St. Alban's Catholic Primary School, Pelaw

The whole school took part in our annual Great Alban’s run. Together children ran the whole distance of the Great North Run. They were rewarded with a well deserved ice lolly at the end. 👟🏆 Please remember to send your sponsor money into school next week.

Sports betting has become increasingly visible online, appearing across apps, websites, social media, sports coverage and gaming spaces.

Even when young people are not legally old enough to gamble, they may still encounter betting messages through adverts, influencers, tipsters, friends or adult accounts.

Our latest guide highlights key risks, including:
• Easy online access
• Gambling becoming normalised around sport
• Peer and influencer pressure
• Free bet offers
• Impulsive spending and chasing losses

It also offers practical advice for parents, carers and educators on starting calm conversations, setting safer digital boundaries, spotting warning signs and finding support.

Download the guide here: https://vist.ly/577v8

A severe allergic reaction can develop quickly, so knowing what to do in an emergency is essential.

This week’s guide gives parents, carers and educators a clear overview of adrenaline devices, including EpiPen, Jext and nasal adrenaline.

The guide covers:
• Symptoms affecting the airway, breathing and circulation
• How different adrenaline devices are used
• Why the patient should lie down and remain still
• The importance of calling 999
• Why two devices should always be carried

It also reinforces a vital message: using adrenaline promptly is always better than waiting.

Read the guide here: https://vist.ly/56emp

Oral language plays a vital role in children’s learning, literacy and social and emotional development.

Our latest guide supports parents and educators with practical, evidence-informed strategies to help children build school-ready language skills.

The guide explores:
• Building oral language through meaningful interaction
• Supporting listening and attention
• Growing children’s vocabulary
• Sharing stories and naming feelings
• Working with settings to spot and support language needs
• Using evidence-based approaches to meet individual needs

With language developing rapidly between the ages of two and six, early support can make a lasting difference to children’s confidence, communication and readiness for school.

Access the guide: https://vist.ly/56fjm

Year 6 and Reception class buddy reading time. It is lovely to see our oldest pupils sharing their love of reading with the youngest members of our school community.

We are incredibly proud of some talented young writers who recently entered a short story competition. The children showed fantastic creativity and imagination, producing some wonderful stories. These stories have now been published in a book! ⭐️
STAPLifeToTheFull

Minecraft continues to be a highly popular platform for children, combining creativity, problem-solving and social interaction.

While the game can offer positive opportunities for learning and play, features such as public servers, multiplayer modes and in-game communication can create safeguarding challenges.

Our latest guide supports educators and parents in understanding these risks and helping children play more safely.

The guide explores:
• Public server communication and contact with unknown players
• Griefing, disruptive behaviour and online conflict
• In-game spending and subscription costs
• Addictive gameplay loops and balanced screen time
• Safer settings, private servers and suitable game modes

With clear, practical advice, the guide helps adults set boundaries, encourage safer choices and support responsible Minecraft use.

Access the guide: https://vist.ly/54tfx

Year 2 have been looking at how to care for our local environment in Geography. One way children are showing they care for the environment is through making big hotels.

Last week, Key Stage Two enjoyed a Boxercise session. The session focused on fitness, discipline, confidence and teamwork. The children loved learning a new skill.

This half term, Year 5 have been looking at the Lindisfarne Gospel and Celtic knotwork. Children followed a design brief to make their own Celtic cross using a range of skills to mould, stretch and add patterns to clay.