Dear Parents/Carers,
What an incredibly busy start to the term! Pupils have settled in remarkably well, embracing our high expectations and following our well-established routines with determination and it’s wonderful to see how well our pupils are demonstrating respect, resilience, and responsibility in their daily interactions. It’s been particularly encouraging to see how positively they’ve responded to the Class Dojo rewards and our “Star of the Day”, ensuring that all pupils are recognised for their hard work and achievements.
As previously advertised, the first Academic Review Day this academic year will take place at the beginning of Term 3, following feedback from parents. At the end of Term 2, parents will receive a progress snapshot for their child, which will provide valuable information for discussions during Academic Review Day. Further details will be sent out closer to the date.
A big thank you to all the parents who attended our Meet and Greet, participated in the Open Classroom, or joined us for the last week of clubs. Your support is invaluable, and we will continue to seek ways to keep you informed and involved in school life.
We are proud of the achievements that our pupils have already accomplished this term, including our charity work, all pupils who have taken on a role/responsibility within the school and our sporting achievements, demonstrating their dedication and the strength of our school community.
Kind regards,
Stuart Mitchell
Principal
Dates for the Diary
(please note these are subject to change but we will inform you as soon as possible if this is necessary)
Monday 4th Nov - Start of Module 2- Clubs start
Wednesday 6th Nov- Christmas Card Design
Friday 8th Nov 15:30-18:00 PTA Autumn Disco (Christmas Card Deadline)
Monday 11th Nov Anti Bullying Week /Remembrance Day
Thursday 14th Nov 8:50-9:30 SEN Coffee Morning
Friday 15th Nov CHILDREN IN NEED
Monday 18th-Friday 22nd Nov Scholastic Book Fair
Monday 25th Nov- PTA Donations Week (Class Hampers & Tombola)
Friday 6th Dec - ELF DAY
Saturday 7th Dec- PTA Christmas Market 12pm-3pm
Monday 9th Dec- Last week of clubs-(Parents invited)
Wednesday 11th Dec - Christmas Dinner with Christmas Jumpers
Thursday 12th Dec- 14:15- 15:00 Year 3/5 Christmas singing (Parents invited to attend))
Friday 13th Dec- 14:15- 15:00 Year 4/6 Christmas singing (Parents invited to attend)
Monday 16th Dec- 9:30 - 10:00 Reception Dress Rehearsal to Nursery/KS1. 14:00 - 15:00 KS1 Dress Rehearsal to Reception/KS2
Tuesday 17th Dec- 9:30 - 10:00 Reception Christmas Performance to parents. 14:00 - 15:00 KS1 Christmas Performance to parents
Wednesday 18th Dec- 14:00 - 15:00 KS1 Christmas Performance to parents. Open Classroom KS1 15:20- 15:50/ KS2 15:30 - 16:00.
Friday 20th Dec- end of term (13:30 ). Progress snapshots go home
Wednesday 15th January - Academic Review Day
Secondary school application deadline 31st October
The deadline for submitting your school applications is during the school holidays - please make sure you have completed the application for your child if they are currently in Year 6. All parents should go to www.kent.gov.uk/ola to register and apply. Information about secondary schools will be available from the Kent County Council website.
PTA Autumn Disco - Friday 8th November
A big thank you to all parents who have volunteered (or been “voluntold”) to join the PTA! Leigh Academy Hartley is built upon the incredible support and generosity of our parents and the community we share. We are looking forward to another exciting year of fun activities and fundraising, with every penny raised being directly invested in enriching the experiences of our pupils.
Thank you once again for your commitment and involvement!
In preparation for the Christmas Fair, the PTA are asking that all children bring in two non-perishable items that can be added to a year-group Christmas Hamper and the sweets/bottles tombola on the WC Monday 25th November. The hampers will become raffle prizes at the Christmas Fair on Saturday 7th December. Hamper items can be anything you would wish to find in a Christams Hamper, e.g. mince pies, christmas pud, chutney, shortbread, crackers, chocolates, wine, etc. It might be a good idea to work together as year groups to make sure the hampers aren't filled with sixty of the same thing! If you could use your year group WhatsApp groups to coordinate who is bringing what, that would be very helpful!
