In English lessons, pupils have been studying the World War 1 play, ‘Journey’s End’ by RC Sheriff, a powerful and moving play. It follows a group of British soldiers on the front line, in the days leading up to the German Spring Offensive, in March 1918, during which thousands of lives were lost.

Pupils were asked to complete ancestral research. Travelling back through time, they have  uncovered stories about the contributions their own families made in conflicts from World War 1 onwards.

On Thursday 10th November, pupils paid their respects to their Ancestors, to remember their Service, celebrate their Courage and give thanks for their Sacrifice. They presented 74 crosses to honour their Ancestors, this was a moving moment watched by many families.

Click the links below to listen to our pupils share some incredible stories.

Christmas lunch is being served in school on 16th December. See the menu below.

Following the government’s announcement last week that all students of Secondary school age (Years 7 and 8 in Newminster) should be tested on-site before returning to school after the Christmas holidays, please see below arrangements for testing at our school. Testing will help reduce transmission after a period of social mixing over the school holidays. 

Please click here to read the letter sent to parents

This year we attempted to do a particularly complex challenge to raise money for Children in Need. We made a Pudsey and Blush face on a huge scale from coloured items pupils brought into school. This was in the style of the TV show ‘Art Attack’.

We asked each pupil (560 in school)to bring into school a certain coloured everyday item from home such as clothing, teddy, pillow case, bowl, ball, etc (around 20cm square in size) today. So the pupils could creare bear faces and take a picture of the Art from the air using a drone.

We are so excited to announce that we are participating in a brilliant new venture at Newminster Middle School. We would like to champion creativity and are inviting all Year 5 students to create pieces of art to be part of an exhibition in a national virtual online gallery run by Art Bytes. Further details of their work can be found here.

Being able to see their own art like this builds confidence and nurtures talent. The Arts are a fabulous way for young people to express their thoughts and feelings and have a positive impact on mental health.

Thirty pieces of artwork from pupils in year 5 will be chosen by staff to be exhibited in the online gallery where there will be an online vote for the public’s favourite piece in April 2022. It may be a painting, sculpture, collage, print, photograph or drawing. The

winning piece of art for the school will be displayed online and the winning pupils will be given the opportunity to attend a celebration event at The Baltic Art Gallery in Gateshead in June 2022.

There is no theme or limit to the number of art pieces each pupil can submit to school. All we ask is that the artwork is given to either Mrs Woolley or Ms Jones by Friday 7th January 2022. Some artwork which has been done through the curriculum in school may be submitted with guidance from art teachers also.

Please encourage your child to take part in this amazing project! Everyone is creative – the challenge is to develop this.

As part of our PSHE programme this half term, students will be focusing on health and wellbeing. During form time, students will be looking at different types of self-care and reflecting on what works for them. Activities include finding things you have in common with others, stretching and breathing exercises, learning something new and carrying out acts of kindness. We’re encouraging students to continue to try different activities at home – why not try some as a family?

For more tips and information about looking after your child’s mental health go to www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/supporting-others/childrens-mental-health/

As a parent or carer, looking after your own wellbeing is also important and Every Mind Matters enables you to get tailored wellbeing support. Use the Mind Plan to see what works for you: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/your-mind-plan-quiz

Encore Panto Group proudly present Cinderella