Issue 2 - 13th September 2023
Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope you are all settling back in to school life and all of our new pupils, parents and staff have felt welcome.
Before we finished for the summer last year, we asked parents to complete a feedback survey. These responses are invaluable and are used to aid decision making for the year ahead so a big thank you to those who took part. We didn’t have quite as many responses that we have had previously and would urge parents to take the time to complete these surveys when the opportunity arises to ‘have your say’. In our newsletter over the coming weeks, I will share the feedback with you and any actions taken as a result. This week we will begin with sharing the graphs (see below).
Year 6 will be taking part in a Writing Day on Thursday which is a fantastic day with the aim to inspire children to write. All year groups have a day booked in this academic year. We have invited visitors from the NSPCC in to speak to children in Year 5 and 6 about safeguarding and ways to keep themselves safe. Look out for information on our newsletter about these visits.
Next week, we invite parents to come in for their parent information meetings in the hall and hope to see many of you there. This is a great time to ask questions. A reminder of these dates and times can be found below. After school clubs will also begin from Monday. I hope parents found the new system easy to navigate. This is the same system we use for parents’ evening and will use it going forward to book events and clubs.
Have a good week.
Emma Fordham,
Headteacher
Key Messages
Parent Survey Graphs
A Reminder of our Uniform Expectations
My Clothing supply Almond Hill Junior School uniform complete with embroidered school logos. www.myclothing.com/almond-hill
Please support us by following our uniform expectations. You will see that skorts have been added to our PE kit if children would prefer these to shorts. Please ensure both shorts and skorts are an appropriate length.
For our standard uniform we would like all children to wear the following:
- Standard red cardigan or jumper*
- White polo shirt* (children in year 6 may wear a shirt and tie)
- Black trousers or skirt
- In summer, children may wear red and white gingham dresses.
- Black shorts/skirts
- Plain black shoes/trainers
- Black/red tights preferred
PE kit
- Red crew neck t-shirt (no collar)*
- Black shorts/skorts (appropriate length) for summer and black jogging bottoms for winter
- Children can wear their usual red school jumper or black sweatshirt/hoody
- Black unbranded tracksuits for PE are preferred
*items can have the Almond Hill logo on but without is absolutely fine.
We run regular pre-loved clothing sales to help keep the cost down. The next one is after school on Wednesday 4th October. Please let us know if you have any issues with uniform or PE kits. Mrs Hukin or Mrs Burgess will be happy to help.
Stationery and items from home
Please do not allow children to bring stationery in from home - we have all they need in the classrooms and friendship room and resources for lunchtimes. It is better for children to all have the same resources as it can cause upset when items are lost, borrowed or broken. Please send the minimum into school and ensure all items are clearly labelled (I.e. uniform, PE kit and water bottles).
A message for new families to the school
Please can all parents log on to Arbor and complete the consent section. Without consent, children may miss out on opportunities throughout the year like local trips/visits, photos, films etc. Parents are of course welcome to decline consent but please do this on the portal.
Thank you to those parents who have already completed this but there are still lots outstanding. If you need any help with completing the consents on Arbor, please come and speak to us in the office. As previously mentioned, we know parents are keen to get started on Seesaw however this cannot be done without parental consent.
School Dinners
Please log onto http://app.schoolgrid.co.uk to order
Next week we will be on week 3.
Please don’t forget to preorder. It can be done from home for the day, week, month or even the term!
Attendance
Year 3 – 97%
Year 4 – 95%
Year 5 – 97%
Year 6 – 94%
All students – 96%
Class winners – 5S - 97%
The government expectation for attendance is 96
Diary dates
Click the months below to open our calendar.
Did you know, you can subscribe to our calendar to keep up to date with the events going on within the school?
Follow the link below, select 'subscribe' and follow the instructions for your device.
