School will be open on Sat 28/05/22 between 9-11am and lost property will be out on tables in the hall for parents to view and take.

Mrs H Tate

We also have a new section of the website under development by Mr Dibden who is creating an Arts Hub for our community. If you have an Arts-based workshop or event (music, art, dance or anything else arts-related) and would like to advertise it on our website please email Mr Dibden and or Mr Grundy at school.

Valley Gardens Middle is now an Arts Award Centre and as part of our Arts Award Bronze Award accreditation, we have a group of Year 8 students off to London with Mr Grundy and Mrs Butterworth this month to visit The National Gallery and the London Transport Museum. We will be exploring the wonderful art in our capital, drawing the sights and absorbing the diverse culture. This will lead to a final 'Legacy' artwork produced by our amazing and very talented year 8 art students! The artwork will be on display around the school from September 2022, so look out for it when you visit.

Mr Grundy

Head of Art

On Thursday 26th May, Mr Grundy took 16 Year 8 Art students on an enrichment visit to London as part of their Arts Award course.

They visited the amazing National Gallery in Trafalgar Square where the students completed research on an artist of their choice. This work will inspire their future research and subsequent final piece for the course.

After a quick walk to Covent Garden and a look around the market, they visited The London Transport Museum which was fascinating and pupils gained an insight into the cultural history of the capital.

They travelled on the iconic London Tube which was very busy but blasted up to Kings Cross for the 4pm train back to Newcastle.

The students were brilliant and a credit to themselves and their families. They worked really well and were polite, hardworking and mature throughout the day.

Metacognition refers to a pupil's ability to be aware of what they're thinking about and then choose helpful thought processes and strategies to help them learn.

At the beginning of this year, we started an exciting three year metacognition programme in Valley Gardens Middle, across all subjects and in conjunction with North Tyneside Learning Trust. Developing resilient, independent learners is hugely important to us as it boosts pupils’ chances of doing their best both in school and in life. Metacognition is the approach that will support us with this priority because research suggests that it is one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways to help students:

• improve their learning;

• improve independent learning;

• reflect and learn from previous mistakes;

• choose effective revision strategies;

• enhance motivation; and

• improve academic performance.

Staff professional development has and continues to focus on effective ways to embed metacognitive strategies and particularly metacognitive talk into the classroom.

This week, all pupils have been introduced to the language and meaning of the word, metacognition, with their form teachers and we are currently trialling a range of projects in lessons to explore and embed positive learning habits.

We ask parents to encourage their children to think and do for themselves, where possible, emphasise that sometimes not getting things right first time, is a necessary part of learning; and try to encourage your children to replace ‘I cannot do it’ with ‘I cannot do it yet!’ Sometimes as parents we think we are helping or that it would be quicker for us to do it for them, but actually, that is not helping them to become independent thinkers. If we can both work together on these strategies, we stand a far greater chance of success.

Please talk to your children about what their understanding of metacognition is at this point, its benefits and see if you notice improvements in their awareness of their own thinking and resilience as the year goes on.

Click here to view our webpage which includes a slideshow shown to all pupils.

Group (A) have successfully completed their Aqua club sessions. There has been lots of fun and laughter and pupils have learnt a variety of new sea based skills. Pupils have experienced kayaking, paddleboarding and coasteering. All pupils worked so incredibly hard.

Group B and Group C sessions are after half term and Ms Grimshaw will be taking names for the Autumn Aqua club after the half term holiday.

Pupils have continued to have a lot of fun at Gymnastics Club this half term. They have continued to develop their floor and Equipment skills. Ten of our Year Five pupils were selected to represent VGMS at the North Tyneside Key Steps Gymnastic competition at The Parks. The pupils did our school proud in their sequences and enjoyed the specialist equipment available on the day. Well done to all who participated. Ms Grimshaw.

There has been a wonderful turn out for the Thursday morning Athletics Fitness Club. Pupils have enjoyed some gruelling sessions always with a big smile on their faces. We are confident they will be setting some personal bests on Sports Day. Well done to all for being so resilient and respectful of one another. Ms Grimshaw

This term KS2 Design Technology homework was to create a piece of bunting to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. We had some wonderful designs that pupils had clearly spent a lot of time creating. Each piece of bunting has now been sewn together and displayed at the front of the school and in the hall. Thanks to everyone who participated and has made our hall look amazing!

I really enjoyed it when the science ambassadors came in to tell us a story about the earth and perform some science experiments with us. It was really good and I would love it if they came in again - they were so talented.

Ellie, Y5

Well done to 5AGO who won the competition and all those involved.

I have really enjoyed the variations of clubs this year. My favourite club so far has been the Eco-club which I go to with my friend Ellie. We have currently been doing a project with a man from the Green Influencers, called Robson. We are looking at helping the environment and have split our money into 2 groups. The first group is using their £360 to make reusable water bottles and our group is clearing out the back garden and pond to make it a nicer place.

The club is run by Mrs Goel and Mrs Webb and is a really good club to go to because you can have fun and can also help the environment. We are currently using a jamboard on the computer and next term we are going to introduce some new wildlife to the garden and pond. I am going to bring in some froglets to have once we have cleared out the pond.

Eco-Club is in room 6 and is on Wednesday lunch time. I would recommend this club as it is a good way to spend lunch.

Alice Y5

Congratulations to the KS3 team that competed in the ESAA Track and Field Cup last Tuesday at Gateshead Stadium. The girls and boys teams worked hard on their events coming home with 2nd and 4th place respectively. The girls now progress through to the regional finals which will take place after half term.

This term the FoVG have been raising funds by selling sweets as a treat at break time. The pupils really enjoy these little treats from time to time and the FoVG will be in school next half term selling lollies. We would like to thank all the volunteers for helping in these events.

Still to come, so watch out for dates;

• Second hand uniform shop
• Valley Gardens take over the Park Run (sponsored run)
• Prom for year 8 leavers Friday 15th July

Please remember all monies raised are invested back into the school to make sure as many pupils as possible benefit from the fundraising activities.

There is a try and buy uniform night coming up on 23rd June, arranged by Friends of Valley Gardens. We accept cash or cheques (made payable to Friends of Valley Gardens Middle School) or Card Payments in person. The order form is available on our school website.

https://valleygardensmiddle.org/parent-area/useful-forms/

Uniform can also be purchased from local suppliers Ann Thomas in Whitley Bay, Emblematic in Benton. The uniform standard can be viewed on hour website via this link.

https://valleygardensmiddle.org/information/school-uniform/

Do You Need Child Care?

Our Out of School Club offers breakfast and after school care where children can enjoy a wide range of indoor/outdoor activities in a happy, safe and caring environment.

We are based within the school in the Music Block and have our own area, designated just for us, which is packed with activities and games for the children to enjoy.

All of our staff are very experienced, appropriately qualified and DBS checked. We are registered and approved by OFSTED.

For more information please contact Jill on 07769037094.