Nicholas Postgate

Huge congratulations to St Patrick’s Catholic Primary in Thornaby, who have been crowned winners of our Times Table Rock Stars Summer Battle.

Children had to answer as many times table questions correctly as they could during the 14 days of what was the first inter-school competition for all primary schools within NPCAT.

The St Patrick’s pupils achieved an amazing 1,060,230 points – that’s more than a million correct answers in just two weeks!

“There’s no quick fix to mastering times tables and improving multiplication recall speeds,” said competition organiser Caroline Hunter, Maths lead at St Thérèse Catholic Primary School at Ingleby Barwick.

“It takes regular practise and commitment from pupils, which is why we need to ensure they remain motivated.

“Times Table Rock Stars is a fun way to engage pupils in practising recall of these important facts.”

Certificates were also awarded to the highest individual achievers in each class for all schools who entered.

Class 11 from Christ the King Catholic Primary in Thornaby, the highest-scoring class in our Times Table Rock Stars Summer Battle.

Our second picture shows class 11 from St Patrick’s Thornaby neighbours, Christ the King Catholic Primary, which was the highest-scoring class.

Well done to all the children and schools that took part.

Final top of the table positions

1 St Patrick’s Catholic Primary, Thornaby
2 St Augustine’s Catholic Primary, Coulby Newham
3 Christ the King Catholic Primary School, Thornaby
4 St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, Nunthorpe

Around 500 year 9 pupils from four secondary schools came together to hear a Holocaust survivor’s moving testimony.

Children from Trinity Catholic College, St Patrick’s Catholic College, St Peter’s Catholic Colege and Sacred Heart Catholic Secondary heard how more than 400,000 Hungarian Jewish men, women and children were herded into ghettos, before many were deported to Nazi concentration camps.

Judit Brody told the story of how her family managed to stay safe in Budapest throughout the war, although many of her friends were sent to their deaths after the Germans occupied the country.

“Jewish people had to move into the ghetto, which was surrounded by a wooden fence,” said Judit. “A man living close by called Leo had a huge apartment and hid people above his ceiling, but he wouldn’t take children because children make noise.

“My parents managed to find a family who would take us while they hid with Leo, but after a few days the family got scared and decided they didn’t want to hide us, so my parents had to leave and look after us.”

Fortunately, they were able to obtain special protective papers from the Swedish Embassy, which enabled them to move into a building where they were safe until Russian troops liberated the country at the end of the war, by which time Judit was 12.

“Soon after the liberation, I went for a walk with my father and when we walked past the entrance to the ghetto there was a huge hill of dead bodies,” Judit said.

Judit married and went to university, but after the failed uprising against Communist rule in 1956, she fled Hungary and settled in England.

Natalie, from Trinity Catholic College, asked if Judit knew anyone who was set to a death camp.

“Luckily, my grandmother was staying with us in Budapest when the Germans came,” Judit said. “But she lost everything, including all her friends. I knew them all. They were all taken to concentration camps. We made friends with the children when we were there for holidays and none of them survived.”

Sacred Heart Secondary School pupil Henry asked if Judit had any resentment towards Hungary.

“That’s a very difficult question to answer,” she said. “I’ve been back and in some ways I felt at home and in some ways I felt, no, these people wanted to kill me.”

NPCAT History lead Phillip Scarr said the virtual event had been a big success and would help pupils understand what happened to Judit and millions of others during the war.

“The Holocaust is more than just a topic to be studied, it is very much a lesson for humanity to learn,” he said. “Judit’s testimony adds a personal dimension to our study.

“Of course, pupils need to engage with the overarching events, such as the numbers of people murdered and displaced, but it is equally important to show them the stories of individuals, how their lives were affected. Judit’s talk leaves us with plenty to reflect on and pick up in lessons.”

Trinity Catholic Sixth Form students were also invited to join the event, which was organised together with the Holocaust Educational Trust.

Lay lead chaplain Angela O’Brien closed with a prayer, asking all present to take a moment to think about what they had heard and the survivors and all who died.

All 27 schools in the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust were open this week and it was wonderful and so rewarding to be able to welcome our children back.

We recognise that our pupils and their families have experienced difficulties during lockdown and we aim to enable children to return to school and experience as much normality as possible.

The trust has high expectations of conduct and appearance throughout all our schools and we appreciate the support of our parents in maintaining these standards.

