Weekly Bulletin 28th November 2025
Headteacher’s Message
Christmas preparations are well and truly under way, beginning with our Advent Eucharist today, which was well attended and we thank parents and parishioners for their support and for the contributions of Fr Peter and the Worship group. Occasions such as this are great opportunities to bring our school community together. We will be hosting our annual Christmas Fair which is taking place on Monday 8th December at school (3:30pm-4.30pm). All money raised will be used to benefit the education of our children in school.
Next week is the first of our nativities and it is the turn of our Reception class to perform their nativity ‘Wriggly Nativity’. All parents/carers are welcome to attend, this will not be a ticketed performance although numbers are restricted to two adults per family. We look forward to the children’s presentation of the Christmas story following the huge amount of hard work on the part of both children and staff in their preparations.
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 PE and some children from Y5 have shared an update below.
Best wishes
Mr Rumbles
PE
Last Friday afternoon we had the opportunity of hearing a presentation from the Olympian, Giselle Ansley. She explained that she played for GB Hockey Team at the Olympics. She showed a video of how women’s hockey had progressed over the years and her Olympic Gold and Bronze Medals. She talked about how to be a good team player, her training regime, the importance of eating healthy and how to keep a positive attitude. It made us want to play Hockey and also helped us think what it would take to be an Olympian. She explained how to overcome setbacks when you lose and how it motivated her to keep trying her best. We found it very interesting and inspiring.
Ellie, Lochlan and Ella (Y5)
Parent Governor Vacancy
Ballot forms for the election of a new parent governor have been sent out earlier in the week. Please do remember to return them to school by Wednesday 3rd December. When the process has been finalised school will inform the parent body via our weekly bulletin and website. School and Governor Support Service will write formally to all nominees confirming the outcome of the ballot.
Christmas Arrangements
Online Advent Calendar
Celebrate the global joy of Jesus’ birth with an interactive Advent resource for families. The Advent Calendar will be available online from 1 December.
Christmas Nativity Performances and KS2 Sing-a-long
This year we will be holding separate nativities for Reception and KS1. The Reception class will be performing their nativity ‘Wriggly Nativity’ on Thursday 4th December at 9.10am. The children in KS1 (Y1 and Y2) will be performing ‘Lights of the World’ on Wednesday 10th December at 9.05am. All parents are welcome to attend, these will not be ticketed performances as in previous years although numbers are restricted to two adults per family. Can parents please continue to support your child in learning their lines.
The Singalong for KS2 will be on Monday 15th December beginning at 2:45pm. Parents are invited to come and join KS2 in singing a variety of carols and Christmas songs.
Christmas Fair – Monday 8th December 3:30 – 4.30pm
Come join us for this year’s Christmas fair for fun and games and of course a special visit from Father Christmas. Stalls will include, cakes, mystery bottles, and games from Year 6. There will be refreshments too.
If anyone can help with donations, we are looking for the following:
- Bottles and bottle bags for the mystery bottle stall
If anyone is available to help out on the day either with preparation or with any of the stalls, please contact the school office.
Christmas Lunch
Wednesday 10th December
Our Kitchen team will be cooking a traditional Christmas lunch for the children and staff to enjoy. If you would like your child to have a Christmas lunch and they do not usually have a school meal, please inform the school office by Friday 28th November. This will also be Christmas Jumper Day and our School Council are inviting children to wear a Christmas jumper. If you don’t have a Christmas jumper you can wear Christmas colours like red or green. All other uniform must still be worn. Children are invited to donate a suggested amount of £1. The collected donation will be sent on to CHUF-Children’s Heart Unit Fund our chosen charity for the year.
Christmas Parties
Week beginning 15th December
The children are invited to come to school wearing their party clothes on the day of their party. Please ensure that they still have sensible shoes and a warm coat. The children will have party games and fun activities.
Tuesday 16th December AM – Y1 and Y2 Party
Tuesday 16th December PM – Y3 and Y4 Party
Wednesday 17th December AM – Reception Party
Wednesday 17th December PM – Y5 and Y6 Party
International Christmas and Craft Week
Week beginning 15th December
This year, we will be focusing on the different countries from around the world that are represented in our school community. Each class will be taking part in a range of activities to help learn about the Christmas traditions of their chosen country.
Christmas Cards
We know that the children enjoy sharing cards with one another. We request, therefore, that all cards are brought into school between Monday 1st and Monday 15th December. They will then be distributed by our Year 6 children. Alternatively, there will also be an opportunity for children to post a message to the rest of the school on our eco-friendly Christmas trees located in the hall and at the School Office.
Christmas Carol Service
Father Peter and the Y6 Worship Group will be leading our Christmas Service, helping us to reflect on the Joy and Peace of Christmas. The service will begin at 9am on Friday 19th December in school followed by refreshments afterwards.
Diary Dates
For a full list of school holiday dates please see the school website.
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
Wild Church
Don’t forget the Christmas Tree Festival is next weekend Friday 28th November at 5.30 pm
£2.50 adults and children free – trees to see and a Knit and Natter and Craft Stall for items too.
Hope to see you then! Plus, Advent Sunday 30th Nov 9.30 Communion and there will be a Children’s Activity at the back.
CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
5.00 pm FRIDAY 28th November ALL WELCOME, there will also be gifts to purchase from Knit and Natter and a Craft Table
And Saturday 29th November CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL OPEN 10-12.00 Noon
Children free: £2.50 per adult Doors Close 12.00
Arrangements: contact Julie@ juliannegoodhart@hotmail.co.uk if you would like to do a tree and we will prepare a label
SET UP YOUR TREE Friday 28th at 4.00 pm for 5.00 pm opening
RETRIEVE TREES Sat 29th November 12.00 Noon- 1.00pm or
RETRIEVE TREES. Sun 30th November 10.30- 11.00 pm
ADVENT SUNDAY COMMUNION
9.30 am Sunday 30th Nov. There will be a children’s activity table
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.
