Welcome
Here you’ll find a range of resources such as class timetables, who to speak to and where to go for support in school and online. There is also a variety of useful links to educational websites.
New Starters
A very warm welcome to our new children
We have lots of information for you on our website. If you are joining us in September, you will come in before all the other returning children so that you get a chance to talk to your new teachers and have a look around our building and find out more about our school.
If you are joining the school during the school year, you’ll be invited into school to have a tour, meet our other pupils (and school animals!) and provide the Pastoral team with more information about you and your experiences at school.
Over your first couple of days at Monkseaton Middle School you will:
- Be given a buddy who will be in your form class and who will help you find your way around
- Have a tour of the school
- Be given a timetable and planner
- Meet your form teacher
- Complete assessments so we can get an indication of your academic ability
If you have any questions, please email, or call our school and we will be happy to help.
Reading
At Monkseaton Middle School, reading is an important part of your school life, and you are expected to read for 30 minutes per night and to record this in your reading journals.
Reading, and particularly reading for pleasure, directly links to your engagement in lessons, your social communication and your development.
Why should you read?
- Reading can make us more resilient learners
- Reading boosts confidence
- Reading allows you to escape reality
- Reading helps develop your resilience
- Reading helps develop your social and communication skills
- Reading gives you lots of ideas that can support you in other subjects and in the ‘real-word’
You will have 3 Reading lessons per week in Years 5 and 6, and 1 Reading lesson per week in Year 7 and 8. During these lessons you will read extracts from both fiction and non-fiction texts. During registration, we read three mornings each week, and complete quizzes using Accelerated Reader Programme.
What is Accelerated Reader?
Accelerated Reader is a reading programme that assesses your reading ability and tracks your reading progress. We do this programme to help your build your reading skills and become a confident and independent reader.
How do I start on the programme?
Firstly, you will sit a Star Reading Assessment. This is completed on a computer and tests your reading ability using a set of comprehension questions. You will be re-assessed four times in the school year so we can track your progress. You will have a special username and password to access Accelerated Reader
What happens next?
Once you have taken the Star Assessment, the AR system will calculate a reading age for you and suggest a book level (also known as a ZPD level) that you should read within. All the books in the library that are in AR have a book level on the front cover. We suggest that you start at the bottom of the range then work your way up.
What is Quizzing?
Once you have read the book, you will need to take a quiz. The quizzes vary in length according to the difficulty and length of the book. Some have 5 questions, some have 20, but most have 10 questions. Do not wait too long before quizzing or you may forget what happens in the story. You can take a quiz at home or at school.
How did you do?
You will get your results straight away. Aim to get at least 85% on the quiz.
How do I keep track of my reading?
Use your green Reading Journal in your planner to log your books and your points. You can also click on BOOKSHELF and PROGRESS REPORT in the AR programme.
USEFUL Website Links
Websites for Children
https://www.office.com – Office 365
Careers
www.unifrog.org – Unifrog – The complete destinations platform
For a Range of Subjects
- BBC Bitesize
Offers resources for all ages and subjects. Includes lessons, videos, and activities. Website: BBC Bitesize - Khan Academy
Provides free online courses, lessons, and practice across many subjects for all ages. Website: Khan Academy
For Maths
- MathsWatch
A subscription-based website that offers videos, practice questions, and worksheets for various levels. Website: MathsWatch - NRICH
Offers a wealth of maths resources and activities designed to develop problem-solving skills. Website: NRICH
For English
- Pobble
Provides a platform with writing prompts and examples of children’s writing to inspire learners. Website: Pobble - Oxford Owl
Offers reading resources and book recommendations for different ages, as well as tips on how to support children’s literacy at home. Website: Oxford Owl
For Science
- Mystery Science
Offers open-and-go lessons that inspire kids to love science with hands-on experiments and engaging stories. Website: Mystery Science
For Coding and Computer Science
- Scratch
Helps young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively by creating projects using a simple coding language. Website: Scratch - Code.org
Offers coding lessons for all ages, with activities that introduce computer science fundamentals. Website: Code.org
For History and Geography
- National Geographic Kids
Provides a child-friendly learning resource for geography and natural sciences, with fun facts, games, and activities. Website: National Geographic Kids - Horrible Histories
Based on the popular book series, the website offers a humorous take on history that can engage and educate children. Website: Horrible Histories
For Languages
- Duolingo
A free language learning platform that includes a website and app designed to help users learn new languages through gamified lessons. Website: Duolingo
Class Timetables
Click on the link below to open your timetable.
Class timetables – September 2023
Homework
Click on the link below to open your homework for this half term.
Homework Schedule – Half term 4 – All Years THIS NEEDS TO BE UPDATED EVERY HALF TERM – NEED THE HT1 VERSION FOR 2024-2025 LIVE ON THIS
How to access Teams/Office
To access work on Teams, please follow the instructions below:
Visit www.office.com and login
You should use your Monkseaton Middle School email address to log into Office 365.
Year 5: [email protected]
Year 6: [email protected]
Year7: [email protected]
Year8: [email protected]
Next, click on the purple icon titled ‘Teams’.
From here they will see Teams for each lesson they are taught.
How we can help you at school?
Pastoral Structure and Support
It is important to everyone at our school that you feel safe and happy throughout your day. We are a small school where we believe everyone matters, and that we are all equal members of our school family. We value trust, respect and inclusivity.
At Monkseaton Middle School you will have a Form Tutor who you will spend morning and afternoon registration with. Our morning registration time is 30 minutes, and this time is used for reading, assembly, activities and wellbeing support.
Your Form Tutor is the first person you would talk to with any questions or worries you may have. As well as being part of a from class, you are attached to one of Houses, so throughout your time at Monkseaton Middle you will be a Celt, Roman, or a Viking. Each House has its own tie and we have House competitions throughout the year. Being part of a House promotes teamwork and a sense of belonging.
We understand that sometimes things may go wrong, or that there may be times where you need some extra support. We can help you in a variety of ways and everyone is here for you when things may seem difficult.
Our pastoral support team consists of Mrs Fluskey and Miss Black. Both have worked with children and young people for many years so there is no problem they won’t have come across before, or that they can’t help you solve.
Your safety and wellbeing is very important to us. You can report any concerns to any member of staff and we will always listen. We have a Designated Safeguarding Lead in school, Ms Nichols-Mackay and five Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads – Mrs Marshall, Mrs Fluskey, Mrs Black, Mrs Vasey and Mrs Gets. You can speak to them if you have a worry or concern that you may not want to speak to your Form Tutor about, for example friendships, or worries about school or home.
It may be that people from outside of school will come in to support you. We are fortunate to have our school nurse, Hayley. Hayley comes into school every week for two days per week. She is a fully qualified school nurse who has lots of experience in supporting children with their mental and physical health.
Everyone here is happy to help you, both with your schoolwork and your family or friendship worries.
Operation Encompass
Operation Encompass is a partnership between police and school. One of the principles of Operation Encompass is that all incidents of domestic abuse are shared with schools, not just those where an offence can be identified.
Every school appoints a trained Key Adult – the Key Adult is the person who received information about police attended Domestic Abuse incidents. In our school, this is Ms Nichols-Mackay.
For more information about Operation Encompass please visit: