FOSS (the Friends Of Slaley School) will be holding their annual Summer Fair on Saturday 30th June, from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm at Slaley First School. Not only will our favourite attractions such as the bouncy castle, cake, bottle and craft stalls and children’s tombola be there, but we will once again be hosting a football tournament for local schools. Expect to meet some new faces at the fair some of whom are cute, fluffy and bleat and another who can only be described as Dr Who’s most famous enemy!
See you tomorrow, whatever the weather – we’ll look forward to welcoming you there.
FOSS would also like to give a big “Thank You” to everyone who helped with their recent Pub Quiz at the Rose and Crown. Question master Paul’s reputation is clearly spreading, as this time we were joined by an international team from Calgary! The quiz, raffle and much-appreciated donation from Ali the landlady all helped us raise £100 for school funds.
Following a short trial period, the school governors have now given permission for extended use of the school field. This is great news, and is based on widespread use by the young people of the village in the last couple of weeks. Everybody has pulled together in making this happen.
The community trust is now applying to the parish council for funds to be used as contingency for such things as a new sign detailing the availability of the grounds and the conditions that apply to its continued use.
Adults accompanying young people are most welcome, as this adds to the enjoy-ability and responsible use of the premises.
The grounds must be vacated by dusk, and the governors can withdraw their permission at any time.
It is up to all of the villagers to ensure that this opportunity stays in place for the foreseeable future.
School Field - Opening of the Facility from May 1st 2006
Slaley is braced with excitement at the prospect of the School Field project actively moving ahead in the next few days!
The opportunity to use the school field again will be available from May 1st 2006! This will be on a trial basis over a short period but hopefully with adequate care and attention being provided, this development can be available to the community on a long term arrangement. It is a privilege for the community to have this facility. We are sure that the young people in the village will greatly appreciate this and it is hoped that they, and their parents, from time to time, will also take advantage of the wide open spaces in the centre of the village!
There is a 'photo-shoot' being arranged on May 2nd to promote this wonderful amenity. We look forward once again of hearing the sound of people having fun as they enjoy playing within the grounds. Even getting to this stage has involved an enormous amount of work from the governors, the school , the community trust, and the Parish council.
Permission can be withdrawn by the Governors at any time so the whole Parish should help to ensure that the grounds are both well used and well cared for at all times.
Some may still remember the BBC Domesday project, which in 1986 produced a record of life in Britain in the 1980's in the form of two videodiscs and a special BBC microcomputer. The information was collected and submitted by over one million children and adults from over 14,000 schools, hundreds of branches of the Women's Institute, scores of scout troops and many other voluntary bodies throughout the country.
Copies of the BBC Domesday Project videodiscs survive but very few videodisc players and microcomputers remain in working order, so a web version, Domesday 1986, was developed in 2004, which recreates much of the original project.
An extract from this for Slaley (shown below) gives a picture of life in this area in the early 1980's which you may find interesting (especially if you were one of the contributors listed at the end of the extract). A few spelling errors have intentionally not been corrected, e.g. "Slaley Hall Eastate has recently been sold."
To view the original text & photographs, go to the website, and search for 'Slaley'.
The BBC Domesday Project: Slaley in 1986
General View Of The Area.
This remote rural area is about 700 feet above sea level and the weather can be harsh in the winter. It consists of farmland and forestry, a significant feature being the Slaley Hall Eastate. The area is unspoiled and the special feature is the countryside itself, plus the wild life it hosts.
To the north, the village of Slaley is a typical "long village", consisting of one row of houses on either side of the road, nearly a mile in length. Building is not permitted outside the line of existing houses and recent years have seen considerable filling of the gaps. Modern houses outnumber the traditional farmhouses and cottages. House names such as High Clear and Curlew Cottage indicate distictive features of the area.
Employment.
Whilst the largest single group of people actually work within the Slaley area on farm, road haulage, forestry and related services, a large number are employed in Hexham, the local market town. However, it is significant that this number has been overtaken in recent years by residents who commute to Newcastle.
Actual unemployment is insignifcant, although transport problems are a restriction on choice for some and on housewives wanting to take up part-time employment.
Farming.
The farms in this area range in size from about 30 acres to 500 acres and cover a range of enterprises, the most common being milk production for the Milk Marketing Board. The average size of the dairy herds is 50 cows. Several of the farms have a flock of sheep, producing fat lambs for market in autumn. Pigs are the only enterprise on one farm but they are secondary production on 3 of the other farms. The dairy farms all produce silage as winter feed for their herds and 50% of the farms grow corn, mainly barley for home stock consumption. The remaining farm produces beef for sale at the local town marts. Calves are both home bred and bought in for this purpose. Each of the farms is owned and farmed by the same family with one exception - Colpitts Grange, where a manager has been employed.
