Dear Parents and Carers,

Attendance at school is really important and is something that we really prioritise at Hillside Avenue. Coming to school every day and on time is not only good for a child’s academic success and progress, but it also supports  their wellbeing and wider development too. At school we know that some children can face real challenges about coming to school every day and that the reasons for not attending can be complex and take time to work out. What we want to do is to work with children and families to remove the barriers that prevent attendance at school so that every child can flourish in their time with us. Sometimes this is in the form of a chat with the class teacher, maybe a letter from the school office or a meeting with the Headteacher. All of them are intended to be supportive as we work together to support high levels of attendance at school. Our FAQs answer some common questions about attendance. They can be found here.

Our latest initiative is getting started this half term. Lots of children have good attendance but don’t always attend 5 days a week. To encourage full weeks of attendance, a whole week of attendance is going to lead to one entry into the attendance prize draw at the end of term. The more whole weeks a child attends for, the more chance that they will win a small prize in the attendance assembly at the end of term. For those that find it hard to attend, getting an entry in the draw will mean a lot and might lead to a nice treat too. This is all about positivity around attendance. Thank you for your support. 

This is a blog from the Department for Education which highlights the main issues, some really interesting statistics (if that is your sort of thing) and some information about what they are doing to promote high attendance in schools (https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2025/08/why-school-attendance-matters-and-what-were-doing-to-improve-it/) 

Mr Hutchinson

 

From the school log:

 

15th March 1965 - AD fell whilst ascending the corridor steps and hit his mouth. His mother took him to the Jenny Lind Hospital, and subsequently had two front teeth removed. I hope that AD did not suffer too much when he lost his front teeth 61 years ago. This entry does remind us that moving sensibly and carefully around school is very important. Even though it can be tempting to move quickly around the school with our wide corridors and inside/outside spaces it is really important that all children walk in school to prevent accidents like this. Thank you for supporting this from home. 

 

Notifications/ Reminders:

 

Comic Relief - Red Nose Day on Friday 20th March 

Children are invited to wear red on this day (red noses can be worn) to support the charity.  The school has set up a JustGiving page for donations to Comic Relief please click on the link below

JustGiving page for donations

 

FRIENDS Pre‑Loved Uniform Sale – Monday 23rd March, 3:00pm

We’re delighted to announce our next Pre‑Loved Uniform Sale. Thanks to the incredibly generous uniform donations we’ve received this year, we currently have a very large amount of stock.  Please come along and take a look - 3pm on the playground.

 

 

Music Lessons
If your child is in year 2 - 6 and is interested in playing either the piano, violin, cello, woodwind, guitar, drums or trumpet please let the office know and we will put them on the waiting list.  

 

 

 

Hilldale Breakfast and Afterschool Club

Hilldale welcome all children from Hillside Avenue Primary Reception to year 6

They currently have vacancies, if interested please contact Sue or Linda at Hilldale15@yahoo.com or alternatively register at Hilldalebreakfastafterschoolcluc.ipalbookings.com

Or please come and visit anytime

Breakfast 7:45am until 8:45am (breakfast included) £7

After school 3:15pm until 5:45pm (snack provided) £14

 

 

 

Parking outside school

We know that parking close to schools at the beginning and the end of the school day is a problem at most primary schools. Hillside Avenue and School Avenue are fairly narrow roads with lots of houses on, and therefore there are lots of driveways too. 

When parking in the local area, could all parents please consider the access needs of local residents as having your driveway blocked - if only for a moment - can be a cause of frustration and upset. 

Thank you for your support.

 

Dogs on School Grounds

This is a polite reminder that dogs are not permitted on the school grounds.  Thank you for your understanding. 

 

 

 

 

T2T Easter Brochure - Broadland DIstrict Council Big Norfolk Holiday Fun - please click here for brochure with details on how to book 

 

Young Carers - The Benjamin Foundation & Community Sports Foundation have set up a free club for young carers - please click here for further details 

 

Norwich Swan Swimming Club - learn to swim courses - please click here for further information

 

Norwich Penguins - have Splashdown Intensive Swimming Courses over the Easter holidays, please see their website for further details.  www.norwichpenguins.co.uk

 

Free Pond Dipping at NWT Thorpe Marshes - on the last Sunday of every month running from April to September.  See flyer for further details 

 

 

 

 

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