Swalwell Primary School

Our Young Reporter this week is........

2012-02-22T12:36:45Z

I like Swalwell school because they have good teachers like Mr Hampson, Mrs Anderson, Mrs Wheatley and Mrs Gray. All the teachers in Swalwell are friendly and helpful and if you have anything to say about the school you can talk to Mrs Lancastle- Smith or the School Councillors.
I like all lessons but I like maths the best because Mr Hampson explains it well.
I would rather go to this school than any other Gateshead school because it is absolutely spotless all of the time. It is the best school and is very close to my house.
Swalwell has a good breakfast club. Miss Scott, Mrs Cunningham, Miss Turnbull and Sharon and Rosemary make sure that all of us are happy.
We have lots of clubs like Football Club, Hockey Club, Netball Club, Dance Club, Homework Club, Reading Club and ICT Club.
Written and published to the website by Shay Longstaff

Morwick Farm

2012-02-22T12:30:25Z

Year 1/2 visited Morwick Dairy Farm , near Warkworth in Northumberland, this week.
Not only were they able to try the delicious range of ice creams, but they also saw how it was made through a parlour viewing window.
Since the parlour is based on a working farm, the children saw the herd of pedigree Ayrshire cows that supplied the milk for their ice cream.
The visit coincided with their class topic on 'Foods from around the World' and was linked to 'Farming in this Country'.
J Anderson

Lip Lee in Reception

2012-02-09T15:45:52Z

Children in Reception have been learning about Chinese customs and the Chinese New Year and would like to say a big thank you to Mrs Wheatley for inviting a special guest, Lip Lee, into Class.
Lip Lee told a story about how a dragon helped to bring rain to China during a drought. He also made masks and a dragon, an important symbol of China.
Mrs Gray

Photographic Link

Our Young Reporters this week are....

2012-02-09T15:02:40Z

....Kieron Shaw and Jed Ferguson

Swimming Lessons

My favourite subject is swimming because you get really good lessons and they help you to swim properly.
Swimming is on a Wednesday at 2pm in Dunston Pool.
Some year 2 children , all Year 3, 4 and Year 5 go to the baths . The teachers who take us are Miss Lawson and Mrs Anderson.
There are three teams in the small pool - red, blue and green. We get changed and have a shower before we go into the pool. The small pool is 1m deep. We swim for about an hour and come back to school at about 4pm.
Kieron Shaw

Wednesdays are good days! In the afternoon we go to Dunston Pool with Miss Lawson and Mrs Anderson. All the children in Miss Lawson's class go with the Year 5's in Mr Hampson's class.
We have to shower before we go in the pool then we are put into different groups. The big pool is nearly 4m deep and is for swimmers trying to get a KS2 certificate. The small pool is for learners.
There are two teachers, Mrs Reay and Miss Barnes.
Mrs Reay does the big pool, she is helping Abigail and Matthew with Personal Survival Awards and they will shortly need to swim in pyjamas. Other children with Mrs Reay are trying to build up strength by treading water and swimming lengths.
Miss Barnes does the small pool she gives children floats and confidence and makes them improve their strokes.
Some times we have free time which is my favourite time!
Jed Ferguson

Articles written and published to the website by Jed and Kieron

Sign2Sing

2012-02-08T15:58:37Z

This afternoon ( Wednesday 8th February 2012), at 2.45pm we all took part in a sponsored World Record Breaking attempt to raise funds for a national charity- SignHealth.
All children, staff and some parents/carers sang and signed to a new song called 'We sign to sing' . A small donation was suggested and any money raised will go towards improving the health and well-being of deaf people.
This was a great opportunity for pupils to practice a valuable skill, as well as raising awareness of deaf issues.
Thanks to Miss Scott and Mr Hampson for leading the school in this record breaking event.

Mrs Anderson
Photographic Link

KS2 'Rocking all over the World'

2012-02-08T12:45:29Z

KS2 children looked at how musical styles around the world have been influenced by the rock and pop music that came out of the U.S.A and the U.K in the 50's and 60's.
George, Keren, Giles and Tony from Gateshead Music Services taught the children about different musical styles and the countries they came from.
The workshop began with' We Will Rock You,' a rock song transformed rhythmically and melodically with a punjabi 'bhangra ' style beat.
Children then sang and played percussion instruments to African rhythms.
A Mexican cha cha cha style song in nine sections was introduced , this was quickly followed with a Spanish Flamenco.
An international flavour of pop music was illustrated with a Bruno Mars song in reggae style.
Calypso and gypsy music was enjoyed before the workshop finished with an appropriately titled Status Quo song..' Rockin all over the World!'
Our thanks to Gateshead Music Services for a fantastic,fun and valuable morning.

Photographs can be seen in our gallery..click here

Our Young Reporter this week is...

2012-02-02T14:39:10Z

....Matthew Knight

After -School Clubs

After-school clubs are for school-age children to play and learn. In Swalwell Primary School we have a variety of after school clubs including: Football Club, Hockey Club, Dance Club, ICT Club, Reading Club and Homework Club (Maths Club and Breakfast Club are held before school).

Our clubs change each term - last term we had Glee Club, Arts and Crafts Club, Let's Get Cooking Club and Philately Club. Most clubs in Swalwell Primary School are free of charge and run by teachers except for Youth Club which will be starting soon, it costs about one pound a session because it is run by youth workers.

At the start of every club a register is taken and at the end of every session the child is picked up by an adult unless permission has been given for them to walk home alone.

Children from Reception to Year 6 can go to the clubs that are suitable for their age level. The materials, ingredients and equipment are provided but children must bring P.E. kit for sport clubs.

These clubs are a fun safe place to learn and enjoy yourself but they are only held inside school term. I go to Football Club on a Monday and I really enjoy it.

Photographic link

Written and published to the website By Matthew Knight

Italian Treat !

2012-02-01T14:19:04Z

On Monday our Year 1/2 class visited Asda to buy ingredients to make pizzas as part of their 'Food around the World' topic.
They looked at the packaging of the ingredients to find out where in the world they came from.
In the afternoon they made their own delicious pizzas using the ingredients they had bought at Asda.
Children created an Italian restaurant in a corner of the classroom and served the pizzas to peers and staff.
Why not look in our gallery to see photographs of the event?

Year 1/2 Celebrate Chinese New Year

2012-01-30T16:29:16Z

As part of their topic 'Food around the World' Year 1/2 celebrated Chinese New Year and the year of the dragon by making Chinese noodles and dragon masks.

Photographs can be viewed by clicking here
J Anderson

National Storytelling Week

2012-01-27T12:59:02Z

National Storytelling Week is a week aimed at promoting the art of storytelling which is the oldest of the communicative arts. The week is aimed at increasing awareness of the art, practice and value of oral storytelling .
We have had a truly inspiring morning...In preparation for National Storytelling Week, all teachers planned, prepared and told stories to children from Nursery to Year 6. Some teachers used puppets, others dressed appropriately for the part, one teacher took advantage of the outdoors and told her story to children sitting around the campfire!
There was something to suit all tastes, from ghost stories to humourous tales , we catered for everyone!
The excitement in Swalwell School was summed up by a Reception child.."The morning flies by when you're having fun!" said Logan.

Mrs Anderson
Photographic link

The Sound of Distant Drums

2012-01-26T16:34:01Z

Miss Lawson's class were learning all about rhythm and pulse today. They were introduced to the Agogo Bells (small high pitched bells),Tamborims ( small hand held frame drums ) and Surdo drums (bass drums). It is hoped that the class will perform together at the end of term .
Mrs Anderson

More photographs can be viewed by clicking here

Our Young Reporter this week is......

2012-01-26T15:00:07Z

by Jack Greenup

Football Tournament

I am very proud to be on the school football team. I am looking forward to Wed 1st February 2012 because Swalwell School team are playing in a tournament at Gateshead Leisure Centre. There are 14 teams taking part and the top 2 teams are playing in the final on Wednesday 8th February.

I think our team is me, Jordan, Karl, Kieran, Jake, Ethan and Kelsey. I am proud because I am playing for the school team. I love football! Mrs Wheatley and Mrs Lancastle -Smith must think I am good because they always pick me for the team .

At weekends I play for Swalwell Swifts and I once played for Darlington. I was also asked to go to Sunderland Academy.

Swalwell Swifts are a good team and are top of the Gateshead league.

PHOTOGRAPHS OF OUR 2011 - 2012 TEAM CAN BE VIEWED BY CLICKING HERE

Written and published to the website by Jack Greenup.

Year 1/2 Topic - Food from around the World

2012-01-25T14:20:08Z

Children in Year 1/2 are looking forward to a KS1 topic-based activity on Food. They have already set up an Italian restaurant in class and will shortly be making pizzas . In preparation for this, Miss Foster is taking her class to Asda, on Monday, to work out the cost and to buy the necessary ingredients. We are sure they will have a wonderful time and look forward to seeing their photographs on our website sometime in the near future.
Mrs Anderson

PTFA Association

2012-01-24T13:59:41Z

Swalwell Parent, Teacher and Friends Association are planning a Talent Show. They are hoping to showcase the talents of Swalwell Primary School and are interested to hear from budding singers, dancers, comedians, jugglers, magicians etc. The date and time of the show has yet to be arranged. Watch this space!

Sign2Sing

2012-01-23T13:15:37Z

As a school we have decided, once again, to take part in Sign2Sing. This is a World Record breaking attempt for the most people signing, in British Sign Language, the same song at the same time.
The attempt will be on Wednesday 8th February 2012 at 2:45pm.
We think this is a terrific initiative which will teach the children a new and valuable skill as well as raising awareness of deaf issues.
SignHealth, who are a national charity, dedicated to improving healthcare and achieving equal access for deaf people, are behind the event. They are hoping to raise some much needed funds to enable them to continue their valuable work. To achieve this they are asking for a suggested voluntary donation of £1.00 per child taking part. They do , however , want this to be as inclusive as possible, so any donation, however small, would be greatly appreciated. All Swalwell children will be allowed to participate whether a donation is received or not.
J Anderson