Family Information and FOPHS News Friday 12th December 2025
Welcome to 51Ƶ School's Family Liaison Blog!
12.12.25
The usual busy festive laden month of December continues. The catering staff provided Christmas Dinner on Tuesday which was delicious. This week saw the return of MOVE-ing in a Winter Wonderland and parents had the opportunity to see it after our social coffee morning yesterday. Today LT/SH and CH parents joined in a PE lesson.
Just 1 more week, and it is just as busy with events for both Lower and Upper School. I look forward to seeing many of you.
Free School Meals.
In case you missed it last week I thought I would share the information again. Vouchers for those on income related free school meals are provided twice a year. I have already sent home the printed vouchers to those who cannot use the app. I have also sent hard copies of the letter below from North Tyneside Council.
The voucher for December has been sent on 1st December, so if you haven’t already done so check your emails. It came from
selectcode@select-essentials.co.uk,
If you have not received it, or have deleted it,
you can contact the team at participation@northtyneside.gov.uk between 10am- 3pm, Monday – Friday
Events:
As usual, December is a busy month with lots going on. You will note that there is a division between Lower and Upper School. The Christmas Fayre is an enterprise event so Lower School parents will not be invited. You can however, purchase raffle tickets at the event on 16th involving EYFS, ELTBA classes BE & LT/SH.
Monday 15th December: Christingle
Tuesday 16th December 13.45-15.00: ELTBA, EYFS + Classes LT/SH & BE. Christmas
Event.
Thursday 18th December 14-15.00: Upper School Christmas fayre
Friday 19th December: Appropriate accreditation Christmas party.
School closes at 15.30 on Friday 19th December for the Christmas holidays and re-opens on Tuesday 6th January.
This week the academic calendar for 2026-27 has been shared and you will find the link below.
Here are the links to the calendars:
Information: Special Needs Jungle
I often share information from SNJ, but here’s a bit about them. The article shared is an important reminder that those parents who know what is right for their child with SEND and take on the Local Authorities with almost always win.
“Many families do not get the help they need because they do not know where to look or how to cut their way through the increasingly complicated system. We aim to highlight resources and inspire and empower families to do this successfully by providing resources, tips, facts and examples.
We decided to become a not-for-profit organisation in 2014 because we wanted to be able to raise funds to expand on activities providing resources, training and information for parents and carers of children and young people with special needs and disabilities.
We know from experience that our work has a positive impact. However, we realised that without finding sources of funding it would be impossible for us to continue to provide the same high-quality information indefinitely, without financial support.
Who we are
SNJ’s Co-Directors are,,Ի. Everyone who writes for SNJ are parents of, or work with, children with special needs and/or disabilities”.
Information: North Tyneside Parent Carer Forum CIC
This is for residents of North Tyneside and shared from the North Tyneside parent carer Forum.
Following popular demand, we are delighted to be working alongside North Tyneside SENDIASS to deliver a new series of FREE Workshops to our parent carer community…
If you have concerns regarding your child/young person’s education in SEND, this is your opportunity to engage directly with the SENDIASS team to learn, gain support and ask those burning questions!
And all this in a safe, non judgemental environment with Parent Carer peers (and us obvs ) who truly understand those concerns and frustrations.
You bring the questions, we will bring the biccies and SENDIASS will bring the answers…. WINNING!
Spaces are limited so book quickly to avoid disappointment via the QR code on the flyer attached or via our website linked below…
First Date is at the end of Jan as below with more to follow
TUESDAY 27th January
9:30-11:30am
Riverside Family Hub.
Get sharing peeps and we will see you there!
I found this on a page called Autism Awareness and thought it might be helpful. Here is the link to their FaceBook page:
“Christmas isn’t meant to be perfect… it’s meant to feel safe.
Some autistic kids need quiet, predictable moments more than anything under the tree.”
Gentle holidays are still real holidays.
Their comfort matters more than traditions”.
Activities: What's On in the North East for Kids & Teens this Weekend
This has been taken from North East family Fun. It is not SEN specific, but there are lots of ideas. Here is the link to their FaeBook page:
13 & 14 December (North of Tyne)
13 Dec – (ad) FREE Celebrate Christmas in Blyth with Live Music, Advent Trail, Christmas Crafts with Mrs Claus, Face Painting and more.
