7th January 2026

Dear Parents

A very warm welcome back to all our students and families! I hope you all enjoyed a restful and joyful break, filled with quality time alongside your friends and loved ones. It is wonderful to see the school gates open again and feel the energy our students bring back to the corridors.

Staying Connected

As we start the new term, communication remains a top priority. To ensure you don’t miss out on any important updates, please make sure you are regularly checking:

Seesaw: For a window into your child’s learning and specific classroom announcements.
The School Newsletter: For whole-school news, key dates and celebrations of student success.

We have a packed calendar for Term 2, with a variety of exciting events and learning opportunities planned.

The Power of Sleep

While the start of a term is always exciting, it is also a time of transition. We often notice that several children appear quite tired during these first few weeks as they navigate "travel jet lag" or the adjustment of re-establishing school-year routines.

To help our students thrive, it is a great time to remember the power of sleep. Children are able to learn, play and engage far more efficiently when they are well-rested. To support your child’s wellbeing and academic focus, we recommend:

Consistent Routines: Aim for the same bedtime and wake-up time every day (including weekends) to help regulate their internal clock.
Screen-Free Wind-down: Try to reduce or eliminate screen time at least an hour before bed to help the brain prepare for rest.
Quiet Environments: Encouraging a calm, dark and cool sleeping space helps improve the quality of their rest.

We all share the same goal: supporting our children so they can be their best selves. Prioritising sleep is one of the most effective ways we can work together to ensure their success in school.

Tim Robinson

Headteacher

PDO School Class Photos

Please see below the dates for class photos.

For children in Reception - Year 2 - Year 3 - Year 6

Your child's class photo will take place on Sunday 25th January 2026.

For children in Nursery - Year 1 - Year 4 - Year 5

Your child's class photo will take place on Thursday 29th January 2026.

Please can children wear school uniforms on their allocated day as normal.

Thank you.

PDO School Team

Our PLG Journey: Together as a Learning Community

We are excited to continue sharing our Personal Goals Padlet platform in our weekly newsletter to celebrate achievements together as a wider community.

We kindly ask for your support in capturing moments when your child demonstrates any of the Personal Learning Goals - whether at home, in the park, during outdoor play or in daily routines. For example, if your child shows collaboration while playing outside, you may upload one photo and select the appropriate Personal Goal folder (e.g., “Collaboration”).

Families are welcome to share one photo per week if they wish, highlighting a Personal Goal your child has demonstrated.

Please click on the Padlet link below to share your child’s achievement with our community. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to celebrate their out-of-school achievements and for us to reinforce that their Personal Learning Goals are transferable skills beyond the classroom.

PLGs Padlet

Thank you for supporting the celebration of children’s achievements.

The IC Team

Early Years

Our Nursery children have been enjoying outdoor play during our Busy Builders unit! Digging in the sand, creating in the mud kitchen and climbing on the climbing frame helped build strong bodies and busy hands. With lots of teamwork, imagination and movement, outdoor learning has been full of joy and discovery.

Milepost 1

This week in Milepost 1 the children have looked at goal setting and the steps they have to take to get there.

As we enter a new calendar year, the children in Year 2 reflected on what they had achieved in 2025. There were discussions about goals, what they are and how they use them daily in school, such as house points, maths passports targets and reading targets. The children then thought about the smaller steps they have to take to reach their goals and that sometimes it comes over a period of time. The children are currently working on setting their own targets for 2026 both inside and outside of school. What goals have you set for 2026? How will you reach your goal?

Milepost 2

Milepost 2 launched their new units with exciting Entry Point experiences across the phase. Year 3 stepped into their Island Life learning by designing and creating imaginative survival dens. The children explored what life might be like on a deserted island, focusing on shelter, safety and teamwork.

These hands-on activities sparked curiosity and creativity for their new unit of learning. Year 4 began their Adventurers and Explorers unit with a full day of themed activities. Pupils worked together to build dens, testing their problem-solving and collaboration skills. They took part in a scavenger hunt that encouraged exploration and resilience. The day was completed with research into famous explorers from around the world, inspiring future adventurers.

Milepost 3

This week in Milepost 3, the Year 6 children have taken a giant leap... into a Mission to Mars Entry Point and into a trip to the planetarium. The children have enjoyed the challenges of the NASA astronaut training programme and have worked together to overcome and solve some complex NASA challenges.

Read

This term the children will be using their new knowledge to discuss the concept and need to potentially move to another planet. They will explore if this could be achieved and discuss the societal dilemmas and complexities of moving to another planet.

Congratulations to our Learners of the Week!

A huge congratulations to our newest Learners of the Week! This award recognises the incredible effort they put into their learning and the excellent ways they are putting their personal goals into practice. It's fantastic to see them growing and becoming such dedicated and confident learners.

PDO School Newsletter