Hamilton are providing free packs for English and maths for each year group. These materials are available for parents and children at home.

https://www.hamilton-trust.org.uk/blog/learning-home-packs/

* From Monday, between 12.00 and 12.30, children who are entitled to a free school meal can pick up a packed lunch from the school kitchen door.

*List of key workers as set out generally by the government today are as follows: NHS staff, Police officers, Firefighters, Supermarket delivery drivers and workers, Care home workers, Armed forces, Teachers/Support staff in schools and Prison officers. This could change slightly pending the definitive list from the government.

*The government advice is that where alternative provision is available (for example, where mum is a key worker and dad is not), then children should be cared for at home.
The Local Authority have issued a form that must be completed by key workers who need school provision by Friday at 1pm.
The form is available from this website.
If you fall within this category then please either email the form to bullionlane@durhamlearning.net or pick up a paper copy from Miss Barningham’s office during the morning of Friday 20th March between 8.30am and 12pm and complete it there.
Depending on numbers, as we are very short staffed as a result of the virus restrictions, then it is possible that your child could be given alternative provision in another local school.

*Parents of children who are classed under the guidelines as ‘vulnerable ‘ will be contacted individually.

*Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding during this very difficult time.

KEY WORKER INFORMATION SHEET (2)

Dear Parent/Carer,
I know you are all aware of the current situation regarding Coronavirus. After the Government guidelines last night, whereby self-isolation and underlying health conditions are concerned, we have no option but to close the school from tomorrow, as from a staffing point of view we will be unable to function.
All children will be provided with a work pack for them to access some learning on a daily basis. In addition to the pack, children should read, learn times tables and spellings. Details will be sent out by each class teacher. They will also include details of websites. The website ‘Twinkl’ has a lot of activities that children can access.
School will be closed from Wednesday 18th March until at least Monday 30th March, but we are awaiting further Government guidelines about this.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this will cause but the health and safety of children and staff is paramount.
Any further updates will be posted on the school website (www.bullionlane.durham.sch.uk).
Thank you in anticipation of your support,
Yours sincerely,
Sarah Barningham (Head Teacher)

Inside Out!
Thank you to everyone who came to school with all/part
of their uniform inside out last Friday. As it was Children’s Mental
Health week this was a symbolic way of saying ‘I’m getting what’s on
the inside out,’ encouraging children to talk about their feelings.
Mental Health awareness is very important to us in school and is a
key initiative that we are involved in through lessons, workshops and
assemblies.

• ‘Safer Internet Day’ ‘Together for a Better Internet.’
During assembly and lessons, we have discussed the importance of
playing/viewing age appropriate games/material. Please talk to your
child about being safe and courteous when online.

• Help the Animals!
A huge thank you to Waldridge class who set up 2
fundraising afternoons and raised £200 for the animals of Australia
who have lost their homes. Games included: ‘Pin the nose on the koala’
and ‘Catch the beanbags in the kangaroo’s pouch!’ Thanks to everyone
who took part.

• Cross Country
Well done to all pupils who took part in the crosscountry league. Congratulations in particular go to Kai Washbrooke,
who was in the top 20 for all 3 races. This is a fabulous achievement!
Thanks also to Mr Hood who gave up his Saturday mornings to allow
our children to take part.

‘Happy Birthday Jesus!’
Thank you so much to everyone who came to see our Nursery children perform ‘Happy Birthday Jesus!’ Thanks go to all the staff who made this happen and thanks to all parents who joined in the sing song!

Wriggly Nativity
Well done to all our Reception children (and staff!) for putting on a super show of Wriggly Nativity for us. The children were very brave standing and singing in front of all the adults who came to see them.

European Christmas Card Exchange
Children from Waldridge class have once again been making friends with children from 27 different European countries, by taking part in the European Christmas Card Exchange. Our children made tree decorations and leaflets about our school to send to other countries and we have received 27 in return. This has been a fantastic international project for the children to take part in.

