Weekly Bulletin 10th October 2025
Headteacher’s Message
In response to feedback from last year’s Parents’ evenings and parental survey earlier in the year, we will be offering both face to face appointments and a night set aside for online video-call appointments for pupils in Y1 to Y6 (See below for information for Reception children). It is hoped this will allow greater flexibility for parents/carers and the opportunity for as many as possible to attend and learn about their child’s progress so far this term. Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st (3:40-5:40pm) will be held in school with the class teacher and Wednesday 22nd (3:40-5:20pm) will be held online. There will be an online booking form for you to choose either an in-person appointment or a video-call. There will be two links sent out, the first for in-person and the second for online. Please ensure your contact details are up-to-date with the school office. If you have any problems securing an appointment, please contact the school office. Progress reports will be sent home on Friday 17th October.
Each week I want to include a ‘snapshot’ of some of the things that the children are doing in school. For example, news from our ECO team, Worship group, V.I.P. (Very International People) and SNAG (School Nutrition Action Group). This week our focus is on the work of our new School Librarians and a special project they have helped set up; an update is shared below.
Best wishes
Mr Rumbles
Community Library
We’re excited to share that our Little Community Library Shed will be open on Monday 13th October!
This small library is a place where students, families and neighbours can “Swap a Book, Leave a Book or Take a Book.” It’s a simple and fun way to encourage reading, sharing, and community spirit.
Here’s how it works:
- Bring a book you’ve enjoyed and swap it for another – or take one if you see one you really like, or donate one for someone else
- Choose books that are suitable for children or family reading. There will be books in there for adults, teenagers, children and even books for families to enjoy
- Visit often to discover new stories and share old favourites!
Our wonderful Year 5 Librarians will be helping to run this project. They have been very busy over the past few weeks promoting reading across the school and encouraging everyone to enjoy books. Next term, they will also be visiting Bowburn Library to learn more about how a library works and the important role of a librarian.
Thank you for helping us make reading a part of everyday life, both in and out of school. Together, we can keep our little library shed full of stories and smiles.
With warm regards,
Mrs Claydon and the Y5 Librarians
Reception Class Parents Evening
The Reception Class Parents Evening will be on a drop-in basis, between 3.00 – 4.30pm on each evening from Monday 20th October to Thursday 23rd October. Mrs Short will be available for all of the sessions, allowing Reception parents/carers to speak to her alongside looking through their children’s work. The drop-in sessions will be allocated to a house/colour group for each night in half hourly slots. If you are unable to make your allocated evening (i.e. due to work commitments) please contact the School Office to discuss an alternative time.
Diary Dates
For a full list of school holiday dates please see the school website.
Monday 20th October – Wednesday 22nd October – Y1 to Y6 Parents’ Consultation Evening
Monday 20th October to Thursday 23rd October – Reception Parents’ Consultation Evening
Thursday 23rd October – Y6 & Y4 Trip to Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha.
Friday 24th October – School closes for Autumn half term holiday
Monday 3rd November – School re-opens after half term holiday
Monday 10th November – Wednesday 13th November – SEND Parents’ Consultation Evening
Tuesday 11th November – Remembrance Service – 9.05am at School – all welcome
Wednesday 12th November – Y1 Trip to Beamish
Tuesday 18th November – Y3 Trip to Iskcon Temple
Tuesday 18th November – Y4 Trip to Great North Museum
Wednesday 19th November – Y4 Trip to Durham University
Thursday 20th November – Y5 Class Assembly – 9.05am
Friday 28th November – Advent Eucharist – 9.05am – all welcome
Tuesday 2nd December – Y3 Trip to Great North Museum
Thursday 4th December – Reception Nativity – 9.10am
Wednesday 10th December – KS1 Christmas Performance – 9.05am
Wednesday 10th December – Christmas Lunch
Monday 15th December – KS2 Christmas Singalong – 2.45pm
Friday 19th December – Christmas Community Worship – 9.05am
Wednesday 7th January 2026 – Friday 9th January 2026 – Y6 Trip to Robinwood
Tuesday 10th March 2026 – Y5 Murton Park Trip
Thursday 12th March – Y2 Trip to Shildon Science Museum
Monday 30th March – Reception visit from Zoolab
Monday 11th May-Thursday 14th May 2026 – KS2 SATs
Monday 22nd June 2026 – Sports Day – 1.15pm onwards
Friday 3rd – Monday 6th July 2026 – France Residential for Y5/6
Secondary School Open evenings are taking place this term. Visit each school’s website for more information.
Free Chorister Experience – On Saturday 11th October children in Year 2-6 have the incredible opportunity to attend a free Chorister Experience at Durham Cathedral from 12:30pm-6:15pm. This includes hearing the current Choristers sing, making music together, having a tour of the Cathedral, doing crafts together and most excitingly playing the organ! Parents /guardians are welcome and children are asked to wear their school uniform. To apply for a place, please contact music@durhamcathedral.co.uk or call 0191 374 4066.
Wild Church
It’s only a couple of weeks now to our Animal Welfare Day.
We meet outside church – where there will be refreshments Introduce your favourite animal-by bringing them or a picture and we will craft wobble animals. Dogs welcome ON LEADS. Hamsters, Guinea Pigs in cages etc. We are really looking forward to it and hope to see you. (As cats get v. distressed around dogs- please, no lovely cats on that day, not even in a cage-but do bring pictures.)
