Hillside Avenue Highlights

Dear parents and carers,
I am sure many of you will have questions and concerns about the letter from our
CEO Owen Jenkins yesterday regarding the tough decisions that we need to take
regarding staffing this year. I hope that his letter was easy to understand and
conveyed the tough financial landscape that all schools are facing at the moment.
I can assure you that any decision that I make during this time, will have the
interests of all children in mind, and particularly those who are most vulnerable. It
is a difficult time for everyone and I am working hard to make sure that we can do
the best that we can for every child with the capacity that is available to us in
school.
Next week is Parents’ Evening week. I hope that you have been able to secure an
appointment to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss their attainment and
progress so far. Their books will also be available for you to look at too. If you
have had any problems with the booking process or finding a suitable time, please
contact the school office and we will see what we can do to make it work for you.
When it comes to the meeting itself, I have always been a fan of the child being in
the room so that they can hear what is being said and therefore be part of the
conversation. If this is not your preferred approach, it will be important that they
are able to sit patiently outside of the room. Mrs Smith has said that there will be a
prize for any child spotted reading whilst they are waiting (rather than being on an
electrical device!) This is a lovely idea as reading is so important. Good readers
become good writers, and as writing is a priority for the school this year, it is
something to promote whenever we can.
I look forward to seeing lots of children reading whilst waiting on Tuesday and
Thursday next week.
Mr Hutchinson

From the School Log
On 7th November 1978 the entry reads:
‘School re-opened [after half-term holiday] and the number of children on roll = 587.’ In the
current times of smaller class sizes, I can’t believe that there would be space for that many children!

News
Cross Country - On Tuesday 5th November, 21 children went to the qualifying event for the
Norfolk School Games Cross Country Final. These children, from years 3, 4, 5 and 6, ran at the
UEA Sportspark track, competing against children from 11 other Norwich schools.
Not only did they all race brilliantly, their support towards each other and those from different
schools was outstanding - a true credit to Hillside! We are enormously proud of all of them.
A particular well done to Maddie, Syvlia, Alfie, Thomas, Tomas, Betsy, Sienna, Ellie, Alex and Noah
who have all qualified to go through to the finals in a few weeks time!
These are the result placings from the races:
Y3 Girls Y3 Boys
Maddie (1), Sylvia (5), Grace (14)

Y3 Boys

Alfie (2), Thomas (5), Tomas (7)

Y4 Girls 
Bethany (14), Evie (20)

Y4 Boys

George C (18), George H (28), Tom(30)

Y5 Girls 
Betsy (5), Sienna (9), Ellie (10)

Y5 Boys

Jesse (20), Jenson (30)

Y6 Girls 
Lilah (16), Florence (20)

Y6 Boys

Alex (1), Noah (4), Jet (14)

Music Achievements - Joshua in Yr4 passed his grade 4 ABRSM exam over half term. This is
such a fantastic achievement in someone so young, Well done!

Dates for the Diary
November
Tuesday 12th 3:30-5pm - parent consultations within school
Thursday 14th 3:30- 6:30pm - parent consultations within school
Friday 15th - Children in Need Day, children are welcome to come into school wearing something
spotty or yellow. As we are a cashless school, any donations to the charity can be made online via
https://donate.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/
Wednesday 20th - flu vaccinations (please consent online before 18th
November)
Wednesday 20th - Friday 22nd - year 5 Hautbois trip
Wednesday 20th - Wednesday 27th - Scholastic book fair (see separate email
for details)
Friday 22nd November - The Mental Health Support Team will be holding a workshop on
‘Understanding your Child’s Emotions & Behaviours’. Please could you let the office know if you are
interested in attending. (see attached flyer with further info)
Saturday 30th - Holly Jolly Hillfest (11am-2pm) within school

December
Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th - Yr1,2,3 Nativity (1:45-3:15pm)
Friday 6th - Yr1,2,3 Nativity (6-7pm)
Tuesday 10th - Nursery Christmas Play (9:30-10:30am)
Reception Christmas Play (9:30-10:30am) & Wednesday 11th (2:30-3:30pm)
Wednesday 11th - Christmas Lunch Day (children are welcome to wear something festive)
Monday 16th - KS2 Performance (1:30-3pm)
Tuesday 17th - KS2 Performance (6:30-7:30pm)
Wednesday 18th - Carols in the Quad (3:30-4:30pm)

