The most recent weather warning we have received indicates there will be a very slow thaw over the next seven to ten days with temperatures remaining just above freezing in the daytime.

In light of this we will return to normal school times from Tuesday 12 January opening at 8.50 a.m. and closing at 3.10 p.m.

As you know predicting the weather is somewhat of a 'lottery' and these plans may suddenly need to change. In the event that we do need to close school we will put information on local radio, the school website at www.staugustinesprimary.org together with Gateshead LA website: www.gateshead.gov.uk - go to 'Severe Weather' page.

Unfortunately, we will still be unable to run any clubs or start the Breakfast club until the weather improves.

Thank you.

The forecast for the next ten days indicates that there is likely to be more snow and freezing temperatures. I have completed a risk assessment and decided that we will endeavour to remain open next week. However, to allow time for staff and children to get safely to and from school in these conditions we will have reduced school session times. School will open at 9.30 a.m. and close at 2.00 p.m. each day unless the weather significantly changes, in which case we will update this information.

In the event that we do need to close school we will put information on local radio, the school website at www.staugustinesprimary.org and Gateshead LA website: www.gateshead.gov.uk, then go to 'Severe Weather' page so please do check.

We look forward to seeing you,
Thank you for your support.

Thank you for your support

Due to weather conditions, several members of staff are unable to get to school today. Please check the website and local radio stations for further updates.

Thank you for your co-operation.

The musical talent at St Augustine's knows no limits! Here are a few pictures of Mr Renwick's Year 3s learning to play the Ukulele. Keep checking the website to find out what other exciting musical events are happening in our school!

Well...the time has come for the book to be released!

The book, titled 'We are Writers', will be available to view and order at the book fair which will run from Monday 16th November to Thursday 19th November before and after school in the hall. As well as providing a fantastic memento of your child's work, each book sold will raise funds to buy books for our new school library.

If you wish to find out more you can visit the We Are Writers website at www.wearewriters.com.

We look forward to hearing your comments!

For the next 3 weeks the children in Years 3 and 4 must create an information booklet about the wives of King Henry VIII as their Literacy homework. Please click on the link above to access a powerpoint with information relating to this topic. In an earlier entry on the website there is also a link to some useful Tudor websites. The Year 3/4 team hope these are helpful to you and if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask us.

Thanks for your help and cooperation - happy researching children!

Books will also be available for the children to buy at lunchtime on the 18th and 19th of November. If they would like their book signed by either of the Steves they must be bought on the 18th. The books cost either £4.99 or £5.99.

Happy reading!

We all brought our own umbrellas into school and took close up photographs of them. Using these photos we practised sketching the shapes of umbrellas.

We used our umbrellas to try and make really interesting shadows on the ground.

We took photos of the shadows we were making.

We used colour wheels to choose colours we thought would really stand out against our black shadows.

After the backgrounds of our paintings were dry we painted our shadows black. We think they look great!

In our Maths lessons we looked at the shapes we could see in the Eiffel Tower which was constructed at around the time of the painting for the Universal Exhibition in 1889.

We could see it was made from structurally strong triangles and we had a go at making some of our own strong towers.

We used an editing website to experiment with changing effects on our photos and printed our favourites.

These edited photos were then used to inspire our own work.

We looked closely at what the people in the painting were wearing. We especially liked the little giris dress. We decided to create clay models and decorate them.

We painted splashes onto canvas. We decided that in stormy weather the sky is very dark, so mixed blues with black and white.

We used a range of plastic materials and wire to create 3D splashes.

We created miniature umbrellas using wire. We twisted wires together and curved them to make the handle then used more wires to create the shape of the top of an umbrella.

Foundation Stage have had great fun creating their own version of Renoir 'Umbrellas'.

St Aloysius 0 - 0
Bill Quay 3 - 2 (win)
Lingey House 0 - 2 (loss)
St Bedes 1 - 0 (win)
St Joseph's 0 - 4 (loss)
Brandling 1 - 1

They are ( from top left): Francesca Souley, Olivia Trotter, Leonie Williams, Ethan Laidler, Kieron Brand, Holly Bain, Quarat Akhtar, Georgia Buxton, Craig Milburn, Simon Ternent, Joe Arnott, Jack Urwin, Hannah Miller, Sam Waddle, Francesca Warren and Olivia Woodall.

Remember to let them know if you have any sensible suggestions as to how we can improve the school.

In Year 3 and 4 over the next few weeks we will be looking at the Tudor times. Click on the link above to open a Microsoft Word file containing links to some fun Tudor websites. Do you know why Henry VIII married so many times? What happened to his wives? What was it like to live in the Tudor times? Find out the answers to these and many more questions on the websites!

Happy surfing!

We were just about to start practising for our Nativity so Miss Dunsire had to snap us quickly. It didn't matter though because we were sitting in such straight lines on the carpet listening to Mr McVittie that she barely even had to move us!

Mrs Lynch was busy putting us into talking partners when Miss Dunsire stopped by to take our photo. Miss Dunsire was very impressed with the way we work well in any partnership we are put in. She also liked our smiles and poses!

While Miss Dunsire is busy updating the website we are behaving sensibly and working hard in class. As soon as Miss Dunsire left the room we got straight on with our mental maths, you won't believe how good we are at it!

Today we have been auditioning for our Nativity so Miss Dunsire caught us while we were still in the hall. I wonder if Mrs Lynch will recognise us now we're all grown up in Key Stage Two?!

This photo was taken just before break time so we had already done a lot of hard work. Mrs Nealings said the smartest child on the carpet could have a raffle ticket. Who do you think should have won?

Before Miss Dunsire came in to take this photo we were hard at work. Miss Fletcher said that the smartest table could come to the carpet first but we are all so smart in Year 1/2 that she didn't know who to choose!

In Key Stage One we have to show the Foundation Stage children how to behave well so we always listen to what Miss Downie tells us. We can sit down on the carpet quickly and quietly ready to get on with our work.

We had just been playing outside before this photo was taken but we came in sensibly and sat down quietly on the carpet. Can you see how grown up and happy we all look?