Family Information and PTA weekly news 8 April 2022
And just like that, we are at the end of the 2nd term, with just one more to go. I really hope that the Easter break is a bright, sunny one and that you can get out and about in the fresh air.
My hope was, and still is that I will soon be able to invite parents in for a coffee morning/afternoon. Pre pandemic I used to hold these half termly. They were intended as an opportunity me to meet parents/carers, for parents to get together, share experiences and tips in school. Class/departmental ones are different, with the class teams present. I want to know if parents/carers would:
- want these to resume
- prefer morning; 9.30-10.45 or afternoon 13.45 – 15.00 as times
- be interested in a TEAMS option should we still be restricted by the impact of COVID.
We do have the benches outside, and this would be another option weather permitting.
Please let me know your views. I will put something on our Facebook page too.
Thanks to all the students and staff who bought tickets for our mini Easter raffle.
We raised £112 for the PTA. Thanks too, to Francis Goldsmith White’s grandmother who knitted the bunnies. Lots of people wanted to win them.
I am sorry this raffle came as a surprise to parents/carers who missed the notification in last week’s blog. I have taken on board, and should have known that tired parents do not always read or remember these and I will ensure that in future these are put on a separate blog. Despite this, you have responded in your usual positive way and I know I speak for the committee when I say thank you for all you do to support us.
Just to remind you that students return to school on Monday 25th April.
Information:
SEND Review
London (12 May): bit.ly/3xjyzJ1 Manchester (17 May): bit.ly/3x3IQZr Leicester (19 May): bit.ly/3NMRYHL Virtual event (23 May): bit.ly/3r0HHOK
Metrocentre:
Check the t&cs / find out more here: https://www.northeastfamilyfun.co.uk/…/north-east…
Please ALWAYS check for t&cs with venues direct when booking and ordering. Most of these deals are only available on specific dates and times (you’ll find them in the link above)
Activities:
Scotswood Gardens
Next Saturday there is a Mini Pride event happening at Scotswood Gardens! It’s free and there will be lots of fab activities and storytelling run by Curious Arts (and our regular Music and Movement Garden with Jo will be on too!)
The sessions run from 2pm – 3pm or 3.30pm – 4.30pm
To book contact Sally on 07808473300
Ouseburn Farm 
Our Easter events are live on our website (link in bio) and we’ve got lots in store including the welcome return of lamb feeding! Help them grow big and strong 
Seven Stories
Planning a trip to Seven Stories this Easter? It’s FREE ENTRY to the visitor centre (including three floors of galleries and activities) every day in school holidays, 10am-5pm. Take a peek at these guides to the events we have on for each age group too: sevenstories.org.uk/news/blog
DAILY STORYTIMES on the hour, every hour in the Easter holidays from 11am – 4pm! From £2 per child (adults and children under 12 months go free). Book in advance for these very popular events at: https://www.sevenstories.org.uk/wha…/events/1110/storytime
I have also seen that local children aged 4-16 years who are in receipt of free school meals can book a free breakfast. As this is funded by Newcastle City Council, I am not sure how local you need to be. This needs to be pre booked with katy.bolton@sevenstories.org.uk
Accessibility information is on the link here
Discovery Museum
Drop in, no booking required. Most suitable ages 6+. £2.00, free crafts also available. (Correct change is appreciated). These family crafts are suitable for children age 6 and over, although younger members of the family are always welcome too. Get stuck into bunny-tastic Easter crafts at Discovery Museum’s custom built Play + Invent creation stations.
Create an acrobatic bunny
Decorate rabbits and eggs Try a hatching chick paper craft
Accessibility information is on the link here
Whitley Bay Young People’s Centre
There are other activities there. Please see link to their Facebook group below
https://www.facebook.com/WhitleyBayYoungPeoplesCentre/
Jump Giants Newcastle
They offer SEN sessions where a carer goes free with a child with SEN.
You can book on the link below:
https://jumpgiants.booknow.software/book/s/?site=a0I3z00000ddZ1EEAU
Newcastle City Centre Bucket Collection
I have been asked to promote the Foundation’s street collections in Newcastle city centre which will take place in Newcastle from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th May. If you could sign up to volunteer on the link below it would be much appreciated for any of the days.
Sign up for a few hours volunteering here
Great North Run – Fancy A Challenge in 2022
Looking to take no an amazing challenge in 2022, while supporting the Foundation to raise money for valuable equipment?
Take on this years Great North Run, completing the worlds largest half marathon, joining Team Percy Hedley for this great challenge.
Simplyhealth Great North Run 2022 | The Percy Hedley Foundation (enthuse.com)
PTA
You said that meetings during the school day were difficult for working parents; indeed we have committee members who are also working parents. So, we agreed to hold alternate day/evening meetings. We always listen to parents/carers, passing on your communication where relevant to our School Leadership team.
And so, on Tuesday we held our first evening meeting and were joined by those parents who asked us to run them. Huge thanks to you all; it was lovely to see you in person and get your views. We had lots of good ideas about the forthcoming summer fayre and as we get confirmation of what will be there will let you know. We would appreciate offers of help as per previous blogs. After Easter, we will start taking in donations for our tombolas and raffle. For those who attended last year, we know you enjoyed it and would love to know what would have made it even better. For now, save the date:
PTA 100 Club
A parent asked for an easier way to join than printing the form and sending in. So, although I attach the form below for details you can simply email me and I will complete it on your behalf. Payment can be made by cash, cheque (payable to Percy Hedley Foundation) or BACS. Email me for details. The money we make from this pays for our annual memberships of Parentkind (£116), Tim Lamb Centre (£50) and National Trust (£101.35) The last two are school memberships only.
As we have already drawn the first 6 draws, if you join for £12, you will have 2 numbers for the remaining 6, which will be drawn in July. Of the £12, 50% comes to the PTA, with the remaining paid in prizes. It is an especially easy way for those who cannot give their time to support the PTA.
100 Club Annual Subscriber agreement 2021-22
Plans:
The PTA has covered costs for resources for the Eggcited to MOVE event in school this week.
In previous years we were inundated with donations of Easter Eggs from businesses. This year, we received around 50. The PTA decided to purchase additional ones so that each student has something to take home for Easter. We know that not all of our students can eat them, but hope that parents will appreciate the gesture.
We await confirmation of dates to proceed with the whole school event from True Colours, and once confirmed will share the date. Want to know more about them? Have a look here
We are considering bird related events, to tie in with this years school theme. If any parent/carer has any suggestions for other things we could do in school please let me know. We made a decision not to fund individual class activities with cash purchases as it was proving too time consuming and we felt it was not always equitable.
Meetings:
We have a sub group organising the Summer Fayre comprising of the following:
Donna (Chair PTA), Chris (Vice Chair), Jo (Media and Events), Claire (School/student link), Maria (fundraising) and Eileen (Family Liaison). Any of us would be pleased to hear your ideas. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 4th May.
PTA Meeting:
Our next meeting will be Tuesday 17th May from 14-15.00. Should we be in a position to run this face to face, we will do so and, as shared with you will be available on Microsoft TEAMS as well. The link to join is here:
Percy Hedley School PTA Facebook page
The link to join is here. If you invite someone, please answer the questions so that we keep this space safe for parents/carers and school staff
I saw this and thought it would be nice to share:
Wishing you all a very Happy Easter and hope that the holiday goes well. Please use the Facebook page if you come across anything other families might be interested in; I do check it most days even when I am on holiday
My contact details are:
Eileen Robinson. Family Liaison Officer
Telephone: 0191 2161811 ext 3260
Email: e.robinson@percyhedley.org.uk