We understand that the timetable for shops reopening has created difficulties for some families and we will make reasonable adjustments on a case-by-case basis to reflect these unavoidable circumstances.

The trust’s position on the wearing of face coverings is very clear and follows government guidance. The wearing of face coverings in indoor public spaces and in classrooms is highly recommended. We understand that some children are not able to wear a face covering for medical or other reasons.

Donations of cash and electronic devices have flooded in after St Pius X Catholic Primary School pupil made a touching appeal to help his classmates learn online.

George, a member of the school council, had all the equipment he needed to access Google Classroom lessons himself but realised many others were not so fortunate.

So he took to YouTube to ask for money and new or used tablets in the hope that no children have to miss out on their education during lockdown.

“I’m so lucky that I have this in my bedroom,” he said, pointing to his own tablet. “But we need everyone to be learning, so please donate money to our school.

“Even if it’s £1, it’s fine. If you have old iPads that still work, that would be good. We are the future, we can do this – stay safe! Thank you.” 

St Pius X began remote live learning for children in their homes on the Wednesday after the lockdown was announced, as part of a blended education programme. 

“George absolutely loved his online lessons and took part wholeheartedly,” said head of school Nick Bennett.

“But while he was enjoying learning and seeing his teacher and classmates, he was also acutely aware of the fact that not all children were able to access the live learning at home as they didn’t have devices.

“He felt compelled to do something about this and decided to launch an appeal on YouTube.” 

The appeal has been a phenomenal success and to date the school has received donations totalling £790 from well-wishers, as well as two electronic devices from the Teesside Family Fund.

Famous former pupils at St Pius X, which is part of Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust, include Boro chairman Steve Gibson and TV presenter and former player Chris Kamara. 

You can see George’s appeal here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc31iN-4mE4

To donate to the school, please contact [email protected] or telephone the school office on 01642 314453.

When headteacher Angela McCann was asked how many devices were needed to ensure all pupils could continue learning during the lockdown, she hardly dared admit the answer.

After a quick survey of parents, she discovered that more than 50 families didn’t have the digital technology equipment required to enable their children to take part in live lessons.

But that didn’t faze generous local community organisation North Ormesby Big Local, who went even further by presenting St Alphonsus Catholic Primary School with 60 brand new Amazon Fire tablets.

“It’s absolutely wonderful,” said Angela. “Karen O’Hara from the North Ormesby Big Local has been fantastic in liaising with the school.

“They approached us when we first went into lockdown and asked if we had enough devices for our children who needed them.

“We sent out a questionnaire to our parents to see how many we needed, and I hardly dared go back to them and say we needed about 50. But they have given us 60!

“Our children want to get on and learn but are struggling because they just don’t have the devices, or there are four of five children in a household sharing a phone and have to wait their turn for live lessons. This donation will make all the difference to those children.”

Children at St Alphonsus with the new tablets donated by North Ormesby Big Local

Big Local development officer Karen O’Hara said they were delighted to be able to help.

“We heard children were having problems getting into the school programme, so I rang Miss McCann to ask if there was anything we could do,” she said.

“I put her request for devices to the board and they totally wanted to support the school, just as we support anyone else in the area who is struggling.

“This is what Big Local is about, helping residents in our community. One of the main things we do is listen. It’s a residents’ project and if residents are in need we want to step in and support them.”

Mayor Andy Preston, who has championed the fight against digital poverty, was invited to join North Ormesby Big Local board members for the presentation. It was his second visit to the school after he came in to talk to Year 6 children last year.

He said: “Nothing is more important to our children than a solid education, and that’s never been more true than right now.

“The pandemic has hit schools hard, but we’re all determined that no child in Middlesbrough will be disadvantaged because they can’t get online.

“This amazing gesture will make a huge difference to many children and their families, and will benefit them for years to come.”

St Alphonsus, one of the 27 schools in the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust, is situated in one of the most deprived areas in the country.

The school uses online platforms including Google Classrooms, Purple Mash and Tapestry to enable children to access their work and return it to staff to be marked and gain valuable feedback.

“We use these platforms to deliver live lessons and resources throughout each day and it’s vitally important for pupils to be able to access them,” said Miss McCann.

“We are having to stagger and limit live lessons across school to enable siblings to share the limited resources they have or to gain access to their parents’ phone to join lessons.

“Some don’t even have this and are relying on paper packs provided by school, with no live input. Now, thanks to this generous donation, they are equal to their peers and have the same opportunities as every other child.”

