BIG congratulations to Miss Cairns who had a baby girl this week – only two days after leaving school! Both baby and mother are doing well and spending some quality time together. Everyone from St. Mary Magdalen’s wish her and baby a happy and healthy maternity leave. Miss Cairns plans to return to school later this academic year but hopefully she will pop in with her baby before then.

The children have now safely arrived at Chateau Beaumont in France. The weather is warm and sunny and the children are looking forward to their first French meal and evening activities. I will keep you informed on how the week goes via the school website and school App.

Mr L J Duncan

Councillor Edward Bell, the Mayor of Durham, visited school to talk with our Year 4 children. He answered lots of probing questions and shared his experiences of being a councillor and Mayor of County Durham. The children learnt many facts about how democracy works and how we can all help to improve our community. A few even had the opportunity to wear the Mayors gold chains! Many thanks to Councillor Bell for his time and company – the children certainly will remember such a fantastic afternoon.

School will be open as usual, despite the recent fall of snow. Please take care when travelling to school this morning. If you are walking or driving do take your time and don’t worry if you are running a little late. It is important the children arrive to school safe and well. Could you also ensure your children are properly dressed with coats, hats and gloves during this cold spell.

Mr L J Duncan

A warm welcome back to school. I do hope the Christmas break has given you the opportunity to spend quality family time together and to recharge your batteries after such a busy Autumn term. As we begin our Spring term could I remind parents to sign up to our school APP – this will keep you up to date with all events, activities and school news as and when they arise (if you need information about signing up to the APP, please contact the school office). A school newsletter will be sent out later this week with general school information – so do look out for this!

Mr L J Duncan

Thank you to our Year 3 and 4 children who ended our school term with a lovely Christmas carol service in church today. Their singing was fabulous and their Christmas message is certainly one we should remember this season.

As school closes and we begin our Christmas holiday could I take this opportunity, on behalf of governors, staff and children of St Mary Magdalen’s, to wish you all a happy and holy Christmas and best wishes for 2017! School will reopen  on Monday 9th January 2017.

Mr L J Duncan

The children had a lovely Christmas lunch today. There was a lot of Christmas cheer, singing and cracker pulling! Thank you to our cooks for providing such a fabulous meal.

Well done to all of our fantastic Reception children for doing so well in their Christmas production. What a fabulous way to end our Christmas performances in school. Thank you to everyone who joined us this afternoon.

We ended our week with a fantastic Christmas carol service performed by Year.1. The children certainly got us all in the Christmas spirit and performed beautifully. Thank you to parents and family members who joined us for this special occasion.