Thurston Update 23rd – 27th Oct

19th October 2023Mr Bennett

20.10.23 Update

Dear all,

Lunches – If your child requires a school dinner next week, please contact the school office and they will help you book lunches.

Date issues – Some parents have asked if there is a chance of swapping their child’s place to the other Thurston week (13th – 17th Nov). I will reach out to parents with children attending week 1 and enquire as to the possibility of swapping. Obviously, this isn’t something I can enforce but I will ask.

Thank you for your understanding at this time. If you have any further questions please reach out via the school office.

Mr Bennett

 

Thurston week 1 – 23rd – 27th October

Dear Parents/Carers,

I have been informed this afternoon that the Thurston centre has an electrical issue, which has left the venue without heating, hot water or a fire alarm system. The school visiting this week have been sent home early.

Due to this issue, I am extremely disappointed to inform you that our forthcoming trip to Thurston next week will be postponed. The positive news is the trip has been rearranged for Monday 20th November 2023 – Friday 24th November 2023. This was the only alternative date in which we could be accommodated.

I ask that you relay the news to your child in the most appropriate way.

This decision was out of my hands, as the centre is currently unsafe to host visitors with no guarantee that it would be operational for a Monday arrival. We have moved as fast as we can and have secured the coach services for this new date.

For parents with children going to both weeks, you will notice that this now places both Thurston weeks back to back. I hope that will still work for you.

If you have any questions or queries then please email [email protected] and we will get back to you asap.

Many thanks for your understanding.

Mr Bennett

Head Teacher

WhatsApp Parental Guidance

13th October 2023Miss A Marshall

Although WhatsApp has an age restriction of 16+, it is becoming an increasingly popular messaging app amongst younger children. Depending on your child’s privacy settings, anyone can contact them or add them to group chats. Recently, WhatsApp have introduced new features which will ensure that the most appropriate settings are applied to the application for your child, to protect their safety. 

Download (PDF, 2.3MB)

 

 

Updates from the Head

4th October 2023Mr Bennett

Thank you to everyone who attended the Meet the Head – The Year Ahead Meetings in September.

Please find below an overview of two of the key areas discussed.

School Priorities including Maths

 

Parental Engagement 

Bastille Day!

19th July 2023Miss A Marshall

We celebrated Bastille Day from Nursery to Year 6 on Friday 14th of July, just like they do in France every year on the anniversary of the storming of Bastille. There was a range of activities carried out throughout the school from Eiffel Tower drawing and building, singing Heads Shoulders, Knees and Toes in French, learning French numbers and colours (for KS1), watching videos of the parade and fireworks at the Eiffel Tower and Champs Élysées. Everyone then indulged in some French cuisine with a delicious pain au chocolat!

High 5 Netball Friendly

7th July 2023Miss A Marshall

Our dedicated High 5 Netball team took part in an organised friendly against Whitburn Primary School. Our team was divided into three squads where they demonstrated fantastic skills and sportsmanship throughout the match. All children thoroughly enjoyed the friendly, and a huge well done to one of our Mortimer squads for winning all of their matches!

South Tyneside Dance Festival

30th June 2023Miss A Marshall
Children in Year 4 have been training with Miss Folan for two months for the Dance Festival held at The Customs House. After many rehearsals, their time had come to shine as they took the stage and gave their best performance yet! Miss Folan, Mrs Peacock and the children’s families were filled with pride as the children beamed and danced on the stage in front of a great crowd. 
The children had so much fun watching other schools perform too. 

Year 5 Micro:bit Workshop

26th June 2023Miss A Marshall

Year 5 were given the exciting opportunity to experiment with Micro:bit devices using their Chromebooks. The session was delivered by Mrs Hayward and Mrs Chippendale from ICT in Schools. All children thoroughly enjoyed the session where they were able to demonstrate their excellent coding skills and learn all about the ways that computer software and hardware are programmed to work together. 

 

Sun Safety

12th June 2023Mr Bennett
Mortimer Primary School
Excellence for all
Sun Safety – 12.6.23
Dear parents/carers,

The warm weather is finally here! We just wanted to pass on some sun safety tips for children at Mortimer.

  • Firstly, we highly recommend that pupils bring and wear a suitable sun hat when outside and drink water throughout the day.
  • Cooler clothing such as shorts and school summer dresses will also help.
  • If you would like your child to reapply sun cream during the day, then we ask that pupils bring in a roll on sun cream for personal use (rather than a squirty bottle).
  • This should be clearly named and kept in the pupils’ bag.
  • Pupils are asked not to share their sun cream.
  • We would be very grateful if pupils could be shown at home how to correctly apply their roll on. This is especially important with the eye area.
  • Pupils can apply at lunch time (or for afternoon PE etc) and we would like children to do this themselves.
  • When days are very hot (like today), we will limit time outside to ensure children can cool down.

Last year, we have had positive feedback regarding the Soltan Kids Protect & Moisterise Suncare roll on SPF50+, which is available from Boots.

We know that some parents watch for the ingredient Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, which is almond oil and is found in some products such as Nivea.

The following statement was released about almond oil in Nivea products. They state that they have refined the product so that it does not have an allergic potential. Read more at https://www.nivea.co.uk/allergy

Many thanks for your support

Mr Bennett

Head Teacher

Excellence for Pupils – Excellence for Staff – Excellence for Parents
Phone: 0191 455 4504
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mortimerprimary.co.uk