After School Clubs
Mondays - Minimoons have a new club ‘Creative Writing’ - please click on the link for further details and to book online. https://minimoonsco.com/collections/after-school-clubs

Please follow us on Facebook. (and now on Instagram too! )
I have kept my posts fairly simple so far. Mostly celebrating sporting achievements and in-school
events, such as the Harvest Festival. I hope that they are helpful and are communicating the positive
things that are happening in school. I have started to use the hash-tag #itshappening@hillside to
highlight the positive things happening in school.
I am working on linking to two accounts so that you don’t have to look twice. If you have any
suggestions or tips in this area, I’d love to talk to you about it. We really want to get everyone talking about what is happening at Hillside Avenue.
#itshappening@hillside

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

Additional Advertisements
● FOTSAS Friends of Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form - Christmas Fayre Saturday 9th November

● Family Voice Norfolk October 2024 Newsletter -
http://account.epromailer.com/t/r-l-tdkdhjg-nhytiidhlh-t/

Hillside Avenue Highlights

Dear parents and carers,

As we are approaching the end of the first half-term of the year, I find myself in a reflective mood. I am proud to say that a lot has happened in the first 7 weeks of the year and that they are all things to be positive about for Hillside Avenue now, and into the future. One of the traditional strengths is also something that I am focused on improving even further, this is the wider offer of the school.

At Hillside Avenue there is a lot of opportunity to learn beyond the classroom through participation in music, sport and off site visits. Our band practices with Mrs Robinson on a Wednesday and will be performing with The Hillside Singers to the school before half-term. Over 100 children learn an instrument, which represents over a quarter of the school. That is incredible and provides a form of learning for those children which reaches parts of the brain and the body that the classroom cannot. Our sports teams are going from strength to strength. The girls won their cup match and will meet the same school again on Friday after school in the league. The school team has won two out of three matches and are flying high. We have a cross-country event coming up and Mr Idrissi is lining up some basketball fixtures too. So far this term Year 1 has enjoyed a walking tour of the local area and Year 4 explored the Thorpe Marshes on one of the wettest days of the year. Well done for persevering Year 4. The Year 5 residential is fast approaching and then we will be into the Christmas season. Please check the school website and editions of the newsletter for key dates of all of the performances and events. Thank you for your support in making all of this possible and for helping all children to flourish at Hillside Avenue.

Mr Hutchinson

From the School Log

Between 12th and 16th October in 1939, it seems that there were regular problems with flooding on the playground due to heavy rain. The bad weather continued into late October and even led to poor attendance at school! Luckily most children have wellies and umbrellas now, so this should no longer be a problem.

Dates for the Diary

Our Parents Evenings this term will be held within school on Tuesday 12th November 3:30 - 5pm and Thursday 14th November 3:30- 6:30pm. You will need to log into Arbor to book a time slot, booking schedule will go live from Monday 4th November at 6pm.

Individual and siblings photographs will be on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th November. Please ensure your child/ren come to school in school uniform and not PE kit for those days.

After School Clubs

Minimoons are introducing an additional club ‘Creative Writing’ on a Monday starting after half term. For more information and how to book please click on the link below; 

https://minimoonsco.com/collections/after-school-clubs

FRIENDS of Hillside

Non-Uniform Day - Thursday 24th October

We'd like to invite the children to come to school in non-uniform next week on Thursday 24th October (final day of this half term) and in exchange we'd like you to please bring in donations for the Holly Jolly Hillfest adult Tombola.

Suggested donations are beer, wine, spirits, chocolates/sweets, confectionery gifts or other festive gift items. Please ensure items are all new/sealed and that edible items are well within date.

We will be in the KS2 playground in the morning next Thursday to collect your kind donations.

