Newsletter 05.06.26

Diary Dates

Term Dates

Dear Parents/Carers,

It has been lovely to welcome the children back into school for the final half term of the academic year. There is lots taking place so be sure to add any essential dates detailed in this newsletter to your diaries.

This week we were delighted to welcome our local MP, Alex Mayer, to the school to meet with our school council and Mrs Waterman. Alex Mayer had time to answer questions that the children had put together and go on a school tour to find out more about our solar panels and review the work to be submitted for The Great Science share at Whipsnade Zoo next week organised by Mrs K Williams our science lead. We look forward to welcoming her back to Ardley Hill soon .

This week our Year 4 children have been completing their Multiplication Times Table check which is a statutory check from the Government to monitor the acquisition of this important mathematical skill. At Ardley Hill we recognise the importance in all children from Key Stage 1 upwards in learning their times tables fluently in order to set them up to be confident mathematicians. The children have all worked so hard in developing their accuracy and fluent times table knowledge; we are looking forward to seeing the results when they come out later in the academic year.

Next week lots of our children in Upper Key Stage 2 will be attending a residential at Norfolk lakes. We will be sure to keep the parents and carers of all children attending up to date on their safe arrival via Bromcom and social media. We are sure that they (and staff) will have an amazing time and we can't wait to hear all about their adventures when they return.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend

Kind regards,

Mrs Romina Lang

Attendance-Paddington Bear

Each week in our whole school assembly we celebrate children's attendance by the winning class for that week receiving Paddington Bear to sit pride of place in their classroom. The class with the highest attendance figure is rewarded with a class prize.

The winning class for the last week was:

Week of 20th May: China class with 98.33% attendance

Whole school attendance : 95%

Week of 3rd June: Norway Class class with 100% attendance

Whole school attendance : 94.1%

Our whole school target attendance for this academic year across all classes is 97%.

Transition dates

We will shortly be sending out transition booklets for your child's new key stage together with links for virtual meetings which will take place as follows:

Monday 22nd June 7.00pm: KS1 (current Year R & Year 1 children)
Tuesday 23rd June 7.00pm : LKS2 (current Year 2 & 3 children)
Wednesday 24th June 7.00pm : UKS2 (current Year 4 & Year 5 children)

Links to join the meetings will be sent out nearer the time.

The meeting for parents/carers of children starting in the Reception class (current Butterflies class) will take place in school Monday 22nd June on at 5:30pm.

All children will spend the morning in their new classes on Tuesday 30th June when most of the Year 6 children will be visiting their new secondary schools. Annual reports will be sent home on Friday 10th July and there will be an opportunity for parents/carers to visit their child(ren)'s new classroom on Tuesday 30th June between 3.30pm and 3.45pm.

Dontation of Kites

If you have a kite you no longer need or use please can it be donated to the school.

Please can any kite donations be handed in by Monday 8th June.

Thank a Teacher Day 2026

Let’s celebrate National Teacher's Day—click here to send a quick, free thank-you card to any member of our school team who makes a difference!

Viral Trend risks causing severe burns to children.

What you need to know:

A viral trend is encouraging children to microwave squishy silicone toys, known as NEEDOH toys or squishies, among other names (jelly cubes, nice cubes) in order to make them softer and more pliable. Often, the packaging warns against this, but children are ignoring it because online videos and trends on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube encourage them to do the opposite. The toy feels cool to the touch after microwaving, but bursts when squeezed, spraying boiling material on hands, neck and face.