It was time for action, when budding robotics engineers showcased their talents at a regional competition. The pupils from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary in Benwell were competing in the Vex IQ Robotics Competition North-East Regional at Sasmi College in Sunderland, where the robot they had created was put through its paces. “The event is part of an international competition run by Vex Robotics, with a variety of age categories, and the UK North-East division is supported by Ni

It was a stellar occasion when budding astronomers from a school in Denton enjoyed a star-gazing session at the Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre in Northumberland. The 28 Year 4 pupils from St Bede’s Catholic Primary School took part in a range of workshops during the overnight visit, including an outdoor walk and the star-gazing session, which was led by their Class Teacher Anna Trow. “The highlights for myself were to see the children outside of the classroom and en

Caring and creativity were key, when students at St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy in Bedlington undertook a series of ‘Acts of Kindness’ during Lent with the aim of raising more than £400 for charity. All year groups took part in the initiative, which included supporting those in need through collecting for a foodbank, as well as fundraising for charities such as the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and St Cuthbert’s Care. “At St Benet Biscop, our Lent period

It was top marks all round, when St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy was classed ‘Outstanding’ in its recent Catholic School Inspection. The school was awarded the highest grade across all areas in the report, which highlighted its “exceptional commitment” to its Catholic mission, religious education, collective worship, and overall student wellbeing. The inspectors also praised the school’s dedication to “fostering a nurturing, spiritually enriching environment for students and

There was an ‘eggstra special’ end to the term, when children at a Our Lady and St Anne’s Catholic Primary in Newcastle showcased their creative talents in an Easter Egg Competition. All year groups were invited to take part in the contest on Wednesday 1 April, which challenged them to design and decorate boiled eggs at home to bring into school. Among the tasty treats up for grabs were the first prize of an Easter Egg Hamper, the second prize of Easter Squish Mallows, and a

It was party time, when pupils at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary in Newcastle celebrated their first 100 days of schooling. The 24 Reception Class children marked the occasion with a host of fun activities – as well as hand-made chocolate treats. “The children created party hats, made chocolate buns, and enjoyed a special music session with our music teachers, Abi and Hatti from Piccolo,” said Reception Class Teacher Melissa Calvert, who led the event with Class Nursery Nurs

Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the former school building meaning that the school is currently housed in temporary accommodation on site. The new building will be constructed on a similar footprint to the original school building following demolition. The current temporary facilities will remain in place and in use throughout the construction period. The new school building will meet modern environmental standards through minimising energy demand and using l

There was art with heart, when pupils from English Martyrs’ Catholic Primary in Fenham enjoyed a series of workshops designed to help them explore their emotions through creativity. The school linked with Shipley Art Gallery for the Cultural Match Programme initiative, which has seen children from Reception through to Year 6 enjoy a range of age-appropriate, art-based activities over the past months. “All of the children in school have taken part in workshops with the Shipley

Geographical theory was brought dramatically to life, when students from St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School in Newcastle enjoyed the adventure of a lifetime in Iceland. Thirty of the school’s Year 9 and 10 geography students spent five days exploring the diverse natural features of the dramatic Icelandic landscape, which ranged from the icy to volcanic. “As part of their Geography studies, the boys investigated natural hazards, exploring why people choose to live in geologica

From caving to canoeing, intrepid children from St Aidan’s Catholic Primary in Wallsend tested their mettle when they took part in a four-day adventure at High Borrans. The Year 5 and 6 pupils rose to the challenges of a range of outdoor activities, which included caving, ghyll scrambling, canoeing, coastal scrambling and traversing, rope courses, orienteering, and hill walking. “We did various activities that challenged everyone, linking with our main objectives of resilienc

There were close encounters of the slimy, scaly, and hairy kind, when pupils at St Lawrence’s Catholic Primary in Byker got acquainted with some interesting guests. The Early Years Nursery and Reception children at the school enjoyed a visit from Zoo Lab, where an interactive workshop introduced them to a range of diverse creatures, including a snake, a giant snail, a cockroach, a tarantula, and a gecko. “The Winter Animals Workshop covered how different animals survive the w

‘Centenarians’ gathered in the playground, when pupils at St Bede’s Catholic Primary in Denton Burn celebrated their first 100 days of school. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) children arrived dressed as their future selves to mark the milestone on 11 February, while activities took place throughout the day based around the theme ‘We are 100’. “The morning began with a well-attended parent workshop led by Speech and Language Therapist Ellen Fleetwood, promoting the imp

There was ‘snow time’ like the present, when students at St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy in Northumberland swapped school for the Swiss Alps. Seventy-six intrepid students from Years 10 to 13 enjoyed a week-long ski trip to Davos, where they honed their skills on the slopes, as well as relaxing off-piste with competitions, activities, and even an outdoor swimming pool. “The trip currently happens every two years, meaning all students at St Benet Biscop have the opportunity t

It was a colourful occasion when children at St Aidan’s Catholic Primary in Ashington came together to celebrate the Hindu festival of Holi – as well as raising more than £1,400 for charity. Pupils across all year groups at the school took part in the event, which included a range of classroom-based activities, and culminated in a fun-packed fundraising finale. “Holi is known as the Festival of Colours and is celebrated by Hindus around the world,” explained Headteacher Julie

World Book Day became World Book Week, when St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy in Northumberland held a five-day Festival of Reading. Students from Year 7 to Sixth Form took part in the literary celebration, which included a range of themed activities, competitions, costumes, and a special visitor – as well as every opportunity to open a book. “This year, World Book Day was bigger than ever,” said Louise Banfield, who is Assistant Headteacher at the school. “With so much planne

There was an interesting twist, when St Robert’s Catholic First School put their own spin on this year’s World Book Day celebrations. While some pupils arrived dressed as their favourite fictional characters on Thursday 5 March, others took a more descriptive approach and chose to come as adjectives. “Children were invited to come to school dressed either as a character from a book or as an adjective, depending on their preference,” said Jen Sykes, who is Deputy Headteacher a

World Book Day was brought vividly to life this year, when children at St Alban’s Catholic Primary in Walker were joined by a special guest – although, thankfully, no crocodiles were present. Pupils of all ages at the school were put through their creative paces by County Durham-based author-illustrator Liz Million, whose popular children’s books include There’s a Crocodile in the House. “All classes had dedicated time to meet the author,” said Headteacher Ciara Yeoman. “Sess

Reading was on the menu, when children at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary in Newcastle kicked off this year’s World Book Day with ‘Breakfast and a Book’. Pupils of all ages shared their favourite stories with friends and family members over breakfast at the school on Thursday 5 March. The annual celebration of reading then continued with a host of themed activities and competitions, which were led by the staff with the support of the school’s Year 6 ‘Reading Ambassadors’. “St

Friendship and community were the themes when St Aidan’s Catholic Primary in Ashington celebrated this year’s World Book Day on Thursday 5 March. Children across all year groups at the school took part in a range of book-based activities inspired by Joseph Coelho’s The Tower. “The story explores themes of imagination, friendship, community, and seeing the world from different perspectives,” explained Headteacher Julie Teer. “Through this book, children learned about empathy,

Fantasy was the theme when Sacred Heart Catholic High School in Newcastle celebrated this year’s World Book Day on Thursday 5 March. Staff and students alike drew inspiration from the magical worlds of books including The Lord of the Rings, Alice in Wonderland, and the Harry Potter series, dressing as their favourite characters for the annual event. “The theme was ‘fantasy genre’,” explained English Teacher Lucy Floyd, who helped organise the celebrations. “Staff dressed up f