Hasting Hill Academy
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Week ending 14/3/25
Dear Parents and Carers,
It's been a busy start after half term with World book Day, phonic assessments and sporting trips galore.
We have four weeks left until we break up for Easter and I can't stress to you enough how important ensuring your children are in school every day. Our Y6 children are the poorest attenders in school and with only 28 teaching days left until sats they need to be in school!
Thankyou for all your support with scooters and bikes - we are having less accidents but still more than necessary so please remind children to step off their bikes/scooters when in school grounds.
The weather is very unpredictable so please ensure your child has a coat in school - it is Spring but you wouldn't think it at the moment!!!
We have asked for money and taken part in so many charity days that we have decided against Red Nose Day for this academic year.
We have started a new weekly initiative where if you are in school for 100% and no lates they will receive a weekly raffle ticket for a prize. Our school council picked the prizes and the children are loving it!
Dates for Diary:
28th March - Y5 Class Assembly
4th April - Year 3 Class Assembly
10th April - Easter Egg Competition
11th April - Year 1 Class Assembly
11th April Egg Hunt in school
28th April return to school
15th -16th May - Camping residential to Pybus (Y3/4)
4th-6th June - Y5/6 Residential to Knock
Camping Residential (Year 3 and 4) 15-16th May 2025
The final payment for this trip needs to be paid by April 4th (£25). We do have 2 spaces left, please contact the office with payment if you would like your child to attend.
Parent's Evening (Reception - Y6)
We will be hosting parents evening on the 2nd and 3rd April. This is an opportunity to speak to your child's class teacher about their progress, targets and any concerns you have. This is a face to face meeting. If your child has Special Educational needs this meeting will be slightly longer as their teacher will be reviewing their targets and setting new ones for the Summer Term.
Please sign up and we will get back to you to confirm your appointment.
https://forms.gle/unBz4qdVvwv2bHD89
2 year olds and Nursery staff will communicate their plans with you shortly.
Easter Activities
You are invited to take part in our annual Easter Egg
Decorating Competition!
Be as creative as you can
Please ensure all entries are the children’s work
There will be a first prize and 1 runner up from each year group.
Can all entries be brought into school on Thursday 10th April
Winners will be announced in assembly on the 11th
Ensure your child’s name is on their entry
Parent Questionnaire
We value your feedback and are committed to continuously improving Hasting Hill Academy. To help us understand your perspectives and ensure we're meeting the needs of our school community, we invite you to participate in our parental questionnaire.
Your honest opinions are incredibly important and will play a vital role in shaping the future of our school.
Please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire by clicking the link below:
https://forms.gle/ie9XWZrqVoxYMvKR9
Thank you for your time and valuable input. We appreciate your partnership in making Hasting Hill Academy the best it can be.
EYFS drop off and collections
To ensure the safety of all our children, especially our youngest learners, we kindly request that parents escort their children to the classroom doors each morning. This allows for a safe and direct handover to our staff. Please remember that our two-year-old children, in particular, cannot safely navigate the school grounds independently after being left at the fence. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Parking
We have had many complaints from our residents regarding parking on Tilbury Road.
Our school council have written a letter to our neighbours at the top of the bank. They went out and delivered them this week and were met with a warm welcome.
Please be careful when parking, several children walk home without an adult. Please don't park on the yellow zigzags or block peoples drives with your cars.
Baking
In the two year old provision we love to bake each week. It is such an important activity that has so many benefits for your child, of any age.
It enhances numeracy skills
Boosts language development
Encourages creativity
Develops fine motor skills
Teaches patience and focus
Promotes healthy eating habits
Builds confidence and independence
This term we have been making rock buns, heart biscuits, pancakes, bread and egg muffins.
Flag Bearers at the Stadium of Light
We have been given the opportunity for some of our Y5/6 pupils to be flag bearers on the pitch at the Stadium of Light for the Millwall match on Saturday 29th March. Look out for us!
PE Uniform
We are excited to announce that we are now offering a NEW PE uniform for pupils! This includes branded hoodies, joggers, and leggings, which will be available to order online starting tomorrow. Currently, the hoodie is ready to order, and the leggings and joggers will follow soon.
Please note: The PE uniform is entirely optional. Pupils are still welcome to wear the current PE dress code:
A plain black hoodie (or school jumper)
A white T-shirt
Plain black joggers or leggings
We decided to offer this option after receiving requests from many children for school-branded hoodies. The new PE uniform looks smart, and we’re delighted to give families the option to purchase it if they wish.
