“The first to apologise is the bravest, the first to forgive is the strongest, and the first to forget is the happiest.”
Anon
Message From Mr Sutherland
Message From Mr Sutherland
Welcome to our first newsletter of this academic year and I hope that it finds you and your families safe and well.
It’s clear from the content of our newsletter just how much we have already accomplished this term and there is so much more to come after the half-term break. Speaking personally, there have been some significant highlights already this term. I was fortunate to be able to join our Year 6 children and some of our staff at their Ford Castle residential in September and it was such a wonderful start to the year. The children not only made me very proud as representatives of our school, but as individuals they demonstrated resilience, determination and not only supported and encouraged others but challenged themselves to take part in activities they may never have tried before. I would also like to say a huge “thank you” to the staff who were able to support this residential, giving up their own time and time with their families to ensure Year 6 had a fantastic time. Without their support, these residentials just wouldn’t happen!
It was lovely seeing so many parents and carers at our Meet the Teacher sessions. I think it is a wonderful way for you to see your child’s classroom, where they spend much of their day but also learn about just what happens during a day at Dunston Hill. The fact that it is explained to by the children makes it all the more valuable, rather than repeatedly sending a letter home and I hope that it brings our school to life for you.
New School Councillors have been elected and have already met to be part of discussions around the future of our school. This includes continuing the wonderful work our Climate Crew are doing to ensure that we are all as environmentally responsible as possible. We already have additional bins to help us sort our rubbish appearing all over school and this is a real, joined-up effort including Kingsmeadow school and Equans who run and maintain the site. Play Leaders are also now in place to support children over lunchtimes get the most from their play including helping them use the right equipment and ensure that every child who wants to be included, can be.
As always, English has had a high profile at the start of term with Roald Dahl Day, National Poetry Day and the “Stay & Read” sessions we held in Reception which were really well attended and it was clear that the children loved having parents join them in the classroom and were very proud to show them what they have been doing. In these days of technology overload, it was lovely seeing so many children just sitting with their parent or carer on a comfy cushion, reading to each other.
We had a fantastic Harvest Festival in school with the children from each year group presenting to the whole school. May I thank you all for your very kind donations which we have passed immediately to FACT to help them continue their work.
Next week, the last week of the half-term, we all look forward to welcoming you to our Parent Consultations, whether that be via phone call or in person. Miss Tuart and I will be around school also throughout the sessions to say “Hello”, so please feel free to ask us any questions or pass on your feedback.
Can I finally say a huge thank you to you all for your positivity and warm welcomes on the yard every day? You will be aware I am out as often as I can be but there are also members of staff there at the beginning and end of the day if you need to speak to someone or pass on a message. I believe it’s really important that we are a visible, welcoming presence as staff and to see that mirrored by our school community is heartening! Thank you.
If I don’t see you in the meantime, have a wonderful half-term break with family and friends.
Whole School Information
World Mental Health Day
For World Mental Health Day this year, the children embraced celebrating themselves by using positive affirmations to remind them how special and important they are. Classes took part in a range of fun activities – in Reception, children read ‘The Colour Monster’ and filled their own jars with pictures of things that made them feel happy, sad, calm etc whilst in KS1 and KS2, children practised doodling patterns and shapes, as well as the things that make them happy, to make them feel good.
Macmillan Coffee Morning
At our Macmillan Coffee Morning, we sold many delicious treats and played a brilliant game of bingo, raising a total of £112. Thank you for your kind donations.
Harvest Festival
Family Learning
Family Learning this half-term term has been a great success. Our families from Early Years and Key Stage 1 have enjoyed making ‘Story Sacks’ together.
Next half-term, the focus will be ‘Christmas Crafts’.
Information will be emailed to parents next week on how to book a place.
Family Forest
Our families have had a fantastic time participating in Forest School this half-term. We made dens, blackberry ink, mud faces, lovely autumn jars, and enjoyed a cosy campfire. Family Forest will continue next term on Wednesdays at 2:00 pm, information will be emailed to parents next week.
