Hillside Avenue Highlights

Dear Parents and Carers,

As I am writing this bit for the newsletter, I am looking out of the office window and can see daffodils coming into bloom, the sun is peeking through the clouds and it is really starting to feel that spring is here. 

In school, we are continuing our work that is focused on every child achieving their best every day. Whilst this might look slightly different for different children, the common features are that they are concentrating on their learning, presenting their work neatly and aiming to achieve their best each day. This will inevitably lead to higher outcomes for all, which in turn opens doors and choices for our children as they move through their lives. This is what school is all about and therefore this is the number one priority at Hillside Avenue. We really want to see every child flourish. 

Last week we welcomed a new member of the Broad Horizons Education Trust team to Hillside Avenue. Pete Bloomfield walked the school with me on Wednesday last week and was pleased to see the children working hard and trying their best. He could see the improvement journey that the school is on and offered some interesting tips for how we can move things forward even more. I will do some work on his ideas and share them with you when they are ready. 

Exciting times are ahead.

Mr Hutchinson

 

From the School Log:

 

Monday 5th March 1992: Morning SATs training.  This must have been the first time that children took SATs tests as the National Curriculum was introduced in 1992. Whilst these tests have moved on quite a lot since then, they are still very much part of school life. Our Year 6 children are making good progress towards their tests and the whole school is behind them so that they can achieve their best. 

 

 

 

 

Notifications/ Reminders:

 

World Book Day 

World Book Day is next Thursday (5th March). We would love to encourage as many children as possible to dress up in something to present a word. Please refer back to the World Book Day letter which was shared before half term to get ideas of how to do this. Nothing fancy required, just make sure your child knows what their word is. Teachers will be sending the £1 book vouchers home with children this week. These can either be used in exchange for one of the special £1 book titles produced for World Book Day, or used to get £1 off the price of a book from a bookshop. Happy reading!

 

There will be a change to the menu to coincide with World Book Day- Neverland Hot Dogs or Jack’s Beanstalk Burrito with Paddington’s Orange Marmalade Sponge. (further details are in a separate email sent out earlier this week)

 

Spring Term Parent Consultations

A reminder you can still book for the Spring term parent consultation evenings will be on Tuesday 10th March 3:30-5:30pm and Thursday 12th March 3:30-7pm.  These will be held in school, which gives you a chance to view your child's work and class displays.

You will be able to book a 10 minute slot with your child’s teacher via Arbor Parent Portal/APP - please note bookings close 12:00 the day before each date. 

 

 

 

Hilldale Breakfast and Afterschool Club

Hilldale welcome all children from Hillside Avenue Primary Reception to year 6

They currently have vacancies, if interested please contact Sue or Linda at Hilldale15@yahoo.com or alternatively register at Hilldalebreakfastafterschoolcluc.ipalbookings.com

Or please come and visit anytime

Breakfast 7:45am until 8:45am (breakfast included) £7

After school 3:15pm until 5:45pm (snack provided) £14

 

Free Norfolk County Council Workshops

There are still spaces available on the KS1 and KS2 Maths and English Workshops which start next week.  If you would like to attend please sign up via Arbor.  There are 4 sessions for each year group and you do not need to sign up for all 4. 

 

FRIENDS 

Hello this is Ms Richards,

I am writing this as the new Chairperson of the Friends of Hillside committee and want

to start by saying thank you to Rob Elvin for his leadership over the last few months.

We are busy organising some exciting experiences and fundraisers for this term and into

the summer term.

 

Recently funded by The Friends

Each year group watched James Mayhew paint some amazing pictures whilst we

listened to Caroline Specca play classical tunes on her violin. James is a children’s author

and Caroline was a former player at the Royal Opera House, it really was an exceptional

experience. The pictures are now on display, look out for them when you are in school.

 

I’m sure many of your children told you about ‘Calm Cats’ , a wellbeing experience

enjoyed by all the children and adults. Hannah led each year group in relaxation and

regulation techniques. We feel that this had some great benefits for the children and

perhaps they can share with you some of the ideas they learned.

 

Dates for the future

Monday 9th, Wednesday 11th and Friday 13th March - Mother’s Day gift sale, on the KS2

Playground

 

9th March the launch of a big fundraising challenge - more information next week!

 

16-20th March - a whole school experience with a farm animal in the quad

 

23rd March - preloved uniform sale

 

Saturday 27th June - Hillfest

 

If you would like to join us as part of the committee, a volunteer or with ideas for

fundraising, please speak to me or a member of the committee.

Thank you

Sara Richards

Chair@hillsidefriends.com

 

 

 

Hillside Avenue Highlights

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

I have had a number of really positive interactions with parents on the playground at the start and end of the day recently. It has been lovely to hear that the work that we are putting in each day is being noticed from exciting events like Young Voices to the small but important things, such as a child being more motivated to come to school and even asking to do their homework at the weekend! Following some of this feedback, I am looking at ways to use Tapestry and/or Dojo to capture some of these positive glimmers that show how things are getting a little better each day. I’ll let you know when this is up and running.

