Hot off the Press! – Super SATs Success!

Yesterday we got our year 6 SATs results. We are delighted to tell you that they are the BEST EVER achieved at this school since SATs started!. The children have worked like trojans this year, and as well as achieving academic success they have also enjoyed a vibrant, creative curriculum, brought to life by literature, art, history, ICT, visits, and visitors – all thanks to the hugely talented and super dedicated Mrs Millican, building upon the sterling work done last year by the equally inspirational Mrs Collins. We are all proud of the children – for their maturity, their hard work, fantastic behaviour and for the way they have embraced our ‘Can Do’ approach. We’d also like to thank parents and carers for the support and encouragement you have given your children this year. Well done everyone!

Family Learning Tasters Underway!

On Tuesday 28^th June year 4 held the first family learning taster session. We had a great turn out of 8 parents / carers. During the session the group was given a task to construct a bridge to cross a ravine. However, they had a budget and a time limit, which made it a challenge! Mrs Dawson and I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and hope the parents / carers did too. We would like to thank them for attending and showing their continued support. By Miss Heddle.

Fish and Ships!
Year 1’s topic this term is ‘Under the Sea’, we have been learning lots about sea creatures. Our topic began by visiting the Sealife Centre and Tynemouth beach. Since then we have looked at whole fish including prawns, trout, sea bream and many more. The children really enjoyed recognising parts of the fish and discussing their functions. Most of the children touched them (wearing gloves of course), the classroom didn’t smell great but it was all good fun! This term we have also looked at the places in the world that eat lots of fish including Japan. Last week the children made and ate sushi. We watched a Japanese video about how to make sushi rolls (which looked very easy) we then attempted it ourselves and most of the children tried it! It was a very fun morning for all. The children and I have loved this terms topic, lots of memorable experiences! Well done to Year 1

Almost time for High School Musical!

Year 6 have worked so hard over the past 6 weeks or so, and are now putting the finishing touches to High School Musical. Led by the super-talented Mrs Davies, the year 6 are proving that they’re just as good at singing and dancing as they are at SATs! The staff are rallying round, with Mrs Millican looking after lighting, Mr Newby on sound and Mrs Dawson chief costume buyer (she’s found her true vocation!). Tickets are now on sale…grab yours before the show sells out! Melanie (year 6) writes: Preperations for HSM are underway! With all the children putting 100% into it, the show is sure to be great- especially with the fantastic Miss Davies working with us! I really hope all goes well in the performance. I can’t wait to do my part!

Year 2 on Tour!

First we went on the coach then we drove to Sunderland Stadium of Light. When we walked around the Stadium we looked at the badge and the Black Cats on the wall.  We also saw a Davy Lamp which miners used to take down the mine. Next we went to see St Peters’ Church, we looked around the back of it.  We saw blue glass stones. After that we went to the Glass Centre. When we were there, we looked through the glass roof. Then we looked down the River Wear and there was a big blue boat. We also walked along Roker Pier which is half a mile to the lighthouse and back. At Roker beach we had our lunch and built sandcastles. Shannon Bryan-Green Year 2.

Future Wimbledon Stars!

Recently, eight of our Year 3 children took part in a tennis tournament against other local schools at the Puma Centre at Silksworth. The children were accompanied to the tournament by Miss McBeth who said that the children had a great time and their behaviour was excellent. The children competed in team games, such as balancing the tennis ball on the racquet, seeing how many times they could successfully bounce the ball and passing the ball to each other.  The children also had a game of tennis.  The children came second at the competition and we are very proud of their achievement. By Miss A McLoughlin

Rainforset Explorers!
On Friday 24^th June Year 4 went to Sunderland Winter Gardens to become ‘Rainforest Explorers’. During the visit we were able to share with the staff all of our knowledge about the rainforest and learn some new facts. We had the opportunity to handle some artefacts from the rainforest and decide what they were used for. Then it was time to explore! We had to find clues and answer questions posted around the Winter Gardens to help build up an argument as to why the rainforest is so important, and shouldn’t be chopped down. We had a great time searching through the plants and looking down from the birds eye view. The children were so well behaved and represented Grangetown Primary excellently. The visit was linked with our topic of habitats. So far in this topic children have created a wormery and collected worms, investigated habitats in the school grounds and found out all about the rainforest. They are all working so hard and thoroughly enjoying it. We are also planning an end of topic trip to Barnes Park to celebrate all we know and have a lovely end to a great topic. More information about the trip will follow in a separate letter.

Year 3 in Durham!
Year 3 had a fantastic day at Durham when we visited the Botanic Gardens and the Oriental Museum.  On the morning at the Botanic Gardens, we completed a quiz trail looking at different plants and trees.  We went into a meadow and were lucky enough to spot black moths.  In the greenhouses, which were very hot, we saw cacti of different shapes and sizes from places like America and Africa.  We went into the rainforest green house and we were able to hold stick insects.  On the afternoon, we went to the Oriental Museum.  At the museum we held ancient Egyptian artefacts, like pots and statues which were thousands of years old.  We also completed a quiz about artefacts such as canopic jars and jewellery and saw 2 ancient mummies. By Miss McLoughlin

Unwrapping the Mummy!
This term Year 3 are learning all about life in Ancient Egypt.  The children have been learning many different things including how the tomb of Tutankhamen was discovered, writing their own hieroglyphics and learning how a mummy was made.  The children have been writing diary entries, instructions and descriptions.  In DT, they are making a moving mummy and artwork will include drawing Egyptian figures on real papyrus paper.  The children also visited the Oriental Museum at Durham and handled some real Egyptian artefacts which were thousands of years old. Miss A McLoughlin.

