Important dates to remember – Spring term 2023

Please note that the gate adjacent to the Reception classrooms will no longer be used as an exit or entry point onto the school site at the start of the day and at home time. If you usually enter or exit through this point, then please use the gate a little further along (via the quiet area, past the carved Bear) instead. This is to ensure that the equipment in the Reception classroom outside area remains set up and accessed by Reception children only. This will take effect as of Thursday morning.

Thank you for your support.

Newdale Team

 Dear parents/careers,

 Happy new year!

 The children have slotted back into routines brilliantly.  Teachers have been working hard on our curriculum offer to ensure it continues to engage and enthuse all of our learners.

 As ever, we try very hard to incorporate lots of activities which support the children’s personal development. This includes taking the children on trips and visits, our varied club offer and inviting families into school.

 Just a few reminders…

There are a lot of bugs around and we are trying our best to ensure the hygiene levels are as good as they can be. We are allowed to administer Calpol with your permission in school but do ask that you do not send a child into school if they are displaying a fever or rash which of course could be associated with Scarlett Fever. If in doubt, please seek medical advice. We would like to also remind you that children are not allowed to have their own medication to take in school, including cough sweets. All medications have to be registered with the office staff.

 If you have to keep your child at home, please report their absence using the attendance email address: attendance@newdaleschool.org.uk

 School Access – If you enter from the rear gate off the Wrekin Way, please ensure you always stay on the footpath into school. In the mornings we have a limited number of cars moving around our site and we are trying to ensure we keep everyone safe and avoid any accidents.

 As you know, classroom doors open at 8.35am in view of the register being taken at 8.40am. Learning in school commences straight after that with all of the older classes being in assembly by 8.45am. Children have told us that they hate being late as they feel like they have missed something, and they also feel uncomfortable walking into a classroom late. We are really lucky that most families have adapted to our official register time really well, thank you.

At present we still allow Blue Badge holders onto our school site (many schools cannot accommodate this). We have purchased a new traffic calming sign to remind drivers to be careful, but we do need to ask blue badge holders to remain stationary until the main busy period on and off the site has passed. This will of course reduce our risk significantly.

 Finally…

We know that many parents are busy with work and juggling family duties. If there is one thing you squeeze in with your children, please can it be reading… it really is key to unlocking all of the learning for your child.

 We look forward to working in partnership with you again this term.

As ever, thank you for your continued support.

 Miss Cook 

Volunteer Reading Support

Dear parents and carers,

Do you or someone else in your family have some time to spare to support our pupils? We are looking for volunteers to listen to children read.

We do not ask for any educational qualifications, just that you are willing to see the huge difference that a few hours of your time can make to a child’s reading ability, confidence, and enjoyment.

We do request that you commit to a regular time during term times (maybe one afternoon each week), and we will require you to agree to our Code of Conduct and have a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check carried out.

If you are keen to help out, please contact the school office in the first instance on 01952 387720 to book a place on our information session. This will take place on Wednesday 11th January at 1pm with our reading lead, Mrs J Thomas.

We thank you for all your support.

Newdale Team