Gala Theatre
All children in Y1-6 went to the Gala theatre to see the pantomime, ‘Aladdin.’ The behaviour of the children was excellent and this was commented on by the Gala staff, which makes us extremely proud.

Performing Arts
Congratulations to all who took part in the performing arts club pantomime ‘Hansel and Gretel.’ It was an excellent performance and was enjoyed by everyone who came to see it. Well done!

Christmas Jumper Day
Thanks to all of you who brought in 50p last week to help raise money for ‘Save the Children’. There were some super, sparkly jumpers from both the staff and children so thank you for your generosity.

Church Carol Concert
Thank you so much to everyone who supported the children at the church for their Christmas concert. It was fantastic to see so many people there enjoying the readings and lovely singing of our children.

GET!
A huge thank you to everyone who brought books in for the Global Education Trust (GET), shop in Chester-Le-Street which is a charity aimed at keeping books out of landfill and makes books available to everyone. Waldridge class took over 300 books down to the shop. Pop in over Christmas for a free book.

Christmas Raffle
Our Christmas raffle was drawn in assembly on Wednesday. Thanks go to everyone who bought tickets. Thanks also to Sarah Irvin who came from Barclays bank to match fund the money raised.

I can’t believe it’s time to change the clocks already, Autumn is definitely here!

House Captains
Well done to our new House Captains for 2019-2020
Emeralds: Declan Wood & Lily Price
Rubies: Savannah Hood & Alistair Elliott
Sapphires: Erin Brandford & Chloe Brown
Diamonds: JoJo Farhan & Ava Taylor-Burrell

School Council
Our new school councillors have gone through a democratic vote to be elected for their class. This year’s school councillors are: Finley Phillips, Libby Graver, Miley Clark, Mya McAnally, Kaidence Stobbart, Aisha Shatwan and Daniel Williamson.

Macmillan Coffee Morning
Thank you so much to everyone who donated cakes and came to the coffee morning. We raised £190.91 for Macmillan which is fantastic.

A Couple Of Reminders!
1. As the weather is becoming colder, children need to bring a coat to school.
2. Please remember to check that your child has their PE kit and swimming kit in school on the correct day.

Congratulations Mrs Hedges!
Huge congratulations to Ms Hamilton who got married earlier this term. She is now Mrs Hedges. We wish her our congratulations and best wishes!

Fabulous SATs Results Again!
Very well done to our Y6 children and staff! Overall we achieved 85% in reading, 95% in SPAG, 95% in maths and 93% in writing.

Trophy Winners
In our Special Awards assembly congratulations go to the following children who received trophies: Evan Brain, Hannah Ruddick, Jack Murray, Isabel Ruddick, Molly ford, Jacob Duke, Emmie Cutmore, Brenda Aiello, Amelia Kielty, Oliver Younger, Scarlett Ridley, Sophie Holding, Daniel Williamson, Kaydee Blyth, Carrie-Anne Shipley, Freya Jepson, Callum Brandford, Lauren Wight and Edan Paget.
Well done also to the children who received a medal for their progress and efforts.

Hoopz!
On Monday each class had a chance to practice and perfect their hula hooping skills when a company called ‘Hoopstarz’ came into school and worked with the children. The children (and staff!) thoroughly enjoyed the sessions.

Cathedral service
Our Y6 children attended the Leavers’ Service at Durham Cathedral along with 100s of other Y6 children from across the County. They proudly marched our school banner down the aisle and enjoyed the varied activities organised there. The children were a credit to us all.

Sports Day
Thank you to all parents/carers who came to support the children during the Sports Days we held at the beginning of this half term. Thankfully the weather stayed fine!
The Wizard of Oz
Congratulations go to children in Y3-6 who are in the performing arts club. They put on a fantastic performance of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Thank you to all parents who came to support and spectate.

Music Time!
We have been entertained with 2 concerts this week, 1 from the Durham Music Service and 1 from the Durham Brass Festival, ‘Loud Noises,’ which were enjoyed by all!