Preloved Soft Toys

Having a half term clear out? We will be collecting soft toys for the Teddy Tombola at Holly Jolly Hillfest on the following dates: Monday 4th November (at PM pick up) Wednesday 6th November (at AM drop off) Friday 8th November (at AM drop off) Please ensure all toys are clean and in good condition.

Volunteering at Holly Jolly Hillfest

If you are able to volunteer any time at Holly Jolly Hillfest on Saturday 30th November please speak to any committee member or email Carrie:

https://volunteers@hillsidefriends.com

The Friends

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

I am slowly improving my Facebook skills, so please be patient. For now I will just share key dates and events. Please follow us and encourage your friends and neighbours to do the same. 

Additional Advertisements

● 15th Norwich Air Scouts - Fireworks Night - see attached flyer

● T2T - see attached flyer for further info ● Thorpe St Andrew School Christmas Fayre 

● Norwich City CSF - Parents can claim £5 off one of our October half-term Soccer Schools by using code ‘partnerschool£5’. 

Greetings of the season! Wonderful performance from our children in Y4, Y5 and Y6 as they presented the story of Scrooge in this lively adaptation by Out of the Ark. 

The ‘Bah Humbug’ production was nothing short of spectacular. With incredible acting and beautiful singing, the story was beautifully told, full of emotion and promise. A huge thank you specifically to Mrs Wilkinson and Mrs Robinson for putting the production together and all their work on the singing and stage performances. As well as the wonderful actors, narrators and singers, thank you also to the children who did the ‘behind the scenes’ tasks - controlling the spotlights, special effects and mixing desk, and adding musical percussion, and those Y6 children who helped create the scenery. It all came together so well. 

Well done everyone, and Happy Christmas!

See a video with highlights from the show and more pictures here in the gallery:

https://www.hillsideavenue.org/christmas-production-2023-bah-humbug-a-christmas-c/

This week the Woodland Phases classes (Y1, Y2 and Y3) performed their Christmas production of 'It's a miracle'. Beautiful singing, great acting, coordinated dancing, musicians and readers - and all with smiling faces as the children have really genuinely enjoyed sharing the story with their audiences over three days of performances!

Great to have new basketball equipment in school, thanks to the Friends of Hillside. In use already for lunchtime basketball club, the children love the teamwork and skills they are learning.

Y3 had an amazing Stone Age day. With real 'stone age' people visiting school, it was an immersive day of experiences and hands-on learning. Our 'stone age' visitors stayed in character all day, and it was great fun at lunchtime as the children had to show them how to use knives and forks! 

Y3 thoroughly enjoyed their day and plenty of learning has followed on.

We started Anti-Bullying Week 2023 with Odd Socks Day, to celebrate our differences and recognise that everyone’s unique. We talked about seeing ourselves in a positive way and being proud of how we’re different to others. We went on to think about the importance of the words we say, that we mustn’t say unkind or untrue things about anyone, and the danger of media stereotypes which can allow untruths to get hold of our thoughts. The theme was ‘Make a Noise About Bullying’ and we hope that children will feel confident to speak out against stereotypes, speak up about wrong things that are said or done, and speak to an adult if they become aware of someone being unkind to someone else.

Our Year 5 children and staff have begun their adventure on Residential this October! The children were super excited to set off and started the activities with settling in to the house and dorms and having team-games together in the sunshine. More information on the visit features on the Gallery here.  https://www.hillsideavenue.org/y5-residential-visit-october-2023/

Children from Y1 to Y6 joined together for our 2023 Harvest Assembly. Singing three songs about water along with traditional Harvest singing, Father James shared a message about the importance of water for the harvest, for those in need around the world, and for our own lives.

The assembly was a wonderful occasion with superb singing and thoughtful, attentive children - and many thanks for all the donated food which will go to the Norwich Food Bank.

As part of their volcano learning, Year 3s have been busy making and testing their own volcano models. This created huge excitement and enthusiasm for science and experimenting with chemical reactions, as well as reinforcing the learning the children had done about rock layers, volcano shape and structure and surrounding vegetation - all of which featured in their models. Some 'vegetation' was even destroyed in the 'lava flow', just like might happen in real life!