Hillside Avenue Highlights

Dear Parents and carers,

Well, I think that we can safely say that summer is here! Thank you to everyone for the calm and measured approach that we have seen around school during the current heatwave. I am glad that a change of clothes, regular drinks, shorter playtimes and lots of windows open have helped school to continue uninterrupted this week. I believe that things will cool down a little over the weekend and will be back to normal soon. That will certainly be a relief. 

In the summer we also have lots of school events taking place and the results of standardised tests start to come through too. It was delightful to see the children from Nursery to Year 2 trying their best in their respective sports days last week, all trying their best to run, jump and throw in front of their parents and carers. The Y5 and Y6 event is scheduled for next week, so at least things will have cooled down a bit by then. There are lots of trips happening at the moment too. Thank you to all of the staff for organising them and the parents helping too. I hope that everyone has a lovely time. 

Positive outcomes at Hillside Avenue come in many different forms. From balancing an egg on a spoon for the first time on sports day, to doing an abseil on a residential, performing in an end of year concert or show or passing your Year 1 Phonics Check. These are just some of the ways that children flourish in our school and are only possible when everyone is working together with the shared intent to make them a success. Thank you for being part of this journey. 

Mr Hutchinson

 

From the school log:

27th June 1951: School closed pm. Boys gave display of physical culture and pyramids and girls gave a display of country dancing on the Thorpe village green by the river. A very well attended and pleasant afternoon. It was lovely to see our Reception children showing their maypole dancing skills at the Hillfest: Summer Evening last Friday, as well as the boys and girls of the choir singing their songs too. I am proud that all children have so many opportunities to perform at Hillside Avenue. Long may it continue.  

 

Notifications/ Reminders:

 

Norwich Foodbank would like to send a huge Thank You to Hillside Avenue students,families and staff who have donated 158kg of food since September  This is enough to provide 53 days worth of food.  Please click here to see the certificate which also has a QR code for further information on items that can be donated at anytime.

 

Orders For School Uniform will close on the 13th July to enable orders to be processed by the end of term.  Some items are currently out of stock but please keep checking as we are expecting a delivery of new stock soon.  Orders for new uniform will open again on 1st September.

 

The Big Norfolk Holiday Fun activity programme provides holiday activities for children and young people aged 5-16  throughout the holidays. Please click here for further information via the website. Bookings open on Sunday 21st June via booking system Eequ

Families who are eligible for free school meals can sign up for FREE.

 

Free School Meals - NCC has expanded the criteria to claim free school meals.

Have your family circumstances changed?  Not sure If you are eligible for free school meals?  Want to find more information on the changes being made to FSM in September 2026?  

You can find further information and apply via Norfolk County Council website https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/38166  or email  fsm@norfolk.gov.uk 

(paper copies of the NCC application form are also available from the school office)

 

Music Lessons - if your child would like to learn a musical instrument, please let the office know who will put their name on the waiting list.  If your child currently has music lessons and does not want to continue, please let the office know as soon as possible before the registers are prepared for September.

 

 

 

 

Norwich Swan - Please click here to see their advert for learn to swim sessions this summer

 

Calm Cats -  you can book summer sessions via this link https://www.calm-cats.com/book-now

 

 

Premier Education - Summer Holiday Club, please click here for a flyer with further details.

 

 

Kids - NCC Parent Carer Service for Norfolk have a number of workshops and events coming up, please click the links below for more details;

Self care Sunday

July wellbeing session

Summer workshop

Summer events

Dad's time

 

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Hillside Avenue Highlights

Dear Parents and carers,

At Hillside Avenue we are committed to working with parents and families to help every child to flourish in their primary school years. This work takes many forms and includes activities such as the recent parent consultations on the new RSHE* curriculum (both in-person and online), recent maths cafes in Reception/Year 1 and some upcoming workshops delivered by Norfolk County Council that are designed to help children and families with the challenges of modern life. 

The first of these is the ‘Transition to High School’ session on the 19th June which will give advice and support for parents of our wonderful Year 6 children who are preparing for the next step of their education as they move to Year 7 at high school. Following this will be a session on the 26th June on the topic of ‘Growth Mindset’ which is an idea that really helps children to understand that confidence and self esteem can be built through knowing that hard work and taking the opportunities that are available to them. 

The Autumn term will see the return of the popular ‘Protecting Children Online’ (3rd November). This was well attended last year and I hope that it will be just as popular this time too. We have english and maths based sessions planned for later in the year too, all future dates will be shared in September. 

If there is an area of school life that you would like some support or guidance on that is not currently covered, please let me know.

Mr Hutchinson

 

 

* RSHE is an abbreviation for relationships, sex and health education. A mix of RSE (relationships and sex education) and PSHE (personal, social, health and economic education.)

 

From the school log:

June 11th 1984: Parents of the children who will be in Mrs Neville’s class next year spent the afternoon at school with their children. We have many transition activities planned for new children over the last 5 weeks of the term. From stay and play in Nursery and Reception to the move up morning where children will spend time with their new teachers on Thursday 9th July. New classes and teachers will be shared on Friday 3rd July. Thank you to all parents who have completed the preference surveys, these will close on Monday 15th June. 

 

Notifications/ Reminders:

 

Personal property on school grounds - a polite reminder to all families that if you choose to leave bikes/scooters etc on the school grounds that they are left at your own risk.  Where possible we advise you to padlock items to the bars under the bike shelters.  Please be mindful of taking the correct item home at the end of the day. 

 

Year 4 Bikeability - just a reminder that this is on Friday 26th June.  If your child is taking part they will be bringing home a Bike Checklist shortly.  Please don’t forget their bike and helmet for the day!

 

Norfolk County Council Workshops - we have two free workshops coming up; Friday 19th June 2pm - 3pm Transition to High School and on Friday 26th June 2pm - 3pm Growth Mindset.  More information will be sent out via Arbor. 

 

Children's Commissioner for England - would appreciate for as many families as possible to complete the national survey, The Big Future.  

More information can be found here https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/the-big-future/

 

Please click here  http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/thebigfuture.

 

FRIENDS

 

It’s the COLOUR RUN at Hillfest Summer Evening next week!! The excitement around

school is growing! Please sign up on Class List by Monday 15th. 

 

Are you able to help throw ‘COLOUR’ at the runners?

Please let a member of the committee know so we can add you to the rota

 

If you are first aid trained would you be willing to be available if needed?

 

Please give your name to a member of the committee

 

Thank you for all your support for our many fundraising activities to support your

children in school

 

Sara Richards

Chair of Hillside Friends committee

chair@hillsidefriends.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thorpe St Andrew FC - coaches and players wanted, click here see to see flyer for further details 

 

 

Family Voice Norfolk May 2026 Newsletter - please click here to read 

 

 

Premier Education - Summer Holiday Club, please click here for a flyer with further details.

 

Kids registered charity that supports parent/ carers with children with additional needs and disabilities.  Please click here for their June newsletter along with a flyer for their new Dads group. 

 

Thorpe Football Academy Player development camps over the summer.  Please click here for flyer information.    

 

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