OUR SCHOOL VALUES

TRUST, RESPECT, RESILIENCE, INCLUSIVITY 

COMMUNITY KINDNESS

Remembrance Day 2023

The children visited the memorial garden this morning to pay their respects to those who had given their lives in conflict and in protecting our country. The children read the poem In Flanders Fields, written by the War Poet John McCrae and the Year 6 children gave their thoughts about the poem. The children lay wreaths and respected the 2 minutes silence.

Remembrance Day 2022

Year 2 led the KS1 service for Remembrance Day. They read poems and sang songs whilst they thought about all of those men and women who died, protecting our country and our way of life. They laid poppy wreaths and crosses at our focal point.

Year 6 told KS2 their thoughts and how they felt about the poem In Flanders Fields. It was written by the War Poet John McCrae in 1915. The words of the children were very moving. Then the 2 minutes of silence were observed.

We had a great turn out form the Uniformed Organisations! Well done all of you who are part of Rainbows, Beavers, Cubs, Brownies, Scouts and Guides and chose to wear your uniforms today.

Jubilee Celebration Week

The week commencing 13th June was our week of celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The children took part in a variety of royal activities and learned about the Queen through the decades of her reign. Year 5 and 6 also had the opportunity to take part in A Right Royal Do, at the Gala theatre, singing gospel songs. The week ended with our Finchale street party.

The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Durham came to visit school. The Mayor is called Councillor Bill Kellet and the Mayoress is called Mrs Jean Chaplow. He brought his Bodyguard with him.

We had a very interesting assembly learning about the role of the Mayor in the past (collecting taxes) and his present day role promoting the city. The Mayoress talked to us too and the Mayor explained all about his ceremonial robes including his hidden pockets. Some pupils had an opportunity to try on his gold chain of office.

Four (out of 15) of the Mayor's Bodyguard visited and told us about their job and showed us their robes, the mace and the sword. They explained the significance of each item. Some of our pupils had an opportunity to see the sword up close and some even joined the ranks of the Bodyguard - but only temporarily!

Many thanks to our visitors, it was a pleasure to learn so much about the role of the Mayor and associated traditions which the children found fascinating.     

Finchale Remembrance Day Commemoration

and

Dedication of the Finchale Memorial Garden 10/11/17

We Remember in 2017…

Our Remembrance Day commemoration was very special this year because we also held a dedication for our newly opened Memorial Garden. We had some special guests in school who talked with the children about their own experiences of war. Year 2 pupils read the poem In Flanders Fields and Year 6 pupils, who had analysed the same poem read out, in their own words, what it really meant to them. Wreaths were laid in school and at the foot of the Finchale Soldier in the Memorial Garden. The children found the service very emotional and poignant. Mrs Sleeman also explained that it was the 100 year anniversary of the battle of Passchendaele. We spent time reflecting on how lucky we are to have benefitted from the selfless and heroic acts of others during all wars. People, many of whom were still young, gave their lives so that we could live peacefully today.

Finchale Memorial Garden

September 2017

I am delighted that our Memorial Garden is very nearly finished! This project came about when we secured funding to develop something that could be enjoyed by the local community and it has been in the development stages for more than 2 years, from when we first planted trees in the site. The photographs below show some of the stages we went through.

The Finchale Memorial Garden is to honour soldiers from World War I and all subsequent wars. Pupils were keen to have a sculpture and seating for visitors. Willow was chosen so everyone could be involved in the building process. Ruth from Sylvan Skills listened to our ideas and gave us design suggestions. She passed on her willow-work skills and expertise when we joined her to build shelters for the seating. Anna helped us to build our very own Finchale Soldier who you will see is sitting writing a letter home. Although we are planning an official opening, the garden is now open to visitors from

7am - 6pm during term time.

Please come and enjoy the garden.

Armistice Day Assembly

Many thanks to all who made our Service of Remembrance such a special occasion. I mention particularly the veterans: Jean, Harry, Mabel, Jim, Anne, Malcolm, Renee, Thelma and Audrey who joined us and shared so much knowledge and gave us a true sense of why we must continue to say our thanks to the many people who gave their lives so that we may live in the comfort and freedom we so take for granted these days.

Year 2 led our assembly, supported by Year 6, they spoke so well and showed true respect when laying the poppy wreaths they made themselves. It was emotional for both children and adults. We then spent time in true conversation with the veterans who also joined us for lunch.

The BIG Classroom - June 2016

We have subscribed to a project called the BIG classroom. This is an on-line community of thousands of schools across the UK, who are dedicated to promoting British values by giving snapshots of their day-to-day lives. We are connected to five other schools in different areas of the country, and will share what we have been learning.