Songs of Nature and Space: A Stellar Term for Our Choir!

14th July 2025N Trotter

Over the past two months, our choir has worked incredibly hard to learn a wide variety of new songs. They were fortunate to collaborate with the Durham Cathedral Music Programme and take part in a wonderful performance at the Cathedral, alongside other schools from South Tyneside. The event featured songs themed around animals and the beautiful message of All Things Bright and Wonderful.

Just last week, the choir took to the stage again—this time at The Glasshouse in Newcastle—performing with several other schools in a concert themed around space. As always, our choir members demonstrated maturity, poise, and a true passion for music, representing our school brilliantly. Well done!

E-Safety Information – AI Enabled Scams

9th July 2025L Forster

AI can be an amazing tool for education and creativity – sadly, it’s also become a tool for online scammers  This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide shines a light on the dark side of using AI, including phishing emails, fake voice calls, and influencer-based frauds targeting younger users ⚠️

From deepfake videos to romance scams powered by chatbots  the tactics are getting more convincing – and the consequences more serious. If you’re looking to help children and young people navigate the online world with confidence and caution, this guide offers key insights and practical advice to keep them safe ️

AI isn’t just transforming the way we learn and work, it’s also reshaping the tactics scammers use online. From generating convincing phishing emails to fabricating influencer videos, criminals are using AI to make their scams more convincing than ever. Young people, who often embrace new tech quickly, can be especially vulnerable.

This guide highlights several AI-enabled dangers – including romance scams, deepfake audio and video impersonations, and fake job offers – and explains how to spot and report them. With clear tips for verifying content, thinking critically, and using trusted platforms, it’s essential reading for parents and educators to help young people stay one step ahead of the scammers.

https://nationalcollege.com/

Summer Reading Challenge – South Tyneside Libraries

1st July 2025D Fawkes
South Tyneside Council’s Summer Reading Challenge 2025 begins this week on Saturday 5th July. We have shared information about this with the children in assembly this morning. It would be wonderful to see them continuing to read and enjoy books over the summer holidays while visiting our local libraries.
For more information visit:

E-Safety Information – YouTube Kids

18th June 2025L Forster

YouTube Kids is designed to be the safer cousin of the regular YouTube app; however, built-in risks continue to pose concerns  From targeted advertising to addictive design, there’s more going on behind the scenes than many realise. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide breaks it all down.

 

Whether it’s inappropriate content slipping past filters or tech-savvy kids bypassing parental settings, YouTube Kids still needs careful oversight. Our guide provides clear, easy-to-follow tips to help adults keep young users protected while still enjoying their favourite videos 

YouTube Kids promises a safe, child-centric experience with colourful visuals, age-filtered content, and robust parental controls. Designed to appeal to younger viewers, the app has grown rapidly, being used by tens of millions of children worldwide. But is it as safe as it seems?

Despite YouTube Kids’ safeguards, reports have highlighted worrying issues, such as inappropriate content slipping through filters, subtle advertising, and the use of manipulative design to keep children engaged. Our guide explores how to navigate these pitfalls, offering practical advice for making sure children get the most from the platform – without the risks.

https://nationalcollege.com/

E-Safety Information – Generative AI Safety

11th June 2025L Forster

Generative AI can be a brilliant tool for creativity and learning  – but it’s not without its hazards. With 3 in 4 pupils now using generative AI (up from just 2 in 5 last year!), it’s more important than ever for parents and educators to understand the risks ⚡

This week’s free #WakeUpWednesday guide breaks down the key safety concerns around generative AI tools and offers expert advice for keeping young users safe. From encouraging critical thinking to safeguarding their privacy, find out how to help children use AI safely and smartly 

The remarkable growth of generative AI tools like ChatGPT has opened up exciting new opportunities for young learners. Used wisely, AI can be a powerful ally in boosting creativity, learning and problem-solving skills. However, without proper guidance, young people may stumble into challenges including inaccurate information, data security risks, and a growing reliance on AI over their own critical thinking.

From setting clear usage boundaries to teaching digital hygiene and promoting independent thought, this guide offers parents and educators practical advice on the safe, positive use of AI. With the right understanding and guidance, you can ensure that generative AI becomes a positive influence, rather than a potential pitfall in young people’s digital lives.

https://nationalcollege.com/

E-Safety Information – Emojis

4th June 2025L Forster

They say a picture’s worth a thousand words and when it comes to emojis, that’s often true  But in the wrong context, these innocent-seeming icons can take on a whole new meaning, sometimes hinting at things that aren’t as light-hearted as they appear.

This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide breaks down some of the slang and symbols young people use online and explains how some could be masking real issues, from bullying and exclusion to harmful behaviours. With our handy cheat sheet and top tips, adults can keep pace with this ever-changing digital language ✨

Emojis aren’t just digital decoration — they’re often used as a coded language that young people use to express identity, humour and emotion. Without context, they can easily be misunderstood by adults, leading to confusion or missed signals. Some emojis may even mask risky behaviours or emotional struggles.

This guide helps decode this ever-evolving language, empowering parents and educators to have more open, informed conversations with the children in their care. It also highlights the meaning of some common emojis and offers practical tips for staying clued-in without snooping or suspicion.

https://nationalcollege.com/

Record-breaking reading!

23rd May 2025D Fawkes
Today we awarded Romilly with her Word Millionaire certificate and trophy, making her Harton Primary’s youngest EVER Word Millionaire! We are so unbelievably proud of her and we know how hard she has worked to achieve this.
Congratulations also to Betsy in Y6 who is now a Half Millionaire.
Keep up the amazing reading!

E-Safety Information – Violent Content Online

21st May 2025L Forster

Around 70% of teenagers say they’ve seen real-life violence on social media in the past year. Violent content online isn’t just something young people are occasionally stumbling across – in many cases, it’s becoming a routine part of their digital world . From fights  and stabbings ️ to toxic ideologies ☣️, disturbing videos are often just a click away on social media or group chats. Many children don’t go looking for this material, it finds them via algorithms or peer sharing.

This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide highlights the unseen risks this poses to children’s mental health , sense of safety ️, and social behaviours. With insights from a leading expert ‍, it offers practical ways for parents and educators to respond with empathy  and support  – not punishment or panic .

The guide outlines key concerns, including the mental toll of repeated exposure, shifts in behaviour, and the worrying normalisation of harmful ideologies. It also explains how such content can escalate from screen to street, and why some young people may feel pressured to share or even create violent media themselves.

AR Stars

16th May 2025D Fawkes
Well the AR Awards just keep rolling in!
Congratulations to Maisy and Sophie who are now Word Millionaires.
Jayden and Charlie have become our first Multi-Millionaires! The boys have both read over 2,000,000 words each! Wow! A special mention to Charlotte also who designed the prestigious Multi-Millionaire trophy and it has now been created using our 3D printer.
Congratulations also to Sadie who is now a Half Millionaire.
Keep up the fantastic reading!