Elsa Wooldridge

1 month ago
Posted on 10th Sep 2026 by

Sunflower Competition – Reminder

Deadline for entry to the competition is Friday 11th September 2026.

Please email a photo of your sunflower (with a measuring tape visible) with you stood beside it, along with your name and measurement to:

newdale.parliament@taw.org.uk

 

These were the rules that went out with the pack

1. Plant: Use the seeds provided in this pack

2. Grow: Plant them in a sunny spot, water regularly, and watch them rise!

3. Measure: Measure your sunflower from the base of the stem to the top of the flower.

4. Submit:  Email a photo of your sunflower (with a measuring tape visible) with you stood beside it along with your name and measurement to:

newdale.parliament@taw.org.uk

5. Deadline: All photos need to be emailed by Friday 11th September 2026.

 

1 month ago
Posted on 09th Sep 2026 by

Class Dojo Has Arrived at Newdale!

Class Dojo has launched at Newdale, and our pupils have been incredibly excited to start earning Dojos! The poster below highlights some of the many ways children can earn Dojos in school.

Why not ask your child if they have earned any Dojos yet and what they received them for?

Parents and carers can also sign up to Class Dojo to join in the excitement and keep track of how many Dojos their child has earned. If you have not already signed up, please log in to Arbor, where you will find the relevant link.

Towards the end of each half term, pupils will have the opportunity to spend their hard-earned Dojos in the Class Dojo Shop. Rewards may include special treats such as:

  • Wear slippers for the day
  • Sit next to a friend
  • Choose an item from the class prize box

A Few Reminders About Class Dojo

Class Dojo is currently being used solely as a system for rewarding positive behaviour choices. It is not being used as a method of communication, and messages sent through the platform will not be monitored. If you need to contact your child’s teacher, please use the year group email addresses or the home-school communication books.

Pupils can also earn Dojos for completing their reading and homework each week.

For reading:

  • Years 1-5:
    • 5 reads = 3 Dojos
    • 4 reads = 2 Dojos
    • 3 reads = 1 Dojo
  • Year 6:
    To help prepare pupils for the expectations of secondary school, children must complete 5 reads each weekto earn their 3 Dojos.
  • Reception:
    Dojos for reading at home will be introduced later in the year.

Previously, stickers were placed in home-school communication books each Friday to show how many house points had been earned for reading that week. This system has now been replaced by Class Dojo, so please log in regularly to see how many Dojos your child has been awarded.

1 month ago
Posted on 09th Sep 2026 by

Read, Write Inc Filming School Consent – KS1

Dear Parents and Carers,

For over four years, Newdale Primary School has successfully embedded the Read Write Inc. phonics programme across the school. We are delighted to share that, this year, Newdale has been selected to become a Read Write Inc. filming school.

As many of you will be aware, your children receive QR codes which enable them to access additional phonics videos at home. These videos are provided by Read Write Inc. through an online platform and are designed to support children’s learning at home. There are also videos on this platform that are used for professional development for all staff to ensure that phonics provision remains consistent and of a high quality.

Throughout this academic year, selected children will have the opportunity to participate in the filming of phonics videos. These videos will form part of the Read Write Inc. online platform and may be used to support children and teachers in schools across the country.

We are particularly proud that Newdale has been recognised by the Ruth Miskin Read Write Inc. team for the high quality of our phonics teaching and provision. Being selected as a filming school is a wonderful achievement and reflects the commitment of our staff and pupils to developing strong phonics knowledge and reading skills.

The children will be bringing home a parental consent form, which provides further information about the filming project and the activities in which children may be invited to participate.

We kindly ask that you read the information carefully, complete the consent form and return it to school by Monday 14 September 2026.

Thank you for your continued support in helping us to develop our children’s reading and phonics skills.

Yours sincerely,

Newdale Team

 

1 month ago
Posted on 09th Sep 2026 by

Information from Telford & Wrekin Music Service

We would like to share the following information from Telford & Wrekin Music Service regarding instrumental and vocal lessons.

Parents and carers who wish to apply for music lessons are encouraged to do so online, as this is the quickest and most efficient application method:

Instrumental and Vocal Lessons Form – Telford & Wrekin Music

Instrumental and Vocal Lessons Form – Telford & Wrekin Music

Telford & Wrekin Music Service has also asked schools to make families aware of their 30-week free lesson offer, available through their remissions scheme. Following recent changes to Free School Meal eligibility, they are keen to ensure that this support continues to reach the children and young people who would benefit most.

Full details of the remissions scheme can be found on the Telford & Wrekin Music website and are also provided during the online application process and documented attached.

Please visit the Telford & Wrekin Music website for further information and how to apply.

