Year 2 Guy Fawkes Workshop

Year 2 had a fantastic time learning about Guy Fawkes yesterday! The children were fully immersed in an exciting and interactive learning experience as they explored the story of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.

To bring the history to life, the children took part in a range of fun activities:

Firework Art
They created brilliant firework pictures using chalk, experimenting with colour and movement to make their artwork sparkle on the page.

Costume Photoshoot
The class loved dressing up in different themed costumes and taking part in a photoshoot – there were plenty of smiles and giggles!

Secret Code Cracking
Our young historians decoded special Guy Fawkes–themed secret messages, just like Guy Fawkes and the conspirators would’ve written and decoded in the 1600s.

A Dance from the 1600s
To finish the day, the children learnt a traditional dance from the 17th century. It was wonderful to see them stepping back in time.

The children showed great enthusiasm, curiosity and creativity throughout the day. We are so proud of how engaged they were and how much they learned while having such fun!

Well done, Year 2!

Staffing update – Miss Hill’s class

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing to inform you of a staffing update for Year 2, effective from January 2026.

Miss Hill will be taking on a number of Miss McCullagh’s responsibilities from January (Miss McCullagh was the assistant head and is currently on maternity leave).

To carry out these duties effectively, she will require additional time out of class. We are therefore delighted to welcome back Mrs King, who will be returning to school following her maternity leave. Mrs King is an experienced teacher who knows our school well, has recent experience teaching Year 2, and has a proven track record of supporting children’s learning and development.

From January, Mrs King will teach Year 2 (Miss Hill’s class) on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Miss Hill will continue to teach the class on Mondays and Tuesdays. Both teachers will work closely together to ensure consistency and continuity for the children, and we are confident that this job-share arrangement will provide a supportive and enriching learning environment.

Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely,

Miss Cook

Newdale Primary School & Nursery Playground Donation Request

Dear Parents and Carers,

We hope this message finds you well and that your children are reporting that they are enjoying this half term so far.

At Newdale we are committed to enriching our children’s playtime with imaginative, active, and collaborative outdoor experiences. To help us enhance our playground, we are kindly asking for donations of specific items that will support creative and physical play.

We would be grateful for donations of the following items (new or gently used):

  • Sandpit tools (spades, buckets, moulds, etc.)

Balance bikes

  • Push along construction vehicles: diggers, dumper trucks,
  •  Brooms, dustpans, and brushes
  •  Thick long ropes (for tug-of-war or creative play)

Long skipping ropes

  •  Clean tyres (car or bike, suitable for safe play)
  • Traffic cones
  • Scramble nets
  •  Smoothed-off planks of wood (no splinters or nails)
  •  Plastic or part metal wheelbarrows
  •  Plastic snow shovels
  •  Large metal or plastic kitchen utensils (e.g., fish slices, serving spoons)

These materials will help us create a more dynamic and engaging outdoor space where children can explore, build, and play safely.

To donate:

 Please call the school office on 01952 387720 to discuss your donation and arrange a suitable drop-off time.

Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference and is appreciated.

Thank you for your continued support in helping us make our playground a place of joy, creativity, and adventure.

Kind regards,

Miss Cook

PODS Parent & Carer Session

Newdale are excited to be taking part in the PINs project this year and to welcome back PODS – the Parent Carer forum – for a follow up ‘Cake and Cuppa’ event in our school hall.

This is an informal opportunity to meet with the team and ask any questions about how PODS may be able to help you. The team can discuss neurodiversity and what support is available for your child, even without a diagnosis. Mr McFarland, SENDCO, will also be available to answer any questions.

This will take place in the school hall and you are then welcome to leave by 3.10pm to collect your child from their classes.

Please follow the link below to find out more information about PODS and the services they offer.

Home – Together We Can Make a Difference

The session will be held on the following date and time. Please confirm your attendance via Parent Pay.

Wednesday 19th November 2.30 – 3.30pm.

We will also be organising an after school information session linked to Autism and ADHD for parents in the Spring term.

Year 2 Welcome Back!

We are looking forward to welcoming you back to school after the half term holiday. We hope that it has been restful and that all the children are excited to be back.

Here are some key reminders for Year 2 this half term:

Our PE days are Wednesday (Indoors – Dance) and Thursday (Outdoors – Hockey).

Year 2 will not have Forest School this half term.

Our Nativity rehearsals will soon be under way. Please look out for an update in regard to your child’s role.

Thursday 6th November – Nasal Vaccinations

Friday 14th November – Children in Need (Dress down/wear spots)

Monday 17th November – Guy Fawkes Workshop (in school)

Thursday 20th November – Cinema Trip

Friday 28th November – Dress down day & bring a bottle for the school fair

Wednesday 3rd December – Christmas Fair

Wednesday 10th December – Christmas Dinner and Jumper Day

Friday 12th December – Nativity Performance 1:30pm

Thursday 18th December – Children’s final day in school

Friday 19th December – Inset day

 

 

 

Finance & Personnel Governors Involvement

The Finance and Personnel Governors met on the 23rd October. They looked carefully at school finances and paid attention to the 3 year projection plan that had been prepared by the school finance officer. Governors had a staffing update and could see how the rising numbers of complex needs was adding pressure to the budget over time. Governors reviewed the staff well being audit findings and looked forward to some of the staff who are currently on Maternity leave returning in January. They were reassured that these staff returning would relieve pressure across the school.

Year 2 Nativity

This year, the Year 2 Nativity will take place on Friday 12th December. There will be one performance time from 1:30-2:30pm.

We are sending this out now so that parents/carers are given enough notice.

Thank you

Year 2 team

 

LAIV Nasal Influenza Immunisation (Flu Spray) 2025/26

Please see attached letter. Please use either the link or QR code at the bottom of the first page to access the online consent form to either consent or decline for your child to have the flu spray. The online form will close at 9am on Thursday 30th October.

 

Newdale Flu 2025 School letter