Slaley Parish Council.
The area is immediately served by Slaley Parish Council, consisting of 5 members, who traditionally stand as independent of any political party. The Parish Council meets 4 to 5 times each year with additional meetings to discuss planning applications or immediate problems.
Residents have close contact with their councillors and rarely attend meetings, although items are raised at the Annual Parish Meeting. The Parish Council can deal with any matter of concern by referring to the appropriate service or higher authority. The District Councillor attends meetings and the present Chairman is the elected County Councillor. The Parish Council employs a part-time clerk who has been traditionally the village headmaster.
Education.
The area is served by Slaley County First School, which is a modern building of three classrooms and a hall, surrounded by ample grounds and playing fields. The school identifies closely with the community. Children join a nursery class held in the mornings when they are three years, transferring to school when they are 4+. The headmaster has full-time responsibility for a class of 20 and there are two other classes of 18 and 14. The school serves the general area of Slaley, Blanchland, Healey and Minsteracres, children beyond 2 miles being transported by minibus. Children from the school usually transfer to Corbridge County Middle School at 9+ and then to the Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham at the age of 13+.
A Day In The Life Of Rachael
My name is Rachael and I am 8. I get up at 7:30 a.m., dress, go downstairs and have Rice Krispies wth milk. Afterwards I wash, comb my hair and dress my doll. I feed our two cats, then at 8:30 a.m. mum takes me to school in he car. I have to open two gates on our lane before we reach the road. School starts at 9:00 a.m. with assembly. I have lunch at 12:00 a.m. then play with my friends in the playground. School finishes at 3:15 p.m. and I travel home on a minibus. Mum meets me and we take a short-cut home across fields and through a wood. I play on my bike, feed my pony and watch television until my dad comes home at 5:30 p.m. when we have dinner. Mum takes me to Brownies at 6:30 p.m. and my auntie brngs me home. I have milk and biscuits and get ready for bed at 9:00 p.m.
Religion.
St. Mary's Church dates from the 13th century. There is one service weekly: Sunday 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Holy Communion is held on 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays, Matins on 2nd and 4th Sundays, with additional services on all Holy Days. There are 42 adult members of the Church and 15 Sunday School members. 1985 saw the first woman Church Warden.
The Methodist Chapel holds two services weekly: Sundays 10:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., with additional services Easter, Harvest and Christmas. The Chapel is in the Corbridge section of the Hexham Circuit. There are 35 adult members and 6 Sunday School members. During the winter, Fellowship meetings are held in the Chapel or members' homes.
A joint service is held once per month.
Transport.
The area is fairly remote and 80% of households have at least one vehicle. There is only a limited bus service and most people find a car essential for both work and leisure. The households without their own transport are usally retired people, and in the main women. Having a vehicle becomes a high priority for young people in order to enjoy leisure activities both within the area and Hexham.
Slaley Show.
1985 will see the 127th Slaley Show held on Townhead Field. Over 50 people have organized 270 competitive classes including flowers, vegetables, flower arranging, cookery, handicraft and children's classes in two marquees. Outside over 200 sheep will be judged in classes for Suffolk, Blue-Faced Leicester, Mule and fat lambs. There are classes for goats, terriers and lurchers together with pony sports and a clay-pigeon shoot. Special attractions have been Police Dog Displays, a Parade of Heavy Horses, a Highland Pipe Band and Foxhounds.
St Mary's Church.
The Church of St. Mary the Virgin stands on the eastern slope of the village hill, about 700 feet above sea -level. Various buildings have adorned the site, while the original of the name belongs to the 13th century. The building was thoroughly restored in 1832. In 1907 the Church was further restored and embellished with much of its present furnishings. In 1921, the Lych Gate was erected as a memorial to the Fallen of the First World War. The stained glass windows show the dates and dedications, apart from the West window, which was given by a member of the Hunting family of Slaley Hall. The Parish Registers date back from 1703 and record the names of several great families in the village and illustrate the occupations of parishioners, such as Clogger, Weaver, Miller, Smelter, Husbandman and Farmer.
Slaley Hall.
1985 is significant for the area in that, following the death of the owner, the Slaley Hall Eastate has recently been sold. Planning permission has been granted to develop a 140 acre golf course using the Hall as the clubhouse. The farm and other parts of the property are for re-sale.
Birds
The area consists of foresty and farmland with hedgerows. Whilst farmland birds (curlew, lapwings, snipe, skylark, meadow pipit, cuckoo, barn and little owl) are decreasing, the hedgerow and woodland birds (dunnock, yellowhammer, chaffinch, greenfinch, bullfinch, goldfinch, blackbird, song thrush and mistle thrush) are increasing. Carrion crow, rook, magpie, jay, sparrowhawk, kestrel, crossbill, siskin, redpoll and tawny owl are stable with fluctuation mainly due to the accessibility of food. The merlin is rare but does occur.