Robinwood
The Y6 children who went to Robinwood all had a fantastic time trying out new activities, learning new skills and facing difficult challenges. Their behaviour and determination were excellent!

100% attendance
Congratulations go to 13 of our children who have had 100% attendance this year. They all enjoyed a trip to the cinema to see ‘Toy Story 4’ and then had their lunch at McDonalds.

In this short half term, all children have been busy with assessments and SATs so well done to everyone for trying your best!

Sponsored Event
Well done to all children who took part in either the ‘Swim-Run’ or the Sponsored Run.We raised £2046.13 in sponsor money, some of which will go towards an end of term treat. The rest of the money will go towards the visit to the Gala theatre in the autumn term.

The Seeley Trophy: Our annual football tournament took place on Wednesday where Mr Seeley came in to referee the matches, along with Mr Hood. The Dark Demons won, with The Banana Bunch, also winning medals for fair play. Well done to everyone who played!

Sports Day
A reminder that Sports Day will be held on Tuesday 5th June on the school field (weather permitting!).
Reception, Pelton, Lumley & Riverside (Y2s) 9.30am start.
Riverside (Y3s), Lambton, Waldridge, Penshaw, Cuthbert & Bede: 1:30pm start.
All parents/carers welcome!

KS1 and KS2 SATs
Very well done to all Y2 and Y6 children who have taken their SATs this term. They have all worked exceptionally hard and showed an excellent attitude towards some very hard tests!

Forest School
Nursery thoroughly enjoyed a day in the outdoors building nests and looking for eggs that the ‘Firebird’ had lost. They made bracelets and toasted marshmallows.

Natta-Lingo!
The Natta-Lingo Bus came to school this week. Each class experienced stories and activities from around the world and learnt how other cultures live.

The Seeley Cup!
Thanks go again to Mr Seeley who came to referee our annual Football Tournament for our teams, to see who would be the winners of ‘The Seeley Cup 2018.’ All teams played well with the winners being….. The ……team also won the medals for Fair play. Very well done to all those who played.

Forthcoming Sponsored Event!
We will be holding a sponsored event for all children on Wednesday 13th June. Children from Nursery to Y2 will be completing an Obstacle Course Challenge, and children from Y3-6 a Table Tennis Challenge. All sponsor money raised will go towards a treat for the children at the end of term. Please send money to the class teacher once collected.

Sport
Lumley, Pelton and Riverside classes took part in the Zambia Run at Maiden Castle. Well done to Olly Guy and Annalise Murray who won their races.
The Boys Y4/5 Football Team took part in the Willis Cup.
The Girls Football Team is doing very well and is seeded in the B league.

Safer Internet Week
‘Create, Connect and Share Respect. A better Internet starts with you.’ Don’t forget to ask your children what they have been doing this week with regards to e-safety!

Groundwork Community Learning
Parents and children from Y3, 4 and 5 will be helping Mrs Lewis and the Groundwork team develop the school grounds. They will learn new skills in growing, gardening and conservation. An exciting new project to take part in.

Barclays Code Playground!
Bede class had an exciting time working with Sarah Irvin, who came from Barclays to show the children how to code using Micro bits. They had to give the computer instructions, and download information onto the micro bit making it say ‘hello,’ show a picture and flash lights ‘on and off.’

Cross Country
Well done to all pupils who took part in the cross-country races recently. Congratulations in particular go to Hannah Ward and Alisha Mason who came 4th and 5th out of over 80 runners. Overall, we came 4th out of over 20 teams which is a fabulous achievement!
Thanks also go to Mr Hood and many members of staff who gave up their Saturday mornings to set up the course and support the team at Bullion Lane and also Langley Park.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!
The performing arts club have started rehearsals for their production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which will be performed in July. It is lovely to see so many keen performers!

New Family Support Worker
Many thanks go to Sara Irving, our Family Support Worker who has left us to take up another post nearer her home.