10.00 pm Sat 1st November ST. MARY’S CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAYRE: Church Hall
5.00 pm – 7.00 FRI 28th Nov. CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL:
Sat 20th Dec 5.30 pm CAROLS AROUND THE TREE with NATIVITY: Shincliffe Green
(In church if the weather is poor) Afterwards: Mince pies in the Church Hall
Starting School – Will your child turn 5 between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027?
Applications open 1 September 2025 and close midnight 15 January 2026.
If so, you need to complete an application online to tell us which school you would like your child to attend from September 2026.
Visit www.durham.gov.uk/primaryschoolplaces where you can access a useful guide to help with your application. The easiest way to apply is online, if you are unable to apply online, paper application forms are available on request.
You still need to apply even if your child attends the nursery unit attached to the school, or already has a sibling at the school. You will also need to apply for a place in Year 3 in a junior school for an older child.
For more information please contact School Places and Admissions Team www.durham.gov.uk/schooladmissions
Tel: 03000 265896
YEAR 6 PARENTS – Application for a Secondary School Place – September 2026
As you will be aware, your child is due to transfer to secondary school in September next year. The application process will open on 1 September 2025. You will need to read the School Admissions online guidance for parents which is located on the School Admissions web page. This contains essential information that will help you in making your child’s application. The guidance is available on our website www.durham.gov.uk/schooladmissions You must only complete one application and this must be to the Local Authority to which you pay your council tax (i.e. Home Local Authority).
If you live in County Durham, you need to complete an application to tell us which school you want your child to attend. You should list up to 3 school preferences and applying for just 1 school Does Not improve your chances of gaining a place at that school. You can apply for any school/academy in County Durham or in another Local Authority area.
Please apply on-line at www.durham.gov.uk/schooladmissions When you apply on-line you will receive an acknowledgement and you will receive an email on 2 March 2026 containing a link to obtain your offer of a school place from the Document Download Portal. Please save your log-in details.
Please note that school places are allocated according to specific criteria which are different depending upon which school you apply for your child to attend. One criterion is “nearest school”. If you wish to know your nearest school, please contact us.
If your child’s offer of a school place is for an oversubscribed school (i.e. where there are more applications for a school than places available) we will offer your child a school place based on the child’s/parent’s address. We may request information on the child’s/parent’s address when we offer a school place and the onus will be on you to prove your address if asked.
If you do not wish to apply on-line, you can contact the School Admissions Team by email or telephone to request a form. Email: schooladmissions@durham.gov.uk or telephone
03000 265 896. Your application must be received by us at the address below by the closing date. We strongly advise you to return the application form to us by “Royal Mail Signed for™” or “Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed”. If you complete a paper application form you will receive a letter to inform you of the school place offered to your child on the 2 March 2026.
Please note for both on-line applications and paper application forms, you will be required to read the disclaimer and sign/tick the box to agree that the information you provide on the application form is complete and correct otherwise the offer of a school place will be withdrawn.
The closing date for receipt for on-line/paper application forms is 31 October 2025.
Yours sincerely,
School Places and Admissions Team.
School Vision and Christian Values
Our school vision is rooted in Jesus’ promise in John 10 v 10, that he has ‘come that you may have life – life in all its fullness.’ To help us understand and live out this vision we look at certain Christian values which, as a school community, we believe are important.
We are exploring the value of endurance this half term and worship will be led by Mr Rumbles, Fr. Peter, Mrs Matthews, Fr. Bill and our Key Stage Two pupils.
Further information on the value of endurance:
Endurance – is recognition that life is sometimes difficult and painful, and that it is important not to give up in the face of adversity.
Jesus endured rejection, abuse and the cross, and his followers are warned that they may well have to share that pain as persecution took hold. Discipleship is depicted as ‘taking up the cross daily’ and following in Jesus’ footsteps (Luke 9:23).
We would like our children to continue their reflection and experience at home.
Some things to think about:
- How do we give pupils a better appreciation of the difficult situations that many people in the world have to endure and of the courage and resilience they show in the face of them?
- How do you help pupils understand that some things are worth working for even though they do not bring immediate results? How do we develop patience?
- What encourages and inspires you to persevere through difficult times in life?
If you would like to receive a copy of the Weekly Bulletin by e-mail please e-mail the school. Shincliffece@durhamlearning.net The Weekly Bulletins from previous weeks can be found in the parents’ section of the website.
Diwali Celebration at the Oriental Museum, Saturday 18 October, 6.00 – 8.00pm
Join us for a spectacular Diwali celebration open to all.
There will be traditional prayers to the goddess Lakshmi, delicious vegetarian snacks to try and arts and craft activities.
Families can also hear Indian musical and dance performances and a retelling of the classic tale of Prince Rama and Princess Sita.
Tickets are £3 for adults and children. Advance booking is essential. Book your tickets with Eventbrite.
If you need any further information on parking or access information please visit our website or contact oriental.museum@durham.ac.uk
We hope you can join us.
October Half Term Fun at the Oriental Museum
If you are looking for some half term fun this October, then check out our FREE programme of family activities. This half term you can help make a fantasy film poster and decorate your own glass jar to take home, inspired by a beautiful Korean jar on display.
Activities are generally suitable for families with children aged 5 – 11 years.
For further information, visit our website.
