Support and kindness were the watchwords when students at a BBCET school in Bedlington came together to mark both Anti-Bullying Week and World Kindness Day. Sixth formers at St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy led the drive to promote emotional wellbeing at the school, organising a lunchtime polling station where students of all year groups were invited to respond anonymously to the statement: ‘I know who I can talk to in school about my worries or concerns.’ “With options rangi

As Winter looms, pupils at a BBCET school have been spreading some cheer in the community through a series of caring campaigns. Youngsters at St Marks’ Catholic Primary have been working to combat a range of problems from hunger to the cold weather, as well as hosting a charity fundraiser. Led by the school’s Mini Vinnies charity campaigners, St Mark’s annual Coat Drive saw 300 winter coats collected for those in need this year, substantially topping last year’s figure of 200

Playtime has had a makeover at one BBCET school, where the children can now enjoy a range of zoned outdoor activities designed to stimulate creativity, teamwork, and active play. The Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) provision has been introduced at St Alban’s Catholic Primary by Headteacher Ciara Yeoman, with all age groups enjoying the new facilities. “OPAL is a brand-new venture for St Alban’s this academic year, and we are in the early stages of implementation – but we’ve

Happy talk was the order of the day when a BBCET school invited parents and carers to join their children for a special speech and language event on Wednesday 15 October. The Language Link Workshop at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary in Newcastle was open to Early Years First Stage (EYFS) pupils and their families, and was led by Gemma East, a Speech and Language Specialist and Therapist assigned by the Trust. “Parents who attended had a 20-minute workshop about understanding

School went with a swing, when children in Walbottle were treated to a live, musical performance from a visiting band. Pupils from Years 1 to 6 at St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary were entertained by the members of Prudhoe Community Band, which included Bev Bookless, who is Chair of Governors at the school. “They performed a Musical Showcase, involving songs from Wicked and pop songs,” said Marni Ellis, Music Co-ordinator at St Cuthbert’s. “The children also had opportunities t

Harry Potter met Sherlock Holmes, when staff and pupils at a BBCET school in Gosforth rose to the occasion for Book Character Day. The colourful event at St Oswald’s Catholic Primary took place as part of Book Week, which has become a regular fixture in the school’s calendar. “Children came to school dressed as their favourite book characters, bringing stories to life in a burst of colour and creativity,” said Deputy Headteacher and English Lead Katie Morris, who helped organ

There was an outbreak of spots at a BBCET school – but it was all for the best of causes. Pupils at St Mark’s Catholic Primary arrived at the school gates sporting an array of spotty outfits and accessories, as well as some furry Pudsey and Blush teddy-bear ears, for this year’s Children in Need appeal. The whole school, from Nursery to Year 6, took part in the fundraiser, along with members of staff, who also spent the day wearing spots. St Mark’s was hoping to raise £300 fo

There were tasty treats on offer when pupils at a BBCET school held their own fundraiser in support of this year’s Children in Need appeal. All year groups at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary in Newcastle took part in the charity bake sale, which was organised by the children on the School Council, with the help of Reception Teacher and School Council Lead Melissa Calvert. “The school councillors met with me before the event took place to discuss ideas as to how they could rai

There were beneficiaries close to home when staff and pupils at a BBCET school in Newcastle took part in this year’s Children in Need appeal. As well as holding various fundraising challenges to support the initiative, St John Vianney Catholic Primary wanted to provide help to those in need in the neighbouring community. “The link to the Children in Need fundraising website was sent out to parents, but this year we tried something different too,” explained Year 6 Teacher Judi

There were poppies and prayers – as well as artwork, songs, and drama – when schools across the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust marked Remembrance Day this year. A wall of poppies appeared in the centre of Morpeth when children from St Robert’s Catholic First School created a striking Remembrance Day display; while staff and pupils at St Aidan’s Catholic Primary in Wallsend were joined by Year 6 parents for a Celebration of the Word. There was a warm welcome for everyo

Diversity in all its forms was on the timetable when children at a BBCET school took part in a week-long celebration of difference, inclusivity, and equality. The week itself was the culmination of a series of events which were held during the first half of the Autumn Term as part of St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School’s annual Celebration of Diversity. As part of the Trust, the school was supported during the Celebration by students from fellow BBCET member St Thomas More

There was a charitable spin to seasonal celebrations at a BBCET school in Walbottle, when the children dedicated their annual Harvest Festival to helping those less fortunate than themselves. The pupils at St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary worked together to collect items for the Missionaries of Charity religious order, which was founded by Mother Teresa more than 75 years ago to support ‘the poorest of the poor’. “All year groups celebrated Mass in the school hall, and all chil

Things were ‘wheely’ ramping up, when youngsters at a BBCET school took part in a balance bike workshop. More than 60 children from Nursery to Year 1 rose to the challenge at St Columba’s Catholic Primary in Wallsend. Under the guidance of ProRide Coaching and the school’s Early Years staff, the pupils were put through their paces in the playground, which had been turned into an obstacle course for the occasion. “The children were split into groups of 15, and each was provide

The value of creative play has been recognised at a BBCET school in Blyth, which has just received an award for its imaginative outdoor play provision. St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary attained the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) Gold Award after reconfiguring the school grounds into a series of themed play areas. “To achieve the OPAL Award, we had to transform our school grounds for the children to be able to play in all areas,” explained St Wilfrid’s OPAL Lead, Luanne Richard

There were colourful clothing and kind deeds when children at a BBCET school came together to spread some sunshine for World Mental Health Day on Friday 10 October. The pupils at St Columba’s Catholic Primary in Wallsend arrived at the school gates dressed in bright shades of yellow to celebrate the annual event, which was introduced in 1992 by the World Federation of Mental Health to promote mental health awareness and wellbeing across the globe. The message was extended fur

A BBCET school that Ofsted inspectors described as ‘caring, nurturing and supportive’ is opening its doors to prospective parents and pupils, with Open Days taking place on Friday 24 October and Friday 14 November. Colette Barrett, Headteacher at St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary in Walbottle, said: “Our school is a place where we can grow as a family, helping each other to lead full and happy lives. “We provide a happy, caring, and nurturing environment that aims to make our pu

It was all about feeling happy, relaxed, and comfortable, when staff and pupils at a BBCET school put their own spin on World Mental Health Day. At St Catherine’s Catholic Primary, the theme for the day on Friday 10 October was ‘What Makes Us Feel Happy’, and children were invited to swap their usual uniforms for colourful outfits or clothing that made them feel ‘happy, relaxed, and comfortable’. The global event, which takes place on the same day each year, was introduced in

The importance of friendship was the order of the day when a BBCET school’s senior pupils came together to welcome those just starting their educational journey. The Buddy Celebration of the Word at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary in Newcastle saw the Year 6 children paired as ‘buddies’ with those entering Reception, to ease their introduction into life at the school. “Our Buddy Celebration of the Word was led by our Year 6 and Reception children,” said Reception Class Teache

An up-and-coming singer-songwriter, who has just signed a recording deal, returned to his Newcastle roots for a documentary that sees the rising star visit his old BBCET school, and share his success story with current students. The film, which received an exclusive screening at Tyneside Cinema on Sunday 21 September, opens with Victor Ray reminiscing about busking in the city centre, and includes interviews with his mother, Jane Yugire, and friends Albright Tshisekedi and Na

Forget around the world in 80 days – students at a BBCET school explored a range of different cultures, customs, and cuisine in just a...