The tablets will soon be allocated and will be given out on home loan agreements.

North Ormesby Big Local gave out 120 comfort boxes to elderly people at Christmas, each containing a selection of treats and details of services that could provide additional help. They are currently putting together kindness boxes for parents who are suffering from stress during lockdown.

We would like to thank all those parents who have taken the trouble to write, email and post social media messages to show their appreciation for their schools’ efforts during the pandemic.

Here’s a selection of the messages we’ve seen…

An email to Trinity Catholic College headteacher Mrs Louise Dwyer…

I am writing this email to congratulate you and your staff on a job well done. From one teacher to another, I know how hard it has been on all staff working in education. However, I have watched my son learning every day because of the dedication and commitment you and your staff have shown. Working from home is hard when you have children to home-school but because of your online lessons that stress has been taken away from me and I cannot thank you enough. I have heard from friends and family members who have children in other schools and they have not had the same privileges that my son has had. He has been so engaged and can tell me about everything he has learned in every lesson. So often schools receive negative comments and I feel that your staff need reminding of the amazing work that they are doing and I would really appreciate it if you could pass on my gratitude. Once again thank you and well done.

A Facebook message to the trust form a parent at St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School, Ormesby…

I would just like to bring to your attention the admiration I have for one of your head teachers. Mrs Lyndsey Phelps has and is continuing to go above and beyond her duties to do what I see is her very best for St Gabriel’s and the community. Without her strength and support St Gabriel’s would not be the school it is today filled with love and most of all “happy children”. I feel she deserves some kind of recognition for all her dedication and hard work. What we have is a very hardworking, dedicated lady that cares immensely about her staff and children. Thank you for reading. Year 2 parent.

A parent at St Pius X Catholic Primary School, Park End, Middlesbrough…

Most mums are in my position where we’re working full-time and the first bout of home-schooling was very difficult. Now all the children have access to Google Classroom it’s much better and the support from the teachers has been fantastic.

St Paulinus Catholic Primary School, Guisborough…

Shout out for St Paulinus teachers who are also showing such dedication and my children continue to feel part of the school family and are thriving with the structure provided – thank you!

All the messages below are from parents at St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, Nunthorpe…

Our children are so lucky to be surrounded by such lovely and caring teachers, it’s no wonder they are so sad to not be at school. Best school in the world.

Amazing school, amazing staff, pupils and families are very fortunate to have such a school. Thank you for everything you all do.

St Bernadette’s is a really lovely school with caring, dedicated teachers. It has such a positive atmosphere, it makes one feel good just going in there and I’m so happy my grandchildren are pupils there. Thank you to all the staff for all the hard work you put in.

Couldn’t ask for a better school! Thank you for all your incredible work always, we are so very lucky to have you.

Thank you for all the amazing work you do St Bernadette’s – you have been amazing.

Amazing staff and school. Always putting their pupils first and ensuring they still have some normality during these strange times. Big thanks to all the teachers and staff for all you do, it does not go unnoticed. Take care all of you.

Thank you, St Bernadette’s. All school staff have been extremely accommodating and supportive to critical workers to ensure all our children can be cared for.

Our absolutely fantastic school and teachers. Only minutes after Boris was on last night we had all the info we needed via email for the next day. It was very clear everything had been planned well in advance. We are all very lucky to have you and thank you for everything you all do!

Thank you to all the staff at St Bernadette’s for going above and beyond. Very proud of you all thank you.

Thank you for working through the night so that our children could be together in assembly this morning and busy working by 10am! Missing school already.

Last lockdown I was a mess, stayed off work, had other family issues going on and many of you kept me strong. This time I’m confident, not worried and I know t you will all work hard and do your best and keep our kids safe (and us parents sane). Once again best school and staff!

Thank you for everything you do for all the children. Hopefully it won’t be too long before everyone is together again.

It’s amazing how the school and you guys as teachers have handled this pandemic. Made me really proud that Betty is part of St Bernadette’s. It’s such a shame that the government has done what it has done when schools like this one have handled everything amazingly! Thank you again for your support.

Thanks so much to you and all the staff at St Bernadette’s. We are so lucky to have you all!

We are so impressed at how quickly the school has managed the changes and the level of support already. I sat with Finn for this morning’s assembly and it was lovely, it brought a tear to my eye. Many thanks for all you all do for our children.

Can I just say again how impressed we are with everyone at the school. We are amazed at what you have managed to put together.

