Friday News Archive

Year 4 Returned

Year 4 were tired but happy when they returned from their residential trip on Wednesday. Mr Brosnan had a big smile on his face as he told us how amazing and brilliant the children had been during the trip. He said their behaviour and general manners were excellent throughout. They all joined in with the activities, had great fun at the disco and met lots of children from the other partnership schools who were also there. Thank you Mr Brosnan, Mr Wright, Ms Burrows and Mr Meadows for taking the children on this exciting adventure.

Fabulous Finishes

Years 1 and 2 are holding their fabulous finish on Wednesday 2^nd April at 2.00 pm, Years 5 and 6 are holding theirs on Thursday 3^rd April in the afternoon. Years 3 and 4 have had their fabulous finish fashion show but parents and carers are invited in to class on Wednesday 2^nd April in the afternoon to look at learning journey books with the children.

Children’s Parade Workshops

Mrs Purdy will be in school every day in the first week of the Easter holidays. She would love you to join her if you can to help produce the floats etc for the children’s parade. We are ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. The children’s parade takes place on Saturday 3^rd May. If you would like to help Mrs Purdy please contact the school office and arrange to meet with Mrs Purdy and share contact numbers.

Nursery Open Day

Our Nursery is holding an open day on Wednesday 2^nd April 3.30 – 5.00. If you know any families looking for nursery place for their child in September please tell them about our open day. Refreshments will be available and staff on hand to chat.

Thank You to Barnaby’s Dad

Barnaby’s dad has kindly donated some second hand sports kits for the school. Thank you Barnaby’s dad!

Anti-Bullying Workshop

We are holding an Anti-Bullying workshop for parents and carers in school on Tuesday  1^st April. The session takes place at 1.30 in the school hall. A letter has been sent home with details. Do let the office know if you would like to come along.

Clothing Sale

Pre-loved and Worn Again will be running a second hand children’s clothing sale in the school hall on Tuesday 1^st April. Sale starts at 3.15. Any unclaimed lost property will also be sold and profits will go to PTA.

Bind a Band for Those Who Need a Hand Matilda and Scarlett are raising money for the Clock Tower Sanctuary. They are a charity which helps young homeless people. They hope to raise £45. If you would like to help them please help them please but a special friendship bracelet from them or if you are feeling creative you can make your own. Matilda and Scarlett will be selling their bracelets from Monday 31^st March until the end of the week.

Easter Holiday Multi Sports Club Wayne Potbury our schools partnership sports development worker will be running a sports club during the holidays. The club is aimed at children from years 3,4,5 and 6 and takes place here at Middle Street. Wayne needs at least 12 children to attend in order to run the club. The club runs on Thursday 10^th April and Friday 11^th April between 9.30 and 12.30 (children can be collected 1.00 pm at the latest) the cost of the club is £18 with a 10% discount for siblings. In order to gauge interest and help Wayne decide if running the club is viable please could you let the office know if you are interested in your child taking part in the club.

Parent & Carer Workshops

We are running a workshop for parents and carers on sleep and bedtime routines. Bedtimes can sometimes be exhausting so come along and pick up some tips on how to deal with this common but sometimes challenging problem. The workshop lasts for 2 hours with time for questions. This workshop is on Thursday 24^th April from 9.15 until 11.15. Please sign up at the school office or speak to Katie Jones if you want to have a chat about the workshop. We will be running some drop in support, advice and information sessions on any parenting issue on Thursdays beginning in May. More information to follow.

On-Time Teds This week’s Key Stage 1 winners are Reception and in Key Stage 2 the winners are Year 6. Well done again to both classes for being on time for school!

Easter Break Children finish for the Easter break on Friday 4^th April Children return to school on Tuesday 22^nd April.

We will also be closed for polling day on Thursday 22^nd May.

New Site Manager

I am delighted to inform you that we have recruited a new site manager. Mr Tony Evans will begin working with us after the Easter holidays so look out for him on the school gates. During the interim we have been very well looked after by Joe and he will continue until Tony takes over.

Strike Day Information

We will be closed to children on Wednesday 26^th March due to teachers strike action.

