High Spen Primary School

In September last year FWD went to Beamish Wild to learn more about birds of prey for their school project.
At Beamish Wild FWD were helped by Jamie a member of the Beamish Wild staff. He answered a lot of the class's questions. The group then saw a bird show which included golden eagles, black kites, peregrine falcons and even owls. While learning about those fantastic birds there was a wedding on and one of the birds went and grabbed the tiara of the bride class FWD has a good giggle about that!
The class was allowed to hold the birds. They also cut up chicks for the peregrine falcons dinner. Then it was lunchtime. Then FWD sat down for lunch and were invaded by chickens climbing up and pecking at their bread and crisps while wasps swarmed around chocolate, fruit and pepperoni.
Elena Jackson said, "Beamish Wild was adventurous and it was interesting seeing different sort of birds." While Leon McDonald said Beamish Wild was 'really exciting' and he wasn't scared about the birds flying over his head and almost clawing it.
It wasn't all about birds the class also got to go on zip wires, wobbly bridges and even tree swings.

Jaya Cornish-Frazier

After many weeks of planning we have now selected the first members of our Press Pack. There was lots of interest so we decided to select eight children to train up this term, before opening it up to a new group of intrepid reporters during the summer term.

Our aim is to work with the expert guidance of Ms. Cornish, to establish groups of Press Pack children who will be self sufficient in identifying a story, researching it and presenting their findings on this website for the WHOLE WORLD to see!

We will also bee producing a monthly newsletter (for a bargain price) to share the 'pupil view' of life at High Spen Primary School.

If you have a story which you'd like the Press Pack to investigate, why not e-mail them at their private address - presspack.highspen@gmail.com

Mr Firth

We've heard it all before (well I have because my Dad says it every time I see him!)...
'9am starts, 3.15pm finishes and 'training days' just another days holidays aren't they?'

Well how about a few 'action' shots from our most recent training day, showing members of our school community coming together to thrash out what we are aiming to do for children, parents, staff, Governors and others in our community.

It was an excelent session with representation from Teaching Staff, Admin Staff, PTFA and Governors. What a lot of hot air we created!

Thanks to all,

Mr Firth

We've heard it all before...
'9am starts, 3.15pm finishes and 'training days' just another days holidays aren't they?'

Well how about a few 'action' shots from our most recent training day, showing members of our school community coming together to thrash out what makes our school so special and where we want to take things next.

It was an excelent session with representation from Teaching Staff, Admin Staff, Cleaning and Catering Staff, PTFA and Governors. What a lot of hot air we created!

Thanks to all,

Mr Firth

Please open this pdf to see which clubs are running this half term. If you have any suggestions for clubs or contacts for a club you would recommend to others - add it as a comment to this entry.

Spr 1 clubs overview.pdf

Well I knew if we made it to the KS2 Disco, we would have made it through the Autumn Term... and we did!

WE DANCED!

WE WRAPPED A FEW TEACHERS!

THEN WE WASHED UP!

Even more to enjoy and bring the memories flooding back!

declan and niall 2.wmv

PhotoStory1 ethan.wmv

Robinwood story2.wmv

Tara Robinwood photo stories2.wmv

Click on the link below to download the minutes of the meeting, which took place last Friday.

PTFA Minutes 11.11.11.doc

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What a fantastic afternoon we had on Friday. You'd have to be made of stone not to feel the warmth as children from TY listened to the members of Live at Home share their war time memories.

Oliver and Lewis quickly put together some images from the afternoon and even managed to persuade Mary to perform one of her war time poems!

Click here to see / listen to more:-
War Talk.wmv

Children in TY have been writing their own reviews of the time they spent at Robinwood.

This is what Erin had to say:-

Robinwood

Robinwood offers challenging activities, which will push you to the limit! At Robinwood, you will be spinning and whizzing through the trees on the zip wire. Watch out for the germs and gems in the caving session! The climbing activity was scary. Once you got down, it felt like a real achievement! Test your nerve in the piranha pool! Boost your team work skills doing dragons quest. The staff made sure all the activities were great fun.

Erin

Have a look at all the interesting after school activites the chidren are enjoying this term!

To find out more click on the link below.

Aut 2011 After School Clubs Overview.doc

Children in TY have been writing their own reviews of the time they spent at Robinwood.

This is what Adam had to say:-

High Spen at Robinwood 2011

Robinwood is a jammed packed activity trip and you're there for 3 days. Some of these activities are better than TV! When I was there, I discovered that I was great at rock climbing, riddles and screaming.

First we were dropped off half way, then we walked to Barghaugh Hall, Alston. It may have been a long walk but there were plenty of games to play. It was worth the walk because we started all the activities straight away. The first activity was the Obstacle Course which was very muddy and the Trapeze which was not that scary and that was all before a delicious tea. Then the last thing we did was a Team Challenge.

I would recommend Robinwood to any body. As you have heard it has amazing activities but when you get there its better than you ever imagine. I hope after you read this you definitely want to go next time. Don't miss this opportunity; you may never have this chance again.

Bye Adam

Congratulations Oliver, your excellent image has been entered in to Viking Stationary Ltd's calendar competition!

Leave a comment to let Oliver know what you think...

Today marked the start of our life as a Bike It School.

