Hillside Avenue Highlights

 

Dear parents and carers,
In my very first newsletter at this school, I expressed my desire ‘to help every child
to achieve their best everyday and to flourish throughout their lives’ and I also
wrote, ‘I believe that feedback is a gift, and I invite you to give generously and
with kindness to help me and the staff to guide the school towards excellence
every day.’ I hope that you have seen me stick to this vision and intent since
September through the decisions that I have made, the approaches that I have
taken in difficult situations and the opportunities that I have sought to provide
for all of the children in the school. Throughout this time I have continuously
asked for your viewpoints and these have been feedback to me regularly. Thank
you.
The current educational climate is particularly challenging for all schools, with
school funding constraints being front and centre in the minds of all
headteachers and school leaders. It is for this reason that the work of The
Friends of Hillside Avenue is so important. Since joining the school I have
been continuously impressed by the levels of organisation and energy that this
group of parents and staff have brought to the various events during the year,
from discos and bingo nights to flower sales and the upcoming Hillfest in June.
As a result of these fundraising efforts (and your support of them), the Friends
have committed to donating £15,000 pounds to the school to fund renovations
to the library, new play equipment in Nursery and the installation of a sensory
room too! All things that will make a big difference to the children of Hillside
Avenue.
In the spirit of seeking feedback, they have told me that they would like to
have a big-ticket project to aim for in the near future. Whilst I have shared my
desire for a school minibus, I am not sure that it is possible just yet, but if you
have any suggestions for us to focus future fundraising at, please let them
know (chair@hillsidefriends.com). They are also looking for new committee
members too, so please get in touch if you are interested.

All of their work and your support really helps every child to flourish at Hillside
Avenue. Thank you.

Mr Hutchinson

 

Update on The Senior Leadership Team (SLT)
This academic year has been a period of significant change throughout the school.
Whilst we appreciate that change can be challenging, and sometimes upsetting, it is
also the process that we all need to go through to develop and grow, and this relates
to the Senior Leadership Team of the school too. As of the start of this term, there
have been a few changes to the roles and responsibilities held by members of the SLT
and the key points of contact for parents for specific discussions they might need to
have.
Two teachers that you will all know very well are now Assistant Headteachers; Mrs
Wilkinson and Miss Pendleton. As part of this new role, Mrs Wilkinson will be the main
point of contact for Key Stage 2 as well as having a keen focus on curriculum
development and standards through the school. Miss Pendleton will be the main point
of contact for Early Years and Key Stage 1 as well as being the named SENCo with
responsibility for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in school (SEND). This is a
significant change and therefore she will be supported through this transition by Mrs
Bristow and Mr Hutchinson as required. Both will retain their current teaching
commitments.
I am sure that you will join us in wishing them all the best in their new roles.

 

General News
Important information from The Friends:
The parent browser view of Classlist is being retired and soon you will only be able to access Classlist via
the mobile app.
The app is already available to download from the App Store and Google Play.
Tickets for the summer disco (Friday 16th May) will be going on sale via Classlist today so please download the app prior to buying tickets - hopefully this will avoid any 'glitches' and make the switch to using the app as smooth as possible.

Summer School Disco is on Friday 16th May with the same session times as before:
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 - 15:15-16:15
Years 3 & 4 - 16:45-17:45
Years 5 & 6 - 18:00-19:00
Tickets remain £3.50 each and will be on sale via Classlist only.
Thank you.
The Friends

 

Year 6 Leavers Hoodies
A reminder that Year 6 Leavers hoodies are now available to order on the Hoodie Hut online shop via this link
https://www.hoodiehut.co.uk/leavers-hoodies/hillside-avenue-primary-school-2025/
The deadline for orders is Wednesday 14th May. We have one sample hoodie in the school office in size age
12/13 if your child would like to try for size.

 

Wimbledon
Thank you to everyone who entered for a chance to get a Wimbledon ticket. The ballot is now closed and the 8 lucky winners will be notified via email by the end of the week.

 

Dates for the Diary
May
Monday 5th - Bank holiday
Tues 6th - class photos
Mon 12th to Thurs 16th - Yr6 SATS
Friday 16th - School disco
Thursday 22nd - RSPCA visit in school
Fri 23rd - Finish for half term break
June
Tuesday 17th - EYFS sports day
Tuesday 24th - KS1 sports day
Thursday 26th - KS2 sports day