8.10.25
Dear Year 5 Parents,
I would like to share a few important updates and reflections as we move through the Autumn term.
Staffing News
We are delighted to announce that Mr Jackson has welcomed an addition to his family! He will be spending the next couple of weeks on paternity leave, enjoying this special time with his family. Huge congratulations to him. In his absence, we are fortunate to have Mrs Mahon stepping in. She brings a wealth of experience in Year 5 and is already enjoying learning with the children.
Miss Cooper will soon begin her maternity leave, and we are pleased to welcome Miss Harrison, an experienced teaching assistant, who joins us today. She will be spending time getting to know the children and familiarising herself with life at Newdale before Miss Cooper leaves. Recruiting staff at this time of year is particularly challenging, so we are thrilled to have her on board. In fact, we currently have nine members of staff either on or about to begin maternity/paternity leave—an unusually high number that certainly presents logistical challenges!
Year 5 Progress and Behaviour
Both Year 5 classes are working incredibly hard and making excellent progress. We have recently addressed some playground behaviour concerns among a group of boys, and I am proud to say they have taken ownership and developed thoughtful strategies to improve things. Fingers crossed they continue to make good choices outside. I am very often on duty, so am looking forward to catching them doing the right thing.
Partnership with Parents
As always, we deeply value the partnership between home and school. Every member of staff is committed to ensuring your children are safe, happy, and thriving. Years 5 and 6 are pivotal as we prepare pupils for the transition to secondary school, and adapting to different teaching styles is part of that journey. I regularly visit both Year 5 classrooms throughout the day, and I consistently see calm, focused, and engaged learners—thanks to the dedication of our teaching teams.
Communication and Community
I understand that many parents use WhatsApp groups to share practical information like trip details or PE schedules. However, I was saddened to read some recent negative comments on a Year 5 group. I pride myself on being a visible and approachable Headteacher—I am on duty twice daily and always happy to talk through any concerns. Reading that some parents feel I am unresponsive, or that they might need to “camp out” in the office to speak with me, was personally upsetting.
Our shared goal is to support the children, and that has to require us working together, not against each other. We offer multiple communication channels: home-school diaries, year group emails, the main school email, and the option to call the office to request a call back from a teacher, pastoral lead, or senior leader. Please do make use of these avenues—we are here to help.
Looking Ahead
I am hoping that we have the trust of our parents and that we can continue working positively together to make this term a successful and enriching one for all our children.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Kind regards,
Miss Cook
Headteacher
Newdale Primary School and Nursery