We are also in a period of change. This term we have moved some staff around to make sure that children’s learning and progress is prioritised and we are also still looking for our new Mr Wegg. He is obviously a difficult person to replace (and it is proving to be so) which means that the SLT and I are also mopping floors, sweeping up and are becoming increasingly familiar with the opening and closing procedures too. If anyone knows of an aspiring caretaker, please direct them to the advert on the Norfolk School’s website as we would love to talk to them about it. 

Meanwhile, our school progress journey continues and I look forward to more of these feedback conversations in the future.

Mr Hutchinson

 

From the School Log:

 

6th February 1984 - At 2:15pm, two boys collided on the playground. They were running around a corner and met head on. [Child A]’s front teeth were loosened and [child B]’s head cut open. First aid was applied. 42 years ago, it was still important for children to be safe on the playground. Whilst accidents will happen, they can be reduced by everyone encouraging children to play safe games and to look out for obstacles. 

 

 

Notifications/ Reminders:

 

Mental Health Week - Monday 9th-13th 

As part of mental health week, we have invited Hannah from Calm Cats to spend a 30 minute session with each year group to explore different methods and techniques to help children relax their body and mind, calm their nervous system and develop skills to regulate their emotions, feelings, thoughts and behaviour. These life long skills play an important role in developing and supporting children’s physical, mental and emotional health. 

More information on Calm Cats can be found here Calm Cats 

 

 

Special Menu Day - On Thursday 12th February the school meal will be a special menu- Lunar New Year.  The main meal will be sticky chinese rice & mixed green vegetables (not macaroni cheese) as per Arbor. The vegetarian option is chinese veggie rice (not vegetarian pie).

 

Parking & Littering

A polite reminder to park safely and considerately for our neighbours at drop off and pick up times.  It has also been brought to our attention that there has been a considerable amount of litter outside the school recently, please be mindful of this, if we can all do our bit to keep our local community area clean and litter free that would be great - thank you  

 

 

Spring Term Parent Consultations

Our spring term parent consultation evenings will be on Tuesday 10th March 3:30-5:30pm and Thursday 12th March 3:30-7pm.  These will be held in school, which gives you a chance to view your child's work and class displays.

You will be able to book a 10 minute slot with your child’s teacher via Arbor Parent Portal/APP from Thursday 12th February @6pm 

 

 

Minimoons after school club 

Here is the Link to book places in the Minimoons Club, this term it has a Winter Olympics theme.

 

 

Music Lessons

Is your child interested in learning to play the cello?  On Wednesday 11th February, Mrs Bunn our Cello teacher will be offering free cello taster lessons to children in years 2 and 3.  If your child is interested could you please inform the school office?  Mrs Bunn studied the cello at The Royal Academy of Music and has many years experience of teaching the cello.  She is also a secondary music teacher at Thorpe St Andrew School and one of our parents here at Hillside.  

 

 

NCC Parent Workshops - after half term we are continuing the free Norfolk County Council Parent Workshops.  This will be set up on Arbor for you to sign up shortly.

 

 

 

 

 

Fundraising Event for Tania Williams - on Friday 20th February Lisa Gudgoen is organising a fundraising event@The Cottage Pub and will be selling raffle tickets everyday on the KS2 playground from now until half term.  

 

 

Do you want to be a teacher?

Find out about UEA’s PGCE teacher training courses at our February events.

 

 

PAV Funball Academy - half term camps on Tuesday 17th February @ Hillside Avenue school.  Please book via; PAV half-term camp

 

 

Inspiring Imaginations - (building next to the nursery) have some fun events coming up including a 'Valentine's special' in half term and a couple of 'Mother's Day Specials' in March.  Up to date information is on their Facebook and Instagram pages 'Inspiringimaginationsuk' and they can be contacted by phone: 07760604440

email: inspiringimaginations@outlook.com

Sessions can be booked on https://bookwhen.com/inspiringimaginations

The  'play and learn together' sessions are ideal for families with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers and their holiday events welcome children up to 8 years old. Term time sessions start at 10-11.30am, but Isabel is always on site early so if you're dropping off and want to join her earlier just let her know!  The room is always set up by 8am! Friendly, welcoming sessions in a calm and cosy room, complimentary cuppa for the adults and snacks for the children, which is usually the very popular 'Toast  Time!'.  Play set ups inside and out and they offer birthday parties too!'

 

 

"Channel 4’s The Dog House is looking for local families to offer a loving home to a rescue dog and share their reasons why on the show! If you’re interested, find out more here: https://c4thedoghousetakepart.co.uk or email thedoghouse@fivemilefilms.co.uk."  click here for flyer 

 

 

 

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