Wild life
Mammals are numerous. Roe deer, red squirrel, badger and fox are increasing. Common and pygmy shrew, bank and field vole, stoat, weasel and hedgehog are stable. Water vole and water shrew are decreasing. Reptiles (adder and slow worm) are stable.
Amphibians (common frog, toad and palmate newt) are stable to decreasing. There are 6 species of bat in the area.
Brown Trout and eels are seriously decreasing due to polution.
Most plants and hardwood trees are under pressure of modern life but an increased awareness of the importance of conservation means that most of the wild life and countryside is just past the worst.
Shopping.
The majority of families purchase the bulk of their groceries from supermarkets in the local market town of Hexham, supplementing this with purchases from the local shop. Some make occasional visits to the large hypermarkets in the Newcastle area. Others, mainly elderly people with transport problems, make the bulk of their shopping at the local shop or from travelling shops which visit them at their door. Whilst the older residents usually purchase specialist items such as clothing and furniture in Hexham, the remainder tend to visit Newcastle at some time to seek a wider range. The local shop is also the post office and nearly everyone makes some kind of purchase there at some time.
Credits.
Mr. Barry Robson, Paul Kendall
Mrs. Joan Jewitt, James Gibson
Mr. Collin Jewitt, Lee Rudderham
Mrs. Pat Wilson, Rachael Hall
Mr. David Baynes, Amy Melvin
Mrs. Shirey Baynes, Wayne Hillier
Mr. Alec Bissett, Paul Baynes
Mrs. Karen Melvin, Michael Ogle
Mr. Allen Ogle, Matthew Atkins
Mrs. Margaret Ogle, Rowland Bone
Miss. Gillian Robson, Ben Rutter
Miss. Susan Weatherley, Justin Cule
Andrew Robson, Julie Robson
Jeffrey Makepeace, James Wilson
Georgina Barclay, David Robson
Iain Craig, Carina Evison
Stephanie Gledhill, Andrew Patrick
Children from Slaley and Whitley Chapel have been taking part in the North Pennines Storytelling Festival at Hexham Abbey this Friday, October 14th. This year it explores the theme of "Journeys". For those who have not been able to attend this event, an extra attraction entitled "Along the Way" will take place in Slaley Commemoration Hall at 7.30 pm that evening.
Pascale Konyn, the storyteller, will share tales (with musical accompaniment) inspired by local history that she explored earlier with children and young people from Whitley Chapel and Slaley. Pascale is part of "A Bit Crack", a group of professional storytellersbased in the North East who work individually and together across the country, at festivals and events, and for a wide variety of audiences. People who attended previous events for the Storytelling Festival have been very enthusiastic ... you can read more about the festival at their festival website.
Admission (including refreshments) will be £4.00 for adults, £3.00 for children, and £8.00 for a family ticket.
The two reports here are from the Headteacher (Mrs Demelza Ross), and a school governor (Mrs R Doonan, representing the Parish Council).
Numbers on roll:
Reception 12
Year 1 11
Year 2 9
Year 3 5
Year 4 7
Total 44
Nursery part-time 11
Draft proposals for Northumberland’s Education Service
Project team members have begun to visit schools to discuss the proposed options for re-organisation and to explore issues with staff. These are half-day discussions and our school has been allocated Mrs Linda Wilkin. The recent pack of information and outline proposals received in February, is the most up to date communication received into school and contains some of the most frequently asked questions about the process. Some parents have had informal discussions and expressed a range of reactions to the proposals.
Rewiring and kitchen improvements
The school has been rewired and the electricians were extremely helpful as they progressed throughout the teaching and administrative areas. However, this has entailed considerable time and upheaval for the entire staff and extra cleaning and caretaking work from Mrs Vera Jewitt. Whilst provision has been made from the project costs to pay Mrs Jewitt overtime, without her dedication the school environment would not have been as pleasant throughout the past weeks.
The lighting and access to power points is vastly improved and safety enhancements include the modern fire alarm system, heat sensors and removal of asbestos from the kitchen and cupboard areas. The school has been notified that another asbestos survey is likely but no dates have been set. The kitchen has had a new floor laid, thus improving both warmth and insulation and removing the problem of safety issues when the floor is wet.
Literacy evening
Mrs Jill Ogg (Literacy Consultant) has been working with staff. As part of ongoing opportunities to learn more about Literacy and Numeracy in school, we have offered an interesting evening on literacy for parents. There were opportunities to participate in practical activities based around reading development and to look at reading as part of the Literacy Strategy.
