Dear Parents and Carers,

Behaviour has been a big focus for us in school over the last couple of weeks. This has been on two levels; attention in class and behaviour on the playground. Two of our school rules are Be Ready and Be Safe - this is why this is important to us. 

In class, the focus has been on making sure that all children are giving 100% of their attention to the person talking. This is important, because we can only learn what we give our attention to, and therefore if we are fiddling with a ruler, looking out of the window or doodling, then there is a reduced chance that the child will understand what is being taught. The drive this week has been on every child having empty hands when the teacher is talking, this is a simple way of making sure that there are no distractions. (Children who use fidgets to help them concentrate will still be able to use these.) 

On the playground, we have noticed an increase in overly physical behaviours from some children. Because we want all children to Be Safe in school, we are focusing on consistent responses to behaviour as well as trying to anticipate unsafe behaviours before they take place. We are also buying more resources for the playground to help children to engage in positive play. 

We understand that behaviour is communication and that behaviour is also learned and taught. This means that we seek to understand why things might have gone wrong and then we teach more positive responses. This can take the form of educational and protective consequences for which we will always hope to have your support. Please discuss these points with your child so that every child can feel safe at school and flourish at Hillside Avenue.

Mr Hutchinson

 

Notifications:

Parent Consultations Autumn Term

Autumn term parent consultations will be on Tuesday 11th November between 3:30pm and 5pm and Thursday 13th November between 3:30pm and 7pm. These will be held within school, which gives you the chance to view your child’s work books and class displays.

To book your 10 minute slot with your child's teacher you will need to log into your Arbor Portal/ APP - bookings go live from Monday 20th October  @ 6pm

 

 

School Play Equipment 

A reminder that the play equipment (Trim Trail) on the KS2 playground is for use during school time only. It is not to be used by families before or after school. Thank you for your cooperation.

 

 

Friends of Hillside

 

Following a successful AGM I'd like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to the committee of the Friends for the past 3 years.  As we've mentioned previously, a number of members have stepped down after putting in huge amounts of effort over the years . You've all been fabulous! Vicko and I have both stepped down from the positions of Chair and Treasurer . Like much in life one is often replaced by someone younger and smarter. We are thrilled to welcome Rob Elvin and Elena Hewett to the positions of Chair and Treasurer for the charity, and are delighted to have Ariel, Yzelle and Ric join the committee this year.  If you couldn't make it to the AGM but are interested in joining the Committee then please do get in touch with Rob at chair@hillsidefriends.com. 

 

So, it just leaves me to personally say it’s been a complete pleasure and honour to be involved with the Friends.  Being able to walk around the school and see the impact first hand knowing how much it benefits the children.  Thank you so much to all the volunteers, you know who you are!! Without you the big events are not possible.  And a final huge thank you to everyone who supports the Friends events and ensures the charity is able to make such a difference.  See you all at the next one! 

James.

 

Note from Rob Elvin the 25/26 FOHS Chair.

My heartfelt thanks to James for his outstanding leadership over the past three years who alongside the Hillside Friends team, worked so hard in making the charity into the thriving community it is today. I’m committed to following his example and, with the continued support of parents, teachers and the children themselves, carry on the excellent work that makes Hillside so special.

 

 

Could your business sponsor our football kit?

We’re looking to refresh the football kit for our Year 5 & 6 teams, and we’d love to hear from any parents who own, run, or work at a business that might be interested in sponsoring the kit. It’s a great opportunity to support school sports and promote your business within our community. If you’d like to find out more, please contact the school office 01603 433453 or Hillside Friends chair@hillsidefriends.com

 

 

November

Monday 3rd - back to school 

Monday 10th - Yr3 stone age experience

Tuesday 11th - Individual & sibling photos

                         Parents’ evening 3:30-5pm

Thursday 13th -Parents’ evening 3:30-7pm

Friday 14th - Children in Need 

Wednesday 19th - Flu immunisations

 

 

 

Advertisements 

 

East Anglian skating teams Halloween Family Fun Skate!

Where : Framingham Earl sports centre

When :25th October 

Time : 5-6pm

Costume Contest

Spooky Tunes

Tricks & Treats for All

(Own skates required)

All ages welcome!

 

 

 

TOTS 2 TEENS -  click here for their October half term brochure 

 

Norwich Making Space -  click here to see flyer for details of activities in half term

 

15th Norwich Air Scouts - are on the look out for new volunteers.  click here for further details.

                                           -  Firework Night on 8th November.  click here for further details

 

Hillside Avenue Highlights

Dear Parents and Carers,

Autumn is definitely here! As I write this, the rain is pouring down my office window and the trees are blowing in the wind. At this time of year, we are definitely into normal routines in school and are settling in for the long term up until Christmas. I know, I have just said it, but time waits for no one and preparations are already under way for the Y4-6 big show and dates are being put in the diary for all of our other seasonal performances. Confirmation of these will come out soon!

As the days get colder and wetter, all children should be appropriately dressed for the season. School adults will always encourage children to wear coats when it is cold and wet, so having a named coat (and hat etc when it’s much colder) in school is really important. The staff will take the children outside onto the playground in most weathers, so being properly dressed is essential to prevent your child from getting too cold or too wet.  

Next on the school calendar is the disco (next Friday) and then it will be a couple of weeks to half-term. 

Mr Hutchinson

 

From the school log:

October 3rd 2002: Mr Potts (School Improvement Officer) introduced himself with visit. 

Whilst this may not have happened recently, it does remind us that we are striving to continually improve at Hillside Avenue. Our improvement priorities for this year include KS2 SATs outcomes and building stronger relationships with children, families and staff. Hillside is on the up, thank you for being on the journey with us. #itshappeningathillside 

 

General News:

 

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

 

Woodwind lessons - is your child interested in learning to play either the saxophone, flute or clarinet?  We have space available on a Friday morning with our woodwind teacher.  She can teach saxophone to years 5 and 6 and clarinet or flute to years 3 and above.  If your child is interested and would like to have a taster session, with the hope of then having lessons please email the office. 

 

Thank you to all the 160 parents/carers who attended our MacMillan coffee afternoon last week.  There is still time to donate if you haven’t already.  Please go to their website - www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee-morning

 

FRIENDS of Hillside - D I S C O !!

The Friends of Hillside Autumn school disco taking place on Friday 10th October! 

 

Tickets are still available to purchase on the Classlist app until Tuesday 7th October at 8pm. Please ensure you buy your ticket before this date as they will not be available to purchase on the day. 

 

The run times for each of the year groups are as follows:

 

Rec, Y1 and Y2 - 15:15 to 16:15 (bring a change of clothes to school on the day)

Y3 and Y4 - 16:45 to 17:45

Y5 and Y6 - 18:00 to 19:00

 

Please fill out the questions after purchasing your ticket. Children must be collected by an adult at the end of the disco. This is a phone free event, mobile phones are not permitted. 

Thank you 

Friends of Hillside 

 

Dates for the Diary

 

October

Monday 6th - Yr6 & Rec NCMP health checks 

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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Young Carers Event 

From the Benjamin Foundation: We are very excited to announce details of our free young carers trip for October half term.

 

click here to see the poster with details on how to book. Young carers do not need to be referred into the service to access this event. 

 

Family Voice Norfolk - click here to see September 2025 Newsletter

 

Free Dental Screening - available for Broadland families with children aged 0-11 in october half term.  Please click here  to see flyer with details 

 

British Sign Language Classes - Tuesday term time 4:30-5:30pm Roxley Hall.  Please click here for further details.

 

TOTS 2 TEENS -  click here for their October half term brochure 

 

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 

 

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