Term 2

The Hundred of Hoo Academy

Primary Bumper Bulletin

Message from Mr Etheridge

A huge welcome back as we start module three. The start of a new calendar year is always full of hope and excitement for what the following twelve months are to bring, but also often prompts us to reflect on what has been achieved and can be learnt from those which have just passed.

I am incredibly proud of what our students, staff and school have managed to achieve in the last year and feel very priveleged to be able to see, both on a daily basis and over time, our academy go from strength to strength. The children who attend The Hundred of Hoo Academy are truly exceptional and this can be seen not only through the progress they make as part of their learning, but also the progress they make on a personal level too. Children develop the ten learner profile attributes and prove that they become more caring, more reflective and more principled through their interactions which each other and with adults around the school, on the playground and in the lunch hall.

Every member of our staff has proven time and time again their commitment to your children by going over above their normal roles and responsibilities. Running clubs in their own time, staying after school to prepare resources so that lessons and interventions can be more engaging and impactful and truly getting to know the children to be able to build meaningful relationships.

Moreover, without the support and collaboration between parents, carers and school, the pupils at our school would not be able to achieve the excellent results and become the amazing young people that they do. 

Whilst there have absolutely been areas we have identified as possible next steps to further improve our school; clearer, more accurate and more timely communication being one of these, we are very excited about 2025 and beyond and are very much looking forward to you and your children being part of the journey.

Happy New Year!

Heart of Kent Hospice - Shaun the Sheep "Olympics in Motion"

The Hundred of Hoo Academy has excitingly been chosen as the new 'forever home' for one of the Shaun the Sheep statues which were seen all around the county town of Maidstone. Our very own sheep was designed by artist, Annabelle Hodd, and is "...a homage to the world of sports." The very colourful staute can currently be seen outside the Secondary Main Office, but will be touring the academy site and certainly will be spending some time at the Primary.

Emotional Wellbeing Workshop with Paula Johnson - Counsellor

As an academy we are in the very positive position of having Paula, our resident counsellor, who is able to provide play therapy to primary students without the significant waiting periods and thresholds experienced by children accessing counselling through the NHS. 

In addition to the direct work Paula conducts with our pupils, she also runs workshops which parents/carers are able to attend to give information, support and guidance about a range of different topics.

As previously shared, Paula will be running her next session on Monday 20th January 2025 9am - 10.30am and the focus will be on Emotional Wellbeing. As part of this session, Paula will cover resilience, sleep, low mood and how to support your child to overcome difficulties associated with these.

If you are interested in attending this session, please complete this Google Form by Friday 17th January 2025 so we are able to organise appropriate resources and refreshments. 

PTA Christmas Fair 

I wanted to take this opportunity to publicly thank our fantastic PTA, staff helpers and volunteers for their superb efforts in putting together the excellent Christmas Fair at the end of the last module. The range of stalls, activities and events was excellent. I know that a significant sum of money, which I will allow the PTA to write to you about separately, was raised which will go towards providing additional resources for our school. Additionally, I would like to thank parents and carers for taking the time to join us and for contributing to this fantastic fundraising effort. One plan is to create a sensory garden around the teepee and we know that the PTA are keen to provide some elements which will enrich this area.

Parking and Traffic

As a reminder, can I please ask you to consider utilising the following possible strategies to help reduce traffic in the academy and on the roads around the academy during drop-off and pick-up:

• Where possible, walk or cycle to school from home

• Park further away from the school and walk a short distance to the academy, avoiding the traffic directly outside the school

• Consider car-sharing with other parents (which could also save you money!)

• Consider utilising the school's breakfast and after-school club provisions

"Hoo Together" Forum

As a school we are truly committed to ensuring that our academy is an inclusive community which represents the growing diversity of its contextual make-up. Over the past four years the school has grown in size and diversity and with this in mind we are pleased to share the formation of our "Hoo Together" forum. The vision of this forum is to help all members of our community to feel seen, heard and represented. Over time, among other activities, we intend on reviewing some of our school's curriculum documentation and plans, the school environment, resources which pupils access and policies.

If you are interested in being part of this forum, please complete this Google Form and we will propose some dates for a meeting to take place by the end of module 3.

Key Dates

Monday 6th January 2025 - INSET Day

Tuesday 7th January 2025 - Star of Term 3

Thursday 16th January 2025 - NCMP Height and Weight Checks - EYFS and Year 6

Monday 20th January 2025 - Emotional Wellbeing Workshop

Monday 20th January 2025 - Meet the Leaders

Monday 27th January 2025 - Year 5 and 6 Parent Book Look

Tuesday 28th January 2025 - EYFS, Year 1 and 2 Parent Book Look

Wednesday 29th January 2025 - Year 3 and 4 Parent Book Look

Friday 7th February 2025 - Number Day

Tuesday 11th February 2025 - Safer Internet Day

Thursday 13th February 2025 - End of Term 3

Friday 14th February 2025 - INSET Day

Monday 24th February 2025 - Start of Term 4