Application pack 2026-2027 Guidance -Applying for free Music lessons

 

2 months ago
Posted on 08th Sep 2026 by

Online Safety Newsletter – September 2026

New guidance issued due to concern of AI-manipulated images

AI can be used to manipulate ordinary photographs of children and turn them into sexualised or abusive images. The IWF and NCA have issued guidance to help parents understand these risks and talk to children about AI and image consent. This includes deepfakes, completely artificial images that look real, and “nudifying” technology that digitally removes clothing.

What can I do?

Parents are encouraged to think carefully before sharing children’s photographs online, use close-friends groups, check privacy settings and know what to do if an image is misused or there is a concern.

Childline under 12s site

Childline has a dedicated area for children under 12, with age-appropriate information, games and a “Buddy Zone”. It provides advice on talking to trusted adults and finding additional support.

How to manage parental controls for different ages?

Internet Matters provides advice from online-safety experts on choosing and managing parental controls according to a child’s age.

YouTube

Although YouTube is intended for users aged 13+, younger children can access it with parental consent. The newsletter explains three options:

  • YouTube Kids – aimed at children up to age 12, with age-based settings.
  • Supervised accounts – parents can control the type of content available.
  • Different supervised settings range from content generally suitable for 9+ through to most YouTube content, excluding 18+ videos.

What do I need to be aware of?

The newsletter highlights several YouTube risks, including inappropriate content, excessive screen time, unwanted contact/cyberbullying, recommendation algorithms and unsuitable advertising. Algorithms can repeatedly expose children to large amounts of content around a particular topic.

What can I do?

Parents should set suitable parental controls, teach children how to block and report users/content, and consider watching YouTube together or supervising their child’s use.

A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives

The Children’s Commissioner has produced a guide to help parents support children with their digital lives and make conversations about online experiences easier.

Nex Playground

Nex Playground is presented as a video-game console designed to encourage children to be physically active. Its games have no adverts, violence or chat features, but require a paid quarterly or yearly game subscription.

Online Safety Quiz

The NSPCC has created an online-safety quiz for children. The newsletter recommends it as a fun way to test children’s knowledge and start conversations about their online lives.

WhatsApp Usernames

WhatsApp is introducing usernames, meaning people will be able to communicate without necessarily sharing their phone number. The newsletter directs parents to further information about the new feature and what they should consider.

 

Online Safety Newsletter Primary September 2026_4 Newdale_02-09-2026

2 months ago
Posted on 07th Sep 2026 by

Thomas Telford – Admission to Year 7 – September 2027

Year 7 admission documentation for September 2027 is now available for parents to download from Thomas Telford website www.ttsonline.net

The closing date for completed application forms is Monday 21st September 2026 at 4:00pm.

 

If you require a hard copy or have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Anna Foster in the Admissions Office on 01952 200000.

2 months ago
Posted on 04th Sep 2026 by

Reminder – Fidget Toys in School

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing to ask for your support regarding the increasing number of children bringing toys from home into school and describing them as “fidget toys”. Recently, these have included items such as mini skateboards, squishy toys, Labubus and other novelty items.

We recognise that some children may benefit from the use of sensory or fidget resources to support concentration, self-regulation and engagement with learning. However, we have found that many of the items currently being brought into school are not serving this purpose and are instead becoming a distraction, both for the child using them and for those around them.

Where a child genuinely requires a fidget or sensory resource, the school can provide a range of appropriate tools. These have been carefully selected to support learning and concentration while minimising disruption within the classroom environment.

For this reason, we ask that children do not bring fidget toys or similar items from home unless their use has been discussed and agreed in advance with the class teacher, SENDCo or a member of the pastoral team.

We appreciate that parents and carers always want to do the very best for their children and we are committed to working in partnership with families to provide the most appropriate support. If you feel your child may benefit from a fidget or sensory resource in school, please speak with your child’s class teacher in the first instance.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

Miss Cook

 

 

2 months ago
Posted on 04th Sep 2026 by

Class Dojo

Class Dojo will launch on Monday 7th September.

Links to set up your account will be re-sent by the end of today via email (from Arbor) if you still need to do this. Please check your spam mail if you are not able to see the message in your inbox. Please contact the school office next week if you have not received an email.

 

Please see attached letter with further information regarding Class Dojo.

Class Dojo Parent Letter

Information

Contact Us

Tel: 01952 387720

E-mail: newdale.primary@taw.org.uk

Newdale Primary School and Nursery
Newdale,
Marlborough Way,
Newdale,
Telford
TF3 5HA

Headteacher: Miss R Cook B.Ed (Hons) NPQH
School Business Manager: Mrs R Western

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