13 Dec – (ad) Storytime with Santa at Gosforth Civic Theatre (adults go free)
13 Dec – (ad) Festive Late Night Opening at Seaton Delaval Hall
13 Dec – (ad) FREE Red Riding Hood Christmas Theatre at Wallsend Library
13 Dec – (ad) FREE Meet The Snowman and The Snowdog at The Beacon Centre, North Shields
13 Dec – Rudolph Cupcake Making with Fun Little Foodies Cramlington
13 Dec – Christmas Pudding Bundt Cake Making Class with Fun Little Foodies Gosforth
13 Dec – Arthur Christmas Family Day at Tyneside Cinema
13 Dec – (ad) Superheroes & Princesses Party with Santa’s Grotto at Caledonian Hotel Jesmond
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) Enchanted City Newcastle
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) A Canny Christmas at Discovery Museum Newcastle
13 & 14 Dec – FREE Morpeth Reindeer Trail (with free hot choc for kids)
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) Christmas Village Newcastle (Santa Stories / Ferris Wheel / Marshmallow Toasting / Festive Flix / Stage Shows / Carousel / Mrs Claus’ Bakery and more)
13 & 14 Dec – FREE Christmas Trail around Druridge Bay Country Park (with FREE sweet treat at the end – check cafe opening hours)
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) The Santa Experience at Science at Life with Science with Santa, Magical Christmas Planetarium Show, Hot Chocolate and more….
13 & 14 Dec – Shaun the Sheep Trail at Belsay Hall
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) Santa’s Workshop at PlantsPlus Garden Centre + FREE Meet the Donkey & Mini Shetland Pony and FREE Christmas Treasure Hunt
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) Ice Skating at Times Square Newcastle
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) Robin’s Winter Wonder Trail at Seaton Delaval Hall (with live music from Aurora Strings on 14 Dec)
13 & 14 Dec – FREE Santa’s Grotto at Manor Walks Cramlington
13 & 14 Dec – FREE Elf Trail at Eldon Square Newcastle
13 & 14 Dec – Elf School at Eldon Square Newcastle
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) Breakfast with Santa at Caledonian Hotel Jesmond
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) Christmas at Whitehouse Farm has SOLD OUT but you can check for cancellations here:
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) Christmas at Wallington: Robin Trail & Christmas Decor around Wallington House, Robin’s Lantern Quest AR Trail around China Pond (with cafe discount), Walkaround Father Christmas, Mrs Christmas Storytelling, Prosecco & Mince Pies in the House and Live Music in the Central Hall
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) Festive Tales with Father Christmas + Create a Festive Pigeon Workshop at Woodhorn Museum
13 & 14 Dec – FREE Silent Disco at Newcastle Christmas Market
13 & 14 Dec – Treasured Tale & Mrs Claus’ Workshop at Bamburgh Castle
13 & 14 Dec – Winter Circus at Alnwick Garden
13 & 14 Dec – Festive Robin Trail at Northumberlandia
13 & 14 Dec – FREE Hexham Christmas Window Trail
14 Dec – Christmas in the Tunnel at Victoria Tunnel
14 Dec – Grinch Cookie Making with Fun Little Foodies Wallsend
14 Dec – Hot Choc Cookie Making with Fun Little Foodies Wallsend
13 & 14 December (South of Tyne)
13 Dec – FREE Saltburn Ice Trail & Letter Writing to Santa with an Ice Post Box
13 Dec – FREE Christmas Tree Decoration Making at IKEA
13 Dec – Chocolate Lollipop Making Workshop at The Story Durham
13 Dec – FREE Make a Window Decoration at Oriental Museum Durham
13 Dec – £1 Sleepy Trail at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
13 Dec – FREE 12 Days of Christmas Trail at National Glass Centre Sunderland
13 Dec – FREE Festive Crafts & Post Your Letter to Santa at National Glass Centre Sunderland
13 Dec – Once Upon a Christmas at South Shields Museum
13 Dec – FREE Darlington Ice Trail (inc Peppa Pig and Spongebob) & Interactive Ice Sculpting
13 Dec – FREE Snow Play at Theatre Hullabaloo
13 Dec – (ad) Late Night Opening at Nunnington Hall
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) Christmas Daytimes at Beamish
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) Beamish Hall Forest of Light
13 & 14 Dec – Santa’s VR Sleigh Ride and Grotto at The Bridges Sunderland
13 & 14 Dec – Stick Man Christmas Trail and Disc Golf at Hamsterley Forest
13 & 14 Dec – Raby Castle at Christmas
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) Woodland Fairy Trail at Gibside + Christmas Crafts for Kids & Festive Folk Music in the Chapel on Saturday + Cobweb Orchestra in the Chapel on Sunday
13 & 14 Dec – ad A Fairy Tale Christmas at Ormesby Hall
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) Grimms’ Fairy Tales Reimangined Art Trail + Christmas Crafts (Sunday only) at Crook Hall Gardens
13 & 14 Dec – FREE Once Upon a Winter Trail in Sunderland
13 & 14 Dec – A Magical Victorian Christmas at Preston Park Museum with a 12 Days of Christmas Trail, Live Choirs, Christmas Crafts, Traditional Letter Writing to Santa, Elf HQ, Reindeer Food Making & more.
