Healthy Lifestyles

Dear Parents and Carers,

As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles, we are currently reviewing our Healthy Lifestyles agenda and working towards achieving the Healthy Schools Award.

We are incredibly proud of the many ways we already support children and families in developing healthy habits, including our fantastic Healthy Lifestyles Week and our Life Learning Curriculum, which teaches children the importance of looking after both their physical and mental wellbeing.

As part of this work, we would appreciate your support with an important initiative relating to home-time collection.

From September, we kindly ask all parents, carers, and other adults collecting children to avoid bringing snacks, sweets, or treats for children to eat as they leave school. Whilst we understand these can often be intended as a reward or gesture of kindness, regular after-school treats can quickly become an expectation and can be difficult to break as a habit.

 

We are working towards creating a snack-free school site and would ask that any snacks are saved for home. This will help to avoid situations where other children see treats and feel pressure to ask their own families for the same.

Instead of rewarding children with a snack, why not use the walk home or journey back as an opportunity to reconnect and celebrate their day? Some simple questions could include:

  • How was your day?
  • What was the best part of your day?
  • Who did you play with today?
  • What did you learn?
  • Do you have any homework?
  • What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

These conversations can be just as rewarding and provide valuable opportunities to talk, listen, and celebrate children’s achievements.

We really do need everyone’s support to make this initiative successful. We are asking all members of our school community to take part, including our staff. By working together, we can help to reinforce the positive healthy lifestyle messages that we promote every day in school.

Thank you for your continued support.

Notice of Parent Governor election and request for nominations

I am writing to invite parents, guardians and carers of registered pupils to put their names forward for election to serve as parent governors of this school.  There is one vacancy. The term of office of the elected candidates will start on Thursday 19th November and will last for 4 years.

Please read the notes as a link below and if, after doing so, you would like to put your name forward as a candidate please complete the Candidate Nomination Form (Form 2) and the Disqualification Declaration Form (Form 3) and return them to me by Friday 18th September.  It may be that you would wish to propose another parent to serve as a parent governor.  Please note that in this case the parent in question should complete the nomination form after you have discussed the possibility.

  • Candidates need to submit a personal statement in support of their nomination, not more than 500 words giving:
  • Evidence of skills and experience the governing body desires.
  • And / or their commitment to undertake training to acquire or develop skills to be an effective governor
  • If seeking re-election details of their contribution to the work of the GB during previous term of office.
  • How they plan to contribute to the future work of the GB

They may not indicate that they are endorsed or supported by any particular group.

Only parents who now have and will have children registered at the school on the nomination closing date of Friday 18th September and term of office start date Thursday 19th November 2026 are eligible to stand for election.

If it is necessary for there to be an election I will provide further details of the arrangements.

Please find below the forms as links below.

Information Notes

Candidate nomination form

Governor Declaration Form

Miss Cook, Headteacher

Volunteers Needed

Are you looking to make a real difference to children’s progress?

Would you like to develop new skills, gain valuable experience, and help young learners build confidence in reading? Maybe you have retired from working in a school, but would still like to contribute in some way?

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who can spare a few afternoons each week to support children in learning the fundamentals of reading. Full training would be provided, and you would have the opportunity to volunteer alongside our fabulous and supportive team.

We use the Read Write Inc. Phonics programme and are seeking committed volunteers who want to help children who need a little extra one to one support on their learning journey.

If you would like to find out more, please express your interest by contacting newdale.primary@taw.org.uk

(Full safeguarding checks would be carried out inline with our policies)

Finance & Personnel Governor Involvement

Finance & Personnel Governors met on Monday 13th July. They reviewed the final staffing structures for both the nursery and school and were pleased to note that the support team remains strong despite ongoing budget pressures. Governors examined the budget and future projections in detail, recognising the increasing financial pressures associated with recruiting additional staff to support the growing number of pupils with SEND needs.

The Pupil Premium Lead shared the work undertaken this year and the positive impact it has had on children. Governors acknowledged the importance of this work and agreed that it should remain a key priority within the School Development Plan next year.

Governors also reviewed the parent survey results and discussed the actions that need to follow. They were delighted to read so many positive comments from parents about the school.

