Haltwhistle Academy Newsletter

Welcome back!

Welcome back to another exciting school year at Haltwhistle Primary Academy!   We hope that your summer was filled with joy, relaxation, and memorable moments with your family and friends.   As we embark on a new school year, we want to extend a heartfelt welcome back to you and your children.

Our team is delighted to see familiar faces and excited to meet new families as we kick off another year of learning and growth. This year, we have some wonderful plans and initiatives in store, including West Northumberland Football League, WISE Stemfest, our own School Parliament and an exciting Personal Development programme all designed to enrich your child's educational experience.

We value your involvement and encourage you to stay connected with us through our upcoming events and communications. Your support and participation are essential in helping us create a thriving and supportive learning environment for our students.  We've already added regular coffee mornings, parent lunches and other key dates to our school parent calendar (see below).  Did you know that you can also add our school calendar to your own phone calendar by clicking the +Google symbol.  

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. We look forward to a fantastic year ahead and to working together to make it a memorable and successful one for all.

Summer Fun

Before the summer the Year 3 pupils had an amazing experience at our very own campsite - Sleep Under The Stars! Staff and children enjoyed a day of exploring and playing in the sun. After archery, delivered by Talkin' Tarn, pupils enjoyed a toasted marshmallow and a cup of hot chocolate before settling down in their tent. A special thanks to Ayesha Jackson who supported the campsite with use of the Youth Club. Further photos and videos will follow. 

We look forward to welcoming the new Year 3 to our Sleep under the Stars campsite in the summer term. 

West Northumberland Football League

We are always continuing to develop opportunities for sport. We are pleased to announce that we have been able to work with local schools Allendale, Henshaw, Greenhead, Shaftoe and Newbrough to create our very own league. There will be opportunities for pupils to take part in the main league for Year 5/6 and mini-tournaments for Year 3/4 pupils. Further information will be provided in due course. 

A special thank you to Haltwhistle Jubilee FC who continue to support our school and have donated a set of new goals for our playground to enable us to continue to support a keen interest of football in school. 

After-School Club - Full of Beans

Children's fitness and coaching company - Full of Beans, would like to do after-school clubs in Haltwhistle! There are many different things to try including regular sports e.g. Cheerleading, dodgeball, handball but also some very new and interesting 'fusion clubs' e.g. Glow sports, NERF club, Quidditch and many, many more. 

Due to it being an outside company, there will be a cost of £10 per child per session 3:30 -5:30.

These after-school clubs can only go ahead if enough pupils are interested. Please identify if you would be interested. 

*PLEASE NOTE - THIS DOES NOT GUARANTEE A SPACE AT THE CLUB - PAYMENT WOULD BE MADE TO THE COMPANY DIRECTLY*

Internet Safety Monthly Message

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, 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.