Archive for May, 2014

23rd May 2014

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

Tag Rugby Success

Our amazing Tag Rugby team have played brilliantly this week. On Monday they won the smalls schools tournament and went through to the next round playing bigger schools which took place yesterday They played really well again and came fourth. What is especially impressive is that the team play schools which have green fields and considerably more outdoor space than us. Well done team. They also displayed excellent team spirit and Tabani the team captain was complimented on his excellent skills in managing the team. Thank you Mrs Jones, Ms Busby, Miss Bish and Ms St Clair for taking the children along to the tournaments.

Writing Workshops

Ms Hemstedt our Every Child can Read teacher has been running some writing workshops with a group of children and their parents over the last few weeks. The workshops covered a range of activities including poetry on the beach, hot seating and making fruit kebabs. The children and parents enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere experiencing writing as a pleasure and not a stressful chore. The sessions have come to an end now but we hope to run some more in the future.

New Curriculum

You may be aware that a new curriculum is being introduced in September 2014. We are feeling quite excited about working with the new curriculum. Yesterday we spent the day discussing and planning teaching and learning and ensuring that we continue to teach and deliver the curriculum in an exciting and innovative way. We see this new development as a chance to refresh our learning journeys and make sure we really make the most of our local environment and the skills and expertise of parents, carers and extended families. It is important that our children have a broad, balanced and a curriculum which motivates, enthuses, children encouraging curiosity and of course a love of learning which is lifelong. We are also interested in how new technology can support children’s learning but for that we need the resources or some cash to buy resources. If any of you have any ideas how we can do this, well you know what to do and you know where to find me.

Sports Day

Middle Street sports day is held at Withdean Stadium on Friday 6th June (first week back after half term). The day starts at 9.30 and ends about 12.30. Please arrive for 9.15. A letter was sent home earlier this week with more information.

A group of year 6 children will not be at our sports day instead they will be representing Middle Street at a cricket tournament with Mr Brazil.

Diary Dates

Sports Day: Friday 6th June

Book Fair: week beginning 9th June.

New (September) reception children visits: Wednesdays 18th June, 25th June & 2nd July,

Year 6 residential: Friday 20th June till Monday 23rd June

Year 6 partnership schools transition event: Friday 18th July

Year 6 Leavers Assembly: Tuesday 22nd July at 1.30

New Reception Children Visits

Our lovely new class of reception children will be spending time in their classroom with their teachers on the following dates:

Wednesdays 18th June, 25th June and 2nd July. The session begins at 1.45 and ends at 2.45. We are all really looking forward to meeting them although we know some of them already from our Nursery.

Head Lice Alert

Please check your child’s head for those pesky head lice. If you find any please exterminate! We have a case or two in year 2 at the moment but it helps us if everyone regularly checks and deals with the lice asap. If you need help with this annoying problem do contact our school nurse who can advise you.

On-Time Teds

This week’s Key Stage 1 winners are Reception and in Key Stage 2 the winners are Year 5 and 6. Well done to all three classes for being on time for school!

Half Term Break

We finish for the half term break TODAY and return to school on Monday 2nd June.

Summer Holidays

The last day of term is Wednesday 23rd July. We return to school on Thursday 4th September. Nursery will return on Monday 8th September.

Have a fun half term break and we look forward to seeing you again on Monday 2nd June bright and early for more exciting learning experiences.

16th May 2014

Friday, May 16th, 2014

Year 5 Assembly

We enjoyed a trip back through time this morning. Year 5 danced and sang their way through the decades since the 50’s. We were especially honoured as Elvis Presley called in and sang ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ for us too. Thanks Elvis and thank you Year 5 you were fab!

SATs Week

Year 6 are alive and well and have survived SATs week. They have been truly amazing and worked really hard. They have also been exceptionally calm and mature during this rather stressful period. So, well done you lovely children. We are all very proud of you. Thank you to all the staff who have supported and helped and thank you to parents who made sure each child was in on time every day.

Reception at Fabrica

Our reception children wandered over to Fabrica today. They went along to explore the two art installations on show there during the festival. Both installations are by Jacob Dahlgren.

On-Time Teds

This week’s Key Stage 1 winners are Year 1 and in Key Stage 2 the winners are Year 5. Well done to both classes for being on time for school!

Diary Dates

Sports Day: Friday 6th June

Book Fair: week beginning 9th June.

