Hartley Primary Academy Newsletter

Armistice Day

This year we all managed to raise £220.16 for the Poppy Appeal, through the sale of poppies and other poppy merchandise. A huge well done to our school councilors who went around the school selling items from the Royal British Legion. Our reception children went down to visit the war memorial and look at the poppy display there and Miss Lawford ran an assembly to explain the meaning behind Armistice Day and Rememberance Sunday to the children and we all had a minute's silence at 11am on 11th November to show our respect for the fallen soldiers and those who fought in the wars. There was also lots of lovely activities taking place around the school, including lots of clay and paper poppies which have since been decorating our classrooms.

Christmas Productions & Carol Concerts

Throughout last week the children have been able to perform their Christmas productions and carol concerts both to the rest of the school, and to their adults. The week, which started with the Monday snow day scuppering some of the dress rehearsal plans, started with our youngest children in Reception performing 'Tinsel'. The confidence these children showed was stunning and the 'cute-factor' through the roof! Years One and Two then had their turn at showing 'Christmas with the Aliens'; the singing, dancing and speaking in this was amazing and the costumes really made the show! The week finished with carol concerts from Years Three and Five on Thursday, and Years Four and Six on Friday. The children sung beautifully and it was lovely to see the year groups working with those that they might not normally get the opportunity to do. A big thank you to all the parents/carers who helped with learning words/making costumes and also to the teachers and TAs for putting these experiences together for the children.

Attendance

At Hartley, our school attendance target is 96%. Research suggests that even missing a little bit of school year on year, children can leave school with lower opportunities than they are capable of. As a school we strive to give children the best chance in life and this includes encouraging excellent attendance.

Attendance is monitored on a daily basis, and we send parents and carers a letter if their child’s attendance causes concern. Parents may also be requested to attend a meeting at school about attendance if this fails to improve.

If your child is ill, please telephone school before 9.00am on the first day with the reason for your child’s absence and continue to report their absence if they are absent for further days. This applies regardless of type of illness (sickness included even though we will assume they will be off for 48 hours we do need confirmation please). Please also make sure you tell us the names of all of your children who will be off sick - sometimes we get a message about one but not about the older/younger sibling! Whether you email or leave a message on the absence line, please give details of the illness, rather than saying they are 'poorly' or 'unwell' - we need this information for our records. Any voice messages left on the absence line should be clear and concise and state your child's name, class and reason for absence. Thank you.

In line with the Government Guidelines, term-time holidays will not be authorised, unless there are exceptional circumstances. If you are wishing to take a holiday during term time please write to us beforehand. Please note parents could receive a fine for taking children out of school for holidays.

School must be informed of any medical or dental appointments and evidence may be requested. Please email attendance@hartleyprimary.org.uk or phone school to arrange this prior to the appointment.

Punctuality is also important. Every day, between 8.45 and 9.00am, children have either ‘early work’ or in some cases intervention groups. It is extremely important that children arrive on time at school. Children who arrive after 8.45am must be signed into school by a parent/carer, via the School Office.