Earth Day 2024 was celebrated on Monday 22nd April and at West Ashtead we have been raising awareness of issues around global warming and plastic pollution, as well as thinking of some ways that we can all do our bit to help. Many students across the school were lucky enough to participate in an Earth Day Conference, hosted by LEO Academy and featuring live streamed lessons and quizzes about various aspects of environmental issues. Thi children really enjoyed being part of this huge initiative. 

At West Ashtead, we also decided to run an Earth Day Arts Competition, where children were invited to create an artistic piece in response to this year's Earth Day theme - Planet Vs Plastic.  We had some AMAZING entries across all areas of the Arts from poetry to sculpture. It was very difficult to choose winners but we would like to say congratulations to our Junior winner, Evi in Year 4, and our Infants winner, Louis in Year 2. 

We've had a very exciting few weeks in sport at West Ashtead.  Cross Country matches and  Football tournaments have been keeping us busy.

The last Cross Country match of the season took place on Friday 22nd March.  All the children ran very well again, with Sienna W coming 2nd in the Junior Girls' Race and many children coming in the top 30.  Cross Country starts again in September, hopefully our incoming Year 3 children will be as enthusiastic about joining in as this year's Year 3!  Special mentions to Theo S, Sienna W, Bradley W and our amazing Year 5 girls who worked hard at improving their placings throughout the season.  Thanks also to the Year 5 girls for helping the younger children and making sure they got to the right place.  Well done Scarlett C, Willow B and Caylah CN.

A team of Year 4 boys took part in a LEO football tournament in the week before Easter.  They played against three other LEO schools and came second overall.  This means that they go on to the Finals where they play the winners of the other three LEO schools.  Well done to Theo S, Freddie AO, Oliver F, Jack H, Seb C and Noah O.  Good luck for the Finals!

The Year 5/6 Boys Leatherhead and District football tournament took place at LYFC on Thursday 18th April.  Our team played the other schools in the area, including The Greville, Oakfield and Eastwick.  The boys worked very well as a team and came second overall out of 9 schools.  Well done boys!  Teachers from other schools also mentioned how polite and friendly the boys were which is fantastic to hear when children are out representing our school.  Well done for being great ambassadors of our school - Jacob H, Harry W, Charlie M, Thomas R, Atticus G, Bradley W, Josh O and Henry H. 

The Year 4 girls had their chance at their LEO football  tournament this past Wednesday 24th April.  They played brilliantly in their first ever matches as a team and finished in 2nd place!  They, like the boys, have made their finals where they will play the winners of the other LEO tournament. Well done girls, what a great result! Good luck for the finals to Amelie B, Sienna W, Marianna S,  Daisy R, Chloe H, Arla B and Lina N. 

Our Year 4 and 5 girls footballers were involved in their Leatherhead tournament on Thursday 25th April.  They played very well and gained 5 draws and 3 losses against some very strong opposition. Well done to 

Our Key Stage 2 Panathlon group winners went to their Surrey final today.  They did very well to come 6th out of 8 teams., especially as the competition began with 65 teams!  So, we are claiming 6th out of 65!  Well done to Evie H, Tommy D, Albie B, Sam W, Nathan S, Christopher S, Sofia L and Sara K.

We have lots more opportunities for children to represent our school with football matches and Cricket tournaments coming up over the next half term. 

Reception - Please click here to find out what Reception have been learning over the past couple of weeks

Year 1 - Please click here to find out what Year 1 have been learning over the past couple of weeks

Year 2 - Please click here to find out what Year 2 have been learning over the past couple of weeks

Year 3 - Please click here to find out what Year 3 have been learning over the past couple of weeks

Year 4 - Please click here to find out what Year 4 have been learning over the past couple of weeks

Year 5 - Please click here to find out what Year 5 have been learning over the past couple of weeks

Year 6 - Please click here to find out what Year 6 have been learning over the past couple of weeks

As a state school, our budget from the Surrey Local Authority is calculated on a ‘per pupil’ basis and, in inflation adjusted terms, has not risen commensurately with our costs for several years.  Despite considerable efforts by the school’s staff to rigorously control costs while maintaining high standards of educational quality, costs have risen. 

