Hillside Avenue Highlights

Dear Parents and Carers,

In this newsletter, I would like to mention the power of the Hillside Avenue school community and I will try to link together some events and achievements on this topic.

The Friends of Hillside Avenue donated an incredible amount of money to the school last year which paid for lots of the little extra things that make Hillside Avenue special, as well as some rather nice big things too, like the library refurb and the sensory room which will be finished this half term. Thank you to everyone who organised or attended an event or donated some money.

Last week I appealed for consideration when parking on the roads around the school. My observations at the beginning and end of the day suggest that things have improved, so thank you to everyone who has parked a little further away and walked the last few minutes to school.

Our Harvest Festival is coming up. On Wednesday 1st October, Fr. James Stewart (our Chair of Governors and local vicar) will join us for a special assembly where we will remember the importance of the harvest and celebrate donations of dried and tinned food donations for a local foodbank. Thank you in advance for any donations on the day. If your child brings the donation to the classroom, it will and its way to the hall in time for assembly.

And finally, we are at the time of the year when parents of pre-school children are starting to think about which primary school is right for them. We are holding open days in October, so if you know anyone in this position, please tell them about the wonders of the Hillside Avenue school community and encourage them to book a visit. All are welcome!

Mr Hutchinson

 

Watch out for Magnets!!

It has been noticed that some children have started bringing small ball-shaped magnets into school. I believe that they might be marketed as fidget toys. Please do not allow these magnets to be brought into school,they would be incredibly harmful for any child if they accidentally swallowed one and would probably involve a trip to hospital. If you feel that your child would benefit from using a fidget toy in school, please discuss this with their class teacher.

 

From the school log:

17th September 1982 - A junior pupil returned to school after one day’s absence. A note from his father read as follows :- “D____ was absent yesterday, as he had a stomach upset.”

 

This draws me to consider the absences that children have had in the first few weeks of the year and to remind everyone that children are often able to come to school even if they are slightly under the weather. There are a few ailments which automatically equal at least a day off school: vomiting, diarrhea, high temperature (38+), signicant injury or something from the list if infectious conditions list. Most other times, children are more than able to come to school with light cold-like symptoms. This poster is a helpful guide. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/626669cb8fa8f523b7221b98/UKHSA-should-I -keep-my_child_off_school_guidance-A3-poster.pdf And so is this NHS webpage: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/

 

General News:

We have made some changes to our lunchtime routines this year and the new system seems to be working well for everyone. The youngest children (Reception, year 1 and year2) are now eating first and all sitting down in the dinner hall together. We are hoping this will encourage more children to eat more of their lunch as there is no pressure to finish and rush out to play! It is also offering more time for chatting and interacting with peers and staff. The older children are eating after this and this seems to be working well for them also. We have received some positive feedback from some parents about this change. Any more feedback would also be welcome.

 

FRIENDS of Hillside- this Friday 19th September there will be a preloved uniform sale on the KS1 playground by the shed from 3 til 3.30pm. Cash and card payment taken. Please contact preloveduniform@hillsidefriends.com prior to the sale for orders if you are not at pick up on that day. Price list is as follows:

● Polo shirts, P.E t shirts, shorts, tracksuit bottoms, trousers, dresses and skirts 50p each.

● Jumpers, cardigans and fleeces £2 each.

● P.E hoodies and reversible fleeces £2.50 each.

● PLEASE NOTE, Sizes of Hillside school branded items are as follows: 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13, S, M, L.

 

 

Macmillan fundraising event - Thursday 25th September

We are supporting Macmillan Cancer Support again this year by holding a 'Cookie & Cake’' afternoon on Thursday 25th September, please can we kindly ask for any (shop bought) cakes to be donated on the day, or the same week to your child's classroom.

Parents are welcome to come along to their child’s classroom from 2:30pm to join us for cookies,cakes, squash/juice.

As we are a cashless school, we are asking for any donations to be made directly via the Macmillan website (link below) https://donation.macmillan.org.uk/wbcm/one-off Thank you for your continued support

 

NCC Parent workshops on ‘Protecting Kids Online’ - You can still sign up via Arbor Parent Portal/APP to attend the free parent workshops throughout September and October.

 

Thorpe St Andrew School Open Evening - for Yr6 children moving to high school next year you can attend Thorpe St Andrew School Open Evening on Thursday 25th September. Please click here for further details.

 

Dates for the Diary

September

Thursday 25th - Macmillan ‘Cookies & Cake’ fundraising event from 2:30pm in classrooms

 

October

Monday 6th - Yr6 & Rec NCMP health checks (more details to follow)

Thursday 9th - Olly Day road safety show

Friday 10th - Friends’ Autumn disco

Tuesday 14th - Open Day 2026 9:30-10:30

Wednesday 15th - Yr 5 Hautbois trip

Thursday 23rd - Open Day 2026 1:30-2:30 & 5-6pm

Friday 24th - finish for half term

 

 

 

Please follow us on Facebook and on Instagram too. #itshappeningathillside Link for facebook page Facebook page Link for Instagram page Instagram page

 

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Thorpe St Andrew FC Wild Cats Girls’ Football - click here for further details.

