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.

 

Year 6 Spring Term

There will be changes to PE days for the Spring Term.

Tuesday afternoon – athletics (outdoor)
Friday afternoon – Crossbar (outdoor)

Please remember to wear correct PE kit. A reminder that on the first week back Mrs Arthurs’ class will have their swimming assessment on the Tuesday afternoon and will need to bring their swimming kit. We require your consent to take children and this can be found on ParentPay.

Please also consult ParentPay regarding our planned trip to Shrewsbury Prison on 29th January.

Homework has been stuck in today, but this is for the first week back and does not need to be completed over the holiday.

The whole Year 6 team would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Christmas raffle winners!

Mrs Stack’s class have been working exceptionally hard this week to earn tickets to go in the Christmas class raffle. Here are the lucky winners!

 

Super writing!

Well done to Isla for the brilliant use of figurative language in her character description this week. She secured the Christmas glasses for the day as a reward!

 

Year 6 Christmas event

As you know, on Tuesday 16th December it will be the Year 6 Christmas event. Entrance is through the office from 2pm and the event will begin at 2.15pm. Tickets are still available directly from the office (this event is no longer on Parentpay). Please can children (and adults if they wish to!) wear their Christmas jumpers on this day, along with their school uniform. Santa hats etc are welcome – the more Christmassy the better!

We look forward to seeing you there.

The Year 6 team

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.

EKO DAY YEAR 6

Good evening,

A reminder that year 6 have their final EKO day of 2025 tomorrow. Due to the unpredictable weather, please ensure that your children are appropriately dressed with a change of footwear (wellies or old trainers) in case of rain. They are also welcome to wear their Christmas jumper as it is Christmas dinner day.

Thank you,

The Year 6 Team