West Rainton, Houghton-le-Spring DH4 6RN
We are always thrilled to hear about the achievements of our pupils outside of school. On the back of our gymnastics club in school, several girls went on to attend cheerleading classes at Durham City Gymnastics Club. Six West Rainton girls were recently part of the cheer squad who came out as regional champions at a tournament held in Newcastle. They were thrilled to tell us all about it in assembly.
Keep up the great work, girls!
Spring term brings about our unit of dance in PE. This unit, for the past six years, has ended with a beautiful display of our work in a dance festival for parents and family members to come and watch.
This year, we had over 120 people in our audience as they saw all classes from nursery to Y6 demonstrate the progression expected in dance over the years.
This year, we also added in commemorative certificates for all classes, plus some merit awards for stand-out achievements:
Best Costumes- Reception (African tribal dance- Shakseti)
Most expressive performance- Year 1 (A pirate you shall be!)
Most original routine- Y4/5 (Old Town Road- Wild West/hip hop!)
It’s an event hotly anticipated in the PE calendar here at West Rainton; the annual curling tournament held in spring term.
This year, there is the added incentive of each winning pair going into a ‘champion of champions’ event, to be held at Springfield Lodge, where we will be competing against the residents!
Our Y6 pupils enjoyed a well-earned end of autumn term treat by visiting Sunderland’s outdoor ice rink. The trip, entirely funded through sport premium, was a chance for children to experience a more unusual sport and a really fun way to keep active.
We were amazed at how much their skills and confidence progressed over the session with everyone giving it a really good go.
Many pupils are going to return to the rink with their families over the Christmas holidays.
Our gymnastics club continues to go from strength to strength with our pupils challenging themselves to master new balances and jumps week on week. So much so that our coach recommended we add a tumble track to our vast range of equipment.
The new resource, funded through sports premium, allows children to confidently attempt cartwheels, back flips and summersaults within a safe environment. We could not believe how quickly they took to it!
Our reception pupils have been impressing us already with just how ready for school they are. They are also working with Durham School Sports’ Partnership coaches to progress their cycling skills. Using the balance bikes, the children will undertake a six-week training programme to get going on their own pedal bikes.
A new school year and a new footie season is underway. Our Y5/6 team will play over the next few weeks in Durham SSP’s League 1 at Meadowfield. We wish you lots of luck and hope you have fun representing our school on the pitch.
Pupils in Key Stage Two were recently offered the chance to access a cycling safety course. They learnt some basic maintenance of the bike, as well as the importance of wearing a helmet. They also practised skills such as braking safely and how to indicate.
Performing our dance routines on the stage of the Gala Theatre in Durham city is one of our favourite events of the year. This time, we took our Y6 class to reprise their performance of ‘The Greatest’ by Sia. That was followed by a ‘Mary Poppins Medley’ performed by a KS2 dance team who scooped the award for ‘most energetic routine’ on the day. Well done to all of our dancing stars.
It’s not often we get the chance to take the whole school out together on a trip but when the opportunity arose to visit the newly opened Beacon of Light at Sunderland, we just couldn’t wait to see inside. Our pupils enjoyed an afternoon of sport in the amazing facilities including the rooftop barn featuring state-of-the-art indoor pitches. Thank you to our friends at the Foundation of Light for inviting us to be part of the EFL’s day of action.