Nursery Open Day

Our Nursery is holding an open day on Wednesday 2^nd April 3.30 – 5.00. If you know any families looking for nursery place for their child in September please tell them about our open day. Refreshments will be available and staff on hand to chat.

Front Playground

Our plans for the front playground are to remove the equipment as soon as possible. Most of it is now beyond repair so now is the time to rethink the area and begin fundraising to buy what we need to develop and improve the gardens and play areas. A couple of parents have spoken to me already about how they maybe able to help re: design etc. The money we have in the PTA account will go towards the project. If you have any ideas on where we can secure lots of money to enable us to really develop a fabulous space for the children do let me know.

Run for Middle Street

Cole’s (from Year 1) dad is running the Brighton Marathon and will be raising money for Middle Street. Any money raised will go towards our front playground developments. When I know how you can go about sponsoring him I’ll let you know.

Children’s Parade Workshops

Middle Street will be doing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, if you want to be involved please let the office know. There will be some workshops held during the Easter holidays, dates to be confirmed.

Anti-Bullying Workshop

We are holding an Anti-Bullying workshop for parents and carers in school on Tuesday  1^st April. No, it’s not an elaborate April Fool’s joke so do look out for further information very soon.

Easter Holiday Multi Sports Club

Wayne Potbury our schools partnership sports development worker will be running a sports club during the holidays. The club is aimed at children from years 3,4,5 and 6 and takes place here at Middle Street. Wayne needs at least 12 children to attend in order to run the club. The club runs on Thursday 10^th April and Friday 11^th April between 9.30 and 12.30 (children can be collected 1.00 pm at the latest) the cost of the club is £18 with a 10% discount for siblings. In order to gauge interest and help Wayne decide if running the club is viable please could you let the office know if you are interested in your child taking part in the club.

On-Time Teds

This week’s Key Stage 1 winners are Year 1 and in Key Stage 2 the winners are Year 3. Well done again to both classes for being on time for school!

Clothing Sale

Pre-loved and Worn Again will be running a second hand children’s clothing sale in the school hall on Tuesday 1^st April. Sale starts at 3.15. Any unclaimed lost property will also be sold and profits will go to PTA. Children can sell their unwanted toys and books etc and earn some extra pocket money. PTO for more info.

Head Lice

The head lice are busy reappearing on heads. They are especially enjoying the juicy heads of children in year 5! Please, please check your child’s head regularly even boys hair especially if you have long hair. Head lice have a great time on long hair as it makes it easier for them to travel from head to head. I had 22 on my head once and although I felt a sense of achievement as I counted them I was glad to get rid of them.

Governors News

The governors held their spring term full governing body meeting last night.

Lost

Rafi from reception has lost his Spiderman scooter. It has his name written underneath the scooting platform. If you find it please let the office know.

Easter Break

Children finish for the Easter break on Friday 4^th April Children return to school on Tuesday 22^nd April.

Let’s Dance

Year 3 performed in the Let’s Dance concert at the Dome and they were amazing. A very big thank you to the parents that helped with hair and makeup and special thanks to Ms Davies for all her hard work and  Mrs Purdy for making all the costumes. Well done Year 3 we are very proud of you.

Children’s Parade Workshops

Middle Street will be doing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, if you want to be involved our first meeting will be on Thursday 20^th March at 9.15 in the library. There will also be some workshops held during the Easter holidays, dates to be confirmed.

Parent and Carer Consultation Evenings

Parents evening will be on Wednesday 19^th and Thursday 20^th March. If you have not had a letter please ask at the school office.

Site Manager Interviews

Interviews are being held on Monday 17^th March for the school’s new Site Manager.

Strike Day Information

You will be aware the NUT is planning a teachers’ strike day on Wednesday 26^th March. If the strike day goes ahead which I think it will, then we will be closed to children on that day. This will not affect Year 4’s residential trip in any way.

Lost Property

Please come into school and check through all the lost property before it is used in the clothing sale

Clothing Sale Date Change

Pre-loved and Worn Again will be running a second hand children’s clothing sale on Tuesday 1st April in the school hall. Sale starts at 3.15. Any unclaimed lost property will also be sold and profits will go to PTA. Children can sell their unwanted toys and books etc and earn some extra pocket money.

