Consett Junior School

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Ethan and Emily’s ‘Ring the Bell’ Day

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Today we have had a very special and memorable day in school to celebrate the end of treatment for Ethan and Emily.  Both children have been undergoing treatment for Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), Ethan has had three years of treatment and Emily two years.  As our school community have been part of their journey and this is such an amazing time, we decided to celebrate with them in school.

This morning the whole school came together for a special assembly and the families and friends of Ethan and Emily came along. Mr Dixon introduced the assembly and talked about why we had all come together, after this there was a very emotional slideshow of memories of both the children which highlighted the importance of strong families and also that they are two very brave and strong children. Following the slideshow we welcomed Jagoda Campbell-Hewson, who is a cancer specialist nurse at the RVI and has grown so close to the children throughout their treatment, to talk to the children about their type of cancer and what treatment they have had. This was a very engaging and informative assembly and she delivered it sensitively and even brought humour and audience engagement into the mix!  The children asked many questions and left with an understanding of ALL.

At the end of the assembly Mr Dixon talked about their journey and how amazed he was at the care and sensitivity of all the children in school, as they have supported them on their way to recovery. A huge thank you Taylor Shaw as one of their employees (and lucky for us she is also one of our parents), Helen Merritt made two AMAZING cakes, one for each child as each of their roads to recovery were individual to them.

Finally, although this is not completely the end of treatment for Ethan and Emily, as they will still need to have check ups, and the worry will never be too far away from their parents minds, we wanted to mark this in some way in school. So, as the children ‘rang the bell’ at the RVI we have purchased a bell and individual plaques which have been put up in school.  So even after the children move on through their lives and we are a memory we hope they treasure, their bravery and resiliency will echo through the ethos of the school and all will remember two of the bravest children we were blessed to teach.

A huge thank you to all of our families for always keeping these children in mind at times when yours have been poorly.  Today we have raised £139.00 for Wards 4 and 14 of the RVI.

We have enjoyed a very ‘dancy’ lunch and the catering team did an amazing job of serving almost 160 lunches and decorating the hatch with balloons and ribbons donated to them by a flower shop in Stanley.

 

Mrs Raine and ‘The Wall 2020 Rat Race 20th June 2020’

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Many of our families may well remember when I participated in this event in 2018, at that time we were raising money for ‘Children with Cancer UK’. My target for the race at that time was £1,500 and through the support of family and friends we smashed that target!

So on Saturday 20th June I am enrolled to participate in this race again. Please sponsor me to run 69 miles in one day for ‘If You Care Share’. I know how gruelling, lonely and mentally challenging this race is, however, it is only a 24 hour battle for me (well 16 hours, 33 minutes and 9 seconds if i beat my previous time), nothing compared to those suffering with mental illness or receiving support for loosing someone to suicide. I am using the same fundraising link as the school one, so everything i raise will go towards our school target. There are 18 weeks until the BIG day…

https://www.wonderful.org/fundraiser/consettjuniorschoolfundraising201920-d6627b25

https://ratracethewall.co.uk/

Thank you so much in advance

Mrs Raine

Inclement Weather Information

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This post is to alert parents to our procedures in the event of bad weather. It is always our priority to remain open and as such Mr O’Dowd will work to ensure that the site is both accessible and safe.

There may, however, be occasions when the school might not be able to open as normal as a result of severe weather. It is always difficult to make the right decision due to the unpredictability of the weather; we will aim to do this as swiftly as we can. Please rest assured that any decisions taken will be based around ensuring that your children are kept as safe as possible, taking into account: ◦whether children can get safely to school/public transport is running/main roads are accessible ◦whether enough staff can get to school to have a safe pupil-teacher ratio.

In such instances, any changes to the usual opening times will be communicated via:

◦Visit https://www.durham.gov.uk to see a list of ‘temporary school closures’

◦Local radio alert
◦A school App alert
◦A school website update

◦A school text message

Please be aware that when the school is open during periods of bad weather, we anticipate a later arrival of children due to transport delays caused by road traffic conditions. In light of this, on some occasions we will alert you if we change the time we close the register.

On rare occasions too, a decision may be made to send pupils home early or to close the school during the school day due to severe weather conditions. In such instances, parents/carers will be notified in the first instance by a school text message, followed by a school app alert and school website update. There are also some families who will be contacted directly on other numbers, but only if they have notified the office to do so. It is on these poor weather occasions we would stress the importance of checking your phone and ensuring your contact details are correct.

If you are in any doubt about school closures please ensure you check our systems for our communications first.

Valentines Disco 2020 Dancing…

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Falconry Days – Birds of Prey

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Yesterday (6th February), Megan from Falconry Days spent the day in school educating and inspiring the children by class about the importance of birds of prey in the wild and captivity. She brought with her a Tawny Owl, a Brown Owl and a Kestrel. She provided an interactive, hands on educational talk and demonstration discussing each of the birds, their habitat, what they eat and how they are trained.  The children asked some very interesting questions.

The children had a lovely time and six children were selected from each class to have a turn at holding the birds. It was amazing. If your child shared their experience with you when they left school, i am pleased to inform that they will be attending our fun day on the 10th July, so a chance for you to see this display for yourself.

https://www.falconrydays.com/

Check out the gallery below, photographs will be added over the next week as they are shared with the office.

Ethan and Emily’s end of treatment

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As a school community who have cared and supported Ethan and Emily over the last few years, and will be part of their special day in school next week, please read the Northern Echo article below. It is such an amazing end to their treatment.

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/18207859.consett-junior-school-pupils-celebrate-all-clear-leukaemia/

Ward 14 have been amazing for both children. We are donating our usual £1 non uniform fine to them from Friday 14th February.

