Friday News Archive

Congratulations

Well done to Lauren Wheeler who has gained her Level 7 ASA National Swimming Award, and to her sister, Jolly, who completed a term at Level 9.

Year 6 Disco

Some parents have hired the hall and have organised a disco for Year 6 children. They have asked me to remind parents that it is on this evening, from 6.00 – 9.00 p.m. All children in Year 6 are invited to come dressed as their favourite pop star, or just come as themselves. Tickets from Louise, Sienna’s mum, at £2.50 each, or pay on the door tonight. Parents are also invited, and can bring their own refreshment! This is not a school event, so please note that supervision is not the responsibility of school staff.

At School This Week

We started the week with another visit from Michael Cox, our adopted author, on Monday. He spent the day working with each class on their story writing. Mrs Layzell put up a very interesting exhibition of children’s writing in the hall, and some parents came and had a look.

On Tuesday, we had a very posh opening of our 200 years exhibit at Brighton Museum. It was a really special event, and lots of family members joined us for the reception.

Year 4 children went off to Pyke House on Wednesday; they are having a lovely time. They return today at 2.30 p.m.

Year 5 had a very energetic walk over the Downs from Devil’s Dyke to the Youth Hostel at Truleigh Hill. They are all having a great time.

Year 2 had a wonderful visit to the Pavilion and the Museum on Thursday.

Two-Minute’s Silence for the London Bombing Victims

All of the children who were in the school yesterday sat together with the adults on the playground and observed the silence immaculately. Children who were on outings also stopped where they were, and remained silent for two minutes.

Abseil for CLICTeam
Middle Street successfully completed our 90ft abseil on Saturday. Please could you hand any sponsorship money to the office as soon as possible. Thanks.

Next Week

Reports will be coming home on Monday

Children will be spending time with their new teachers on Monday.

On Tuesday from 2.00 p.m., you are invited in to your child’s class to look at their work.

On Wednesday, Year 6 are going on their picnic at Preston Park.

On Thursday afternoon Year 6 will have their Leavers’ Assembly.

Friday 22nd July is the last day of the school year.

Farewell to Year 6

I would like to wish all of the children who are leaving Middle Street Primary School next week all the very best in their secondary schools. I know that they are well prepared for this exciting stage in their lives. Good luck to them all!

Good Luck to Ms Hadgkiss

I would also like to extend best wishes to Ann Hadgkiss who is going to be teaching at Whitehawk Primary School from September for a year.

My Last Friday News!

As next Friday will be a very busy day, I do not intend to write a Friday News. So, I will be signing off the year with this one.
I have had an amazing time working at Middle Street, first as a class teacher and Deputy Head, then as Headteacher for 7 years. This is a wonderful school, with the most incredible vibrancy and community spirit. There are so many reasons why I will miss Middle Street, but of course, it is the people who make it so special.
I know that Julie Aldous and Julie Layzell will be a fantastic Leadership Team, and together with the staff, children and families, they will go on to take Middle Street to even greater things in the future. I will miss you all, and wish you well in everything you do.
Have a great summer!

Super Sports Days

The Nursery and Reception sports day was wonderful. I hope that all parents and carers enjoyed themselves as much as the children did.
The Years 1 to 6 Sports Day was a huge success, and lots of parents and carers were able to join in the fun. Many thanks to Karen Busby for organising what has been described by many as the “best sports day ever”!

Congratulations

Coltrane in Year 4 has won a superb trophy for his achievements in a recent Chess tournament. Well done Coltrane.
I was delighted to hear about our karate experts. Jeric in Reception has his red belt, Kati in Reception and Dillon in Year 2 have their yellow belts and Ariel in Year 2 has his orange belt for karate. Amazing!
Oscar Klein in Year 3 has been awarded his National Swimming Award Level 7 – that’s very impressive Oscar.

Abseil for CLIC

“Team Middle Street” is gearing itself up for the abseil down Peacehaven Cliffs tomorrow morning at 9.45. We are a little apprehensive, but are all very motivated to do it. We still need some more money to reach our target of £400, so please help us to raise as much as possible. Offers after the event will also be gratefully received.

Literacy Gallery

Michael Cox, our adopted author, is coming back to spend the day with us next Monday. There will be a gallery of writing in the hall on Monday after school until 4.30. Please come along and see the range of writing that has been going on – the handwriting competition prize winners are on display. Thanks to Mrs Layzell for organising all of the events.

