Haltwhistle Academy Newsletter
Hooray for Year 6!!
Results day is always a tense time for us teachers as we wait patiently for the eagerly anticipated scores from the Year 6 SATs! We knew this cohort had really put their all into their studies this year, and even with 2 1/2 years of covid disruptions, we were confident that we had done everything we could to ensure they were as well prepared as possible.
Well weren't they fantastic! Our children really did show the world what Haltwhistle children can achieve! Their smiles (and ours!) said it all. We're so pleased that they will all be heading off to their next schools with heads held high and ready to achieve brilliance in their next chapter of life.
Well done Year 6, thank you to our parents for all your support and of course thanks to our fabulous team of staff who have supported the children throughout their primary journey from N to Y6.
Nursery - We're off on a journey ... to the park!
Nursery had a wonderful morning at the Comb Hill part as part of our "We're off on a journey" topic. We had great fun pushing with our feet, and pulling with our arms as we played and had fun in the sunshine.
KS1 visit the Stephenson Museum
Key Stage 1 were able to consolidate their History learing about George and Robert Stephenson when we visited the Stephenson steam railway museum on Thursday. We saw Killingworth Billy- designed by the Stephensons and the 3rd oldest steam engine in the world! We heard the story of the Stephensons and some of us dressed up to help re-tell the story. We compared the Killingworth Billy with the George Stephenson's first steam locomotive- the rocket and we then had a go at designing our own locomotive. After lunch we had another explore of all of the steam engines in the museum and took part in a story telling session about steam engines. We all had a great day and learnt lots! Thank you once more to those volunteers who accompanied us
LKS2 Music
This half term, LKS2 have been learning the Beatles song "Blackbird". They've worked so hard on their breathing, choosing an appropriate time to take a breath whilst also thinking about the duration of the notes and making the dynamics suit the lyrics. Great teamwork LKS2!
LKS2 Blackbird.mp4Swimming Gala and Sports Day
Many thanks to the team from Haltwhistle Pool who have organised our Swimming Gala this year. They have confirmed the times of the swimming gala events next week which are as follows:
Friday 15th
Year 1 1.00 - 1.30pm
Year 2 1.30 - 2.00pm
Year 3 2.00 - 2.30pm
Year 4 2.30 - 3.00pm
Tuesday 19th
Year 5 2.00- 2.30pm
Year 6 2.30 - 3.00pm
Sports Days
Monday 11th July
Year 5 and Year 6 at 1-3pm
Tuesday 12th July
Year 3and 4 at 9-11.30am
Year 1 and 2 at 1-3pm
Skills Builder - Teamwork
We all celebrated the amazing success of our Year 6 pupils who achieved so highly in the SATs, we all celebrated the hard work, focus and determination they have shown over the past year. Well done Y6!
We focused on teamwork, our focus skill for the half term, during this weeks assembly. Mr Falkingham's class were commended for their success in creating a magazine in response to a challenge from our author in residence, Margi McAlister. Next week, Margi is returning with a real editor to review the children's writing and help them to learn the skills of a published author.
Well done to everyone who celebrated their achievements this week.
Attendance Matters
Attendance Matters
As we continue to recover from the disruption to children’s education caused by the pandemic, it is now more important than ever that children’s attendance is good or better. 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 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.
Good attendance is considered to be 96%+. This weeks year group attendance figures:
We have received an increased number of holiday request forms in recent weeks. Please do not take your child out of school during term time as it disrupts your child’s learning and you risk financial penalties. Please could we urge parents to book holidays during the 13 weeks of annual school holidays that are available each year. Unfortunately we are unable to authorise leave from school except in EXCEPTIONAL circumstances.
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.
Please help us to help your child catch up by ensuring they are in school and ready to learn every day.
Haltwhistle Library Summer Reading Challenge
Are you looking for something to do during the holidays? Come along to Haltwhistle Library and join us for the Summer Reading Challenge. Get ready for the Gadgeteers a Science and innovation themed challenge which will also be available online.
The Summer Reading Challenge is open to all primary school children and is designed for all reading abilities.
The format for the challenge is that children can take part in 3 planned activity sessions over the holidays and borrow 2 books per visit to complete the challenge and be awarded their medal.
Sign up for free during the summer holidays.
Opening times are
Mon-Fri 10-1 then 1.30-4.30
Saturday 10-1
Library visit
On Tuesday Anna from the library came to tell us all about the summer reading challenge. This year is Gadgeteers and the challenge is to read 6 books over the summer and you can collect stickers along your journey. When completed you receive a certificate and medal. The challenge can be started any time from 9th July. Throughout the summer the library are also offering additional reading events- see the attached poster for more information.
Dinner @ Haltwhistle Methodist Church (Summer holidays)
On the following dates there will be a hot meal provided for Children and Young People at Haltwhistle Methodist church. Ayesha (from youth club) will be there as a friendly face. If you would like to join us for 'dinner' please contact Ayesha by 12noon the day before on 07835163927 or via Facebook-Haltwhistleyoungandsweet. Meals will be served at 3.30pm on Tuesday 2nd , 9th , 16th, 23rd, 30th of August.
Calendar of Events - Please scroll to see all dates
Our Parent Calendar provides LIVE dates several months ahead. This can be accessed on our school website and can be added to your phone calendar to you are always aware of forthcoming events.
Our school designated safeguarding leads are Susie Drake, Tony Irvine, Michelle Brewster and Bethan Alsopp