After school on Wednesday 17 July 2019 we all got together on the playground for a disco with a difference. This was our first outdoor school disco and it was a great success with all the children and staff having a fabulous time. Many thanks to our Friends of School group for their help in organising this event.

There was an even more competitive edge to our annual sports day on Monday 15 July 2019. The children, who were divided into four teams (blue, green, red and yellow), competed against other members of their year group in a variety of events to earn points for their team. We even had a visit from Active Ted who presented medals to the winning team and also special medals for those children who had clearly demonstrated one of the six School Games values (determination, honesty, passion, respect, self-belief and teamwork).

Class 3 and Class 4 had a busy day at Stanley Crook Forest on Wednesday 10 July 2019. The children took part in a range of outdoor and adventurous activities which included shelter making, bridge building and camouflage and concealment. Many thanks to Chris Hall for organising and leading the day.

On Tuesday 9 July 2019 Class 3 visited Binchester Roman Fort. The children were fascinated by the opportunity to see real archaelogists at work as they excavated a newly-discovered area. Mr Henderson (our Chair of Governors and member of a Roman re-enactment group called Roma Antiqua) gave us a fact-filled guided tour of the main parts of the fort and answered the children’s questions about life in the fort during Roman times. All the children also had the chance to design and make a Roman pot out of clay. Many thanks to Mr Henderson and the staff at the fort for organising all the activities.

We had a fabulous time on our annual visit to Seaburn Beach on Friday 5 July 2019. We were fortunate to have good weather and all the children really enjoyed being creative with the sand and water and working together with their friends.

The annual Byers Green Fun Day took place on Saturday 29 June 2019. This year our children showed their improved fitness levels and dancing skills when they performed a series of dance routines known as the ‘Byers Green Boogie’. Many thanks to Mrs Bradwell and Sam Dickinson for organising the performance.

As the final part of the Mini Police scheme, Y6 visited Spennymoor Police station on Friday 28 June 2019.  They were given a guided tour of the custody suite including the cells and learned about what happens when someone is arrested. We would like to thank all of the staff who made the Mini Police programme and the visit so enjoyable and informative.

Congratulations to our Y3/4 boccia team and our Y5/6 rounders team for representing our school at Sedgefield Community College on Tuesday 25 June 2019. Both teams were extremely proud to be awarded silver medals for their endeavours. Thankfully the weather held out and a good time was had by all!

Our Y5 children were delighted to receive a visit from Helen Goodman MP on the afternoon of Friday 21 June 2019. As part of their English lessons, they had written letters to their local MP outlining their concerns about environmental issues. It was wonderful for the children to have this opportunity to discuss their concerns face-to-face with a real politician. The children would like to thank Mrs Goodman for taking time out of her busy schedule to see them in school.

On the afternoon of Thursday 20 June 2019 we had a whole school music concert with singing, recorders, ukuleles and violins. Everyone had a great time! Many thanks to Mrs Coulls (our Durham Music Service teacher) for organising the event.