Y5 Theatre visit ‘Under African Skies’
The Y5 children had another fabulous experience on Wednesday 15^th June, with our visit to No Limits Theatre. We set off full of excitement, and we certainly weren’t disappointed. The show was absolutely captivating! These are some of the things the children wrote about the visit: ‘It was great; they used music as a sound effect in a really creative way.’ Ryan; ‘The main part of it was about a boy who had set off on his own adventure, where he meets many new friends, including a group of friendly baboons, a giant snake and an old emperor who was suffering from illness.’ Katherine; ‘The music was played in lots of different rhythm and beats. I liked it when one of the musicians danced from behind one of the wooden cut-outs. I thought the show was terrific, especially when we were all dancing. I enjoy going to No Limits Theatre and I hope to go again.’ Kieron. Y5 Mrs Collins

Shiver me Timbers!
If you want to know about the life of a pirate Y5 is the class to ask! Following our visit to Hartlepool Historic Quay the children have learnt about how coasts are formed, coastal change, coastal features and what it was like to be a seafarer long ago. The children have made model sloops and galleons and are about to attempt a ship in a bottle! We have explored paintings of the sea e.g. The Storm by Turner and have invented our own pirates making a flip book. We have written poems, recounts, diaries, letters, captions, stories and our own book about the life of famous female pirates. Mrs Collins Y5

‘Oi - Get Off Our Train’!
This term Foundation Stage have been learning about lots of different types of transport.  We have read lots of transport stories such as ‘Oi Get Off Our Train’ and ‘Down by the Station.’  The children have enjoyed the topic so much we have had lots of contributions from parents such as photographs of the children on holiday and tickets the children have collected from bus and train journeys.  We have Grangetown International Airport and Travel Agents set up on the veranda where you can book a last minute getaway.  One of our parents kindly donated lots of resources for the role play area which has really helped bring it to life for the children.  Well done everyone! By the Foundation Stage Team

Knickerbocker’s Glory
The Dr Knickerbocker music show visited Grangetown for the second year running and it certainly didn’t disappoint.  Mike and Tom Jackson travelled all the way from Australia to tour schools in the North East.  We learnt lots of new songs such as ‘Bananas in Pyjamas’ and ‘Zucchinis in Bikinis!’  We got the chance to learn about and play the ukulele, ocarina and accordion – which was great fun.  Luke Rowell, one of our nursery children played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and we all sang along. By Miss Booth.

 ‘Wear Wonderful’
Year 2 have been learning all about the landmarks and places of interest in our local area. We recently enjoyed a ‘whistle-stop’ tour around Sunderland and visited the Stadium of Light, St. Peter’s Church, the National Glass Centre and finally Roker Beach and Pier. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and we used this as a stimulus to help us produce a leaflet to encourage people to visit Sunderland. We have also studied the legend of the Lambton Worm and its links to Penshaw Monument. We created a variety of rhyming poems, character descriptions and we also learnt the traditional Lambton Worm song. We have now perfected our ‘Mackem Twang’! Miss. Grainger, Mrs. Cole and Mrs. Napier

Expo Chef
As a reward for carrying out school dinners surveys and questionnaires, the year 6 children worked for the day with the ‘Expo Chef’. Throughout the course of the day, the children developed valuable skills in communication, teamwork, creativity. The children helped to make – and taste the food. They then worked to write a presentation to promote school dinners. Mrs Millican

Our Winning Line-Up for 2011-12!

Come and Join Us!

We still have places for nursery and reception, but they’re going fast. To secure your place, please contact Mrs Minto at the school office (call in or ring 5537647). All new starters to our Reception class will receive a free royal blue sweatshirt, complete with our new badge! Prospective parents are welcome to come and visit us. We were recently inspected by Ofsted, and they were full of praise for Early Years at Grangetown: “Children can work independently, are happy and increasingly confident in all areas of the provision and their behaviour is good”. Ofsted, March 2011.

Daisychain – the best Daycare available!
Do you need a daycare place for your child? Daisychain is open 51 weeks a year, from 8.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m. The fees are very competitive, and offer excellent value. Our daycare staff are hardworking, caring and skilled – they will ensure your child is happy and safe. As an added bonus, Daisychain can offer a wonderful outdoor environment, recently built at a cost of £40,000 – nothing but the best for our children! If you’re interested in a place in Daisychain, please speak to Catherine Heslop, our Daycare Manager. Pop in, or ring her on 553 7652. You can also discuss your childcare needs with Mrs Minto in the school office (5537647), or Miss Booth in school.

Update on Road Safety Campaign!
As you know, we are concerned about cars parking outside of school at the start and end of the day. Many parents are concerned about this. Sunderland Council have informed us that the zig-zags are to be extended, and given legal force. Please use the spaces at the bottom of Spelterworks Road for parking – it takes less than a minute to then walk to the school gates. Please note that no parking, picking up or dropping off is permitted on the road immediately outside of school. We are making these requests to ensure that the children stay safe. Thankyou.

In our Next Issue:

·    More Family Learning Tasters!

·    Year 6 Cycling Proficiency!

·    Stay Safe, Stay Healthy Week!

·    Our new-style Sports Day!

·    Year 5s Celebration Afternoon

·    Our very own belly-dancing troupe!

·    An MP visits Grangetown!

·    High School Musical photo special!

Dates for your diary


Fri 22 July. Last day of term! 

Enjoy your holiday!
School re-opens bright & early on Tuesday 6 September.
 

Also, see the What's On section of our website for a comprehensive and up to date listing of events and activities.
www.grangetown.sunderland.sch.uk