September
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14/09/2023 - 9:00am – 3:00pmYear 6 Writing day (external visit)
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18/09/2023 - 5:00pm – 6:30pmYear 6 Parent information meeting and Grafham meeting
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19/09/2023 - 9:00am – 2:00pmNSPCC Workshops Year 5
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19/09/2023 - 3:30pm – 4:30pmYear 5 Parent Information meeting in hall
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20/09/2023 - 3:30pm – 4:30pmYear 3 Parent meeting in the hall
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21/09/2023 - 9:00am – 2:00pmNSPCC Workshops Year 6
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21/09/2023 - 3:30pm – 4:30pmYear 4 parent meeting in the hall
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25/09/2023 - All DayAbilities in Me Fundraiser - non uniform
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26/09/2023 - 1:00pm – 3:00pmSwimming lessons start (Year 5)
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26/09/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 4 Hockey Club
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26/09/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 5 Netball Club
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27/09/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 4 Stop Frame Animation
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28/09/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 5 Bench Ball
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29/09/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 6 Football Club
October
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02/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 3 Multi Sports Club
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02/10/2023 - 6:00pm – 7:00pmFOAH Meeting
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03/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 4 Hockey Club
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03/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 5 Netball Club
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04/10/2023 - 12:15pm – 1:00pm3C Parent Lunch
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04/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 4 Stop Frame Animation
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05/10/2023 - 3:00pm – 3:30pmUniform Sale
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05/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 5 Bench Ball
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06/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 6 Football Club
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09/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 3 Multi Sports Club
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10/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 4 Hockey Club
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10/10/2023 - 3:30pm – 6:00pmParents' Evening (except for 3C)
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11/10/2023 – 12/10/2023 - All DayYear 6 Lancaster Model Health Questionnaire
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11/10/2023 - 12:15pm – 1:00pm3A Parent Lunch
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11/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 4 Stop Frame Animation
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12/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 5 Bench Ball
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12/10/2023 - 4:00pm – 7:00pmParents' Evening (except for 3C)
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13/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 6 Football Club
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16/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 3 Multi Sports Club
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17/10/2023 - 1:30pm – 2:45pmY5 Visit to Barclay (non swimmers)
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17/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 4 Hockey Club
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18/10/2023 - 12:15pm – 1:00pm3W Parent Lunch
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18/10/2023 - 1:15pm – 2:30pmBook Sale
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18/10/2023 - 3:30pm – 6:45pmFOAH Halloween Disco
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19/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 5 Bench Ball
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20/10/2023 – 22/10/2023 - All DayYear 6 Residential Trip to Grafham
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23/10/2023 – 27/10/2023 - All DayHalf Term
November
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01/11/2023 - 3:00pm – 3:30pmUniform Sale
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01/11/2023 - 3:30pm – 4:00pmNetball match -v- Ashtree (home)
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01/11/2023 - 4:00pm – 7:00pm3C Parents' Evening
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03/11/2023 - 3:30pm – 6:00pm3C Parents' Evening
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06/11/2023 - 2:45pm – 5:30pmYr 5 Benchball at Barnwell (invite only)
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06/11/2023 - 6:00pm – 7:00pmFOAH Meeting
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07/11/2023 - 9:00am – 12:00pmYear 6 Height and Weight Checks
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09/11/2023 - 5:30pm – 7:00pmOpen Evening for Prospective Parents
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10/11/2023 - 12:30pm – 3:00pmECO Trip to Fairlands
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10/11/2023 - 3:30pm – 4:35pmNetball match -v- Shephalbury (away)
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13/11/2023 – 17/11/2023 - All DayFeeling Good Week
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14/11/2023 - 3:30pm – 4:30pmNetball match -v- St. Nicholas (away)
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15/11/2023 - 8:15am – 4:30pmYear 5 trip - National Space Centre
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15/11/2023 - 9:00am – 12:00pmYr 3 and 4 cinema trip
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22/11/2023 - 11:00am – 3:00pmY5/6 Futsal at Barnwell (invite only)
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23/11/2023 - 9:00am – 12:00pmYR 5 cinema trip
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24/11/2023 - 9:00am – 12:00pmYr 6 cinema trip
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28/11/2023 - All DayFlu Vaccinations
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29/11/2023 - 1:15pm – 2:30pmBook Sale
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30/11/2023 - 8:45am – 9:30amSEND & Pastoral Coffee Morning
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30/11/2023 - 1:30pm – 2:45pmY4/5 DT Afternoon with Parents
December
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05/12/2023 - 9:00am – 3:15pmYear 4 Faith Tour
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05/12/2023 - 6:00pm – 7:00pmFOAH Meeting
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06/12/2023 - 12:30pm – 2:30pmYear 6 Visit to Thomas Alleyne
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06/12/2023 - 3:00pm – 3:30pmUniform Sale
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07/12/2023 - 1:45pm – 2:45pmY3 Christmas Musical Performance 1 of 2
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07/12/2023 - 6:00pm – 7:00pmY3 Christmas Musical Performance 2 of 2
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08/12/2023 - All DayFOAH Present Room
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08/12/2023 - All DayNon-Uniform Day
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11/12/2023 - 12:00pm – 1:00pmYear 3 Christmas Dinner Day
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12/12/2023 - 10:00am – 12:00pmRocksteady Concert
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12/12/2023 - 12:00pm – 1:00pmYear 4 Christmas Dinner Day
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13/12/2023 - 12:00pm – 1:00pmYear 5 Christmas Dinner Day
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14/12/2023 - 2:00pm – 3:00pmChoir performing at Hampson Park Community Centre
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15/12/2023 - 12:00pm – 1:00pmYear 6 Christmas Dinner Day
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19/12/2023 - All DayTalent Shows
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19/12/2023 - 1:30pm – 2:30pmY6 and Choir at the Church
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20/12/2023 - until 1:00pmLast day of term - finish at 1.00pm
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20/12/2023 - 12:00pm – 1:00pmCold lunch option only
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21/12/2023 – 03/01/2024 - All DayChristmas Holidays
Almond Hill Achievements
Click the button below to see all the wonderful things our children have achieved outside of school.
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