I just wanted to thank you both and everyone at St Bernadette’s for an outstanding performance last night and today in response to the latest lockdown news. To have the information announced so late in the day I am sure was extremely frustrating and difficult to deal with but the transition was excellent.

As a parent and governor I am extremely proud of the school and I wish you all the very best in the difficult time ahead.

Her enthusiastic attitude is down to you and the school ethos and I hope she will reward you with by working her socks off! Yet again, St Bernadette’s have surpassed expectation.

Hope all goes ok and just want to say how well the organisation of swapping to remote learning has come across through your communications.

Wouldn’t expect any different – fantastic St Bernadette’s!

An email sent to Ofsted from a parent…

I would like to provide some very positive feedback in connection with my children’s school St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary Nunthorpe Middlesbrough.

Within 1 day of school closures in January, parents were consulted and online lessons were set up.

My twin daughters are in year 1 and are taught by Miss Victoria Simpson.

We have had brilliant resources posted for us daily, with very helpful worksheets. Miss Simpson is adapting the resources appropriately and even adding extended worksheets for some children who might prefer extra challenges.

We have today had a live phonics lesson which my daughters loved, having their usual interaction with their teacher and class friends, which is so important in this climate, especially for working parents.

From reviewing the live lesson this morning, it is evident that Miss Simpson is also juggling teaching and looking after key workers children in class – and she is dealing with this brilliantly. I cannot believe a school can turn this around without any notice within one week.

Following the school reopening in September the school have been fantastic.

I have seen hardly any tears from school children attending our school. This is due to the loving, nurturing environment of St Bernadette’s and its teachers. Even in such difficult times the school has remained warm and loving towards our children. My daughters love coming to their school, even with the new policies and risk assessments due to Covid, which again the school have handled brilliantly. Due to these our particular year group had no closures from September to December.

Pupils at Christ the King Catholic Primary School have set their sights on forging links with a school in the developing world after being recognised for their efforts to learn about other countries and cultures.

The Thornaby school has achieved the coveted British Council International School Awards’ foundation level certificate, which celebrated efforts to fostering an international ethos and embedding it in the curriculum.

Children learned about the American Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks, who refused to give up a bus seat that was reserved for white passengers, and Black American artist Faith Ringgold, whose colourful quilts depict stories including the lives of African women sold into slavery.

They have also been involved in joint projects with neighbouring St Patrick’s Catholic Primary, including sharing experiences about Covid-19 with a school in Italy and exchanging Christmas carols with a school in Portugal.

Pupils, staff and parents and staff were praised for their commitment to gaining the recognition by assessors from the British Council, UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.

“You have a whole school approach to make global connections through your commitment to increase understanding of other nationalities,” they said.

“The school is committed to developing enquiring young learners who are keen to take action to bring about a better, more informed world.”

Christ the King’s international school coordinator Stephanie Sherrington added: “We are passionate about international work and allowing our children to experience the wider world.

“We want to teach our children to address and celebrate diversity and understand a range of backgrounds, languages and cultures and we aim to work with others to make our planet more equal, fair and sustainable.

“Working towards this award has ensured we have placed significant value on international awareness and understanding of our global family.

Christ the King has now set its sights on achieving the intermediate certificate by further strengthening links with St Patrick’s and establishing a relationship with an overseas school.

Pupils from Christ the King Catholic Primary School in Thornaby have teamed up with housebuilder Barratt Homes North East to help combat loneliness over the festive period.

Children wrote Christmas letters to residents at Ayresome Court Care Home, close to Barratt Homes’ Leven Woods development in Yarm.

The partnership aims to put a smile on the faces of those who have spent the majority of the year away from their loved ones.

With new research1 stating that 6.4m people aged 70 and over are worried about the effect Covid-19 is having on their lives, the campaign was launched in response to what has been a particularly difficult year for elderly people across the region.

On receiving the letters, home manager Elizabeth Robinson said: “The pandemic has kept so many families apart this year and had a huge effect on wellbeing.

“Loneliness is something that has affected so many of our residents, especially at this time of year when they haven’t been able to see their friends and families as often as they usually would.

“The residents all loved reading the letters from the children of Christ the King Catholic Primary School and we’re really grateful to Barratt Homes North East for arranging this. It was definitely a much-needed morale boost.”

Gill Hurst, sales manager at Leven Woods, added: “It was a pleasure to be able to connect with a local primary school and get the children thinking creatively and writing personal letters to residents at a nearby care home.