 

Kids Parent Carers Norwich Coffee & Connects Autumn Term - please click here for further information

 

Norwich Wildcats Girls Rugby Activity Day - Please Activity Day for further details. Recruiting for year 6 girls -please click here for further details

 

Hilldale Breakfast and Afterschool Club offer childcare in the mornings before school starts and after school. For further information please take a look at their website Hilldale or contact Mrs Linda Hubbard on hilldale15@yahoo.com or 07724680087

 

Norfolk & Waveney Mind - festive family fundraiser – the Mental Elf Fun Run, taking place on Sunday 14th December 2025 at Whitlingham Country Park, Norwich.

Hillside Avenue Highlights

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

At the start of a new year, anything is possible. A perfect example of this can be found in the faces of wonder and excitement of the new children in Reception. As they walk through the gate holding their parent’s hand, with their hair brushed, shiny school shoes and minds open and ready for learning. It really is a wonderful thing to behold. The rst few days of the year have gone smoothly with old relationships being rekindled and new ones being made. Thank you to all of the parents who have passed on their best wishes to me and the staff for the year ahead. It has been lovely to hear about your holidays and your summertime adventures.

In assembly on Wednesday we talked about how we want 2025/26 to be a ‘Golden’ year at Hillside Avenue. With the help of I spoke to the children about not hiding their talents and abilities, the importance of dreaming, working hard and believing that every child can be ‘What they were born to be!’ Whilst K-Pop might not be everyone’s cup-of-tea, I hope that the core message still got through. Coming to school is about being ready to learn, having your mind open to new ideas and working hard to make sure that you understand them and can use them in the future to achieve your dreams. The rst day of the school year is an opportunity for every child to take another step in that journey.

Thank you to every parent and family member for the way that you have and will engage with us at Hillside Avenue to help your and every child to flourish in their primary school years.

Mr Hutchinson

 

From the school log: 9th September 1964: J4B with Mrs Brown (Deputy Head) went to St Andrews’ Secondary Modern School for swimming. (It then describes all of the arrangements for swimming through the year.) Swimming lessons for Years 3 and 6 start at Thorpe St Andrew School next week. As usual, the staff will walk the children across the footbridge to the school and back again and the lessons are led by the Secondary School PE staff. In 1964 they used a coach to get there! Year group teams will be in touch this week to concern which children need to bring their swimming costumes and towels and on which days.

 

A few reminders…

● School starts @ 8:45am and the doors close @ 8:55am after which please bring your child to the office to sign in.

● Back gate - reminder this is closed throughout the school day so access only via the main entrance ● School meals to be ordered via Arbor Parent Portal/APP and the cut off time daily is 8:45am

● Attendance - any absences; illness,medical appointments etc must be reported to the office via phone 01603 433453 or office@hap-edu.uk Please see a separate email about school attendance and legal interventions.

 

Dates for the Diary

September

Wednesday 3rd - Start of Autumn term 3:15

Yr5 parent meeting Thursday 4th - 3:15

Yr3/4 parent meeting Friday 5th - 3:15 Yr6 parent Meeting

Monday 8th - 3:15 Yr2 parent Meeting

Thursday 11th - Yr4 visit Thorpe Marshes (details to follow)

October

Monday 6th - Yr6 & Rec NCMP health checks (more details to follow)

Thursday 9th - Olly Day road safety show

Friday 10th - Friends’ Autumn disco

Tuesday 14th - Open Day 2026 9:30-10:30

Wednesday 15th - Yr 5 Hautbois trip

Thursday 23rd - Open Day 2026 1:30-2:30 & 5-6pm

Friday 24th - finish for half term

 

Childcare before and after school Provision

Hilldale Breakfast and Afterschool Club offer childcare in the mornings before school starts and after school. For further information please take a look at their website Hilldale or contact Mrs Linda Hubbard on hilldale15@yahoo.com or 07724680087

 

Clubs available this half term

Monday:

KS2 Hillside Litter Picking Club 3:15-3:40 Starts 8th September (10 spaces)

 

Tuesday:

KS1 Singers (lunchtime) Starts 9th September

Art Club Yr1-3 only (cost) Starts 9th September

Minimoons Drama Club (cost) Starts 9th September 

 

Wednesday:

Hillside Basketball Club (Yrs 4,5,6) 3:15-4:30 Starts 10th September (only 12 spaces)

KS2 Hillside Band 3:30-4:30 Starts 17th September

 

Thursday:

PAV Yr5/6 Football 3:15-4:15 Starts 11th September

 

Friday:

KS2 Cross Country Club (lunchtime) Starts 12th September

Minimoons Fitness Stars (cost) Starts 12th September

 

** Please note litter picking, basketball, football and cross country have limited spaces and are on a first come first serve basis.

 

Please follow us on Facebook and on Instagram too. #itshappeningathillside Link for facebook page Facebook page Link for Instagram page Instagram page

 

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