VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember

9th May 2025Miss K. Wilkinson

What an incredible day we’ve had at West Boldon Primary, coming together to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day!

Our celebrations began with a special whole-school assembly where pupils learned all about Victory in Europe Day and its importance in marking the end of World War II in Europe. Together, we reflected on the sacrifices made, the resilience of those on the home front, and the joy and relief felt across the nation on that historic day in 1945.

Back in the classrooms, the learning continued in creative and meaningful ways. Children took part in a wide range of engaging activities – from designing their own commemorative bunting and making wartime-inspired crafts, to handling historical sources and writing thoughtful diary entries and reports as if they were children living through that momentous time in history. Their work was not only imaginative but showed a real depth of understanding.

The fun didn’t stop there! We had wartime music playing throughout the day, and the children enjoyed learning some traditional dances – bringing a little of the 1940s. Our school was filled with laughter and music as everyone joined in with the festivities.

Of course, no celebration would be complete without food, and we were treated to a fantastic VE Day-themed picnic lunch, full of delicious treats prepared by our amazing catering team. From traditional sandwiches to beautifully baked cakes, the lunch was a real highlight and a lovely way to bring everyone together.

It’s been a day filled with learning, joy, community spirit, and heartfelt remembrance. A huge thank you to all the staff, pupils, and families who helped make today so special.

Happy VE Day from all of us at West Boldon Primary!

Fascinating Fossils in Year 1/2

7th May 2025Fiona Goodwin

Last week, we had an amazing visit from Ivan at the Education Group who came to talk to us all about fossils!

We explored a fantastic collection and learned how different types of fossils are formed – from imprints to preserved bones and even fossilised poo! The children were completely fascinated and asked so many brilliant questions.

But the highlight of the day had to be our special guest…Bella the Baby Dinosaur! She stomped into our classroom and completely stole the show. The excitement was off the scale!

A huge thank you to Ivan for such an engaging, hands-on session. It’s safe to say we have some future palaeontologists in the making!

Can you crack the code?

9th May 2024Miss K. Wilkinson

As part of Year 1/2’s latest Dimensions theme Dancing Spy, the children imagined that they were spies just like Josephine Baker working for the French Resistance.

They worked together, using a secret code to crack some messages, just like they would have done in World War II!

Well done Year 1/2!

Year 1/2 visit to Beamish

1st March 2024Miss K. Wilkinson

Year 1/2 had the most wonderful, fun-filled day at Beamish today.

As part of their Royal Patrons topic they visited the 1950s town where they took part in a toys workshop and had the chance to play with lots of toys from that era.

They also enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch before a little visit to the old school, where they had a go at using slates to write followed by a quick play of hoop rolling on the yard!

They were also very lucky to be able to ride the tram!

Arts Week 2022

26th May 2022Miss K. Wilkinson

In school this week we have been celebrating Arts Week alongside the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee! The children have learnt all about Queen Elizabeth II while finessing their artistic skills and talents.

Here’s what each year group has gotten up to…

 

Year 2

Year 2 were busy making crowns fit for a Queen… or King!

After designing their brief, their first task was to practise stitching buttons and sequins onto a sample material. As you can see, they had lots of fun perfecting their skills for the real thing! Well done Year 2.

 

 Year 3

In Year 3 the children focussed on Pop Art. The children looked at the Andy Warhol image ‘Reigning Queens’ identifying who the different monarchs were with a focus on Queen Elizabeth. They discussed the different colours used, then they looked at traditional Andy Warhol artwork where the same image is repeated in different colours. On the chromebooks, children were given an image of the queen which they then had to copy, paste and arrange into a 2×2 grid and change the colours.

Pop Art Queens by Year 3

Year 3 also learned about the Superbloom project where over 20 million seeds from 29 flower species have been planted in the Tower of London moat to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen.

They focussed on the flax flower, the national flower of Northern Ireland. They sketched their own flax flowers following a simple tutorial, then painted their creations using water colours. The results were incredible and it was particularly lovely to see them altogether, and see that every single painting was different!

 

Year 5

To celebrate the Queen’s 70th jubilee Year 5 were tasked with making a union jack themed bunting for a school display. Using fabric pens, paints and a few British themed templates, each pupil created their own contribution to the Year 5 piece.

Year 5 completing their Queens Jubilee art work

 

Zero to Hero

24th November 2021Miss K. Wilkinson

Year 2 have started their new Zero To Hero topic following the Dimensions Curriculum.

Today’s focus was finding out about Michael Jordan and his achievements in sport. The children designed a new trainer to follow the ‘Air Jordan’ which showcased the life and achievements of Michael Jordan.

I’d buy those trainers if I could afford them!

Year 2 child’s new Air Jordan design

Remembrance Day 2021

12th November 2021Miss K. Wilkinson
Children gathering to show their respect at 11am We will remember them...

Whilst we aren’t able to hold full school events inside due to COVID, we were thankfully still able to go outside to recognise Remembrance Day.

We heard the Last Post and stood in silence for two minutes to show our respect.

Children gathering to show their respect at 11am Children gathering to show their respect at 11am Children gathering to show their respect at 11am Children gathering to show their respect at 11am Year 1 children with their wreathChildren gathering to show their respect at 11am Children gathering to show their respect at 11am Children gathering to show their respect at 11am Children gathering to show their respect at 11am Children gathering to show their respect at 11am
Each class has created their own wreath and we have also created our own school wreath that will be placed at the Boldon cenotaph.

West Boldon Primary Schools wreath for the Boldon cenotaph All of the wreaths made by the children A wreath made by the children A wreath made by the children Year 4's wreath Year 3's wreath A wreath made by the children A wreath made by the children
Class 14 also created remembrance artwork for commemorate Remembrance Day. They used the medium of charcoal to create an image of what we may see over the top in no man’s land, whilst listening to Remembrance music. We hope you like our artwork:

Children in Year 6 creating their charcoal drawings  Children in Year 6 working on their charcoal drawings Year 6 children working on their charcoal drawings
Year 6's charcoal drawings for Remembrance DayYear 6's completed drawings

What do we know about the Victorians and the way they lived?

11th October 2020Miss K. Wilkinson

In Year 2, the children are thoroughly enjoying finding out about and singing about The Victorians as part of their History topic. They are working on answering the Learning Challenge question: What do we know about the Victorians and the way they lived?

Take a look at our Victorian children, sitting in straight lines, writing out sums…

 

Beamish

30th September 2019R Smith

Year 2 visited Beamish to find out what it was like to go to school years ago. We arrived at the school house and were met by a lady dressed in real old clothes. The teacher rang the bell and we were transported back over 100 years to 1913! Boys and Girls had to line up separately and walk in total silence. We enjoyed our experience so much, we did our numeracy on peg boards and handwriting on slate and sand boxes! We even had time to look around Beamish and all purchased some sweets from the old sweet shop.