This is a really exciting time which will lead to all sorts of fun, health related activities.

How would you like a £5 Scholastic book voucher to spend in this coming weeks book fair?

All you need to do is to take your imagination back in time and draw a character on the competition sheet below.
horrible-histories-competition-entry-form-857077.pdf

For more details, see the website below or read this weeks newsletter.

Are you looking for ideas for your 'Extreme Reading' photograph?

Try this link and remember - no prizes for putting yourself in danger!

http://www.st-nicolas.oxon.sch.uk/ExtremeReading2011.htm

When you have taken your photograph just send it to school (info@highspenprimary.org) and next week our School Council will select the money winners!

Good luck!

Just in case you missed it in today's Heroes Assembly, here is another chance to see the Photo Story which Lucy and Alex produced to remind them of their trip to Robinwood!

PhotoStory1 Lucy and Alex.wmv

STOP! Don't go yet... we've added more!

Oliver's
robinwood oliver photo storie 1.wmv

Luke's
luke Robinwood story.wmv

Alec and Adam's
alec and adams story.wmv

Thomas and James'
Thomas and James.wmv

Remember to leave a comment to let them know what you think!

Sorry about the wait for the final installment but my home internet was as slow as it was in Alston! DVD and photos are now in the publishing stage.

Anyway, the activities on the last day mostly involved getting wet or avoiding getting wet!

So what did we get up to?

Another exciting week at High Spen Primary!

So who are our new School Councillors?

Congratulations go to...

FN - Callum Smith, Ebony Chambers

MLK - Jay Turner, Jade Loveland

FWD - Mary More, Toby Mullis

TY - Nathan Fenwick, Niall Pomeroy

This week saw the selection of House Captains for 2011-2012. Lots of our Y6 children put themselves forward, but there are times in life where not all can win.

Well done to ALL who gave it a go!

Congratulations to the following successful House Captains:-

Ruler - Erin Melody & Sophie Rogers

Clinty - Grace Goodfellow & Oliver James

Towneley - Tiegan McDonald & Tara Bhandal

Tilley - Niall Pomeroy, Luke Wilson & James Christer

On Friday 16th June children in class FWD worked with local artist, James Searle, on day 1 of their Red Kite Sensations Project. Find out what they got up to...

Gardening club is up and running with some old faces and some new!
Find out who has greenfingers in our school...

Click on our link below to download the minutes of last meeting.

PTFA Minutes 15.07.11.doc

Please find attached the minutes of the P.T.F.A last meeting which was held on 13th May 2011.
PTFA Minutes 13.5.doc

What's all this about?

What did the children at Greenfingers Club find?

A very successful THIRD visit to Kielder was enjoyed by children in KS2. Find out what they got up to...

What has been happening at the HOP garden over the past few weeks?

Greenfingers club started up again during the 2nd half of the Spring term. Find out what they got up to…

Our greenfingers club meets on Thursdays after school.
What have we been up to this week?

Class C are the first class at High Spen to be trained in Peer Massage. Mrs Coates and Mrs Scott are trained instructors and will be visiting other classes to teach them the 17 step Peer Massage routine very soon! Please check out the gallery to see some photographs of children in Class C doing Peer Massage.

To mark the end of the school year, children who have helped in the HOP garden this year celebrated with a small picnic.

This half-term children from KS1 are going to Gardening Club along with some KS2 children as helpers.

Some of us braved the rain and mud to enjoy the annual bike ride in the woods.

This past week, all classes have had the chance to work with our Garden Angels developing our Wildlife Garden.

Since Mrs Fisher returned from China, we have been celebrating our links in many ways.

What have we been getting up to?

Imagine this scene...

20 or more African drums
1 African drummer wearing wellies
pupils from Classes B and N wearing boots or wellies

What was all that about?

On Thursday 26th March, KS2 pupils in the gardening club had the fantastic opportunity to work with a worm expert, Katy. What did they find out?

On Monday 9th March (as part of National Science Week), much noise could be heard from the school hall. What was it all about?

Mrs Perry is undertaking a sponsored cycle ride during the Easter holidays.

To find out about this exciting project click on the link below.

Khula projectschool (2).doc

Our official opening will take place on Wednesday March 11th at 10.30 am. We welcome the Deputy Mayor Councillor Joe Mitchinson along with the children who will release a balloon to mark the official opening of the 'Heroes Annex'. Our Chinese Dragon will lead the way into school where friends, Parents and Carers are invited to join us for refreshments.

We look forward to seeing you.

The days are getting longer and last Thursday was our first afterschool club this year!
What did we get up to?

This Spring Term see the launch of latest school clubs. We currently have spaces on our Keep Fit Club for Key Stage 2 children. Please see attached proforma.

NEW CLUBS 01.09.doc

Newsletter 05.12.08.doc

Click on the link to download all the latest Christmas news!

This week's newsletter including details of our Christmas Lunch and our forthcoming Christmas Production.

Click on the link to download our latest newsletter.

Newsletter 28.11.08.doc

Click on the link to download our latest school newsletter for 7th November 2008.

Newsletter 7.11.08.doc

Greenfingers Club met for the first time this term with 10 enthusiastic Year 5s and 6s.

What is being dug up?