Dear Parent/Carers,

The sunshine of the past two days has certainly lifted everyone’s spirits. Let’s hope that we get more of this over the Easter break.

It has been lovely for everyone to see the children settle so quickly back into a routine and to enjoy their learning and of course see their friends. We really do hope this positivity continues when children return on Monday 19^th April.

The Telford and Wrekin Covid figures thankfully still remain low and are continuing to fall. Clearly the news in Europe is worrying and we watch and listen to developments and still plan to remain cautious when we return.

The one way system will remain in place as will the expectation that parents wear face coverings on our site at all times please. All of our in-school procedures will remain the same; however, we do hope that guidance will allow some easing of this over time. It is really important that you follow the school procedures. When we are able to ease them, we will let you know as soon as possible.

It is important that you let us know if your child/children have a positive Covid test during the first 3 days after we have finished school. Therefore any test result that comes in up to the end of Sunday, is relevant to us and track and trace. You would need to email school on newdale.primary@taw.org.uk or text school on 07765147868 to let us know and immediately let the Health Protection Hub know using this link https://www.telford.gov.uk/info/20692/coronavirus_covid-19/4040/i_want_to_report_suspected_or_confirmed_cases . Fingers crossed we do not have to inform families and staff to self-isolate over the Easter holidays.

Teachers may well have set some activities / homework to do over the break. What we know is that one of the most valuable activities you can do is to listen to you child read or encourage them to read to themselves as often as possible. This reading time develops the love of reading, supports children’s ideas for writing, secures spelling and of course helps children learn new words.

Can we remind you that we do not allow ‘exteme’ hair cuts and ask you to please consider carefully the style your child has. In our policy we state that extreme shaving and patterns should not be cut into hair please and neither should applying hair dye. This includes closely shaved lines into hair.

We hope to be able to offer more events and activities as we move through the summer term and will of course keep you fully informed.

As always, we really do appreciate the support we get from our families. Have a great Easter.

Miss Cook

Headteacher

Please read the attached leaflet about how we address SMSC/British Values and Life Learning (PSHE) into our curriculum offer.

 SMSC and Life Learning Guide for Parents 2021

Many thanks

Mrs Fenn

Dear parents and carers,

Our staff are working hard to make sure that all of our children have the best possible transition back into their learning. There has been widespread media coverage about children being ’behind’ and needing to ‘catch up’. We want to reassure you that we are working hard to help our children ‘recover’ and ‘embed learning’; we want lessons to help all children to celebrate what they know and help them in making progress by knowing and remembering more.

Teachers and teaching assistants are planning lessons which will help children to access key learning which is essential for this. All staff are using specific learning prompts and language to help children to understand what they are learning and we need your help too!

We love hearing children talking about their day when they are on their way home and many are keen to tell you about their day. To help them recall their learning, instead of saying ‘What have you done today?’, ask your child to tell you two things that they have learnt today. To start with, it is likely that they will tell you something like ‘We did division today’. Encourage your child to tell you something that they learnt about division – this may take a while to get into the swing of it but it really is worth it!

Your child may also be asked to complete homework which relates to work that they have completed a week or so ago. The point of this is for staff to assess what they have remembered and if there is a need for them to go over this further. Again, children may say that they don’t know what to do but they will, they may just need a little encouragement.

Over the course of this year, our teams will be using a variety of methods to help children to ‘know more and remember more’. The knowledge organisers that your child’s teacher has been sharing with you are one way that we are helping children to recover. There are many more ways in which teachers will be looking at how much your child can remember about their learning.

We know how amazing and resilient our children are and we are confident that by working together with families, we will help children to reach their full potential whatever is thrown at us!

Kind regards

Mrs Bishton