Toddlers
Join our Toddlers Group every Wednesday morning 8.50-9.45 am in our school hall. We would love to see you there.
Children In Need
Children in Need is Friday 15 November 2024. This year, children and staff can wear SPOTacular outfits or bright colours for a £1 donation.
Occasional Day
Reminder, school will be closed on Monday 25 November 2024 for our Occasional Day.
Secondary School Admissions for September 2025
The closing date for Secondary School places is 31 October 2023.
Apply online at www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions
School Photographs
Children were given a photo card to bring home with their unique code to order photographs, please contact the School Office if you have misplaced this code. School photographs ordered online by Sunday 3 November 2024 will receive free delivery to school.
Attendance
School attendance is essential. If your child has attendance less than 90%, they are classed as persistent absentees and their attendance in school is monitored and targets set. You will receive a letter if your child is persistently absent or late for school advising you of steps that will be put in place for September if improvements are not made. School attendance is so important, and Mrs Cox, our Family Support Worker, is always ready and willing to help any families that need additional support. If you have concerns re: attendance, please get in touch with her.
A REMINDER holidays taken during term time are not permitted and will be unauthorised.
Diarrhoea and Vomitting
A reminder that children with diarrhoea and/or vomiting must stay off school for 48 hours after the last episode. Please click on this link for advice from the NHS:
Diarrhoea and vomiting – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
School Lunch
The menu for the week commencing Monday 21 October 2024 is Week 2. School lunch cost £2.80 per day payable in advance using the school app Schoolgateway.
As part of our Healthy Schools programme, we ask that children not bring crisps, chocolate or fizzy drinks in their packed lunches.
Due to allergies, please ensure that no peanuts or items containing nuts are brought into school, including in the form of Snickers, chocolate spread or peanut butter sandwiches. This is especially important to remember for children bringing in packed lunches or snacks.
Forest School for Autumn Term 2
Children should come to school dressed in clothing suitable to the weather, a warm coat, gloves and a hat when cold. On their bottom half, they should wear black trousers you are happy for them to get dirty in, a school hoodie and a white T-shirt. They should bring their wellies to leave in a plastic carrier bag.
Monday – Reception
Tuesday – Year 2
PE days for Autumn Term 2
Children should come to school dressed in their PE kit; school hoodie, white t-shirt, navy or black shorts/tracksuit joggers and trainers for the full day.
Reception – Tuesday
Year 1 – Wednesday and Friday
Year 2 – Monday
Year 3 – Tuesday and Thursday
Year 4 – Monday and Wednesday
Year 5 – Wednesday. Monday – swimming kits
Year 6 – Tuesday and Thursday
Swimming
Year 5 children will continue to swim every Monday afternoon.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Monday – Year 4, 5 & 6 Karate Club
Tuesday – Year 3 & 4 Multi-Sports
Tuesday – SATs Booster Maths
Tuesday – KS1 Christmas Choir
Wednesday – Year 5 & 6 Boys Football Training (was Tuesday)
Thursday – Years 3 to 6 Christmas Choir with Mrs McLean and Mrs Harris
Thursday – Years 2 to 6 Happy Feet Dance Club
Information regarding after-school clubs will be emailed to parents/carers on Monday evening.
Lost Property
In order to reduce the amount of uniform children misplace in school, we kindly ask parents/carers to ensure all sweatshirts, cardigans, hoodies and coats are clearly marked with their child’s full name. This will help with the quick return of these items.
Early Years News
Reception Stay and Read
Key Stage One News
We are delighted with how well our Year 1 and Year 2 children have settled into their new classes and routines. They are showing enthusiasm for learning within all areas of the curriculum. Our Year 2 children have particularly enjoyed learning all about the Great Fire of London in History. They were fascinated by how quickly the fire spread and were fantastic at organising the events into chronological order. In Year 1, our children have thoroughly enjoyed our writing unit which is based on the story ‘Old Bear’ by Jane Hissey. They have also shown a lot of imagination during our dance unit of work where they got to perform a sequence in the role of toys in a toy shop.