Finally, they considered staff wellbeing and reviewed the measures planned for next year to ensure that all staff feel valued and supported.

Uniform alterations this week

We are ever watchful of the weather forecasts and enjoying the reasonable temperatures today at least!

Tomorrow does not look too bad either, so please can children come in school uniform unless they have PE scheduled.

On Wednesday we have the England Match at night and the temperatures seem to rise again, therefore it will be a Football shirt or PE kit day.

We are still looking at the end of the week and will let you know of the arrangements soon.

Regards

Miss Cook

 

 

Important Notice – School Access Arrangements for the Final Week of Term

We would like to inform parents and carers of a temporary change to school access arrangements during the final week of term, starting this afternoon.

From pick-up time today, the Phase 3 gate (by the Year 6 classrooms) will be closed and out of use due to boundary improvement works that are taking place over the summer holiday period. The contractors are beginning this week.

To access the main playground, please use the gates located by the staff car park through the quiet area. These gates will remain open for drop-off and collection times while the works are underway.

We kindly ask all parents and carers to allow a little extra time and take care when entering and leaving the site.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we carry out these important improvements to the school grounds.

Crossbar – Happy, Healthy, Active Holidays!

Looking for fun, active activities this summer? The Crossbar Foundation are offering HHAH places, giving children a fantastic opportunity to get moving, make friends and enjoy the summer programme.

Get ready for a summer of free, fun activities with Happy, Healthy, Active Holidays! 

Bookings are now open, with FREE activity sessions for children in Reception to Year 6 who are eligible for income-related free school meals.

We are offering HHAH places at the following venues:

Newdale Primary School – Tuesday 28th July to Friday 31st July and Tuesday 4th August to Friday 7th August

Activities include: various sports, arts and crafts and themed activities.

A free nutritious meal is included at every session.

 

Book now via this link: https://orlo.uk/pj0jQ 

 

Any questions please contact Jack Morris at jack@thecrossbargroup.co.uk

 

 

Reminder – Meet Your Child’s New Teacher

Just a reminder that your child’s new teacher will be in your child’s current classroom at 3:10pm until 3:30pm on Wednesday 15 July.

This is an informal opportunity for parents/carers to meet their new teacher before September and put a face to the name.

Please note that Miss Moore will not be available on this day, as she was available to meet parents last Wednesday.

We look forward to seeing you then.

Miss Cook

Week 6 Achievement Assembly

Friday 10th July 2026 

This week, Year 6 enjoyed a trip to Telford Town Park where they undertook Geography fieldwork before having some time to play on the park in the sunshine and enjoy an ice lolly to cool down.  We also had our whole school move up morning on Wednesday where the children got to spend time with their new teachers and become familiar with their new environments. Further transition support will continue into the final week of this term.

 

Achievers of the week: 

Year 6 achievers: Grace for being a superb role model and guide to the reception children when they spent time in Year 6 this week. Skylar for working well with the reception children and being a fantastic role model.  

Year 5 achievers:  Theo for always having a positive mindset for learning and trying his best in all lessons this year. Clark for having a great mindset towards your learning this week, producing considered pieces of work and asking thoughtful questions in calass all year. 

Year 4 achievers: Alex for tackling new learning in Maths with great confidence and enthusiasm all year. Lianna for super work in literacy this week and showing her fantastic vocabulary. 

Year 3 achievers: Addison for showing a continuation of effort throughout the year and still working hard on her handwriting. Tobias for always giving 100% effort and participating well during our careers day activities. 

Year 2 achievers: Harley-Rai for showing resilience and perseverance at school, even when things become tricky. We’re so proud of you! Molly for always being ready, respectful, safe and kind! She is an incredible role model and we love having her in class.  

Year 1 achievers: Sara for always being amazing in class and always wanting to improve. Darcy for always trying her best and being a kind and helpful member of the class.  

Year R achievers: Uzma for making excellent progress this year. River for a wonderful Reception year. Well done River 😊  

Attendance Winners  6th – 10th July 2026

Winner of Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3

Mrs King = 97.93%

Winner of Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6

Mr Stubbs = 99.31%