Spring 2 2012
Dates for your diary
Easter Break up Friday 30 March
Return Monday 16 April
May Day Monday 7th May
Summer half-term - Break up Friday 1 June
Return Monday 11 June
Summer Break Break up Friday 20 July
Return Tuesday 4 September
Sainsburys bag pack -£220 was raised to support the Holy Island Camp which we have visited for the past seven years. We were aided in our bag pack at Sainsburys by St John Vianney and St Cuthberts School. The centre is an excellent resource and hopefully this sum will help in its maintenance. We have raised a further £200 selling home-baked pies and peas to staff.
The husband of one of our staff will be undertaking a sponsored cycle ride to Holy Island and back to support the centre. We will be sending more information about this.
Share a card - This was a scheme at Christmas whereby we could make a donation to a local hospice rather than sending cards. £85 was raised. Thanks to everyone who contributed.
West View Project – Several of our classes have been involved with the Project this term and have had a challenging time taking part in a range of activities in the forest at Wynyard. Pupils have enjoyed this woodland work very much.
Parent View – We are expecting an Ofsted inspection in school in the near future. Part of the inspection will be to seek parental views about school. Ofsted have a new Parent View site where you can leave your comments about school. You can leave your comments on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it We are also going to offer parents/carers support after annual reviews to leave their views on the site if they wish. Parents and carers will be able to use a school computer and be supported by school staff.
Staff changes – Mr Hillan will be leaving us at the end of term as he is moving on to John Spence School in Tynemouth. I am sure you will all wish me to say a big THANK YOU for his hard work with and support for our pupils. We will be interviewing for a replacement soon and will keep you informed
Residentials – It is our aim for all pupils in school to have at least one residential opportunity during their time in Springwell. In the Summer Term we have visits to Dukes House Wood Adventure Centre, Holy Island in Northumberland and Centre Parcs in the Lake District. All of these are fantastic locations which have been carefully chosen to meet the needs of different ages and groups of pupils. Pupils will have a great time and experience a range of unique learning opportunities. If your child has been offered a place on a visit to one of these locations and you have any questions please get in touch with school.
Sports Relief – Our Sports Relief fundraising day was on March 23rd. Children had the opportunity to take part in a range of activities including : staff v pupils basketball, climbing tower, relay races, table tennis, multi sensory activities and a range of other active events. Pupils had a very active and sporting day (everyone in school did the Sports Relief Mile) and funds were raised to support worthy causes nationally and worldwide. Thank you for your support in making this a great success.
Thank you – We would like to say a big THANK YOU to three organisations who have made donations to school recently. All funding will go toward the redevelopment of our Sensory Room.
* Florians Flower Shop and Ian Glass of Muscle World Gym who donated £400
* Hartlepool Engineers Social Club who donated £250
Fair-trade Tuck Shop – This is on Friday afternoons. Children may bring up to £1 into school to spend on items from the developing world where the manufacturers are guaranteed a fair price for the goods.
Hartlepool FC Season Ticket – We have a season ticket for an adult and child for every home game this season. The ticket will be raffled the week before each game. Raffle tickets are £1 for each game. If you would like a raffle ticket please get in touch with Kyra George in school.
Prepare for Summer – We have already had a number of warm and sunny days. Hopefully this will continue into the Summer Term. Could parents / carers please ensure that you send sun cream and a sun hat into school for your child.
Early Breakfast Club & After School Clubs – we have places for pupils in our Early Breakfast Club. This starts at 8.15 every morning and provides breakfast and activities for pupils. There is a small cost; £1.50 and parents/carers will have to bring children themselves.
Our After-school Clubs include: trampoline, cookery, relaxation, art football, rugby and computers. Activities take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3.15 to 4.15. If you would like your child to attend please get in touch with Annette Farnsworth in school. Parents usually have to pick their children up from school after clubs.
Forensic Software – We have a range of computer software in school that allows us to monitor every site that the children and staff access. This software and training in how to use it is also available for parents. We will be in touch to give further information.
Internet Safety – I will mention in every newsletter the dangers of unsupervised internet access for children. There have been many instances of children being ‘groomed’ on the internet by unsuitable adults. Children under the age of 13 should not be accessing sites such as Facebook.
Parents /carers should not put images of their children on the web that include images of other children in school.
Alongside our school website school also has its own Facebook page to inform parents / carers of special events.
Pupils from school should NOT try to contact any school staff via the internet. Child protection guidelines forbid staff to have internet contact with pupils
