Archive for January, 2009

30th January 2009

Friday, January 30th, 2009

Baby Chicks Hatch

We were all very excited at the start of the week when we had three chicks hatch in the reception class. The chicks are all doing well and growing daily. Nursery and Reception children had a talk from the RSPCA and year 1 and 2 will be having a talk next week on how to look after animals. The RSPCA is a voluntary organisation who relies on donations, so we would like children to bring in donations of animal food or old blankets, to pass on to them. Look on our website to see one of the chicks.

A Day at the David Beckham Academy

Ms Busby, Mr Massey and 14 children from Year 6 had an amazing day at the David Beckham Academy in London yesterday. The children worked on literacy, science and team building skills as well as receiving some excellent football coaching. The whole day was an experience they will never forget. Middle Street was one of only 8 schools chosen from Brighton to go on this special day.

Year 5 and 6 Evacuated

Year 5 and Year 6 were evacuated to Lewes on Wednesday. They found out about what it was like to be evacuated during the war. They dressed up in clothing style from that period with a gas mask box and ate food similar to that eaten at the time. They experienced at the end of the journey how children were sorted and allocated a new home. Quite an experience for all.

Lost Property

I hope you have all been in to check our new and very organised lost property storage. Please pop in regularly to check for any lost items. I expect everyone has been very good and named children’s clothing. Thank you if you have done so.

On Time Teds

The winners this week are years 2 and 4. Well done to both classes for getting into school on time!
Years 1 and 5 are joint leaders at the moment. Which classes will win the £25 at the end of the term?

Stressed Down Day

A reminder that on Friday 6th February The school will be raising money for the Samaritans with a ‘Stress Down’ Day. On that day children and adults can come to school in pyjamas, slippers and dressing gowns. Teddies are optional. It will be a kind of school duvet day but without the duvets. Please pay 50p (or more if you wish) to take part. Warm your jim jams up ready for the day.

Dinner Money Information

Please pay dinner money on time. Scolarest who manage the school dinners at Middle Street are not happy about the debt owing to them. It may be that they decide to take matters further. So to avoid problems please keep up to date with payments. If you think you may be eligible for free meals please ask at the office.

Half Term Break

School closes on Friday 13th February at 3.00
for the half term break. Children return to school on Monday 23rd February.

Weather Warning

You are probably aware a lot of snow is expected over the weekend and into Monday. If the weather is severe there is a possibility of school closure. Please listen to either of the following radio stations: Southern FM, Juice or BBC Southern Counties. They will list any schools that are closed due to the weather.

23rd January 2009

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

Middle Street Children to Visit David Beckham Academy

We are very fortunate to have been invited along to The David Beckham Academy in London. The visit is for the day on 29th January. A group of Year 6 children will accompany Ms Busby on the trip. The children will be involved in role play challenges. So before the visit they will have applied for certain positions such as fitness coach, sports journalist, team manager etc. The children and the adults have a busy day ahead of them. The aim of the day is to promote a positive attitude to sport and exercise through activities based around football skills and healthy living. You can check out the David Beckham Academy website on www.davidbeckhamacademy.com

RSPCA to Visit Nursery and Reception Classes

As part of their Learning Journey on farms and animals Nursery and Reception children will receive a visit from the RSPCA. The children will hear about how to care for animals and also the role of the RSPCA.

Year 5 and Year 6 Evacuate!

Year 5 and Year 6 are evacuating to a church in Lewes as part of their ‘We’ll meet again’ Learning Journey. They will get a feel for what it was like for evacuees during World War 2. The children will travel to Lewes by train and have a packed lunch based on what would have been available during that period due to rationing. When they arrive at their destination they will be met by a small group of people who have experience of being evacuated during the war. So there will be lots of opportunities to listen to their stories and feelings about that difficult time in their lives.

On Time Teds Prizes to be Won!

The winners this week are Reception and Year 5. Well done to both classes for getting into school on time! This term we will be rewarding the Infant and Junior class that are awarded the On Time Teds the most often. Each class will win £25 to spend on a game or toy to play with in Golden Time.

Change of Date

Year 4 had planned an assembly for Friday 30th January but have postponed it. The assembly should now take place on Friday 6th February but this will be confirmed by the class teachers nearer the time.

Samaritans Stressed Down Day

On Friday 6th February we will be raising money for the Samaritans. We will have a ‘Stress Down’ Day and come to school in our pyjamas, slippers and dressing gowns. Teddies are optional. It will be a kind of school duvet day but without the duvets. Please pay 50p to take part and warm your jim jams up ready for the day.

