World Book Day off to a great start!!!

The children are having a fabulous day with their book-based learning!

Photos below show Year 6 artwork based on Skellig, Y4 maths based on the book How Many Jelly Beans?, Y3 creating their own Super Villains, Y2 drawing their own Paper Dolls, Y1 science based on the book Tiddler.

All children who brought in a ticket have swapped their book for another that is new to them. They loved having such a wider choice of books. Thank you for your kind donations.

 

Big Walk & Wheel

Newdale will be taking part in the Big Walk & Wheel, the UK’s biggest inter-school walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling to school competition between Monday 11th March – Friday 22nd March.

As part of the competition we will be collating each day the total of children who have travelled to school either walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling

Where possible, please encourage children to travel to school either by, walk, wheel, scoot or cycle between the above dates. The higher our scores the better, schools will be entered into a daily prize draw for rewards including equipment and accessories if over 15% of pupils walk, use a wheelchair, scoot or cycle on that day of the challenge.

Link attached with details about the competition.

Good luck everyone!

Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel 2024

 

Health & Safety governors update

The Health & Safety Governors met last week and focussed on many important agenda items including the quality of our wraparound care offer, site security and staff training. It was lovely to talk to children who often attend Breakfast club and Afterschool club. They enjoy attending these clubs and could talk confidently about what they get to eat and the range of activities on offer.

Governors were reassured that the site is continually monitored for safety. Governors enjoyed reading comments from parents following the recent site security survey.

Very often, during this committee Governors spot check staff to check levels of understanding linked to safeguarding. They questioned a teaching assistant this time and were impressed with the confidence of the staff member when it came to answering a range of questions.

Curriculum Governors Involvement Update

During the Curriculum committee this week, Governors reviewed the art curriculum offer across the school and enjoyed listening to the children share their artistic ideas and sketch books. Governors were impressed with their enthusiasm for this subject and the clear enjoyment they link to art trips out of school. Governors recognised that the subject leader had a robust knowledge of his subject and was instrumental in supporting staff in the delivery of this curriculum area.

Governors also focused on the curriculum offer for pupil premium and SEND children across year 1 and 2. It was reassuring for Governors to hear and see that teachers are skilfully adapting the learning to meet the children’s specific needs.

Drop in session from the Healthy child team

Please see below the invite to an informal chat session on all things health related and dietary needs for early years with the Healthy child team from the local hub. This is a great drop in session for any support or guidance needed.
Parents with small babies and toddlers are welcome too, there will be a safe area for them to play if needed and room for prams.

Finance & Personnel Governors Committee

Governors scrutinised the ‘work life balance audit’ and were pleased with the very positive level of responses. Governors took great pleasure in knowing that having such a positive, dedicated staffing team, ensures the children’s needs are being met. Governors understood the pressures around the school and nursery budgets and contributed to the discussions for future spending. Governors listened to a presentation by the Assistant SENDco and was reassured that detailed planning, communication, and next steps continue to be carefully considered.

Year 2 message

What a fun day year 2 will be having on Friday 2nd February.

We have number day so please dress up in something with numbers.

Year 2 will have some fun maths activities ALL morning.

In the afternoon, we have our BeSMART treat!

Both year 2 classes won the cup because of their hard work.

Children can bring slippers and something cosy to wear.

We will be watching the BFG with some popcorn or a biscuit 😊

Thanks,

Year 2 team.

NSPCC Number Day – Friday 2nd February

NSPCC Number Day 2024 Information

Don’t forget, Newdale are taking part in this year’s NSPCC Number Day!  All of our pupils, from Nursery up to Year 6, will enjoy a variety of Maths activities, maths stories and competitions on Friday. Years 2 – 6 will be involved in a Times Tables Rockstars Battle too.

To raise money for the NSPCC and support all of the important work that they do, we are inviting all children  to dress down in number-themed outfits on Friday. The donation for this can be made on ParentPay. Thank you in advance for your support.

Safeguarding, Heath & Safety Governors Committee

The Safeguarding, Health & Safety governors met last Thursday and really enjoyed listening to the views of girls from reception, Year 2, 4 and 6. Governors asked many questions about lunchtime and break time activities. Children responded confidently about what there is to do both indoors and outdoors. They knew what to do should a ‘dangerous situation’ arise and what to do should they come across damaged resources. Year 6 are going to report back to Miss Cook about ideas for interactive games that they could use in their outdoor area. Governors reviewed the food standards documentation and look forward to pupil voice and menu analysis as part of the next committee meeting.

Governors feedback linked to the Curriculum meeting

Governors were delighted to talk to enthusiastic Geographers from Reception to Year 6. Children were very knowledgeable about topics such as volcanoes, earthquakes, Mount Everest, capital cities and details around maps.

Governors could see clearly that the children in our nursery provision have a high-quality offer with exciting resources and stimulating environments.

Governors want to celebrate the swimming offer with you – please see below the report created by Miss Jones our PE lead.

Swimming Update January 2024

Governors had an in depth look at the After School Club provision and were impressed with the overall offer including the carefully thought-out snack menu, planned trips and exciting activities for the children. Governors agreed to release more funding to further resource our After School Club.