We are establishing a voluntary contribution fund to advance the education of pupils at West Ashtead Primary Academy by the provision of resources, equipment, teaching and facilities for education in addition to those provided out of public funds.  The voluntary contributions are essential if our school is to maintain its current standards and provision.  Our intention is that the fund has a specific focus, this year it is technology and specifically raising funds to upgrade our interactive boards. 

Request - what are we asking of you? 

Contributing to the fund is voluntary.  We’re aware that many families already contribute generously to the school through supporting the Friends’ initiatives.  This is an invaluable source of funding for us that has financed some fantastic additional resources for the pupils, such as iPads, our library, STEAM room and classroom resources.  We also know that not all parents are able to attend and support the Friends’ events and may wish to support the School in other ways. 

We are suggesting a donation of £50 annually per family.  You may wish to contribute less or more, annually or monthly.  Every contribution will go towards us being able to invest in additional technology to enhance our children's learning.  Parents can pay for School Fund online via our Arbor payment system,  go to Accounts - School Fund - Top Up Account.

We would like to thank you for your support. 

Help raise funds for the LEO Foundation by joining our lottery.

• Join our weekly lottery from just £1 a week

• It’s an easy way to support our Trust and help raise funds for LEO Foundation projects

• 40% of ticket sales come back to us

• There’s a guaranteed winner every week as well as the chance to win £25,000

• It’s easy to sign up online so start supporting our Trust today!

This year, funds raised by the LEO Foundation supported our LEO PRIDE Awards in EYFS, our ECB All Stars Cricket Development Centre for Year 2 pupils, Mandarin lessons for Year 5 pupils and our Year 6 Junior Citizenship Programme.

Your support is greatly appreciated and we wish you good luck!

To purchase a ticket please click here.

Please..........help your child:

• Regularly listen to your child(ren) read 

• Encourage your child(ren) to complete their homework / Doodle Activities / Timetable Rockstars

• Ask your child about their day and talk about the amazing things they have learned

• Talk positively to your child(ren) about school and their progress / praise their achievements

• Speak to your child(ren)'s class teacher or a member of the Senior Leadership Team if you have any concerns regarding your child(ren)

• Avoid taking your child(ren) out of school during the school day / term time for appointments and holidays

• Drop your child(ren) off to school on time and in the correct uniform / collect your child(ren) on time / if you drive to collect your child(ren), ensure that you park safely respecting our neighbours and local businesses

Please..........help us:

• Carefully read all communications to ensure that they are fully understood and actioned (if required)

• Promptly report your child(ren)'s absence 

• Ensure you pay for school meals / trips / events on time via Arbor

• Update your personal information via the Arbor App if there are any changes

Please..........help raise funds:

• Contribute towards the School Fund

• Consider taking part in the school lottery

• Support the FOWA in attending events / or even better support the FOWA in helping to organise events

Social Media 

To be kept up-to-date with all of the exciting activities, learning and events that the children are participating in please follow @WestAshtead and @LEOacademies on Twitter, @west.ashtead.primary.school on Instagram and WestAshteadPrimarySchool on Facebook. 

Our social media platforms are used when the KS2 children are away on residential trips - seeing how much fun the children are having makes missing them not quite so bad, the children definitely do not look like they are missing home!

Please note that we only share photos of children who have photo permission and we only ever use their first name.  Also, we do not keep the photos that we share so if you see a photo of your child that you would like you can save these onto your own device by clicking on the 3 dots on the photo and selecting save.   Also if you see a post that interests you, please can we ask you to share/retweet.

If you would like your child to be included in our social media posts, please ensure that you have consented to social media.  If you are unsure please look at your child's profile on the Arbor app and contact the school office if you wish to make a change.