Triptastic plans for Christmas (Oh yes there are!)

We have been looking to the future at CVPS and are so pleased that we can now consider Christmas 2021 as an ‘almost normal experience’.

Following last year’s restrictions we really missed all the usual CVPS Christmas traditions, so we have been inspired to make sure the children enjoy a fabulous Christmas this year. We have already booked some amazing activities and planned some lovely experiences as you can see below:

Y2, Y3, Y4 are off to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on Thursday the 16th December. They will need to be collected later than usual after school – times to be confirmed.

Y5, Y6 are off to see Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, performed by the Scottish National Ballet in Edinburgh on Thursday 2nd December.

EYFS and Y1 are off to see the pantomime at Whitley Bay which also happens to be Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs.

While the school is heavily subsidising these visits we are asking for a £15 contribution from families for the Edinburgh visit, and a £10 contribution for the local pantomimes.

COVID Update

I would like to encourage any adults who have not yet received two vaccines to sign up for them. Covid rates are still very high locally.

We continue to apply all our usual hygiene measures including handwashing, hand sanitising and extra leaning of touch points throughout school.

Our planned trips are subject to additional risk assessments as we use coaches and public transport to get to the venues. Please be assured that we are now very vigilant about referencing and preparing for Covid control measures on our ‘learning expeditions’ in addition to the usual. All risk assessments are signed off manually by all staff attending a trip, as well as by any volunteers who come along. Parents are welcome to receive copies if they wish.

Parent consultations Weds 10th December

In response to family and staff requests our usual parent consultation opportunity has been extended to an 8 minute slot per child for next Weds. Time slots have been released now for your child’s class teacher or the Higher Level Assistant Teacher in class if your child’s class has one. Please book your slots early to get the best choice. Staff will contact parents who have not made a booking by the end of Monday next week to fill in the remaining slots.

Huge well done to Erin Wraith for coming first in a horse riding competition. Erin explained to assembly this morning how she had to canter and ride over jumps in the outdoor ring before being awarded the rosette for first prize. Keep sending in the children’s achievements as we love to hear what they are up to outside of school.

In Y3 and in Y1 we see the children hard at work in class – more from Y4 and Y5 next week!

Christmas Carols at St Nicholas Church

We’d also like to remind families about the Christmas Carol Service that we have planned at St Nicholas Church on Tuesday the 14th December in the afternoon.

1.30-2.30pm EYFS, Y1, Y2 2.30-3.30pm Y3-Y6

We have space for one adult to visit each service. We would like to respectfully request that younger siblings do not come to the service – similar to this year’s sports day arrangement so please make separate arrangements for that hour. School aged siblings from the first service will be cared for in church during KS2 service. All children from the first carol service can be taken home with families at the end of the service should they wish.

PE clubs and specialists

It’s not only our cultural offer that’s been getting some attention – we now have our plans for a host of PE specialists coming into school as you can see from the table below.

Trip to the Sage Gateshead

We are combining a visit to Sage Gateshead with a visit to the Baltic or The Discovery Museum on Thursday the 25th November. This visit will be fully subsidised by school funds but written consent will be required for children to attend.

CVPS Family Christmas Lunch

Back by popular demand, the very special family Christmas lunch event! Each child is able to invite one special adult of their choice to come to school for a special two course Christmas dinner, with turkey and all the usual trimmings. (dietary requirements catered for!) We have reduced the overall numbers in the hall on these days, spreading out the dates throughout the week as follows:

Monday 6th December – 11.30-12.30 Nursery and Reception
Tuesday 7th December – 11.30-12.30 Y3 and Y4
Wednesday 8th December – 11.30-12.30 Y1 and Y2
Thursday 9th December – 11.45-12.45 Y5 and Y6 (please note later time)
Christmas dinner tickets are £5 per adult and will be added onto Parent Pay for you to book. Children pay their usual for their meal that day.

Children (and adults) can wear a Christmas jumper to their Christmas dinner day!

Get ready to say ‘Cheese!’

We have booked in Tempest – our usual school photographer for those who are keen to have the usual Christmas stocking fillers, for Friday the 26th November. This session is for children currently attending CVPS only and siblings cannot be brought in as we’ve done previously.

We have been assured that children who order promptly will be able to get the photos returned in time for Christmas. We have also booked them in for next year so that the current Y6 leavers get the chance to buy a perfectly-posed whole class photo! Get ready to say ‘Cheese’!

Car park and outdoor news

A few months ago I explained that we were applying for planning consent to refurbish the car park and provide a lot of new outdoor gym equipment and a running track in the school field. We now have planning consent and will be starting the new work in the new year! After ten years we have the final piece of the outside space moving towards completion giving me not only a lesson in patience, but also giving the children a fabulous active space to enjoy alongside the creativity of forest school!

Family Support Worker Amy’s update

Why is punctuality so important?

We strongly believe that all children should have access to a good education as it provides a great start in life. To ensure children have an equal chance of accessing our engaging curriculum, it is important that they are attending school regularly and punctually. Arriving on time sets the children up for a great start to the day and puts them in a positive frame of mind for their learning.

Top tips for getting to school on time

• A good night time routine to make sure the children aren’t too tired for school
• Get to know your child’s timetable – work together to make sure they have everything ready the night before
• Do homework in the evening rather than the morning
• A good breakfast to set the children up for the day

In the coming weeks I will be setting up parent workshops or drop ins to discuss attendance and punctuality. So if there is anything you would like a hand with then let me know!

Amy – Family Support Worker

Paul’s outdoor idea

Firstly, may I thank you for all the effort that went into the nature frame over half term – I was very impressed with those posted on Facebook and those that came into School as well, so well done.

This week’s idea is a fun activity when you are out and about and was inspired by Greg James and his Radio One breakfast show. He set his listeners a challenge – the leaves are falling (especially in the stronger winds of last week). When you are out and about if a leaf is dropping your challenge is to try and catch a leaf off a tree before it hits the ground. Enjoy yourself and make sure you stay safe.

Achievement Awards

Kindness champion – Olivia Hamilton
Children achieving gold this week – Y1 – Leah Home