Staying Safe Online & in the Community

Today, Dave Brown from Be Safe spoke to our Year 5 and 6 pupils about how to stay safe at home, online, and in the wider community.

The sessions covered:

  • Age restrictions on social media
  • Making safe and sensible choices online
  • Knowing when and how to seek help from trusted adults

Pupils also learned about knife crime and county lines in an age-appropriate and sensitive way, helping them understand the risks, consequences, and the importance of walking away and speaking to a trusted adult.

An important and empowering session that reinforced key safeguarding messages and supported pupils to make safe, responsible choices.

Our Year 5 pupils took part in an important discussion focusing on cyberbullying. They talked about what cyberbullying is, how it can make people feel, and the importance of speaking to a trusted adult if something online doesn’t feel right. The session helped pupils understand how to stay safe, kind, and responsible online.

Year 5 Bikeability

Some of our Year 5 students had a fantastic few days mastering their riding skills with Bikeability. They not only developed confidence on two wheels but also learned important road safety and proficient cycling techniques. Well done to everyone who took part!

The instructors were so impressed that they came to see Mrs Garr and Mr McCormack at the end of the two days. They told us this has been the best group of children they’ve worked with in a long time – their listening skills and keenness to learn were amazing!

This makes us incredibly proud as a school and will be celebrated in our Friday Star of the Week Assembly. A huge well done, Year 5 – you’ve done West Boldon proud!

Westies Wraparound Cover

Our brand-new Westies After-School Wraparound Cover has been a big hit!

The children have had so much fun since we launched — from exploring the school grounds, riding bikes, and playing in the Reception garden, to enjoying some delicious evening cooking with Miss Black and Miss Fitzsimons.

Westies runs five days a week until 5.45pm, giving children a safe, fun, and engaging space after school.

If you’d like to book your child a place, please contact Julie in the main school office.

We can’t wait to see even more children enjoying all that Westies has to offer!

 

West Boldon celebrates British Sign Languge Week

Last week, the whole school took part in British Sign Language Week, learning about the importance of inclusive communication and the experiences of the deaf community.

As part of this Year 5 took part in a powerful lesson led by Miss Swales and Mr Gordon, delivered entirely in silence – just as it would be for a deaf child.

Without using sound, we quickly realised how challenging it can be to:

  • Convey true meaning without hearing tone or voice.
  • Ask questions clearly when we couldn’t speak.
  • Cope with the frustration of misunderstanding instructions – one child completed their task incorrectly and found it difficult to communicate their confusion.

This experience truly opened our eyes to the daily challenges faced by people who are deaf. British Sign Language Week has helped us all develop a deeper empathy and appreciation for the importance of accessible communication.

Hearts of Kind Words

The children were inspired by the beautiful peace dove display that was hanging in Durham Cathedral and decided to make Heart Chains with words of Kindness written on each heart. Some of the words written by the children on each heart included:-
Be Kind
Loving
Thoughtful
Caring
Share
Helpful
Smile
Thankful
The hearts are displayed in the school hall to inspire all of the children to spread kindness each day.

Christmas Cards for Age Concern

Our fantastic Giving Project children got into the Christmas spirit and enjoyed making snowman Christmas cards for Age Concern! The cards were collected and will be distributed to the elderly people who live in our community.
The children should be very proud of themselves, spreading joy to many at this special time of year! Well done to them all.

 

Road Safety Week

Last week, we proudly marked Road Safety Week, focusing on raising awareness about staying safe on the roads. After a school-wide vote, we chose to receive a special road safety lesson – and our incredible Team Communicators took charge!

They organised an engaging assembly centered on the key message; Think, Stop, Wait, and Listen before crossing the road. The assembly featured interactive role play and shared vital tips for crossing safely, making it both fun and memorable for everyone!

A huge round of applause to our Team Communicators for delivering such an important message with energy and confidence!

New Barriers and Road Markings

A huge thank you to Councillor Simon Oliver for organising the installation of the new barrier and road markings outside West Boldon Primary! These improvements are already making a big difference in keeping our children safe.

Simon is continuing to push for even more work to fill in the remaining gaps, but we’re currently awaiting updates from the council. Watch this space!

Anti-Bullying Week 2024

This week, we proudly celebrated Anti-Bullying Week 2024 with the inspiring theme of ‘Showing Acts of Kindness Every Day’. Our children wholeheartedly embraced this message, voting to make kindness the heart of our efforts – and we couldn’t be prouder of their dedication!

Highlights of the Week:

  • Team Communicators led the way, recognising and celebrating acts of kindness across the school. They awarded certificates to children who went above and beyond to show thoughtfulness and care, spreading positivity throughout our community.
  • To conclude the week, the Team Communicators shared a special gesture with every child – a heartfelt note of thanks for their kindness. These meaningful tokens reminded us all of the power of small acts to make a big difference.

A huge well done to everyone at West Boldon Primary School! This week, you demonstrated how kindness can help create a culture of care, empathy, and inclusion, showing the world what it means to build a bully-free community.

Let’s continue to carry this message forward, every day!

Kindness Assembly – The Giving Project

We were very happy to welcome Mathew from Vision for Education to do an assembly for the children all about Kindness and the Giving Project.
The children very much enjoyed listening to Mathew and to learn how kindness can spread so much happiness to everyone and it is free! Showing empathy, compassion and thoughtfulness can uplift others, by showing that you care.
The children who attend The GIving Project, which runs in school and is organised by Mrs Bingham, all received a special reward too. The children were thanked for their kindness for volunteering their spare time to make things for others, in the school and the local community.