“We understand how difficult it has been for older people, the struggles that they face and how loneliness can affect them, and we wanted to offer our support.

“On top of this, we know it is so important that we continue to help our communities around us over the Christmas period and beyond.

“We’d like to thank both the primary school and the care home for taking the time to get involved in this wonderful activity.”

Grateful teacher Sean Dolan has thanked parents, fellow staff and trust colleagues for helping him raise three times his original target for his marathon effort to help the hospital that saved his life.

Sean, 32, who teaches at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary in Marton, Road, Middlesbrough, aimed to raise £500 by running along the route the ambulance took him from Billingham to Stockton’s North Tees Hospital after a horrific accident seven years ago.

But generous well-wishers have so far donated more than £1,500, which will go to support the neurology and intensive care wards at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Sean was playing football with friends in Billingham when he collided with a wall and fell to the floor, knocking him out instantly and leaving him with a fractured skull.

He spent six days in a coma and his parents were warned he could die. However, he made a full recovery and has since raised well over £12,000 for the hospital.

Sean is now spending his half-term break resting after completing his gruelling run in four hours and seven minutes.

“I ran 20 miles a couple of times in training thinking that would prepare me for it, but those last six miles were the longest hours of my life,” he said.

“The main thing I asked for was no rain and I got that, it was windy along the Tees and over Newport Bridge but that beats rain!

“I’m so thankful to all the parents and staff from my school and across the trust who have donated and sent well wishes.”

Sean had just completed his first half term as a teacher when the accident happened, but doctors said he might never work again. However, he has battled back bravely and is now a popular member of the St Joseph’s staff.

“I have no memory of the accident,” he says. “I was out cold and the ambulance initially took me to North Tees but they knew I had to go straight to James Cook’s specialist neurology department.

“While I was there I had a seizure and was put in an induced coma to relieve the pressure on my brain.

“My parents were warned I could lose the use of my left side or wake up with a changed personality and that they should also prepare for the worst possible news.”

Surgeons removed about a third of his skull as they operated to save his life. He was finally brought round and began a long rehabilitation process that included occupational therapy, speech and language and physiotherapy.

After two months in hospital he was allowed home for Christmas but he was back in early January to have a titanium plate fitted.

“I had to adapt some areas of my life during recovery but the rehab James Cook gave me ensured there was no long-lasting impact,” says Sean, who still lives in Billingham.

“I’m more of an emotional person now and I’m not as confident as I once was. I was bed-ridden for so long that I lost a lot of muscle and put on weight, but I’m fitter now than I’ve ever been.”

Sean says the hospital now needs his help more than ever and he is determined to do his bit to support our NHS heroes.

“I wanted to do a bit extra this year because of Covid,” he says. “We’ve had staff in the trust who have been in intensive care at James Cook and the doctors and nurses have been pushed further than ever.

“I owe my life to them. I don’t remember being in intensive care, but my family speak so highly of what they did for me.”

Sean’s efforts have included a 24-hour football match in the gym where the accident happened, wearing a Petr Cech-style helmet to protect his head, and he also runs the Great North Run every year.

He previously worked for MFC Foundation, spending time in Trinity Catholic College and getting to know children in many of the trust’s primary schools across Teesside and North Yorkshire.

“During my recovery I was told to prepare for a life where I might not be able to work again but I finally got back to teaching a couple of years ago. I love it at St Joseph’s Primary School. It’s a very special school and I couldn’t be happier here.”

St Joseph’s headteacher Liz King said everyone at the school is proud of Sean’s achievement.

“Though I did not know him at the time of his accident, I do know that it has taken him a great deal of resilience and dedication to not only overcome his injuries but also return to teaching,” she said.

“Since he joined the staff of St Joseph’s he has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of mental health issues and it is no surprise that he has yet again chosen to raise money to support the charities that he is so passionate about. We are all incredibly proud of him.”

Suzi Campbell, from South Tees Hospitals Charity, added: “I first met Sean in 2014 and every year since then he has supported the departments that helped him.

“For as long as I can remember Sean has said this is his last year running the GNR for us as he doesn’t think people will still be willing to give, and every year he exceeds his fundraising target, which is testament to his ambition and drive to help those who helped him.

“He’s been on an incredible journey and we can’t thank him enough for the support he’s shown us over the years.”

Click here to sponsor Sean.