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Principal's Welcome
Principal's Welcome
Dear Parents/Carers,
As Spring arrives, bringing lighter mornings, longer afternoons, and a general sense of positivity, it also brings the pressure of shorter terms and plenty to do! Whilst we may not get everything right, I want to thank the many families who completed the recent parent survey. Your feedback provides us with valuable insight and ideas to help us move forward. We were especially pleased to see such overwhelmingly positive responses—over 95% agreement—that our pupils are well taught, happy, well-behaved, and feel safe. Thank you for recognising the hard work of our staff in creating such a positive environment for learning.
Looking ahead, we will be re-evaluated as an IB World School at the beginning of 2026. The IB PYP framework continues to drive both our curriculum and our values. In a recent pre-evaluation visit this term, our guests spoke highly of the conversations they had with our pupils. They commented on how engaged our children are as learners and how impressively knowledgeable they are. It was a powerful reminder of the action our pupils take every day to create a better world together, and the level of choice and agency they enjoy in their learning journey.
As always, we’ve had a vibrant and active term, both in and out of the classroom. From celebrating World Book Day and visiting Rochester Cathedral and Kent Life, to learning first aid, swimming, and taking part in tennis lessons—our pupils have embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm as the warm weather begins to return.
I’ve also had the pleasure of recognising many outstanding achievements this term. From our very own LAT Bake Off winner, to reading website designers, to all those who have met their Accelerated Reader targets—there is so much to be proud of. Thank you for all the support you give at home, which helps make these moments possible. I remain committed to seeing every pupil reach their reading target each term, as I truly believe that readers make great leaders, opening doors to lifelong success.
Finally, we continue to see strong attendance—not only from pupils, but also from families supporting school events. Your commitment truly makes a difference. As always, you will receive an end-of-term report, which will feed into our highly successful face-to-face Academic Review Day taking place on 30th April. I hope this newsletter offers a clear picture of all the positive things happening across the academy.
Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable Easter break.
Best wishes,
Mr Mitchell
Principal
Hartley Sports News
I am also delighted to introduce the second edition of the Hartley Sports News, which has been created by our amazing PE Team. This is a review of all the sporting opportunities that have taken place in Terms 3 and 4. It’s an inspirational way to celebrate our sports teams and highlight the incredible opportunities available at HPA.
A huge thank you to all the staff who give up their time to help our bright stars shine, and to the pupils for providing us with so many nail-biting moments. Read on to find out more…
Dates for the Diary
(Please note these are subject to change but we will inform you as soon as possible if this is necessary)
Tuesday 22nd April - Start of Module 5/Start of Clubs
Tuesday 22nd April - Supporting ADHD in the Home - Adult Education Parent 4 Weeks of Sessions (29th Apr, 6th & 13th May)
Wednesday 30th April - Academic Review Day
Thursday 1st May - SEN Coffee Morning
Wednesday 14th May - Roundash Nursery Open Day
Monday 19th May - Enterprise Week/Last Week of Clubs
Wednesday 21st May - PTA Movie Night
Friday 23rd May - End of Module 5
The PYP at LAH- how we link learning to the World of Work!
We have been extremely fortunate again this term to continue to welcome a number of visitors to talk to the children about their careers and their world of work. As the children progress through the school, it is crucial that they understand the importance of their learning and begin to recognise how the skills and knowledge they are developing will help them in adult life. We are so grateful to you all for giving up your time to inspire our children- a huge thank you!
In Week 4 of this module, our KS2 pupils had the fantastic opportunity to take part in a First Aid Workshop led by Seb from Flat Stan First Aid.
The session began with discussions about what first aid is, why it matters, and how we can access help in an emergency. Pupils then took part in a range of hands-on activities, practising key first aid techniques on each other—and on "Flat Stan", the training model.
The children learned how to use everyday items, such as jumpers and tea towels, to support someone with a potential arm injury or to help stop bleeding. They also developed their bandaging skills, applying dressings to various parts of the body. The session concluded with training on how to support someone who may be choking or experiencing cardiac arrest, including a practical introduction to CPR.