13 & 14 Dec – £1 Elves Giftworks Trail at Hopetown Darlington
13 & 14 Dec – The Mrs’ Claus Experience at Hopetown Darlington
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) Christmas at Auckland Palace and AGLOW
13 & 14 Dec – £1 Santa’s Little Helpers Trail around Hardwick Park
13 & 14 Dec – £1 Christmas Tree Trail around Wharton Park
13 & 14 Dec – FREE Gingerbread Decorating with Complimentary Tea, Coffee and Squash at BALTIC Front Room
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) Winter Woodland Animal Trail at Beningbrough Hall + Christmas Crafts and Letter Writing to Santa
13 & 14 Dec – (ad) DreamMaze Christmas at Wynyard Hall Gardens
14 Dec – (ad) FREE Carols around the Christmas Tree at Fountains Abbey Courtyard
As always, check details for events with venues direct before heading out. You can do that with the link below. Find out more and get the links to book here:
Activities: Northern Lights Newcastle
I have heard positive reviews of this from some of our families.
FINAL CHANCE!
Time is running out to experience the magic of Northern Lights Newcastle!
Popular weekend slots are already running low!
With over 70,000 tickets sold, don’t miss your chance to join us for an immersive adventure through Leazes Park
Explore 13 awe-inspiring illuminated zones across an enchanting woodland walk, feast on artisan street food in our Christmas Village and take in a thrill on our vintage funfair rides
Activities: Beamish Hall Light Trail:
𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 – 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍!
The North East’s biggest winter light trail is now open. Join us for a magical Winter experience this Christmas. There is an SEN session which is reduced capacity, but it does not look like carer tickets are free. If interested, contact and clarify please. You will find more information here, but I note they say it is not wheelchair accessible:
FoPHS News:
Raffle Tickets.
I sent home raffle tickets and have realised that I only sent half. However, I do have the other half here so if you wish to buy, please send them back with your name on each ticket and I will send the other half home. So sorry; I don’t know what I was thinking. I have some to sort out on Monday so if you are waiting on them, please give me a couple of days. This week has been full on.
Volunteers.
Thanks to the generous parents who have sent in donations for the Christmas fayre raffle. It’s going to be good. Tickets will still be available for sale at the Lower School Christmas Event on Tuesday and at the Upper School Christmas fayre. We will also have a form of lucky dip.
Volunteers needed as follows:
- Tuesday 16th December 13.30-15.00 to help with FoPHS table at Lower School Christmas event
- Thursday 18th December 13.30-15.00 to help with the Christmas fayre
Please let me know if you can help.
100 Club.
We would love to increase the uptake of the 100 club, which currently has 24 subscribers. Forms will be available at the Christmas events. If you are interested in joining the 100 club, please let me know. I can send paper forms if required and accept payment by cash, cheque, BACS or via QR code. Details are on the link below
Santa’s Grotto
We had a wonderful few hours on Wednesday with Santa visiting and each child received a gift funded by FoPHS. Here are a few photos:
Facebook page:
This is a closed group for family and friends of 51Ƶ School, where you can share newsand updates about school life. It is not for external professionals who may be working with families. To join, you need to answer the question stating your link with school.
Please note: this group is for sharing news and updates about school life and is not intended to discuss any issues around individual students, and as such all comments are moderated. If you have a particular issue or concern, please contact school directly on 0191 216 1811.
My thought for the week:
Keep calm and jingle all the way