Hillside Avenue Highlights

 

Dear parents and carers,
I am sure many of you will have questions and concerns about the letter from our
CEO Owen Jenkins yesterday regarding the tough decisions that we need to take
regarding staffing this year. I hope that his letter was easy to understand and
conveyed the tough financial landscape that all schools are facing at the moment.
I can assure you that any decision that I make during this time, will have the
interests of all children in mind, and particularly those who are most vulnerable. It
is a difficult time for everyone and I am working hard to make sure that we can do
the best that we can for every child with the capacity that is available to us in
school.
Next week is Parents’ Evening week. I hope that you have been able to secure an
appointment to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss their attainment and
progress so far. Their books will also be available for you to look at too. If you
have had any problems with the booking process or finding a suitable time, please
contact the school office and we will see what we can do to make it work for you.
When it comes to the meeting itself, I have always been a fan of the child being in
the room so that they can hear what is being said and therefore be part of the
conversation. If this is not your preferred approach, it will be important that they
are able to sit patiently outside of the room. Mrs Smith has said that there will be a
prize for any child spotted reading whilst they are waiting (rather than being on an
electrical device!) This is a lovely idea as reading is so important. Good readers
become good writers, and as writing is a priority for the school this year, it is
something to promote whenever we can.
I look forward to seeing lots of children reading whilst waiting on Tuesday and
Thursday next week.
Mr Hutchinson

 

From the School Log
On 7th November 1978 the entry reads:
‘School re-opened [after half-term holiday] and the number of children on roll = 587.’ In the
current times of smaller class sizes, I can’t believe that there would be space for that many children!

 

News
Cross Country - On Tuesday 5th November, 21 children went to the qualifying event for the
Norfolk School Games Cross Country Final. These children, from years 3, 4, 5 and 6, ran at the
UEA Sportspark track, competing against children from 11 other Norwich schools.
Not only did they all race brilliantly, their support towards each other and those from different
schools was outstanding - a true credit to Hillside! We are enormously proud of all of them.
A particular well done to Maddie, Syvlia, Alfie, Thomas, Tomas, Betsy, Sienna, Ellie, Alex and Noah
who have all qualified to go through to the finals in a few weeks time!
These are the result placings from the races:
Y3 Girls Y3 Boys
Maddie (1), Sylvia (5), Grace (14)

Y3 Boys

Alfie (2), Thomas (5), Tomas (7)

Y4 Girls 
Bethany (14), Evie (20)

Y4 Boys

George C (18), George H (28), Tom(30)

Y5 Girls 
Betsy (5), Sienna (9), Ellie (10)

Y5 Boys

Jesse (20), Jenson (30)

Y6 Girls 
Lilah (16), Florence (20)

Y6 Boys

Alex (1), Noah (4), Jet (14)

Music Achievements - Joshua in Yr4 passed his grade 4 ABRSM exam over half term. This is
such a fantastic achievement in someone so young, Well done!

 

Dates for the Diary
November
Tuesday 12th 3:30-5pm - parent consultations within school
Thursday 14th 3:30- 6:30pm - parent consultations within school
Friday 15th - Children in Need Day, children are welcome to come into school wearing something
spotty or yellow. As we are a cashless school, any donations to the charity can be made online via
https://donate.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/
Wednesday 20th - flu vaccinations (please consent online before 18th
November)
Wednesday 20th - Friday 22nd - year 5 Hautbois trip
Wednesday 20th - Wednesday 27th - Scholastic book fair (see separate email
for details)
Friday 22nd November - The Mental Health Support Team will be holding a workshop on
‘Understanding your Child’s Emotions & Behaviours’. Please could you let the office know if you are
interested in attending. (see attached flyer with further info)
Saturday 30th - Holly Jolly Hillfest (11am-2pm) within school

 

December
Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th - Yr1,2,3 Nativity (1:45-3:15pm)
Friday 6th - Yr1,2,3 Nativity (6-7pm)
Tuesday 10th - Nursery Christmas Play (9:30-10:30am)
Reception Christmas Play (9:30-10:30am) & Wednesday 11th (2:30-3:30pm)
Wednesday 11th - Christmas Lunch Day (children are welcome to wear something festive)
Monday 16th - KS2 Performance (1:30-3pm)
Tuesday 17th - KS2 Performance (6:30-7:30pm)
Wednesday 18th - Carols in the Quad (3:30-4:30pm)

 

 

After School Clubs
Mondays - Minimoons have a new club ‘Creative Writing’ - please click on the link for further details and to book online. https://minimoonsco.com/collections/after-school-clubs

 

Please follow us on Facebook. (and now on Instagram too! )
I have kept my posts fairly simple so far. Mostly celebrating sporting achievements and in-school
events, such as the Harvest Festival. I hope that they are helpful and are communicating the positive
things that are happening in school. I have started to use the hash-tag #itshappening@hillside to
highlight the positive things happening in school.
I am working on linking to two accounts so that you don’t have to look twice. If you have any
suggestions or tips in this area, I’d love to talk to you about it. We really want to get everyone talking about what is happening at Hillside Avenue.
#itshappening@hillside

Link for facebook page Facebook page Link for Instagram page Instagram page

 

Additional Advertisements
● FOTSAS Friends of Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form - Christmas Fayre Saturday 9th November

● Family Voice Norfolk October 2024 Newsletter -
http://account.epromailer.com/t/r-l-tdkdhjg-nhytiidhlh-t/