Brighton Museum Display

A letter is coming home about the opening of the display as part of the school’s bicentenary celebrations. It will be at Brighton Museum on Tuesday 12th July from 3.15 to 7.00 p.m. If you can’t make that time, do go and see the exhibition that will be on until November.
The display represents a huge amount of work by Dave Dyer the group of very dedicated parents, museum staff and children at the school. It is very unusual and special for a school to have it’s own display at the Museum.

There will be no Cabinets and Pods next Tuesday, as Mr Dyer will be at the Museum.

Next Week at School:

Year 4 children are off to Pyke House on Wednesday and Year 5 go to Truleigh Hill on Thursday for their residential visits.

Year 5 children will be visiting Blatchington Mill School on Wednesday afternoon to watch the South Pacific. The children were treated to a music workshop on Wednesday with staff and students from the show, so they should be all geared up to sing along.

Year 2 will be visiting the Royal Pavilion and Museum on Thursday 14th July, and will be having a picnic in the gardens.

End of Year Arrangements

On Monday 11th July, parents of children who will be in Year One next year are invited to meet Mrs Denyer from 2.30 p.m. in her classroom.

On Monday 18th July all children (except Year 6) will be spending the morning with their new teachers in their new classrooms.

On Tuesday 19th July from 2.00 p.m. you are invited in to spend some time in your child’s class, having a look at their work.

Reports will be coming home soon.

The Year 6 Leavers assembly will be on Thursday 21st July from 1.30 in the hall, Year 6 parents and carers are invited to join us.

The children in Year 6 are going out to Donatello’s on Tuesday 19th in the evening, and are having a picnic on Wednesday 20th.

The last day of term is Friday 22nd July, children return to school on Wednesday 7th September.

Playground Meeting

It was good to meet with parents to go over some of the plans for phase one of the playground development scheme. Because of the large amounts of money involved, we do have to get quotes from a range of companies before we can authorise any works to commence.
We all agreed that it would be helpful to put some of the proposals up on the notice board.

Staffing from September:

Acting Deputy Headteacher

I am very pleased to announce that Julie Layzell has been appointed as temporary Deputy Headteacher for one term from September 2005. The permanent position will be advertised soon, and the person appointed will start in January 2006. As Mrs Layzell will be out of class the governors are appointing a temporary teacher for one term.

Anne Hadgkiss

From September 2005 Ms Hadgkiss has been seconded by Brighton and Hove LEA to teach at Whitehawk Primary School for one year. We wish Anne all the very best in this venture and hope that she enjoys this development opportunity. The governors will be appointing a teacher for one year to cover for the secondment period.

Learning Mentor

The school is also going to appoint a Learning Mentor, funded through Excellence in Cities Behaviour Improvement Programme.

Sam Priestman, who works part time as an Educational Assistant in Year 1, has been accepted on the Graduate Teacher Programme and will be working here as a trainee teacher from September.

Pyke House

The children in Year 4 are looking forward to their residential visit to Pyke House on 13th July. This is always a very popular trip. Please could we have any outstanding payments as soon as possible, or come to the office if there is a problem.

Truleigh Hill

This is a new venture for the school. Year 5 children are going away on a residential trip to the Youth Hostel at Truleigh Hill on the Downs. I am sure that it will be very enjoyable for all.

Well done to Sam Pearce in Year 1 for gaining his 25 metre swimming certificate. That’s such a long way Sam – well done!

Abseil for CLIC

As you may know, Julie Layzell, Julie Aldous, Mick Brazil and I are going to abseil 90ft down Peacehaven Cliffs in a sponsored event to raise funds for the CLIC (Caring for Children with Cancer) charity. This will be on Saturday 9th July at 9.45 a.m. We are all a little nervous about this, but are really keen to do it to show solidarity for Kaia, who is currently undergoing treatment for leukaemia in London.
We want to raise as much money as possible for the CLIC charity. CLIC makes a real difference to the every day lives of children who are living with cancer, and also supports their families. For example, they fund specialist social workers, hospital play specialists, special nurses, weekend activity breaks and many other services.
As a team we need to raise at least £400 between us – so PLEASE, PLEASE could we ask you to sponsor us as a team? Even if it’s one or two pounds, this will all add up. Sponsor forms are in the office. Thank very much you in advance for your support.

Playground Developments

There has been a lot of consultation with children, parents, staff and governors about how best to develop the playgrounds. £7,000 has been allocated from the school budget and MSSA has raised £2,300 towards this project. Mrs Brill has organised for playground company reps to draw up plans and give professional advice and quotes. If you would like to find out more about what will be happening in the first phase of the project, please come along to a meeting next Wednesday at 3.10 p.m. in the Family Room – all are welcome.