Haltwhistle Academy Newsletter

 Welcome to the world baby Jasper!

Congratulations to Jodie MacDonald and Liam on the safe arrival of baby Jasper.  Wishing you mountains of happiness together as a family ❤️

 Children in Need Friday 17th November

This year, we’re supporting Children in Need by celebrating the power of positive relationships, and the ways in which really positive relationships can help us all to achieve well in life.   Children can come into school in something spotty if they would like to.  They can also wear Pudsey items, although there is no expectation for parents to buy these.  Voluntary contributions can be made via parent pay.  

Remembrance Day

This week, nursery have been learning about Remembrance Day. We visited the display in the main entrance and talked about how we remember the people who helped to keep us safe. We noticed the poppies and talked about the war memorial in Haltwhistle. When we got back to the classroom we made our own poppies. 

Andy Goldworthy

We have been learning about our artist Andy Goldsworthy. Andy Goldsworthy uses natural materials to make land art. In forest school today, Brambles used natural materials to make their own land art. 

Year 2 Meteorologists!

This week Year 2 learnt about scientists who study the weather. We practised saying the word meteorologist and learnt all about Christopher Wren. We then used our reading and skills from writing lessons to read and follow a set of instructions to make our own rain gauge. Our rain guages are now outside for us to be meteorologists and measure the rainfall for the next week.  

Family Hub Courses for November

Social media reminder

From time to time we receive requests to support with children's social media use at home.  Please note the following age restrictions for social media use.  We recommend parents are included in any chat groups that include children so that you are able to supervise and monitor the content of your child's communication with their friends.  We recommend parents check Common Sense Media before installing a new app for their child.  This website allows parents to enter the age of their child and filter to find appropriate material.  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

Their Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls explains the measures you can take as a parent to keep your child safe online.  

Skillsbuilder - building our skills for life

Skills builder at home

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 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. 

Please help us to help your child catch up by ensuring they are in school and ready to learn every day.

Before and After School club bookings

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, Bethan Allsop, Vicki Ridley, Robyn Brockman, Shirley Phillips

Please speak to a member of this team if you are concerned about the safety of a child.