Hillside Avenue Highlights

 

Dear Parents and Carers, In this edition of the Hillside Avenue Highlights, I would like to focus on the school community. There are three topics in particular that are at the forefront of my mind due to recent events and future plans; Safety in schools (lockdowns), Child safety at drop off and pick up times, Shared vision for the school. Yesterday afternoon we ran a ‘staying safe in school’ drill to practice what we would do if there was some external danger. After the incident that happened at Thorpe St. Andrew School a few weeks ago, school safety is naturally at the front of many people’s minds. I can assure you that our drill went very smoothly. The children were sitting quietly on carpets with doors locked and windows shut. The school was calm and everyone was safe. Thank you to the staff and children for making it so successful. We all know that the local roads are busy at the beginning and the end of the school day. This is true of roads around schools all over the country and can be a source of stress for some due to finding parking places, maneuvering around and worrying about being late for school. I would like to say thank you to all parents who park a few minutes away and walk the last bit, including using the car park at the Merchants of Spice and other suitable locations. Whilst this might be a difficult problem to solve, we can all be mindful of the safety of children at each end of the day so that they all stay safe. This week the office shared a link to a survey. This is my attempt to gather the views of all members of the school community regarding our shared vision for the future. There has been a school here for almost 90 years, and I would like to take the opportunity of this milestone to clarify what we are all aiming to achieve together. Early results suggest that parents' views align well with my own, which is a great start to the process. The survey will be open until the end of the Easter holidays and I will share results and a clear vision in the Summer term. Please let me know what you think.

 

Happy Easter all!

 

Notifications/ Reminders:

Comic Relief - Red Nose Day It was lovely to see so many children supporting Comic Relief on Friday and wearing red. So far we have raised £193. If you still wish to donate please do so via the JustGiving page which has been set up; JustGiving page for donations

 

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

 

FRIENDS Newsletter - please see the separate newsletter from Friends of Hillside with important dates of upcoming fundraising events. Thank you

 

Dates for the Diary

April 2026

Mon 13th - staff inset day

Tues 14th - summer term begins

Thurs 23rd - Casma choir event

Mon 27th - Year 3 Eaton Vale trip

 

May 2026

Mon 4th - bank holiday

Wed 5th - class photos

Mon 11th -14th Year 6 SATS

Fri 15th - Friends summer disco

Fri 22nd - finish half term break 3:15pm

 

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● FREE Dental Screening 0-11years - please click here for further details on the flyer ● Futsal Club ages 6 - 12 - please see the separate attachment with details of a new club run by PAV Funball Academy

 

● ESKA Karate - please see flyer for details on activities over the Easter holiday

 

● Easter Art Club@ art4youth, Carrow House King Street. click here for details on their flyer

 

● 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

 

● Free Pond Dipping at NWT Thorpe Marshes - on the last Sunday of every month. See flyer for details

 

● Shrumpshaw Fens - Easter activities please click here for further details

 

● Could you foster? Nexus Fostering is seeking compassionate individuals and families to become foster carers Please contact us on 0800 389 0143 or email Leanne at leannea@nexusfostering.co.uk.

 

● Broadland Community Awards 2026 - For more information and to nominate please visit our website, Broadland Community Awards | Broadland and South Norfolk

 

● Broadland Family Hub - Free Easter activities - click here for more information. ● Girlguides - Rainbows Sprowston has space for girls age 4-7 - please click here for information