With Christ at our side to guide us,
we shine in all that we do.
Year 5 made some delicious pretzels as part of their DT unit this week. They carefully considered which additional ingredients they wanted to add to a basic recipe to give their design a flavoursome, well-balanced taste. Year 5 worked very well with our wonderful kitchen team, leading to fantastic results.
Good work, Year 5!
Year 5 had the fantastic opportunity to work with some of the players from Newcastle Eagles this week. They took part in the wonderful Hoops 4 Health roadshow. The afternoon centred around ways to stay active and healthy. Plus, there was the opportunity to play some basketball! Year 5 worked very hard and had a brilliant afternoon. Here are some photos of what we got up to:
In today’s science lesson, the Year 2 children explored how electricity works by building their own simple circuits. Using batteries, wires, bulbs, and buzzers, they investigated what a circuit needs in order to work properly.
The class confidently recalled that a circuit must be continuous—they remembered this well because circuit sounds like circle, which helped them understand that electricity can only flow when everything is connected in a complete loop. Using this idea, the children experimented with joining different components and quickly spotted when a circuit was broken.
They showed fantastic problem‑solving skills: checking their connections, turning batteries around, swapping wires, and trying new arrangements until their lightbulbs lit up and their buzzers sounded. Many groups worked together brilliantly, discussing what might be wrong and how to fix it.
By the end of the lesson, the children could identify key circuit components and explain in their own words what makes a circuit work. It was an exciting, hands‑on session that sparked curiosity and built confidence in using scientific vocabulary such as battery, bulb, wire, switch, and circuit.
The Y3 children shared a thoughtful and reflective Celebration of the Word today with their families. They described their own personal journeys that they enjoy with favourite interests; while acknowledging the supportive family members who guide them and share the joy of their experiences.
This week, Year 6 enjoyed an exciting trip to Open Zone at The Word in South Shields, where they spent the morning becoming digital designers.
During their workshop, pupils used Tinkercad, a 3D design platform that introduces young learners to CAD (Computer‑Aided Design) in a fun, accessible way. The task was to design their very own ‘ice palace.’
The session involved:
The children were highly motivated, especially after Mrs C announced that the top three designs will be 3D printed! This has caused great excitement in class, and pupils can’t wait to see which creations come to life as real 3D models.
After their digital design session, Year 6 visited the library within The Word to return their reading books and choose new titles to loan.
Our young Sportshall Athletics team achieved brilliant team silver medals in the District Finals today. The children were amazing considering it was their first indoor athletics event!
Children competed in running, throwing and jumping events and displayed amazing skill and teamwork throughout.
Our young athletes showed great dedication to train for the competition; while there were many personal best performances!
I was so proud of how everyone supported each other; congratulations to everyone in our squad! Thank you also to our fantastic parent helpers today who supported the children so enthusiastically.
We are delighted to announce our new House Captains and Vice Captains for the Spring Term!
These pupils have been voted for due to their positive attitudes, strong sense of responsibility, and their commitment to being excellent role models across the school. Throughout the term, they will help lead house events, support younger pupils, and encourage their house teams to always try their best.
Our new pupil leaders have already shown great enthusiasm for their roles, and we know they will represent their houses with pride.
This week, we were delighted to welcome Marie, our Educational Mental Health Practitioner, into school to lead a special workshop all about feelings and emotions.
Marie worked with the children to help them understand the different emotions we experience every day and how we can recognise them in ourselves and others. Through interactive activities, discussion, and storytelling, the children explored:
We are grateful to Marie for supporting our ongoing commitment to promoting emotional wellbeing and helping our children develop healthy, positive ways to express how they feel.
Thank you, Marie! We look forward to welcoming you back next week for another session.
The St. Bede’s Sportshall Athletics team superbly represented South Tyneside today in a high-level County Final. The children gave their all in a variety of running, jumping and throwing activities and did their school and Borough proud!
The children only returned to school this week, but have shown brilliant dedication to immediately launch themselves straight into training. There were many fantastic performances, which saw lots of our children produce personal bests!
The County final today concludes an exciting Y5/6 Sportshall season, where I have been delighted with how everyone has supported each other in both training and competitions! Thank you also to our fantastic parent helpers today, who supported the children so positively throughout.
The season of Advent is a time of expectation and preparation for Christmas, as well as remembering that Jesus will come again at the end of the world, as he promised. Children learnt that the third Sunday of Advent is called ‘Gaudete Sunday’. Gaudete is a Latin word for Rejoice. It is meant to be a break midway through the season of Advent. It encourages and reminds people of the nearness of Jesus’ coming. On Gaudete Sunday, you will often hear the word rejoice.
Year 4 listened to the Scripture from Phillipians then sang the hymn ‘Rejoice in the Lord Always’ based on that Scripture. They were then given the music and lyrics to John Burland’s hymn ‘We Praise You God’ and performed a dance to it.
You God’ then performed a dance to it.
© 2026 Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust.
