Wellbeing was centre stage, when students at St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy in Bedlington marked Mental Health Awareness Week with a series of activities and initiatives designed to promote their welfare. All year groups had the opportunity to be involved in the event, which had ‘Take Action’ as its theme this year, and was facilitated by the school’s Wellbeing Ambassadors and Peer Mentors, who were on hand to support their fellow students. “We have ten Year 8 Wellbeing Amb

Dance lovers were in for a treat, when children from St Oswald’s Catholic Primary in Gosforth joined others from across the Newcastle area to take to the stage at the Whitley Bay Playhouse. The school has participated in the Newcastle PE and School Sport Dance Festival for more than 15 years, with ten pupils showcasing their talents at this year’s event. “The children’s theme was a mix of their favourite pop songs, and they chose their own outfits, which they felt reflected

Budding naturalists drew inspiration from Sir David Attenborough, when they held a week of themed activities to celebrate the veteran broadcaster’s 100th birthday on Friday 8 May. The pupils at St Aidan’s Catholic Primary in Ashington kicked off the celebrations with a tribute assembly, before embarking on a range of nature and conservation projects, and creative endeavours. “St Aidan’s proudly celebrated Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday by exploring how we can all fol

It was an out-of-this-world experience, when pupils at Ss Peter and Paul’s Catholic Primary joined forces with Kielder Observatory for a series of space-themed workshops. The 21 Key Stage 2 children from the school in Cramlington took part in the sessions through the Stellar Futures programme, which saw them explore the wonders of the universe under the guidance of experts in the field. “Each week they joined a Teams meeting with Ishbel, our astronomer from Kielder Observator

It was adventure time, when children from St Teresa’s Catholic Primary in Heaton swapped their classroom for the great outdoors. The 31 Year 5 pupils spent three days at Marrick Priory in the Yorkshire Dales, where they tested their nerves with a range of challenging activities, which included archery, abseiling, canoeing, and climbing, as well as a night walk. It was the second time the school had visited the outdoor education centre. “Trips to Marrick Priory are really valu

Shoppers enjoyed some unexpected entertainment, when the choir from St Columba’s Catholic Primary performed at the Wallsend Forum Shopping Centre – and all for a good cause. The 25 children from Years 3 to 6 were collecting money for Marie Curie cancer care, accompanied by the school’s Music Lead, Catherine Harris. It was the second time the pupils had sung at the Forum, following a previous fund-raising performance over the Christmas period, where the group performed carols

There was a seventies vibe, when children from Star of the Sea Catholic Primary performed at this year’s North Tyneside Dance Festival. The school was one of more than 60 taking part in the annual event, which was staged across six consecutive nights at the Whitley Bay Playhouse. The group’s routine was choreographed by Harriet Carr from Decote Dance in North Shields, and saw the young dancers strut their stuff to a seventies disco classic. “After weeks or rehearsals during a

The theatre was centre stage, when a group of students from St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School in Newcastle enjoyed a three-day cultural trip to London. The Year 12 Literature students saw their studies brought to life at Shakespeare’s iconic Globe Theatre, and also had time to take in a West End show, as well as visit some of the capital’s most famous sights. “We attended an A-Level Study Day at Shakespeare’s Globe to further our understanding of our Shakespeare text King Le

Breaktime had a revamp, when St Columba’s Catholic Primary in Wallsend transformed its grounds to allow pupils to enjoy all-weather, creative, outdoor play. The school increased the outdoor space available to the children, as well as introducing a series of zoned areas to encourage imaginative, active, and engaging play for all year groups. “We started by ensuring that all children had a waterproof coat and a pair of outdoor shoes at school,” said Headteacher Rachel Steinmetz

There were challenges aplenty when children from St Catherine’s Catholic Primary in Sandyford swapped their classroom for an outdoor adventure. The 24 Year 5 pupils tested their mettle at Ford Castle, where activities on offer included zip-lining, trapeze, a vertical challenge, and survival skills. “One of the biggest highlights for all of the children was zip-lining across a river valley 80 feet in the air – an experience that challenged pupils and gave them a real sense of