On-Time Teds

This week’s Key Stage 1 winners are Year 1 and, in Key Stage 2, the winners are Year 3.  Well done again to both classes for being on time for school!

Congratulations to..

Calum in Year 5 for an excellent performance in the West of England Chess Championships, beating a number of England players and qualifying for the England trials in April. Well done!

Lost

Rufus in Year 4 has lost his swimming goggles and thinks someone may have picked them up by mistake.  They are Blue Aquasphere mask shaped goggles and expensive, so if you have picked up the wrong goggles please return to the school office.  Thank you.

Easter Break

Children finish for the Easter break on Friday 4^th April Children return to school on Tuesday 22^nd April.
The school is also closed for Polling Day on Thursday 22^nd May. The day will become a staff training day replacing one planned before Easter.

Spelling Workshop

Ms Davies our literacy leader ran a workshop on spelling on Tuesday afternoon. Parents and carers found out lots of useful information on the English language and the challenges for children when learning to spell. There were lots of useful tips shared and opportunities for parents and carers to try out spelling activities led by the children.

World Book Day

World Book Day has been celebrated in school this week. On Thursday adults and children joined in with ‘drop everything and read’. At 11.00 everyone in the school stopped what they were doing and read for 15 minutes. At the end of the day all the adults chose books to read and children were able to join the adult of their choice for a storybook session. There has also been a book competition for designing a bookmark. See who the winners are later in the Friday News. We also had a book character dressing up day today. Lots of children dressed up and looked amazing and one child has won a prize for being the most imaginative and best dressed book character. Read who won later in the Friday News. The adults dressed as the Very Hungry Caterpillar but guess who the butterfly was?

Front Playground

I must apologise for the current state of our front playground equipment. We have been let down by the company who checks and mends it. We have been waiting for months now for bits and pieces to be mended so the children can start using it again. The equipment is rather old now so we may need to remove some of it. What I would like to do is completely redesign and redo that area. We are hoping to apply for some funding to do this but if anyone has any idea of other funding sources or help for improving the outdoor space please let us know. I have some ideas for improving it involving garden space and play areas so if you are interested in helping us with this do get in contact.

Strike Day Information

You will be aware the NUT is planning a teachers’ strike day on Wednesday 26^th March. If the strike day goes ahead which I think it will then we will be closed to children on that day. So please make child care arrangements for that day. This will not affect Year 4’s residential trip in any way.

Toby’s Last Day

We are saying goodbye to Toby Earle our site manager today. Toby has only worked for us a short while but he has been a great member of the Middle Street team. Toby, thanks for looking after our school so brilliantly we shall miss you.

Anti-Bullying Workshop

We are holding an Anti-Bullying workshop for parents and carers in school on Tuesday  1^st April. No, it’s not an elaborate April Fool’s joke so do look out for further information very soon.

On-Time Teds

This week’s Key Stage 1 winners are Year 1 and in Key Stage 2 the winners are Year 3 and Year 6. Well done again to all three classes for being on time for school!

Governors News

Our team of governors had a training morning on Thursday. The training was on the changing and developing role of a school governor. Governors found out what is expected of them generally and when Ofsted come calling. A very interesting morning for us all.

Congratulations to…

Tabani in year 6 represented Brighton and Hove schools on Saturday at the Sussex School Games final in Bexhill. The Brighton Boys team, of which Tabani was a member came second overall and were awarded School Games silver medals. Well Done Tabani!

Betsy in Year 1 and Tia in Year 6 are the winners of our book competition. They won book tokens each. Well done Betsy and Tia and thank you to everyone who took part.

Eleanor in Year 2 who won a Tom Gates book by L. Pichon today for being the most imaginatively dressed book character. Eleanor was a Fantastic Mr Fox. Well done Eleanor!

Clothing Sale

Pre-loved and Worn Again will be running a second hand children’s clothing sale in the school hall on Wednesday 18^th March. Sale starts at 3.15. Any unclaimed lost property will also be sold and profits will go to PTA. Children can sell their unwanted toys and books etc and earn some extra pocket money. PTO for more info.

Easter Break

Children finish for the Easter break on Friday 4^th April Children return to school on Tuesday 22^nd April.
The school is also closed for Polling Day on Thursday 22^nd May. The day will become a staff training day replacing one planned before Easter.