Here’s what some of our pupils had to say:
“We learnt about first aid—what we should do if someone bleeds, chokes or burns themselves. We learnt where to place our hands on someone’s chest when giving CPR. It was good to know what to do in case something happens to us or our friends.”
— Emma, Ash Class
“We learnt what to do if someone has a nosebleed and we also learnt how to do CPR. I think it was good. It made me laugh when I had to be the person on the floor so that Seb, the instructor, could show us what to do.”
— Will, Ash Class
The day was both educational and memorable, giving pupils confidence and practical knowledge they can carry with them. A big thank you to Seb and Flat Stan First Aid for delivering such a valuable experience.
If you would like to visit us and tell us about your world of work, please contact us!
The PYP at LAH- how we bring learning to life!
Wherever possible, we aim to bring our PYP Units of Inquiry to life in order to make the learning real and relevant for our pupils: that could be through handling artefacts, visiting a museum, or inviting visitors into school to talk about their life experiences. Read on to see some of our big adventures this term!
Hartley's Big Adventures!
YEAR 1 EXPLORE THE EASTER STORY AT ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL
Our Year 1 classes recently visited Rochester Cathedral for a special day of learning and creativity focused on the Easter story.
The children took part in two exciting workshops. The first was an interactive storytelling walk, where they explored key moments from the Easter story and created their own beautiful stained glass window decorations. The second was a lively drama session, in which pupils made their own Easter flags and used them to act out the story as a class.
The stunning setting of the cathedral and the hands-on activities made for a memorable and meaningful experience. Our pupils behaved brilliantly and threw themselves into every part of the day—we're very proud of them!
YEAR 2 STEP BACK IN TIME AT KENT LIFE
Earlier this term, our Year 2 pupils enjoyed an exciting and educational trip to Kent Life, where they stepped back in time to explore what life was like during the Victorian era.
One of the highlights of the day was a visit to the Victorian schoolroom, where children got a first-hand experience of what it would have been like to attend school over 150 years ago. They sat at traditional wooden desks, used chalkboards instead of whiteboards, and even learned about the strict rules and routines that Victorian children had to follow. The children were fascinated—and more than a little surprised—by how different schooling was in the past!
Alongside their historical learning, the children also had the chance to enjoy the more rural side of Kent Life. They met a range of farm animals, including goats, pigs, chickens, and rabbits, and had a wonderful time on the tractor ride, taking in the sights of the countryside setting.
The day was a perfect blend of learning and fun, giving pupils the chance to deepen their understanding of history in a hands-on, memorable way. As always, our Year 2 pupils represented Leigh Academy Hartley brilliantly—showing curiosity, kindness, and impeccable behaviour throughout the visit.
YEAR 5 INQUIRE AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM!
Year 5 recently had a fantastic trip to the Science Museum in London as part of this term's Unit of Inquiry. The visit provided an exciting opportunity to deepen their understanding of medicine and aviation, with both areas linking closely to what the children have been learning about in class.
One of the highlights of the day was exploring the History of Medicine gallery, where pupils were fascinated by the evolution of medical practices and the incredible advancements made over time. From early surgical tools to modern breakthroughs, the exhibits sparked curiosity and plenty of discussion.
The aviation displays were equally inspiring, with students marvelling at the development of flight and the science behind it. A truly memorable day of hands-on learning, discovery, and wonder!
LAT BAKE OFF SUCCESS!
This year’s prestigious LAT Bake Off took place on 26th March at Strood Academy, with the delicious theme of biscuits.
Pupils from Leigh Academy Hartley rose to the challenge by baking at home and bringing their biscuit creations into school to be tasted and judged by our very own top chef, Mr Parrick. Every entry was of an incredibly high standard, showcasing the creativity and talent of our budding bakers.
After much deliberation, Jessica Pellant in Year 6 was announced as the well-deserved winner. Her biscuits wowed the judges, earning her the honour of representing Leigh Academy Hartley in the LAT Bake Off Final.
In the final, Jessica had to recreate her winning biscuits live, under pressure, in front of a selected judging panel. She remained calm, focused, and full of flair—ultimately taking first place across all LAT primary schools!
An incredible achievement—well done, Jessica! We are so proud of your baking brilliance.
