Stay Connected with Newdale – Arbor App Update

Following our announcement on Friday 19th December about the Arbor App, we’re pleased to let you know that log-in details have now been emailed to parents/carers this afternoon.

To get started, please follow the steps outlined in the email. The message may appear in your inbox or your junk folder, so please check both.

If you haven’t received the email or if your email address has changed, please contact the school office so we can update our records. Once your details are correct, we’ll resend your log-in information.

Please see below parent/carer guides for using the Arbor App

Welcome back to the Spring Term

Happy New Year and welcome back to the Spring Term!
We hope you all had a fabulous break, enjoyed the festivities and are looking forward to coming back to seeing all your friends.
We can’t wait to start our brand new topic ‘Space’.
A reminder of key days in Reception this term:

Monday and Wednesday: PE days (please come in PE kit uniform on these days – no brand logos)

Thursday: Forest school (please bring kit in a seperate bag)

Finally, a reminder of the toy show and tell for the first day back. Children in reception are invited to bring one toy (clearly named) for our special show and tell. No electronics and devices please and try to avoid small parts as we would hate for anything to get lost or broken.
Thank you. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
The Reception Team

Stay Connected with Newdale – Introducing the Arbor App!

We’re excited to be launching the Arbor Parent App on Monday 5th January.

The app is designed to make communication between school and home easier and more effective.

What can you do with Arbor?

Receive instant in-app messages, replacing our current text and email system

Update your contact details to allow school to always have the most up-to-date information

View your child’s attendance percentage, allow parents to keep track of attendance at a glance

Coming Soon!

As everyone becomes familiar with Arbor, we’ll be adding even more features, including:

Parents’ Evening booking

Getting Started
All parents will receive an email with their login details and a link to get started on Monday 5th January 2026.

 

PE day change for after Christmas

Please be aware that our PE days change in the New Year in Reception.

Monday PE will be outdoor multiskills and games working on ball and racket skills.

Wednesday will be indoor sessions focusing on foundational movements and games.

 

Finance & Personnel Governor Involvement

On Wednesday, our Finance & Personnel Governors met in school. A key focus of their discussion was the Pupil Premium Strategy, which will be shared on our website very soon.

The Governors spent time looking at how our leaders and staff teams are working to support our most vulnerable learners. Like many schools across the country, we are seeing a growing number of children with SEND needs. This naturally means we must ensure we have the right expertise and enough staff capacity to meet those needs.

The Governors reviewed both current and future staffing requirements across the school and nursery and considered how this affects the way finances are allocated. They were reassured that staffing is being directed to where it is most needed, and that our inclusive school continues to provide a strong offer for all children.

Curriculum Governors Involvement in School

The Curriculum Committee Governors met today to review a range of aspects linked to teaching and learning. As part of their visit, they spoke with a wonderful group of pupils from Years 1, 3, and 5 about their Literacy work.

The children shared how their learning is adapted to meet their needs. For example, they explained that they sometimes use word banks to support their writing, or that a teaching assistant may work with them before a lesson to help them feel more confident and prepared.

In addition, the governors placed a particular focus on Pupil Premium, reviewing the policy and spending plans for this year. They considered how funding is being used and the expected impact on pupils’ learning and progress.

It was fantastic to hear directly from the pupils and to see the governors’ oversight ensuring that strategies and resources are making a positive difference.