Community Middle School E-mail: [email protected] www.ponteland.academy Telephone 01661 824853

Dear Parents

We are delighted to welcome Mrs Julia Austin, Mr Mike Russell, Mr Angus Kidd and Mr Phil Affleck as new trustees to our board and look forward to working with them ensuring the security, longevity and continued excellence of the school as it becomes a primary school in September 2020. The Nursery and Reception rooms are looking fabulous and our visitors have all commented on the space, resources and provision. We are, however, looking for educational sand and water trays for young children and wondered if any families have some which need a good home. If so, please drop them off to school, email [email protected] or call 01661824853. In preparation for our Christmas Fair, Saturday 23 November, 10-12noon, we are running a raffle with over 25 generous prizes. Children will be bringing books of raffle tickets home to you to sell please to your friends and families. The event is already promising to be a great morning as 25 stall holders are already booked. Information about our exclusive stalls will follow and … we have Santa, himself, dropping in too. Please ensure, if your home/personal contact details change, that you let school know and update your child’s diary. In the event of inclement weather we have to make decisions during the night and so need your help. Thank you in advance. As a heads up, on the afternoon Tuesday 17 December we have the whole school going to the Theatre Royal’s Christmas pantomime, Beauty and the Beast. It will be another great adventure and we will keep you posted with details regarding collecting your child back at school afterwards. School closes Friday 25th October at 3.30 and after a Teacher Training Day on Monday 4 November, school reopens for children on Tuesday 5 November, usual time.

Have an excellent half term holiday. With kind regards Caroline

Dates for your diary: Thursday 24 October Halloween Disco 6—7.30pm Friday 25 October School closes for half term holiday 3.30pm Disco price list Monday 4 November Teacher Training Day Sweets 10p- 50p Tuesday 5 November School resumes Crisps 50p Saturday 16 November Swimarathon Novelties 50-70p 11.45—12 (Y7/Y7) 12—12.40pm (Y6) Juice cups 50p Saturday 23 November Christmas Fair and Open Day 10—12noon Tattoos 20p Tuesday 17December Pantomime (School collection 5pm) Nail painting £1.00 W/C 6 January Spring term Instrument lessons begin Friday 20 December School closes for Christmas 1.15pm

Attendance percentages to date for each class– Target for school is 98%

Percentages taken 23 October 2019 Newsletter 24 October 2019 October 24 Newsletter

Total 5JH 5CW 6LC 6BN 6MB 6MG SAB SSC 96.6 93.6 97.7 97.5 97.6 97.7 97.1 95.9 95.6

We take take We vision our from John 10:10 ‘that they and life have abundantly’ have it ‘ Newcastle High School for Girls have launched an awards programme for NHSG scholar, exhibition and bursary After an increasing number of unexpected awards for current Y6 girls interested in joining NHSG in accidents with the latest Moon Ball craze we have made the decision to ban Moon Balls to Year 7, September 2020. This may be of interest to some th ensure the safety of your child. Thank you for parents. The application deadline is Friday 6 Decem- ber. All the details are also on their website under admis- your support. sions www.newcastlehigh.gdst.net ; we have a copy of the brochure in school.

Key Stage 2 Tag Rugby Festival. Thursday last week saw 3 teams from Yr 5 and Yr 6 compete at tag rugby. All the teams performed brilliantly on the day and were a pleasure to take out. The orange team finished runners up in their group. The red team were also runners up in their game. Special mention to the blue team, who won their group and the mini final game at the end. Last Thursday evening the Yr 7 boys football team played Cramlington Learning village. With some key players missing, it was an opportunity for other members of the squad to step in. The boys faced some exceptionally talent- ed individual players and a very competent team. Although the score after the first half was 5-1 to Cramlington, the boys kept their composure and determination and the second half was a much closer contest. The Final score was 7-1. A Burgess

Reminders from the Office *Extra dinner money is processed regularly, please send money in a Music Clubs named envelope. If your account is over £10 in debt, lunch will be Tuesday lunchtime, Ensemble with Miss denied. Devere, (payable on ParentMail £20). *All payment for trips are made through ParentMail shop please. Wednesday lunchtime, Guitar with Stuart *We have had a lot of Items sent into school for collection by pupils, Davies. this takes up the office staff time, please can this only be done in Wednesday after school, emergencies. Drums with David Johnson. *Please can data collection forms be returned to ensure we have the Thursday lunchtime , Choir emergency contact for your child and especially any medical with Miss Brownlees information. *Any medication sent into school must have correct documentation, non prescribed medicine cannot be given apart from paracetamol.

Large, local vintage maps [Ordnance Survey 1:10560 and 1:12500] found in PCMS’ map chest are for sale raising funds for the school’s fencing project. Dating from 50s/60s/70s, there are multiples of some and very few of others. They come framed in black [depending on size…professionally or IKEA Ribba (61x91cm)]. Both styles are £35 each which covers framing, your map and a small fencing contribution. Maps can be pre-ordered and ready for collection at the PCMS Christmas Fair, Saturday 23 November 10-12noon. The maps are great vintage memorabilia and heir- looms for families with connections to Ponteland! Here are a few snaps of Ponteland and Darras Hall maps. Other areas: Thornhill Road, Eland Farm and North Road, Stamfordham, Medburn, Hawkwell, , Dissington, Eachwick, Dalton, Milbourne, Coldcoats, Prestwick, Callerton, Woolsington, Ogle, Kirkley, Higham Dykes, Belsay, Berwick Hill, Horton Grange, Bolam, Middleton, Shortflatt, , Ingoe, Ryal, Great Whittington, Fenwick, Bridge End, Cheeseburn, Wallridge, Bradford, Belsay, Black Heddon, … Also Berwick Ranges, Chapel Farm, Brixter Hill, Donkins Houses, Dissington Cottages, Limestone Lane, Collingwood Cotts, and Ponteland Teacher Training College. Please call 01661 824853 or email [email protected] with any queries. Maps can be viewed in Room 1.