WORLD BOOK DAY
The day was packed with a variety of engaging activities that encouraged the children to delve into the world of literature. The children explored ‘Reading their way’ in reading sessions, joined in with live online lessons, created their own bookmarks and book covers and we even created our own ‘Where’s Wally’ scene in our Forest School area!
The joy of reading was evident everywhere you looked. It was heartwarming to see so many children immersed in stories and expressing their love for books.
A special highlight of the day was the amazing range of costumes! It was fantastic to witness the children embracing their favourite characters and showcasing their creativity.
PTA News
Our amazing PTA continues to work incredibly hard to raise valuable funds for our school—and to have fun while doing it! At the most recent PTA meeting, which I had the pleasure of attending, I was truly blown away by the energy, passion, and dedication shown by everyone in the room.
As always, running events with a small team can be challenging, and we would warmly welcome any extra hands to help. Whether it’s setting up, serving drinks, or helping to tidy away, every little bit of help makes a big difference. We’d love to see more parents getting involved to ensure all our exciting plans can go ahead smoothly.
Thanks to the PTA’s efforts this year alone, our pupils have benefitted from:
Ukulele tuition
Outdoor learning resources
Spelling Shed
Animaphonics
And there’s still more to come! Planned events include movie night (with popcorn!) and, of course, the Summer Fair, which is always a fantastic day for the whole school community.
If you’re able to lend a hand or would simply like to find out more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch—we’d love to have you on board.
Celebrations Galore!
Celebrations Galore!
It has also been a term to celebrate the amazing creativity of our young artists. This term, we recognised outstanding contributions in Hartley’s Termly Art Competition, creating our own modern sculpture similar to the work of Ruth Asawa. Congratulations to Gemma in Year 1 and Katie in Year 5 who were selected as overall Key Stage winners. A big thank you to everyone who submitted their artwork this term.
It has also been a term to celebrate the amazing creativity of our young artists. This term, we recognised outstanding contributions in Hartley’s Termly Art Competition, creating our own modern sculpture similar to the work of Ruth Asawa. Congratulations to Gemma in Year 1 and Katie in Year 5 who were selected as overall Key Stage winners. A big thank you to everyone who submitted their artwork this term.
Our winning entries!
Our Accelerated Reader Winner was awarded to Harry in Year 6 who demonstrated outstanding determination and a love for reading by meeting his target with over 85% accuracy in his quizzes. A huge well done to all pupils who worked hard to reach their goals and showed a genuine passion for reading. As we look ahead to Term 5, we encourage all our pupils using Accelerated Reader to aim high and achieve their targets!
Our Accelerated Reader Winner was awarded to Harry in Year 6 who demonstrated outstanding determination and a love for reading by meeting his target with over 85% accuracy in his quizzes. A huge well done to all pupils who worked hard to reach their goals and showed a genuine passion for reading. As we look ahead to Term 5, we encourage all our pupils using Accelerated Reader to aim high and achieve their targets!
Attendance Term 4
Please have a look at our Attendance Policy to make sure you are aware of our procedures regarding lateness and unauthorised absences.
We have a number of classes who have done really well with their attendance, as you can see below:
Term 4 attendance data:
Well done to Rowan for achieving a fantastic 98% attendance this term.
Congratulations to Cedar, Redwood, Silver Birch, Ash, Maple, Beech and Sycamore for achieving 97% attendance!
Year to date attendance data:
Wellbeing Resources
Here are some links to helpful resources from Place2Be, to help you and your family:
Wellbeing resources for families
Helping your child prepare for Primary School
Helping your child prepare for Secondary School
Parenting Smart - advice on dealing with a range of challenges as a parent
Free School Meals
If your child is under 19 and in full-time education, you may be able to get free school meals for them if you receive certain benefits. The quickest and easiest way to check whether your child is eligible for free school meals and to apply is via the KCC website:
https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals
If your child is already registered for free school meals, you do not need to reapply. If you’re not sure whether your child is already registered, please call the school and we can check our records, or you can contact KCC on 03000 416464.
Check out our Facebook Page!
Check out our Facebook Page!
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