New (September) reception children visits: Wednesdays 18th June, 25th June & 2nd July,

Year 6 residential: Friday 20th June till Monday 23rd June

Year 6 partnership schools transition event: Friday 18th July

Year 6 Leavers Assembly: Tuesday 22nd July at 1.30

Sports Day

Middle Street sports day is held at Withdean Stadium on Friday 6th June (first week back after half term). The day starts at 9.30 and ends about 12.30. More information to follow soon

Congratulations to…

Harvey and Emmeline in Year 6 who have both passed their Lamda speech and drama exam grade 2 with distinctions. Hooray! Well done Harvey and Emmeline!

Governors and Teachers Meeting

Our governors visited the school on Wednesday afternoon. They took part in a meeting with our subject leaders (teachers) to find out about curriculum development and to talk about the implementation of the new curriculum.

Dads’ Five-A-Side Football

Dads come and play 5-a-side football on Wednesdays at 8.00 pm in the school hall. The cost to join is £3 and all money raised is donated to the school. If you are interested contact Hannah and Prian’s dad: Naimesh via the office where you can leave your contact details or pass on a message.

Mr Brazil’s Son…

..is appearing in the ‘Little Prince’ at The Warren next Thursday and Friday. Sonny Brazil has written all the music and stars as the pilot.

Polling Day Closure

Please remember next week we are closed for the day on Thursday 22 May as the school is being used as a polling station in the local elections. Staff will have a training day preparing for the introduction of the new curriculum.

Half Term Break

We finish for the half term break on Friday 23rd May and return to school on Monday 2nd June.

Summer Holidays

The last day of term is Wednesday 23rd July. We return to school on Thursday 4th September. Nursery will return on Monday 8th September.

To help you with holiday planning our autumn half term will be as follows: School finishes on Thursday 23rd October and begins again on Tuesday 4th November. The Friday and Monday are staff training days.

9th May 2014

Friday, May 9th, 2014

Children’s Parade

WOW! We looked and sounded amazing on Saturday! Thank you to everyone who came along and dressed up so brilliantly. We had lots of very positive comments as we walked the streets. If you couldn’t make it you missed a good one. Thank you Mrs Purdy and the amazing team of parents and staff who prepared everything which was so colourful and generally fantastic. Thank you to Mr Brazil for leading the samba band who were excellent!

Rugby World Cup Countdown

Our tag rugby team took part in the countdown to the Rugby World Cup which takes place next year at the Amex Stadium. Brighton hosting the Rugby World Cup  is very exciting and we are delighted that our Tag rugby team were able to help launch the countdown to this world event. Our team were up at the Amex stadium for activities and a photo shoot on Tuesday. Apparently it was also due to be on BBC local news but I’m not sure which evening it was aired.

Ideas for Helping Us Improve Attendance

I am still on my endless quest to significantly improved attendance at Middle Street. If you have any amazing ideas for improving attendance and punctuality do let me know. Pop in any time or drop me a line.

SATs Week

Next week is year 6 SATs week. It’s an important week for the children and also for the school. The tests take place from Monday to Thursday and most are sat  in the morning. We are lucky at Middle Street as all children take their learning seriously and work hard. Please could year 6 parents and carers ensure the children get into school on time. This ensures a calm atmosphere for the children to work in and also means we can start each test on time.

Extra Maths

A group of children from year 6 went along to Dorothy Stringer on Tuesday to take part in an extended learning maths session.

Bike It Ben and the Bike Ride

Year 5 children, staff and some parents joined Bike It Ben for a cycle ride to Rottingdean on Wednesday. They had a great time rock pooling on Rottingdean beach and the weather stayed fine for them. Thanks Bike It Ben!

Scootability

This week children from Year 2 have been learning to scoot and to do so safely.

Year 5 Assembly

Year 5 are leading next week’s assembly on Friday. Year 5 parents and carers are invited in to watch. The assembly begins about 9.10.

Governor News

Our governors are joining teaching staff next Wednesday afternoon to find out more about the new curriculum and catch up with how teaching and learning is going in school. We hold a yearly event for governors to meet with subject leaders and discuss curriculum developments etc.

On-Time Teds

This week’s Key Stage 1 winners are Year 1 and in Key Stage 2 the winners are Year 5. Well done to both classes for being on time for school!

Diary Dates

Sports Day: Friday 6th June

Book Fair: week beginning 9th June.

