus will have to meet the minimum targets for nutrients including iron, zinc, calcium and intake of fat, salt and sugar. Consequently it is possible for your child to get their ‘5 a day’ fruit and vegetable intake from one school meal!
Please click on the link below to see our current menu:
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We currently have a vacancy for an Administration Assistant. If you would like to obtain further information please contact Mandy Wilson , School Business Manager at Parkhead or read the advert below.

Please click on the link to see the advert.
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You can also click on the link here to download an application form.

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Download file

Year Two had a fantastic time at the farm. Can you name the animals they saw? Follow the link to find out.

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The staff and governors of Parkhead Community Primary School wish everyone a successful 2008.

Check out this latest video added to the site:

Our Children in Need Bring and Buy Sale (01m:59s)

A short video about Mr Stevens recent visit to our school:

Mr Stevens visits the school (00m:20s)

Peter Bolger from Gateshead City Learning Centre will lead a staff session this afternoon introducing the new school website. Colleagues will get a hands-on opportunity to publish content to the site - no tech expertise needed. Honest!

At Parkhead we pride ourselves in helping children to learn the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. To support this we take part in a wide range of sporting events and competitions look out on this website for postings celebrating our success and continued enthusiasm in this area.

Over the summer there has been a good deal of building work in the Key Stage 1 area, and so now all Year 1 and 2 classrooms have doors on them and the Foundation Stage Unit has it’s own distinct space with a new door leading directly onto the Outdoor Learning Environment.

watch the video [wmv: 00:03:36]

We are very fortunate that in our on-site Children’s Centre building we will soon be welcoming ‘Ready Steady Grow’ 0-4 year old day-care provision as they move premises from the Shibdon Bank building. New fencing is currently being installed to provide a more secure access for users of ‘Ready Steady Grow’.