Introducing Our New OPAL Ambassadors!

22nd September 2025Miss K. Wilkinson

This morning in assembly, we were very excited to announce our brand-new OPAL Ambassadors for the year! One child has been chosen from each class in Years 2 to 6, as well as from ARC 2, to take on this very special role.

Our OPAL Ambassadors will soon be proudly wearing their yellow caps and badges, making them easy to spot on the playground. Their job is an important one – they will:

  • Lead and join in with playground games

  • Make sure that everyone feels included in play

  • Be a friendly, approachable face for younger children who might need a helping hand

We are incredibly proud of all of the children chosen to take on this responsibility. Being an OPAL Ambassador means showing kindness, leadership, and teamwork – qualities we value highly here at West Boldon.

We can’t wait to see our Ambassadors in action, helping to make our playtimes even happier, more fun, and inclusive for everyone.

Well done to all of our new OPAL Ambassadors!

Celebration Assembly 19th Sept 2025

19th September 2025Miss K. Wilkinson

We always love Fridays at West Boldon Primary. We get to start the day with our Star of the Week assembly — celebrating all the fantastic children who have met so many of our gold standards — but we also find out who has won the Golden Coin and why they were chosen! Take a look at our fabulous winners this week! Amazing job from everybody — well done!

Lunchtimes at West Boldon just keep getting better!

18th September 2025Miss K. Wilkinson

As part of our OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) journey, we’ve been working hard to transform lunchtimes into opportunities for creativity, exploration, and fun. Each new area we open gives children the chance to try something different, follow their interests, and develop new skills.

This week, we were thrilled to introduce our brand new yurt tent  – a calm, cozy space where children can relax, chat with friends, and take a quiet break during the busy lunch hour.

But that’s not all! Over the past few weeks, our outdoor play spaces have grown to include:

  • A reading and drawing area inside the school bus
  • A role-play car cleverly built from pallets and old chairs
  • A music wall for children to experiment with sound and rhythm
  • A stage where imaginations can run wild with performances and play
  • A mud kitchen for messy, creative fun
  • Den-building spaces that encourage teamwork and problem-solving
  • And today’s exclusive loom band station at the picnic tables for creative hands-on crafting

These new zones are already proving hugely popular, with children exploring, playing, and making memories every lunchtime.

At West Boldon Primary, we believe lunchtimes should be just as valuable as time in the classroom. Through OPAL, we’re making sure every child has the chance to enjoy play that is fun, inclusive, and inspiring.

Why not ask your child about their favourite new area – we’re sure they’ll have lots to share!

OPAL Update – Making a SPLASH on the Water Wall!

17th September 2025Miss K. Wilkinson

At lunchtime, our playground is buzzing with excitement as children explore, create, and play together through our OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme. One of the biggest hits this week so far has been the water wall!

Armed with jugs, funnels, and plenty of imagination, pupils have been experimenting with pouring, measuring, and redirecting water through pipes, channels, and containers. It’s been wonderful to see so much teamwork, problem-solving, and laughter as children work out how to make the water flow where they want it to go.

Not only is the water wall fantastic fun, but it also gives children the chance to develop important skills such as:

  • Collaboration – working together to build and test ideas

  • Creativity – finding new ways to channel the water

  • STEM learning – exploring cause and effect, volume, and flow in action

We love seeing our pupils so engaged and happy during play, and we can’t wait to see what new water wall designs they come up with next!

Year 4 visit to West Boldon Lodge

16th September 2025Miss K. Wilkinson

Class 10 had an amazing time at Boldon Lodge today for an immersive day based on our class text for this half term – The Lost Happy Endings.

We started the day making bunting inside the lodge before venturing out into the woodland to make our woodland homes for the main character -Jub.

Before lunch, the adults were given the task of thinking of some adjectives to describe a tree, which the children then used to create some lovely poems.

In the afternoon, we ventured into a different part of the woods for a campfire. We used a special kind of kindling to start the fire (witch hair!) after we had all had a go at using the flint and steel to create a spark.

We ended our day by creating witch faces from foraged items.

Celebration Assembly 12th Sept 2025

12th September 2025Miss K. Wilkinson

Friday is always our favourite day of the week at West Boldon Primary. That’s because we get to kick it off with our Star of the Week & Golden Coin assembly!

This year we’ve had a real focus on our Gold Standards – both in behaviour and in learning – and it was brilliant to hear how many children are meeting these standards to earn their badges and golden coins.

Keep up the amazing work, everyone – we’re so proud of you all!

Year 5 Bikeability

11th September 2025Miss K. Wilkinson

Some of our Year 5 students had a fantastic few days mastering their riding skills with Bikeability. They not only developed confidence on two wheels but also learned important road safety and proficient cycling techniques. Well done to everyone who took part!

The instructors were so impressed that they came to see Mrs Garr and Mr McCormack at the end of the two days. They told us this has been the best group of children they’ve worked with in a long time – their listening skills and keenness to learn were amazing!

This makes us incredibly proud as a school and will be celebrated in our Friday Star of the Week Assembly. A huge well done, Year 5 – you’ve done West Boldon proud!

Welcome to West Boldon – our new Reception and Nursery children!

11th September 2025Miss K. Wilkinson

A HUGE thank you to all the amazing parents and carers who joined us this morning as we welcomed our brand-new Reception and Nursery children into West Boldon Primary!

It was wonderful to see you spending time in school, enjoying Mandy’s delicious catering and sharing a meal with your children. Moments like these make the start of their journey even more special.

We can’t wait for all the fun, learning and adventures ahead. Exciting times are just beginning!

Westies Wraparound Cover

11th September 2025Miss K. Wilkinson

Our brand-new Westies After-School Wraparound Cover has been a big hit!

The children have had so much fun since we launched — from exploring the school grounds, riding bikes, and playing in the Reception garden, to enjoying some delicious evening cooking with Miss Black and Miss Fitzsimons.

Westies runs five days a week until 5.45pm, giving children a safe, fun, and engaging space after school.

If you’d like to book your child a place, please contact Julie in the main school office.

We can’t wait to see even more children enjoying all that Westies has to offer!

 

Introducing… Our New House Captains!

11th September 2025Miss K. Wilkinson

It’s always great to see democracy in action at West Boldon Primary!

Democracy is one of our key values that we teach across the school all year round, and one of the best ways we put this into practice is through our annual House Captain and Vice-Captain elections.

Our Year 5 and 6 pupils did a fantastic job presenting their thoughtful and well-crafted speeches to their house colours. Then it was over to the children to cast their votes ️– a brilliant example of democracy in action.

These roles carry real responsibility and show all of our pupils how important it is to have a voice and make it count.