New (September) reception children visits: Wednesdays 18th June, 25th June & 2nd July,

Year 6 residential: Friday 20th June till Monday 23rd June

Year 6 partnership schools transition event: Friday 18th July

Year 6 Leavers Assembly: Tuesday 22nd July at 1.30

Marathon Runners Thank You

Julie Layzell and David Plunkett would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who sponsored them in the marathon. They raised £162 towards books for the school.

Dads Five-A-Side Football

Dads come and play 5-a-side football on Wednesdays at 8.00 pm in the school hall. The cost to join is £3 and all money raised is donated to the school. If you are interested contact Hannah and Prian’s dad: Naimesh via the office where can leave your contact details or pass on a message.

Polling Day Closure

Please remember we are closed for the day on Thursday 22nd May as theschool is being used as a polling station in the local elections. Staff will have a training day preparing for the introduction of the new curriculum.

Half Term Break

We finish for the half term break on Friday 23rd May and return to school on Monday 2nd June.

Summer Holidays

The last day of term is Wednesday 23rd July.

 

PS: please remember to pay school dinner money in advance.

2nd May 2014

Friday, May 2nd, 2014

May Day Fun

The Brighton Morris Dancers along with the Cuckoo Nest dancers joined us yesterday to celebrate May Day. They arrived with bells jangling and danced and sang for us all. As always it was brilliant and we had great fun especially those children who were taught a dance and performed it for us sticks and all!

Super Star DJ

Nick Hollywood a DJ who specialises in 1950s music brought his record collection along for a session with years 5 and 6 last Monday. The children found out about old fashioned vinyl records and how they were made, they listened to music and had a little jive too.

Victorian Classroom

Years 3 and 4 experienced life as a Victorian school child this week. They found out how strict and formal school life was during that time. Luckily they all avoided (only just) having the cane!

Children’s Parade

The children’s festival parade takes place tomorrow. This is an extra special event for us as we are joined by children from Downs Park school. We are as you know ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Please turn over for some easy  dressing up ideas. Our meeting point on the day is Pelham Street and our flag number is 42. The samba band should arrive at 10.00, everyone else should gather at 10.15. If you are joining us then please dress up (including adults) to ensure we look as  amazing as possible! There will be lots of music not just from the Samba band but also music created using Ipads blue toothed to speakers. How exciting! We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow morning.

Girls Football Tournament

The Middle Street girls football team are playing at  Carden Primary school this afternoon. Good luck girls!

Rugby World Cup Countdown

Our tag rugby team are taking part in the countdown to the Rugby World Cup which takes place next year at the Amex Stadium. Brighton hosting the Rugby World Cup  is very exciting and we are delighted that our Tag rugby team will help launch the countdown to this world event. Our team will be up at the Amex stadium for activities and a photo shoot next Tuesday.

Friday Morning Sing-a-long

Do come along and join us on a Friday morning in the hall for a sing-a-long. Mr Brazil and I are there with songs to sing from 8.35 till 8.45. We have a few parents and children who regularly join us but we would love more of you to come along. You don’t need to have any singing skills to join us. It’s all just for fun and of course it’s very good for you releasing all those lovely endorphins into your body!

On-Time Teds

This week’s Key Stage 1 winners are Year 1 and in Key Stage 2 the winners are Year 5. Well done to both classes for being on time for school!

Web Designer?

Do you have the expertise to help us design a new Middle Street website? Do you know anyone who can help? Please let us know if you can or know of someone who can.

School Nurse Drop In

Our school nurse; Sarah will be running drop in sessions on Friday 9th May from 8.30. If you have any little niggling issue like head lice, bed wetting etc you would like to discuss just ‘drop in’ on the day. The school nurse can advise you on a variety of health and wellbeing issues so do make use of the drop in session on offer.

Lost

On Tuesday Lolly from year 4 left her jumper in the main playground. Her jumper was in a pile with other jumpers. Lolly’s jumper has disappeared. The jumper is grey with a hood and no pockets. It has a picture of a Moshi monster on the front and the words; ‘MOSHI MOSHI MOSHI’. Lolly tells me this is her favourite jumper and it has her name inside I believe. Please check your clothing at home if you come across the jumper please return to the school office or to Lolly.

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

Half Term Break

We finish for the half term break on Friday 23rd May and return to school on Monday 2nd June.

Summer Holidays

The last day of term is Wednesday 23rd July.