Hillside Avenue Highlights

 

Dear parents and carers, 

 

A key priority for me since becoming Headteacher in September has been to increase the visibility of the school in the local community and more widely. The main pillars of this have been engagement in social media, which is why I have started the Facebook and Instagram pages to share updates and photos of events in school. Our following is growing on each platform so please get involved with liking and sharing our posts when we do them. Links to the pages are below the diary dates in this newsletter.

 

To spread the Hillside Avenue name we are also increasingly involved in sporting events such as boys and girls football, basketball and one-off events as well - experiencing a good level of success. In music we sang at the Cathedral, performed 13 further times to the community before Christmas (in and out of school) and will be participating in two events this term too. 

 

The next stage will be the branding of the school through use of the circle logo on letters and school documents as well as some new signs that are on the way. They will hopefully help everyone who passes by the school to know who we are, where we are and to the Hillside Avenue logo when they see it. All of this will hopefully raise our profile, attract families to be part of the school community and make sure that Hillside Avenue is the school of choice on this side of Norwich. 

 

Thank you for your support in helping every child to flourish at Hillside Avenue.

Mr Hutchinson

 

From the school log:

Between 24th and 28th February 1941, the school was closed for ‘Alerts’ eight times over the five days. These were due to bombing raids during the second world war. On at least two of these days, the whole day was ‘disregarded’ due to the alert not being lifted in time. 

This is a sobering entry to read at a time when children in other parts of the world are experiencing such things today. We are lucky to be able to attend school every day in safety. 

 

Parking on local roads - 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 with an almost unsolvable problem. 

 

Red Nose Day  - Friday 21st March is Red Nose Day. Children are invited to wear red on this day (red noses can be worn) to celebrate 40 years of Comic Relief.  Donations are to be made via the usual Red noses donation page donationcomic relief

 

 

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Cello Lessons - We have a new cello teacher - Mrs Bunn.  She has spaces available from the summer term (after Easter holiday).  Please click here for details Cello lessons at HAP school

 

Mini Moons now also opening up for Reception! For more information, please see the link below. https://minimoonsco.com/collections/after-school-clubs

 

British Sign Language -  a local company who run BSL classes for children 8-11 on a Tuesday evening in Thorpe St Andrew.  Please click on the link for further details BSL Classes

 

'Inspiring Imaginations' are running some fun events over the next few weeks and they have weekly themes for their regular weekly sessions too.  Currently they run 10-11.30am, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings and Friday afternoon, 12.30-2pm. They will be starting Wednesday afternoon sessions too, 1-2.30pm. All cost £8 for 1 adult and 1 child, with a discount of 20% for parents and carers with children at our school, just contact Isabel on 07760604440 or email: inspiringimaginations@outlook.com to let her know and she can arrange your discounted price.

The sessions and events are relaxed and friendly and include activities and play set ups for families with babies, toddlers and children up to 8 years old.  Isabel changes the theme weekly and builds on the interests of the children attending to ensure everyone has the best time.  Discounted flexi- block bookings are available plus PAYG individual sessions and everything is on the booking site:

https:bookwhen.com/inspiringimaginations.

If you are interested in more information, take a look at their facebook and instagram pages or contact Isabel. 

 

Local charity LEGO event - Open Academy displaying LEGO builds and running LEGO activities to raise money for a couple of charities in May this year.  

Details

Location: Open Academy, Norwich

Date: Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May 2025

Ticket Prices: £5 (Under 3s free)

Book tickets: www.ticketsource.co.uk/norwichbrickshow

 

Hillside Avenue Highlights

 

Dear parents and carers, 

 

In this newsletter I would like to focus on the importance of the school community, with particular focus on parental engagement and the role of The Friends of Hillside. 

 

I have been delighted to see the positive engagement of the parents who have attended the maths sessions that have been taking place on Wednesday afternoons over the last three weeks. We are very aware that many adults will have had a less than ideal experience of learning maths in their school years and therefore it is vitally important that their children have a more positive one. Making sure that you are confident and informed is a great way to help your child to be confident and informed too. If you have a child in Year 2, please sign up for a research trial from the DfE that we are engaging to address this particular topic. 

 

The Friends of Hillside perform a vital role in making Hillside Avenue the school that it is. When I do a tour of the school for prospective parents, I joke that if they see something new and wooden in the school, it has probably been bought by the Friends, and it is mostly true. In these times of reducing school budgets and increased levels of need, the donations that the Friends make to the school are often the ones that make something feel special in school. Since September, such things have included; the climbing frame and markings in Reception, transport to sport and music events and resources for cooking activities too. I know that they have also committed to supporting redevelopment of the school library and we are exploring the installation of a sensory room too. All things that make the school feel a little special. Thank you to the Friends committee and everyone who has helped at an event or supported it with their attendance and/or donations. Please look out for more events through the rest of the year. 

 

I am proud to be part of the Hillside Avenue community and the wonderful things that are happening here. #itshappeningathillside. 

Mr Hutchinson

 

From the school log:

Between 31st January and 1st March 1974, most of the accounts in the school log refer to sickness of children and adults in school. Either nothing else was happening in school or it was a particular problem at the time. 

51 years later in 2025, we are noticing a high number of children and adults being off school due to illness. We are encouraging increased handwashing, we have windows open and the cleaners have increased their efforts on touch points around the school. If your child is showing any signs of sickness or symptoms of a flu like illness, please keep them at home to help prevent the spread in school. 

Whilst school attendance is always important, being healthy and preventing the spread of illness is crucial too. Thank you for your support. 

 

          Please follow us on Facebook. (and now on Instagram too! )

              

                                                       #itshappeningathillside 

 

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

 

SEND

Norfolk County Council would like to hear your views on SEND. Their special educational needs and disability (SEND) survey 2025 is open Monday 13 January - Sunday 23 February 2025. 

The survey is for parents, carers, professionals who work with children and young people with SEND and their families, and young people with SEND who are aged 25 or younger. https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/article/40969/Norfolk-SEND-survey-2025

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Inspiring Imaginations' are offering parents and carers of children at our school a discount of 20% on any individual 'play and learn together session', block booking or event, up until Easter 2025.

Their sessions are friendly and welcoming and fit well into the school runs!  Suitable for babies, toddlers and older siblings, sessions include free play, themed activities and play set ups, inside and out, and end with bubbles and music or a story, or parachute games.  Take a look at the Saturday events, mum's afternoons and half term specials and they also offer parties!

Isabel can be contacted on 07760604440 or email: inspiringimaginations@outlook.com to claim your 20% discount.

Bookings can always be made at https://bookwhen.com/inspiringimaginations

 

Mini Moons now also opening up for Reception! For more information, please see the link below. https://minimoonsco.com/collections/after-school-clubs

Family Voice Norfolk -  January 2025 newsletter family voice norfolk

FOTSAS flyer - please see the attachment.

 

Scouts Jumble Sale - please see the attachment for details.

 

Broadland Big Norfolk Holiday Fun - FREE activity for parents & carers and their children/young people to take part in during the February half term as a part of the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun.

 

When: Friday 21^st February from 12.30pm

Where: Hellesdon Community Centre (Majorie Lewis room, main hall), Middletons Lane, NR6 5SR

There will be a range of free taster sessions and lunch included for 5-16 year olds to take part in including Mad Science and Karate.

 

Booking is essential as places are limited to 30 children plus 30 adults (all children/young people must be accompanied by an adult).

To book: Email cspartnercommunitybroadland@norfolk.gov.uk and inform us of any allergies.