Newsletter Issue 4
Hillside Avenue Highlights
Dear parents and carers,
As we are approaching the end of the first half-term of the year, I find myself in a reflective mood. I am proud to say that a lot has happened in the first 7 weeks of the year and that they are all things to be positive about for Hillside Avenue now, and into the future. One of the traditional strengths is also something that I am focused on improving even further, this is the wider offer of the school.
At Hillside Avenue there is a lot of opportunity to learn beyond the classroom through participation in music, sport and off site visits. Our band practices with Mrs Robinson on a Wednesday and will be performing with The Hillside Singers to the school before half-term. Over 100 children learn an instrument, which represents over a quarter of the school. That is incredible and provides a form of learning for those children which reaches parts of the brain and the body that the classroom cannot. Our sports teams are going from strength to strength. The girls won their cup match and will meet the same school again on Friday after school in the league. The school team has won two out of three matches and are flying high. We have a cross-country event coming up and Mr Idrissi is lining up some basketball fixtures too. So far this term Year 1 has enjoyed a walking tour of the local area and Year 4 explored the Thorpe Marshes on one of the wettest days of the year. Well done for persevering Year 4. The Year 5 residential is fast approaching and then we will be into the Christmas season. Please check the school website and editions of the newsletter for key dates of all of the performances and events. Thank you for your support in making all of this possible and for helping all children to flourish at Hillside Avenue.
Mr Hutchinson
From the School Log
Between 12th and 16th October in 1939, it seems that there were regular problems with flooding on the playground due to heavy rain. The bad weather continued into late October and even led to poor attendance at school! Luckily most children have wellies and umbrellas now, so this should no longer be a problem.
Dates for the Diary
Our Parents Evenings this term will be held within school on Tuesday 12th November 3:30 - 5pm and Thursday 14th November 3:30- 6:30pm. You will need to log into Arbor to book a time slot, booking schedule will go live from Monday 4th November at 6pm.
Individual and siblings photographs will be on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th November. Please ensure your child/ren come to school in school uniform and not PE kit for those days.
After School Clubs
Minimoons are introducing an additional club ‘Creative Writing’ on a Monday starting after half term. For more information and how to book please click on the link below;
https://minimoonsco.com/collections/after-school-clubs
FRIENDS of Hillside
Non-Uniform Day - Thursday 24th October
We'd like to invite the children to come to school in non-uniform next week on Thursday 24th October (final day of this half term) and in exchange we'd like you to please bring in donations for the Holly Jolly Hillfest adult Tombola.
Suggested donations are beer, wine, spirits, chocolates/sweets, confectionery gifts or other festive gift items. Please ensure items are all new/sealed and that edible items are well within date.
We will be in the KS2 playground in the morning next Thursday to collect your kind donations.
Preloved Soft Toys
Having a half term clear out? We will be collecting soft toys for the Teddy Tombola at Holly Jolly Hillfest on the following dates: Monday 4th November (at PM pick up) Wednesday 6th November (at AM drop off) Friday 8th November (at AM drop off) Please ensure all toys are clean and in good condition.
Volunteering at Holly Jolly Hillfest
If you are able to volunteer any time at Holly Jolly Hillfest on Saturday 30th November please speak to any committee member or email Carrie:
https://volunteers@hillsidefriends.com
The Friends
Please follow us on Facebook. (and now on Instagram too! )
I am slowly improving my Facebook skills, so please be patient. For now I will just share key dates and events. Please follow us and encourage your friends and neighbours to do the same.
Additional Advertisements
● 15th Norwich Air Scouts - Fireworks Night - see attached flyer
● T2T - see attached flyer for further info ● Thorpe St Andrew School Christmas Fayre
● Norwich City CSF - Parents can claim £5 off one of our October half-term Soccer Schools by using code ‘partnerschool£5’.