Children’s Festival Parade Meeting

We need as much help as possible to prepare for the Children’s Parade in May. If you are able to help and want to get involved please come along to a meeting on Monday 26th January just after 9. The meeting will take place in TFI café (near to Oasis). If you can’t make the meeting but want to help please leave your contact details at the office and someone will get in touch.

Congratulations to…

Ben Spooner in Year 1 who has achieved his purple belt in Soo Bahk Do. Well done Ben!
Ren Scott Bridges and Gabriel Lavelle in Year 4 who have both achieved their yellow belts in Ikedo. Well done Ren and Gabriel!

Half Term Break

School closes on Friday 13th February at 3.00 for the half term break. Children return to school on Monday 23rd February.

16th January 2009

Friday, January 16th, 2009

Sorry Misinformation!

Last week I said that the BBC Southern Counties Middle Street feature would be broadcast on that Friday at 3.35 pm. Unfortunately, I was given the wrong information, which I then passed onto you. Middle Street has in fact been the BBC Southern Counties ‘school of the week’ this week. Each day Middle Street has featured at 3.25 and 3.35 for 5 minutes each time. The presenter of the programme was very impressed by the children’s confidence and the interesting things they had to say.

Learning Journey Curriculum Letters

This week you should have received from the class teacher an outline of your child’s class Learning Journey for this term. We are in the process of improving the termly class curriculum letter to ensure you are provided with all the information you need about your child’s learning. We will base the improvements on suggestions made by parent/carers in the Learning Journey feedback questionnaires.
Please find attached a letter containing an overview of parent and carers feedback on Learning Journeys.

Nit Weekend

We are having quite a problem with head lice at the moment. Please could all parents/carers check children’s and their own hair this weekend and deal with any unwanted ‘pets’. If we all do it this weekend and then check regularly then we could make itchy heads a thing of the past.

New Lost Property Storage

The lost property boxes can be found in the main corridor leading through the junior cloakroom area. We now have more appropriate storage for the lost property, which we hope will make it easier for you to find lost items. Please take a few minutes to check through lost property each week. Please could you remember to name your child’s clothing including PE kits and PE bags.

On Time Teds

The winners this week are Year 1 and Year 5. Well done to both year groups and their punctual parents and carers.

Dinner Money Please

Please keep up to date with dinner money payments. If you are entitled to free school meals but have not applied please ask at the office for more information on how to do so.

Little Canada Payments

Year 6 parents and carers please check with the office that your payments for the Little Canada residential are up to date.

Half Term Break

School closes on Friday 13th February at 3.00 for the half term break. Children return to school on Monday 23rd February.

9th January 2009

Friday, January 9th, 2009

Happy New Year and Welcome Back!

Welcome back to you all and a warm welcome to the new families who have joined the school this term. I hope you had a fun and enjoyable Christmas and that Santa left everything you wished for.

Take a Look at Black Lion Street

You will find new blue railings in Black Lion Street that have been designed by Middle Street children. They are also inscribed with amazing poems written by the children. At one end of the railings is a black lion, which was designed by Harry Fancy in Year 5.
The railings are quite amazing and we are so proud of the children involved in the design.

Children Interviewed on BBC Southern Counties Radio

BBC Southern Counties will feature Middle Street as their school of the week next week. They chatted to Toby and Lily from Reception, Alfie and Nadeen from Year 1 and Lucy and Jody from Year 2. You can listen in the afternoons at 3.35 on 95.3 FM to hear what they had to say, or listen live online at www.bbc.co.uk/southerncounties

Learning Journey Feedback

Thank you so much to all those parents and carers who have returned the Learning Journey feedback questionnaires. Such a lot of effort and thought has clearly gone into the answers and comments which has really been helpful along with some good ideas and suggestions for the future. If you haven’t returned your feedback questionnaire it’s not too late to do so.
The children have also been feeding back either as a whole class or as individuals. Their comments have been very positive and insightful too. I will be sending home a summary of the responses next week.

On Time Teds

The winners this week are Year 1 and Year 3. Well done to both year groups and their punctual parents and carers.

Homework Club at Library

Children may be interested to know of a homework club that is currently running at the Jubilee Library. The club is a drop in service for children aged 9 to 16 and runs on Mondays after school 3.30 – 5 pm

A Reminder to Wrap Up Warm!

It is very cold at the moment (stating the obvious I know) so please ensure your child has warm enough clothing for the outdoors. They are outside twice a day for breaks. The younger children are also out at other times. They should also wear shoes that are suitable and warm enough for the icy conditions we have been experiencing lately.

Congratulations to..

Tyus Thiruchelvam in Year 2 who has achieved his Level 3 National Swimming Award. Well done Tyus!

Half Term Break

School closes on Friday 13th February at 3.00 for the half term break. Children return to school on Monday 23rd February