Caring children at St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary in Walbottle have been putting their best feet forward to support their parish priest, who was in the process of walking the 1,070-mile distance from Newcastle to Lourdes to raise money for charity. Father Damian Cassidy averaged 250 miles a month during his epic trek, and raised around £5,000 for the Hosanna House Children’s Pilgrimage Trust in Rugby, which provides holidays to the famous pilgrimage site of Lourdes in the Sou

Art was all the talk, when sixth formers from Sacred Heart Catholic High School took part in the National Gallery’s prestigious Articulation Prize. The Year 12 students rose to the challenge of the annual competition, which aims to encourage critical thinking and presentation skills through the discussion of art. “Students are invited to each deliver a 10-minute presentation to an audience about a work of art, architecture, or an artefact of their choice,” said Head of Art La

The theme was ‘Light in the Darkness’, when sixth formers from St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School in Newcastle headed to Ampleforth Abbey for a two-day retreat. The 20 students were the second group to visit the abbey from the school, and were led by Head of Religious Education Stephanie Peacock, alongside monks Father Bede and Brother Edmund. “This was the second sixth form retreat held at Ampleforth, following last year’s retreat, which focused on the theme of hope,” said M

The robots were ready when budding engineers from St Mary’s Catholic Primary in Forest Hall showcased their talents at an international FIRST LEGO League event. The ten Year 5 and 6 pupils had been honing their skills at the school’s LEGO League Club ahead of the competition, which was organised by Education North Tyneside and Northumberland ICT and eLearning, and supported by SAGE. “The children have been part of the LEGO League Club in school since September,” said Year 5 T

There were celebrations at St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary in Kenton, when a staff member received a prestigious teaching award, becoming one of only ten teachers shortlisted for a national final. Alasdair Bright won the Inspiring History Teaching Award for Yorkshire, the Humber, and the North East for his innovative work at the school, where he is History Lead. “The award recognises a range of work I’ve been involved in, particularly embedding local heritage into the curricul

It was storytime at a Bedlington nursery when sixth formers from St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy visited to help inspire a love of books in some of the community’s youngest members. The ten Year 12 and 13 Social Sciences students joined the staff at Little Angels Nursery as part of their studies in Health and Social Care, Early Childhood Development, and Psychology, and spent time reading to the children, as well as observing other activities. “I networked with the manager a

It was a moment rooted in history, when pupils from St Lawrence’s Catholic Primary in Byker took part in a special tree-planting ceremony at The Lighthouse Project. Twelve children from the school attended the event, where one of 49 Sycamore Gap saplings was planted as part of the National Trust’s Trees of Hope scheme, following the illegal 2023 felling of the Sycamore Gap ‘Robin Hood’ tree at Hadrian’s Wall, which was thought to have been growing there for 120 years or more.

There was a tasty twist to proceedings when children from Star of the Sea Catholic Primary in Whitley Bay took part in this year’s North East Festival of Languages. Themed activities enjoyed by the Year 6 pupils during the three-month celebration centred around foods from around the world, with a focus on the cultural significance of different culinary dishes and traditions. “Children enjoyed three, short food-related films from around the world, exploring cultures, communiti

It was time for action, when budding robotics engineers showcased their talents at a regional competition. The pupils from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary in Benwell were competing in the Vex IQ Robotics Competition North-East Regional at Sasmi College in Sunderland, where the robot they had created was put through its paces. “The event is part of an international competition run by Vex Robotics, with a variety of age categories, and the UK North-East division is supported by Ni

It was a stellar occasion when budding astronomers from a school in Denton enjoyed a star-gazing session at the Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre in Northumberland. The 28 Year 4 pupils from St Bede’s Catholic Primary School took part in a range of workshops during the overnight visit, including an outdoor walk and the star-gazing session, which was led by their Class Teacher Anna Trow. “The highlights for myself were to see the children outside of the classroom and en