World Book Day! It was a fabulous sight at Sacriston Academy today to see our children dressed as their favourite book character and full of excitement to embark on the many reading activities they had planned across the course of the day. A huge thank you to our parents and carers for the huge effort made with costumes - and for those who attended the parent session today (in the rain). The opportunity to share a book with a family member was also a special time and the children all had a great time engaging with new stories and rediscovering old classics! All classes also had the opportunity to share their work and experiences during a whole school celebration assembly. Quotes: I have enjoyed doing book searches in my class (Logan) I think WBD is fun because everyone does activities we don't normally do (Jake) I can't choose my favourite part of WBD because there are so many (Ted)

Parent Communication As you may be aware we are now using our email and text service more to ensure effective communication with our parents and carers. If you are having trouble receiving texts or emails could we please ask that you contact the school office and ensure they have your most up to date details.

16th March 2018

British Values In 2014 the government published guidance on promoting British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. All schools have a duty to ‘actively promote’ the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. At Sacriston Academy we ensure this in the following ways: Democracy At Sacriston Academy children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We aim to have a school council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised in class council meetings. Children also have an annual questionnaire with which they are able to put forward their views about the school. The Rule of Law The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message. Individual Liberty Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices. Mutual Respect At Sacriston Academy, mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs We place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE, PSHE and teaching reinforce this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Headlice Time to time in school, it is important to notify parents of a headlice outbreak. Could we please ask parents and carer’s to check their child’s hair regularly. Advice on treatment can be sought at your local pharmacist or GP and at the following website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice-and-nits/ Blast from the Past Last week we enthralled you with some snippets from the school log book dating back over one hundred years. We thought you would enjoy these quotes this week, how times change! 26th November 1913 School closed for the whole day on account of visit of King and Queen to the district. 22nd December 1914 School closed during afternoon session – a special half-holiday having been granted

by the Managers for a treat given to soldiers’ children and Belgian children. 28th June 1955 It was reported at 11.51 approx by Mr Bloomfield who was on duty that Simpson

(4A) had fallen in the yard at 11am and bumped his head. The boy was unconscious for a minute or two. Mr Bloomfield carried him to the settee in the men’s staffroom. We rendered first aid and sent him home with two sensible boys at dinnertime.

Weekly Awards Our Headteacher Awards were presented today to the following children who have all impressed their class teacher: Reception: Vinni Smith Year 1: Amelia McHugh Year 2H: Aubrey Adamson Year 2S: Lennon McNally Year 3M: Keisha Davidson Year 3P: Lexi Johnson Year 4: Lucy Olley Year 5: Declan Maddison Year 6: Phoebe Roberts Well done to you all, we are very proud of you! Class Awards this week were presented to Year 2H in Key Stage 1 and Year 3M in Key Stage 2 for their general behaviour at playtime and lunchtime. Attendance: This week’s attendance awards is goes again to Year 2H in Key Stage 1 who achieved an excellent 97.5% attendance rate for week ending Friday 26th January. In Key Stage Two the award goes to Year 5 whose attendance was a superb 98.4%. Overall our whole school attendance for last week was 95.4% just short of our target of 96%. Sacriston Academy monitors the attendance of every child in the school and in partnership with tour Attendance Officer Elaine Marriott, we will work and support those children and their families who are not attending school without sufficient reason. 90 Percent attendance sounds good, but means that your child misses:

§ one half day each week § nearly four weeks every school year § over one school year in a school career

Our school’s target for the 2017 / 2018 school year is 96%. Together we can achieve it. School Meals The menu for week beginning March 19th is Week 1. School dinners are £10 per week and need to be handed in on a Monday please. Castle Kindergarten

Sacriston Academy are building a strong working relationship with Castle Kindergarten offering our families ‘all-through’ care and education. Currently they offer places for two year olds who are eligible for the government’s free education places for three & four year olds who are eligible for 15 and 30 hours of free education and after school and holiday care. If you would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact them:

• Tel: 0191 3712895 • Email: sacriston@castlekindergarten.org.uk