News from a very busy half term.
Dear Parents and Carers
I begin by thanking Mrs Julia Hawthorn for all of her work for Kingsham Primary School (as the face of the academy) since she joined in 2012. Julia is taking her very well-earned retirement and we all wish her a very happy retirement - full of the exciting projects which she shared with us in our assembly on Friday. We are very happy that Mrs Rose, who already works in the office in the afternoon, will be taking on the additional hours.
We have had a really productive and successful first half term. I am incredibly proud of the children for the progress that they have worked so hard to secure. The behaviour at lunchtimes has been excellent and it has been a joy watching some of the older children look after the younger ones.
We look forward to seeing all of the children back at school on Monday 4th November.
As always the key dates for the term come at the end of the newsletter.
Attendance
A huge thank you to all of our families for their efforts with attendance during this half term. We are currently experiencing the best levels of attendance in all of the time that I have been at the academy. Thank you for supporting us to ensure children miss as little time as possible. Our academy’s attendance is currently sitting at over 96% which exceeds the current national average.
Open Afternoon - Tuesday 12th November
Please remind anyone who you know will be applying for a school place for September 2025:
School Trips
As you will know, we believe strongly in giving the children at our academy a rich curriculum, full of a variety of opportunities. These opportunities may come in the shape of guest speakers like; Joseph Coelho, a local visit; like the Novium museum or the Cathedral or a school trip.
Many of these opportunities like guest speakers are paid for entirely out of the academy’s budget. This is done as we want to provide exceptional opportunities for the children and we budget from them from our academy’s budget each year.
We, therefore, ask for voluntary contributions for trips, which never exceed the cost for one child’s place. Increasingly, we are receiving half of the total cost of the trip as families are not making a voluntary contribution. The academy’s budget cannot continue to support these trips and we will need to cancel them if we do not receive a greater level of voluntary contributions. We fully understand that some families are unable to make a voluntary contribution, but we ask that you do if you are able please.
Kingsham Area Action Group
As you will see from the poster the Kingsham Area Action Group are holding an Autumn and Halloween celebration on Friday 1st November from 1pm. The local Fish and Chip shop are going to be providing some free food to the children!
Reading
Thank you for all of the support that you have been giving to the children with their reading. The children surpassed their Autumn Term 1 target by reading 13 770 918 words.
As you know we ask you to – Read to your child, Read with your child and listen to them read at least five times a week. It makes such a difference!
Wear Green for Just One Tree Day
A big thank you to everyone who donated to our Just One Tree Day. We raised over £210 which will mean 210+ trees will be planted following your donations.
Forest School
After half term, Willow and Birch will have a Forest School session. Willow class will be a Monday afternoon and Birch will be a Tuesday afternoon. This will be starting from Monday 4th November. Further information will be sent out to these two classes about what will be needed.
The following timetable is for the rest of the year:
|
|
Monday pm |
Tuesday pm |
|
Autumn 2 |
Willow |
Birch |
|
Spring 1 |
|
|
|
Spring 2 |
Cherry |
Ash |
|
Summer 1 |
Pear |
Apple |
|
Summer 2 |
Beech |
Poplar |
Dates for the Autumn term
21st Oct – 1st November – HALF TERM
Fri 8th Nov – PTA’s Race Night (more details to follow)
Mon 11th Nov – NHS flu nasal sprays (information to follow)
Tues 12th Nov – Open Afternoon for new parents/carers. (1:30 - 3:00pm)
Thurs 14th Nov – Parent/Carer Consultations – 3pm – 6pm (Bookings to be made on Arbor)
Tues 19th Nov - Parent/Carer Consultations – 3pm – 6pm (Bookings to be made on Arbor)
Fri 22nd Nov – Year 3 and 4 British Museum Trip
Fri 29th Nov – INSET Day (School closed to children)
Thurs 5th Dec – PTA’s Christmas Fayre
Tues 10th Dec – Reception Nativity to parents and carers (9:30 – 10:30)
Tues 10th Dec – Year 1 and 2 Christmas Performance to parents and carers (2:00 – 3:00)
Weds 11th Dec - Year 1 and 2 Christmas Performance to parents and carers (9:30 – 10:30)
Weds 11th Dec - Reception Nativity to parents and carers (2:30 – 3:30)
Thurs 12th Dec – Christmas Jumper Day. Christmas lunch – available to be booked with Chartwells
Fri 13th Dec – Year 5 and 6 Christmas Performance at St George’s Church
Mon 16th Dec – Rocksteady Concert to parents and carers (2:30 – 3:20)
Tues 17th Dec – Year 3 and 4 Christmas Carols outside (3:20 – 3:45)
Thurs 19th Dec – Children’s Christmas Parties in their classrooms.
To see the term dates for this year including the INSET days for the year, please click here.
Best wishes
Mr Lee Dallinger