If you’re interested, click https://studentuniform.co.uk/hhps106/ to browse and place your order.
Please note that tracksuits or non-uniform sportswear in different colours are not permitted as part of our school uniform. We kindly ask that all children adhere to the uniform policy to maintain consistency and a sense of belonging.
Reading Books
At our school, we prioritise reading over homework, and we encourage you to do the same at home. Please spend just 10 minutes each day listening to your child read—it makes a significant difference!
Research shows that daily reading has numerous benefits, including:
Improved vocabulary and memory
Better concentration and reduced stress
Increased knowledge and stronger analytical skills
A broader understanding of different perspectives
Reading every day stimulates the brain and keeps the mind sharp, so we appreciate your support in fostering this habit.
We kindly ask that all children in Years 1–6 return their book bags to school every day so we can hear them read here too. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough books to provide spares for every child daily.
If books are lost,damaged or not returned then there will be a charge.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us make reading a priority for all our students.
Attendance
At Hasting Hill Academy, we believe that excellent attendance and punctuality are essential for every child. Children should come to school every day and on time that school is open unless absolutely unavoidable. Promoting excellent attendance is the duty of everyone; parents/ carers, staff and pupils. Occasionally children can be reluctant to come to school, we would encourage parents to discuss this with the class teacher or our family support worker Miss Watts.
Why is regular school attendance so important for my child?
Why is regular school attendance so important for my child?
Regular attendance at school means that your child can make the most of their education and improve their chances in adult life. School can also help your child’s social skills such as making and developing friendships. A regular and punctual attendance pattern will help your child when they enter the world of work.
The link between attendance and attainment in school is clear. The more a pupil is in school the more they increase their opportunity to fulfil their potential.
Is my child too ill to come to school?
Is my child too ill to come to school?
Please use this link for NHS guidance on when a child should be absent, for how long plus additional advice for parents.
https://www.nenc-healthiertogether.nhs.uk/
Absence and anxiety
Absence and anxiety
The Dfe have reported that there is a recognition that ‘more children may be absent from school due to symptoms of anxiety than before the pandemic. Worry and mild or moderate anxiety, whilst sometimes difficult emotions, can be a normal part of growing up for many children and young people. Being in school can often help alleviate the underlying issues. A prolonged period of absence is likely to heighten a child’s anxiety about attending in the future, rather than reduce it.’ If you feel that your child is struggling please contact Mrs Walton, Mrs Robson or Miss Watts
Request for leave of absence during term time
Request for leave of absence during term time
The law states that parents do not have a right to take their child out of school for a holiday during term time. Only in exceptional circumstances may a head teacher grant permission for leave.
Our whole school attendance attendance is currently 92% .The National level is 96%
We have over 90 children who have already missed 10% of school.
Please remember that fixed term penalty notices are in place for 5 days of unauthorised absences. Medical proof needs to be shared with school for it to be authorised.
You will receive a text every Friday with your child's attendance on. That is for the year to date.
If you need support with attendance please contact us so we can help.
This weeks class attendance is:
Nursery: 93%
Reception- 95%
Year 1 - 98%
Year 2- 93%
Year 3- 97%
Year 4- 98%
Year 5 - 100%
Year 6- 86%
Overall - 95%
Fridays are the worst day of the week for attendance.
Staffing Update
Mrs Cruickshanks in Nursery will be starting her maternity leave after the Easter holidays. Nursery will be covered with staff we have presently so the children will not be seeing new faces.
Coffee Morning
The Coffee and Care sessions are new groups we are running at Hasting Hill to bring together Parents/ caregivers providing them with a safe space and time to discuss basically anything they would like, whether that be struggles of parenting, financial issues, or even just an hour to themselves to have a cuppa.
Please enter via the assembly door.
Healthier Together
You are all invited to download the Healthier Together app from your usual
app store and/or access the website at the following link:
https://www.nenc-healthiertogether.nhs.uk/
This app is a great place to find accurate and trusted NHS healthcare advice in the North East. We all know getting hold of a doctor is difficult and sometimes you just need some advice and to know if they can attend school
School Dinners
Some of you have asked for a copy of our menus. On Monday 27th we will be starting week 2.
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