Weekly Bulletin 19th December 2025
Headteacher’s Message
We have enjoyed a fun-filled and productive week in school with each class celebrating International Christmas Week, the KS2 Singalong and the Christmas Carol Service. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff for their hard work and dedication and for the way in which they consistently go above and beyond to provide rich, stimulating and enjoyable learning experiences for the children.
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, Global Champions and SNAG (School Nutrition Action Group). This week our focus is on an exciting new project that our Y6 children will be taking part in after Christmas and Mr Gowan has shared an update below.
As this will be the last bulletin before the holidays, on behalf of all at school, I wish you and all whom you love, a joyful and peaceful Christmas:
May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary and the peace of the Christ-child be yours this Christmas.
I look forward to seeing you all when we return on Tuesday 6th January.
Best wishes
Mr Rumbles
FBM Market Makers Project
Future Business Magnates (FBM) is a business planning competition originally set up for secondary schools in County Durham which has now grown to include Year 6 pupils. We have been chosen to take part in the project, starting in January and running until March when the children will sell their products at Durham Market. It is hoped this will introduce students to the excitement of working in their own business, develop their creativity and introduce students to possible career pathways and broaden their horizons. Future Business Magnates not only introduces pupils to the processes of starting an exciting business venture but also gives parents valuable insights into how their child is engaging with the world of work. More details will follow in the new year.
Mr Gowan
PE – Spring Term
The children are required to wear their PE kit on the day they have PE. Please note: there may be ad-hoc PE days for which you will be informed via letter or SMS text message. Please see class PE days below:
| Reception | Wednesday |
| Year 1 | Thursday & Friday |
| Year 2 | Wednesday & Friday |
| Year 3 | Monday & Thursday |
| Year 4 | Wednesday & Friday |
| Year 5 | Monday & Tuesday |
| Year 6 | Tuesday & Friday |
Diary Dates
For a full list of school holiday dates please see the school website.
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
Wild Church
Everyone sends their greetings for Christmas and we hope people can come to some of our events and services that mark Jesus’ Birth.
Sat 20th Dec 5.30 p.m. Carols around the Tree (Village Green) followed by Gluwein and Mince Pies from the Seven Stars in the Church Hall. If it rains it will be in the Hall. A collection will be taken for Reach – a charity for children with limb differences.
Sun 21st Dec 4.30 pm Carols round the Tree in High Shincliffe. Meet at the end of Ancroft Garth.
Sun 21st 6.00 p.m. Carol Service St. Mary’s: A collection will be taken for Reach, a charity for children with limb differences.
Parents Only: 8.00 p.m. Carols in the Pub-Seven Stars
Wed 24th December 4.00 p.m. Christingle at St. Mary’s Church – Collection for the Children’s Society
Wed 24th December 11.00 p.m. Midnight Mass
Thursday 25th December 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion
Sun 28th December 9.30 a.m. Morning Prayer with Children’s Activity
Wild Church will begin again in January with an Epiphany workshop.
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
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 compassion this half term and worship will be led by Mr Rumbles, Fr. Peter, Mrs Matthews, Fr. Bill and our Key Stage Two pupils.
More information on this half term’s value:
Compassion’ and ‘sympathy’ have much in common and both are stronger in meaning than simply ‘feeling sorry for’ someone. The words have their roots in the idea of ‘suffering with’ someone, putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and experiencing what they experience. This leads to a desire to act, to do something. It is not about ‘doing good’ from a position of strength or ‘remembering those less fortunate than ourselves’. Compassion requires an act of imagination and humility to share in the lives of others.
In the Gospels we find many stories of Jesus showing compassion to the sick and the downtrodden of society. Christians believe that their attitudes and actions must reflect the kindness, mercy and compassion of Jesus and the love of God for everyone. In the school community this means showing kindness and respect to each other. It is related to the way in which new people are welcomed into the school family and nurtured and supported. It is reflected in the ways in which members of the community support each other through difficult times, such as bereavement. Christians would say that God Himself is the perfect example of community—the three persons of the Trinity are bound together in the ultimate closeness which makes them one. In a church school the idea of community will always be a strong one— schools share a common life and common goals—we aim to nurture and sustain all our members.
We would like our children to continue their reflection and experience at home.
Some things to think about:
- In what ways do we encourage members of the school community to show kindness and respect to one another?
- How do we foster links with charities for those in need?
- How are new members of the school community nurtured and supported?
- How does the school help, and encourage pupils to understand and empathise with members of their community who have suffered traumatic experiences, e.g. bereavement?
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.
