CHPS Weekly Noticeboard

• Potential Summer Club: We are exploring the feasibility of running a holiday club for a few weeks over the Summer holiday (week commencing 27th July, 3rd August, 10th August, and 17th August). The club will feature a rotation of activities, including crafts, games, and indoor and outdoor play. This will be run from our Rooksdown Campus, primarily by school staff. The club will be available for a full day, from 8:00 to 17:00. Initially, it will be open only to pupils at Castle Hill Primary (both sites). The cost will be £30 per day. For those who require and are eligible for HAF funding, there are various options throughout Basingstoke, as advertised on the Noticeboard. Children will need to bring a packed lunch; other small snacks and drinks will be provided. If this is something that you think you would be interested in, please complete the form using this link -Summer Club Google Form 

• Year 5 - Stubbington Expectations Talk: Please use this link to read the letter for the Stubbington parents' information evening on 14th July at 5:00pm -  Year Group Letters

• Year 6 - Transition Days: We are aware that Year 6 Transition Days are due at the end of June/early July. So that we can update registers accordingly, could you please complete this Google Form to confirm which dates your child will be attending their transition days - https://forms.gle/hjS4nr98ACt4rUUg6

• Whole School - Reading Picnic: To celebrate our 2026 Year of Reading, we will have a whole-school reading picnic at lunchtime on Friday 3rd July. All pupils are invited to bring a book to share with their friends and enjoy a lovely lunch outdoors! Children are welcome to bring a named book from home to share, or they can borrow one from school. They are also welcome to bring a picnic blanket if they would like; just please make sure it is also named! Please be aware there will be no hot dinner option on this day.  As usual, please pre-order lunches from home.  Scopay has been updated to reflect the lunch choices: ham picnic or cheese picnic. Alternatively, please provide a packed lunch from home.

• Whole School - World Cup Football message update: Dear Parents and carers, thank you for the positive feedback we have received. Please note: The school will be open as usual, with all staff on site at the usual time, for all children who arrive at 8:35am. The breakfast clubs at both sites will be open as normal. This is a parent option, and we leave the choice with parents. We have put this in place so that families can enjoy the World Cup and the children can still get enough sleep to enjoy their learning too. 

For children watching any England match at 9pm or later, parents may bring their child to school at 9:30am the next day. 

• • 1. • GB - Children to arrive at 9:30am and go straight to the reception where they will be registered by a member of staff

       • RD - Children to arrive at 9:30am and go to the Park Gate where they will be registered by a member of staff and delivered to classrooms

We understand that many families will want to support their home country matches. These families also have the option of bringing their child in at 9:30am the day after the match. 

• • 1. • GB - Children to arrive at 9:30am and go straight to the reception where they will be registered by a member of staff

       • RD - Children to enter the school through the main pedestrian gate and come to reception where they will be registered by a member of staff

We hope that this small flexibility is welcomed and appreciated - Miss Willmouth & Mr Martin.

• Outside eating - Starting last week, for packed lunches and picnic school dinners only, pupils will be able to eat outside. This will run until the end of the summer term unless the weather says otherwise. In addition, on Wednesday 22nd July, the last day of term, it will be a picnic lunch only. There will be the option of a ham or cheese picnic for the children to order, but no hot meals; alternatively, pupils can bring in a packed lunch from home.

• Scooters - Please could we ask that no children ride their scooters or bikes on school grounds during drop-offs and pick-ups. Thank you.  

• Arbor are making it easier for parents to pay by card. Whether you are topping up an account, purchasing an item from the school shop, or paying for a trip, you can now enter and save your card details and pay with Apple or Google Pay on your desktop. To learn more, visit - Improvements to card payments in Arbor

• Lost Property - PLEASE LABEL ALL CLOTHING AND PERSONAL ITEMS, as this will help the school team return any lost property to the correct children. Our lost property cupboards are full of unnamed items!

• Extension of Free School Meal Eligibility, From September 2026 - From the start of the 2026/27 school year, the Department for Education (DfE) will extend FSM entitlement to all children from households receiving Universal Credit. Any families in receipt of Universal Credit who have not previously applied for FSM are asked to apply via the Hampshire portal, preferably before the end of the Summer term to ensure that their eligibility is confirmed in time for September. Going forward, there will be 2 categories of benefits-based free school meals: 

1. Targeted FSM, which continues to be based on the existing threshold, covering pupils who are in households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less. Pupils eligible for Targeted FSM will receive Pupil Premium funding. 

2. Expanded FSM, a new category covering pupils who do not qualify for targeted FSM, but who are in households receiving Universal Credit. Pupils eligible for Expanded FSM will not receive Pupil Premium funding.

Applying for Free School Meals

• • • • Applications for Free School Meals should be submitted using the following link: Free school meals | Education and learning | Hampshire County Council

      • Please note that any applications made before September 2026 will be assessed against the current eligibility thresholds, but will later be rechecked against the new thresholds ahead of the new academic year. Full guidance on existing criteria can be found on the GOV.UK website: Free school meals: guidance for schools and local authorities - GOV.UK 

• School vacancies- If you would like to join our incredible team, please find all vacancy details here 

• School Crossing Patrol Officer - We are recruiting an SCPO for Winklebury Way. For more information regarding the vacancy, please visit: Job Vacancy

• The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme provides support to families whose children are eligible for benefit-related free school meals (FSM), across the county throughout the Easter, summer and winter school holidays. Sign up for your free place (for qualifying children) to try a range of fun activities and enjoy tasty meals. https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/childrenandfamilies/connectforcommunities/holidayactivities

• Hampshire SENDIASS provides free online workshops for parents and carers to help them understand SEND processes, including applying for an EHCP, reviewing draft plans, SEN Support, Alternative Provision, and SEND Tribunal appeals. These sessions offer practical guidance and opportunities to ask questions in a supportive environment. Parents can view all upcoming workshops and access the links via the SENDIASS website: https://www.hampshiresendiass.co.uk/workshops/.

• Spotlight UK Discounted Family Fun - For more information, visit Discounted Fun Information.

• As the weather gets warmer and more people spend time around pools, lakes, rivers, and beaches, it is important to keep water safety top of mind. Always supervise children closely around water, ensure everyone wears appropriate flotation devices when needed, and never swim alone. Be aware of local water conditions, follow posted safety signs, and avoid swimming in unfamiliar or unsafe areas. By taking simple precautions and staying alert, we can all help prevent accidents and enjoy water activities safely throughout the season.  

https://vimeo.com/863949936. 

Always follow the Water Safety Code - 

• • • • • STOP & THINK: Look for the dangers. Always read the signs and understand what they mean

        • STAY TOGETHER: Never go near water on your own. Always have an adult with you

        • FLOAT: If you fall in, float or swim on your back and stay calm. Throw something that floats to someone who has fallen in

        • CALL 999 or 112: In an emergency, call 999 or 112 (for the coastguard)

• Easyfundraising - Use the link below to install the app on your mobile device, then follow the simple steps to become our supporter for free. This will make a huge difference, thank you! Once registered, we'll receive a £3 donation. Get the app here: Easyfundraising App