Haltwhistle Academy Newsletter

Crazy Conker Maze

The crazy conker maze was the challenge during our Forest School session this week.

Working on improving our shoulder and wrist muscles and our hand eye coordination. The children had to tip and turn the conker maze boards to get the rolling conker into the hole at the center of the board.  Lots of turn taking, peer support  and  encouragement as the conkers made their way around the spiral maze and dropped into the hole.

French skipping!

Year 1 had a go at French skipping in PE this week! Although it was a little tricky at first the children showed fantastic determination and resilience. There were lots of big smiles and celebrations when they mastered the skill. Some of us even managed to jump backwards!  

Year 2 update

We have had a fantastic week of learning in year 2! In PE, the children have been active and full of energy learning the rhythm of French skipping, showing brilliant coordination and teamwork. As well as this, they have improved  their fundamental athletics skills by practicing proper hop, skip, and jump techniques. In Maths, we have been tackling additions that cross a ten, using Base 10 blocks and ones counters to build numbers and clearly see how ten ones make a new ten rod. Meanwhile, in Computing, the children have been practicing typing text and creating colorful designs using the Paintz app on our Chromebooks. We are so proud of how hard everyone is working! 

Year 4 Science

This term in Science, Year 4 has been diving into the fascinating world of States of Matter! As part of our investigations into how temperature affects materials, our young scientists have been measuring water temperatures to explore freezing and melting in action. Working brilliantly in teams, the children used thermometers to observe, measure, and track precise temperature changes over time.   

Year 6 Gymnastics

Small talk, Big difference - Speech and Language Advice from NCC

Important Allergy Advice

12/10/26 Our Picture News Assemblies this week have focused on the children understanding allergens and the critical importance of respecting each others food choices / needs.  In Y6, we discussed cross-contamination, special trays we have at lunchtime to keep children food safe, allergy onset, symptoms, our school epi-pens and that every member of staff has accessed allergen training.  

We have issued updated allergen guidance, so please help us keep every child safe by following our safe lunchbox guide.  

We have updated our schools allergy policy and lunch box advice in line with Benedicts Law.  This new legislation ensures that schools implement strong, consistent measures to protect children with allergies from severe and potentially life-threatening reactions. Named in memory of Benedict Blythe, Benedict's Law requires a whole-school approach to allergen safety, relying on the vigilance and support of our entire school community.

Following our updated lunchbox advice is an important part of this effort. Even a tiny trace of an allergen - whether from a shared snack or accidental cross-contact on a table - can trigger a medical emergency. By carefully checking ingredient labels and strictly avoiding banned items in your child's packed lunch, you directly help us prevent accidental exposure. Your cooperation is essential in ensuring that every pupil can eat, learn, and play in a safe, inclusive environment.

Holidays in Term Time

Inspiring Futures: Careers, Choices & Community

This section will highlight how we are supporting children to develop their aspirations by learning about the world of work and the many career pathways available to them. It will share information about visiting speakers who talk to pupils about their jobs, opportunities for parents and carers to come into school to discuss their own careers, and activities that help children understand how their skills and interests can shape future choices. Together, these experiences aim to inspire ambition, broaden horizons, and help pupils see the link between education and future opportunities.

We warmly invite parents and carers to get involved by sharing their own career experiences with our pupils. Whether through a short talk, a classroom visit, or answering children’s questions about your job or career pathway, your involvement can make a real difference in inspiring and broadening our pupils’ understanding of future opportunities. If you are interested in taking part, please get in touch with the school — we would love to hear from you and welcome you into our learning community.

Our School Skills

Citizen's Advice

Children's Health 

Healthier Together App

Haltwhistle Family Hub

Our New Breakfast Club Provision

We are delighted to see how popular our new breakfast club provision has been with the children! As a reminder, we offer both paid early-start options and a free morning provision for all pupils from Reception to Year 6:

• Early Start Breakfast Club (Paid):

  • Nursery: 7:45 AM – 8:30 AM

  • Reception to Year 6: 7:45 AM – 8:15 AM

• DfE Free Breakfast Club (8:15 AM – 8:45 AM):

  • Full Breakfast (8:15 AM – 8:30 AM): Served in the hall for Reception through Year 6. Children can enjoy cereal, toast, yoghurts, and fruit, alongside indoor activities and yard play.

  • Grab & Go Bagels (8:30 AM – 8:45 AM): Available during classroom soft start as staff greet families at the gate.

Important Communication Update

Please note that, due to safeguarding and online privacy reasons, we have reduced our activity on social media. To ensure you do not miss any important updates, celebrations, or upcoming events, please make sure to check our weekly school newsletter, which will serve as our primary platform for all school news and announcements.

Thank you for your continued support in making our school community such a fantastic place to learn and grow. We look forward to working alongside you for a happy and successful year ahead!

Safety Comes First

Attendance Matters

Every second in school counts, as missing school, whether by being late or taking unnecessary days off, creates more new learning gaps which need to be addressed.  The best way you can support your child to recover from the lost school time of recent years is to ensure they are in school and ready to learn every day. 

We are always available to support with attendance. Please come to the office and someone will be happy to help. 

We want every child's attendance to be good or better.  This means 96%+

Please check your child's attendance (see our app) against the class and national data.  School staff are able to offer support if your child's attendance is of concern.    

Please do not take your child out of school during term time as it disrupts your child’s learning and you risk financial penalties.   Any term time leave of absence must be applied for more than 2 weeks before the date of leave and can only be authorised by the Headteacher in the case of EXCEPTIONAL circumstances.  Please could we urge parents to book holidays during the 13 weeks of annual school holidays which are available each year.    In line with our attendance policy, we are required to refer all qualifying absences due to holidays during term time to the Education Welfare Officer at Northumberland County Council.  

If leave has not been authorised and your child is out of school then you may receive a minimum fine of £60 per child, per parent.  If the time out of school makes your child’s attendance drop below 90% then they are known as persistently absent under the governments attendance definitions.  This means that you may face prosecution through the courts. 

Pupil illness - Please note that in line with the new attendance guidance, we need a clear reason for absence for the school register.  If your child is 'poorly' their absence is registered as unauthorised until a reason is provided. Please contact the school office as soon as possible so that the illness reason can be authorised.   

Under the new government policy, if one parent takes their child on an unauthorised term time holiday, both parents with parental responsibility could be subject to a fine issued by Northumberland County Council.  This includes when parents are separated.  

Before and After School club bookings

Places at breakfast club and after school club can be booked and paid for on your Arbor app.  Please note that bookings must be made at least 48 hours in advance to ensure we have adequate staffing available. Please speak to a member of our office team if you need to make a short notice booking 01434 320467.

Calendar of Events - Please scroll to see all dates

If reading this on your phone, please turn your phone sideways to be able to scroll through our planned dates.  You can also add our calendar to your own phone calendar to be sure you don't miss a date.  

Our school designated safeguarding leads are Susie Drake, Julie Phazey, Vicki Ridley, Robyn Brockman - Crow and Shirley Phillips

Everyone is responsible for safeguarding children.  Please speak to a member of this team if you are concerned about the safety of a child.