Haltwhistle Academy Newsletter

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the parents and carers who joined us for the Key Stage 1 Christmas performance. Your support and enthusiasm truly made the event special for our young performers. We would also like to express our gratitude to the staff for their incredible efforts in preparing the children and creating such a magical and memorable production. The dedication and teamwork involved were truly inspiring, and we are so proud of what was achieved. Thank you for helping to make this festive season so joyful and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you so much for joining us at our Key Stage 2 Christmas Service. It was wonderful to see so many of you there to share in this special occasion. We are incredibly proud of our Year 6 pupils, who did a fantastic job retelling the story of the first Christmas with such confidence and expression. The children across all year groups sang our Christmas carols beautifully, filling the church with festive cheer. Your support means so much to the children and to us as a school. Thank you for helping to make this event so memorable. Huge thanks again to Holy Cross Church who continues to support our school and our families.  Wishing you all a joyful and peaceful Christmas season!

A big thank you to all the parents and carers who joined us for our festive Christmas crafts sessions! It was wonderful to see so many of you getting creative alongside the children, making decorations and keepsakes to treasure. A special thanks goes to Mrs. Hawkin for hosting these fantastic sessions and for her hard work in making them such a success. Your enthusiasm and support help make these moments truly magical for our school community!

Attendance - Fire Pit Friday

Pupils who are in school everyday for a week (100% attendance) are entered into a hat and chosen by random. 2 lucky winners from Years 1-6 are come to 'Fire Pit Friday' and enjoy a hot chocolate around the fire. This week's winners had a great time!

Who will it be next week?

School driveway

Please could we remind parents that the school driveway can be used at the following times only:

• To drop off for breakfast club (before 8.20am)

• To collect from after school care (after 3.45pm)

The drive is closed to vehicles from 8.20 - 9am and 3pm - 3.45pm to ensure the safety of the young children walking to and from school.  Only school taxi's and drivers with a blue badge can use the driveway during these times and must observe the 5mph limit.  

Thank you for your support.

Citizen's Advice

12 Social Media Online Tips - For Childen With New Devices

Children's Health 

Healthier Together App

Haltwhistle Family Hub

Attendance Matters - important changes coming

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.

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

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, Alex Wood, 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.