Hasting Hill Academy
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Week ending 24/1/25
Dear Parents and Carers,
What a windy day! I hope this newsletter finds you well. It’s been a while since my last update, so I thought it was time to catch up.
The children have settled back into school life wonderfully after the holidays, and we are all working hard to improve outcomes across the school. You can support us by ensuring your children attend school regularly and arrive on time—missed learning is not easy to make up.
We’ve also noticed an increase in children being collected early for reasons such as weather, bus schedules, or hairdresser appointments. Moving forward, children can only be collected early from the front office for medical appointments (with proof) or if they are unwell and you’ve been contacted by the school.
Additionally, the academic calendars for 2025/26 have been released. At the bottom of this newsletter, you’ll find handy buttons with links to resources, including term dates for both this year and next.
Thank you for your continued support, and let’s work together for another fantastic term!
Dates for Diary:
29th January - Coffee Morning (see below)
3rd - 9th Feb - Mental Health Week
11th Feb - Safer Internet Day
12th February - Valentines Disco (more details to follow soon)
14th Feb - Y4 Class Assembly Day
20th February (Thursday) - Break up for Halr Term
21st February - School closed for teacher training day
3rd March (Monday) - Pupils return to school
6th March - World Book Day
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
Bikes/Scooters
We are aware that many of our children and parents travel to school using bikes, mopeds, scooters, or electric scooters. For everyone's safety, we kindly ask that you dismount and walk down the drive when arriving or leaving school.
Riding on the drive poses a risk, as it can lead to accidents or injuries. Unfortunately, we have already had an incident where someone fell off an electric scooter.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep everyone safe.
Breakfast Club
We kindly ask that all parents dropping children off for Breakfast Club by car use the designated parking bays. Parking outside these bays can block the road for staff and, more importantly, create a safety risk for our children.
Children may need to walk around parked cars, which could potentially move, putting them in danger.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our children safe.
Camping Residential (Year 3 and 4) 15-16th May 2025
We have 3 spaces available if you would like one, please contact Mrs Walton asap.
Knock Residential (Y5/6)
We have been extremely lucky to receive some funding and have decided to subsidise the Knock trip by £100. This means that the total cost of the trip will now be £110. Therefore we are extending the deadline to the end of January.
Knock is an out of bounds centre where children do lots of exciting activities with instructors. All of these costs, food, transport and accommodation are covered with this cost. The dates are 4th/5th/6th June
Child Protection
At Hasting Hill Academy we want it to be a safe place for every pupil. We will always do everything we can to make sure that every pupil within our Academy is safe both inside and outside.
This policy is to help pupils understand what Safeguarding means to them and to help them decide what could be a “problem” and whom you should talk to.
This has been shared with pupils this week:
Clothing Bank
Just a reminder - we have a recycling bank in our school car park. Please put any unwanted clothes, blankets and shoes in here. It raises money for school as well as decluttering your home. Please note this is not for school uniform.
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.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us make reading a priority for all our students.
Parent Pay
Soon we will be moving to a cashless school where all dinner money, childcare and trip money will be paid for online.
We will keep you up to date. Once our staff have been trained we will then introduce it to parents.
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 45 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: 88%
Reception- 93%
Year 1 - 94%
Year 2- 97%
Year 3- 97%
Year 4- 88%
Year 5 - 94%
Year 6- 90%
Overall - 93%
Fridays are the worst day of the week for attendance.
Staffing Update
We are thrilled to share that both Mrs. Watson and Mrs. Waugh have welcomed their babies into the world! Both mums and babies are doing well, and we can’t wait for a cuddle.
We also have some staffing updates:
Mrs. Williams, who currently works as an Early Years lunch supervisor, will now be joining Mrs. Rafferty as a Breakfast Club assistant. We’re excited about the positive contributions she will bring to this role.
Additionally, I’d like to take this opportunity to announce that Mrs Wray has officially retired from Hasting Hill after an incredible 18 years of service. She has been a valued member of our team and will be greatly missed. Thank you, Mrs. Wray, for your dedication, hard work, and the impact you’ve made on so many lives. Enjoy your well-earned retirement!
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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