6 years ago
Posted on 23rd Jun 2020 by Mrs Western

Uniform requirements

Dear Parents/Carers,

Please can we remind you of our uniform requirements between now and the end of term. Children are permitted to come in school PE kits with a school top. We know that having some form of uniform helps children settle into work mode more easily. We have said that Year 6 can wear Athog hoodies as an alternative. Appropriate footwear for forest school/basecamp may be needed if the weather is rainy.

We understand that at this time of the year parents do not want to be buying new uniform and so we are saying that a closely matched plain coloured top with no logos would be fine should they have grown out of the school jumper / cardigan.

Thank you for your continued support.

Miss Cook

Headteacher

6 years ago
Posted on 22nd Jun 2020 by Mrs Western

Update – 22.6.20

Dear Parent/Carers,

We are continuing to listen very carefully to Government advice and act accordingly in the best way we can for our children using the resources we have.

The children who have returned are really enjoying seeing their friends and teachers and of course getting back into the school routines.

The Government told us ‘there may be capacity to welcome more children back, in group sizes of no more than 15, before the summer holidays’. This is exactly what we have done!

We already made provision available for children of critical workers right from the very first day of lockdown. We also offered out spaces for all vulnerable children and children in the Government stated year groups – Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.

From today we are operating the following provision –

Year 6 – 3 classes of 15 children.

Year 5 – 3 classes of 15 children.

Year 4 – 1 class of 15 children.

Year 3 – 1 class of 15 children.

Year 2 – 1 class of 15 children.

Year 1 – 2 classes of 15 children.

Reception – 4 classes of 15 children.

Nursery – Ladybugs and Mighty Oaks operational up to a limit linked to room space.

The allocation of classes has been dictated by critical worker request, along with demand for the specified year groups. As I have stated before, we are very lucky to have such a big school and the available staff in order to offer the best possible options we can for our children.

At this moment in time, we are full in all year groups and we cannot go over the 15 children per class base maximum, unless there is a change in the policy from Government.

If you require a place for your child/children over the final 4 weeks, we can only suggest you put your name on a waiting list by ringing the office, and then if and when policy changes we will notify you with more details.

In the meantime, the teaching and teaching assistant teams are working very hard on making sure the ‘Home learning’ offer is of a very high standard and easy to access. Again, if you are having difficulties with access or completion do let your child’s teacher know and they will be more than happy to assist.

I hope you are able to enjoy some of the wonderful sunshine this week; I know the children will certainly enjoy their time outside whilst at school.

Thank you for your continued support.

Miss Cook

Headteacher

6 years ago
Posted on 18th Jun 2020 by Mrs Western

Update 18.06.2020

Dear Parents/Carers,

As promised, I am trying to keep you fully informed as we travel through these challenging times.

I am more than delighted as to how things are running and of course how happy the children are around school.

Clearly it is really important that we don’t let things slip and that we continue with the routines we have around distancing, bubbles and good hygiene.

As I have always said, we have taken our pathway in line with what the Government advice suggests. We believe we have no option other than to trust that they are being advised by the best possible medics and scientists.

The latest notification is that Headteachers can invite children back in accordance with the staffing and space they have –

‘We know that in some schools, there will be capacity to welcome more children back, in group sizes of no more than 15, before the summer holidays. This may be because take-up amongst eligible children is lower than expected, or because there is additional space still available within the school and available staff to teach and supervise.’

We are lucky that the whole Newdale team is keen to do what is right for our families. We are also lucky in that Newdale is a big school with space for us to utilise.

We asked for firm numbers for Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 so that we could put in a final plan that will take us up until the end of term.

Some people may be anxious that we are again changing our offer. I really must stress that every single decision is very carefully thought out and as ever, linked to supporting as many of our children as possible. We know from our telephone calls and home visits that some of our children are very keen to get back into school routine and that this is a very positive move for them. We are passionate about ensuring our children feel safe, happy, relaxed and of course enjoying the routines of school and learning.

We absolutely understand the decisions that some parents have made to keep their children at home, which is why our teaching team will continue to work tirelessly on providing stability in school and consistency with the all-important home learning.

The wider Newdale team will continue to work tirelessly on ensuring we reduce risk as far as is ever possible. We thank you for your support in this with handwashing before coming to school, regular changes in clothes, informing us immediately if your child is displaying symptoms and making sure they have the correct equipment for school.

Thank you for your continued trust and support.

Miss Cook

Headteacher

6 years ago
Posted on 16th Jun 2020 by Mrs Western

Year 1b investigating bubbles

6 years ago
Posted on 15th Jun 2020 by Mrs Western

Important information for Year 5

Dear Parents/Carers of Year 5,

Important information has been added to Parent Pay, please log on to view this information.

Regards

6 years ago
Posted on 12th Jun 2020 by Mrs Western

TikTok Warning

It has come to our attention that there are inappropriate videos and comments that children can potentially be exposed to on the app TikTok. Please can you monitor what your child is viewing and speak to them about the importance of E-Safety.

May we take this opportunity to remind you that the TikTok app is rated at 13years+

Kind Regards,

Miss A Newport

(E-Safety coordinator)

6 years ago
Posted on 11th Jun 2020 by Mrs Western

Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 numbers

11.6.20

Dear Parent/Carer,

We hope you and your families are well and continuing to cope during these stressful times.

In line with government advice, we are trying very hard to plan what happens at Newdale between now and the end of the academic year.

In order for us to move forward with this planning, we need to have firm numbers for the current year groups we have invited back in.

If you have a child or children currently attending in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and / or Year 6 and you plan on continuing to send them in, you need do nothing at all.

If you have children in the above year groups and you plan on removing them for any reason, then please let the office know.

If you have children in these year groups who are currently not attending school, but you would like them to begin attending, we need you to let us know by noon on Monday. Please note that after this deadline we will be unable to accept more children into these year groups.

We will then have firm figures as to who will attend between now and the end of the year. This will allow us to look at the space and staffing we have available as we progress through the rest of the term.

Many thanks for your ongoing support and patience.

Miss Cook

Headteacher

6 years ago
Posted on 09th Jun 2020 by Mrs Western

Year 1b Nature picture

6 years ago
Posted on 09th Jun 2020 by Mrs Western

Year 1b making bird feeders

6 years ago
Posted on 02nd Jun 2020 by Mrs Western

Weather forecast

Weather forecast for tomorrow is not as favourable. Please can you ensure that your child/children have suitable clothes – rain coat and forest school/ base camp change of shoes. Many thanks.