The Community Cupboard
Earlier this term, our head boys and girls helped to take all of your generous donations to The Community Cupboard. They also helped weigh our donations and check best before dates. The children worked hard and learned a lot about what The Community Cupboard does to help people in our local community. Well done team - you did LAH proud!
Hartley's Big Adventures
At Leigh Academy Hartley, we believe in offering all year groups a range of exciting “Big Adventures” throughout their time with us, giving pupils opportunities and experiences beyond the classroom. We’re thrilled to report that Hartley’s Big Adventures have been in full throttle during Term 1!
This term, Year R and Year 6 embarked on their first Forest School sessions, becoming true adventurers. Year 5 unleashed their creativity, taking part in an online workshop with the National Gallery as well as working with a visiting author and transforming into storytellers by creating their very own book! Year 1 became writers and designers during their Groovy Workshop, and they’ve truly embraced the adventure.
Well done to all pupils for always giving their best and showing our guests what it means to be a happy, positive achievers.
Attendance Term 1
Please have a look at our Attendance policy to make sure you are aware of procedures regarding lateness and unauthorised absences.
The highest attendance this term goes to Chestnut, Silver Birch, Rowan, Ash, Beech, Sycamore and Elm Class. Well done.
The PYP @ LAH!
During Module 1, our inquirers in Nursery, Reception and Years 1-3 have been focusing on 'Who We Are': they have been finding out about values, beliefs and cultures as well as exploring more about themselves, including how to keep their minds and bodies healthy! In Year 4, children have focused on the theme of 'How We Express Ourselves', inquiring into how people such as inventors and artists use creativity and problem solving skills to express themselves; Year 5 have continued with this theme and explored the history of storytelling, and how it has changed over time, whilst Year 6 have investigated different art forms such as music, dance and architecture linked with expression! Through these Units of Inquiry, our children have had the opportunity to develop different approaches to learning, including research and thinking skills. They've also developed risk-taking and communication skills, as well as becoming more knowledgeable!
LAH Sporting Success!
At Leigh Academy Hartley, we are committed to offering all pupils a wide range of clubs to help develop their character profile. Some of these clubs have enjoyed phenomenal success this term!
Our fabulous footballers took part in the Riverview tournament and were narrowly pipped in the final, securing an incredible runners-up place. It was a fantastic morning for all involved, although I’m not sure Mrs Fewell and Mrs Brown have any fingernails left after such a tense finish!
Meanwhile, our rugby team went one step further this week by winning their tournament, narrowly beating Langley Park, who they had lost to in round 1. A huge congratulations to all the players for their hard work and determination.
Term Dates - 2024/25
Staff development days - Thursday & Friday 29th & 30th August 2024 (school closed to pupils)
Term 1 - Monday 2nd September - Friday 18th October 2024
Term 2 - Monday 4th November - Friday 20th December 2024 (1.30pm finish)
Staff development day - Monday 6th January 2025 (school closed to pupils)
Term 3 - Tuesday 7th January - Thursday 13th February 2025
Staff development day - Friday 14th February 2025 (school closed to pupils)
Term 4 - Monday 24th February - Friday 4th April 2025
Term 5 - Tuesday 22nd April - Friday 23rd May 2025
Term 6 - Monday 2nd June - Tuesday 22nd July (1.30pm finish)
Staff development day - Friday 27th June 2025 (school closed to pupils)
Term Dates - 2025/26
Staff development days - Thursday & Friday 28th & 29th August 2025 (school closed to pupils)
Term 1 - Monday 1st September - Friday 17th October 2025
Term 2 - Monday 3rd November - Friday 19th December 2025 (1.30pm finish)
Staff development day - Monday 5th January 2026 (school closed to pupils)
Term 3 - Tuesday 6th January - Thursday 12th February 2026
Staff development day - Friday 13th February 2026 (school closed to pupils)
Term 4 - Monday 23rd February - Friday 27th March 2026
Term 5 - Monday 13th April - Friday 22nd May 2026
Term 6 - Monday 1st June - Friday 17th July 2026 (1.30pm finish)
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.
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