Welcome Back!

Welcome back to a new school year.  It has been fantastic to see the children again this week and to hear all about the things that they have been doing during the summer holidays.  What a busy time some of you have had!

It was great to see so many of the children coming into school so confidently; I couldn't believe how settled each class was by 9am on Wednesday.  We know that some of the children may have little wobbles over the next week or two as they adjust to their new routines.  This is all perfectly normal.  

Over the next few weeks, we look forward to sharing more with you about the things coming up this year.  The Meet the Teacher mornings, which begin on Monday, are a good way to find out what to expect.  Soon, we will also be sending out more information about the upcoming trips and visits.  We hope that this is all helpful but please do speak to class teachers if you have any queries or questions.

All Special, All Different Day

Next Friday, 11th September, will be our annual “All Special, All Different Day” for all pupils! 

The day isn’t just a fun day of dressing up and sharing—it’s a reminder of something very important. It has never been more important for children to grow up knowing that differences should be valued, respected, and celebrated. In a time when we often hear about disagreements, misunderstandings, and people being treated unfairly because of who they are, this day gives us the chance to do the opposite: to come together, to listen, and to learn from each other. It’s about showing children that our school is a safe and welcoming place where everyone belongs, no matter their background, culture, or identity.

By celebrating our uniqueness every year, we hope to give children the confidence to feel proud of who they are, while also encouraging kindness, empathy, and curiosity about others. These are not just school values—they are life skills that will help them navigate the wider world with understanding and respect. “All Special, All Different Day” is, therefore, more than just a school event. It’s our way of teaching children that being different is not only okay—it’s something to celebrate, now and always.

On the day, children are invited to:

• Dress up – Wear clothes that celebrate who they are. This could be traditional dress from their family’s culture—like saris, kilts, or flamenco dresses—or even something that shows off their personality, such as favourite colours, a flag, or clothes that represent their hobbies or interests. (Please make sure outfits are still practical for school and respectful of cultures.)

• Bring a show and tell – A picture, book, toy, or object that tells us something about their background or what makes them special.

• Share food – Bring in a dish from their culture (nut-free and labelled with ingredients, please!) for their class to try. 

• Share a story or tradition – This could be a short tale, a fun fact about a celebration their family enjoys, or even a few words in another language they speak at home.

• Make something creative – Children could design a flag, draw a family tree, or create artwork that shows their identity and interests.

“All Special, All Different Day” is all about celebrating what makes each of us unique while learning about and respecting each other’s differences. We hope this day will continue to grow each year, helping everyone feel proud of their identity and heritage.  We can’t wait to see what the children bring to share this year—there are always surprises, and we end up learning so much about one another!

Curriculum Information

Skills for Life

At Nash Mills, we spend considerable time ensuring that in every subject the children get a clear and carefully planned curriculum that builds on the skills and knowledge that they learn as they move through the school.  At the start of the school year, we use the newsletter to share information about a different subject each week.

This week, we will explain our new 'Skills for Life' curriculum, which has been developed from our existing PSHE curriculum following consultations with pupils, staff and parents last term.

Our Skills for Life curriculum is designed to equip children with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills they need to thrive both now and in the future. Built around six key strands; Being Me, Being Different, Being Together, Being Older, Being Healthy and Being Safe, the curriculum provides a clear and progressive journey from Nursery through to Year 6. The same themes are revisited each year at an age-appropriate level, allowing children to build on prior learning and develop a deeper understanding as they grow. This carefully sequenced approach ensures that important topics such as relationships, wellbeing, personal safety, resilience and healthy lifestyles are taught at the right time and in the right way. 

The curriculum reflects our commitment to preparing children for life beyond primary school. Alongside meeting statutory requirements for Relationships and Health Education, it responds directly to the needs of our school community. Children will learn not only how to stay safe and healthy (includiung local road, water and rail safety as well as First Aid), but also how to understand and manage their emotions, build positive relationships, make responsible choices and contribute positively to society. By combining high-quality resources from trusted organisations with the values of our school, we aim to develop confident, compassionate and resilient young people who are well prepared for the opportunities and challenges of modern life.

All of our curriculum information can be found on our school website.  If you would like to know more or to see what your children will learn at each stage, please take a look!

SEND Update

Last year, some parents fed back that they did not always know how to speak to our SEND team.  To help with this, we have bought in a new process, which will begin this term. 

If you have any concerns about the progress that your child is making in school, please speak with the class teacher initially.  You can ask for an appointment to do this at the school office, or by speaking to the teacher at the start or end of the school day.  If, following this or if your child has had previous input from Mrs Nicholls or Mrs Jessop, you can now make an appointment for a consultation with our SENCO, Mrs Nicholls.  We are offering appointments each Tuesday morning which can be face-to-face or online.  Please speak to the school office if you ever need to make an appointment.

Expectation Reminders

At the start of the school year, we felt it important to remind you of a few key expectations:

• Hair and Jewellry - Please ensure that long hair is tied up and that your child does not come to school wearing jewellry.  Small stud earrings are acceptable, as are watches.  However please no smart watches.

• Uniform - Please ensure that your child is in the correct school uniform each day and, especially as the weather gets colder, that names are clearly visible in all coats and jumpers.  Please also ensure that skirts and dresses are at least knee length.

• Lost Property - Each class has a tub into which clothing will be put if it is lost.  This will be kept in the classroom and taken outside at lunchtimes.  Any uniform that is not named will be placed in the grey tub which is kept under the shelter on the playground.  Every few weeks this will be emptied and any unclaimed clothing will be put into our clothing recycling.

• Toys - Unless it has been agreed by the class teacher, please do not send your child into school with toys from home.  It is always a shame if things get lost or broken.

• Mobile Phones - Please be advised, as per our Learning Policy, that only children in Year 6 can bring phones to school - these are then stored securely in a locked cabinet throughout the school day. If children in younger year groups have mobile phones at home, please ensure that they do not bring them to school. 

Thank you for your support.