Parents' Area

Updates

Wednesday 9th September, 2026

Information from Telford & Wrekin Music Service

We would like to share the following information from Telford & Wrekin Music Service regarding instrumental and vocal lessons.

Parents and carers who wish to apply for music lessons are encouraged to do so online, as this is the quickest and most efficient application method:

Instrumental and Vocal Lessons Form – Telford & Wrekin Music

Instrumental and Vocal Lessons Form – Telford & Wrekin Music

Telford & Wrekin Music Service has also asked schools to make families aware of their 30-week free lesson offer, available through their remissions scheme. Following recent changes to Free School Meal eligibility, they are keen to ensure that this support continues to reach the children and young people who would benefit most.

Full details of the remissions scheme can be found on the Telford & Wrekin Music website and are also provided during the online application process and documented attached.

Please visit the Telford & Wrekin Music website for further information and how to apply.

Application pack 2026-2027 Guidance -Applying for free Music lessons

 

Tuesday 8th September, 2026

Class Dojo Information

Class Dojo Has Arrived at Newdale!

Class Dojo has launched at Newdale, and our pupils have been incredibly excited to start earning Dojos! The poster below highlights some of the many ways children can earn Dojos in school.

Why not ask your child if they have earned any Dojos yet and what they received them for?

Parents and carers can also sign up to Class Dojo to join in the excitement and keep track of how many Dojos their child has earned. If you have not already signed up, please log in to Arbor, where you will find the relevant link.

Towards the end of each half term, pupils will have the opportunity to spend their hard-earned Dojos in the Class Dojo Shop. Rewards may include special treats such as:

  • Wear slippers for the day
  • Sit next to a friend
  • Choose an item from the class prize box

A Few Reminders About Class Dojo

Class Dojo is currently being used solely as a system for rewarding positive behaviour choices. It is not being used as a method of communication, and messages sent through the platform will not be monitored. If you need to contact your child’s teacher, please use the year group email addresses or the home-school communication books.

Pupils can also earn Dojos for completing their reading and homework each week.

For reading:

  • Years 1-5:
    • 5 reads = 3 Dojos
    • 4 reads = 2 Dojos
    • 3 reads = 1 Dojo
  • Year 6:
    To help prepare pupils for the expectations of secondary school, children must complete 5 reads each week to earn their 3 Dojos.
  • Reception:
    Dojos for reading at home will be introduced later in the year.

Previously, stickers were placed in home-school communication books each Friday to show how many house points had been earned for reading that week. This system has now been replaced by Class Dojo, so please log in regularly to see how many Dojos your child has been awarded.

If you have any questions about Class Dojo or supporting with your child’s reading at home, please speak to your child’s class teacher.

Tuesday 8th September, 2026

Donations wanted for Reception please

Reception would love to replenish, refresh and upgrade their resources for the children to use. If you have any of these items that are no longer played with at home, Reception would be very grateful if you could donate them. Donations to be given to Miss Hailey or Mrs Furlong in Reception, or handed to class teachers to pass on please.

A huge thank you from the Reception staff and children in advance!

Tuesday 8th September, 2026

Online Safety Newsletter – September 2026

New guidance issued due to concern of AI-manipulated images

AI can be used to manipulate ordinary photographs of children and turn them into sexualised or abusive images. The IWF and NCA have issued guidance to help parents understand these risks and talk to children about AI and image consent. This includes deepfakes, completely artificial images that look real, and “nudifying” technology that digitally removes clothing.

What can I do?

Parents are encouraged to think carefully before sharing children’s photographs online, use close-friends groups, check privacy settings and know what to do if an image is misused or there is a concern.

Childline under 12s site

Childline has a dedicated area for children under 12, with age-appropriate information, games and a “Buddy Zone”. It provides advice on talking to trusted adults and finding additional support.

How to manage parental controls for different ages?

Internet Matters provides advice from online-safety experts on choosing and managing parental controls according to a child’s age.

YouTube

Although YouTube is intended for users aged 13+, younger children can access it with parental consent. The newsletter explains three options:

  • YouTube Kids – aimed at children up to age 12, with age-based settings.
  • Supervised accounts – parents can control the type of content available.
  • Different supervised settings range from content generally suitable for 9+ through to most YouTube content, excluding 18+ videos.

What do I need to be aware of?

The newsletter highlights several YouTube risks, including inappropriate content, excessive screen time, unwanted contact/cyberbullying, recommendation algorithms and unsuitable advertising. Algorithms can repeatedly expose children to large amounts of content around a particular topic.

What can I do?

Parents should set suitable parental controls, teach children how to block and report users/content, and consider watching YouTube together or supervising their child’s use.

A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives

The Children’s Commissioner has produced a guide to help parents support children with their digital lives and make conversations about online experiences easier.

Nex Playground

Nex Playground is presented as a video-game console designed to encourage children to be physically active. Its games have no adverts, violence or chat features, but require a paid quarterly or yearly game subscription.

