Industrial Strike Action

27th January 2023Mr Bennett
Mortimer Primary School
Excellence for all
Industrial Strike Action – 27.1.23
Dear parents/carers,
As highlighted to you earlier this week, the NEU has called for strike action. The first of these strikes is scheduled for Wednesday 1st February. The strikes are happening as a result of a national dispute between the union and the government over pay and funding and not due to issues at our school.
The NEU are only one of three large teaching based unions, therefore the impact on each school will vary. With some schools closed to others being unaffected and operating as normal. At Mortimer Primary School, we fully support our staff and their right to exercise their own decisions regarding strike action. 
It is my duty to inform you that, given the information I have currently, Mortimer Primary School will be fully open to all children on 1/2/23. 
At present, the school day will run as normal with teaching of the national curriculum in all classes. I will continue to evaluate the situation and will update you if anything changes. 
With regard to the future strike days, we will be in touch with information regarding how our opening will be impacted nearer the time. These are scheduled for 28/2/23, 15/3/23 & 16/3/23.
Thank you 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

Read Write Inc Visit

25th January 2023Mr Bennett
Mortimer Primary School
Excellence for all
Read Write Inc Visit – 25.1.23
Dear parents/carers,

At the beginning of the academic year we embarked on a change to overhaul how we taught early reading and phonics. That change was Read Write Inc, a nationally recognised programme used by thousands of schools to teach early reading.

Earlier this week, we were visited by our consultant from Read Write Inc for a development day. She spent time visiting groups, observing our pupils and giving further coaching to staff.

The day was a real success and we are delighted at the feedback she gave, particularly about the quality of our teaching. She told us that ‘teaching is slick’ and she was very impressed by how well the programme is being implemented across Reception and KS1. She said that routines and expectations are well-embedded in every group and it was obvious that both the teaching staff and pupils were enjoying the lessons.

As ever, your children were a real credit to the school and the consultant commented on every child being engaged in each lesson she visited.

Implementing Read Write Inc. this successfully, is down to our reading team of teachers and teaching assistants. Their hard work has enabled the programme to make a successful start and set the foundation for all of our young readers. 

My thanks also to Mrs Douglas, who has provided the leadership and coaching to ensure Read Write Inc is a success for all pupils. As a Head Teacher, I am passionate about children being able to read, therefore I will continue to support our staff to deliver for your children.

I look forward to seeing our progress moving forward and thank you for your support during this change.

If you have any questions about Read Write Inc, then we would be happy to chat with you.

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

Parent Update

23rd January 2023Mr Bennett
Mortimer Primary School
Excellence for all
Parent Update – 23.1.23
Dear parents/carers,

It has been a fast paced start to the new term! We have been delighted to see so many parents in school to meet new staff and hear from the senior leaders. There is still time to sign up for the 2nd Meet the Head & SLT meeting this Thursday at 5pm.

(Sign up here https://schoolforms.uk/T/FB3Ln9Kyv50i6jtL3X)

A specific communication will be with you, on Tuesday 24th Jan, regarding teacher strike action. 

Please can I draw your attention to the following:

School Uniform & PE Kit

As a school we have noted that some children are not in the appropriate school uniform this term. We allow stud earrings only and ask that footwear is dark, preferably black. There is no requirement to wear uniform with the school logo. Clothes in the correct colours are also readily available at most supermarkets and high street stores.

We operate indoor and outdoor PE lessons to ensure we fully cover the curriculum. For outdoor lessons, we ask pupils to have outdoor trainers, jumper/tracksuit top, joggers/tracksuit bottoms and socks. Socks are especially important if your child wears tights to school. PE kit should be in school all week.

We also ask that shoulder length or longer hair be tied back, whilst earrings are removed by the child for PE lessons.

Information about our agreed uniform and PE kit can be found at https://mortimerprimary.co.uk/school-uniform-2/

Drinks in school

The love for the drink ‘Prime’ continues to attract children. Whilst we are happy to see children wanting to stay hydrated, we do ask that children use bottles, for their water, that have a sports cap rather than bringing bottles of Prime or other such drinks to school.

Smart Watches

Christmas has been very kind to some children and we have seen an increase in the number of KS2 pupils wearing Apple and other smart watches. Please can we ask that parents alter the settings of the watches to ensure that notifications, messages and updates are not received during the school day. This must also include the use of any camera function.

If you have any questions about any of these matters, then we would be happy to answer them.

Many thanks for your support

Mr Bennett

Head Teacher

 
Phone: 0191 455 4504
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mortimerprimary.co.uk

House Captains V The New Head Teacher

17th January 2023Mr Bennett

What a delight it was to finish my first week as Head Teacher being grilled by the House  Captains and Vice-Captains.

They brought some excellent questions which showed how much they care about their school. They asked questions about toilets, tuck shops and timetables for activities to name but a few.

I left with a list of things to think about and a lot of respect for this group of children.

I look forward to speaking to them again soon with some updates about their questions.

Mr Bennett

Meet the Head Teacher & SLT

13th January 2023Mr Bennett
Mortimer Primary School
Excellence for all
Meet the Head Teacher & SLT – 13.1.23
Dear parents/carers,
We have reached the end of a very busy but positive week! I am hoping that Friday the 13th is going to be kind to me in my first week as Head Teacher…
I am both hugely proud and immensely excited to lead this fantastic school, whilst working with you the parents. To mark this new start, I am organising a meeting for parents to attend and meet both myself and my senior leadership team.
This will be an opportunity to learn a little more about your new head teacher, my plans for the school and chat with the senior leaders. 
We are offering two sessions:
Friday 20th January @ 9am
or
Thursday 26th January @ 5pm
Please let us know you will be attending by completing the following form:
Have a lovely weekend and thank you for your support
Mr Bennett
Head Teacher

 
Phone: 0191 455 4504
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mortimerprimary.co.uk

Junior Park Run

12th January 2023A Stelling

South Tyneside Council is now hosting a weekly junior park run at North Marine Park, South Shields for children and young people aged 4 to 14 and their families.  Our first event took place last Sunday with 61 runners taking part!!

This free 2k event will be held every Sunday and works towards the Council’s ambition of keeping people well and healthy throughout their lives while having fun.

More information can be found here.

Meet the Teacher

11th January 2023Mr Bennett
Mortimer Primary School
Excellence for all
Meet the Teacher – 11.1.23
Dear parents/carers,
What: Meet the Teacher
When: Monday 16th January 3:30pm
Where: School Hall
We warmly invite you to meet the new teachers who have joined our team in January.  This will be a short meeting to put a name to a face and find out a little about your child’s new teacher. All three new teachers will be at the meeting.
Please let us know you will be attending by completing this quick form. https://forms.gle/a8XXWf2XGi1mgyUN7
We fully recognise that changing teachers mid way through the year is not perfect. However, we are extremely pleased to have Miss Souffi, Miss Shirlow and Miss Dowse join our school and we want to create a positive relationship with you the parents from the start.
Please enter via the the hall door entrance once the Reception teachers have dismissed all of the children. This entrance is next to the nursery.
We look forward to seeing you then!
Mr Bennett
Head Teacher

 
Phone: 0191 455 4504
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mortimerprimary.co.uk