Year 6 Residential to Ford Castle
What a wonderful time our Year 6 children had at Ford Castle in September! The two-night residential, in a real castle, allowed the children to complete a range of outdoor and adventurous activities including: bridge abseil, rifle shooting and a firm favourite – the river raft challenge! The children were a credit to Dunston Hill and had great fun sleeping in their dormitories, eating lots of delicious food, taking part in the activities and building relationships with their peers and new class teachers! Please see our Facebook Page for lots of snaps showcasing the great fun we had!
Ford Castle 2025 has been launched with our current Year 5 children and emails sent home regarding arrangements and payments from our school office. Please get in touch with Miss Parkin should you have any queries.
Celebrations through Reading
This half-term, we have been lucky enough to celebrate both Roald Dahl Day and National Poetry Day in school. Both of these days were launched by Miss Parkin using our tannoy system across school where we completed a quiz to guess the Roald Dahl character and also listened to two limericks to guess the staff members!
Our children completed work on chosen Roald Dahl books and wrote a range of poetry, including Odes, Limericks and Acrostic styles during writing lessons. If you are in school during our Parents Consultation week, please do take a moment to see our work displayed in our computing suite area.
Times Table Rockatars
Children in Years 3 to 6 are working hard to develop and embed knowledge of their times table facts up to 12 x 12. In class, they have the opportunity to access Times Table Rockstars and this also forms part of their current homework. Please ensure your children are using their individual login details to log in to either the Times Table Rockstars app or website. Short bursts of time across the week are great in supporting progress and retention of facts. If you are using the app, please ensure this is updated for the best experience. If you have any questions, please see your child’s class teacher. How many Rockstars will we have this year? Which class will top the leader board?
Climate Crew
Our new Climate Crew have been chosen! 16 very keen Year 3-6 children are super-keen to start their journey towards improving our environment this year. Our first meeting involved creating a new action plan for the year, outlining our sustainability goals. We have many exciting events and workshops planned and we are proud to announce that we have partnered with Northern Gas Network to help us to focus on reducing our carbon footprint. We will continue to work with Groundworks to help us to maintain our focus on reducing waste and improving recycling and we can’t wait to involve everyone at Dunston Hill!
Play Leaders
Wow! Our Play Leaders have amazed us this half-term. They have shown dedication and enthusiasm in their new role of helping the children during lunchtime in the schoolyard.
Sports News
Year 4/5 Girl’s Football
Earlier this year, some of our girls from Year 4 and 5 attended a county cup game. Despite not having long to develop their teamwork skills, the children put all of their efforts into the game and scored a number of goals throughout the afternoon. The girls will continue to work with Coach JJ to practise playing as a team and we look forward to seeing them progress throughout the year.
EYFS Multi-Sports Festival
Earlier this half-term, some of our Reception children took part in the multi-sports festival and this time there was an ‘under the sea’ theme. The children took part in a number of games and throughout the morning they practised their running, jumping and throwing.
KS2 Cross Country
Well done to all our KS2 Cross Country runners who recently took part in an event at Watergate Park. You were all amazing and brilliant representatives of Dunston Hill! Thank you to the parents and carers who came to support.
KS1 Indoor Athletics Festival
Lately, some of Year 2 children had a fabulous afternoon at Gateshead Stadium, competing in the KS1 Athletics event. During the afternoon, they engaged in a range of activities, including the high jump, long jump, sprints, throwing and the hurdles. One of our team members won a special certificate for the fastest sprint! We are proud of all the children who attended.
Year 5/6 Girl’s Football
A huge well done to our Year 5/6 girls who competed against 22 other schools in a recent football tournament. They played amazingly and made it through to the finals, walking away with silver medals. We are super proud of you all!
SEND and Nurture
Don’t forget you can contact Miss Tuart via sendco@dunstonhillschool.co.uk and Mrs Cox via fsw@dunstonhillschool.co.uk