Online Safety Quiz

The NSPCC has created an online-safety quiz for children. The newsletter recommends it as a fun way to test children’s knowledge and start conversations about their online lives.

WhatsApp Usernames

WhatsApp is introducing usernames, meaning people will be able to communicate without necessarily sharing their phone number. The newsletter directs parents to further information about the new feature and what they should consider.

 

Online Safety Newsletter Primary September 2026_4 Newdale_02-09-2026

Monday 7th September, 2026

SENDCO Sessions

At Newdale Primary School, we believe that every child deserves to feel valued, included, and supported to reach their full potential. We know that working in partnership with parents and carers is key to helping every child thrive.
Each week, our SENDCo, Mr McFarland, will be offering SENDCo Sessions, giving parents and carers the opportunity to book a time to meet and discuss their child’s progress, ask any questions or share any concerns they may have, receive advice and guidance, or get support with referrals, paperwork, and accessing additional services.
Whether you are looking for reassurance, information, or practical support, these sessions are here to help. We look forward to working with you to ensure the very best outcomes for your child.
Each Wednesday @ 8.45 – 9.30am or 2 – 3.10pm. If you need an alternative time, please get in touch.
Dates for each year group are as follows:
W/c 14th September – Years 5 and 6

W/c 21st September – Years 3 and 4

W/c 28th September – Years 1 and 2
W/c 5th October – Reception and Nursery
Please book via newdalesendco@taw.org.uk or the school office.
I look forward to meeting you
Mr McFarland
Friday 4th September, 2026

Achievement Assembly

Friday 4th September 2026 

It has been wonderful to welcome all our children back to school after the summer break. This week has been focused on helping everyone settle back into school life, get to know their new classrooms and teachers and become familiar with new routines and expectations. Most importantly, the children have been having lots of fun, building friendships and enjoying their learning. We are incredibly proud of how well they have adapted to the start of the new school year and this settling-in process will continue next week. 

 

Achievers of the week: 

Year 6 achievers: Jacob for contributing well to class discussions and showing a mature year 6 attitude. Cerys for a fantastic attitude towards her learning and brightening our classroom with her enthusiasm and positivity. 

Year 5 achievers: William for setting such a good example of the Newdale expectations this week, he has been a pleasure to have in class. Anna for being a fabulous new starter and fitting in so well to Newdale by being ready to learn, kind and respectful.  

Year 4 achievers: Ava-Lilly for showing great resilience in out spaghetti and marshmallow tower building! Daniel for being so welcoming and polite – I’m looking forward to seeing more of your excellent role model abilities this year! 

Year 3 achievers: Jaxon for being an independent learner and getting the maths resources to help him! Mrs Everall’s achiever for being a kind friend and setting a great example of Newdale’s behaviour code.  

Year 2 achievers: Rheya for setting a fabulous example of Newdale’s rules and going above and beyond the expectations at home! We’re so proud of your commitment to your learning. Sara for being an excellent role model to the rest of the class and showing all of Newdale’s rules. 

Year 1 achievers: Miss Lowe’s achiever for starting Year 1 positively and showing us he is ready to learn. I can see he will be becoming more confident already. We are proud. David for making an excellent start to Year One by following our Newdale rules and showing he is ‘ready, respectful, safe and kind.’ 

Attendance Winners  2nd – 4th September 2026

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

Mrs Evans & Mrs Sturrock (Year 1) and Miss Squires (Year 2)= 98.55%

Winner of Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6

Mrs Stack = 100%

 

 

 

Friday 4th September, 2026

Reminder – Fidget Toys in School

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing to ask for your support regarding the increasing number of children bringing toys from home into school and describing them as “fidget toys”. Recently, these have included items such as mini skateboards, squishy toys, Labubus and other novelty items.

We recognise that some children may benefit from the use of sensory or fidget resources to support concentration, self-regulation and engagement with learning. However, we have found that many of the items currently being brought into school are not serving this purpose and are instead becoming a distraction, both for the child using them and for those around them.

Where a child genuinely requires a fidget or sensory resource, the school can provide a range of appropriate tools. These have been carefully selected to support learning and concentration while minimising disruption within the classroom environment.

For this reason, we ask that children do not bring fidget toys or similar items from home unless their use has been discussed and agreed in advance with the class teacher, SENDCo or a member of the pastoral team.

We appreciate that parents and carers always want to do the very best for their children and we are committed to working in partnership with families to provide the most appropriate support. If you feel your child may benefit from a fidget or sensory resource in school, please speak with your child’s class teacher in the first instance.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

Miss Cook

 

 

Friday 4th September, 2026

Class Dojo

Class Dojo will launch on Monday 7th September.

Links to set up your account will be re-sent by the end of today via email (from Arbor) if you still need to do this. Please check your spam mail if you are not able to see the message in your inbox. Please contact the school office next week if you have not received an email.

 

Please see attached letter with further information regarding Class Dojo.

Class Dojo Parent Letter