Cross Country Stars

We had a group of 29 children who, on Wednesday afternoon went along to Waterhall to take part in the primary schools cross country competition. All the children did well, completing the course of just over a mile. They ran like the wind! So well done to all of them. Tabani did exceptionally well coming 9^th in the year 6 boys race. Tabani will represent Brighton and Hove in the county championships This Saturday..

Ms Busby took the children along for the afternoon and has not stopped singing the children’s praises. She tells me not only did they perform well in the races they were also excellent ambassadors for the school. They were polite, friendly to other runners and praising other childrens performances. Thank you children we are all very proud of you!

Spelling Workshop

Ms Davies is holding a spelling workshop for parents and carers on Tuesday 2.15 – 3.00. You should have already had an invite to the event. If you did not receive one do ask at the office for a copy or just turn up on Tuesday. The event takes place in the hall.

Good Manners

Mr Smart has been working in recent assemblies on encouraging the children to use their good manners. We have seen an incredible improvement in children’s ‘pleases’ and ‘thank yous’ as well as very obvious respectful behaviour towards each other and the adults in the school. Mr Smart along with the rest of the school staff team are supporting the children by encouraging and developing these skills in the children over the coming weeks.

World Book Day

World Book Day is next Thursday. On the day we will be dropping everything and reading a book at a certain time in the day. All the staff as well as the children will join in. We are also holding a story book session in the afternoon. Adults in the school will be reading a selection of stories or poems and children can choose who they go to.

Big Pedal

Middle Street are taking part in the Big Pedal competition. The competition is based around encouraging children to cycle to school. Each day children who have cycled to school are recorded on a chart, totals generate a wheelie character. Children receive points and certificates for cycling to school.

Family Fun Bike Ride – 7^th March

Please turn over to read about the Family Fun Bike Ride. Find out how you can join in. Joining in will help you add points for the Big Pedal competition

New Curriculum

Our recent training day (Monday) was focused on beginning our journey of reviewing our school curriculum in the light of the new national curriculum. We are excited by this opportunity to review the teaching and learning in our school. Although many learning journey titles will remain the same we are making some changes to them and introducing completely new ones. More importantly we have used the opportunity to review how our curriculum reflects our school community, how we use the school community and local environment to enrich our curriculum and what we feel we miss out on by being an urban city centre school.

On-Time Teds

This week’s Key Stage 1 winners are Reception and in Key Stage 2 the winners are Year 3. Well done again to both classes for being on time for school!

Teachers Strike Day Information

You are probably aware the NUT is planning a strike day on Wednesday 26^th March. This may mean we will be closed to children on that day. This will not affect Year  4’s residential trip in any way.

Another Middle Street Baby

Ms Lawrence our Year 5 teaching assistant gave birth to a baby girl in the half term holiday. Congratulations Ms Lawrence from everyone at Middle Street.

Site Manager Moving On

Toby our site manager has decided to move on to new challenges. He will be leaving us on Friday next week. We are very sad to be saying goodbye to Toby we have really enjoyed having him as part of the Middle Street team. He has looked after us and our school extremely well so we will miss him. We wish him luck in his new job.

We are therefore recruiting for a new site manager and have advertised the post in the Argus and on the Brighton and Hove website.

If you know anyone who might be interested in taking on the role of a site manager and joining our Middle Street team do let us know. The closing date for applications is next Friday. The role includes, cleaning, site security, general handyperson jobs etc.

Garden Help Needed Urgently

Mrs Purdy would like some muscular volunteers to help with building raised beds from sleepers which are very, very heavy. If you have carpentry skills please come and help. We also need to have some shrubs removed. Volunteers step forward and let the office know if you can help and we’ll put you in touch with Mrs Purdy.

Second Hand Clothes Sale

A couple of parents are planning a second hand clothes sale in the near future. Part of the sale will include the huge amount of unclaimed lost property which we gather each term. The proceeds from the lost property sale will be donated to the PTA fund.

Easter Break

Children finish for the Easter break on Friday 4^th April Children return to school on Tuesday 22^nd April.

The school is also closed for Polling Day on Thursday 22^nd May. The day will become a staff training day replacing one planned before Easter.