Parent/Carer and Child Sponsored 5k(ish) ‘Fun Run’

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We are holding a sponsored Fun Run on Friday 10th July to raise money for our nominated charity ‘IF U Care Share’.  If you would like to register for this run can you please return the form (sent home on 4th February) to Mrs Raine before Friday 3rd April, as we need accurate numbers in order to fill the 70 seater coach.

You do not have to be ‘super fit’; whilst this is a run, the focus is fun, teamwork and raising as much as we can for charity.  We do not want people to feel put off if they worry they cannot do it, if you want you can jog/walk the route.  It is just over 3 mile, from Rowley to Consett Rugby Club, which is mainly running along the cycle path.  We will run if it is raining, although fingers crossed for a dry day as this is also the day of our charity event!  If this is not for you or your child, they will still complete a sponsored run during the afternoon around the Rugby fields. If it is for you then you have 5 months to train for it.

Before you enter, here are some things to consider:

  • You must start and finish with your child.  If you have more than one sibling in school you can run as a family, you can even push younger siblings in a buggy.
  • If your child wants to participate and you do not, another family member can go in your place, or another child’s parent.  Just ensure you inform us of the person they are registering to run with.
  • If you want to participate and your child does not, then still register, it is a sponsored event so the more participants the better, plus, the camaraderie will be amazing. Extra adults on the route will also be helpful for the organisation.
  • To get to Rowley there is a 70 seater coach leaving from our school at 1.00 p.m. So, arriving at school for no later than 12.40 p.m. is advised. The coach will take us to Rowley farm at the entrance to the farm track. The route is mainly the cycle track, but there are some roads to cross to get to the Consett bypass, then the route passed the Academy leading the Rugby Club.
  • The participating adult is responsible for the care of their child on the run.
  • There will be Marshals at points on the run (with first aid kits and camera’s!)
  • Registration is from now until 3rd April 2020
  • The race finishes at Consett Rugby Club, participants must sign the register on arrival at the club so we know everyone has made it back safely.

Once you have returned your form, you will receive further information and your sponsorship forms (After Easter).

Many thanks

Mrs Raine

Operations Manager

After School Clubs w/c 24th February 2020

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Below are details of the second half of the spring terms after school clubs. Letters for the two ‘New’ clubs will be given to children to book their place(s). Our clubs are popular so please ensure you return your forms sooner rather than later. Nurture club letters have gone out today (31/01/2020), the IF U Care Share Fair Crafts letter will go out on Monday.

Recycling Club finishes on Tuesday 11th February and Basketball Club finishes on Thursday 13th February.

*NEW* IF U Care Share Craft Making Club for children in all years 4 & 5 every Tuesday until 4.30 p.m. from Tuesday 25th February. The cost is £6.00 for the 6 week half term, limited to 25 places. The last session will be Tuesday 31st March. All crafts (friendship brace lists etc) made in this club will be sold at our Fair on Friday 10th July. This club will re-run again before the Fair.

*NEW* Nurture Club for selected children in all years every Thursday until 4.30 p.m. from Thursday 27th February. The cost is £2.00 per week (this includes £1 tuck shop money), limited to 35 places. The last session will be Thursday 21st May. At times, this club may be cancelled if it overlaps with other events i.e. parents/carers evenings.

Football Training will continue after school until 4.45 p.m. every Friday, for children in Year 5 & 6. This club is full. The last session this half term is Friday 14th February and it recommences on Friday 28th February.

Chris Shield’s Healthy Lifestyle After School Club for Year 6 will continue on a Wednesday until Easter. Recommencing on Wednesday 26th February. This club is not on on Wednesday 12th February due to the Valentines Disco.

*Changes after Easter* Art club will continue every Friday from Friday 28th February, until 4.30 p.m., this club will run for Year 3 children until Friday 3rd April. After Easter this club will be offered to the children in Year 6.

Brass band – For current members will continue from Monday 24th February until 4.30 p.m. and is £1.50 per week.

Karate club – For existing members and will recommence on Tuesday 25th February.

Cross Country – This is a lunchtime running club for existing members. Children run Wednesday and Thursday lunchtimes. Selected children also run after school on a Tuesday. This club will run for the entire academic year. After School training will recommence on Tuesday 25th February.

A register of children attending all clubs will be taken. Band, karate, football, art and cross country remain as last term (members only).

Return of…‘Nurture’ Club – Invitation Only After School Club

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Our nurture club has been very successful and well attended in previous years. Nurture club is a supportive after school club, initially for up to 30 children.

If we feel your child will benefit from attending this club they have been provided with a letter today (31st January).

The children in this nurture group will spend an after school hour each week with a mixture of other year group peers, for a range of planned activities. The nurture group is aimed to provide a warm and welcoming environment which contains aspects of home and school, with plenty of space and resources for fun activities, such as music, art, games, dance and any activities the children may request. It is a safe, predictable environment where the unique developmental needs of each child are met.

This club will be staffed by three adults, which include Mrs Raine, Miss Oselton Mrs Hannant/Miss Waters. The nature of the relationships which the staff of the ‘nurture club’ have with the children is explicitly supportive and courteous. The staff will continue to support the children to enhance their confidence, cement relationships with others and take pride in themselves. The task of the staff is to make the children feel accepted and valued, to engage them in learning and in the life of the school, and to help them relate to each other by using the group dynamics to foster and promote strong relationships. As confidence grows, we hope each child grows within themselves, which will support them as they grow and achieve throughout our school and beyond. This club will be every Thursday and as the weather improves we will spend time outdoors. Children part of this club who are at swimming will be brought back to school for this club.