Arts Developments
A further opportunity for after school arts work is being offered during this half-term. Pupils have had the opportunity to work on singing, simple accompaniments using instruments, and games relating to melody, using xylophones and glockenspiels. The sessions will conclude with a drumming workshop.
An artist, Ruth Thompson has worked with the whole school on ‘Willow Sculpture’, planting living willow and using ideas and responses from both pupils and parents.
Pupils will enter Tyndale Music Festival again this year, however there is a slightly different emphasis for participants. In previous years, every school was valued for participating and then scored for a place according to musical criteria. This time the main purpose is to celebrate young people participating in music.
Mr Tony Webster, Head of Queen Elizabeth High School passed on the exciting news that Arts College Status was likely for the High School as a result of their bid. Together with similar First schools, we were part of the audit, preparations, planning and feedback before the bid was submitted and look forward to being participants in future developments in the partnership. As a school, we are still awaiting news on our Arts Mark submission.
Thinking Skills
I have had further discussions with Mr Robert Peers, LEA Advisor for Thinking Skills, and asked for ways of supporting our whole school development for staff and pupils and where possible, including Whitley Chapel and Whittonstall. It has also been agreed at Partnership level to look into the costs of a teacher-researcher to identify good practice as part of the Networked Learning Community action plan.
Courses
As part of the Leading Small Schools pilot, Mrs Ross has visited Hugh Joice C of E First School in Ford, and hosted a visit by heads to Slaley, where the focus was on different styles of teaching and learning.
Training has also been undertaken, as follows:
Mrs Ross: training for educational visit co-ordinators.
Mrs Ross and Mrs O’Neill: data analysis for managers.
Mrs O’Neill: School Sports Co-ordinator training, looking at
teaching and learning; behaviour support.
Mrs Hay: child protection.
Mrs Brailsford: thinking skills in early years.
Mrs D Ross (Headteacher)
Rosaleen Doonan: Governors report on ‘writing’
I visited the school on 17 March 2004 to observe two classes.
Mrs O’Neil’s class has 20 year 1 and 9 year 2 children. They were well behaved and had good listening skills. Mrs O’Neil read with the class a book about animals from different parts of the world. This was a hand made book prepared by the teacher using pupils work. It consisted of pictures of animals drawn by the children. As different parts of the world were mentioned in the text one child pointed to a map of the world indicating where they originated. Key questions were asked to prompt the children to think about why they had chosen their animal, and imagine the adventure they would have to bring the animal back to England. After a very interesting session the children were reminded of some of the rules for writing, including capital letters, full stops and the use of dictionaries. Following this group work they wrote their own stories. I was very impressed by the way the children applied themselves to the task in hand. They worked quietly and remained focussed. They used dictionaries and also asked help from others in their friendship groups. I asked the children to read to me what they had written. They did this with enthusiasm.
The second class I visited was Mrs Ross’s. This was a science lesson and the children’s writing recorded experiments. The group had planted seeds under different growing conditions and were writing up:
a. What they had done
b. What they thought would happen.
The children worked in groups and produced work of a high standard. I was very impressed with their precise recording and predictions of what they thought might happen. The presentation of the work was generally of a high standard with neat letter formation. When they completed this work, they returned to some earlier unfinished work on the ‘Lambton Worm’.
I conclude my report by sharing with you a piece of written work by a pupil aged 8. This work was written after listening to the tale of the Lambton Worm and concentrating on developing the fight scene.
"Brave Sir John wrenched, lashed and hacked down the Lambton worm. He stabbed him in the side whereupon the lambton worm snarled and howled. Sir John did not have his victory yet, the lambton worm was up and fighting again! Sir John lept across, to the Lambton worm and yanked out his eye balls with his (now Blood stained) sword. The lambton worm was blind Sir John stabbed the worm in the other side. The worm shrieked with pain it shrieked so loudly the town shook. Next the county shook then the continent! Then the worldshook!!! Sir John lunged and stabbed the Lambton worm in the heart the worm staggered he screamed so loudly the universe shook!!!! The lambton worm took a last fighting blow missed and fell to the ground dead, Sir John finally had his victory." (This work is in draft form)
As an end-of-term celebration Slaley school are holding a Daffodil Day on Wednesday 31st March, from 2 to 3.30 pm. The aim is to be able to send a cheque to Korongoni primary school in Tanzania, to help them buy the kind of basic materials that we take for granted. Our school already corresponds with Korongoni and this last Wednesday two Tanzanian teachers visited Slaley. It is hoped that children will wear something yellow (they don’t need to wear uniforms).
There will be a cake stall, so please send a cake (or buy one) and something for the bring and buy stall. Please support this worthwhile event: if anyone needs a lift or further information just ring Christine Milligan on 673592.